Mayors Response To Rooty Hill Free Shuttle Buses For Australia Fireworks Is Reasonable!

Mayor Stephen Bali, has sent a response in relation to suggestions to use free shuttle buses for the Australia Day Fire Works Event:

8 December 2014 at 10:02

John, thanks for your suggestion. We will take this on board but to highlight the difference between Rooty Hill & Chipping Norton Lakes, Ascot Drive, is:

* The hill at Rooty Hill is 800m from the railway station.

* Chipping Norton Lakes is 5km from Liverpool Station, and approx 3.4km from either Warwick Farm Station or the Racecourse.

So the Rooty Hill is centrally located but Chipping Norton Lakes is miles away from any transport hub.

As you hold Council to account to ensure we are efficiently and effectively spending ratepayers money, I assume some people may see it an unnecessary cost to put on buses when we are trying to encourage exercise (particularly since it is 800m away form the station) due to the obesity plague effecting most of us.

Mayor Cr. Stephen Bali

 

My feed back: I am highly pleased that firstly, there is such a quick response from the Mayor (which shows such great community interest) and that he is probably thinking one step ahead of and for the community. I think it doesn't matter what side of politic you sit on, it is important to lead by example!
It is easy for myself or other community members to jump up and down, request for community improvements that may not be in Council's Budget constraints for that financial year. The decision to  provide  free bus shuttle services may be a costly service to provide for the community. 

For example, take the Parramatta Free Shuttle Bus Loop, which I was explained by a former Parramatta Mayor a few years ago, the cost of running one bus was approximately $600,000 per annum to pay for (after supplying a bus), driver, fuel and any on running costs, on top of that like maintenance. The Parramatta Free Shuttle bus is an economic boost to the Business Hub of Parramatta, that is why it has been successful. 
 
If the proposed Rooty Hill Australia Free Shuttle Bus ends up to be too expensive, maybe a limited bus service could be provided for the elderly and people with walking disabilities, that may appreciate this support service.

As a community member that is trying to lose weight, I do agree that  people walking to events, makes their life healthier and that walking is also a great way to get to the event, even when it is 800m away!

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