Happy New Year 2016 To All That Live And Visit In Mount Druitt Suburbs!

In times of  living life with great happiness and joy, it is my pleasure to offer my greatest wishes to everyone that live and visits Mount Druitt that 2016 is a very happy New Year!

Let's  rid those struggles of life finding good solutions,
Let's help others that need it and one day they'll help you,
Let's see our Mount Druitt Town grow in stature and good mentions,
Let's  give the ideas not ask for ideas to make changes anew.

Stand up and follow the people in your street, teach goodness,
Find your strengths, lose your and find inner richness,
Be yourself and join in with others, bring that smiles to other faces,
Take pride with the world we live in, then others follow in your footsteps. 

Let achievements be known and acknowledged is all ways,
Let the young be heard and the adults listen each day,
Let leaders lead and listen before decisions,
Let people understand leaders or be one yourself!

Let every game of life lose or draw, be a win for you,
Let everyone around you shout joys of lovely news,
Let's change the world with one strong word of "Peace",
Let next year bring all people together in harmony in our human race of 2016.
 

We Need A Safety Handbooks/Pamplets For Cyclists Locally Within Mount Druitt and Blacktown LGA!

I have been thinking about this for quite a long time and I think that after a lot of holding back and waiting, cyclists with Mount Druitt and  Blacktown Local Government Area need to be provided with  a handbook/ pamphlet that would could make a difference with lives.

Being one of the most populated Council's within Australia and a Mayor that is passionate about the community's health: exercising, walking and cycling. We have Blacktown City Council cycle routes online map that doesn't number or name cycle routes, which could be done to commemorate people of the past. They that have made local history and have gone to great lengths to make the place a better place.

In saying this, I see so may elderly and young cyclists not wearing proper cycle gear. I am worried if they end up having an accident an whether they end up with light or heavy body injuries or even up up as a fatality. I know I should be thinking of it but it appears, the schools are teaching them, they don't listen to local press and parents want their children to ride their new toy but forget of the essentials.

So, we know what type of information should be in a handbook / pamphlet, what we need to do is work out, who would officially produce and print it? The easy one is  how it will be distributed, I'll place my hand up for this!

The answer is the Blacktown City Council Transport section in conjunction with  vital community members, should  be involved, produce and print it. They may need assistance from NSW Transport but I think this should be an exclusive from Blacktown itself. Something they can be proud to do for the community. I don't think it would be an enormous budget to do it, yet only others would know! Maybe other Councils will adopt if it is successful and has so much positive feedback! This should be added immediately into the Council's Integrated Transport Management Plan!

My estimations would be that between 10-15% of cyclists use proper safety measures when riding!

Feed Back On Accessible Buses From Busways - Yet NSW Transport Supply Buses!

As I was given a case reference number is 00023871, for the feed back on accessible buses required in "peak times" Mount Druitt, NSW Bus Region 1.

I was shocked to find that the main response come from Busways when I was hoping and directing the feed back was to come from NSW Transport.

Response was, "Firstly we would like to apologise for the inconvenience that you have experienced in dealing with Busways recently regarding wheelchair accessible services.

The allocation of accessible buses to services is done on the basis of achieving maximum utilisation of the available vehicles.  To comply with DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) requirements, we have to allocate accessible buses to the shifts that are ‘in service’ for the longest period of time.

Unfortunately, Busways is not in a position to allocate buses to particular trips.  We currently comply with the DDA requirement of 55% of accessible services and as more accessible buses are delivered, we will be able to increase this percentage in the future.

Accessible services will increase to 90% by 2017 and 100% by 2022.  Once we have achieved the 100% level required by 2022, every passenger can be assured of a low floor accessible bus service.

In the interim to ensure a low floor wheel chair accessible bus is operating on the route you require we encourage you to ring the depot prior to travel."


Kind Regards,
(Name Omitted)
Busways Group Pty Ltd

Editors Notes: So, currently we have currently 55% of buses running services that area in peak time not accessible. So if you are one of those commuters that are on the 45% of buses that are not DDA compliant, it's okay! Don't get on the bus, call Busways on (02) 9625 8900 and then wait for next DDA compliant bus!

My other suggestion is that DDA compliant buses are marked on 
all  time tables being hard copies or soft copies on the internet and that Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Management Plan is updated with these relevant public transport  bus improvements and they intern write to NSW Transport requesting same improvements.

We have to wait until early 2017 late 2017 before we have proper accessible buses. That in itself, is a long time for a community growing so fast! 

Click here for previous blog

Pacific Vision' Charity's Fundraising Night Is Annouced: 7th May 2016

Each year Pacific Vision Charity holds a fundraising event to assist community organisations  within the area and people in need within the pacific islands. It is called, "Masti Masala Night"!

 मस्ती मसाला रात

Last years guest was Councillor Edmond Atalla, Member for Mount Druitt, who gave a very proud speech of this organisation. This year we will find out who is it is? Maybe, you could write to this organisation and recommend, who should be guest speaker, this year?

The event costs $20.00 per head, local and may I say great entertainment is provided and great Indian food. 

If you you like further information, Click here for Pacific Vision Charity Website 


Click here for last years Pacific Vision Fundraising Event 

and check out their Face Book Page for acts and speeches from 2015: Click here


Date: Saturday, 7th May 2015
Bowman Hall,  Blacktown
Start: 6.30pm

These Are The Churches That Provided The Free Lunch To The Community On Christmas Day!

I always like to learn about events that I don't know about and become more locally educated, don't you! So, I made inquiries of which churches within Mount Druitt have donated their time and effort in assisting the community with free lunch during Christmas Day and I was intrigued of  what I learned.

Every day, we through the media and internet we learn about worldly things but when it come to local, most of us want to limit ourselves to what we know.

So this year was their 11th year in providing the free food to the community, the local churches that have providing this wonderful service to the community are: 

• Church of Christ, Mount Druitt
• Holy Family Catholic Church, Emerton
• Presbyterian Church, Tregear
• Uniting Church, St Marys

Congratulations to all of you for helping out. Maybe there are more churches and/or religions that would like to join in from next year.

Click here for previous link

A Sugestion To Improve 'Kiss And Ride Point" North Parade, Mount Druitt - Mount Druitt Community Member!

Time and time again we talk about areas of improvements required by community members. Yet when you know this  community member more than you know other community members, that you have met in your time at Mount Druitt, your talking to someone you can depend on, for great ideas.

Kiss And Ride Point, North Parade, North Mount Druitt

So, this Mount Druitt community member loves the  'Kiss and Ride Point', which she uses quite frequently over many years and suggests that as more and more community members use the 'Kiss  And Ride Point', especially in peak times, yet there is limited car space to actually use this, when completely used. So, alleviate any future issues as our community grows, she has suggested that the car spaces west of the North Parade downstairs lifts could be made into an extended pathway and  a 'Kiss And Ride Point' driving bay constructed, so that more commuters could be picked up or dropped of more conveniently  by cars driving into the bay. The removing of these car spaces is minimal and be replaced in due time with the future expansion (in due time) on the Mount Druitt Commuters Car Park.


A great small improvement, that could be taken up by  all public transport stake holders from Blacktown City Council, NSW Roads and Maritime Services and NSW Transport (Sydney Trains).

Chappos Towing Gifts Trucks Of Sweets To All Children Around Mount Druitt Suburbs - Great Cristmas Spirit!

Chappo's Towing, Mount Druitt doesn't just tow cars/vehicles from place to place, on Christmas Day they travel with their trucks, Santa and children throwing sweets at other children in streets, whilst honking and blowing car horns. This uplifts the  people of all ages around Mount Druitt, thank you very much:

Cick on this Face Book Video to watch it

Here are  their details:
Chappos Towing:
5/1 Stout Road,
Mount Druitt NSW 2770
(02) 96259983 
0418652526

Feed Back On Inaccessible Buses For Mount Druitt - Seat Belts Required - 2770 Watch Face Book Group!

So as I have shared the previous blog on inaccessible buses in local Face Book - here is the result of comments on '2770 Watch' Face Book group, with the result that safety belts are required on buses to make families safer:

Glen Blewitt People should fold there prams up they are wheelchair buses not pram buses

Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 9:38am

Mary-ann Malcolm I get your point but it more safe for a baby or toddler in they pram with they straps on

Unlike · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 11:36am

Jean-Francois Svoboda I understand what you mean but - most prams are large/big and what happens if commuters have to hold their infant child in one hand, scan their Opal ticket and drag/push the pram on the bus stairs as bus drivers watch you or as they did here watch her!

Like · Reply · Yesterday at 10:30pm

Glen Blewitt What would yous do if wheelchair buses wasn't invented ?

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 23 hrs

Jean-Francois Svoboda Accessible expensive taxis is next! What do you think? Great feed back from you!

Like · Reply · 1 · 23 hrs · Edited

Mary-ann Malcolm Yeah true well i dnt use a pram anymore and if i do i fold it down

Like · Reply · 1 · 16 hrs

Glen Blewitt More discussion than feed back

Like · Reply · 14 hrs

Glen Blewitt You will have to come on the trains in Melbourne no where to put yah suit cases

Like · Reply · 14 hrs

Swaran Luxford I would love to see Mummy/Daddy and bub buses. With seat belts. . Our precious little cargos needs protect too.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 5 hrs

Click on previous blog for further information!  

Merry Christmas & Joy To All Around Mount Druitt!

Children excited about the day of joy to come,
Parents are waiting for the children to have their fun,
Plans of meeting families: from one end of earth to another,
To having Street parties with neighbors getting to know each other.

In the Northern Hemisphere there is the cold snow weather falling,
In the Southern Hemisphere there is the hot and sweltering sun,
In all houses with little children sleeping overnight, anxiously waiting
Secret presents appear overnight by Santa,  quietly ready for opening.

Under the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, elder families watch,
The young opening presents; one by one with by their own touch,
Boxes are unwrapped, toys are exposed, new clothes are seen,
New stories are told of with the gifts being opened of future times of fun.

Yet, we ponder the real meaning of Christmas in our true hearts,
To bringing together in harmony, families, friends and foes,
The celebration of  birth for a special child that was our Jesus,
The Messiah, Messenger, Savior, Peacemaker, holy one so graciousness.

Although Christmas's actually meaning is the Mass of Christ: Jesus Christ,
Bringing us harmony, love, understanding and forgiveness to sinners lists
We all must pray and praise God for all  good deeds he provides on earth,
And I  like others, know how important he is to us from life to death.

The world believers of God will individually celebrate the goodness God brings,
Then in time 'Thank God" for all what we have to keep our lives living,
For now is the time to take time out pray for the needy, poor and people requiring the Lord's spirit,
Chanting good news of God's songs, messages to be sent around the world sharing it.


So on this note, wishing all Mount Druitt community members a



May all your wishes come true for gifts this Christmas and may peace, love and understanding be spread around our world!

So Which Christmas Tree Is The Best?

So, I have witnessed three Christmas large trees and would to know which one the community loves to in Mount Druitt. You might like the one we have in Mount Druitt, you might love the one at Westfield Mount Druitt or there is an outside chance you might love the one at Westfield Mount Druitt.

There might be another Christmas tree that you love around our area that we haven't seen. Send to us on email: nsjpas@gmail.com

Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt (Day)

Dawson Mall Mount Druitt (night)

and published will be your Christmas tree, where is the location of it.

Westfield Parramatta

Westfield Mount Druitt

Churches From All Over Mount Druitt: Free Christmas Lunch In Mount Druitt!

It is great to see that all churches from all over Mount Druitt are offering a free lunch to the community that needs one and to the poor as well. I commend all local church leaders in taking up this opportunity in keeping up with their faith of  "Giving"!


Again, if you know anyone that needs this assistance to boost their life, bring on a cheer or smile, here are the details:

I know that Holy Family Catholic Parish in Emerton is contributing, tell us the details of your church, religion or belief that  has contributed towards 'Mount Druitt Giving'.

This is also the time that leaders of these churches, religion, can send their message here and we will publish them, for you!

Free Food At Food Bank, Glendening - 2770 Watch Without Childish Admin Face Book Group!

Here you are, if you know somebody in need of free food. Send them here care of  '2770 Watch Without Childish Admin' Face Book Group:








  

Foodbank is open to the public on Christmas Eve morning - as a one off event - for anyone to come and get fresh produce, bread and bottled water. We have been donated extra quantities of fresh fruit and vegies which we would like to offer to anyone who needs it in order to reduce food waste after Christmas. 

The food is in good condition so please enjoy! Please share on to your friends and family!

Idea To Improve Mount Druitt Bus Interchange!

The thing that makes me upset within myself, is seeing all the large glass panels, wrecked by vandals scratching their name, initials or tagging it in their own way around Mount Druitt bus interchange.

Most people will just walk past it and expect it not to be addressed but I know it has been. It is a costly matter to resolve and upgrade. Like everyone else in the community with positive ideas of improvement was wondering how a slight improvement could resolve it. Well the solution I was thinking about Busways does it and uses it and Westfield Mount Druitt does and uses it as well. So it is not a new idea but a new idea for bus interchanges.

I do think that all stakes holders should get together discuss, plan and implement it as soon as possible, which could also brighten up the area.

So here it is. It is simply by providing advertisements that make it interesting for consumers who walk behind the glass panels and also  makes it interesting with brightening up the area. Commuters on the inside of the bus interchange will be covered by these ads.

Back of a Westfield Mount Druitt sign

This might reduce vandals damaging it and  provide an income to  NSW transport who I believe owns the Mount Druitt bus interchange! Let's hear what stake holders have to say?

A Busways Bus

State Member For Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla Update, December 2015 To The Community - Edmond Atalla

Tonight, reporting to the community, 'Questions and Answers', raised by our State Member for Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla  in NSW Parliament. You can see yourself they are all diversified areas of interest, some of us would take great interest in some or all of them. Others may just be interested in one item and want continuing updates.

The updates are from the Rooty Hill Labor blogspot and were posted a week ago. I will keep you updated with others as they are published.

Here they are:


Mount Druitt Hospital Hospital Beds

NSW Trustee & Guardian Assisting NSW Housing Residents

Rooty Hill Train Station Upgrade Status

Westmead Hospital Entrance

Women Only Refuge Centres 

Aneesh Chakravathula 

Blacktown City Council 

Emergency Social Housing Accommodation 

Measures To Address Truancy 1  & 
Measures To Address Truancy 2

Mount Druitt College 

Accessible Buses In Mount Druitt - Not Provided In Peak Times!

I'm hearing and seeing time and time again, that in peak time there are issues with pram and wheelchair commuters having  not accessible buses arrive at bus stands.

I understand a majority of buses are accessible and yet as each year comes, the ratio of  these buses reduces. Yet it happens that in "Peak Times" some of these buses are released. I thought by now there would be more accessible buses placed into service. Now Busways does not supply the buses into NSW Bus Region 1, they are supplied by NSW Government through Transport for NSW. Busways run them and also maintain them, once they are supplied the buses for service.

We have a family community that every bus to be accessible and this is what stake holders need to work towards. Yesterday, I assisted a young mother from Hebersham struggling to get her pram with her young child, up the front stairs onto the bus. She found it difficult as I found the driver, not able to assist her. Maybe bus drivers have been given instructions not to assist. Just imagine if there are 3/4 prams coming into the bus and a wheelchair how would bus drivers cope. Bus drivers have assisted commuters in the past with commuters having difficulty being prams on. 

I personally would like to know the ratio of accessible to non accessible buses around the Mount Druitt area of Bus Region 1.
I will try to get an answer and see what the NSW Government is doing to attend to this.