Mount Druitt Train Station Peak Time For Existing Train Station Suggestion!

Mark, A fellow former work colleague and Whalan community member has prompted myself to look at a quick and low cost effective way of resolving the overcrowding at Mount Druitt train station concourse, at peak pm times when going through barriers

Just talking to different people everyday an getting a better understanding of ways our great area can be improved, can make that small change leading to major improved changes to all the train commuters community.

So the quick improvement required is exactly what is at Rooty Hill station has, because of its set up.  That is the electronic ticketing machines that are on poles on the bottom of the steps, currently on the steps of each plat Rooty Hill platform.

Mount Druitt could have two  or of these pole on the left side and same on the right side of steps as well as  at the bottom of the two ramps as well. Additional to that could be these same poles at the  top of the stairs and the open gate (barrier) is free for commuters, that have already 'tapped' on  or off.

This would be a smaller cost for time being, until the Mount Druitt train station is upgraded with bigger and larger facilities and then cope with the amount of commuters reaching home all in one hit/time.

We  hope that Council Traffic/transport officers add this to their Integrated Transport Master Plan and that Councillors back this  improvement as well as the Member for Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla refer this to the NSW Parliament and to the NSW Minister of Roads and Transport. We also ask for feedback from all stakeholders, of any progress.










Previous blogs

Since Blacktown City Council Won't Act On Behalf Of Community In Relation Westfield Smoke-Free Signs - They Will Have To Work On Other Smoke-Free Signs Within The Community!

Since publishing  This blog, on the 17 September, this year, I have received various responses from Council Officers pretty much stating that it is not up to them to deal with the NSW Smoke-free laws, in relation to dealing with public  signs within  our Local Government Area.

The representative from NSW Health was shock to hear that a large City Council of Blacktown, didn't  want to represent the community on these issues. They advised they would be speaking to the relevant authorities at Blacktown City Council to obtain a more positive feedback and assistance on the NSW Smoke-Free Laws.


So we now require Blacktown City Council to act immediately on placing 'No Smoking' and 'Fine' signs on all playground around Blacktown City Council  public playgrounds as  this is not being enforced by Council, especially around all Mount Druitt Parks/Reserves and Wetlands as per Smoke-Free laws on playgrounds. Now Council cannot say they have nothing to do with these vital health laws, as the parks are owned by Council. Smoking Bans must be introduced by Council, if not yet done.
**

Furthermore Council must look at ensuring all public access points to  a building  proper signage within Blacktown City Council under the  NSW Smoke-Free Laws Click here.

And Furthermore,  Council must also ensure that the NSW Smoke-Free Laws must have proper signage within spectating areas and sports ground Click here .
**

 Also, Council must also ensure the NSW Smoke-Free Laws have proper signage and is  ensure it is properly regulated at all Blacktown City Council Public Pools.  Click here
**
 Also, Council must also ensure the NSW Smoke-Free Laws have proper signage at public transport stops and stations. This includes bus stops and taxi stands.  Click here
 **

**Refer to  NSW Local Government ACT 1993, enforced by Council Rangers.



All the above public areas mentioned above, must be immediately adhered too to ensure all  them are properly regulated and complied with/too the NSW  Smoke-Free Environment 2000.

This may make Blacktown City Council this time work with the community and they also participate with the NSW Smoke-Free Environment ACT 2000, to ensure there is a public health and safety environment for all community members.

Cultural Day Mount Druitt Suggestion

 Time and time again Ron from Whalan on our Face Book group, is bringing up suggestion after suggestion and improvement after improvement within Mount Druitt.
 
Here he is: I would like to see a multi cultural day in Mount Druitt, where each nationality that resides shares the stage with their traditional dance and costumes. Food stalls feature foods from their countries as well.This I feel would bring much mixed value to our great place.

A great idea, a great initiative, this is where Councillors of Ward 4 and 5 of Blacktown City Council can get right behind this event, promoting it as 'Get to know your community' event.

My suggestion is to hold it as part of the Mount Druitt Festival, Ron further suggested that the event could be for 1 week. And another community member claims it is a great idea by Ron.

As the two main Saturday celebrations we have is Reconciliation  and the Mount Druitt Festival, maybe a third separate weekend could be it!

Let leave it to our representatives from all sides of politics to get this on the road!

Dementia Awareness Day -Prevention Tips - Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson - Ward 5 - Blacktown City Council!

From Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson's Face Book Page, is giving the community tips on Dementia prevention. Here they are:

At a Dementia Awareness Day How to prevent or delay it;

1 Look after your heart
2 Quit smoking
3 Be physically active
4 Study: Higher Education can protect your brain later in life
5 Challenge your brain: learn a language, do crosswords, play an instrument or board games learn        anything new
6 Do brain games
7 Eat healthy: 5 serves of vegetables 2 of fruit every day 2 serves of fish a week
8 Eat nuts :walnuts, almonds
9 Only have 200ml of alcohol a day. Have an alcohol free day if you have more than this
10 Drink 8 glasses of water a day
11Be social 

Have a great day and keep your brain healthy!

Minor Improvements Make Major Changes With The Community!

From one completed small positive improvement can absolutely and positively improve the entire community's pride.

Some of us are oblivious to small changes around their community but when they realise that there is an improved change it takes time to get used to it and also accept it. Then for others it might strike them that this may be harder to accept and they will challenge the relevant authorities, provide a strong case for against the improvement. There is a risk here as you might be the lone voice or you could just accept the situation as a real positive change which benefits the community.

So, we think about a small community change, insignificant to some like: footpath improvements, improve road and parks signs, traffic and pedestrian crossings/access way improvements, improvement in recreational areas such as parks, gardens and reserves, even every cleaning up of shopping hubs and major streets. Then and only there is the greater wider community's appreciation for the important wonders and jobs that Council can do, making our lives happier, healthier, safer and providing easier access.

So, what I am trying to imply here is that a small improvement cannot just have a domino affect it might have a reverse ripple affect, in a way that goes that someone might say, 'That was a great idea, it makes the community safer! I wonder who's idea was this in Council.

Thus it might be Council that provided the immediate improvement, yet it was somebody else that referred the issue to them with a possible resolution, that came up with the positive result.

So how does relate to 'whyilovemountdruit'? Very simply, it is that improvements are mostly being requested to be attended too by
this blogspot with results in a majority of suggestions. So this is where our community plays their role in raising improvements required for the area with a suggestion. That small improvement may be vitally important for all of us! So we encourage our local community to keep on bringing the suggestions!

The Battle For 27 New Town Houses Was.... And In Futre Will Be....

So, as we see 27 new town houses being built and coming to  near completion in the corner of Hythe Street, Carlisle Avenue and Methven Streets sold for over $360-400k, there was previous speculation that the investment property owners were looking at seeking Council approval  for 4-5 storey units (which supports and is reflected in the 'Blacktown Local Environmental Plan:BLEP).

Before I had recently move into this area of Mount Druitt (from another area), the local residents banded together against this proposal as it didn't fit into this area of Mount Druitt and it was  probably too quick, too soon. It may have made this area of Mount Druitt look overcrowded.

Personally, even though that although Council knocked back this proposal now, because of BLEP, proposals like this will be approve in the future. The difference of  providing 2 storey town houses to 3-5 level units  could've have mean that we now accommodate for a less population of between 400-500 people. That means people that could have lived here will have to find somewhere else to live. Whilst we applaud the current  increase in population, we are not assisting the country to allow people to enter or vast land and major population hubs. Population increases result in economic and social benefits, as we grow as an expanding community!

Loose Dumped Rocks On Pathway of Hythe & Earl Streets North Mount Druitt!

Dump Rocks on Hythe Street Reserve

As per Google Maps, Hythe Street Reserve, North Mount Druitt (Corner of Hythe and Earl Streets) has loose rocks appearing to be dumped in on this Reserve land and  being let loose onto the pathway, which could cause a health and safety issue to the community, if there is a trip or fall.


We hope that Council Officers, review this land as it does require a general clean up as well.

More Traffic Lights Needed More Pedestrian Access/Walkway Improvements In Mount Druitt!

After receiving the 'Green Light' for a pedestrian access/walkway in Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt the long haul to get to this stage, needs to be shortened for other possible improvements (  Click here for previous blogs).

We are talking about more traffic lights within Mount Druitt that need that extra improvements for pedestrian access/walkway. This is the moment to seize and take the opportunity for to search, find and discover more traffic light improvements.

Although, we don't have many traffic lights in Mount Druitt, from the few we do, two of them I have discovered needing such improvement. It is better to get these corrected to accommodate the current new laws in relation to construction of traffic lights. This will override the old laws that only allow a minimum 2 pedestrian access/walkways to be constructed, where 3 or more should be included.

Here are the 2 traffic light intersections that need extra pedestrian access/ walkway:

1. Corner of Luxford Road and Mount Streets, Mount Druitt
2. Corner of Luxford Road and Popondetta Road, Whalan/Emerton

Both are strategically important to the community, in providing proper traffic light infrastructure with all pedestrian access/walkways and/or crossings, to our Mount Druitt area.

The first one is substantiated by the Council approved multi-storey  residential complex at the the old "Sam's Warehouse" spot, which will add pedestrian traffic at this intersection as well as the new block being built opposite Mount Druitt Swimming Pool Also community members walking from North Mount Druitt and Rooty Hill using this access route through to the main hub of Mount Druitt; Shops Smart, swimming pool, library, market town, bus interchange and train station Click here for previous blog

The Extension Of Traffic Light Pedestrian Access/walkway Needs Westfield Sign To Be Clearly Moved!

So now we have the acceptance and approval from NSW Roads And Maritime Services (NSW RMS), of the new pedestrian walkway on the traffic light at Luxford Road, entrance to Westfield Mount Druitt, we will need a further improvement to be made.

Here, we will require Council Officers of Blacktown City Council, Access Committee of the same,  NSW State Member of Mount Druitt and other relevant stake holders will need to ensure that the Westfield North Mount Druitt is moved and a proper pedestrian access/walkway is provided. Furthermore a street light may have to be moved allowing proper access for pedestrians to walk straight through from the new  'Work-In-Progress' pedestrian access straight to the entrance of Westfield North Mount Druitt.

Pedestrians do not want to walk on access roads, whilst shoppers are parking cars, so a vehicle-free pedestrian access/walkway will be required to provide a healthier and safer pedestrian/shopper community.

You will understand what is being described her to happen so that stake holders only work on stage to stage.

Click for the NSW RMS Approval For Mount Druitt Pedestrian Access

The Cost of Change Of Blacktown City Council Name Could Be Well Spent On A Footbrige Proposal By Peter Kerr, Mount Druitt!

Whilst the new Blacktown City Council Labor/Independent leadership team are getting their feet on the ground, after last weeks election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, we will hope that there is currently a scrapping of the change of name of Blacktown City Council referendum that would cost over $1M, we would like to see this money (if not already allocated),  provided to an idea that was presented to myself, nearly 4 years ago that needs to be revamped.

Peter Kerr has been a vocal and local community advocate for Mount Druitt South/Mount Druitt Village and is a current Vice-President, Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.

Peter has been for almost 8 years advocating for a pedestrian footbridge overpass between Chifley College and Loyola Christ Catholic College Mount Druitt, North Parade Mount Druitt crossing the railway lines and reaching Beames Avenue, Mount Druitt. This will open another pedestrian corridor access that is desperately needed, over Mount Druitt Train lines, that is currently limited.

Furthermore, this would also provide easier access to patrons of the Rooty Hill RSL, visitors that need to get to Mount Druitt Hospital and providing another pedestrian access to Reach Mount Druitt Town Square and it's shops, not to mention the High School Students and TAFE students as well.

This is where we say while the cost of holding a Change of Blacktown City Council name referendum might be over $1M to conduct at the the next general Council elections, next year, it would be better spent on this well welcomed footbridge proposal advocated by Peter Kerr which could cost $1.3M

We hope that Councillor's and Officers of Blacktown City Council - will add this is ' Work In Progress' to assist these communities, received improved pedestrian access. 

Click here for Peter Kerr's Footbridge Proposal
 
Click here for previous blog 

William Mason Reserve - More Seating Required!

I'm a little late in publishing this story that was provided to myself about 2 to 3 weeks ago, as there are many other improvements required for Mount Druitt that I am blogging about and publishing.

In Mount Druitt  it has been noticed that in William Mason Reserve in North Mount Druitt is a great recreational open space for families including children to enjoy at their own leisure time. Parents and grandparents take their younger children/grandchildren  to play ball sports, exercise on Council provided playground equipment so that children have an opportunity to get fitter. At the same time, they might bump into community neighbours or family members and need that catch up time, while they are supervising their young.

There are limited benches around the playground area to accommodate for seating. So maybe the Blacktown City Councillors of Ward 4 and Council Offers look into the future need to look at placing 1 to 2 Benches around the playground area and maybe more benches around the walking tracks of the park, allowing for resting and quality leisure time.  We will report further, when we hear back from stake holders.

If Blacktown Has A Historical Walk - Why Doesn't Mount Druitt Have One?

The other night I noticed that the Blacktown hub has got a mapped out historical walk. This is good for tourists and locals to  discover, learn and understand local history and its landmarks.

So whilst Blacktown can have one, we were wondering if Mount Druitt with the support of the Mount Druitt Historical Society, local representatives of the indigenous Dharruk tribe, organise through Blacktown City Council and State Members of Mount Druitt and surrounding State Electorates  a Mount Druitt mapped historical walk as well. Why isn't Mount Druitt got the same as Blacktown to date, as we  do have local history that made what we where we are today.
 
We hope to hear from relevant stake holders and receive feedback in due course.

More Legal Understanding - Falzon Legal - Buying a Property/Dividing A Property after separation/Executor in a Deceased Estate

September 2015 Welcome to the September edition of the Falzon Legal newsletter A newsletter for clients, friends of the practice and special interest groups. This is a free service and in this edition we have some topical articles written in a helpful, no-nonsense style with plenty of practical suggestions. We hope you enjoy the articles.

Buying a property - how to avoid conveyancing traps When buying a property there is no obligation on the seller to tell you everything about the property or any of its defects, so it's important to protect yourself from possible problems. Click here to see how we can help protect you

Dividing property after a separation Following the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship, it is common for separated parties to be unsure and anxious about their property settlement and the assets they are likely to retain. How will the property be divided? Click here for some more information

          Being the executor in a deceased estate

After a person dies someone has to look after the assets of that person, pay the person’s debts and wind up their affairs. Where a person is appointed by a will, that person is called “an executor”
Click here to learn more




 

DMJ Consultancy For Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs Property Investors!

As you may well know, we promote businesses in the local area that need that free advertising, that might get  community members interested, to visit or contact them.

Here we have David Barker from DMJ Comsultancy Pty Ltd offering investors assistance in purchasing investment properties. Not everyone is capable of  having opportunities of doing this, so this is for anyone that would like to try to purchase investment properties and are unsure where to start. 

Click here for DMJ Consultancy Pty Ltd

 

Westfield Mount Druitt 'Stick On' Non-Smoking Signs Removed And Not Replaced!

We talked before about Smokers smoking right outside the entrance to Westfield Mount Druitt, so close to the 'Non-Smoking' fines. Whilst we have received response from Blacktown City Council, last year, there seems to be little or little response from Westfield Management Mount Druitt.

Click here for previous blog 

So now after waiting for 2 weeks to see the review and action of the Westfield Mount Druitt, Coles entrance- during the week dozens of people either cannot read, do not want to read these signs and Westfield Management are not following in up of fines or telling people not to smoke there. Also they do not replace 'Stick on' signs that are removed by the public. There was a sign on the right pole before and for 2 weeks no action to replace it:

So these needs to be chased up by Blacktown City Council via NSW Health to impose fines to Westfield Mount Druitt due to no-conforming to regulations and Act.

West of Blacktown City Council Wins Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Elections!

 
The Blacktown City Council Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral elections were held tonight with quite astounding results and rewarding for the future.

Whilst the gallery of the Blacktown City Council Council Chambers was standing room outside, the gallery was excitedly anticipating the result of the dual election.

Elected Mayor Councillor Stephen Bali

So with two candidate nominations for Mayor, being  Labor Party Councillor Stephen Bali and Liberal Party Councillor Jess Diaz. The result of the newly elected Mayor was Labor Party Councillor Stephen Bali: 8 votes to 7.

Elected Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson

And so with two candidate nominations for Deputy Mayor, being Independent Councillors Russ Dickens and Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson. No Councillors from any party were nominated. The  result of the newly elected Deputy Mayor was Independent Councillor, Jacqueline Donaldson: 8 votes to 7.

The re-elected Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali 'Thanked the community, his fellow Councillors and Officers of Blacktown City Council and most importantly his mother'.

The newly elected Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson explained, 'That she is a true community advocate in the Blacktown City Council and wants to see our city develop into
a great city of the future!'

After the elections Councillor Jess Diaz was about to protest about Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson's leaving of the Liberal Party and voting for the  elected Mayor. The gallery came to mostly an uproar, as there was 'Heat of moment words' against Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson for the result of the election tonight.   Because of the gallery's uproar, I could not hear the rest of  Councillor Jess Diaz was saying.

 Mayor Councillor Stephen Bali approached this situation calmly and correctly with respect to possible personal attacks to Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson and explained himself, Councillor Donaldson, Smith had just attended 'Awareness of domestic violence against women meeting'. Mayor, Councillor Bali had  asked Councillor Jess Diaz to leave the room, unless he apologised. No apology was forthcoming then, so he left the chambers.

A motion was raised by Councillor Atalla against Councillor Diaz's recent speech and this was defeated, as it was brought up by Councillor Karlo Siljeg that during 2012 and 2013, the then Labor opposition Councillors were purposely ensuring Council General and Committee meetings were going into overtime. They were ending by 1-3am. He suggested that a lot of Councillors and Council Officers had to go to work on the same day, causing Workplace Health and Safety issues like fatigue and affecting full time jobs and stress to all Councillors. In 2013 he moved a motion that Council meetings must finish business by 11pm, which has since been passed by Council and adopted as policy.

The meeting was adjourned and when resumed Councillor Diaz provided an apology after he was asked by Mayor Stephen Bali.

You thought Federal politics was exciting, Blacktown City Council is local politics is really exciting!

Congratulations to Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali (Ward 4) and Deputy, Councillor Mayor Jacqueline Donald (Ward 5). Community members in Mount Druitt have a strong community advocate in Ward 4 of Councillor Stephen Bali (who fought hard against Struggle Street) and a slightly stronger local community advocate in ward 5, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson. We will see how they go from here and make Blacktown LGA a great place to live in!

Hole In The Fence - Mount Druitt Bus Interchange - Needs Improvement!

It is with great shame that on behalf of the

Mount Druitt community, I need to report that there is a hole in the fence at Mount Druitt bus interchange that appears has not been reported to by Busways and attended too by the NSW Government.

Whether it was  caused by a bus accident or by anti-social behaviour, this needs to be maintained. So we ask both the Traffic Department of Blacktown City Council and Edmond Atalla, State Member  for Mount Druitt to attend to this as matter of importance in improvement as there as signs for commuters not to walk within the driving bays and roads.

Botanic Gradens Required By Mount Druitt Community Members At R.A.A.F. Memorial Park,

Local Parks and Reserves should be recreational open spaces and areas for the entirely community to walk, run and enjoy its Australian bush and native plant surroundings.

Whilst we do have quite a large population within Blacktown LGA  (over 330,000) and in Mount Druitt approximately over 90,000 based on Australian Bureau of  Statistics and my assumption of Mount Druitt and surrounding areas Click here

We also have so many Parks and quite a few Reserves that  provide ample open space for recreational activities for community members. What is missing that is a complimentary Botanical Garden that is required as an additional recreational open space that would be fully enjoyed by Mount Druitt community members and the wider community. If  planned and constructed well, this could well be a bright spot tourists to attend and showcase the world our local beauty.

We all want Mount Druitt to be beautified in such a way that there would be so much community pride and a positive promotion of our home place to be spread throughout the world.

So to look at places around Mount Druitt, the ideal, logical and heart of Mount Druitt choice is the R.A.A.F Memorial Park in Mount Druitt. It is on its own block of land, two thirds of open space with fitness track, picnic areas and its own lake, the  remaining third is bush track walking as if you are in a natural bush. It is surrounded by Woodstock Avenue, Belmore Avenue, Druitt Street and Carlisle Avenue and has buses along Carlisle and Belmore Avenue to assist  is providing commuters access to this location.

As one of the largest parks within the hub of Mount Druitt, we have the local community calling for this  park to be made into a great Botanic garden. This would mean that for local community members, not only would they fit by walking or running, they will be able to enjoy the scenic views  of colourful flowers, plants and trees as well as natural wildlife has in all Mount Druitt gardens. Parents and children could relax and have picnics alongside beautifully scented flowers and admire also the beautiful  environment.

We have many posts from Ron from Whalan, who has spoken to community members who claim that: 

From local people I get to talk to as I photograph there flowers, suggesting to them the thought of that reserve becoming a garden, makes them ever so happy. If I was a council official wanting office in future elections, taking note of this entry would do them well. Joining me on a photo patrol could also bring them some votes. Just a thought.

Further points from Ron from Whalan:
 
First spring walk through the R.A.A.F Reserve for 2015. How I would like to see this converted in to a botanic garden and also have distance markers . So many people I assume are diabetics use this reserve every day of the year. Still needs pedestrian crossings to. It is your Park, Your asset.

We do think that for Ward 4 and 5 Blacktown City Councillors running for general election in about this time in 2016, this could be a winning improvement to get on the planning, budget proposal and finally  completed as 'Work In Progress'. Maybe the General Manager of Blacktown City Council can get the ball rolling in the meantime. Maybe the newly elected Mayor - tomorrow night may also take it on!


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 Click here for Mount Druitt Spring Video 2015