Wishing A Happy New Year 2017 Of Community Improvements To All Mount Druitt Community

This year has been a big year in relation to issues that had to be dealt with and it is difficult to summarise in short what has happened, yet I will do my best.

For the community, we have had  members of the community, promoting businesses, referred light poles to  energy authorities to have a a pole straightened up in a Park, we have had logs removed from Parks, left behind from the storm, we are still in process to  add a pedestrian crossing across Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt, we have had lights attended too at Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt, we have promoted the  Mount Druitt Town Rangers Club, we have  had pleasant comments about the blogspot posts and actions of, we have increased our Face Book Membership to 183 members from about 80, at the end of last year, We have Face Book Members provides events for the area, we have  produce thanks to producer, Ron Vorbach, videos of 'whyilovemountdruitt' from a majority of candidates from Ward 4 and 5, Blacktown City Council, we have showcase  through pictures the beautiful plant and birds we have in our local parks, we have  posted details of an expansion of the  Mount Druitt Train Station for an upgrade - catering for peak periods, we have lobbied for earlier and later bus services  for weekends and  late day night, we have promoted buskers at Mount Druitt and the Blacktown City  Brass Band, I have attended the Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum and reported to our community, we have record publish posts and visits to out blogspot (details to be published early next year) and the list goes on. 

The only way to find out is to  go through each post, throughout this year. On that notes, I would like to Thank a lot of people that make's Mount Druitt a reason to ask ourselves, 'whyilovemountdruitt'.

The first person I will Thank is YOU, the reader: whether you are a local community member and are interested in what is happening, within our community or a politician that what to know opinions or facts on subjects that affect our own community or whether you are  a stake holder by means of a  an Officer of Blacktown City Council, NSW Government or Federal Government. I Thank YOU, if you are a reader outside our community, whether it be intrastate, interstate or internationally living around the world and you are keen to discover how our community is improving with the success of this blogspot and the communication it provides. I Thank YOU, our local media representatives that call on myself for public transport and certain community issues in publishing stories.

The real reason I am doing this is  not for a personal gain, it is  to give an extra  voice within the community, to stand up in the community and show what the real issues are and either stand up for them or against them.

S now I wish everyone A......

 


Click here for A Happy NEW YEAR 2017 Video - I  would like to Share with YOU 

Event For Children In Mount Druitt - Fun In The Sun - Emerton - 'whyilovemountdruitt Face Book Page

Here we have another event  published in our Face  Book Group, that is for children  ages 7 to 13, that is for early next year from 9th January - 13th  January from the Salvation Army called  "Fun in The Sun".



This is from our new Face Book Member, Aneita-Rebecca and she  also provides further information:

"If you have a kid/s aged between 7 and 13 and are bored sitting at home! The Salvation Army, is running a Sport holiday program form the 9th to the 13th of January! We will be holding at the Emerton Youth Centre! Only a gold coin donation to Participate in the week! Just click on the link and fill out a rego form and guarantee your child a fun and awesome week!
Feel free to message me your questions!
Or make a comment :) ❤
( https://docs.google.com/…/1G_cdA8E03trHaHt_K_abhe…/viewform….)

MOUNT DRUITT Fire Station FB Page Suggestion For Hot Days

Here's Mount Druitt Fire Station's suggestion  ton assist our Mount Druitt and Wider community for 'Hot Days",  I might even suggest a 'splash in Mount Druitt Swimming Pool' would be Cool:

Special Cakes Make To Order - Westfield Mount Druitt -'whyilovemountdruitt Face book Group'

I am glad to see that members of the  'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Group are bringing free advertising to us for business that are bring that service and quality, to our Mount Druitt community.

I fully support this advertisements recommended by anybody and I will ensure that they get the right publicity 'Free Of Charge'. Should there be customer that are not satisfied  with that business, we will not take responsibility for any of these issues. people have opinions and  businesses are recommended by quality opinions from within our community.

So, Ron from our Face Book group, would like us to promote the following Cake Store business in Westfield, Mount Druitt:



 If anyone  knows of this business, they can make comments/feedback and  we will refer back to the business.

The Pension Assets Test - What About The Federal Politicians Assets Test? - Sheilagh - Mount Druitt

 A local community member Sheilagh from Mount Druitt, has messaged myself through Face Book Messenger and is showing her frustration, that will be the same for the elderly Australians that have paid their due taxes.

" The Pension Assets Test to be implemented on 1 January 2017. So here's fair warning to all politicians of any persuasion, this group of aged voters may be about to make the greatest impact on any Federal election in history, ignoring them may be the start of a changed political environment in this country. 

Click here for Assets Test For Australian Pensioners - Australian Government 

Change the Entitlements I absolutely agree, if a pension isn't an entitlement, neither is theirs. They keep telling us that paying us an aged pension isn't sustainable. Paying politicians all the perks they get is even less sustainable! The politicians themselves, in Canberra, brought it up, that the Age of Entitlements is over: The author is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in Australia will have this message. This is one idea that really should be passed around because the rot has to stop somewhere. 

Proposals to make politicians shoulder their share of the weight now that the Age of Entitlement is over:  

            1. Scrap political pensions. Politicians can purchase their
                own retirement plan, just as most other working
                Australians are expected to do. 

            2. Retired politicians (past, present & future) participate   
                in Centrelink. A Politician collects a substantial salary
                while in office but should receive no salary when they're
               out of office. Terminated politicians under 70 can go get a
               job or apply for Centrelink unemployment benefits like 
               ordinary Australians. Terminated politicians under 70 can
               negotiate with Centrelink like the rest of the Australian
               people. 

           3. Funds already allocated to the Politicians' retirement fund
               be returned immediately to Consolidated Revenue. This 
               money is to be used to pay down debt they created which
               they expect us and our grandchildren to repay for them. 

           4. Politicians will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. 
               Politicians pay will rise by the lower of, either the CPI or 

               3%. 

           5. Politicians lose their privileged health care system and 
               participate in the same health care system as ordinary
              Australian people. i.e. Politicians either pay for private
              cover from their own funds or accept ordinary Medicare. 

          6. Politicians must equally abide by all laws they impose on
              the Australian people. 
          7. All contracts with past and present Politicians men/women
              are void effective 31/12/16. The Australian people did not
              agree to provide perks to Politicians, that burden was 
              thrust upon them. Politicians devised all these contracts to
              benefit themselves. Serving in Parliament is an honor not 
              a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen 
              legislators, so our politicians should serve their term(s), 
              then go home and back to work. 

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people, then it will only take three or so days for most Australians to receive the message. Don't you think it's time? THIS IS HOW YOU FIX Parliament and help bring fairness back into this country!"

Editors Notes: Although this idea may seem ridiculous for a majority of politicians, this would be widely accepted by the general public. I would like to get a response from our local Federal Member,  Ed Husic, Member for Chifley? Would he be the first memmber of parliament to bring this idea into the Federal Lower House, of our Australian Governmennt?

Mount Druitt Hospital Needs To Be Up To Same Standard As Blacktown, Nepean and Westmead Hopitals

I detest Hospitals  being linked to each other, when they are a fair distance apart and one is 'Big Brother and the other is  'Little Brother'. I do not know why NSW Health officials and authorities have labelled Mount Druitt Hospital as joint hospital with Blacktown. In fact, I do  \and I'll explain later.

So under NSW Health, Local Health District, we in Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs/communities fall under the banner of  Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital - this sounds like a merger.

Why don't we have Westmead and Auburn Hospital or Westmead and Blacktown Hospital or even Cumberland and Westmead Hospital? No, the officials do not want these hospitals to be run  jointly, they are run self-sufficiently.

First of all, Mount Druitt doesn't come named first in that NSW Banner for the joint hospital venture. Second of all, it appears we have one General  Manager, appointed to run 2 hospitals. I 'm sorry next thing we will have is Mount Druitt joined up to Nepean and Blacktown Hospital services, making it 3 hospitals that it would be linked too (and too complicated). I struggle to think that this is the way Mount Druitt Hospital and community is being treated.

Can't the NSW Health Services appoint one only General Manager for Mount Druitt Hospital only, so that the focus and running of one hospital will bring more efficient, much needed services and full hospital status to handle all types of medical conditions and surgeries. This is so this can be easily handled locally. This is instead of a General Manager, only focusing on 2 hospitals to run, meaning less consideration of time on one of them at all times. That means look after big brother hospital " Blacktown' and  leave little brother 'Mount Druitt' aside.

Here is our current joint General Manager for General Manager Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals

Sue-Anne Redmond

RN, GradCert (Oncology), GradCert (Pall Care), BHlthSc (Nurs), Grad Dip HSM, GAICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors)
Sue-Anne has a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors successfully managing the delivery of healthcare throughout New South Wales in operational management and capital development projects.
Sue-Anne is a registered nurse who specialised in palliative care and oncology.
General Manager Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals Sue-Anne is responsible for the operational service delivery and performance of Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals; Population Health; Aboriginal Health; and Multicultural Health.
Her entire career has been devoted to healthcare working in the public and private sectors with Mayne Health, the Allity group, WSLHD, and in far west NSW in a variety of senior roles including chief executive and director of clinical governance.

So, taking no credit away from our current joint General Manager of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals, this is where the buck stops here. This is why Mount Druitt hospital is not provided the proper vital facilities that is required to ensure the patients comfort is  provided, as well as all medical facilities  provided by Doctors, Specialist, nurses and  full hospital equipment. We can see with upgrades to hospitals - Blacktown is getting more than a general slice of the funding cake between Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals

What is missing in Mount Druitt Hospital is, MRI scanning machines, maternity wards and fully functional medical and surgical back up Doctor services and specialists so that patients from Mount Druitt are not driven or diverted to other hospitals, creating more ambulance costs and frustration for the patient, family and friends.

Click here for Edmond Atalla's Fight for More Mount Druitt Hospital Funds 

I can today tell you a story, when approximately 16 or more years ago, there was a meeting at Holy Family, Emerton with the then Sydney West Area Health Services, Professor Stephen Boyagers. He was meet with the Mount Druitt community in explaining why Mount Druitt is not getting proper medical services.

I  remember, I did ask a question during the meeting and then Councilor after Councillor was asking questions to get the best result for Mount Druitt residents. I think this was from an invitation from Father Paul Hanna, Parish Priest, at that time. Then came a coffee break. We all took a coffee and biscuits break at the back of the church after hearing that we have so many good people within the community, that doesn't get seen by authorities and the wider press.

Then low and behold, here was Professor Stephen Boyagers approaching to speak to  myself and I am pretty sure he said to me personally, 'You bastards, because you are complaining about the services at Mount Druitt hospital, we adverted for 4 doctors to  be appointed at Mount Druitt hospital and now they are scared of  coming because of this community wanting more facilities."

I advised that we need these facilities scaring doctors or not scaring doctors. I must admit he spoke to me in his professional manner and just could not understand why he chose me to say this too as I was not an organiser. Neither had I complained before, I was only concerned of our hospital status and turned up to a meeting, like other community members.

You will note below that the Mission statement from The Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals is quite bland. There is nothing about the Mission from the Management and General Manager and other Managers:

Staff at Western Sydney Local Health District are proudly committed to supporting our vision:
Better Health Service for the People of Western Sydney and Beyond

Furthermore it doesn't confirm that Mount Druitt patients will be transferred to Blacktown Hospital. maybe this is where  the brains trust of  NSW Health suggested to link hospitals. So that patients travel further and may die. I  wonder if any of these officials live in and around Mount Druitt and would they agree for patients to be transferred out to further hospitals, if they were a patient? The answer is NO.

Mount Druitt does not have the same facilities as Blacktown Hospital, so I now think we need to  have an Independent Board, separate from Blacktown Hospital. We need to place the power of getting better improved  full medical, surgical and testing facility services in the hands of locals who care about our local hospitals.
 

Below link confirms Mount Druitt's Emergency Services details but falters in not telling the truth, where patient after patient is being transferred to other hospitals because General Managers and other  NSW Health Services government officials not not provide the full medical practices that is required to safe lives, maintain lives and provide  relief in pain management. I hope there is a petition organised to get the ball moving here and wake up the  relevant stake holders in relation to Mount Druitt Hospital.

click here for Mount Druitt Hospital Emergency Services details

Wishing Mount Druitt And Surrounding Community A Merrry Christmas

It is  great to share a special day of the year. So here is my personal wishes and thanks to everyone( as per my message in Face Book:

Christmas is the Holy remembrance of our Savior, Jesus Christ. No mater what religion, creed or if you are a non-believer, he is is there for all. This is also the time with giving gifts from your heart, to the ones of special love and to not wait for them in return, yet it helps. The ones that don't have families search for families and they will celebrate with you the glory of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas to all friends and families on this special day of giving peace to each other.

Badgerys Creek Given The Green Light By Australian Federal Government

In the last week or two the 'Hot' topic was the official approval to go ahead with 'Green Lights' to proceed with building the Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek.

There are always tow sides to each  improvement recommend and provided and  we have had our local  politicians against the proposal for their own reason. Whilst they represent their local voting community members, it is true that no one (not even myself) would  like an airport in their 'backyard'  or even  their back 'yard'. Everyone jumps up and down when it is mentioned, they the debates occur; the ones for and the ones against.

 I'm not too sure  why local Federal Member for Chifley was  'bashed on the head' so to say, by the Daily Telegraph for opposing the Western  Sydney Airport.  

Click here for post from the Daily Telegraph

I personally think that my suggestion a few years ago, went wiped off the strategy board. That was to  place the  2nd Sydney Airport at Goulburn. There are a few simple reasons why there has been a recent push for a  2nd Sydney International Airport: No room at  Sydney's Kings-Smith International Airport, there is a  major growth of population, growth of international flights and to cope with transporting of people of flights for making it easier in the future.

So cases for having it in Western Sydney: there is room, land and there great potential to make it easier for people to reach a local airport and catch flights overseas and there is the job creation of approximately 60,000 kos for Western Sydney and then the job that come from that.

The cases against having it: a majority of community people do not want it in their local backyard, the noise and disruption to life on flight paths, potential pollution  Health and Safety issue in Warragamba Dam vicinity,  loss of natural plants and animals, where is fuel dropped by planes to lighten weight and the cost to make it. Not to mention continuous 24 hour airport with flight paths around important areas of Western Sydney.

So I don't know why Hon. Ed Husic, Federal Member for Chifley, was pointed out as the one his community doesn't back him, when you speak to half a dozen or less of his constituents. I think what has happened is after all the  years of talking about it, proceeding with environmental studies, there is a perception that the community will have to accept it and maybe the trend of support towards for the airport is shifting a little bit.


I was a bit shocked when the news was announced a few years ago that Western Sydney  was where the 2nd Sydney proposed airport was going to be. My thoughts were to have it in Goulburn not just to have it away from Sydney as it is pretty much halfway point to Canberra and Sydney and once proper infrastructure was set  there easier access to 2 main destinations.

Now it is officially confirmed that Badgerys Creek is the 2nd Sydney International Airport, we as a community  and public, have no choice  but accepting it. To add to this decision, I feel that lately we have been seeing more planes fly past creating new flight paths heading North West and some planes flying low. When I came to Mount Druitt, over26 years ago, there were few and far between planes, also high up, you couldn't even see them. Now not only can you hear them, you can see them - one commercial flight looked like it was flying so low was, it seemed it was preparing to land at Richmond Airport. 

So, now the Federal Government have given the green light for the 2nd Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek, is beyond not wanting the airport now, unless a newly elected Federal Government comes into place. What do you think.


Click here for Sydney Morning Heralds report

Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. 2016 Christmas Party - whyilovmountdruitt Face Book Group

The voluntary members of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement group Inc, meet month to month discussing, talk and looking at resolving local public transport issues.

On the 3rd of December this year, they met in a relaxed situation and have lunch at a local hotel and celebrate their years achievements. The group  with old and existing members has really taken  public transport into the fore front of  Public Transport and I am so proud they are still continuing with their cause.

I see that Lester has been awarded the world's best Secretary. Congratulations and well done Lester - he is a hard worker for the group.

John Svoboda shared Lester Pasley's post.

December 4 at 12:06am

Merry Christmas MDCIG inc.

NSW IPART Released Documents

This a further  media release on  documents release by NSW IPART, NSW Independent  And Regulatory Tribunal, this is to educate all of us in Mount Druitt, so we see how some government department govern us:

Media Release - Local councils notify special variation or minimum rate variation intentions - 20 December 2016

Review of Private Ferries Fares 2017

Merry Christmas From LifeLine CEO

Click here for Lifeline's Merry Christmas Wish

Christmas Trees In Mount Druitt - Which Is The Better One?

Whilst we have Christmas season coming up, there is that glory of viewing the glitter, sparkle and the shining decorations on Christmas trees. All providing a different meaning to each and every one of us.

We will all have Christmas trees in our homes and open all the gifts that we give to each and also take from each other with blessings. So in Mount Druitt itself there are two Christmas trees and that is good.


Here is the Blacktown City Council one, which is quite huge, tall and beautiful it is own way and based in Mount Druitt Town Square, fenced off. With it's shining star - it is a true Christmas tree

You can see that it  matches the environment around and it an eye stopping item to see. Every year Blacktown City Council provide the  Christmas tree every year, to bring joy and happiness to our hearts. How does this Christmas tree look?



Then we we the internal Christmas tree, which is at the center court of Westfield Mount Druitt, which is also the traditional one that is showcased to the shoppers of Mount Druitt, with it's own Santa Clause. You will also note it has a different design then the Blacktown City Council,  making it more unique. So which one do you like?

Commuters Be Aware Of Potential Fall OF Anti-Slip Strips Heading To Mount Druitt Train Station

The Management of Mount Druitt Train Station, have taken immediate steps, to mark out the area where there is a potential risk of fall or slip at the top of the escalators heading to Mount Druitt train station.

This is just a warning ensuring that no one else falls. maybe there should be a caution sign, as well. Any suggestions?

I also wonder how quick this will be attended to, to  reduce any risk of  community health and safety.

Safety Issues Preventing 6 Bus Services Travelling Around Standard Route - Mount Druitt-St Marys Standard Face Book

Recently 6 major bus services have been affected, within the last week or so due to anti social behaviour in Lethbridge Park and Bidwill. Buses have been rerouted and bus drivers have felt threatened by these attacks on buses. They are 745, 750, 755, 758, 759 & 761.

Not to be forgotten there was 15 buses referred to the depot for  maintenance and improvements, before they can be released onto the road again, recently - according to a Busways spokesperson.

I have made suggestions through  the previous website of' Mount Druitt Commuters Blogspot - with no one opening their ears and listening  since 2011 Click here for post .

Busways need to not listen to the community but understand they have the answers given to them. I call for a community meeting be held at The Hub, with the guidance of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc - so that all stake holders can come along and let Busways work on the right solution, with the involvement of the  commuters of Mount Druitt - then and only then will Busways listen.

Bus Strikes Continue Over Health And Safety Issues

Busways Seeking Answers From Community 

Blacktown City Council Commencing Design Plans For Pedestrian Crossing - Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt - Hon. Edmond Atalla

As this saga goes on, we have  NSW State Member for Mount Druitt, Hon. Edmond Atalla, who is  standing up for the community, with his promise of being ' an advocate for the community'. He is also  ensuring that Mount Druitt receives proper upgrade and infrastructure we need to provide important improvements to our community.

On behalf of the Mount Druitt community, I have advocating for a new pedestrian crossing/access way  for almost 3 years. I didn't know it takes that long, but I am learning.

The new pedestrian crossing required, is based on the eastern side of  traffic lights, entrance to Westfield on Luxford Road, North Mount Druitt. We now have NSW RMS after approving this pedestrian crossing more than a year ago have this being referred back to Blacktown City Council for design. This is 'thanks' to Hon. Edmond Atalla, NSW State Member of Mount Druitt, raising his community advocacy hand and  seeing how vital this improvement is to the area.

Once the design is complete, then it will be referred to NSW for approval and seeking funding of 50/50 for this  project. It appears that this may come  shortly.

We have also included the letter from General Manager, from Blacktown City Council, explaining what they are doing  and also the Letter from Hon. Edmond Atalla confirming his  results so far. I personally would like to 'Thank' Hon. Edmond Atalla, who is working hard to get the best results for the community.

Click here - Fast Track Letter of Approval From NSW RMS

Click here for previous post

Want To Become An Expert In 'Public Speaking ' Speechcraft Workshop' - Rooty ToastMasters

From Dili, member of 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Group: This is a good opportunity, for an individual to  learn and have more confidence in public speaking, for the benefit of many reasons. 

It could be a personal goal or you  are a politician or would be  politician and need this experience to overcome nerves. Also you may be a community advocate that talks to the wider community in gatherings or an office-bearer from an organisation that needs to do this course, in case they eventually need to speak in public. If Interested try it out:

NSW IPART ( Independent Pricing And Regulartory Tribunal) Reviews, Reports And Update

It amazes myself, that the NSW IPART has so many  bodies and organisations to  regulate for pricing to provide fairness across the board. There are some areas I didn't even know they do regulate like Cruise Ships Fees and Charges in Sydney and the Solar Industry.

 When there is a review coming up - this does provide us an opportunity to 'Have our Say', whether it would be positive or negative. These are what we feel as individuals, which may not be picked up by the Tribunal. I do think there should be more emphasis in community response/ review and catching the  report after decisions have been made. Whether we like it  or not - they have done their due process.

So here come the reports and updated on  NSW IPART's  decision on price rising on relevant NSW Government Departments and organisations:

Retail electricity market monitoring 2016

Retail offers for Solar bonus scheme customers

NSW Rail Access Compliance Guideline

Fact Sheet - Rate peg for NSW councils for 2017-18 - 29 November 2016

Annual Report - Report on IPART's functions in relation to local government 2015-16 - October 2016

Fact Sheet - IPART to review WACC methodology in 2017-18 - 25 November 2016

Compliance Report - Licence compliance under the Water industry Competition Act 2006 (NSW) - October 2016

Final Report - Maximum fees and charges for cruise ships Sydney Harbour - November 2016

IPART Annual Report 2015-16

Transcript - Recommended maximum price for ethanol used in automotive fuel blends - 22 November 2016

Westfield Mount Druitt Has Extended Shopping Hours.......

Just when you thought, you may have run out of shopping time, Westfield Centre Management at Mount Druitt, are advertising their extended hours for  Christmas and New Shopping.

There is no excuse not to get a gift for your partner, girlfriend or wife or even your  boyfriend or husband and even lovely children you may have.


So don't let work stress you let the  shopping place a surprise in your heart, so others are touched by you. Opposite are the opening and closing times.

Rooty Hill has "Parkrun"

Yes, as we do searching on  Google or Face Book or other search tools for groups, we accidently bump into exciting websites. Here I stumbled on Parkrun Rooty Hill. This is a fitness run that is done within the football back of Rooty Hill.

If you want to get fit, train and compete in running, this would be great way to keep yourself fit. They are also looking for volunteers to assist them as well.


Click here for their Face Book Page

Click here for their website details 

How Did this Busways Bus Run Around The Area - Commuter Request - Finaly Responded 'Ron from whyilovemountdruitt Face Book Page

                                                                                                                                                

From our Face Book  Group - Ron has actioned an issue with a Busways Bus and got a resolution:

Ron Vorbach 🙂

December 12 at 12:29pm

758 , Shalvey to Mount Druitt. Bus driver was unaware of the problem. The time was about 10.47 when we boarded in Belmore avenue outside the R.A.A.F. reserve. We could not help but notice when the bus pulled up to let us board.

 

"I advised the driver to take it back to the depot before it completely fails and possibly injuring a child in the process. He complied without question. The driver did not know until I told him when he reached Mount Druitt."

First of all, we "Thank Ron" for picking this up and immediately referring to the Busways bus driver and then for the driver to positively respond by removing the bus as it is a community health and safety issue. Now this raises questions as how the door window was cracked - was it missile throwing, like the old days or was it natural?