Wednesday, 31 August 2016

Ropes Crossing Has New Fire Station

Ropes Crossing is a  new Fire Station that was  based in Dunheved before and now relocated. This new  fire station will support the local brigrades from St Marys and Mount Druitt. I wish Mount Druitt and St Marys one looked so modern.


Click here for Ropes Crossing Fire Station

Further Bus Strikes Within Mount Druitt And Western Sydney - 5th & 6th September 2016

My understanding with bus strikes or any strikes is to help members of a union to negotiate with conditions or income. Whilst this happens, services being stopped is not what should  happen. Yet, by doing ongoing rolling strikes, I am getting a feeling  may take a little while  until it does get resolved.

I personally hope there is less  disruption to the Mount Druitt community as these strikes are carried out.

This is from Busways:





Travel advisory: Stop work action to impact school and route bus services in Western Sydney and Central Coast on Monday 5 September.

On Monday 5 September 2016, members from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) from the Western Sydney and Central Coast region will continue to take further industrial action and stop work for 24 hours from 1am as a result of ongoing negotiations for new enterprise agreements (EAs).

Regrettably, there will be disruptions to school and route services during the stoppage.

All school bus services in the MORNING and AFTERNOON on Monday 5 September will be affected and Busways are advising parents to plan ahead and make alternative transport arrangements for their children to travel to and from school on Monday.

Please notify all students of the impact to school bus services immediately.

Busways will be holding a negotiation meeting with TWU delegates this Thursday (September 1) to discuss the proposed new EAs as part of our continued commitment to negotiations with the TWU.


Busways is hoping that the discussions will progress during the meeting and that both parties can come to a resolution and avoid the planned industrial action to be taken next Monday.

Further information on the potential service disruptions will be made available to customers in the coming days via our website at www.busways.com.au

Throughout this period industrial action our priority is to minimise the disruptions to all customers as much as possible. Busways apologises for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and appreciates the community’s understanding as we continue to work with the Transport Workers Union to resolve the alleged issues.

Click here for previous post 

Tuesday, 30 August 2016

Where Do I Vote Pre-Poll Within Blacktown City Council Wards 4 & Ward 5?

This is a question that generally our community may not be aware of and is asked to me at present on many occasions. rest assure this can be answered quite easily and, many solve you issue if you have no way of making to a Polling Booth, on Saturday 9th September 2016.

So here it is for all voters of Blacktown City Council, inclusive of Ward 4 & 5:
Click here for dates, times and polling places

For Wards 4 and 5- Mount Druitt Hub is the one to go to:
Mount Druitt Hub,
9 Ayres Grove 
Mount Druitt NSW 2770
29th August 2016 to 9th September 2016 Monday -Friday, 8.30-5pm
Saturdays 9am- 5pm
Closed Sunday

Local Council Elections Are Compulsory Elections - YOU May Get A Fine If You Don't Vote!

People are always told about Federal and State Elections, but when it comes to New South Wales Local Government elections, if you are not up to date with news, don't read your local newspapers, listen to local radio and/or  local Face Book Groups, then the chances are you may miss voting at a t local Council Election.

I believe their are fines from the New South Wales Electoral Commission, so rather then waste your vote by not voting, make sure your vote counts.

Especially, if you live in our great City of Blacktown, you may not feel you vote counts but it does. Make sure that if you take the time to vote you make your vote formal.

Click here for Information for voters information

Candidate Brad Bunting, Labor Party, Ward 5

Ashish Kumar - Independent Ward 4 Candidate, Blacktown City Council 'whyilovemountdruitt'

We have Ashish Kumar running as an Independent Ward 4 Candidate for the Blacktown City Council elections on 10th September 2016. Here is his version of  'whyilovemountdruitt':

Click here for Ashish Kumar's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Monday, 29 August 2016

Australia First Party - Ward 5 Candidate - 'whyilovemountdruitt'

As I have sent an email to the three candidates of the Australia First Party it was addressed to the  3 candidates, running in  Ward 5:

Cassie Orrock
Terry Cooksley
Thomas Bell

The repsonse email came from an Australia First Party email  with no known original name. So, we will have to assume that the candidate that responded would have been the primary name on the ballot paper, Cassie Orrock. Here is their  'whyilovemountdruitt' version:

 


Australia First Party


Inbox
x

ausfirst@alphalink.com.au

28 Aug (1 day ago)


to me
Dear John,
As below, my reply to you. Please excuse the terrible delay in answering you.
It is my first time as a candidate and I am learning as I go.

MY SAY ABOUT MT DRUITT

I thank you for allowing me to have my say and answer your question about Mt Druitt. I think it’s asked because Mt. Druitt has often been subjected to unfair criticisms to the point where residents from other suburbs have always considered it a place that has too many challenges. Although I don’t live in
the Mt Druitt cluster of suburbs like my other running mates for Australia First Party, I do however, have a child who attends a High School in Mt Druitt and I frequently shop in the area. I am also mindful of the small businesses in the local area that will be affected by the government’s intention of completely remodelling the shopping precinct to simulate their business model – like that of the Wolli Creek and Green Square shopping areas where many local businesses were squeezed out. This is not in the best interest for the community of Mt Druitt and soon local people will not be
able to afford to live in Mt Druitt let alone run businesses in the area
.

It is my view that Mt Druitt is a target for a type of property development which is linked to Australia’s mad rush down the path of economic globalisation. If Mt Druitt is economically compromised, I cannot see this model of locking everything in to some sort of global agenda will ever make our lives better.

I reject the Sydney-wide project to build new CBD’s around a residential tower system grouped at railway stations. This system is for immigrants who have not arrived in Australia yet. It will not only force out local business and people, but particularly public housing people – like in Waterloo where
pensioners and other vulnerable people are being given their marching orders. We all know Mt. Druitt does have a sense of community and that will be undermined. We should have the right to say that immigration as a great
overarching benefit is a myth that has had its day. Where do we as Australians in the future fit into the scheme of these plans? Will we be
pariahs in our own country?

Coupled with that, it is on the cards that public housing in the Mt Druitt area may be sold to Serco an international outsourcing company that operates military weapons, detention centres, call centres, prisons and even some schools for Governments. In Britain, Sercos’ track record is appalling to the point of providing substandard housing and unethical treatment of residents. The idea that disadvantaged Aussies be stood over by international interests should not be tolerated. There also an urgent need for more refuges for
victims of domestic violence as presently there is a shortage of such
facilities, including shortages of basic accommodation for homeless people.
We need more affordable housing; therefore Public housing needs to stay in the hands of the people, not in the control of an international company based in Britain. When public housing is run for profit, community interests are
off the agenda.

I believe that better public services make stronger communities and ultimately people make better life decisions. I believe Council should have full legal recognition for development decisions and we should give residents
considerable power over what developments occur in their
streets and suburbs. I believe we should hold of plebiscites in the city and broader people’s panels - to inform Council as to the popular will.


Government by General-Manager and Local Government Minister is a fraud on democracy. Some might say this would cost money. Okay. But when wrong decisions are taken we all lose out. Further, we actually do build that sense of community when people really do participate in making decisions)
Mt Druitt has enormous potential to be a thriving hub of community resilience and financial prosperity. Many people living in Mt Druitt want to make a difference and Mt Druitt is one of the last few Western Suburbs that still maintains its Australian spirit. That’s what I like about Mt. Druitt.

Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali on 'whyilovemountdruitt', Labor Party, Ward 4 Candidate, Blacktown City Council Elections

This is Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali's 'whyilovemountdruitt', running as a Labor Party candidate in Ward 4, Blacktown City Council Elections.

Stephen has been elected as Mayor, two years in a row, as well as the assistant secretary of the Greater New South Wales branch of the Australian Workers Union. He is very active within the community and understands the proper functioning of  running  a well balanced  Financial Council.

'Click here for Stephen Bali's 'whyiovemountdruitt'

Sunday, 28 August 2016

Youssef Hassan's 'whyilovemountdruitt' , Independent Candidate, Ward 5, Blacktown City Council Elections

 Here is Independent candidate for Ward 5, Blacktown City Council, Youssef Hassan He will give give his version of 'whyilovemountdruitt'.

Youssef is a business man and is has a website called cluedtv, which is a specialised tv channel that he is hoping to reach many families, by offering them  community news etc.



Ckick here for Youssef Hassan's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Bill Krishna's 'whyilovemountdruitt' - Ward 4 Liberal Party - Blacktown City Council Candidate

Here is another candidate, Bill  (Billy) Krishna's version of 'whyilovemountdruitt' from the Liberal Party running in Ward 4  of  Blacktown City Council.
Bill is the President of Pacific Vision Charity, which organises a lot of  donations to stormed ravaged and poor  pacific islands like Fiji. This charity has also provide relief funds to local Fire fight services.

Click here for Billy Krishna's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Brent Robertson's 'whyilovemountdruitt; - Ward 5 The Greens - Blacktown City Council Candidate

Today, we  have Brent Robertson's version of  'whyilovemountdruitt'. Brent is a Greens candidate for Ward 5, Blacktown City Council Election on 10th September 2016. Brent is also a former Greens candidate for the Mount Druitt State Election, which was held in 2015.

Brent has lived in the area for  many years and been involved in many community activities:

Click here for Brent Robertson's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson on 'whyilovemountdruitt' - Ward 4, Blacktown City Council Elections

The benefits of showing local council candidates to our community, especially to the community that have never met them before is so great and encouraging  especially prior to the 10th of September 2016, Blacktown City Council elections.

We have proposed to all candidates of Ward 4  & 5, to have themselves filmed and promoted to our  community through Face Book and Blogger on their version of 'whyilovemountdruitt'. There is no charge to the candidates  as  both Ron Vorbach, Director/Producer/Editor and myself are volunteering our time. 

This is a first time for Wards 4 and 5 and most likely Blacktown City Council as a whole is doing this, although this could catch onto other candidates in other Wards or Councils. This is to assist the community perhaps deciding on candidates they were not sure of. Making their decision that much easier. We need to reduce our informal votes and I hope that if  the informal votes reduces at the end result of the election, then this could  have a small impact on it. Every vote counts!

This is Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, Independent candidate of Ward 4's version of whyilovemountdruitt'.

Click here for Jacqueline's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

So Why Do 38% Busways Drivers Go On Strike tomorrow?

Image result for busways logoAccording to a Busways bus driver representative, there is a reason or two for the strike and it is what I was thinking it was about, that the Western Sydney bus drivers are striking for.

I have been used to bus strikes when  I was young. I remember a six weeks bus  strike and I had to walk from my home in Paddington to St Marys Cathedral in  Sydney, each way every day.

Google maps walking distance:
30 min (2.2 km) via William St
Yet, I felt towards the end of 6 weeks, with my mother walking with me it was about an hour or so (based on the little feet I had).
So back to why the bus drivers are on strike. What I was told was the bus drivers have been given a 2% increase in wages and they are  not happy with that, they are asking for pay increase and secondly, there are on tight time constraints ans like time for breaks in between journey, to make them have comfortable drives. They are always on pressure and pressure may cause accidents and stress to drivers.

Busways have got their 'Ace' card up their  sleeve. Even though the strike is from 5am-9am tomorrow - they are calling in casual bus drivers from  all areas to help out. Thus there maybe little or no disruption to bus services. My understanding is it is on the 38% of bus drivers that will be on strike, so the other 62 % will be on the roads as per shift rosters.

click here for previous post

Candidates Of Blacktown City Council of Ward 4 and 5 To Show Their version of 'whyilovemountdruitt' By Video To Our Community

Yesterday was our filming of candidates for Ward 4 and 5 open invitation day and  5 candidates from Ward 4 and 5 attend and provide their version of  'whyilovemountdruitt'. With The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, previously given her  version of  'whyilovemountdruitt', this now makes it over 30 percent of candidates were keen to attend. 

And I think we have received another candidate that couldn't make there today, who would like to produce one with us. That will be a total of  7 out 19 candidates. The candidates that turned to be film by amateur  Director Ron Vorbach and amateur reporter John Svoboda were: Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali Labor Party of Ward 4, Asish Kumar independent of Ward 4, Bill Krishna Liberal Party of Ward 4, Brent Robertson Greens of Ward 5 and Youssef Hassan Independent of Ward 5.

A great diversity of parties and independents. As Ron uploads individual posts on our Face Group, we will publish the videos ( or links of videos) on our blogspot.



Friday, 26 August 2016

"Livo Rainbow Stairs" - Streets Uni Mount Druitt

 This is a great way to get the youths off our streets. This will  stop them destroying public/private property by using spray paints and creating graffiti that really makes the place look ugly, depressed and feel down.

A great initiative by Streets University Mount Druitt and I recommend many places in Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs  could be transferred beautifully in all rainbow colours, which would  brighten every single person's lives.

Check out the video:
Click here for Streets Uni Livo Rainbow Stairs

I Have Been Put To The Test By An Anonymous Community Member - And Yet I Appreciate It

A blogger, advocate or one of many voices for  the Mount Druitt area, it is not always an easy road as some may think. You get the community awards that  may or may not be noticed, but you are not just doing it for yourself, you are doing it for others. And that is always in my mind.

It is  not just getting my name out there and promoting myself, it is actually get the Mount Druitt name out there and promoting it. Making sure that people do love our own house, street, suburb and all the peoples that live in all of our communities.

So , why am I saying that? It is because an anonymous member of our community, has researched myself and thought I was a Councillor at Waverley Council in my younger days and that I am a blogging for the community because I want to be a politician. Added to this was the Rugby League team I support, South Sydney' was 'crap'.

Well,  I have responded kindly to this anonymous community member  in the following statements:

"Well done on your research, but I have never been a Councillor on any Councils. I have attended Meetings in my younger days at Waverley Council and of recent years at Blacktown City Council with no political motivation, even on a personal note, except in Blacktown to get what the Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs needs, to get it's improvements and people end so, so happy. This is fact.

If you had researched when I had my first blog, Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs as well as when I was posting for 'Mount Druitt Commuters Improved Group Inc', I stated then and still state it until today, that I will never be a Councillor or want to run for Council, or any tiers of government. Time and time again I reconfirm this to members of our community as I get ask to run and won't.

As for Souths Sydney, they may be a crap team now but they have mostly been the team I support. They did win the Grand Final 2 years ago and recently won 2 games. I don't know if we will win the last game this week.

Now, I know I am right in all cases, there has been an inner sense to help our community and inform our community and represent the community when ever I can on many issues. I communicate and speak with politicians to get Mount Druitt recognised, not being left in the back burner. Other people from Mount Druitt are their own advocates for the area as well. I am one small voice where are thousands of others.
 

.........one day, I want to leave a small positive mark within the community. That is if I can help one person in the area to make the community improved, I am satisfied.

Thank you for your comments and I hope you find my facts comforting and reassuring to yourself."


And after all that the response, on a return email from the community member was

"Thanks John.
It's reassuring to read your passion. I like that in men. A true conviction and a deep desire to fight for what's fair."


So I would like to say thank you to this wonderful anonymous person, whom at first  made myself go down memory lane and refresh my memory. I really appreciate it.

I am not a candidate for Blacktown City Council nor do I want to be. I remember I have visited Woollahra Council when my mother became an Australian Citizen and when I was a Scout Leader and the scouts had to attend Naturalisation ceremony at Woollahra Council.

You have to be dedicated to the community and be there for the community and represent the community and in doing so, the money paid is pittance, unless you are a Mayor and possibly Deputy Mayor. Remember a lot of the Councillors may have a full time job as well!

Click here on original post on how I got here: where I am today 

Click here on post of what is pays to be any politician 



Notification of Bus Strike On 29Th August 2016 - From Busways Management


Displaying
 

On Monday, 29 August 2016, a number of drivers in the Western Sydney and Central Coast depots will stop work for four hours from 5am-9am, regrettably there will be disruptions to some route and school services during the stoppage.  

 

Service disruptions expected next Monday due to stop work action 

On Monday, 29 August 2016, a number of drivers in the Western Sydney and Central Coast depots will stop work for four hours from 5am-9am, representing the actions taken by 35% of permanent employees who are union members.

Regrettably there will be disruptions to some route and school services during the stoppage.

School services in the morning will be affected and parents are advised to make alternative arrangements for their children to travel to school on Monday morning.

Busways will take steps to ensure that additional staff and drivers will be in place to operate services to the timetable with minimal disruptions to our customers. Busways staff will also be available at key interchanges to assist customers with information during the stoppage.

Between 5am and 9am this Monday, customers travelling on Western Sydney and Central Coast services are advised to allow for extra travel time in the event of delays or to make alternative arrangements if possible.

Customers planning to travel by bus should use public transport apps for real-time information or visit transportnsw.info for up to date timetable information or call 131 500.

Busways apologises for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and appreciates the community’s understanding as we continue to work with the Transport Workers Union to resolve these issues.

This was a notification to the community of the temporary Bus strike being held on 29th August 2016, by bus drivers and this notification was issued by Busways Management.
 

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Interesting And Amazing Local Facts on From Our Local Mount Druitt Fire Station - Face Book Page!


So, occasionally, the Mount Druitt Fire Station Officers, show us how they plan and work their day. So here is something  everyone may not have known about. I hope you find this interesting and if you would like to  share your comments of this education post, please do so.
 From their Face Book Page:
Mount Druitt Fire Station 
Once all the calls are over & training completed, there is always something to do.Today we serviced our Hydraulic Rescue gear then went out to check the fire hydrants in the area.

Fire hydrants are very important for us to find & use in case there is a fire & we need to use water, a lot of water. If there is a house on fire, then we need to find them fast as seconds count. Regular inspections help reduce the time locating them in emergency incidents.

They are located in nearly every street, about every 50 - 70 metres & mostly found in the ground. 

During an inspection, we locate then inspect the condition of them & then use paint to make them stand out. We also put a "H" on the road with additional signage to make them a little easier to find.
inspection, we locate then inspect the condition of them & then use paint to make them stand out. We also put a "H" on the road with additional signage to make them a little easier to find.

  
There is a hydrant under there somewhere. The chopped up grass is the result of us trying to find it with some tools.

Easy for us to find?? At night ???


The same well maintained hydrant in Amsterdam St. This is what they look like inside.

We use a standpipe to connect to the hydrant so we can get water out.






 
 The same hydrant once all the grass was removed.




 
Sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction.


A green "H" tells us that there is a hydrant in the immediate area.


 
The "H P" tells us that there is a Hydrant on the Path. Sometimes there is a "H R" which tell us that the hydrant is on the roadway.

HP = Pathway
HR = Roadway

Simple isn't it



 
All that work. just so we can find it next time.
At least the resident at this & surrounding houses are a little safer.


Comments:

Kylie Cole Thats a great idea. As I didnt know what it sanded for but now I know. So that's good u can find it in a flash.

Diane Murphy
Diane Murphy I always keep the area clear of grass dirt and rubbish so the fireies can find it quickly
 

Jeanette Blayden Rebekah Blayden

Benji Cantor
Jean-Francois Svoboda
Jean-Francois Svoboda How many of these would be in Mount Druitt district approximately or is it hard to say?
Mount Druitt Fire Station
Mount Druitt Fire Station Hi Jean-Francois Svoboda, considering they are located about every 50 metres or so, there is far too many to sit & count. But the total would be in the thousands. They are attached to the same water supply which goes to everyone's domestic/household supply. So basically, it's tap water :-)
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs
Jean-Francois Svoboda
Jean-Francois Svoboda This is very educational. May I ask you great local men- have you ever run out of street water? I also thought the 'HP' meant 'High Poles" on poles.
Mount Druitt Fire Station
Mount Druitt Fire Station Jean-Francois Svoboda There are times when Sydney Water are doing maintenance or water mains aren't in the immediate area. When this happens, we order in more fire trucks to pump water from hydrants some distance away.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs
Jean-Francois Svoboda
 


Butt Bin In Mount Druitt Dawson Mall - Good Idea - We May Need More Of These

This is good that we have  a cigarette bin in Dawson Mall and it looks like the smoking community have been leaving their butts there. As it appears successful, we may need more around the area as it is  used as a self cleaning tool to reduce litter around the area. 

What do you Think? And maybe by seeing it may get smokers to become anti-smokers.



Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Pensioner Council Rates Discount Under Review Again - Stephen Bali, Mayor of Blacktown City Council Face Book Page

Jean-Francois Svoboda shared Stephen Bali, Mayor of Blacktown City's post to the group: WhyIlovemountdruitt.....
  · Politics
 
IPART has Reviewed Public Transport Fares and Now Public Pensioner Rate Payer Rates - is this fair?
Pensioner Council rate discount under review again! This time by the NSW State Government.
The 2012/14 Blacktown council unfortunately increased the council rats for pensioners by 32%. When I became Mayor in 2014, I was proud to be part of a team that was able to reorganise the budgets of 2014/16 that saw the massive pensioner rate increases reversed; once again allowed people with disabilities and aged pensioners back into our pools for free; and, delivered a record investment on works infrastructure spending.
Not too hard to achieve these great outcomes when you have a great team all striving for the same goals of fairness and improvements in our local council area.

Click here for article from Sydney Morning Herald 

Free Bus Services In Western Sydney Thursday & Friday To Make Up Fo TWU Strike on Monday - Daily Telegraph/ Mount Druitt Standard

Bus commuters will be happy to travel free on Thursday and Friday, to compensate for  a bus strike on Monday, this coming week, in Western Sydney. Whether the community will appreciate this on Monday morning is yet to be seen. Bus drivers will have their reason for striking, of which I may know  of a few of the. In the last couple of years, there is less shift breaks and the biggest thing is  the bus drivers KPI* is trip times being cut down to to more efficient times.
Now with the recent introduction of the Opal, traveling will be cut as bus commuters  just quickly swipe their card and sit down immediately. There is no fiddling of money or loose change (wasting 5 minutes or more), when the bus could be  down the road  picking and dropping off more commuters.
Here is the  story from Mount Druitt Strandard/ Blacktown Advocate to Daily Telegraph:
Mt Druitt Standard shared Blacktown Advocate's post.
Another free trip for commuters on Monday.
Bus commuters will be traveling for free in western Sydney and the Central Coast ahead of another strike on Monday.

dailytelegraph.com.au
 Azal Khan, Blacktown Advocate

BUS commuters will be traveling for free on Thursday and Friday in western Sydney and the Central Coast ahead of a strike on Monday, following failed negotiations between the Transport Workers’ Union and Busways.
It is the second strike since Friday when union members stopped work, inconveniencing 50 per cent of services across the regions between 10am and 2pm.

It came two days after members refused to sell tickets and turned off Opal ticket machines, offering commuters free travel.
But, unlike the stop-work action last week, the strike on Monday will affect the peak morning rush hour.

Busways and the union had a meeting this morning, which TWU NSW official Nimrod Nyols said was unfruitful.

“They are not interested in changing their position,” he said.
“I provided them with a 72-hour notice of work stoppage on Monday, August 29 from 5am to 9am.”


Bus services will be disrupted on Monday, August 29.
Mr Nirmod said the union planned to communicate with schools about the disruption.
 “We have had no interest from Busways to stop the strike,” he said.
“The last thing our workers want to do is disrupt services. But we feel we are out of options.”

Busways said “the industrial action affects the traveling public and does little to resolve the alleged issue”.

But in a statement a Busways spokesman said:
“The actions taken by members of the TWU will have a limited impact on services as only 35 per cent of permanent employees are union members.”


* Key performance indicator

Sunday, 21 August 2016

Helen Woods - 'whyilovemountdruitt' - Greens Candidate Ward 4

Displaying image1.PNGToday, I received the 'whyilovemountdruitt' from Helen Woods, from the Greens candidate for Ward 4 and here it is addressed to myself:
 




Hi John



Thank you for you email, and giving me an opportunity to let you know why I love Mount Druitt.



I have many reasons to love Mount Druitt, but I'll start with three.



 First of all, Mount Druitt TAFE is brilliant. I completed two courses there and the quality of the education I received was second to none. Also the TAFE is very close to the railway station making it a very accessible option.



Secondly, the Hub and surrounds is one of my favourite places on the planet. The library is world-class, and the meeting rooms upstairs are very affordable, so local groups can get together without breaking the bank. Add to this that there are often buskers, which gives the area a relaxed feel, and a nice pub to wash away the stresses of the day. As with the TAFE, all of this is on the doorstep of the station, so very very convenient to all.



Finally, the shopping. My Mum and I used have a great time visiting all the local op shops - some of the best in Sydney. Also, Westfield Mount Druitt is one of the few places in Sydney I can still find pontiac potatoes (the most delicious potato of them all).



The improvements I would like to see, and if elected would fight for, concern health and education.



First of all increased funding for Mount Druitt hospital. Mount Druitt hospital still has one the longest waiting times for emergency patients of all NSW hospitals. When undertaking my work experience, and also visiting a friend in palliative care, it was very evident that although the nurses and other hospital employees were true angels, they were constantly tired from working long hours, and understaffed. Of course it is wonderful to have new facilities and more beds, but not without adequate staffing.



I would also like to ensure food outlets in the Mount Druitt and greater Blacktown area offer healthy meal choices. Sadly, rates of obesity in Western Sydney have skyrocketed. Obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. Many people work long hours, and the easiest option is take-away on the way home for themselves and their families. Often the cheapest thing on the menu is greasy chicken and chips, or similar, providing very little nutrition other than fat. If elected I'll investigate ways to encourage fast food outlets and more importantly school canteens to provide highly nutritious, and affordable options.



Finally, TAFE has been under attack for years by successive governments. Having a well educated population is key to a city's success. Well educated does not only mean a university education. TAFE has provided quality education and training to people in Western Sydney for generations. Closure and privatisation of our TAFE colleges are real threats, and if elected I will continue my work to save TAFE.


Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.



Kind regards,



Helen



Helen Woods

Greens Candidate

Ward 4