Monday 30 September 2019

Take The 22 minute Drive from Ropes Crossing To Mount Druitt

22 Minutes. If you ever wondered what the Ropes Creek line looked like, this may satisfy your curiosity. With the benefit of hindsight, after military activity in the area ceased maybe the line could have been viable with the inevitable spread of suburbia.

Click here fo the Ride from Ropes Crossing to Mount Druitt

Steam Trains IN Blacktown - 'whyilovemountdruitt'

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How awesome is this photo of an old steam train passing through Blacktown station?

Light steam locomotives ran along the Blacktown to

Richmond line from 1864-1879. The original concept for

this line was actually to have horse-drawn trains, but in 

the end the government decided that three steam trains - 

named Windsor, Richmond and Sydney - would be the 

better option.

Image source: Blacktown Historical Society

#Fairwater #BrilliantByNature

Friday 27 September 2019

Go The Mighty GWS Giants For 2019 - 28th September 2019

I have been supporting (as spectator), Greater Western Sydney Giants  since their young 2012 days, entry into the AFL competition.
No photo description available.

They have now out performed 16 other AFL teams to reach  the ultimate  prize of a chance of winning the 2019 Grand Final, playing against a strong component Richmond Club.

I would like you all to sing the GWS Club song, once you hear  they have won the game at the end of the 4th Quarter.

Click here for the theme song


This is how they got there, this year Click here

Click here for Mayor of Blacktown City Council as a Giant supporter

NSW Government News - This Week

NSW News




This week, we have news of more people entering the first home buyers market, more transport for Regional NSW, Sydney Fish Market $750M upgrade and purpose built prison to open under expansion program.

Have your say?:

Building & Construction Industry Reforms

Consultations ending soon:

Native vegetation regulation map upgrade, NSW Disability Advocacy Review and metropolitan Water Sharing Review

 What's on NSW?

Deni the Muster

Click here for details

Click here for my post on NSW Stamp Duties

Pinegrove Memorial Park - How it Was Before? - 'Mount Druitt Historical Society Inc' Face Book Page

Pinegrove Looks so much different to day?

Established in 1962 and possessing 175 acres of serene gardens, lawns and landscaping, Pinegrove Memorial Park is one of the largest, independently owned cemeteries in the Sydney region.

Thursday 26 September 2019

Stamp Duty Could Be Lowered For Local Australian Born Property Buyers

I know, this is a 'what cheeses me off' post. Yet, as far as I am concerned , we are an over taxed country. I mean, just about everything we see is taxed and then there is the things we don't see, which is taxed as well.

I understand that purchasing property is exempt from GST ( Government Sales Tax) and I under stand that only half of your profit is the taxable GST, proportion. Yet I don't understand how people from  certain  country overseas only wanting to invest,when it is the profitable time and then  run away with our money on invest property. 

We, as workers pay income tax on income. Then we pay 10 percent tax on Goods and Services on a majority of life's expenses. That, to me is a double tax for workers. Then, if we don't have medical insurance we pay the Medicare Levy and if we are on a high income we are paying a Medicare surcharge. This means workers are then taxed three times and possibly four times.

Then we pay a deposit for a property investment and if you purchase property for an average price of around $650,000, your are paying another Tax under the name of 'Stamp Duty' of  around $24,470 for NSW. Then when you sell your investment property, you have to pay Capital Gains Tax on 50% of the profit you make on the property. So,  then if you are a multiple property investor, you may also have to pay another Tax under the name of Land Tax. Thus you are now paying  3 types of tax here and then the 4 different types of tax mentioned before.

Now, we haven't mentioned to the other tax that you have to pay as well, when you purchase properties and that is Local Government Rates. So now, we as local people may have to pay 8 different types of taxes - when GST was brought in - it was supposed to have got rid of a majority of taxes. So, doe foreign investors pay for the 8 taxes that  we may do - if  purchasing properties. I'm sure vthey are not. 

I'm not against investment. Yet, I'm against investmen,t if we as individuals and country are allowed to  investment the same proportion of money inthe country that is investing here. That is if they spend $650.000 purchasing a property here - we pay the equivalent in their country - whether it be one  or more properties. then, you raise the  stamp and GST amounts to double the amounts, so when they do buy property here, more Australians may benefit from it and our taxes may be reduced. Also, when the Capital Gains Tax component is calculated they are charged double on the amount and also on the 100% of profit balance made. This is a fairer system. We should not be paying Stamp Duty at all or they should be lowered to a minimum.

In the mean time, strict rules on who is Australian and who can qualify. Maybe  have to be Australian for at least 25 years or  originality is Australian born. The reason I am saving this, is I do not want our country to be owned by another country - I am worried about this. 

Have a look at this story and you must understand or see what I mean.

My Pride With 'whyilovemountdruitt - Face Book Page.....


John Svoboda

2 Polls I have conducted today are bringing  in great results for our Face Book Page. Here they are:

1) Important for everyone to respond: What kind of post do you like on 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page? Add Option and indicate what type of one do you chose, please?

Results so far:
Community Improvements Required  3
Blacktown CC - Media Releases        3
Community Outreach/Resources       3
Local Business Advertising                1

2) How would you rate 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page - 1 being lowest and 5 highest?            
Rating of 5 -                                        7
None for the  rest

My pride with 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page:
My prides increases with all of you ( please read long post):
Wow! We as a Face Book Page have reached a never to be seen community Face Book Record for 'whyilovemountdruitt' at a record 332 members.This is astonishing as I started this Face Book Page with 1 Admin and maybe a 12 members at the beginning. This Face Book Page was never set u to be a political page, local incident crime page or alert page. It was set up to be a small voice of people to report community improvement coming to the area or simply a hole in the ground to be fixed.

My community involvement as a Leader of a community group that got returned 2 out 3 bus services, that were originally removed from Mount Druitt area. I do not take credit for that but for the original people that spoke to neighbors, local, State & Federal politicians, friends and families. This eventually lead myself to commence both website and Face Book Page of 'whyilovemountdruitt'. I hear people talking about it. I hope in as a much as common ground of talking about it. I love when I see comments on Face Book, where someone never knew what was happening and thought that because of the area was not being looked after in some area - when it can be done and 'Stake Holders' Listen. I was proud when I was ask by Blacktown City Council Media to be part of a Local Media ( Social Media) that posts 'Blacktown City Council - Media Releases'. I don't consider myself a qualified 'Media Spokesperson' but I think in 'Social Media' I am like all of you!

Mount Druitt is a pivotal part of Western Sydney, when people do work and people go else to work hard: paying rent or mortgages. Properties are still on the lower end of the property market but are still respectable. Young people can save hard to purchase properties and young people do want to complete not only their secondary but their tertiary qualifications as well. Why I love Mount Druitt because it is 'The People' past and present that make Mount Druitt a wonderful place to live in. I know that with the 332 members we have( and as it grows) - the word gets around.

I would like to now ask you all to comment on the content of the posts that are in 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page and ask what contents you would like. Something that we can share in good context.
2 Comments


  • Kerri Bradbury Thank you John for your efforts. This is a great result and I’m sure this group will continue to grow.
  • Lyn Thorley The site is always informative and accurate. It’s great!

 

Willmot Community Festival Is On Saturday, 28th September 2019

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Westfield - Mount Druitt - This Week!

Westfield logoWestfield centre logo

Click here for details

Even 'The Mayor is A Giant' - GWS Giant - 'Blacktown City Council Twitter



ImageSo even the Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Councillor Stephen Bali' and his Councillors are going to watch and  back the GWS Giants. I wonder if the GWS Giants win, would they hold the winning parade from Parramatta through to Blacktown to Penrith!  I also wonder if they all have front row tickets at the MCG!We wish the GWS Giants all the best ahead of this week's AFL grand final!





They Say, 'We Are A Lucky Country' - Are Our Farmers Today? - 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page Member

Whilst I try not to steer away from Mount Druitt, when it comes to publishing posts ( in  conversation), sometimes, we have to talk about our own real country regions. In our current hot drought season, there is a post provided by one of our members, that I would like to share from Tracey Grimm.


"The poem that's gone viral after NSW farmer Joanna Collett posted it on the Prime Minister's facebook page:

G’day Mr Morrison, I trust that you are fine,
Sorry to be bothering you, but there’s something on my mind
I listened to a bloke last week; he had a bit to say
You lot may have heard of him? He delivers all that hay?

He spoke of countless hours and the distances they drive
Feeding starving stock, to keep bush hopes alive
They do not get assistance from your tax funded hat
They do it on their own, all off their own bat
I’m not politically minded and I don’t have any clout
And I know you’ve done a tour, to learn about the drought
But there’s just some burning questions, that have left us feeling beat
Why did we fund a foreign land, to learn to cut up meat?
JAnd what about those soccer boys, who went and got all lost
You pulled out all the bloody stops, plain just showing off
You’ve bigger problems here at home, there’s drought up to our necks
So what does your mob go and do ? Give them big fat cheques!
Don’t they have a government to deal with all this stuff?
Why should it be up to us, what’s with all your fuss?
Should we not be reigning in and look after our own
Have you never heard the phrase “charity starts at home”?
I realise there’s many things, that need an allocation
And I also can appreciate, complex trade relations
I’m not sure if you realise, but if our stock all die,
There won’t be any trade you see, your deals will all run dry
As a rule we’re not a whinging lot, our requests are but a few
Most of us who work the land, are tested, tried and true
We respect that we are guardians, and sustain it for the kids
But I often have to wonder, what future will it bring?
I guess all that I’m wondering, is “where’s the Aussie aid”?
Wrapped up in a swag of tape, only then to be repaid !
There’s Aussie blokes and chicks out there, putting you to shame
Helping fellow Australians, in their time of pain
I’m just a simple farmer, grazier, wife and mum
And even though we’re feeding stock, we’re better off than some
I’ve never had to shoot a cow, who could no longer stand
But many have before me, and I pray, I’m not dealt that hand
So will you take another look; admit that we’re in strife ?
And do more than bloody empathise, before another farmer takes their life ?
I’d like to think you’ll do what’s right and put Australia first
And help your own damn country, before this drought gets any worse
Joanna Collett
Wee Waa NSW
I would like everyone on my Facebook page to copy this and share it
Everyday until something is done
Charity starts at home!"

Mount Druitt Swimming Pool - Aqua Zumba Promotion

Mount Druitt Swimming Pool -  Aqua Zumba Promotion  for Saturday 28th September 2019, from Keri - Admin from 'whyilovemountdruitt' :

Click here for details


Click here for previous post

Friday 20 September 2019

Mount Druitt Swimming Pool News - Early Summer Aqua Zumba


Get excited! Aqua Zumba will be returning to the pool as part of the season opening on Saturday 28 September 2019. Entry will be FREE on the day. Come down and join the party.

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Wednesday 18 September 2019

At Hyde Park, Sydney Memorial.....- 'Lester' - 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page

At the War Memorial in Hyde Park is a wall with all the different towns that people enlisted from in World War 1. Mt Druitt is one of them.

Seniors Card - Do you qualify?

Image result for seniors card nswYou know, I have been called a senior at work in the past, and yet I do not feel that old. Although, I feel quite young myself. So, I am forwarding & extending details for people, who may not know that they qualify for the Seniors Card. This is a NSW Government initiative, which has been around for a while.

The Seniors card honors yourself as an elderly member of our community and allows you to  have discounts on  quite a few things, that may help the cost of living go down. This is especially so true, if you are retired, after years and years of work and thus your income is reduced.

 if you know of someone that has qualified - then help them out as well. Would like to here from yourselves, even if you are using this card already and how beneficial is it to you, if it is. 

Seniors Card Information Click here

Tuesday 17 September 2019

NSW IPART - Water

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Click here for Prices for WaterNSW Greater Sydney from 1st July 2020

Click here for Prices for Sydney Water Corporation from 1st July 2020

'Angry Birds' in Westfield Mount Druitt - this week....


Westfield logo
  Westfield centre logo

No, we are not talking about our group member (Ron's) picture of birds, we are talking about Angry Birds Movie 2:
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Click here for details

Shelter NSW - Western Sydney Community Forum









Developing an ambitious vision for housing.

WSCF encourages individuals, groups and organisations in South Western Sydney to attend a consultation forum relating to housing. We have partnered with Shelter NSW to deliver the forum in Liverpool so that our region can have a say in developing a NSW vision of 'a secure home for all'. For details and for more information, see the message from Shelter NSW below.

Over the next few weeks, Shelter NSW will be consulting with local organisations and community groups across the Sydney Metropolitan Region and Regional NSW as part of our visioning project.
Background
Shelter NSW has operated as a peak housing policy and advocacy body for more than 40 years. Historically our focus has been on understanding the housing system from a low-income “consumer” perspective – particularly at the service delivery level – and advocating for progressive change to promote fairness and equality within the system. This involves engagement with consumers and stakeholders at the local level, and providing advice and input into policy discussions with government and its agencies. Shelter is now looking beyond consultation processes established by Government to directly engage with consumers and stakeholders to develop a public advocacy agenda that speaks to the diverse housing needs and ambitions of the NSW community.

As the housing vision of governments narrows in the absence of both a National and State Housing Strategy, Shelter NSW is seeking to develop an ambitious vision for a person-centred housing system, that draws in the diverse voices of the research and advocacy sector.
The Vision
Shelter NSW has identified five key elements that could underpin a system to deliver on our vision of “A secure home for all”.
  1. Everyone deserves a secure home to call their own.
  2. A diverse and integrated system provides a variety of options.
  3. All tenures provide dignity, stability and affordability.
  4. Cities, neighbourhoods and homes are built for diversity and inclusion.
  5. Communities are supported and engaged through change.
Shelter NSW has developed a discussion paper to prompt conversations and engagement to build a coherent and persuasive set of messages that are informed by Shelter NSW members and stakeholders.

We want to hear what "a secure home for all" means to you.
Liverpool Consultation Forum.
Shelter NSW is partnering with the regional peak for Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Community Forum to hold a consultation forum in Liverpool, to seek the input of organisations in South Western Sydney.

When: Friday 27 September 2019
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm (morning tea included)
Where: Purple Room, Liverpool Library, 170 George Street Liverpool
Contact: Leah Emmanuel from Shelter NSW: leah@shelternsw.org.au

Join us and contribute to a contemporary vision of a sustainable and effective housing system.