Good Morning Keiasha,
I understand that I have accepted invitation to the Transport Forum to be held today.
I have been a member of this Forum since 2010 and have attended these important forums, representing communities and report through 'whyilovemountdruitt', 'Save Our Bus Services", "Mount Druitt & Surrounding suburbs" & " Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc" Blogspot and Face Book Pages. The reason I did this was we lost 3 bus services in 2009 and retained 2 of them in 2010. I was asked to lead a community group for one bus service but then discovered that there were other services being lost in the area. It seemed that Council had none or little power to get the buses back as I discovered, they are pretty much an advisory of public Transport around the area.
I was the founding Chair of both' Save our Buses, Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs and 'Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc and held position of secretary - I resigned in 2013 as I was not allowed to write posts on blogspot (without groups permission) on commending Hon. Richard Amery's eervice in State Government as he retired as well as issues with current Chair expecting more than I could do as Secretary.
I attended a Sydney Alliance Meeting in Bowman Hall attended by over 300 people, explaining how we all got 2 bus services back in Mount Druitt. I was pleased that when we got the full 755 bus service back that the front page of the local news paper in 2010 that it wasn't about myself - it was about the people of Mount Druitt getting back services that should not have been taken away. I was told by a former local Labor Party Branch Member that - Once services are taken away - 'you will never get them back again'.
It was pleasing to Know that The Then NSW Minister of Transport met with six of our groups representatives as they all had an opportunity to present our case and when the Federal Member of Chifley, Ed Husic invited myself and members of group for a cup of tea/morning tea chat. I could not attend as I had working obligations and when I was informed that The Hon. Member really only wanted to speak with 'me' not the ladies - that was very surprising to me!
We lobbied hard for a free bus service looping around Mount Druitt with the help of a young Blake Bardowski - approved by Council at a time the NSW Government was removing many Free Bus Shuttle Services from different regions. I nominated Blake for the inaugural Ed Husic's Chifley Awards and blowing me out of shape - he won it. I remember his mother was so ecstatic. We were nominated as a community group in the inaugural Western Sydney
'Zest' Community Awards and Blake also won a prize as an young individual, as well.
I was secretary of Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group, until I resigned and was a strong participant in the NSW Public Transport Review for 2030 and one of two people that made presentations to the Council's Transport Policy.
I later turned as a community advocate ranging from holes in the ground, streets and eventually traffic light improvements on Luxford Road entrance to Westfield, Mount Druitt - this was a giant step in saving pedestrian lives.
I must Thank Blacktown City Council Media Unit in providing media releases to myself, to inform the community through social media. I think I have the record for Blacktown City Council Australia Day videos on You Tube (each year).
So, I have come to the conclusion that as I am retired and not residing in the Blacktown LGA area ( Yet I still have real interests in the area), I tender my resignation from the Council'd Transport Forum as of toda. I Thank Council's Trasnport Officers and Media Unit for their support. Further Thanks goes to former Mayor, Stephen Bali, Tiny Beasedale and all current and former Councillors that I have spoken to as well as State members for Mount Druitt, Hon.
Edmond Atalla, Hon Member for Londonderry, Pru Car,= all past and current members of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group INc and most importantly to all Members of the Mount Druitt and wider community.
You may wish to keep me posted on all annual events, post each Transport event- Wishing Blacktown City Council a great success as it because a greater City.
Cheers
John Svoboda,jp
No comments:
Post a Comment