NSW Building Professional Board & Blacktown Council Officers Not Working With Community Environment

Well after community uproar,  a local press article, no  e-mail response from Investigator from the NSW Building Professional Board, e-mail from Council saying that they are happy with the application, there has been no response to the affect of the change to the environment and community. The Investigator is happy with the result for the Whalan community and in speaking to this bureaucrat and care about the local article in St Marys-Mount Druitt Star - as per quoted to me, 'It means nothing to me!' 

When asked about care to the environment which the NSW Building Professional Board, they go around circles and cannot answer a straight question.

 The Granny Flat is not looking like a Granny Flat, it is looking like another house

Have a look with what the these two government bodies are happy with?





Click here for previous blog

NSW Labor's Issues With Opal Card Mostly Monthly, Quarterly & Annual Paper Tickets!

Today, was a great day yesterday as I introduced more community members to check out this blogspot and then I had met the newly endorsed candidate for Mount Druitt, Councillor Edmond Atalla. He was handing out the following handout:

Mr Edmond Atalla has been a strong advocate for supporting the continuance of the Mount Druitt hospital cardiac unit as well as other local issues. Yet, he doesn't have an Opal Card yet! Although having an Opal Card is an individual choice, like choosing if you use public transport or not, I think having an Opal Card is important and vital to use public transport, even if it is seldom used.

I understand that Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly may be expensive for former yearly ticket holders. For example: Mount Druitt to Central yearly MyMulti is $2,444.00 (as per below):

MyMulti		Adult	Child	Student*	Pensioner*	Half Fare*
MyMulti DayPass		$23.00	$11.50	$11.50	N/A	N/A
MyMulti3 Weekly		$63.00	$31.50	$31.50	N/A	N/A
MyMulti3 Monthly (28 days)		$246.00	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MyMulti3 Quarterly (90 days)		$676.00	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MyMulti3 Yearly (365 days)		$2,444.00	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

MyTrain		Adult	Child	Student*	Pensioner*	Half Fare*
Single		$6.80	$3.40	$3.40	$2.50	$3.40
Return		$13.60	$6.80	$6.80	$2.50	$6.80
Off-peak return		$9.20	$4.60	N/A	N/A	N/A
Weekly		$52.00	$26.00	$26.00	$26.00	N/A
Fortnightly		$104.00	$52.00	$52.00	$52.00	N/A
Monthly (28 days)		$189.00	$94.50	$94.50	$94.50	N/A
Quarterly (90 days)		$520.00	$260.00	$260.00	$260.00	N/A
Yearly (365 days)		$2,080.00	$1,040.00	$1,040.00	$1,040.00	N/A

A Opal ticketing fares:

Opal card vs MyTrain adult fares comparison

Fare distance band	Distance KM’s	Station to station examples	Card type	Opal single fare - peak	MyTrain single fare (peak)†	Opal off-peak	MyTrain Weekly†	Opal (8 journeys = Weekly Travel Reward)
Train 1	0-10	Bondi Junction to Central Chatswood to North Sydney Lidcombe to Parramatta	Adult	$3.30	$3.80	$2.31	$28.00	$26.40
			Child	$1.65	$1.90	$1.15	$14.00	$13.20
Train 2	10-20	Hurstville to Central Blacktown to Parramatta Bankstown to Central	Adult	$4.10	$4.60	$2.87	$35.00	$32.80
			Child	$2.05	$2.30	$1.43	$17.50	$16.40
Train 3	20-35	Parramatta to Central Hornsby to Central Liverpool to Central	Adult	$4.70	$5.20	$3.29	$41.00	$37.60
			Child	$2.35	$2.60	$1.64	$20.50	$18.80
Train 4	35-65	Richmond to Central Campbelltown to Central Emu Plains to Redfern	Adult	$6.30	$6.80	$4.41	$52.00	$50.40
			Child	$3.15	$3.40	$2.20	$26.00	$25.20
Train 5	65+	Gosford to Central Wollongong to Town Hall Katoomba to Central	Adult	$8.10	$8.60	$5.67	$61.00	$60.00*
			Child	$4.05	$4.30	$2.83	$30.50	$30.00*

* Caps at 4 x Daily Travel Cap of $15.00 for Adult and $7.50 for Child/Youth
basted on 2 paid journeys or more per day to reach the Weekly Travel Reward. Excludes airport station access fee

 

The Opal yearly fare is $2,620.08. Yet as most of the workers that use this, would be deducting 4 weeks for annual being $201,60, leaving the total as $2,418,48. This now represents saving  of $25.62.

With the tickets they are Monthly $201. Opal, Mytrain Monthly $189.00 - $12 more expensive.

With the tickets they are Quarterly $602.40 Opal, Mytrain Quarterly $520.00 - $82.40 more expensive.

*With the tickets they are Yearly $2620.08 Opal, Mytrain Yearly $2,080.00 - $540.18 more expensive.

* We need to deduct appropriate 4 weeks of for annual leave. That would leaving yearly amount $338.44.

We know all tickets holders may not be all benefiting from the new ticket system yet the majority of previous ticket holders should be happy with online statements, free trips after 8 trips, no queuing for purchasing tickets, check balances as you tap and go.


Click Here for story in St Marys-Mount Druitt Star

Click here for Split Opions On Opal Card - St Marys- Mount Druitt Star 

Request For Federal, State And Local Politicians To Get To And From Council Chambers and Parliamnent By Public Transport - Using Opal Cards

It seems like, before we preach to the unconverted commuter, we need to preach to unconverted local, State and Federal Politicians to travel to and from their workplace and home also using public transport and the Opal Card.

In my life I have seen  two Federal Members of Parliament use trains, personally: Mr Roger Price, Former Federal member for Chifley and Former Federal Member for Lindsay, Mr. David Bradbury.

I have also seen NSW State Members, Mr. Ray Williams and Mr. Bart Basset get of Sydney Trains at Penrith station, a few years ago.


Once Local, State and Federal Members are traveling to their destinations, they will then have to understand how commuters have to cope day to day in catching buses, trains, taxis and possibly as a cyclist. If politicians don't travel using public transport, who will?

I also place same task to Blacktown City Council Transport officers and NSW for Transport to do the same.

Maybe politicians will get the community to talk to them and find out ways they can further benefit the community. I find by talking to people as a non-politician there is that comfort zone in talking to me.

I don't know if Roger Price remembers, but long before I was involved as  public transport advocate, I actually approached him and started to make conversation. It wasn't political it great listening to him wanting to visit former Telecom employees and meeting up with them in Sydney. I was touched that an important local identity and politician, spoke to myself as a stranger! Nice man!

So who will be the first politician to do this? Provide a photograph/video their trip, who they speak too, so we can show the world.

Opal Card's Concern's By Kylie Stevens - St Marys-Druitt Star

OPINION: Opal Card's loose ends causing concern

By Editorial by Kylie Stevens

Aug. 25, 2014, 11:53 a.m.

DESPITE not being fully convinced, I bought an Opal card at a Westfield pop-up kiosk on Saturday after being told by Sydney Trains staff that the MyMulti3 weekly ticket was being phased out (despite the website saying otherwise).

Being someone who pays mostly with cash and uses my credit card infrequently, it was the only place I could get one because the kiosk at my train station was open only from 9am to 5pm. Not convenient for someone who commutes by bus to Sydney's north-west for work.

While I will benefit from the free travel for the rest of the week after eight journeys, it's clear that the state government should have put more thought into the implementation.

The Opal system is rolled out on only half of the buses across Sydney, and on those in western Sydney that do have it, the card reader is often out of order.

Nor is the system available on special event buses to Moore Park. I thought the aim of Opal was so that people won't have to worry about queueing for a ticket or fumbling for coins.

The pensioner Opal card isn't yet available, which will be difficult for those who don't have a credit, debit or even an ATM card.

It leaves many unanswered questions, since the Transport NSW response failed to comment on many of the issues raised by the Star.

 From the Editor of this blogspot:
Guess what? My hand is there!

 

Opal Cards Users - St Marys-Mount Druitt Star

Not all commuters see Opal as a gem

By Kylie Stevens

Aug. 25, 2014, 11:53 a.m.

On board: John Svoboda likes the Opal card. "It will crack down on fare evasion," he said. Picture: Anna Warr

NOT all commuters are on board with the Opal card, just days before 14 paper train tickets are phased out.

Some feel they have no choice but to get an Opal card before next Monday.

Weekly train tickets and off-peak return train tickets are some of the fares no longer available.

While many major stations have pop-up kiosks to help with the transition, St Marys and Mount Druitt are not among them.

The Blacktown pop-up kiosk is open only between 7am and 10am and 3pm to 6pm on Mondays, and 7am to 10am on Tuesdays.

A government employee who is a commuter from Rooty Hill contacted the Star to describe Opal as "a rip-off".

He bought the yearly ticket being phased out and will be $541 (26 per cent) a year worse off when forced to register.

Commuters who bought quarterly and monthly tickets will also pay more.

"A lot of people are not saving under Opal," the commuter said.

Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group member John Svoboda had doubts before he recently bought an Opal card.

He was previously paying $51 a week on train and bus fares and is now saving $13.40 a week, which equates to about $696 a year.

He enjoys free travel for the rest of the week after eight journeys.

"I don't have a credit or debit card because I don't like being in debt," Mr Svoboda said.

"I ended up having to buy a throwaway debit card at Australia Post to buy an Opal card.

"It was daunting at first but once you start using it, it's easy to figure it out; it's not as bad as people think."

Blacktown commuter Kay Krensel: "I find the Opal card secure and convenient; it does not cost me any more than buying my ticket fortnightly and I never have to worry about renewing it, as it tops up automatically. For the frequent public transport user, it is well worth having."

Click below to read what Star reporter Kylie Stevens  thinks of the Opal system.

Click Here to read Star Reporter Kylie Stevens thinks of the Opal Sytem

Details: 13 67 25 or opal.com.au.

William Mason Reserve, North Mount Druitt - Appears To Be Getting An Upgrade!

Since producing this blog, we have kept an eye on improvements that have occurred, with the introduction of this website on 'William Mason Reserve, North Mount Druitt.

Publishing blogs, the Blacktown City Council is listening (or reading) and understanding what the community needs are. I do wish they could involve us (the community) in discussions of providing improvements to our community but I do feel 'Elected Councillors' - this is their duty. Although, we haven't got a  Councillor within North Mount Druitt, itself. 

So here are the apparent improvements:

I first noticed a passenger vehicle

You can see Council Officers in the distance and the pegging in the distance

And where we said they need to place a public walk way

And Makings for a path way junction


Click here for pevious blog requesting path way upgrades

Smokers At Westfield Mount Druitt Allowed To Smoke From A Distance!

Response from Trainee Environmental Health Officer, Blacktown City Council re -smokers outside of Westfield entrances - apparently they don't see them!

Dear Mr Svoboda,

Smoking - Westfield Mount Druitt Shopping Centre

I am writing to provide you the results of the investigation into persons smoking in non-smoking areas at Mount Druitt Westfield Shopping Centre.

Please be advised, Council Officers are not authorised under the Smoke Free Environment Act 2000 (NSW). As a result, your concerns were forwarded to NSW Health for investigation. 

NSW Health has provided advice that they carried out joint inspections with Westfield Mount Druitt Centre Management of the 8 entrances to the shopping centre.

At the time of the inspection, all smokers were well away from the entrance doors. There were no ashtrays available and any pot plants which might have been used as an ashtray have been moved from the public entrances. Signage within the area indicating it is a non-smoking area is prominent. Furthermore, Mount Druitt Westfield Centre Management has advised that patrols are carried out every 30 minutes to pick up any cigarette butts to ensure the area has the appearance of a non-smoking zone.

Should you require any further information regarding this matter, please contact NSW Health Environmental Health Officer Ian Goldthorpe on 9840 3811.

Regards,

Name Omitted | Trainee Environmental Health Officer

BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL

We will find out what is the distance from the entrance required for non--smoking and allowable smokers. Also we will find out what are the impending fines  for these offences and how is it policed!

Community Activist in O'Brien Street, Mount Druitt Clean Streets!

The other day Linda, from O'Brien Street, North Mount Druitt, shas been marking a mark in the community by notifying Council of graffiti on fences that need to be removed. As soon as the graffiti artists attacked the fences, she was onto it.

She also has stepped outside her community role, by previously walking up and down her street, pick up rubbish dropped around by other community members, leaving a clean, beautiful and respectful street. Now she finds Blacktown City Council, acting responsible and cleans up her street within reasonable amount of time. Also Council has  been terrific in responding to cleaning off graffiti off unnecessary fences.

William Mason Reserve North Mount Druitt, she remembers used to be used for burning out of cars and the children's playground area used to be used on the north west bushy area of the park, where there was drug addicts using needles. The redesign of the park, has planned for the children's park to be in a better area.
 
Again we have a 'champion' in Mount Druitt, probably a silent 'champion' but a champion in her own right. 

In Mount we have a wide diverse of people coming from all over the world and of course some people may believe in their own customers, trying to retain them in Australia. There may be one or two cultures that only believe in cleaning their own home and compound. When it comes to outside then they may be left to others and maybe that's a culture, us Australians have instilled within ourselves. I think to reduce Council's cost for street rubbish, we need for Council to promote campaigns like 'Your cleaner rubbish is your community's cleaner rubbish!'

Opal News For Mount Druitt Community - Apply For Your New Opal Card.

 I think these are simple messages, Opal  Electronic Ticketing is up and running and if you haven't got one, my suggestion is get one!  Pensioners can wait until Opal launch their Cards later in the year.

Child and youth cards are available as well as Adult Cards. Get ready if your cards are being  removed from service as from 1st September 2014.  Contact Opal.com.au or 131500 for further information.

For commuters using the old MyMulti3 Tickets, the maximum that I would be paying for  the year is $1,804.80 (deduct 4 weeks of holidays), under Mymulti3 I was paying $2,448.00 (deduct 4 weeks for holidays) - this leaves a total savings of $643.20 per annum.

Using my Opal Card fares for trains only over 20km's (at present) is maximum $37.60 per week,  and this would include buses being a free service after 8 train trips. Previously I was paying $51 for combined trains and buses, per week.

I understand that some Mount Druitt commuters would be on a higher fare band of $50.40 per week on Sydney trains. Here would only be a small saving but still it is savings.

Click Here for Sydney Trains MyMulti Ticketing

Pole In The Ground, Meacher Street, North Mount Druitt - Removed!

Yes, again we thank Blacktown City Council, in removing a pole and filling a hole in Meacher Street, North Mount Druitt. Unfortunately, we may not have known who in the community left the pole lying on the ground and pulling it out from the ground. We do ask that community members please respect their own community. Being more respectful, means that Blacktown City Council can focus on more important issues, improving the community and of course reduce costs for annual council rates.

Click here on previous blog

Path Way Damages Left By Building Contractors Dawsson Mall, Mount Druitt

When we look around the community,  we all want to see a clean and good looking community, with vibrant colors and little or no damage to public walkways. 

In saying this, I am always encouraged by new hopefully prospectful small businesses coming into the Mount Druitt area.  New businesses may need to spend money to create their new store, before opening their doors.


At night there has been busy activity with bobcats and heavy duty trucks, renovating a new shop along Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt. They previous have dropped equipment in the Mall, with health and safety signage. Now these heavy duty vehicles, have left their heavy duty mark in both path ways  at Dawson Mall, of which I assume they will clean up themselves. It is a bit like leaving rubbish behind, expecting Council to pick up the mess.

I'm sure that Blacktown City Council, will investigate this matter, to ensure that this area is definitely improved (without cost to Council)

Check the track marks on the left side, as well as the centre tiles on the path way

Click here for previous blog

Maybe Blacktown City Council Could Look Into 'NSW Preschool Disability Support Program' in Mount Druitt!

 In all communities, we are all a mixed community of desired needs and requirements. Sometimese when we ourselves are asking for needs, requirements and improvements, there are other in need of more. It is good to hear that the NSW Government is looking at support the needs of children with disabilities at Pre-school.

I'm sure Blacktown City Council, would be able to see whether there is need for this program in Mount Druitt and wider communities, making Mount Druitt a more improved socially acceptable environment to live in.

Click here for NSW Preschool Disability Support Program

Will The Future of Mount Druitt And/Or Blacktown Transport Hubs look like this?

Do we still doubt that China is heading towards becoming

 A Mega Superpower in a Decade or Two? 
No Doubt At All.
Regarding Railroads, the USA & CANADA and AUSTRALIA are living in the Dark Age!
When will Mount Druitt be looking at this proposal for Blacktown City Council's Integrated Transport Plan?

 

Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail. Beijing departure station

 

 
The train speed is 350 km/hr
the crew to board the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train.

The crew staff are preparing food.




 
The trains have 1st class, business and VIP cars, as well as economy class of course.
There are also dedicated disabled areas, wheelchair accessible rooms and corridors 
HOW DID THEY DO THIS?
THEY COPIED THE U.S. IDEAS OF THE 40's & 50'S AND COMBINED THEM
WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY.

Courtesy of Lester Pasley (Provided by)

Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park Hole Service Pits Fixed

We are pleased to announce that Blacktown City Council has fixed up the two service pits by Jemena Gas Networks, as per representation by Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, Blacktown City Council and previous blog published


Again, we thank  the General Manager of Blacktown City Council, Kerry Robinson, for ensuring this is followed through and completed, making it safer for the community of Mount Druitt. Pedestrians will safer, when walking past the Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park, North Parade, Mount Druitt

Click Here for Jemena Gas Networks

Click Here for Letter from General Manager, Blacktown City Council 

Click Here for previous blog 

Fitness Club In Rooty Hill Needs More Overseeing Supervision - SGAC

In Mount Druitt there are popping a lot of fitness gyms, which have very reasonable weekly fees and each has its own facilities, is what I am trying to do for nearly a year.

Is it late in life to do it.Never. One gym previously called, 'One55' now called, 'Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre', which even has its own sport medicine professionals, is a great gym to 'work out' in.


One member of this gym, Sean, approached myself and suggested that the only thing that needs to be improved is employees walking around ensuring members are using equipment properly. This is mainly for people like himself and myself, who have never used any particular equipment before and are not 100 percent sure how to use it. Yes, I do understand that we can approach them and ask them questions, they seem busy at their enquiry desk or front office and probably are.

I do admit when I joined, there was a magnificent female trainer, who had taken my wife and myself through the basics of some of the equipment. That was great!

We will kindly seek a response from the Rooty Hill RSL which is where this gym comes under.

Aborigional Artist In Mount Druitt From Alice Springs With Such Beautiful Artwork - For Sale!

This evening I met a lovely aboriginal artist that really had my eyes owning her wonderful and so beautiful self -made traditional Aboriginal Artwork. I have seen  aboriginal artwork before in an exhibition/shop in Darling Harbor but I guarantee this is great quality work.


Donna Abbott is from Alice Springs, and is showing her specially made 'Aboriginal Bush Tucker' painting. She is so proud of her work that she is finding it hard to let go of her masterpiece. Both pictures are
'For Sale' and she can be contacted on 0421 553 241.

Donna has spent over 3 days and nights making the large picture. She shows that she has such a wonderful character, that her colorful artwork, looks like it could win the 'NSW Archibald Prize'.

Another type of aboriginal traditional Art Donna creates is Aboriginal Honey Ants Art - ask her about this art.

NSW Archibald Prize

Click here for Bush Tucker Meaning 

Click Here For Honey Ants

Mount Druitt Bus Interchange Proposed Enlargement - Blacktown City Council

A small study by myself shows that in the Blacktown City Council Transport Integrated Plan - proposal are for a small increase to enlarge the  current Mount Druitt Bus Interchange, although we will have a dramatic increase in population. (refer to page 52).

The following photos are physical evidence  of the area that will be taken away from Westfield, Mount Druitt Car Park and added to the bus interchange. My suggestion is we require a larger bus interchange and the land use at the petrol would suit public transport users.

What we need to know is when will this happen as the recent Mount Druitt Bus Interchange, was only a needed facelift, not an expansion to cater for further increases in public transport population?

Have a look and give us your feed:

Where I'm taking photo is as far as it should go!

Blacktown City Brass Band - More Lovely Songs - Enjoy It

You don't have to be old (or older) as me to enjoy this music. You can be a generation or  two younger. Just close your eyes and listen!  This makes me relax and I hope it makes you relax.

 Click Here for Spanish Eyes

Click here for Caribbean Rhapsody 


Click Here for More songs!

Mount Druitt Transport Hub Getting Cleaned Up - Blacktown City Council

Yes, we seem to be getting more and more success in getting more and more improvements within Mount Druitt. Thank you to Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, Ward 5, Blacktown City Councillor and to the General Manager of Blacktown City Council, for providing these essential services, within the Transport Hub of Mount Druitt.

This provides a healthier environment for all members of the mount Druitt community, using these facilities as well as other people visiting the area. We hope that Council does a checklist to review these cleaning services.

Click Here for letter from General Manager From Blacktown City Council
Click Here For Previous Blog

'Lights Out' Daytime At WestField Mount Druitt Car Park- Blacktown City Council Assists!

We published a previous blog, where Westfield Management were not aware that 'Car Park Lights' were left on during the day, costing tenants money and  possible increase in rental charges and on-flowing to further costs to Mount Druitt shoppers.

We can now report that after 12 days after notifying relevant authorities like Blacktown City Council, the lights have now been noted to have the 'Time Control Switching Checked and adjusted, accordingly'.  Again we thank the General Manager of Blacktown  City Council to organise this improvement, to possible save costs to shoppers of Mount Druitt.


Click Here for letter from General Manager, Blacktown City Council 

Click here for previous blog

Mount Druitt Transport Hub - Blacktown City Council Working Towards Smoke Free Zone!

Blacktown City Council must be applauded for taking on implementing 'Smoke Free Zones' and providing as per 'Smoke Free Environment Act of 2000'.  We also thank Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, from Ward 5, Blacktown City Council for following this up  and providing a healthier public transport environment.

It appears that although requests were made on previous blogs, that a representative from the NSW Health Tobacco Regulatory Control Team issued penalty notices and formal cautions. Other recommendations were made like more appropriate signage and regular inspections.


Click here for Letter From General Manager,Blacktown City Council

Click here for previous blog 

And Also Click Here for more previous blogs