Letters

Civilised hot spots
The Editorial in City News (29 January) is not correct.

I supported the NSW Government’s proposal to target crime hot spots while consistently urging action to be evidence-based, monitored and reviewed to ensure it helps achieve a civilised and vibrant night-time economy.

Sydney communities need action on the increasing rates of alcohol-related assaults and local residents want an end to unacceptable levels of anti-social behaviour, particularly in areas were large numbers of late night licensed premises are concentrated.

During Parliamentary debate on the new restrictions for 48 NSW venues, I asked the Government to address claims that gay and lesbian venues were unfairly targeted and that some venues were refusing to report incidents. I asked the Government to report the progress of these controls to Parliament and work with Councils to manage late night trading areas.

The Government initially stated that the 48 listed premises had the highest number of on-site incidents, but a recent Sydney Morning Herald FOI claim disputes this. I have asked the Government to make the facts public and evaluate the benefits of these controls.

My record highlighting these concerns dates back to the Olympics when late trading zones were introduced and, as I did with the successful small bars campaign, I will continue to work for a vibrant late night economy that doesn’t destroy inner city safety and amenity.

Clover Moore MP
Independent Member for Sydney

Don’t fence us in
In response to your article Please Fence us In, (15 January), I would reply:
Childcare groups need the proportionate ratio of carers to children otherwise they are breaking the law and if this is carried out, then there is no need for fences around parks.I am astounded that where we once had the Water Police Site at Pyrmont, and where there is now going to be a wonderful park for the people of Sydney, there are some people in Pyrmont who are never satisfied! If the land had been sold-off to developers and there had been more stuctures of units built, blocking out people’s views and daylight these people would have had something to complain about.

Jan Oakes
Pyrmont

Get off the grass
The 2011 Residents’ Association has closely followed Council’s program to upgrade Fitzroy Gardens and Sir Lawrence Hargrave Reserve in Kings Cross, and we frankly don’t understand where the desire to change the predominately paved area near Macleay St to a predominately grassed area, as appears in all three design options for Fitzroy Gardens, has come from.

Many people have expressed a desire that Fitzroy Gardens be essentially retained “as is” but that it be maintained better than it has been. Very few people, to our knowledge, have advocated transforming the area near Macleay St into a mostly grassy area. We expressed this view in our submission to Council on the three design options for Fitzoy Gardens.

We understand that no random sample survey of residents and businesses was conducted in ascertaining views about an upgraded Fitzroy Gardens. This is disappointing as it may result in design outcomes that do not reflect the needs and wants of the entire community.

The community may find it interesting to be shown a record of all the comments made in the community consultation sessions on Fitzroy Gardens, and for the points in submissions on the future of Fitzroy Gardens to be similarly publicised. If these comments and submissions show that the community wants a mostly grassy Fitzroy Gardens, then the design options are reflecting this. If, however, there is little community support for a mostly grassy Fitzroy Gardens, Council should ensure that this is reflected in any upgrade.

Dr Sacha Blumen, President
2011 Residents Association Inc

Your letters are welcome in The City News. Please keep them as short as possible and provide your address and phone number (not for publication) so we can verify your bona fides. Letters may be edited. Email to michael@alternativemediagroup.com