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News about halting development and planning proposals in the greater Sydney metropolitan area may align with a ‘politically correct’ agenda particularly with an upcoming State election, but it spells disaster for young people trying to get into the housing market. Sydney is Australia’s major centre for employment and new immigrants. They need somewhere to live… Read more »
It is with great pride that we can announce today our Director, Jessica Craig, is a finalist in the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence. Nominated in the Young Employee category for her unwavering leadership over the past year, Jessica has excelled in being able to deliver measurable results for our clients. Whilst this may… Read more »
Hardly a week goes by without the NSW Government announcing a major infrastructure project or services coming to Western Sydney – supposedly bringing wealth and employment opportunities to businesses and people in the West. However, questions are being asked about whether these announcements will result in any real benefit if you are a small or… Read more »
As a former Mayor of the City of Ryde council and Metropolitan Vice President of Local Government NSW, I am only too aware of the tension that can exist between communities who don’t want change at any cost and development proposals reaching for the sky. Councillors and council staff are often left struggling to find… Read more »
The appointment of Gladys Berejiklian as Premier of NSW provides a unique opportunity to address community opposition to forced council amalgamations in metropolitan areas by applying an innovative Joint Regional Authority (JRA) model developed by the City of Ryde Council. Premier Berejiklian appears to have to either back-peddle on the Government’s program of council… Read more »
The NSW Government‘s ramped up attacks on local councils is starting to unleash an angry response, which, combined with Malcolm Turnbull deposing Tony Abbott, could see the beginning of significant Coalition political unrest in NSW. A million dollar advertising campaign and media stories about the failures of local government are clearly pointing to the… Read more »
When City of Ryde Mayor, Bill Pickering, was recently assaulted at a polling booth for a council by-election, the biggest question in his mind was: Why would any ‘sane’ person want to serve in public office? Comment by Hugo Halliday PR & Marketing Managing Director, Bill Pickering. (*Bill is also Mayor of the City… Read more »
Premier Mike Baird may have a clear mandate from the State election to partially lease electricity polls and wires to pay for future infrastructure, but the same cannot be said for forcing the amalgamation of local councils. Premier Baird has said he believes NSW has too many Councils, but fell well short of committing… Read more »
Metropolitan councils in NSW are facing a push by the State Government to amalgamate to allegedly make Local Government more financially viable, or in bureaucratic speak – ‘Fit For The Future’. No one disputes the need for fiscal responsibility in Government at every level, but all the evidence points to being bigger through amalgamations not… Read more »
In February 2014 I asked two eminent political leaders on ABC TV’s Q &A program: “Where is the vision for Australia in the future?” My concerns and views behind this question are expressed below: Australia is a big country that needs big ideas and tough leadership to carve our future in a global environment… Read more »
