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Dear Michael MORE WESTCONNEX ARROGANCE When Channel 9 News revealed that the State government was getting ready to bulldoze yet more homes in the Inner West, it came as a surprise to the people currently living in them. Residents living in Victoria Road Rozelle had no indication their homes were to be acquired and demolished until the government’s secret plans were revealed in the TV news report. Once the news broke, a hastily-written letter was delivered to them from Sydney Motorway Corporation regarding ‘possi ble impact’ to their properties. This whole process has been appalling. The shock and upset caused to residents who found out they were soon to be evicted and their homes destroyed via a TV news report is hardly in line with Mike Baird’s promise to make the home acquisition process 'more compassionate'. This latest news shows the WestConnex destruction of Rozelle continuing, with another tunnel destroying homes, businesses and the underground reserved metro rail corridor. You can watch the ABC report here. We also discovered at last week's Inner West Council meeting that the Baird-appointed Administrator himself couldn't get a single request approved by the Sydney Motorway Corporation - not even basic matters like School Zones to keep residents safer. The government is clearly running roughshod over our community and even over their own representatives. I'm determined to keep working to hold them to account, and to have this inefficient, wasteful, and environmentally destructive WestConnex project replaced with a world class public transport system. Our community campaign is building and we are continuing our strong advocacy to ensure the government sees sense. Yours sincerely, Jamie Parker Member for Balmain SYDNEY COLLEGE OF ARTS MERGER CANCELLED - BUT THE SCHOOL STILL NEEDS DEFENDING The University of Sydney has announced that the Sydney College of Arts will move to the main Sydney University campus rather than going ahead with its planned merger with UNSW Art and Design. Read the full SMH article here The decision that the merger will not proceed is a testament to the strength of the community campaign – a merger would have meant the destruction of visual arts at the University of Sydney, and an end to the unique practice undertaken at SCA. If the University had properly consulted staff and students, they would have discovered the incompatibility of the arts practices at the two schools. Photo: Kelsey Munro, SMH However there's plenty of work still to be done. The decision by the University to move the SCA out of the Kirkbride Buildings now makes it imperative that the government swiftly establishes a trust for Callan Park and implements the Callan Park Master Plan. It’s also important that the University of Sydn ey commits to providing proper studio space and facilities to allow for the specific needs of students studying mediums such as glass blowing or sculpture at SCA. Studio based practice is at the heart of the Sydney College of Arts and is a key factor that makes it unique, and it would be very disappointing if the SCA was retained at the University of Sydney but studio based practice was abandoned. PROGRESS ON TREES CAMPAIGN Last week Jamie joined a group of concerned residents of Leichhardt for a meeting with Richard Pearson, the Administrator of the newly formed Inner West Council and put a number of concerns and suggested solutions to him regarding the irresponsible cutting of street trees in Leichhardt. As a result of the residents' efforts, the Administrator met with the Acting CEO of Ausgrid, who agreed that Ausgrid would work with Council to develop an improved approach to tree cutting practices, as well as do a better job of consulting with the community. Read the Inner West Courier article here Tree cutting is not just an issue in Leichhardt, so Jamie will be organising a public meeting of concerned residents, councils, and community groups where residents from different electorates can raise all the issues and adopt a formal resolution to pass on to the Energy Minister and Ausgrid. Jo Haylen, MP for Summer Hill, and the Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich are both very supportive of the idea. The date of the meeting will be announced shortly. HOW LIVEABLE IS YOUR SUBURB? The Sydney Morning Herald has announced the results of its Liveable Sydney Survey, which rates every suburb in Sydney on a total of 16 indicators, including transport, education, traffic, views, proximity to employment hubs and access to the beach. Out of 555 suburbs, here's how our local areas stacked up: 15. Balmain East 23. Birchgrove 30. Balmain 43. Glebe 45. Forest Lodge 47. Pyrmont 51. Rozelle 68. Ultimo 69. Lilyfield 100. Annandale 106. Leichhardt 122. Camperdown What's the number one thing that would make your suburb more liveable? Click here to let us know what you think - it'll only take a few seconds! RECENT HAPPENINGS IN PARLIAMENT You can read transcripts of all Jamie's speeches, questions and debates here For regular updates and to discuss the issues affecting you, the inner west and NSW, like Jamie's Facebook page: CONTACT My team and I are available to help with concerns you may have about public housing, public transport, health, planning and development, education, childcare or any other local or state issue. Call us on 9660 7586 or email balmain@parliament.nsw.gov.au