Labor members who lunch – Weighing in WestConnex – Norton St renewal overdue
Incredible numbers are being pulled out by both sides of the political spectrum in response to the recent approval of the WestConnex M4 Widening Project. Greens NSW MP Mehreen Faruqi has released a statement claiming motorists could be in line for tolls of up to $26 to use WestConnex for the project to break even. Meanwhile NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has claimed the $500 million project will cut travel times by up to 74 per cent between Parramatta and Homebush, and reduce the trip between Parramatta and Sydney Airport by 40 mins. Site work begins in February.
Leichhardt’s Renew Project, which was announced in May 2013 seems to have fallen flat, with some Leichhardt Councillors disappointed in the project’s results. ‘Renew’ is a model first trialled in Newcastle where owners of unused retail spaces are encouraged to allow pop-up shops to open in their spaces rent-free, until paying tenants can be found. Local grumblings suggest heavily priced parking meters need to be sorted out before Leichhardt gets its mojo back.
Federal member for Grayndler Anthoney Albanese has been reminiscing on the good ol’ days of Labor Youth Caucus, jumping on the back of Triple J birthday celebrations to recall his role in expanding the youth-oriented radio station to a national service. As the Australian Young Labor Delegate to ALP National Conference in 1986, Albanese moved the motion to expand the Sydney station (then 2JJ) to the national youth radio station it is today, following a push from Newcastle Young Labor members.
Whispers have emerged that Enfield restaurant, Il Buco has taken over the clientele of Tuscany’s on Norton St, once popular with lunching Labor power-brokers (Albanese included). SMH journalist, Kate Myclymont released a piece on Il Buco calling into question the large bills of Canterbury Council’s general manager, Jim Montague, who has made a habit of taking out Labor mayors for extravagant meals.