Parra News December 14 2021

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Tuesday, December 14, 2021
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Issue 56
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Editor’s Note
troy.dodds@parranews.com.au
I’ve been on leave this past week, and
that’s resulted in being exposed to something
truly horrible: the cess pit that is
breakfast television.
It’s not so much the awkward banter,
Parra Matters
alanmascarenhas09@gmail.com
Index
Troy Dodds
@troydodds
The worst breakfast I’ve ever had
Alan Mascarenhas
@alanmasc
News.............................................1-20
Horoscopes.................................21
Business ........................................22
Change is in the air in Parramatta. It
was a sentiment I expressed before the
December local government elections
(while standing as Labor’s number two
candidate in North Rocks Ward). Well,
the voters have issued their verdict and
change has now arrived.
The new council will have a vastly different
complexion. Among its key features:
a much-improved Labor representation
of possibly seven in a chamber of 15. Our
Local Community (OLC) increasing its
standing to four. At least eight women,
including all three councillors in North
Rocks. Labor also appears to have won a
majority in neighbouring Cumberland.
At prepoll in Carlingford and also on
election day, I sensed a new receptiveness
to Labor, which has now lost three
straight NSW and federal elections. The
extent to which enough disenfranchised
Liberals switched directly to the other
main political brand rather than parking
their vote with independents bodes well
– dare I say – for Anthony Albanese next
year.
Yet one of the great things about running
for office is you realise no candidate
or political perspective has a monopoly
on wisdom. I can vouch that independent
Liberal Georgina Valjak will make a dedicated
community-minded representative.
(Commiserations to her unsuccessful
running mate, former Lord Mayor Bob
Dwyer, whose gallant effort on the booths
belied his doubts about another run. Like
John Howard in Bennelong, the voters
did the job for him.)
OLC’s Donna Wang deserves congratulations
for a spirited campaign that
tapped into the growing electoral power
of the Chinese Australian community. If
he gets over the line in Parramatta Ward,
Phil Bradley of the Greens will remain
an important voice. And Kellie Darley,
who has gained a passionate following
through her Parra Parents Facebook
page, will hopefully bring new ideas.
As ratepayers, we can only ask that City
of Parramatta reflect the best of us. All too
often, we see a cut-throat and corrupting
element to politics. Ugly compromises
must be made. However, I believe there
is good in every person who puts themselves
forward and a genuine desire to
see their community progress.
The incoming Council bears a heavy
onus. Over the next decade, the Parramatta
CBD will continue its transformation
into an economic powerhouse
– anchored by a rejuvenated Eat Street
and Parramatta and Centenary Squares.
Entertainment .................23-35
Business Directory.......36-37
Auto..................................................38
weird weather crosses or sneaky advertorial
placements.
For me it’s how the news is presented.
Full of fear, over-the-top reporting and
an obsession with using the term ‘breaking
news’ even if the news is not in fact
‘breaking’ at all.
This is an awful place to start your day,
and both the major commercial networks
need to have a good look at the programs.
A bright but busy future ahead
But it can be so much more. A centre of
learning and innovation. A destination
for quality retail and sparkling artistic,
cultural and night-time activity.
Our CBD desperately needs new greenery
and places where people can simply
breathe. Tackling congestion should be
a top priority, including a new focus on
cycling and active transport. Parramatta’s
heritage must be respected as the city
hurtles forward.
By now, most residents who choose to
live here can see and admire the changes
in CBD. With new perspectives on Council,
it’s time to turn it into more than just a
place of commerce, encased in concrete,
but a real community.
Yet the reality is most residents will continue
to live in Parramatta’s suburbs. An
unprecedented 200,000 people are due
to move in over the next 20 years. So, the
key challenge is keeping up investment in
public services and amenities – and not
just new apartment towers – from Toongabbie
to Epping and Wentworth Point.
The new Council will need an unabashedly
“pro-Parramatta” agenda and
be prepared to leverage more from the
state and federal governments. That’s the
change I believe people voted for. Certainly,
it is the change we need.
Sport .......................................39-40
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