Here is how to vote LABOR in Robertson and in Dobell...

Let's paint the Central Coast Red - the coulour of LABOR

What's the deal Lawrie, Gabbie, Jeff and colleagues?

I'm wondering what is going on. Initially Gosford City Council voted unanimously to reject amalgamation with Wyong. You'd have thought that would be that. You'd have thought we would continue the partnerships that we share with Wyong, but we'd recognize that the move for amalgamation is neither warranted not appropriate.

Next, late in 2015, the conservatives amongst the elected Councillors in Gosford changed their position. Under pressure from the Baird Government, of financial penalty and exclusion from the process (that was allegedly going to proceed with or without council consent) they voted to "accept the inevitable". Their rationalization was that they needed to ensure a seat at the table. They had been coerced. Pure and simple coercion.

Now, this is where it gets even more complicated... Today we hear that former Gosford Mayor, Lawrie Mckinna has rejected an offer to assist with the committee that will oversee the process from here on in.... What is the deal? We had these Councillors in place, representing us... They changed their conviction so that they'd cement their ongoing involvement... Now this?

BTW there are some councils that were under the same pressure to comply, that stood strongly against amalgamation. Some councils have fended off the same attack that made us buckle under... They will be permitted to continue as a stand alone council.

The Council members that capitulated must be looking back and wondering about their final decision... Will they all reject the same offer that Lawrie has rejected? It appears they got it so, very, wrong. Now we have to live with their mis-read of the situation.

Looking ahead, we now have to fund the very expensive amalgamation that we didn't want (council community consultation led to the original unanimous rejection).

Just as has occurred in Qld, reversal of amalgamation will be on the table under a Labor State Government.

Stand by for further development.... I have a feeling that this is not over, not by a long shot.

Footnote: Labor Councillors Vicki Scott and Jim Mcfadyen originally rejected amalgamation and they stood firm, as did Greens Councillor Hillary Morris.

Roundabout or Traffic Lights? What is your preference?

There is a plan to upgrade an intersection near my home.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/central-coast/empire-bay-scenic-cochrane/empire-bar-drive-notification-1604.pdf

I have a feeling that it will be very expensive to complete.

The local member Mr Crouch (as a candidate) parked his Ute near the intersection with signage stating that he (and Mike Baird) would FIX this road. He is to be congratulated for securing the planning money.

Anyone that has any insight into this type of thing will know that "planning" is not fixing (planning must happen first of course). I look forward to hearing that Mr Crouch has secured the funding to FIX the congestion problem. It will of course be in the multi millions of dollars most likely (my guesstimate, happy to be corrected) skywards of $15mil.

The plan in part, is to remove the existing roundabout, duplicate some lanes to add turning lanes, widen the road, remove vegetation add traffic lights and redirect some traffic from roads that lead onto Empire Bay Drive. Drivers on Sundowner Ave will no longer be able to turn right on Empire Bay Drive.

The recent Terrigal Drive / Charles Kay Drive intersection at Terrigal is said to have needed funding of $25mil from the State Government. I assume there may have been funding input by the federal Government also.

This project is very similar, the traffic numbers are similar the main difference is the Kincumber intersection is a cross-road project where as Terrigal was a T-Intersection. The Terrigal project covers a larger surface area of road.

One million dollars is set aside just for the planning processes. From a cursory look over the document it seems that there will be minimal improvement if any. Have a look at just how short the widened strips are. Will that really move the volumes of traffic through quicker than now?

Could the option of a larger dual lane roundabout with longer sections of road widening give a better result?

I understand that roundabouts allow for swifter and smother through movement of vehicles, what do you think?

The combination of roundabout and traffic lights works very well at the Karalta Rd / Central Coast Hwy intersection. Will this end up being just another way to move a bottleneck a little further up the road or will it be the answer?

Of course I hold no qualifications that make me an expert. However, I do look forward to your input and advice.

Where would we be?

Tony Robinson's Time Walks... today's episode just paid tribute to the BLF and the green bans. Have a look here if you like http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/tony-robinsons-time-walks/ZW0650A004S00

Swathes of history was about to be destroyed in Woolloomooloo and other areas of Sydney... but the community and the UNIONS came together and historic features such as the Finger Wharves were saved from the developers.

That's right those nasty, grubby, criminal UNIONS! The next time you see the conservatives, the developers and the Murdoch press denigrate UNIONS have a think about the Green Bans. Have a think about workplace safety and have a think about what UNIONS really mean to our country. Think about what vested interests would do without the presence of UNIONS!

https://newmatilda.com/2011/07/19/green-bans-saved-sydney/

Is there dishonesty in the Amalgamation Agenda? You bet there is... Shame on the Baird Government

Alan Jones has been very active regarding the amalgamation fiasco. It is clear that Alan sees Toole as dishonest and Baird as uncaring when it comes to the wants and needs of the community! There is no doubt that he considers that breaches of the law are part of this mess.

Mr Jones lays a few truths down and it's not a pretty story! He asks why Baird won't release the full KPMG report, why not a plebiscite? He reminds us that the Baird Govt are there to represent us not to boss us around.

Are we being run by liars? Alan Jones says that they ARE lying to us...

Remember that there is a KPMG report that the Baird Government is using to validate their actions and agenda. The sad fact is that their report is a secret document, released in part only! What you may not know is that Bombala, Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River Shire Councils has also ordered a report from KPMG you can hear how in a FULLY RELEASED report the prospect of amalgamation is not favourable ie NOT RECOMMENDED... Mr Baird and Mr Toole I call on you to give us honesty in Government, I call on you to FULLY RELEASE your KPMG Report and finally (for now) I call on you to let the people of NSW decide this issue by plebiscite or by a general election if you dare! Click here to listen

Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull rolls the dice and now his fate now rests in an unlikely budget

The Australian Senate are doing exactly what the Australian voters have asked them to do. They are doing their job, they are the house of review. They have reviewed and they have rejected bad legislation.

And yet unless Mr Turnbull pulls his threat of a Double Dissolution (the polls are against him) we will be heading to the polls sooner rather than later.

Let's assume (for the sake of argument) that the election returns Mr Turnbull and his friends to government but as is the want of the Australian electorate, they chose to elect a Senate that will "keep the bastards honest" (has there ever been a political slogan that captured the heart of Australians so thoroughly?) Mr Turnbull will be in the same position as he is now!

Given the same circumstances will the LNP choose the same path? Could we end up in another DD situation just a few months after the upcoming election? Will we have continuity or change?

The possibility is there... So do you want to see a government that will return you to the polls on a whim or do you want proper government where even where there is difficulty, a way to make it work is found?

Can you respect a government that when the going gets tough, they choose to throw up their hands and run to the GG for a DD, or will you vote to remove such a mob?

Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull rolls the dice and now his fate now rests in an unlikely budget

When is a boost not a boost?

You will hear the Abbott/Turnbull government spruiking a "boost to funding" for Finance Watchdog ASIC. When you hear it remember this story. Click the link please...

http://www.smh.com.au/business/asic-lashes-budget-cuts-20141029-11dr2c.html