Slap in the face for local residents

Despite claims by Auburn councilors that they are listening to 
the concerns of local residents about over-development in Berala, 
they have pushed through approval of a five story building in 
Woodburn Rd Berala. The development was approved at the most 
recent council meeting held on October 1.

Only one councilor, Irene Simms, spoke and voted against the 
development while councilor Pat Curtin from the ALP was very 
vocal in his support of the project.

The development does not comply with a number of council's own 
planning guidelines and has been the spur for a series of public 
meeting held in Berala to oppose over-development and fight for 
decent community facilities in the area.

Councilor Pat Curtin said that the meetings called by "Residents 
for a better Berala" was unrepresentative and that those involved 
were just "Berala bashers". He also launched into a personal 
attack on Brendan Kelly the convener of the meetings.

One rule for developers and another for residents

The October 1 council meeting was a good example of how in Auburn 
there is one rule for developers and another for local residents.

At the meeting Councilor Pat Curtin lectured a Kurdish refugee 
who couldn't speak English -- that everyone had to obey council's 
ordinances and that he must immediately rectify unathorised 
building work that he had done to his home. The man had done some 
renovations to his home to provide a room for his son.

Councilor Pat Curtin was correct when he said that everyone must 
be bound by council's rules and regulations but this was in stark 
contrast to his strong support for the Woodburn Rd development 
that breaches several of council's own planning guidelines.

Why are big developers being treated differently to ordinary 
local ratepayers?

Maybe it is a case of "he who pays the piper calls the tune".

Pattern of deceit

At the last Berala residents' meeting Auburn councilors assured 
local residents that they were listening to their concerns. 
Councilor Barbara Perry also from the ALP, made soothing noises 
about how they would arrange for council's town planners to 
attend the next residents meeting to discuss the council's plans 
for Berala and to listen to local residents concerns.

In the meantime council rammed through the development that 
raised residents concerns in the first place. That's consultation 
Auburn council style!

Unfortunately this is only the latest example of Auburn council's 
contempt for local residents.

Council originally opposed the development of Collex's waste dump 
at Clyde only to drop their opposition later and leave it to 
local residents to fight the development at their own expense in 
the Land and Environment Court.

Council at first expressed concern about the closure of the 
Auburn Dental Health Clinic to later swallow the line that the 
clinic wasn't really closed despite the fact that the clinic's 
doors have been locked shut for nearly a year.

Council also expresses support for local history and heritage 
while at the same time doing nothing to stop most of Auburn's 
historic homes and buildings disappearing under the bulldozers of 
developers.

Time for a change

If we want an Auburn that can offer a decent future for its 
residents especially our children, if we want suburbs that are 
well planned and have a pleasant environment then we must be 
prepared to act now.

Residents who have been ignored and betrayed by Auburn council 
must join together and stand up for our rights.

We need a council that is open, democratic and accountable to 
local residents.

We need a council that looks after ordinary ratepayers and 
doesn't pander to the interests of developers and real estate 
agents who now dominate council.

Auburn community alliance

Auburn Branch of the Communist Party of Australia proposes an 
alliance of all the community, migrant and political groups that 
have opposed the closure of the dental clinic, the Collex waste 
dump and support other progressive community policies.

We believe that in unity there is strength and that if we work 
together we can achieve victory and implement community supported 
policies rather than those that only serve the interests of the 
rich and the powerful in our society.

We believe that most of the current crop of Auburn councilors 
won't change and must be thrown out at the next local government 
elections that are due to be held in March next year.

If you would like to help form an Auburn Community Alliance and 
work to implement progressive policies and elect a community-
based council please call Edward Mason on 0414 761 618.

The Communist Party is also considering standing candidates for 
Auburn council at this election.

We will be fighting for a council that puts residents first and 
not rich and greedy developers.

To know more about the Communist Party of Australia please email 
cpaauburn@yahoo.com.au