winter 2015 • issue 125

is sydney on track?

SYDNEY PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGER JOURNEYS TELL THE STORY: IN 1945 THERE WERE 832 MILLION JOURNEYS WITH 404 MILLION ON TRAMS. BY 2013, WITH 2.7 TIMES MORE PEOPLE, THERE WERE ONLY 635 MILLION PASSENGER JOURNEYS

+PLUS SYDNEY’S OLD TRAM NETWORK THE DIFFERENCE A RIDE MAKES FOREIGN HOUSING INVESTMENT TRANSPORT REVOLUTION NEED CAR AND BIKE SHARE GUIDE TO PLANNING PRECINCTS THE TOLLING FOR WESTCONNEX LISTENING TO COMMUNITIES MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

The Journal of the Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development Inc Contents

“Infrastructure must be built with an integrated approach, with attention paid to where people live, where they work and what amenities they need close to them ... as a crucial aspect of a broad plan to modernise our cities and regions, and to make them liveable, vibrant and sustainable places for people” 12

4 Noticeboard 14 Towards a transport revolution in Sydney Geoff Turnbull reports on some of the important issues raised 5 Editorial by Tim Williams in an address subsequently described as the “personal opinion” of the Chief Executive of the 6 New alternatives to car ownership Committee for Sydney. Going car-less still isn’t for everyone, but it has never been easier or cheaper. Ben Aveling explores some four and two 16 What a difference a ride makes wheel alternatives. Three stories, collected by Western Sydney Community 8 Trams: Rebuilding what was lost Forum, put a human face on transport: 16 How Will I know? - Mathew Hounsell explores Sydney’s old tram system which Michael wanting more for the vision impaired was one of the world’s largest and most used urban public transport systems. He also looks at what inner city councils 17 Pedal your Blues away – want to resurrect. Michelle on the difference a bicycle can make 18 You say goodbye I say hello – 10 How does public transport stack up Saffna & Rizwan’s recent migrant experience against motorways? 19 Community engagement or community capture Mathew Hounsell examines the reports to discuss the costs and benefits of different transport options to see if the Michael Darcy warns of community engagement where key government is prioritising projects that give us the greatest elements are not up for negotiation and people are being bang for our buck. unwittingly recruited to take responsibility for a plan not of their making. 12 Will WestConnex take its toll? 20 Turning outwards to listen to communities Mehreen Faruqi has crunched the likely toll numbers for WestConnex in the absence of an official business case and Brian Smith explores the Local Community Services after not getting the full business case released in an upper Association’s collaboration with The Harwood Institute for house call for papers. Public Innovation that sees community centres listening to their communities in new ways.

2 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 20 15 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au 16 18

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22 Medication management in the community 30 Brigitte Cusack draws on her medication review experience to explain ways medications can be better managed to avoid some of the problems that account for 2-3% of all hospital admissions. 24 Is housing affordability a foreign “NGOs should be able to say: or domestic investment problem? sustainability is not relevant to this Dallas Rogers draws on a recent research project to explore if we should be concerned about the increase in foreign, and project and grant officers should be able particularly Chinese, investment in Australian real estate? to understand and appreciate this” 26 A guide to achieving good precinct planning outcomes Roderick Simpson, Peter Phibbs, Julie Walton and Mike Harris from Sydney University provide key principles to guide development of precincts such as The Bays and Central to Eveleigh. 30 The furphy of human services sustainability Michael Shreenan asks if the sustainability currently sought by funders is achievable or if it is just an erroneous improbable story heard around water coolers which is now believed as fact.

31 From the vault - Action for Public Transport Cover passenger journey figures from Bureau of We celebrate the long history of Action for Public Transport Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics IS60 - with this Inner Voice story from March 1978. Long term trends in urban public transport.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 3 noticeboard

Online community services map

Find community services in the eastern suburbs and inner city.

Check out the link on our website www.innersydney.org.au To add or update service listings please email [email protected]

City of Sydney Housing Issues Paper Housing Affordability is a real issue for Sydney and especially for the Inner City. The City of Sydney hosted a summit on 12 March 2015 and consulted with 140 experts from a range of sectors to seek feedback on the critical issues impacting housing affordability and diversity in Sydney. Using stakeholder feedback, research and internal consultation, the City of Sydney has produced a Housing Issues Paper which will be on exhibition until 31 July 2015. The Housing Issues Paper and the Report on City of Sydney Housing Diversity Summit can be downloaded from sydneyyoursay.com.au/ housing-issues-paper

Comments can be made on line or by emailed to [email protected]

Your feedback will be used alongside research to develop the City of Sydney housing policy.

4 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 20 15 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au INNER SYDNEY MYRIAD PRO Lucida Grand Bold REGIONAL COUNCIL MYRIAD PRO FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

About Editorial Inner Sydney Voice is the journal of the Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development Inc; a non-profit organisation committed to the idea of information as his issue we have a focus on transport. Sydney was shaped by its transport a tool for community development. The from developing along Aboriginal walking tracks and waterways to spread- organisation defines Inner Sydney as being T the local government areas of Botany ing along the new roads, tram and rail lines. In 1945 Sydney had one of the world’s Bay, Leichhardt, Randwick, City of Sydney, largest and most used public transport systems supported by 291 kilometres of Waverley and Woollahra. light rail. It was ripped up to make room for the car and the city spread rapidly as Acknowledgement of Country transport became car focused. We acknowledge and pay our respects Trams are now being reintroduced and there is a new push for Transport Orien- to the traditional custodians of the lands tated Design built around public transport, walking and cycling. But as planners across the areas we service, particularly the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, traditional talk of avoiding the problems of the past, the Federal Government is funding custodians of the land on which our office is new roads like WestConnex as part of located. We pay our respects to Elders, past a renewed car push to create a Sydney and present. orbital freeway network. “Sydney had one of Editors Tim Williams from Committee for the world’s largest Geoff Turnbull, Charmaine Jones Sydney recently argued that this road and most used public Contributors focus and the power of the Roads and Ben Aveling, Brigitte Cusack, Michael Maritime Services made RMS the real transport systems Darcy, Mehreen Faruqi, Mike Harris, spatial planners for Sydney not the Mathew Hounsell, Charmaine Jones, Peter supported by 291 Phibbs, Dallas Rogers, Michael Shreenan, Department of Planning. He called for Roderick Simpson, Brian Smith, Geoff a grown up dialogue about the need kilometres of light rail” Turnbull, Julie Walton and from Western for a public transport revolution. In Sydney Community Forum’s What a difference a ride makes - Michael, Michelle, Towards the transport revolution Saffna and Rizwan for their stories. Sydney needs (page 14) we look at some of the issues raised. For the big picture we asked Ecotransit in Trams: rebuilding what was lost (page Design and Cover Alys Martin 8) to look at Sydney’s historical tram network and what should be rebuilt. We also asked them How does public transport stack up against motorways? (page 10). Membership and Subscription Coordinator With no government business case for WestConnex, we went looking elsewhere Saskia Cheney for the toll figures needed to make WestConnex viable. The result is Mehreen Printing Faruqi’s Will Westconnex take its toll? (page 12). Prografica Transport is ultimately about people and the difference it makes, or could Website make, for people now and into the future. Three transport stories from people www.innersydneyvoice.org.au in Western Sydney illustrate What a difference a ride makes (page 16). Transport options are also changing and in New alternatives to car ownership (page 6) we Publisher Inner Sydney Regional Council for explore the choices provided by car and bike share schemes in the inner city. Social Development Inc We have two articles in this issue on community engagement. In Community Rear 770 Elizabeth Street engagement or community capture (page 19) Michael Darcy looks at limitations Waterloo NSW 2017 ABN 86 770 127 254 of community engagement when so much is not negotiable in consultations. Phone 9698 7690 Fax 9318 0852 While in Turning outwards to listen to communities (page 20) Brian Smith Email [email protected] discusses some processes from The Harwood Institute that are allowing commu- Facebook www.facebook.com/innersydneyrcsd nity centres to better listen to their communities. Twitter @innersydneyrcsd In human services we explore the difficult issue ofMedication management in Website www.innersydneyrcsd.org.au the community (page 22). The furphy of human services sustainability (page 30) Disclaimer and Copyright looks at the latest grant fad where projects have to show they will be sustainable The opinions expressed in Inner Sydney Voice after an initial funded period to receive funding. do not necessarily represent the views of the In the urban renewal we look at the fear of Chinese investment in Is hous- publisher, the publication nor our funders. Unless stated otherwise, opinions belong to ing affordability a foreign or domestic investment problem? (page 24) and with contributors, not the organisation or group consultations happening around the Bays Precinct and Central to Eveleigh we with which they work. While every effort has reproduce work by some Sydney University architects who put together A guide been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility can be accepted to achieving good precinct planning outcomes (page 26). by the publisher for any contributions. And finally from the Inner Voice Vault we celebrate the long campaign of Action Copyright belongs to the contributors. for Public Transport with a report from Inner Voice in March 1978. Join and Subscribe: Please see back cover Winter 2015 • Issue 125 Charmaine Jones & Geoff Turnbull Additional images © istockphoto.com Co-editors Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 5 transport

New Alternatives to Car Ownership

Going car-less still ydney residents have never had so ble fees, car sharing can be considera- isn’t for everyone, Smany ways to enjoy the conven- bly cheaper than owning a car. By one ience of a car without having to own estimate, the cost of owning a $20,000 but it has never been one. GoGet, GreenShareCar, Hertz 24/7 car, including depreciation, interest easier or cheaper. and Car Next Door are just some of the charges, insurance, registration, and Ben Aveling explores companies competing with traditional running costs, can be as much as $6,500 car hire firms. a year. In contrast, using a share car for some four and two Unlike traditional car hire compa- four hours a week for a year could cost wheel alternatives. nies, car share companies allow you to around $1,600. rent a vehicle for periods of as little as Each car share firm has its own range an hour and they have vehicles parked of cars, typically including small cars near to where you live. Each car has its such as a Toyota Yaris, small station own reserved parking place. Members wagons, such as the Hyundai 130i but use the internet or the phone to book also vans, utes, and premium cars cars, which they lock and unlock using such the Toyota RAV4 and the Audi A1. a swipe card or other similar device. Only GoGet allows pets, provides child Fees vary from company to company seats, or permits learners, and only in and can include: a joining fee, a refunda- some of its cars and none of these firms ble deposit, a monthly fee, an hourly fee, allow smoking in their cars. GoGet has a per-kilometre fee and surcharges for by far the most cars, and will therefore some vehicles. Despite all these possi- be the most convenient for many people.

6 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

Car Next Door differ from the other car share firms in that they don’t own their own cars. Like Airbnb, they have “Under the car share model, the cost borrowers and owners. Owners rent their cars to borrowers of using the vehicle is more visible, and Car Next Door takes a cut. Instead of swipe cards, the and the cost is per trip, encouraging car keys are left in a box on the side of a car, and unlocked via a PIN number delivered via SMS. Car Next Door have the car share members to drive less. widest range of different cars, and perhaps the cheapest Therefore, car share members do rates. Another alternative to Car Next Door is Drive My Car which has a similar model of borrowers and owners, but more shopping locally and are more focuses on car hires of at least 7 days. likely to use public transport, or to All of these car share companies allow you to not own walk, or to cycle” a car but still have one when needed; or to own a car and have occasional access to a second car or a range of different types of motor-vehicles when needed. Where car share doesn’t work well is for people who Newtown, The Green Living Centre Bike Library hires not regularly use their car for more than a few hours a day, just conventional bikes, but also cargo bikes and bike trail- for example people who drive to work. If a vehicle is used ers, many with ‘electric assist’. There is a small joining fee. for more than about 12 hours a week, the higher cost per Bikes are free for up to three hours or are $10 a day or $20 hour of car share will outweigh the higher fixed costs of car for a weekend. There are cargo bikes and trailers that are ownership. designed for carrying small children, and there are bikes For some people, a better alternative to cars and car hire and trailers that are for carrying small loads. A week’s is bike hire. There are a number of hire bike providers in shopping, or more, is certainly manageable. Electric assist Sydney, perhaps the cheapest of which is The Green Living doesn’t mean that the rider doesn’t need to pedal, though Centre Bike Library, a joint initiative of the City of Sydney such bikes do exist. Electric assist means the rider doesn’t and Marrickville Council. Operating from 218 King St, need to pedal as hard, making longer trips and heavier loads more practical than they would otherwise have been. Councils provide these bikes and provide car-share companies with cheap (but not free) permanent car-parks because doing so reduces total demand for parking. While car share schemes permanently use car spaces, car sharing means that some people don’t own a car, or don’t own a second car. This frees up more car spaces than are used by car share companies. Another motivating factor for inner city councils concerned about congestion is that car share members drive less than car owners, even though they pay less to drive. The explanation is that if you own a car many of the main costs of ownership are fixed - regardless of how many or how few kilometres you drive, the car will still depre- ciate, and interest, insurance, registration and other costs will still need to be paid. Under the car share model, the cost of using the vehicle is more visible, and the cost is per trip, encouraging car share members to drive less. There- fore, car share members do more shopping locally and are more likely to use public transport, or to walk, or to cycle. Car sharing isn’t for everyone, but for anyone who has a car that is only used occasionally, it is well worth exploring. Ben Aveling is a Co‐Convenor of the Alexandria Residents Action Group Photo: Esther Butcher South Sydney Herald (ARAG)

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 7 transport

Trams: Rebuilding what was lost Sydney had one of the world’s largest and most used urban public transport systems. Mathew Hounsell explores Sydney’s old tram system and looks at what inner city councils are interested in resurrecting.

n 1945, the NSW Government op- some circumstances where powerful Ierated the city’s urban transport politicians decided a tram would on the CBD and South East Light Rail network as 291 kilometres of sur- improve their local streets. (CSELR) at Circular Quay, Central, the face light rail that served 405 million In the east the light rail ran from stadiums, and the racecourse. Restor- passengers a year, all while making the CBD to Watsons Bay via New ing light rail on Flinders St to Oxford St a profit. South Head Road; to Bondi via both and then to the CBD would relieve that The history of Sydney’s light rail is Grosvenor St and Oxford St; to Bronte congestion. The City of Sydney would a fascinating one. Sydney’s first trams (from Bondi Junction) via Bronte Rd; like to see the light rail restored to were horse drawn, and later cable to Clovelly via Centennial Park and Oxford St, as it would allow the city to cars were introduced along the North Clovelly Rd; to Coogee via Belmore Rd; leverage the CSELR and restore trams Sydney line. It was the flexibility to Maroubra and La Perouse via Anzac to Crown St to service the state’s fast- and reliability of electric trams that Parade; to Botany and La Perouse via est growing suburb of Zetland which is allowed the tram system to take off Botany Rd; to Zetland via both Eliza- a part of Green Square. and saw the first electric power plants beth St and Crown St; to Erskineville, Waverly Council is also fighting to built in Sydney, with spare capac- Alexandria and St Peters via Mitchell restore light rail on Oxford St to at ity for businesses and homes. The Rd; and it ran cross-country along least Bondi Junction. They hope to network expanded a few kilometres at Gardeners Rd and Cleveland St. revitalise Darlinghurst and Padding- a time, like a growing tree, except in There will be major bottlenecks ton, speed up journeys and ease the

8 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

noise and congestion caused by this In the northern beaches trams ran largest organised vandalism in our master bus route. Randwick Council from Manly via Sydney Rd to Balgow- nation’s history. In the middle of is fighting to extend the CSELR in the lah and the Spit; via Pittwater Rd to the night work gangs would roll in existing Light Rail reservation all the Queenscliff, Brookvale, Dee Why, and pour quick set concrete over way past Maroubra Junction. Narraweena, Collaroy, and all the way the light rail lines. The public’s In the west the light rail ran from to Narrabeen. howls of outrage were met with the CBD to Tempe via King St and In the southern suburbs from Rock- cheers of victory by the nation’s Pacific Highway; to Marrickville via dale to Brighton Le Sands via Bay St; roads and motoring associations. King St and Victoria Rd; to Earlwood Kogarah to San Souci via Rocky Point This campaign of destruction was via Illawarra Rd; to Canterbury via Rd; and Arncliffe to Bexley via Forest completed in 1961 when the last of New Cantebury Rd; to Summer Hill by Rd. Light rail also ran from Parramatta Sydney’s trams were taken to Rand- Prospect Rd; on branch lines to Glebe, to Castle Hill via Windsor Rd and Old wick tram depot and burned. It is Forest Lodge, Lilyfield, Leichhardt, Northern Rd - a route that Parramatta shocking to watch a government Haberfield, Five Dock, and Abbots- City Council is trying to restore. take public property, literally rip it ford via the Parramatta Rd trunk; On the north shore, trams ran along apart and burn it rather than risk the and passengers were carried through the Pacific Highway to Lane Cove; public winning their battle to reopen Pyrmont to Victoria Rd all the way to to Chatswood via Willoughby Rd; to the city’s light rail. Ryde. It also ran through Burwood Northbridge via the historic Suspen- For thousands of years, human civi- on Burwood Rd; to Ashfield via King sion Bridge; and then on branches lisation has developed around dense Georges; and to Mortlake and Cabarita. to Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Mosman, walkable neighbourhoods. Humans Many people are arguing for the state Balmoral, and the Spit from the main would walk to a local small business to restore light rail to Parramatta Rd. trunk on Military Rd. when they needed bread or a haircut The proposal of restoring and extend- When Bradfield designed the Sydney or a pair of pants fixed. Children could ing Parramatta Rd light rail is consid- Harbour Bridge he planned to use the play in the streets and walk to school. ered essential by community groups two eastern lanes for the Warringah Grandparents could walk to the shops and transport experts, local councils Railway – this line has not yet been and stop along the way to sit and chat (like Strathfield, Ashfield, and Leich- built. Rather than let the bridge sit to neighbours and friends. ardt) and departments like Transport idle, the North Shore light rail was Sydney grew around this network and Planning. Ecotransit’s proposal taken directly into Platform 1 and 2 at of light rail and living streets, to leverage the CSELR and the McEvoy Wynyard. Ever wonder where those expanding along with each line in St corridor to connect a light rail to boardered up stairs on Platform 5 and what today would be called new-wave the airport has been well received by 6 lead to? They led to the North Shore transit-oriented development. These the community. This version of the trams which carried more people in suburbs today form the ever popular group’s Bay-Light-Express has been peak hour during their heyday then the dense inner core of the city. They are updated to serve the needs of South- 1960s bridge configuration does today. popular for one simple reason – they ern Sydney which is transforming into Those stairs now lead to a car park. were designed for humans, not cars. one of the state’s major population In 1949, the government, depart- Mathew Hounsell is the Co-convenor of and employment centres. ments and industry engaged in the EcoTransit Sydney

All door boarding for buses It is 6:30pm on the 20 April, it is dark, it for All Door Boarding in Sydney is Transport, and in Treasury. is raining, and the temperature is 11°C. symptomatic of deep institutional Occasionally it surfaces as an An articulated bus pulls up in front problems in the NSW government and attack on the very existence of of the University of Sydney; students bureaucracy. Say it out loud and the public transport infrastructure rush to the front door and queue in idea that a person should stand and and institutions, in the 1950s it was the cold drenching rain to get on the get saturated in the freezing rain while destruction of Sydney’s light rail bus. One person steps on to the bus queuing for only one of a bus’s three arteries, today it is the break-up of the using the middle of the three doors, doors is clearly ridiculous. city’s rail network. as you would in Melbourne, Perth, It is just one very emblematic We can only hope that one day soon San Francisco, New York City, or most manifestation of the range of the government and its public service places in the world. “Oi, you can’t do antipathy and hostility towards mandarins have a change of heart that!” shouts the driver. passengers that exists in the and realise public transport is vital to It seems a small thing, but the fight departments of Planning, Roads, society and the economy.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 9 transport

How does public transport stack up against motorways? Regardless of how it is financed, all infrastructure is paid for by NSW residents, through either fees or taxes. So we deserve to know whether the government is prioritising projects that give us the greatest bang for our buck, writes Mathew Hounsell.

o move 24,000 people in an hour it ently commercial-in-confidence); and cut of stamp duties and consumption Ttakes twenty double-deck trains, this was quite expensive by Australian taxes. The RACV estimates that the 100 light rail vehicles, 240 bendy-bus- standards. In 2014 the Victorian treas- average annual cost for a family to run es or a ten lane toll road. ury estimated that extending an exist- a light car such, as a Yaris, is $7,000, According to the Western Sydney ing light rail line, with electricity, stops, and of course registration fees and Infrastructure Plan, the NSW and and intersection repairs should cost just fuel taxes go to Treasury. Commonwealth Governments, plan to $15 - $20 million per kilometre. To justify spending mega-billions on spend $1.26 billion to build a 14 kilo- But there’s always a big song and more motorways, huge cost-of-con- metre motorway from the M7 to the dance about costs whenever public gestion figures are bandied about – for proposed airport at Badgerys Creek. transport infrastructure is proposed in example $4.6 billion a year for NSW – A six lane motorway could carry up NSW. The RMS Can-Can distracts the but these are numbers based on some to 5,712 persons an hour to the new media from the fact that public trans- rather questionable assumptions. To employment centre of Western Sydney port is not just cheaper per kilometre over-simplify slightly, they are calcu- at a cost of $90 million per kilometre. than motorways, it’s also cheaper and lated by assuming every extra minute Transurban, the remaining Sydney far more efficient per-person. That’s spent in traffic is lost income and that toll road operator, plans to build not surprising when you consider a if the road network was expanded then NorthConnex, a twin three lane, nine railway can carry seven times the travel times would decrease. kilometre, motorway tunnel for $3 number of persons as a motorway. The alternative options are usually billion – $333 million a kilometre. The There are three other very important ignored by the roads industry. Consider proposed WestConnex motorway is numbers to consider – the amounts the phenomena of greatly reduced estimated to cost at least $15 billion. lost on our second, third and fourth peak period road travel times experi- That 5,700 hourly capacity looks largest imports. In the financial year enced every school holidays when five feeble when compared to rail. For 2012-13, crude oil imports cost $20.2 or ten per cent of vehicles are suddenly example, the Moreton Bay Rail Link billion, passenger vehicle imports $17.3 missing from Sydney’s roads. It’s well (Commonweath and Queensland billion and refined petroleum $16.8 known – less unnecessary car travel governments) is costing $1.15 billion. billion (our largest import is over- reduces road travel times. It’s a 12.6 kilometre railway with six seas holidays and travel). In the three Modern multi-modal transport stations and twenty-two bridges, financial years 2010-13, Australia sent planners have determined this is most over roads. With modern signal- $151 billion overseas to our purveyors because of perceived cost, network ling one such two-track rail line can of petroleum and motor vehicles. speed and induced demand. Put carry between 36,000 persons an hour, It spite of all this Treasury favours simply, poor (or unavailable) public or 48,000 if you’re as ambitious and motorways over tracked public trans- transport and abundant road space competent as the French. port because all the operational cost is ensure families make what Treasury Similarly, using forty-five metre shifted off their books to the general considers the ‘right’ choice and spend long trams, one light rail line can carry public. Consider this: purchasing that $7,000 a year on running another 11,000 to 15,000 persons an hour. The 6,000 Toyota Yaris’ (a popular light private car. new Gold Coast Light Rail, thirteen car) to move just one hours’ worth of The effects of these factors are kilometres long with sixteen stops people on, say, the proposed Badg- obvious in the data. In the last decade and five bridges, was estimated to cost erys Creek M12 will cost $120 million. two events saw Sydney’s road traffic $950 million (the exact price is appar- Those millions includes Treasury’s increase and railway patronage drop

10 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

substantially. The first occurred when off a motorway) have spurred big that by 2020 passengers will be unable the entire rail network was slowed increases in rail use. Green Square to board trains on the East Hills line. in 2005, to stop headlines about late station patronage doubled in the Shortly afterwards, the limits of the trains. The second was when the twelve months after the gate fee was Western and Northern lines will be tolls were taken off the M4 motorway removed in 2010, going from 1,470 reached. The coming crunch is because which runs parallel to Sydney’s busy passengers a day to 3,050. We can be the government has ignored the western lines. sure that removal of the astronomical less-visible bottleneck recommenda- In spite of the temporary effects of gate fees at International and Domes- tions of the 2001 Railway Clearways these government decisions, across tic Terminal stations would result in program. There are two major points Sydney the Bureau of Transport Statis- an increase in patronage and a corre- in the cities rail network where three tics report train trips have grown by 24 sponding decline in road use. lines on six tracks run smoothly until per cent in the past decade, more than Appropriately-placed stations and they are forced to cram into four tracks. population which grew by 13 per cent. frequent services draw people to Then Coordinator General of Rail – Ron Even buses are more popular with a 19 public transport. Since it opened in Christie – recommended that these per cent increase in trips. In contrast 2009, Macquarie University station bottlenecks be removed by adding the EPA observed ‘While the number serves 8,700 passengers a day. At two more tracks between Sydenham of trips in Sydney has been growing, Rhodes, new units and offices – with - Erskineville and Lidcombe – Home- the proportion of trips using private reduced car parking – have seen bush. He estimated that each section vehicles peaked in 2004–05 and is now Rhodes station go from 1,180 passen- would cost just $100-200 million to the lowest it has been in 11 years’. gers in 2004 to 7,100 in 2013. increase capacity by fifty per-cent. And removal of station access Under the current plans Sydney’s rail The $15 billion Westconnex proposal fees (equivalent to removal of tolls network will become so overcrowded is for over forty kilometres of new and widened roads and will be the world’s largest underground motor- way. Unfortunately politicians and bureaucrats love mega-projects and have ignored the more cost-effective smaller projects. Smaller projects make sense individually but when combined produce even greater benefits to the travelling public. Politicians have continued “captains- calls” to expand the road network despite it being inefficient for urban transport, increasing the cost of living and increasing our already huge trade deficits. A great city is built around a trunk of high capacity mass-transport, with an efficient road-network for those who need it like our essential services and tradies, etc. This pattern defines all great cities not because of aesthetics but because of the laws of mathemat- ics, physics and economics, none of which can be overcome by spin. Mathew Hounsell is the Co-convenor of EcoTransit Sydney - http:// ecotransit-votes. info/?page_id=5 Sources for this arti- cle can be found in the on line version of ISV.

Action for Public Transport NSW - www.aptnsw.org.au

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 11 transport

will westconnex take its toll? Given the long history of failed toll roads in Australia and the absence of any details being released on WestConnex, the Greens built their own financial model. Mehreen Faruqi explains what they found.

ince entering parliament in mid- approach has been missing from S2013, I have noticed a growing and decision-making in NSW for too long. undeniable murmur of serious public Transport planning has been piece- discussion concerning the future of meal with a heavy bias towards toll transport in our state. In the last few roads and tunnels, which have been months, particularly during and since failures on transport, environmental the state election, this murmur has and financial grounds, not just in NSW turned into a roar. but across Australia. Transport experts, academics, In the push to justify what seems community groups, activists and politi- like an unending appetite for road cal commentators are all weighing in on building, traffic forecasts are often what the ideal transport solutions are for much more optimistic than what our communities. Almost no day goes by actually eventuates (below). This has tive about detailed information on new without a new opinion piece, speech or led to financial disasters like the Cross proposed toll road projects. Since the public comment about the direction that City tunnel and the Lane Cove Tunnel announcement of WestConnex three transport planning is taking in NSW. where actual traffic ‘in’ was only 50% full years ago, the public still hasn’t The big questions – what do we need to and 38% respectively of what was fore- seen a business case or a cost-benefit build, to improve, to expand – are firmly cast to justify their case. analysis for the project. The coalition in the public spotlight. This mismatch may be one reason government refused to release the This is unsurprising. We are at a crit- why Governments have been so secre- full business case, even after my order ical moment for transport planning and infrastructure in NSW. After 16 years of little attention from Labor, the traffic forEcasts and actual traffic counts on toll roads Coalition government has since 2011 put an enormous amount of effort into Vehicles Actual Forecast imposing its agenda on NSW people. per day But, is this ‘addiction’ to toll roads the way to solve Sydney’s traffic conges- tion? Or indeed the best way to meet 300,000 the current and future needs of the people and the environment of NSW?

Infrastructure must be built with an Melbourne Eastlink 200,000 integrated approach, with attention paid to where people live, where they work and what amenities they need close to them. We must view transport 100,000 Brisbane airport link as a crucial aspect of a broad plan to Lane Cove Tunnel Cross-City Tunnel modernise our cities and regions, and Tunnel Clem7 to make them liveable, vibrant and sustainable places for people. (Source: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/11/14/why-does-yet-another-toll-road- But unfortunately, this holistic look-like-failing/)

12 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

Result 2: Revenue shortfall with The community already knows toll cap currently promised by the that toll roads do not solve transport Government problems and that WestConnex will With a toll cap of $9.60 in 2023 dollars, only increase pollution and conges- there would be an annual shortfall of tion. The Greens’ financial modelling $626,000,000 to just break even. now predicts that WestConnex will The basic assumptions for the model be another addition to the list of road can be found in the box at the end of tunnels doomed for failure. this article. Projects like WestConnex are classic It’s clear that the economic case for cases of attempting to solve a problem WestConnex doesn’t add up and that by doing more of the same. Sydney’s WestConnex will be a financial disas- road system is choked up – no one can ter even worse than the Lane Cove deny that – but our task surely is to Tunnel or Cross City Tunnel. It will investigate alternative transportation result in either very high tolls, which options, rather than build more of the will discourage people from using it, same unsustainable infrastructure or need a massive publicly funded that led us to where we are now. bailout. National and international evidence The modelling also shows that the shows that a heavy focus on road-build- WestConnex toll road makes money ing at the expense of public transport on the re-tolling of the M4, but loses has adverse environmental, social, money on other sections such as the St and economic outcomes. Integrated, Peters to Parramatta Road tunnel (M4 affordable and efficient public trans- to M5) link, raising speculation about port is a hallmark of every great global whether this section will be built at city. By scrapping WestConnex and all. No private sector investor will investing in world-class public trans- for papers was successfully moved in touch WestConnex with a ten foot pole port, the people of Sydney can eventu- the NSW Upper House last year. But because the model is financially unvi- ally get the transport they deserve. the documents that were released did able. This would gridlock Sydney for bring to the surface emails and corre- decades to come while sucking public Dr Mehreen Faruqi is a Greens NSW MP and spondence between people working money away from public transport spokesperson for Transport, Roads and Ports. on the project who were frustrated projects. She is also a civil and environmental engineer. with how to go about modelling and planning for, what seemed to them, a difficult project to justify. Modelling Assumptions: Given the long history of failed toll • Revenue calculated at 100,000[1] cars each day, every day of the year, all of roads in Australia and the absence which pay the maximum toll cap of $9.60[2] (in 2023 dollars) and 3,000 trucks a of any details being released by the day, every day of the year, pay the toll cap (which is three times the car toll). Government on WestConnex, late 2014 • Capital expenditure and funding sources I decided to build a financial model - total cost of the project $11.5 billion in 2012 dollars to assess whether this toll road could - Stage 1a (M4 Widening - $0.45 billion) and 1b (M4 East - $2.85 billion) is ever be financially viable. assumed to have no financing cost as it is publicly funded by the State and The significant results of the model- Federal Government. ling and their implications are below: - Stage 2 (M5 East - $4.5 billion) will be funded by a mix of concessional Federal funding (with an assumed return of 3.4% – the ten year Treasury Result 1: Minimum toll cap required bond rate) and private sector financing (with an assumption of a required to break even return of 9%). The minimum toll cap would have - Stage 3 (M4-M5 East Link – $3.7 billion) is to be fully private sector to be at least $26, almost 3 times the financed, also with a required return of 9%. toll cap promised by the government • Maintenance and operating costs are calculated from first principles and past ($7.35 in 2013 dollars or $9.60 in 2023 experience on similar tunnels/motorway projects. dollars), even with every car and truck • Depreciation is calculated according to the various components of the paying the maximum cap every day WestConnex, their capital cost and depreciation period for each. of the year.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 13 transport

Towards the transport revolution Sydney needs Tim Williams, the Chief Executive of Committee for Sydney recently addressed a Sydney University planning forum. Geoff Turnbull provides his impressions and pulls together some of the key elements from the presentation and its “personal opinion” aftermath.

im Williams started his presenta- shape; it is something that happens to the wonderful achievements that we Ttion I Wouldn’t Start From Here by us because of underpowered councils, can’t possibly have in one place but noting there is a major road revolu- an over-powered state government that should be what Sydney aspires to tion going on and not much has been and the lack of a metropolitan Sydney incorporate from other cities. said about it. In contrast Williams was governance body to shape its own • Be as affordable as Hong Kong, with keen to have a conversation also about destiny. a similar modal split and level of the public transport revolution Sydney smart-card acceptance. It would also really needs. He wanted to talk about Beyond satire – RMS The real have as few vehicles as Hong Kong. the need for a modal shift from road to spatial planner of Sydney • Ensure air is as pure as Stockholm’s. public transport and why it is impor- Williams asked the question - Can • Promote cycling like Amsterdam. tant. He said if we are trying to get a yesterday’s institutions produce • Be as safe as Copenhagen. modal shift it is on the quiet. tomorrow’s solutions? He does not • Have best-in‐-class bike sharing as He didn’t think there has been think so and pointed out that there demonstrated in Brussels and Paris. enough discussion, by even those is no strategic or structural planner • Have a public transport service as advocating for public transport, with of Sydney at this point of time apart frequent as the London Tube. our community as to why they should from Roads and Maritime Services • Have best‐-in-‐class car sharing as buy in to public transport revolutions (RMS). RMS is the structural planner demonstrated in Stuttgart. and why they will be a good invest- for Sydney and unlike the Depart- • Have as minor an impact on climate ment. Williams said we need to have ment of Planning he said it has money as in Wuhan. a grown-up dialogue over the heads and tools of its own so it can drive its • Ensure travel times are as short as of the politicians, who he thinks are own agenda. they are in Nantes. not capable of having a brave dialogue Like Elder Cato in the Roman senate For Williams roads equal sprawl and in our culture at the moment about so who continually said “Carthage must a dispersed development model for many things. be destroyed”, Williams said it was Sydney. The current Plan for a Growing Williams argues we need a mode time for RMS to be reconstructed or Sydney said, “It is critical not to repeat neutral process for addressing trans- rather be bought into some discipline the mistakes of the past – dispersed port projects which understands the under the strategic management of housing growth that resulted in a benefits of the different alternatives. Sydney and it has to be done soon. sprawling and poorly connected city, We need to know what the problem is George Orwell once said that a nation complicated by unique geographic we are trying to solve and not frame was a family with the wrong members constraints”. the problem so there is only a one in control and Williams thought that It disturbs Williams that the first bit mode answer. An example of the latter also applied to the current situation. of the statement is being undermined would be - there is a shortage of road Later when dealing with governance by the building of the roads. While the capacity which we can solve with extra Williams concluded there is no place vision is correct it is not being deliv- road capacity. for a Roads Minister or RMS in the ered and cannot be delivered by road For Williams we need demand multimodal Department of Transport builders. In support of this he referred management. We must stop kidding that he thought was needed. to a number of studies including Peter ourselves that we can build our way to Newman’s Cities and Automobile decongestion. But the trouble is, who What we should aspire to Dependence which showed a relation- is the we? Sydney is not something we Williams provided a shopping list of ship between car use and sprawl.

14 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

Congestion and reaping the benefits. Reducing capac- Induced Demand ity can reduce demand. Rhetorically he Williams was particularly concerned asked - RMS knows this don’t they? about developments like WestConnex being described as busting congestion. The Aftermath On ABC news on 25 November 2014 Following reporting of Williams’ Premier Mike Baird argued the West- comments in the Sydney Morning ern Harbour tunnel, and a WestConnex Herald, a letter to the editor jointly extension at Rozelle, would alleviate from Committee for Sydney’s Chair congestion on the Sydney Harbour Lucy Turnbull and Tim Williams Bridge, Anzac Bridge and the Eastern sought to “clarify that Tim William’s Distributor, as well as in the CBD. Mr talk … expressed his personal opin- Baird said “By busting congestion we ion”. This was despite all presentation will allow people to get to work quicker slides having the Committee’s logo and home sooner to spend more time and Williams’ referring throughout to with their families”. aspects of the Committee’s vision for In contrast Williams quoted the Sydney. respected Victoria Institute of Trans- The letter went on to say “We have port as saying “Traffic congestion long supported the principle of a tends to maintain equilibrium. If road well-integrated WestConnex project capacity increases, the number of which combines improved travel peak-period trips also increases until times and reduced congestion, and congestion again limits further traf- enables the creation of more housing fic growth”. The problem of induced and urban renewal along Parramatta demand – if you build it they will Road.” The joint statement contradicts come! New roads induce new demand, Tim Williams’ presentation comments congestion returns to equilibrium. on congestion. The reverse has also been shown to The SMH pointed out “The criticism be true; removing a road can actually was powerful and unusual because of reduce demand and reduce congestion. Mr Williams’ position as head of an The evidence is that unless supported organisation that represents firms by demand management approaches that might expect to benefit from the and significant new capacity in public construction of new motorways, and transport, building or widening roads particularly the $15 billion WestConnex in a dynamic city actually induces more project”. car journeys and that any relief offered The SMH went on “The Committee for by such new road capacity is temporary. Sydney’s membership includes major Williams pointed out that in the UK, engineering and construction firms traffic modelling requires induced such as Lend Lease, Arup, AECOM, as demand to be taken into consideration well as financial services organisation. in appraisals and this has stopped road A number of government agencies, expansions. such as property arm UrbanGrowth Traffic cures are like hangover cures NSW, the Department of Planning and argues Williams – they are tempo- Infrastructure, and Destination NSW rary, illusory and don’t address the are also members.” root problem. Interestingly, when you In separate commentary the planning take a highway out of a city, conges- site The Fifth Estate reported on the tion doesn’t actually worsen – traffic presentation welcoming Mr Williams’ re-routes or flows to other modes. comments and in the aftermath argu- Many other cities in the world are ing that “We need a Committee for taking their highways out and Williams Sydney that represents Sydney”. wonders what is so different about the The need for the brave grown up Australian Sydney experience that dialogue Williams called for remains. means they are wrong and we are right. Later in his talk Williams provided Geoff Turnbull is the co-editor of Inner Sydney many examples of cities that have been Voice and attended the presentation. successfully removing freeways and

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 15 transport

Transport is ultimately What a about people and the difference it makes, or could difference make to their lives. These transport stories are from a a ride makes collection made by Western Sydney Community Forum.

• How will I know? - Michael

IMAGINE you need to catch a bus or a train? You know the route. You’re wait- ing at the stop in Granville. Easy, right? Not always. Not if you can’t see where it’s going… or when it’s coming… or even where it’s going to stop. You feel like pulling your hair out sometimes. It shouldn’t be this difficult. I get really angry. And disappointed. I should be able to have true independ- ence. There’s no reason why I can’t. The technology is out there to make it happen and it would be sensational. I was diagnosed with a rare eye condition when I was in my early teens. I wasn’t able to drive for very long but I remember what it was like. I’d drive my grandfather up the coast to his boat or I’d visit a girlfriend in Canberra. I’d drive everywhere. I decided to give it up when I was 19. It had become just too scary being behind the wheel. For me and everyone else. I’m forty now with a family and I carry a white identification cane. I have about 3-5% vision. I can see enough to get around. I can follow footpaths. Most of the time I can see a pedes- trian… but that’s about it. I can’t read the numbers on the front of buses and I can’t read the destinations. I use public transport at least 2 or 3 days a week: sometimes trains but more usually buses. Trains are fine if the announcements are good. They’re getting better but not always. You’ll be standing on the platform and there’s suddenly three trains in a row, with no announcements and no way of finding out if it’s the right train or not. The white cane doesn’t always seem to alert people either. I remember a

16 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au transport

time at Lidcombe station. I had one foot on the train and one foot on the “You feel like pulling your hair out sometimes. platform and I’m looking at the guy It shouldn’t be this difficult. I get really angry. in the fluoro shirt, with the flag and the whistle, and I’m waving my cane And disappointed. I should be able to have true around and calling: ‘Where’s this train independence. There’s no reason why I can’t. going?’ And he ignores me. And then The technology is out there to make it happen door-is-closing announcement comes on and I take my foot off the train and and it would be sensational” I was so angry. I walked up to him and I said, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ And he says, ‘Oh schedule or I’m going to a new desti- in other cities. They would completely sorry, where did you want to go?’ And I nation, it’s tricky. change my life. I would have true look at him and I hold up my cane and I The drivers aren’t always co-opera- independence. say, ‘ Mate, I can’t read the destination tive. I might get on and ask, ‘Mate, can In the meantime, other things would board!’ And I shake my head and I say, you tell me where’s this bus going?’ And improve the situation a lot. If the staff ‘Forget about it’ and I walk off. And he’s he’ll look at you like he doesn’t care and on stations and the drivers of buses calling after me, ‘Where do you want to he’ll say, ‘It’s on the front of the bus.’ were just more alert and aware that a go?’ but it’s too late by then. I just go And I’ll say, ‘Mate, I’ve a cane. I can’t see. white cane means people can’t see and and wait half an hour for the next one. Can you just tell me?’ And other people they might need a little further assis- These days, it’s easier to take the are waiting and it’s just really difficult. tance. Or if they would just do their job bus. For the past eight years, I have The technology is out there now. and make the announcements they’re volunteered at a community Men’s I should be able to stand at my bus supposed to make. Or remember to Shed. I’m the volunteer co-ordinator. stop and with GPS tracking, I’d know make a stop when you’ve asked them I help organise the guys, the work- that my bus is coming. I’d get an alert to. Or even stop when you’re standing place health and safety, purchasing, saying ‘Your bus is 100 metres away’. at a bus stop but haven’t waved them that sort of thing. The bus trip is fairly And when I’m on the bus, I’d know down because you’re just not sure. simple especially if I meet up with one exactly when to get off. I’d get another How fantastic would that be? of the guys at the bus stop. They watch alert saying ‘Your stop is coming up: Thanks to Jane, Granville Multicultural for the right numbers and we get the press the button now.’ These innova- Services, for linking us to Michael’s story and right bus. But if the buses aren’t on tions are available. They’re working the Men’s Shed.

• Pedal your blues away pushbike?’ The exercise would be good and he’d be in charge of his own IMAGINE what a difference a bicycle responsibilities. I knew I could get can make… funding for that. One of my clients had been in He thought it was brilliant, and had and out of gaol since he was eleven lots of ideas about the best bike to get. years of age. His issues were anxiety, I said to him, ‘Listen mate, you can’t depression and significant drug and be choosy. I’ve only got $200 for it.’ I alcohol issues and when he came out told him, ‘You find the bike you want. of gaol this time, he was having trouble Doesn’t have to be new but I’ve got to keeping his essential appointments have a tax invoice.’ He came back to because the transport was taking up me a few days later: he’d done all the so much of his Newstart allowance. research, found a really good bike at I’d get a phone call: ‘I just missed my Cash Converters and he loved it. bus, there’s not another one for an For the next three months he rode hour, I’m going to be late for parole.’ Or to all his appointment: his parole three otherwise, there’d be money troubles. times a week, his counselling, his ‘I can’t make it to the group session, group sessions. He could get there I’ve run out of money.’ He was only on on time and I didn’t have to ring with Newstart and the trips were costing excuses. him at least $15 a week. Two wheels made all the difference. And then I thought, ‘He’s young and physically okay what about a Thanks to Michelle, Partners in Recovery, for telling us about a great initiative.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 17 transport

• You say goodbye and I say hello - Saffna & Rizwan

you to go about by yourself. I will take you on a train but you will not be coming back with me. You will come back by yourself. This will show you how things work.’ I said to her this is a very good chance for you to explore yourself and how to take the ticket and how to put the ticket into the machine. Even that is a difficult thing for her, for all of us at first. Saffna: The first time I went alone was like this. First with my husband I bought the ticket from the Toongabbie station and together we went to Seven Hills station, but he didn’t come back with me. He got me to wait for the train by myself and travel in the carriage by myself. When the doors were closing, I felt like I am leaving for good. Yes, I cried, and other people are seeing me crying. I am just wiping my eyes and I am crying, feeling very nervous, you know. I can feel my heart beat. That’s how it happened the first trip. One stop was all I had to travel but when I saw my husband again, I cried more. IMAGINE a newlywed Muslim woman evening I would be waiting there Oh my God, I was so happy. recently arrived in Australia. She has again, just to see his face. Rizwan: I was waving my hand and no experience of travelling alone. She I would be at home by myself all of saying good luck and I still remember is isolated, always staying in the safety the time. I won’t go out for a walk. I the feeling, realising that she was on of her home. This is the story of how won’t go even to the shops because at her own. I took another train and when she was helped to journey on her own. that time I cannot go alone. I am very we met in Toongabbie, it was fantastic. Saffna: I arrived here with my new nervous. My wife said, ‘It was good. I think I can husband from South India. It was really Before marriage, in Islamic culture, manage to go alone now.’ new. New people, like a new world. girls don’t go out without family Saffna: I am driving now. I am pick- If my husband is next to me, I am members. I have not taken any train ing up my children and taking them to more confident, I am ok. Without him travel before my marriage. We did not swimming classes. I am waiting. I am waiting each and use public transport. I wished to but Rizwan: I learned from many books everyday for him to come from the my family is very orthodox. that to get confident, you have to try it station around seven o’clock. After coming to Australia it’s totally by yourself. It was a hard time for her Rizwan: In India we learnt English different. You are very independent. maybe, but now wherever she goes she as a first language, but here the accent I don’t have any friends at that time, can get back. Now Saffna is independ- is different and Saffna found it - diffi so he is the only person that I know. ent. The last time she came from India cult. Many things are different to how So I would be looking out the she came by herself and that is amazing! things were before. windows, watching the station, always Saffna: When I see train doors Saffna: Every day I wait for my waiting. closing, I still picture that first ride husband. From the window of the After three months, the day arrives by myself. That confidence, I am still bedroom, I can see the Toongabbie when I will start voluntary work in using every day. train station. Each and every day I the office of SydWest. I don’t drive so I Thanks to Silvana, SydWest Multicultural would go to stand there and wave must go by myself on the train. Services, for gathering this beautiful story. goodbye in the morning and in the Rizwan: I said, ‘Saffna, I will teach

These stories have been reproduced from “What a difference a ride makes – transport stories from the people in Western Sydney” produced by our sister organisation Western Sydney Community Forum. You can find other transport stories at www.wscf.org.au/projects/transportstories

18 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au community engagement

Community engagement or community capture In Sydney’s current frantic urban redevelopment scene we are hearing the word ‘community’ used very frequently. Michael Darcy warns of the limitations of community professionals.

any years ago, as a young Social from place to place where they roll out exposes the reality of this excuse, the MWork student, I learned about two a range of pre-packaged techniques fact is that destroying, or even threat- distinct types of community work. designed to elicit participation and ening, lifelong connections amongst ‘Community Development’ focussed articulate ‘community’ views. More friends and neighbours in places like on collaboration between agencies and often than not of course, the most Glebe, Waterloo and Erskineville is residents, building local networks to important elements of a redevelopment hardly evidence of a commitment to identify needs; ‘Community Organ- are not negotiable and the danger is community building or community ising’ was far more political activity that participants have unwittingly been engagement. based on the prescriptions of Ameri- recruited into taking responsibility for a Not all community engagement strat- can urban activist Saul Alinsky, where plan which is not of their making. egies are cynical, and not all consultants residents recognised the conflicts of The largest threat to inner city are simply paying lip service to commu- interest inherent in urban develop- communities posed by redevelopment nity ideals - but community organisers ment and confronted landlords and is loss of affordable housing, includ- and activists need to recognise clearly developers more directly. ing public or social housing. Yet while the contradictions and vested interests In Sydney’s current frantic urban development and other government that can underlie engagement strate- redevelopment scene we are hear- agencies claim to be searching for gies. At the same time, Alinsky-style ing the word ‘community’ used very ways to preserve diversity in renewed rent strikes and other local actions can frequently by local residents, govern- urban areas, housing policy is actively only take us so far in the face of the ment agencies and developers alike seeking to make the most afforda- global forces of urban change. Commu- – ‘community renewal’, ‘community ble housing less secure for tenants nity activists in the twenty first century building’, and ‘community engage- through its ‘pathways’ approach need to move beyond the local. Our ment’ are the buzz words of the indus- where tenants are expected to aspire communities of interest are increas- try. In an apparent victory for localism to leave social housing for the private ingly global and the issues in Millers and citizen participation, it seems as rental market. As any experienced Point, Glebe and Erskineville are echoed though nothing can happen without community worker knows, the group in parts of London, Chicago and many attending to the needs and views of least likely to be able to make a stable other global cities. Community building the community. But despite this very contribution to community networks and networking needs to be interna- few community activists feel that any and organisations are private tenants. tionalised just like the market forces progress has been made or that they The push to make public and social driving urban redevelopment. Finally, can relax and wait to be engaged. housing even more ‘transitional’, as government concedes its place as Behind the flurry of effort by govern- outlined in the NSW government’s democratic arbiter to become a part of ment and commercial agencies to Social Housing Discussion paper the development industry, new inde- develop new skills and techniques for released late last year, undermines pendent partners need to be recruited to community engagement lies a very any claim to being concerned about support international community work. different agenda. In my view there are maintaining and involving diverse Primary among these should be the a number of elements of this agenda communities in urban development. universities who have the technology which militate directly against both Alongside the ‘pathways’ approach and the public charter to truly protect, of the ideas of community that I was sits the so-called deconcentration connect and build communities. taught all those years ago. The first is agenda. This has been used to argue the emergence of a whole new class that relocating public housing tenants of professional ‘community builders’ into more mixed neighbourhoods Associate Professor Michael Darcy, is an inner Sydney resident, researcher and is employed increasingly as or by private will make them better off. While Director of the Urban Research Centre consultants. These professionals move the current sell-off in Millers Point at the University of Western Sydney.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 19 community sector & community engagement

tute for Public Innovation was founded by Richard Harwood in 1988. After working on more than 20 political campaigns, earning a Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton, and working for two highly respected non-profits, Rich, then 27, set out to create some- thing entirely different. He was disappointed and impatient with non-profits with laudable missions but little real affection for the community or taking on the toughest challenges, and political campaigns that no longer sought to repair breaches but instead sought to win at any cost. In response to these discouraging trends, he set out to develop a highly-entrepreneurial approach to tackling tough issues and making society work better, while still operating with the highest integrity and ethics. The Harwood Institute is a nonpar- tisan, independent non-profit that teaches, coaches and inspires people and organisations to solve pressing problems and change how communi- ties work together. The Institute has worked across the USA and increas- ingly around the world and has partnered with some of the world’s largest non-profits, including United Way Worldwide, AARP, the American Library Association, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and others. Turning outwards to The people the Institute teaches and coaches are called public innova- listen to communities tors. They are leaders who can move their communities toward positive People want to make a t’s no secret that people are frustrat- change. Public innovators may come difference but often Ied with politics and public life. This from non-profits, businesses, govern- is as true in the USA as it is in Aus- ment, the media, and educational and don’t see what they can tralia. We are all tired of acrimony and religious organisations. The Harwood do that will amount to divisiveness and nothing getting done Institute regards them as an essential anything significant. about the problems that affect every- ingredient to solving our most vexing day people. challenges. Brian Smith explores There is also a growing sense in our the work of The society that too many organisations, The Harwood Approach Harwood Institute for institutions and leaders are more focused To be truly effective in their change on their own good than the common efforts, individuals and organisa- Public Innovation that good. While there are no easy answers tions must be “Turned Outward.” This is now being adopted in to these challenges, there are ways to get means using the community, not the Australia. our communities on a different path. conference room, as the main refer- Based in Bethesda, just outside ence point for all decisions. People and Washington DC, The Harwood Insti- organisations which Turn Outward and

20 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au community sector & community engagement

make more intentional judgments on this topic to its website and played calls, webinars and personal contact. and choices in creating change, will some of these at Authentic Engagement, Since the Lab, New South Wales produce greater impact and relevance its 2012 annual conference. public innovators have begun explor- in the communities they serve. A year later, following the Depart- ing ways their organisations can turn ment of Family and Community outward to their communities. Early Turning Outward impacts: Services indication of its future initiatives have included “Ask” exer- Engagement – Shifting who you see directions, the LCSA Management cises, where community members are and include in your work and how you Committee sent its then Executive engaged with four simple questions: engage with them to create change. Officer, Brian Smith, to a Harwood • What kind of community do you Partners – Helping you gain clarity Public Innovators Lab to learn more of want to live in? about the partners you need to move the Institute’s approach and assess its • Why is that important to you? forward – and those that are holding relevance for LCSA member organisa- • How is that different from how you you back. tions. The Lab is the Institute’s premier see things now? Priorities – By understanding what training opportunity and provides a • What are some of the things that space you occupy within the commu- comprehensive overview in the Turn- can happen to create that kind of nity, you no longer struggle to be all ing Outward approach. community? things to all people. Instead, you focus Brian returned with an enthusias- In the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, on what you can and should impact. tically positive report. The approach public innovators from neighbourhood Strategies — How you develop and and values of The Harwood Institute centres and government departments implement strategies that reflect mirrored that of LCSA’s 2003 Neighbour- teamed up to run a large scale “Ask” the context of your community and hood Centre Policy which continues to be exercise across the region. They deter- people’s shared aspirations – and not LCSA’s defining document of principles mined to hold these conversations to get so entangled in programs and and values. The specific components with as many people as possible in as activities. of the approach were applicable to the many locations as possible on the 12th Communications – Reframing how Australian context. Initial implemen- February. They trained colleagues and you talk about your work and impact, tation can be very straightforward and volunteers prior to the day with the so that it is relevant to people and their grows by progressive stages. Public Inno- result that some 100 volunteers held concerns – and how you can contrib- vation engages with collective impact in “Ask” conversations with 1,700 people. ute to a more productive community a way which brings the aspirations of The benefits of initiating such a narrative. the community concerned into collec- large undertaking were the support Organisational Culture – By Turning tive impact strategies and planning as and encouragement the participants Outward you can align and drive inter- a fundamental touchstone and building received from each other as they nal efforts around shared aspirations block. Brian also felt that this approach launched into a process which was new and shared language, which makes it would carry greater weight with govern- to all of them. The ambitious scale of easier to work across departments and ment than other frameworks which the the event also generated media interest get things done. LCSA team had also researched. which helped initiate many conversa- The Harwood Institute creates this Following further interaction with tions, with people who had heard about shift in people’s approach using a The Harwood Institute and consid- it taking the opportunity to share their series of frameworks developed over erable deliberation, in June 2014 the aspirations for their community. the past 27 years. Through coaching LCSA Management Committee took The public innovator team in the over time, they learn to apply them to the courageous and innovative step Illawarra will be following this up their organisation, their community of committing a considerable portion with a series of in depth community work, and their own lives. of the organisation’s reserves to bring conversations, continuing this inno- the Institute to Sydney to run the first vative collaboration between govern- The Local Community Public Innovators Lab held outside ment departmental staff and their Services Association and North America. This took place at the neighbourhood centre colleagues. The Harwood Institute end of October 2014 and was attended The first steps along the route of The Local Community Services Asso- by 100 participants, including 65 LCSA the Harwood practice have been very ciation (LCSA) first came across The members and 25 from NSW govern- encouraging. Harwood Institute three years ago when ment departments. The Lab was run by Brian Smith has been the Executive Officer of it was looking for resources on commu- four Certified Harwood Coaches who the Local Community Services Association nity engagement. It posted a series of continue to support the participants (LCSA) since 2006 and is now LCSA’s Senior Project Officer, Institute for Community short videos of Rich Harwood speaking through an ongoing series of coaching Innovation and Engagement.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 21 health

Medication Management in the Community Medicines play a major role in preventing and treating illnesses – but only if they are used wisely and safely. Brigitte Cusack draws on her experience in the area to explain some of the problems and how they can be addressed.

s a pharmacist, I have worked in from the Institute for Safe Medication the information to see if anything you Acommunity and hospital phar- Practices Canada. Their definition of are experiencing may be caused by macy, conducted medication manage- medication management refers to the medication or its interaction with ment reviews in residential aged care patient-centred care to optimise safe, other medicines. facilities and for people living in the effective and appropriate drug ther- community. I provide education on apy. Care is provided through collab- Self-Administration quality use of medicines to consumers, oration with patients and their health of Medicines general practitioners, pharmacists, care teams. Medication management People should be encouraged to main- other health professionals, hospitals also includes many aspects of the tain their independence for as long and community organisations. process from prescribing, dispens- as possible, including managing their Medicines (also known as medi- ing, administering and storage of the medicines in a safe and effective way cations) include over-the-counter medication. if they are able. An assessment will medications, prescribed medications, assist in determining the competency vitamins, herbal medicines and Information Resources of the client for self-administration. homeopathic medicines. Medications Medications stored in their original Registered nurses are authorised to are available in a variety of forms such bottles/packaging are easily identified administer medicines only when an as tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, by the brand name, generic name (refers authorised prescriber has prescribed ointments, gels, patches, injections, to the active ingredient of the medica- the medicine, according to the rele- eye drops, inhalers, suppositories, tion), expiry date, batch number and vant state legislation and policies. pessaries and nebulisers. dispensed label from the pharmacy. If a care worker or carer finds that According to the Australian The dispensed label lists the a consumer is having difficulty in National Safety and Quality Health name of the dispensing pharmacy, administering their medicines there Care Standards (NSQHS) 2012, over the prescribing medical doctor, the is a need for a formal assessment 1.5 million Australians are estimated dispensed date, how much and how by a health care professional (eg GP, to experience an adverse event from often the medication needs to be pharmacist). Care workers should medicines each year. This results taken, whether there are any repeat alert their supervisor rather than try in at least 400,000 visits to general scripts left and any extra cautionary and address a medication issue them- practitioners and 190,000 hospital labels (eg whether it needs to be stored selves. admissions, which represent 2-3% in the fridge; may cause drowsiness; When someone returns from a of all admissions. As many as 30% of or avoid taking this medicine within hospital stay, an assessment of unplanned geriatric admissions are so many hours of another medicine). whether they will be able to self-ad- associated with an adverse medicine Having all the information assists if minister their medications is impor- event, approximately 50% of these there is a recall of the medicine or if tant. Possible medication issues admissions are considered potentially trying to identify medication. may occur if an ex-patient takes avoidable. Older people, people who Some information may be packaged both their pre-hospital medications are taking multiple medicines and with the medicine and Consumer as well as their newly prescribed people who see a number of different Medicine Information (CMI) can different branded hospital discharge doctors are more likely to experience a be requested from the pharmacy medications. Care should be taken medication-related problem. dispensing the medications. to avoid problems at this point using In the absence of recent Austral- Even if you have been having a medi- the information sources listed on the ian guidelines I have used material cine for some time you should review following page.

22 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au health

Some of the events that might indicate Useful online Information Resources on medicines: the need for a Medication review are: • Medicines scattered around the home NPS MedicineWise www.nps.org.au is an independent, not-for-profit and • Consumer seems confused, forget- evidence-based organisation providing practical tools to improve the way health ful or has difficulty managing their technologies, medicines and medical tests are prescribed and used. It provides information on different health conditions and medicines. medicines • Difficulty opening or closing their It also provides the following: medication packaging or using Consumer Medicine Information Tel: 1300 633 424 medicine devices (eg inhalers, Medicines Line 1300 633 424 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) nebulisers, insulin injectors) Adverse Medicines Event Line Tel 1300 134 237 ( Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) • Many different medications for Healthdirect www.healthdirect.gov.au provides a range of free health services on their medical conditions behalf of the governments of Australia including information on different types of • Recently returned home from a medication. hospital stay Examples of free Medication Reviews available to clients living at home are: Dose Administration Aids might take the pills randomly or have • Home Medicine Review (HMR, While some people can manage with different cultural ways of dealing with also known as DMMR) – anyone medication in labelled bottles, others the DAA such as instead of correctly can request a HMR from the GP for may need to use a Dose Administration taking the medicine out from left to a patient. The GP then prepares Aid (DAA). It is a device or packaging right across the rows, they might take a HMR Referral to the patient’s system for organising doses of medi- it from right to left or from the last preferred pharmacy or accredited cines according to the time of admin- row to the top row. An explanation pharmacist. The accredited phar- istration. There are many different and follow up assessment is needed macist conducts the HMR in the types of DAAs and ideally they should to ensure the DAA works as intended. home and sends the HMR Report be packed by a pharmacist. Service workers who notice prob- to the GP. The GP prepares an HMR Medications unable to be packaged lems with DAAs should report them Plan with the client. into a DAA include eye drops, patches, to their supervisor and not assume • MedsCheck – anyone can request insulin, some tablets/capsules need they know what is happening. a MedsCheck from the client’s special storage conditions (eg fridge, preferred pharmacy darkened bottle/box), creams, liquids. Medication Lists • Diabetes MedsCheck – as above for The DAA is only useful if the Consumers should be encouraged to MedsCheck, except the patient must person taking the medication or the maintain an up-to-date medication have Type 2 Diabetes. authorised health care professional list to take with them to their doctor, Medicines play a major role in (ie registered nurse) can administer pharmacist, specialist and hospital. preventing and treating illnesses – but the medications appropriately from They need to know exactly what medi- only if they are used wisely and safely. the DAA. Assessing the client as cations you are currently on. Hopefully this overview explains having the ability (vision, fine motor Medicines Lists can be ordered for some of the problems and what can be skills, hearing, dexterity) and under- free or a free download in English and done about them by service providers, standing (cognition, health literacy, other languages eg Arabic, Chinese carers and/or the medication user. culturally and linguistically diverse (Simplified & Traditional), Croatian, Brigitte Cusack is Program Officer-Medication background) to manage the DAA is Greek, Italian, Korean, Macedo- Management, Eastern Sydney Medicare Local. important. nian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Go This article was adapted from a presentation she made to the Eastern Sydney HACC forum. If the DAA packaging is difficult to to http://www.nps.org.au/topics/ access, medications can be acciden- how-to-be-medicinewise/manag- • Further reading tally left inside the packaging despite ing-your-medicines/medicines-list The Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory administration. A simple device, Council’s “Guiding Principles for medication a pill bob, can be used to break the Medication Review management in the community” (2006).. http:// www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing. foil plastic packaging of the DAA to Medication Reviews offer an assess- nsf/Content/apac-publications-guiding obtain the medications. Again there ment of the ability of a consumer Australian Government Department of Health, is a need to assess whether the person to manage their medications (eg Medication Management Reviews information accessed from: http://www.health.gov.au/ using a DAA can use the pill bob. administration, compliance, storage). internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/medi- Some DAAs may have missed doses Anyone can ask a GP for a Medication cation_management_reviews.htm with self-administration. Sometimes review and consumers are encouraged Australian Prescriber: Appropriate use of dose administration aids. Aust Prescr 2014; 37:46-50. the medications may be taken out of to have their medicines reviewed by http://www.australianprescriber.com/maga- DAA in a different way to that recom- members of the health care team (eg zine/37/2/46/50 mended. For example some people GPs, pharmacists)

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 23 housing

Is Housing Affordability a Foreign or Domestic Investment Problem? Dallas Rogers asks should we be concerned about the increase in foreign, and particularly Chinese, investment in Australian real estate?

y favourite bookshop in Sydney is The largest global real estate inves- The government has taken an MBetter Read Than Dead in New- tors are institutional investors, such interest in foreign investment in real town. A few months ago I dropped by as large pension funds, insurance estate too. The government’s legisla- for a look around. I walked out with companies and sovereign wealth tive framework for individual foreign three new books, Andro Linklater’s funds. They usually invest in commer- investment in residential real estate Owning the earth: The transforming his- cial real estate, but more recently they in Australia allows: foreign developers tory of land, Kevin Cahill’s Who owns have also shown an interest in agri- to build new residential dwellings for the world: The surprising truth about cultural and farming assets. These sale to domestic and foreign buyers; every piece of land on the planet, and investments are very different from individual foreign investors and Fred Pearce’s The landgrabbers: The new individual foreign investment in resi- temporary residents to purchase new fight over who owns the earth. dential real estate. dwellings; and temporary residents In different ways, these three books with visas, which extend beyond 12 focus on the way land is being bought Individual Chinese months and include many foreign and sold as if it were a global commod- investment in residential student visas, to purchase one estab- real estate ity. Each author shows how a relatively lished home provided it is used as their small number of powerful individuals, There has been a lot of discussion about principal place of residence while in families and global corporations have Chinese investors pushing up property Australia and is sold when they leave acquired large sections of the world’s prices and breaking the foreign invest- the country. land mass. ment rules in Australia recently. Some The government’s aim is to direct These authors present an alarming reports suggest that foreign investors foreign capital into new housing stock picture. It includes the displacement account for around 15% to 20% of all to increase housing supply and to of some of the world’s poorest people new residential property purchases in boost employment within the prop- from their land in the global south Australian capital cities. We know that erty construction industries. The with a corresponding concentration of from 2012 many of these foreign inves- assumption is that increasing housing land wealth in the global north. tors were Chinese. supply will put downward pressure on We should be concerned about this The Foreign Investment Review housing affordability. global commodification of local land. Board reports Chinese investment Last year, The House Standing Commit- But should we be concerned about the was $12.4 billion in 2013-14, up from tee on Economics conducted a Parlia- increase in foreign, and particularly $5.9 billion in 2012-13. It can be hard mentary Inquiry into individual foreign Chinese, investment in Australian to pin down exactly how much foreign investment in residential real estate. One real estate? An individual foreign capital is flowing into Australian real of the contributing factors leading up to investor who buys a residential prop- estate. Some measures include insti- the Inquiry was the claim that individual erty in Australia is not the same as a tutional investors while others include Chinese investors were making Austral- global corporation that buys a thou- commercial real estate. But while the ian housing more expensive. In other sand hectare farm in South Africa, and figures are debatable, the overall trend words, Chinese investors were pricing thereby dispossesses the local people is not – individual foreign investment Australians out of the property market. of their land. in real estate is growing in Australia. A team from the University of There are important differences Media coverage of foreign invest- Western Sydney conducted a study between the various foreign investor and ment in Australian real estate has to explore this claim. Our research property categories within the global largely focused on individual Chinese showed that historically, domes- real estate sector. Individual foreign investors and their residential real tic investment has had a far greater investors are different from institutional estate purchases. Less media atten- impact on house prices that the recent investors. A new residential dwelling is tion has been given to the investment increase in Chinese investment. different from a commercial retail build- practices of global pension funds, Linklater, Cahill and Pearce have ing, and these are different again from a insurance companies and sovereign shown that foreign institutional large cattle station. wealth funds. investment in agricultural farms has

24 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au housing

negatively impacted local communi- ties, and even displaced them from their lands. But we should be careful with the claim that individual foreign investment in residential real estate in Australia is the sole or even a central cause of house price increases. Our study showed that removing the relatively small, albeit growing, share of individual foreign investment from Australia’s residential housing market would not address the trend for house price increases or inward urban migration over time. This is important, because these two factors contribute to the hous- ing affordability problem in major Australian cities. If we want to address the housing affordability problem in Sydney the discussion needs to start with domestic, not foreign, invest- ment in residential real estate. foreign investor rule breakers. Apart should we reconfigure the domestic Foreign land grab or from political point scoring, catching housing sector and taxation settings domestic housing problem? the rule breakers and introducing new to provide a fairer and more equitable The recent Inquiry found individual fees will have a marginal, if any, impact housing system? foreign real estate investment was on the domestic real estate market. It In Sydney, it is not the case that a achieving its aim of increasing residen- certainly will not address the housing foreign land grab is displacing large tial housing supply. Foreign investors inequity in Australian cities. sections of the local population from can only invest in new dwellings. The These recommendations draw atten- their homes. Rather, the increasingly Committee did not, however, outline tion away from Australia’s unfettered unaffordable housing landscape is a what type of housing was being supplied. commitment to domestic real estate home-grown problem. It is the product And much like our study, they found that investment and the inequality of our of five decades of domestic real estate foreign investors have a marginal impact domestic housing system. It is clear that investment that was underwritten by on housing prices in Australia. the private housing market perpetuates pro-real estate investment taxation As a stand-alone aim, increas- housing inequality in Australian cities policy. The real estate investment prac- ing housing supply will not address and we cannot leave housing affordabil- tices of Australians are to blame for pric- the housing affordability problem in ity to the market. ing fellow Australians out of Sydney’s Sydney. Just because there are more We need a discussion about domestic housing market, not Chinese investors. houses in the real estate market does and foreign investment in real estate not mean that the housing market will that takes place alongside a national Acknowledgements become more affordable, and this is discussion about affordable housing. We This article summaries the findings especially the case for those on a low should reconsider schemes that provide from a recent study on Chinese Invest- income. In fact, some middle-income affordable housing to low-income ment in Residential Real Estate, funded households are finding it hard to pay Sydney-siders by setting rents according by the University of Western Sydney. their housing bills. to household income. At the very least The full peer-reviewed article can be Despite the initial impetus, the we need an affordable housing program, found in the journal Housing Studies, at: Inquiry did not take a serious look like the recently scrapped National Rental Rogers, D., C. L. Lee and D. Yan (2015). at the relationship between housing Affordability Scheme, which provides ‘The politics of foreign investment in affordability and foreign investment. housing to low-income Australians at Australian housing: Chinese investors, Instead, the Committee recommended well below market rate rent. translocal sales agents and local resist- the introduction of new fees and greater The debates in the media and the ance’, Housing Studies. scrutiny of individual foreign investors. Inquiry’s investigations about the The government responded by setting actions of individual Chinese investors Dr Dallas Rogers is a Lecturer in urban studies within the School of Social Sciences up a new foreign investment register, diverted our attention away from the and Psychology at the University of Western which they claim will help catch the real housing challenge in Sydney: how Sydney.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 25 urban development

A guide to achieving good precinct planning outcomes Areas are being hived off for planning outside the regular planning process. University of Sydney academics Roderick Simpson, Peter Phibbs, Julie Walton and Mike Harris provide some key principles to guide such precinct development with a special emphasis on the Bays Precinct.

he very notion of “world’s best changes while providing assurance Thirdly, we need principles about Tpractice” in planning and urban that the whole process is on track good planning. Lastly, we need prin- renewal is oxymoronic if it is expected and in accordance with the agreed ciples about ongoing operation and that international practice will pro- values. If changes and decisions are management. The clear definition of vide a readymade template, because explained, transparent, and the result principles should aim to overcome the best practice will always be respon- of participatory processes, then trust principal criticisms of major urban sive to local conditions; social, eco- may be restored. renewal projects identified in the nomic, political and environmental. Firstly we need some overarching paper by Mike Harris, A Global Review These conditions change, and so best principles that set out what we are and the Australian Context, University practice would also allow adaptation to trying to achieve. Some may be high- of Sydney Festival of Urbanism 2014. changed circumstances. This is why it level – the public interest for example; is worth attempting to distil the prin- some may be detailed - for example Overarching principles ciples, rather than components from maximise public access. 1. Precedence must be given to the successful international precedents. Secondly, we need to have principles public interest as the overarching about governance: how, about what principle governing renewal of the Why planning principles are and by whom decisions are made. Bays Precinct important From a review of domestic and inter- Defining what is in the public interest There is a crisis of trust in NSW in national projects it is clear that the most is not straight-forward. The question relation to planning. In response, the well regarded projects have carefully of “which public?” arises immediately community often calls for certainty, considered governance. In particular, – the local community or the broader as does the development industry. it is clear how the public is included in public that is made up of the citizens However in the recent past neither all stages of the planning, delivery and of the city or the state? What was clear detailed master plans nor have water- ongoing operation of these major urban from the summit was that a narrow tight agreements and commercial renewal projects. These projects are focus on short-term financial return, deals proven satisfactory. How then successful because greater participa- in similar urban renewal projects is do we deal with changes that may be tion has led to a sense of ownership and not in the public interest. desirable during the protracted period fostered varied, engaging and attractive The definition of the public interest that urban renewal requires? A clear precincts. These are projects that have in relation to the Bays Precinct overall, statement of principles provides the become highly desirable places to live, and in relation to individual compo- flexibility to deal with unforeseen work and visit. nents will be the subject of ongoing

26 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au urban development

debate and discussion. The public is One of the frustrations the community has capable of understanding the compet- ing priorities of government if there is experienced with Barangaroo is the difficulty an open process where the trade-offs in finding out what the current plan for the and priorities are made clear. Such a process will rebuild trust. precinct is and how it has changed from the original concept plans 2. Public engagement and participation The public must be able to fully engage in all stages of the planning process, 4. Arms-length governance capture value, effectively hypothe- including discussion of, and decisions and accountability cating revenue for the development about, proposed major developments. The establishment of a semi-au- of the place. Consultation is not enough. It is impor- tonomous implementation body, One of the frustrations the community tant to recognise that this principle is with representatives of all levels of has experienced with Barangaroo is the not a call for greater democracy for its government, the local and broader difficulty in finding out what the current own sake, but is based on the evidence community and technical experts plan for the precinct is and how it has that projects that have had more has particular merit, and has proved changed from the original concept plans. transparency and public participa- effective both in Australia and inter- The development of a suitable monitor- tion have also had greater legitimacy, nationally, as evidenced by many of ing framework for the Bays Precinct less community resistance, and have the presentations during the Summit. would help renew public trust in the proven to be more successful with This is not a call for additional levels planning and development process. richer more diverse places than those of government, quite the opposite. It is that have not. Extensive engagement a means of achieving three objectives. Principles for project with the public needs to extend from • By setting out the desired outcomes formulation the vision and the plan through to (such as affordable housing and 5. Establish the process and form implementation and operation. environmental performance) of governance for community and though the participatory and public engagement 3. Define the non-negotiables and transparent processes, and having Define a comprehensive and ongoing clearly state the process for any these expressed as the objects of engagement process that involves revision the organisation, the organisation multiple communities and inter- For every project, there will be some is then not subject to the narrowly ests as one of the first activities. In non-negotiables that will be specific focused, recurrent project evaluation deciding the form and nature of this to the context. It is important that methods of government. These engagement the Community Charter these are defined, or negotiated at objects would also form the basis for Good Planning provides a range of the outset, so that from that point on for the corporate reporting of the useful ideas. One of the first activities they are understood and respected. effectiveness of the organisation’s should be the initial expression of the The identification and definition of activities – is it doing what it has public interest as it relates to the Bays these non-negotiables is important been asked to do. A degree of auton- Precinct. because it means they are not subject omy is also needed to insulate the to the same evaluation methods as organisation from the political cycle, 6. Respond to the strategic context other aspects of any proposals; they which would be the case if the wider and evaluate in terms of public are givens. community can see the worth and benefit Examples of non-negotiables that effectiveness of the organisation. Redevelopment of the Bays Precinct might apply to the Bays Precinct: Maxi- • By being place specific it can require should provide what Sydney needs. mizing public access to the foreshore, or the integration and coordination The scale and limited occurrence of the retention of lands in public owner- of activities by various agencies, as megaprojects and large precincts ship are examples of the non-negotia- well as being having the depth of demands a clearly defined strategic bles that might be defined as givens at knowledge and expertise required rationale at the city, state and at times the beginning of the process. Over time to management a complex and rich national level. conditions may change and even these place: corporate knowledge and Is the megaproject a means to non-negotiables may need to revisited, an interdisciplinary approach is address identified issues outlined in but if they are, it should be done in essential for place management. existing planning documents, includ- an open and participatory way, never • By having the power to reinvest it ing the Metropolitan Strategy? Are behind closed doors. is able to take a long term view and there strategic issues relating to the

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 27 urban development

retention of a working harbour? Most Guiding principles 10. Connect the precinct physically importantly, given the difficulty of 8. Divide the Area into a number and with the life of the rest of the city addressing some of the major issues of precincts and include fine grain Planning for the precinct should begin confronting the city, has the effective- subdivision by thinking about and defining the ness of the megaproject, as opposed Allow for as many authors as possi- public domain – the streets, the pedes- to alternative strategic investments ble: authenticity depends on many trian networks, and the open spaces been evaluated? authors. The existing city is the mate- which will connect the Bays Precinct The best way to demonstrate that rial accumulation of the individual to the rest of the city. This involves the project has responded to the stra- actions of many actors over many consideration of transport, the tegic context is to set out a number of years, for new parts of the city to feel amount, type, quality and distribution alternative visions, configurations and integrated these areas must allow of open space, and the design of the scenarios for the project, and evaluate similar processes to occur. edges between the new and existing them in term of the public benefit. Such an approach guarantees diver- neighbourhoods in order to encourage (Principles 1 and 3). sity in housing outcomes and the built activity and interaction. Tapping into From the definition of the public form. Dividing the area of the megapro- community aspirations and needs good (Principle 1 and 4) it should be ject into a number of precincts or plots is key, and this may be started early possible to assess the relative public also enables a diverse range of devel- by opening the site for transitional, benefits of different options. opment companies and designers to temporary and interim uses. participate in the development process. 7. Optimisation of public investment Although it may make sense to develop 11. Leverage major projects Explicitly measure the impacts of some large precincts in a single devel- Many large urban renewal projects alternative configurations and scenar- opment, there should be a fine grain have been anchored by major events ios for the megaproject in relation to legacy subdivision at the end. (Olympics, Expo) or buildings (Bilbao). public infrastructure. Define an eval- As a guideline: no single developer This principle can be extended to all uation framework and select alterna- should be give exclusive rights to an major works. Proposals for all major tives that generate the best return in entire street block. capital works should consider syner- terms of outcomes per unit of public gistic effects and how they might infrastructure investment. 9. Iterative and incremental contribute to other objectives: for development example, a road should not simply be Principles for planning That big ideas can be delivered in small a road; it should be part of the green These principles are more specific. If an increments emerged as a recurring network, direct views, provide vistas open and transparent planning process theme of the Summit and has been and contribute to a comfortable pedes- is established it is appropriate that identified previously. trian environment. these initial principles can be changed Incremental development of individ- Working with what exists through and adapted over time. This is the key ual parts within an overall planning creative adaption and re-use of key difference with successful govern- framework (versus the closing off of heritage items such as the White ance arrangements in international large areas, and handing over to single Bay Power Station and the Glebe examples and the closed commercial developers), not only reduces risk and Island Bridge fits with this princi- processes that are typical in Austral- financial exposure, it also develops ple. Deciding whether there needs ian projects. The conclusion from the trust and demonstrates good faith. to be, and what should be the iconic review of international projects (Harris Early precincts should include those anchor in the Bays Precinct would be 2014) is that these closed processes which deliver significant public benefit. a fruitful, open city-wide discussion. lead to sub-optimal outcomes. There are two type of planning prin- ciples – principles that should guide the planning and principles that begin to set out some of the outcomes that are expected on the site.

28 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au urban development

For example, the iconic Philharmo- minimum width, consideration should restricting development in favour of nia at HafenCity is well known, but be given to the desired character and land uses which generate lower motor arguably the location and role of the function of the foreshore including vehicle impacts (such as housing with HafenCity university has been more the building frontage and activation, restricted parking opportunities). influential, pervasive and major bene- permeability and connection landside, fit to the social and economic develop- and a variety of recreational activities. Principles for ment and positioning of the area. implementation / governance 14. Affordable housing 12. Determine the most appropriate A high priority should be given to 17. Bureaucratic minimalism allocation of risk with the objective the inclusion of social and affordable The principle of subsidiary is that deci- of maximising public benefit housing for low and moderate income sion-making should be undertaken at Widen public benefit prospects by households as a significant element the lowest level possible, and that the minimising up-front developer costs of any residential uses. International number of government bodies required and de-risking while sharing ultimate projects of similar size and location to be involved in the decision should be up-lift. The point here is the lowest require between a 20 per cent and 50 per minimised. The establishment of sepa- cost/highest return short-term deal cent affordable housing component. rate government delivery and manage- is not necessarily the best deal in the ment agencies should be confined to long run. This also raises the question 15. Environmental performance where ownership arrangements or of investing in an area and waiting for Major renewal projects, and particu- multi-party coordination is necessary, the value to accrue before divestment. larly redundant industrial brownfield which has been and remains very This in turn is related to the asset recy- sites, provide unique opportunities apparent in the Bays Precinct. At the cling approach of government – the ques- for rectifying and improving the envi- completion of the project or sub-pre- tion is whether the Bays Precinct is an ronmental performance of adjoining cincts, control should be devolved or asset for recycling or an asset for further existing urban areas, including water handed back to the normal govern- investment with the aim of increasing cycle management, clean and low ment and governance processes that the value through private investment. carbon decentralized energy produc- apply to adjoining areas. In the latter case government should tion, sustainable transport and reduc- Notwithstanding this, there may be be holding on to the asset until the tion of the urban heat island effect an important and valid role for ongo- optimum value is reached (as opposed amongst many others. ing planning, reinvestment, curatorial to an early sale). These systems may require the and management role in relation to establishment of dedicated manage- aspects such as leasing, environmen- Expected outcomes ment organisations of some form, and tal systems, utilities, affordable hous- 13. Land retained for public use these are common in many similar ing and tenancy policy. A significant proportion of all the international examples. Bays Precinct lands must be retained 18.Separation of development and for public use. In the case of the 16. Accessibility approval roles Bays Precinct this is likely to include The new precinct should be highly There must be a clear distinction continuous public access to the fore- accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and between the development authority shore. There should be no alienation public transport users, not just to car and the planning consent authority. of the Bays Precinct foreshores from drivers. Transit connections should be This article is based on work commissioned public access by sale or long term lease. frequent, fast and convenient. The area by the City of Sydney and follows The Festival Clearly, access needs to consider both when developed should have a high of Urbanism at Sydney University where a series of talks and conversations on planning waterside and landside activity. Rather walk score For example in a site like and making our cities focused in 2014 on than stipulating a particular, uniform the Bays Precinct with obvious road Megaprojects including Sydney’s Bays Precinct. transport constraints that may mean It is reprinted with permissions and was originally published by The Fifth Estate at www. thefifthestate.com.au/articles/a-guide-to- precincts-the-bays-in-particular-to-achieve- good-outcomes/70572

Roderick Simpson, Peter Phibbs, Julie Walton and Mike Harris are from The University of Sydney.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 29 human services

The furphy of human services sustainability Applications for human service funding increasingly ask projects to show they are sustainable. Michael Shreenan asks if sustainability is achievable in human services or is it just an erroneous improbable story heard around water coolers which is now believed as fact.

any in the NGO community sector at its wits end. At times they have For example locking up car thieves Mbattle funding uncertainty and are proved themselves better than paid was not what brought down the pushed by funders to keep doing more staff. However volunteers need to number of cars being stolen. What for less. There is an expectation placed be recruited, resourced, managed, worked was encouraging manufac- on us by politicians, government trained and insured, and that just for turers to enhance security systems in departments and funders alike that starters. cars (alarms, immobilisers, GPs track- because we access volunteers we can When it comes to pursuing funding ing etc.) deliver services for free or close to it. for a project, saying that a project will In terms of community work, lock- Sustainability is the current cliché not be sustainable beyond the one year ing up high risk behaviour consumers phrase. It has become the Holy Grail grant it is likely to lead to automatic of illegal and legal substances does not for those making decisions about rejection. So NGOs end up inventing reduce consumption or harm. What grant funding. Often the phrase is a convincing pontificated statement reduces consumption and harm is regurgitated without real definition, with no semblance of reality. education, counselling, diversionary understanding of context and usually Sustainability in terms of a project’s activities, access to non-judgmental by someone who has no idea how financial longevity is only relevant for support and the building / facilitation NGOs or communities work. some projects, not all projects. Often of community resilience. I was recently amused when a grant grant officers fail to explore this. NGOs All of these will cost money and officer advised us that the applica- should be able to say: sustainability is there will always be a need for reve- tion for a specialist Alcohol and Drug not relevant to this project and grant nue investment. The difference is they outreach worker position could be officers should be able to understand cost far less than continually failed funded if I could just find a way to and appreciate this. One off projects enforcement strategies and have make the position ‘sustainable’. They with no ongoing costs could be classed greater longevity in terms of impact. were of the view that somehow the as sustainable during the life time of Enforcement has its place, but you project could become self-funded or that project. Projects that are given cannot arrest your way out of commu- that at the end of the funding cycle we seed funding for social enterprises nity challenges any more than you can would guarantee that volunteers would that can then generate income have make a human service project cost no continue the project beyond the pilot. the potential to be sustainable. money. Whilst I would be first to cham- Sustainability, I would argue, can come We have to fight together for what pion social enterprise innovation, by diverting the investment into strat- we know is right, not allow compet- partnership sharing of resources and egies that we know work rather than itive tendering and grand mother- utilisation of volunteers, it is rare that strategies that are politically popular, hood sentiments such as “is your any project with a particular human short-term in nature, extremely expen- project sustainable?” to lead to our service intervention, requiring paid sive and turn out to be ineffectual. services being undervalued and under staff, can somehow miraculously The costs of addressing anti-social resourced. The community sector is become self-funded. To suggest other- behaviour through enforcement for not free. It is about time Government wise is an absolute furphy. example is often costly, constantly of all political persuasions invested in Yes, it would be nice to work so well re-invented, short term in nature, what works rather than the endless that we do ourselves out of a job - the politically popular and very rarely cycle of feasibility studies, meetings ultimate goal of community develop- based on good practice evidence. Nor about meetings, reviews, evaluations, ment. However we all know there is does it have any long lasting effect. repetitive tendering processes and always more to be done. Investment in harm reduction and reforms that are more costly than The problem is the assumption that community development and early the services that could make a lasting volunteers can do the work of paid intervention on the other hand has a impact if they were properly funded. specialist staff and do it at no cost. proven track record in reducing crime, Michael Shreenan is the Executive Officer of Volunteers are fantastic and with- reducing harm and reducing the longer Counterpoint Community Services and the out them my organisation would be term fiscal burden on the tax payer. Chair of ISRCSD.

30 Inner Sydney Voice • Winter 2015 • www.innersydneyvoice.org.au from the vault

March This issue we are celebrating those 1978 are still relevant today as is the 1978 involved in the long campaign for need to publicise the dominance of the improved public transport. The article motor / roads lobby that prevents public below is an early Inner Voice article transport having the resources it needs. about the activities of Action for Public Thank you to all those that have and Transport and its predecessor the Save will work for the common good to build Saving Public Public Transport Committee. the public transport system Sydney Transport The Aims and Objectives for APT in needs.

www.innersydneyvoice.org.au • Winter 2015 • Inner Sydney Voice 31 A publication of: WANT TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD? We are always looking for new voices - opinion pieces, investigative articles, profiles of community organisations, interviews and more. If you have an idea or suggestion then contact us and discuss it with one of the editors. Contributions are welcome from individuals, community organisations and others about the inner Sydney, eastern suburbs or broader political and social landscapes.

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