Michael Organ for Wollongong Lord Mayor 2011

community, confidence, integrity

PRESS RELEASES & MEDIA

#8 - 10 July 2011 - Gillard's pollution package a win for Wollongong

"The carbon price plan will help bring to an end decades of pollution for the residents of Wollongong and provide incentives for jobs in the clean and renewable energy sectors” said Michael Organ, lord mayoral candidate for the City of Wollongong.

“From the 1840s through to the 1980s Wollongong relied on coal mining and associated heavy industry for employment and wealth generation.”

“The package announced today marks an important step down the path of economic diversification for the City.”

“In the short to medium term coal and heavy industry will continue to play a role in our lives, however Wollongong needs to move to a pollution free environment and the creation of clean, green, sustainable jobs.”

“When the new Council is elected on 3 September one of its first tasks will be to assess opportunities offered by the clean energy package in the creation of local jobs and support for diversification of local industry.”

“This is an exciting package and one which will help transform the City of Wollongong,” said Mr Organ.

{Response: WIN television interview Monday 11 July.}

9 July - Enlivening the Mall - Illawarra Mercury, letter to the editor.

The key the making Wollongong’s Mall safer is breathing life into it through people and events. At the moment it is an intimidating concrete wind tunnel, and late at night lifeless apart from people (often drunk or stoned) using it as a thoroughfare between venues. Why are there no street cafes to help enliven the place and deter thugs from running riot? What about evening use of the Mall amphitheatre for performances? This would bring families into the City centre, support businesses interested in opening late, and would not cost the community $14m. A city circle tram would also work wonders. Over to you Council. Michael Organ, Austinmer.

8 July - Launch of Community Voice - Illawarra Mercury (9 July) + WIN story.

Council elections: community raises voice

{Launch at the front of Wollongong Town Hall. Michael Organ was the letter "Y" in the Mercury photograph and WIN story. Media interviews with Felix Bronneberg.}

4 July - Park plan child's play - Illawarra Mercury, letter to the editor.

There are numerous parks and reserves in the City which front on to busy roads and are therefore rarely used by families due to the inherent danger of kids running in front of cars and bikes while playing. Perhaps council could consider building fences to separate the parks from such dangers. For a relatively small cost, these open spaces could be made family friendly and, in an era of ever-increasing childhood obesity, encourage our kids to get out a bit more. "Go play in the park" may once again ring out every afternoon, like days past when the streets were safer. Michael Organ, Austinmer.

28 June - Port Kembla radiation threat - Illawarra Mercury, letter to the editor.

The local maritime union was right to demand testing of cargos entering Port Kembla from Japan in light of the catastrophic events at the Fukushima nuclear reactor. With that country recently blanketed by dangerous radioactive fallout, there was/is a high likelihood that exports could be contaminated. The comments by the head of ARPANZA (Mercury, 24 June) are nothing less then a disgrace, in that they downplay the possible risks, close off any future testing and belittle the concerns of workers at Port Kembla. The community must have confidence that the cargos are clear of radioactive contamination. With the City of Wollongong a declared ‘Nuclear Free Zone’ it is all the more important that ARPANZA reassures the community by carrying out a comprehensive testing program, and not the half-hearted ‘reassurance exercise’ we saw on Thursday. Michael Organ, Austinmer

#7 - 23 June 2011 - Report threatens very fast train link to Wollongong

“The Regional Development Australia (Illawarra) report on a Very Fast Train link for the Illawarra puts in jeopardy any chance for such a link with Wollongong”, said Michael Organ, Wollongong City Council lord mayoral candidate.

“A community survey by RDA Illawarra revealed almost unanimous support for a VFT link between Wollongong and Sydney, yet the report fails to support this.”

“Instead it recommends Illawarra residents drive to Moss Vale and hop on board there, or drive to southern Sydney to catch the train. Tourists and commuters travelling the other way will be similarly inconvenienced."

The report highlights the benefits a VFT link would provide to commuters, tourists and users of educational facilities.

“What the region wants and needs is its very own VFT link, connecting Bomaderry, Dapto, Wollongong, Thirroul and Sydney.”

“Federal Members Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones need to urgently communicate this to the government, and ensure that the region is not short-changed due to the inadequacies of the RDA Illawarra report recommendations,” said Mr

Report here: http://www.rdaillawarra.com. au/home/news-media/high-speed- rail/

{Response: ABC radio interview and story. Follow up on 24th with a comment by ALP MHR Sharon Bird.}

22 June 2011 - Radioactive car shipment to Port Kembla

{Response: ABC radio interview with Nick Mclaren referring to the fact that the City of Wollongong is a nuclear free zone and monitoring of the shipment by ARPANZA needs to be open and accountable. }

#6 - 17 June 2011 - RDA Illawarra report on VFT short-changes Wollongong

“The recently released report by Regional Development Australia (Illawarra) on a Very Fast Train link is a disappointment and short changes the region”, said Michael Organ, Wollongong City Council lord mayoral candidate.

“A community survey by RDA Illawarra revealed almost unanimous support for a VFT link between Wollongong and Sydney, yet the report fails to support such a proposal.”

"RDA Illawarra instead recommends that Illawarra residents drive to Moss Vale and hop on board there, or drive to southern Sydney to catch the train. Tourists and commuters travelling the other way will be similarly inconvenienced."

“What the region wants and needs is its very over VFT link, connecting Bomaderry, Dapto, Wollongong, Thirroul and Sydney.”

“Federal Members Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones need to communicate this to the government, and ensure that the region is not short-changed due to the inadequacies of the RDA Illawarra report recommendations,” said Mr Organ.

{No response}

#5 - 17 June 2011 - Organ sets Wollongong Council platform for change

Michael Organ, Wollongong City Council lord mayoral candidate, has today released his 41 point Platform for Change 2011.

“In the wake of corruption scandals and Council’s sacking, the people of the City need an assurance that this disgraceful behaviour will not be repeated”, said Mr Organ.

“My Platform for Change will ensure that Wollongong is able to return to its rightful place as one of Australia’s most vibrant, innovative and culturally progressive regional centres.”

Mr Organ’s Platform contains a mix of strategic and policy initiatives, alongside specific actions such as creation of a Junior Council, adoption of a City of Festivals banner, and removal of City parking metres.

“The Platform for Change clearly sets out the direction I would take as Lord Mayor of the City”, said Mr Organ.

“Integrity, community focus and entrepreneurial initiatives will help transform the City, creating employment opportunities and a renewal of faith between Council and the community.”

The Wollongong City Council – Program for Change 2011 is available at: michaelorgan.blogspot.com

{No reponse}

16 June 2011 - A new lord mayor - but what kind - Illawarra Mercury, unpublished letter to the editor.

The Council election on 3 September offers the people of the City of Wollongong an opportunity to popularly elect a new lord mayor. But what kind of mayor do they want, and, more importantly, what kind of mayor does the City need? There are basically 2 types – the ceremonial, and the bureaucratic. The former concentrates on public duties, such as openings, official functions and the like. The latter looks to micromanage the day-to-day running of the council, with active involvement in its administration and working closely with, or even subverting the role of, the CEO. Both types are extremes, and ideally both ceremonial and civic duties should receive equal attention, in collaboration with, and the support of, ward councillors. The former lord mayor of Wollongong, Alex Darling, concentrated on the ceremonial and left much of the running of Council to the ALP caucus and CEO Rod Oxley. The latter has suggested in his autobiography that this abrogation of leadership was an element in the subsequent dysfunctionality of the previous administration. The erratic style of lord mayor George Harrison no doubt did not assist the smooth running of Council, despite Mr Harrison’s good intentions. Furthermore, Council’s politicisation by the ALP during the term of mayor David Campbell (1991-9) was a factor in its recent sacking. In looking at the work of independent lord mayor Frank Arkell between 1974-91 we can see a strong focus on the ceremonial – Frank was everywhere – and less so the bureaucratic micromanager, though he was actively involved in bringing major developments to the City and in working with the community to address their specific concerns. Arkell was very much a ‘hands-on’ mayor, and elements of his style remain relevant today. In 2011 the people of the City will obviously take into account the recent history of corruption, scandal and political control when they cast their vote. And whilst they will be looking at the personal qualities of individual candidates when selecting a lord mayor, they will no doubt be hoping for 5 years of stable local government and leadership which will restore and enhance the reputation of the City as one of Australia’s most vibrant regional centres. Honesty, integrity, intelligence, community focus as opposed to political allegiance when dealing with Council matters, and entrepreneurial drive are obvious must-haves for a new lord mayor if the mistakes of the past are not to be repeated. The result on 3 September? Hopefully a lord mayor the people want, and a lord mayor the City deserves.

11 June 2011 - Getting Rod right - Illawarra Mercury, unpublished letter to the editor.

Nicole Hasham's profile of Rod Oxley ('Understanding Rod', Mercury, 11 June) made one significant omission - the fact that ICAC found that he engaged in corrupt conduct. Also identified as acting corruptly were Frank Vellar, Beth Morgan, Joe Scimone, Bulent Tabak, Frank Gigliotti, Val Zanotto, Kiril Jonovski, Zeki Esen and John Gilbert. Is any such individual a fit and proper person to hold the position of lord mayor or councilor with Wollongong City Council? I don't think so.

{Not published}

#4 - 10 June 2011 - Council should defer Tourism Wollongong 5yr contract

“Wollongong City Council should defer any decision to enter into a 5 year $7.5m+ funding agreement without tender with Tourism Wollongong,” said Michael Organ today.

“An interim 1 yr agreement will provide an opportunity for the incoming Council to consider its terms and seek community feedback on the future direction of tourism support and promotion within the City of Wollongong.”

“The Administrators should not make such an important decision which will impact upon the City's future.”

“The proposed funding agreement calls for ‘provision of city centre marketing and promotions' – but what about the rest of the City?”, asked Mr. Organ.

“Council has been criticized in the past for focusing resources on the city centre, to the detriment of outlying suburbs.”

”If Tourism Wollongong's brief is to be so limited, we need a plan for those areas not covered.”

“The skills and expertise of Tourism Wollongong should be used to support local tourism initiatives and related employment generation across the City.”

{No response}

#3 - 6 June 2011 - Organ to run for Wollongong Lord Mayor

Michael Organ has today announced he will run for Lord Mayor at the Wollongong Council election on 3 September.

“This is an historic opportunity for residents to reclaim their Council”, said Mr Organ.

“We cannot allow a repeat of the systemic corruption which marked the previous administration.”

“Council must first and foremost serve the needs of local residents, ensure protection and preservation of our environmental and cultural heritage, and drive job creation in tourism, education, the arts and industry.”

“It should actively support sustainable development which provides employment opportunities and accommodates an expanding population, whilst adhering to planning controls and enhancing the quality of life of local residents.”

“It's time to put people first”, said Mr Organ.

“As Lord Mayor I would ensure Council was community focussed, financially responsible, open and accountable.”

“I have the experience, dedication and vision to help breathe life back into the City and restore its status as one of Australia's most vibrant regional centres.”

{Response: Illawarra Mercury story, page 9; ABC Illawarra interview in studio; Prime news bulletins; WIN TV interview}

25 May - Council planning - Illawarra Mercury, letter to the editor.

Council managers and administrators should be aware that their strategic plans and management plans will be binned on Monday, 5 September, as the new council starts with a clean slate and implements it own mandate for change. Councillors should not be hamstrung by commitments developed with little or no input from the community. If we don’t “own” it how can we support it?. Michael Organ, Austinmer

24 May - Future proofing the Gong - Illawarra Mercury, letter to the editor.

A city population of half a million (Mercury, 20 May) is inevitable, and Wollongong as a soaring metropolis of silver skyscrapers is indeed prophetic. The question is not when, or if, but how: how will we manage it? The roads, services, infrastructure, housing – all have to be planned for in order to accommodate population increases. The transformation of the city into a dormitory suburb of Sydney has already begun, and the closure of the steelworks could be the final nail in the coffin of Wollongong as a thriving industrial centre. Ideally the Gong in 2050 would have a solid local employment base, supplemented by fast train services to Sydney; an expressway connection to the southern freeway at Bull Tops through a tunnel instead of the dangerous and ugly passes at Mt Ousley and Bulli; population growth nodes near public transport links, to minimize the use of cars; and an efficient public transport network. Traffic gridlock in the northern suburbs has already become a daily occurrence and can only get worse. What we don’t want is simple: Gold Coast style high-rise casting shadows over our beaches; ugly scars on the escarpment from residential development, roads, telecommunication towers and the like; development in wetlands, creeks, floodplains and on our beaches; and destruction of green corridors and open space which are vital in serving the needs of residents and supporting the local ecology. The new Wollongong and Shellharbour councils will have a big job ahead because, at the end of the day, it is up to them to get it right. Michael Organ, Austinmer

#2 - 19 May 2011 - Council poll to break back of ALP in Wollongong

3 September will mark the end of more than a decade of ALP domination of Wollongong City Council, according to Michael Organ, former Federal Member for Cunningham.

“Voters will turn on Labor at the election, in retaliation against findings of corruption and scandal”, said Mr Organ.

“The application of optional preferential voting for Lord Mayor will ensure a tight result, similar to the recent tussle for the State seat of Wollongong.”

“The complex optional preferential proportional representation vote for ward councillors – used in the 2011 NSW Legislative Council poll - will see a swathe of independents and Greens elected, making it almost impossible for the ALP to control the 13 member Council.”

With more than 135,000 voters across 3 wards, candidates will require a quota of approximately 11,500 votes.

“ALP caucus control of Wollongong City Council is a thing of the past. It stifled the democratic process and fostered corruption and secret back-room deals,” said Mr Organ.

Organ is considering running for the position of Lord Mayor on 3 September.

{No response}

#1 - 10 May 2011 - Organ announces Council platform for change

Michael Organ, former Federal Member for Cunningham, has today released Wollongong City Council - Platform for Change 2011.

“In the wake of corruption scandals and Council’s sacking, the people of the City need an assurance that this disgraceful behaviour will not be repeated”, said Mr Organ.

“My platform for change will ensure that Wollongong is able to return to its rightful place as one of Australia’s most vibrant, innovative and culturally progressive regional centres.”

Mr Organ, a long-standing local activist and participant in Council committees and processes, is considering running for Lord Mayor at the elections on 3 September.

“This is an important moment in our history. We should never again allow vested interests to run our City”, said Mr Organ.

The Wollongong City Council – Program for Change 2011 is available at: michaelorgan.blogspot.com

{Response: ABC Illawarra radio interview}

If you are interested in becoming involved in the ongoing campaign to restore the City of Wollongong to its rightful place as one of the most innovative, exciting and beautiful cities in Australia, please contact Michael Organ - email: snappa22@gmail.com | mobile: 0468 548 709.

Page last updated: 6 August 2011.