Liberals, Independents and Charles Matthews's No Parking Meters Party Block Greens Anti Port Botany Privatisation Council Motion

Randwick City Council has split down party lines on Port Botany noise and privatization issues leaving two South Ward Councillors "aligning with" the State Government against residents.

Liberal Councillor Robert Belleli and Councillor Charles Matthews of the No Parking Meters Party are now being described by the Greens as being "open to criticism" from their South Ward constituents.

Both Councillors recently voted down a Greens motion that both opposed the State Government’s privatization proposal and also urged it to conduct a noise audit of the Port.

The two related issues are viewed as politically sensitive in the Matraville area of South Ward where noise from Port operations have long been irritating residents.

Greens Councillor Murray Matson, who believes that privatization (via a long-term lease) will exacerbate noise impacts on residents, says that Cr Belleli and Cr Matthews are now "open to criticism from Matraville residents".

Councillor Matson elaborated this week:

"It is very disappointing that South Ward Liberal Councillor Robert Belleli and minor party Councillor Charles Matthews have let their Matraville constituents down by aligning with the State Government on the related Port privatization and noise issues.

Councillor Belleli, being a Liberal, is now indicating to his constituents that he is captive to supporting the Liberal state government's privatization agenda and therefore isn't able to effectively represent the communities best interests on this issue.

But it is not so easy to explain Councillor Matthews’ pro government privatization position."

The privatization and noise issues are likely to be prominent election issues in the run up to next year’s local Government elections with the local Greens opposed to privatization and calling for noise reduction strategies.

The Greens motion was put via a Mayoral Minute from retiring Greens Mayor Murray Matson at the 20th September meeting of Council.

Contact: Randwick City Greens Councillor Murray Matson

Noise from Port Botany operations and associated freight movements are impacting on the amenity of Matraville and Banksmeadow residents.

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BACKGROUND

Extract from minutes of the Randwick City Council meeting of the 20th September 2011.

MM69/11 Mayoral Minute - Port Botany Privatisation (F2004/07460)

MOTION: (Mayor, Cr M Matson) that Council:-

a) write to the Premier concerning the Government’s proposed offering to the private sector of a 99 year lease on Port Botany to:

• Advise of Council’s concern that a privatised or long-term leased facility may lead to increased pressures to expand operational levels, with impacts such as increased truck movements and noise impacts in residential areas around the facility;
• Note Council’s concerns that the current planning framework for approvals in the Port is not suitable in a privatisation or long-term leased scenario;
• Note Council's resolution of 23 August 2011 to write to the Government requesting that a detailed acoustic assessment be undertaken by it encompassing all Port related development, in consultation with OEH, Randwick and Botany Councils;
• Request that this acoustic study is completed before any greater commitment is given to proceeding further with any long-term leasing initiatives; and
• Seek clarification as to the measures the State Government will undertake to address Council’s concerns to Port operational, amenity impacts and planning regime.

b) seek to raise with the relevant State Government Minister and Port Authority before the privatisation of the Port, the possible implementation of a broadband alert system for vehicles otherwise known as squawkers.

c) advise the Premier that Council opposes the privatization or long term leasing of Port Botany.

d) ensure that the issue of noise abatement be actively pursued by Council representatives on the appropriate committee.

e) request that the State Government take an all of government approach to planning with respect to NSW and national sea freight and ports planning, including an examination of expansion of port operations for container sea freight at Port Kembla.

LOST.

The DIVISION was taken and the names of the Councillors voting FOR and AGAINST were as follows:

FOR	AGAINST
Councillor Bowen	Councillor Andrews
Councillor Hughes	Councillor Belleli
Councillor Matson	Councillor Matthews
Councillor Stevenson	Councillor Nash
Councillor White	Councillor Notley-Smith
Councillor Woodsmith	Councillor Procopiadis
	Councillor Seng
	Councillor Smith
Total (6)	Total (8)