Pyrmont Action Press Release: 448 Bus Service

18 February, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Pyrmont Action has sought clarification on the failure of the Government to make the 448 bus service available to Pyrmont residents with John Ajaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads.

1. The Government claims that Route 448 was introduced and designed in response to growing demand.  Regular observations of Pyrmont residents reveal that around a maximum of 8 passengers use the service on any one run.   This cannot be considered an efficient use of public resources.
2. There continues to be UNMET demand by Pyrmont residents for use of the bus on its return journey (currently they are prohibited from using the bus on its return journey).  As the service is pre-paid, we fail to understand why use of the service on the return journey would require ANY additional resources.  There is one bus and one bus driver, both of which must make the return journey in order to pick up the workers who are allowed to travel in the opposite direction.   What extra resources are required?
3. As this is a peak hour service, the Government’s statement that the 448 service is not exclusive and is available to the travelling public is incorrect.  Pyrmont workers want to travel INTO the city in the mornings and FROM the city in the evenings.   The 448 is therefore NOT available to Pyrmont residents as it only carries passengers in the opposite direction.
4. We have asked for advice on how much Transport for NSW receives by way of private sector subsidy for the 448 bus service.
5. We have asked for advice on the exact date of the review of Inner West bus services promised for 2013.
6. The review will not be able to gauge unmet demand if it only considers customer feedback, patronage data and operational performance.  It is critical for the government to find out what members of the community actually want and need by way of bus services.  For example, the 449 service was removed without any consultation as to whether it was scheduled at times that met potential customer demand.   This service was particularly important for Pyrmont and Ultimo residents who do not have cars to be able to shop at Broadway, especially the many social housing residents.

Elizabeth Elenius

Convenor

Pyrmont Action Supports SINC-UP Motions for Childcare & Family Day Care in Pyrmont

18 February 2013

Dear Councillors, 

At our last Committee Meeting, Pyrmont Action Inc members resolved to support the following resolutions proposed by SINC-UP for the consideration of Council at its next meeting.   We urge Councillors to adopt these resolutions.  Pyrmont Action has already put forward the case for additional childcare in Pyrmont which was acknowledged in the revised motion debated by Council at its December meeting.   We see the immediate allocation of discretionary funds to assist in the establishment of a Family Day Care program as a supplementary and interim measure to address the immediate and future needs.

We do hope that Council will support these resolutions.

Elizabeth Elenius, Convenor, Pyrmont Action Inc. 

SINC-UP ( Social Infrastructure For Children In Ultimo & Pyrmont) is a new grouping of concerned parents, grandparents and residents in Pyrmont and Ultimo focusing on the need for adequate facilities and infrastructure to meet the education, health and recreation needs of all children and young people in the area. 

An immediate primary concern is the provision of more childcare, especially in Pyrmont. We therefore request that you propose and support the following motion on our behalf:

Council motion

Background:

Council is aware that in planning the new suburb of Pyrmont the estimate of children likely to be living in Pyrmont in 2013 was greatly underestimated.

Council has already made a major commitment of funds over the medium term to address the now pressing issue of the shortage of childcare places across the council area.   

Council has also committed to re-establish the family day care program to address the shortage of places in the  immediate term. 

To begin this process the following is recommended:

1. Council allocate discretionary funds from the 2012/13 Council budget for a Project Manager to develop the family day care program. 
2. Part of the project will be to  establish a Family Day Care Coordination Unit in Pyrmont. 
3. The family day care coordination unit to be established by June 2013 and operational funds to for the unit be included in the 2013/14 council budget
4. A community representative nominated by the community to work with the project manager to provide community knowledge and expertise to the project.
5. Council allocate resources and a time frame in the 2013/14 council budget to identify sites for potential CC centres in Pyrmont.  
6. The research and feasibility to include council, state owned and private properties as well as private development projects. 

Council motion

Background:

Council is aware that in planning the new suburb of Pyrmont the estimate of children likely to be living in Pyrmont in 2013 was greatly underestimated.

Council has already made a major commitment of funds over the medium term to address the now pressing issue of the shortage of childcare places across the council area.

Council's strategic plan aims to have much improved local access to child care over the next 10 years.In order to provide a realistic and cost effective plan for childcare in Pyrmont Council needs to update its base data,population trends and identify potential sites.  To begin this process the following is recommended:

1. Council allocate resources and a time frame in the 2013/14 council budget to identify sites for potential CC centres in Pyrmont.  
2. The research and feasibility to include council, state owned and private properties as well as private development projects.