The multi million dollar Macquarie Mall makeover project has been hit by delays of up to four weeks. And that has not pleased Liverpool’s young mayor, Ned Mannoun, as this is a project close to his heart. He’s probably not as upset as the shopkeepers who are affected by the work, but enough to ask the CEO, Carl Wulff, to get more involved in overseeing the progress of the work. Which of course is happening right in the middle of the most busy trading time of all – leading into Christmas.
♦ Once upon a time it was the Labor Party that was famous for its fascinating internal battles but it looks like the Liberal Party has finally caught up. There’s a full scale power struggle in Liverpool that’s been going on for almost a year and now it looks like it’s all spreading to Macarthur, with federal MP Russell Matheson up against State counterpart and former minister Jai Rowell, whose father Ted sits on Campbelltown Council. The word on the street is that there was a mighty stoush between Matheson and Rowell over who was going to be mayor in Campbelltown on the day the council was going to elect a new mayor. Apparently Jai Rowell did not want Paul Hawker or Russell’s daughter, Alana, to get the gig, but wanted instead Councillor George Greiss to become mayor. Matheson naturally threw his
weight behind his former staffer Cr Hawker and eventually won. Cr Hawker and Cr Matheson were elected mayor and deputy mayor in September, but the blue is far from over with a section of the local Liberal Party branch pushing for the mayor to retire at the next elections, due in September 2016. My sources tell me Paul Hawker is digging in his heels. As for Liverpool and the power struggle there between Mayor Ned Mannoun and Cr Peter Ristevski, my Liberal Party spies say the situation is as clear as mud.
♦ And still on politics, spare a thought for poor old Chris Hayes, one of the nicest people to get elected. And very popular with the voters in the two seats he had held so far. First Hayes was shafted out of Werriwa and into Fowler so Laurie Ferguson could be parachuted into the seat in 2010 when his own seat of Reid was abolished. This year Fowler was almost wiped out in the redistribution that’s taking place right now as NSW had to lose one seat overall and of all 48 seats it was the one held by Chris Hayes they zoomed in on. That didn’t happen in the end, but Hayes hardly had time to catch his breath when he was told that the way his seat and neighbouring McMahon look like being altered shadow treasurer Chris Bowen will put his hand up for Fowler. Why: because Fowler will be a safer seat, thanks mainly to the work of Chris Hayes, who really should be held up as a role model in looking after a federal electorate. I asked Mr Bowen’s office about this and all they had to say was: “The Australian Electoral Commission has yet to finalise the NSW Boundaries. My priority remains representing the people of McMahon.’’
♦ The residents opposed to the Moorebank intermodal had a sit down with Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons and by all accounts got a good hearing from their local member. The main aim for them is to get the MP’s support in their drive – no pun intended – to be involved in traffic modelling required as part of the approval (or rejection) process, as they feel they have a lot to contribute via members who have expertise in this area.
♦ Did you know Campbelltown Council is a shareholder in Southern Phone Company? No, neither did I. The Southern Phone Company is the third largest provider of fixed line services (after Telstra and Optus) and the fourth largest mobile phone provider (after Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) in regional Australia. This year the dividend to Campbelltown City Council is $26,620.04. A report to council for tonight’s meeting – the final one for the year – recommends that these funds be allocated toward Christmas decorations and festivities.
♦ Earlier today at Campbelltown art gallery I bumped into Col Packer, president of my favourite rugby club, the Campbelltown Harlequins. Col’s a great bloke and it’s good to see he’s still putting in the hard yards contributing to our town. And of course I was chuffed to hear him say he loves the South West Voice – another member of a club that just keeps getting bigger every day.
First the asbestos issue, now this! If this was a business someone would be held accountable!!!
I have no idea where the “so called” source is from but no doubt labor. I have always supported Paul and he was my running mate when I was first elected. Paul is doing a great job and was always going to be Mayor as Team Leader. The Deputy Mayor was also going to be Alana. I only wish I was contacted for comment so I could have put this Rubbish to bed. It is crazy as the sky is falling in! The Liberals are united in Campbelltown.
Eric, what a load of rubbish. There has not been any internal secret meetings or discussions re the position of Mayor or Deputy Mayor. It has been a well known fact that Paul Hawker and Alana Matheson would fill those positions in the final term of Council.
Paul has been an outstanding Liberal Councilor for 11 years and is doing a fantastic job in his current position of Mayor. If Paul choosers to nominate in 2016 I have no doubt his nomination would be accepted by the local Liberal branches.
Your source of information is not correct and I suspect it came from one of those Christmas Grinches from the other side of politics’.
Merry Xmas
WOW ! BAM ! POW ! They were some loud denials Eric ! lol reminds me of the days with my friends The Joker and The Penguin !