In what is probably a first, Campbelltown Council will write to every candidate standing for either Werriwa or Macarthur at the federal election, which we all know is on July 2, to let them know it is keeping an eye on any promises they make.
Specifically, council at last night’s meeting voted to ask candidates details of promises to upgrade sporting facilities, so it can follow up with the successful one who may have made such promises.
If this catches on will it lead to fewer promises from candidates or just fewer promises they don’t intend to keep?
♦ Veteran councillor Fred Borg will next month tie the knot for the third time in his life. A beaming Cr Borg last night accepted congratulations on his impending nuptials from some of the people who were attending the council meeting.
♦ Another veteran councillor – there are quite a few on this council – Labor’s Meg Oates, had trees on her mind last night.
Dead trees, in fact, which she told council “didn’t just die’’. Cr Oates was asking council to take action to remove the branches of the trees in the site of the old Clinton’s caryard in Queen Street, now an apartments development.
“They were killed,’’ Cr Oates said of the ironbarks that use to grace the entrance to our lovely main street.
Cr Oates asked that overhanging branches be removed before they start falling on pedestrians. But not before council looks into what happened to the trees in the first place.
♦ Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell recently confessed about having “broken into’’ boarded up Appin Inn, the 1826 homestead on the western side of Appin Road.
Rowell, a former minister in the O’Farrell administration, was speaking at the official announcement of a $1 million plus restoration of the historic homestead earlier this month when he fessed up.
The Liberal Party MP and powerbroker said he had been with some people, including the then shadow minister for heritage and the environment when, overcome by curiosity, they got inside to take a peek.
“I have to say it was disappointing to see the state of the house inside,’’ Rowell said.
The Walker Corporation – which has made plenty of money out of its Appin Valley development – is forking out for the restoration, which is keenly awaited by local history buffs, both in Appin and Campbelltown and Camden.
And Jai Rowell, who finished by saying: “I look forward to checking out the restored Appin Inn without having to break in.’’
♦ A concerned Campbelltown resident sent the Voice a note saying he was wondering if there were any plans to replace the roundabout with traffic lights at the Gilchrist Drive and Terry Road intersection.
“The intersection has become very dangerous not only for vehicles but also pedestrians trying to cross to go to Macarthur Square. With the expansion of the shopping centre it is only going to get worse,’’ the resident wrote.
Over to you, Campbelltown City Council.
♦ Former Fairfax colleague Scott Dougherty looks like a happy chappy, which is saying something considering he’s swapped the keyboard for a barista’s apron – and a three day growth. Scotty runs Gather Coffee House in the Appin shopping centre, and although there’s plenty of competition he told me when I dropped in recently that he has no regrets he gave newspapers away. If you’re ever in Appin or driving through, stop by and say g’day.
♦ Contributions to this column are welcome. Email the editor at erickontos@southwestvoice.com.au
Interesting to see the local State MP Jai Rowell had that much interest to break into and trespass, while having a squiz in old Appin Inn but could not put in an appearance @ Massacre Ceremony……having said that neither could Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor MP … they both missed a very moving event.
That’s right, promises are cheap as words developed through the mouth. Seen all this type of talk and at the end of days means nothing but hot air. Hold these talkers to account for their cheap words.