Vivid schmivid is my response when anyone asks me about the annual light show down there in the Big Smoke.
And my dear wife will go one further, and demand to know why I don’t like Vivid.
“It’s brilliant, so what have you got against it,’’ she will say.
Well, I am glad you asked that because the truth is I have nothing against Sydney Vivid as such.
Unless of course you include the fact I resent taxpayers in Camden and Picton and Penrith and Blacktown subsidising another event in and around Sydney Harbour.
We are already paying for the bloody New Year’s Eve fireworks and many other events tourists – and residents from Glebe to Double Bay can enjoy.
It’s bad enough that most government spending, from roads and public transport to hospitals and schools goes to the inner city.
Bad luck if you live west of Ashfield, because your share has always been very small compared to the riches poured into a tiny area that starts from Circular Quay.
“Very small’’ actually does not do it justice – I should have said we get crumbs.
And when the Coalition are in charge, we get even less.
Here in Campbelltown we are trying to get funding for a community justice centre, a project that would be a game change for the whole region both as a jobs boost and access to family law courts.
The previous state government gave it the cold shoulder, as did the Morrison mob before they were kicked out.
Now we have Labor governments, but the signs are not good that they will be more forthcoming.
So that’s the background of why I grumble about so much money spent so the inner city residents can continue to enjoy the superior lifestyle they are accustomed to.
As for us peasants, well, we play our part, we pay our taxes.
If I had the power to ask for five things to change in this space, here’s what they would be:
Number 1. How about some money for New Year’s Eve fireworks and a Vivid for us right here in Macarthur.
Number 2. Proper funding for our hospitals, schools and roads.
Number 3. A modern football stadium for the South West that can hold major events, like NRL and A-League finals and others.
Number 4. Mentioned above, but deserves to be on the list, money for a justice centre in Campbelltown.
Number 5. Relocate government departments such as Housing to Macarthur – and appoint a minister for South Western Sydney.
Check out funding for medical you will be surprised.
Agreed considering how much money is being made from inappropriate overdevelopment funding should be coming here not to the city slickers.
We know that a greater number of our friends and relations will suffer from respiratory disease in future but it has taken a Chinese company to build a new cancer clinic but in so doing we will one one of the best regional libraries in the State.
Justice centre is a good idea in Campbelltown. Need to open Courts in Camden again what about the closed Westpac building in Camden ? Picton has people on the grass we get so many from other areas.
For next week what about an article on all the closed Bank Branches ?
Thankyou.
Don’t know why you think Libs have a terrible track record of looking after us. Labor always takes us for granted. Plus, don’t forget the desalination plant which we help fund yet its water does not even come to our neck of the woods.