Education
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes that the right to an education is the most basic right within our free society and the benefits it offers to our community is ultimately the yardstick by which our success as a nation will be measured.
The children of the Granville electorate require an education which is at least equal, without discrimination, to other districts of the metropolitan area.
On this point alone, the building infrastructure, which is reflected in our schools is not on ‘a par’ with other areas, - some schools being continually ‘upgraded’ with demountable classrooms is not the way forward!
Labor has looked after our children poorly over the last 20 years and this failing needs to be addressed.
Places like Glebe and Granville might be miles apart, but the condition of our schools in comparison, seemed to be even further apart.
Transport
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes, that public transport is critical to the Granville Electorate to ensure the community’s ability to participate fully in ‘day to day’ activities. He supports public transport as a sustainable option to the use of the private vehicle. Paul also supports the return of regular neighbourhood bus services, school bus passes, elimination of mobile hidden speed cameras, promotion of cycle ways and pedestrian / car sharing schemes in major CBD’s.
Planning
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes that communities and planning local communities goes ‘hand in hand’. He supports putting local community planning decisions back to the control of local councils.
He believes that local residents- through local councils- are best placed to make decisions on behalf of its residents.
Paul has personally sought support for the ‘Save our Suburbs’ campaign, which he instigated, so as to highlight unsupported State Government developments within local neighbourhoods, which were implemented without the consent of local councils.
The planning system in NSW is struggling to handle modern day outcomes and its ironic, that a ‘mums and dads’ application for a carport needs to comply with rigid planning laws, the State Government or a private developer, can develop a two storey construction containing 20 units, but does not have to comply to local planning laws.
POLICING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes that to build a better and stronger community, we need to have an effective and well resourced Police Force.
As communities become more densely populated, more people, more problems and better policing is required, to
ensure safety in public places and within our neighbourhoods. Fighting crime needs a ‘Whole of Government ‘ approach whereby various agencies work together in targeting concerns.
Better policing represents lower crime. Place police resources where they are needed, to support ‘neighbourhood policing’ to all of our community with improved responsiveness and customer service.
Housing
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes that all residents have a right to housing that is affordable, secure and appropriate to their needs. He also recognises the importance of housing outcomes for the local community, and that it is reliant on the provision and maintenance of a basic level of infrastructure, facilities and services.
Paul opposes the indiscriminate increase in housing density unless authorities are able to address education, policing, health, water, energy, transport and general infrastructure.
Housing is a community priority and their consultation and support must be mandatory, so as to support improved neighbourhood character and quality of life.
People with a Disability
Paul Garrard (Independent) recognises that people with a disability have a right to quality facilities and services that enable them to live and fully participate in their communities.
The State Government must get behind a compulsory plan, that, after community consultation, there must be established and identified at a local level, planning and regulatory activities and responsibilities relating to the delivery of disability services.
In conjunction with local government, Paul believes that the State needs to develop a ‘Disability Discrimination Act Action Plan’ as well as encourage improved physical access to Government buildings, and work with local authorities to ensure local pedestrian networks are created, maintained and accessible to all people within the community.
Young People
Paul Garrard (Independent) recognises that young people have needs for their own specific local facilities within the Granville electorate, together with programmes and services, that assist them in their own right and in their transition to adulthood.
He is of the view that youth culture is an expression of young people’s needs and beliefs. They should be involved in planning and delivery of services, community and social activity, that can enhance self-respect, competence and connect to family and community.
To highlight and identify the continuing role of our local youth, Paul believes that 2012 should be a year, set aside within the Granville electorate, to further strengthen the needs of young people and to promote a sensitive approach to local youth development.
Environment
Paul Garrard (Independent) believes that waste should be the responsibility of whoever creates it. Industry must take responsibility for that waste and give full life responsibility for the products and packaging that it creates.
Our waste in Australia has grown by 32% over the past 10 years and, while Australia recycles about 40% of our waste, countries like Germany and Norway recycle about 70% of theirs.
The local electorate community also needs to play a lead role in protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment in order to achieve ecologically sustainable development so that a secure future for present and future generations is obtained.
Climate Change
Paul Garrard (Independent) recognises that we are now experiencing the beginning of a long term change in weather patterns, which is being highlighted in regions across the world.
In the context of this policy, climate change refers to the modern climate and taking in ‘global warming’. Paul supports the commonly recognised view that global warming is a very real event and should be countered by local communities, through a ‘call to action’, speaking out against the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation.
While scientific debate continues to provide documentation upon climate change, Paul’s position is, that communities of the public/residnets need to be protected against higher taxes and tariffs, which may be applied by various authorities. Further, that communities need to be vigilant and seek to promote debate on the appropriate responses put forward by government and take local action so as to develop a more environmentally aware and efficient community.
Heritage and Protecting our Past
Paul Garrard (Independent), recognises that the Parramatta Region (which includes the Holroyd LGA) has more significant heritage items then any other place within Australia and is home to more nineteen century heritage than, places like Port Arthur and Norfolk island.
Western Sydney heritage has been treaded shabbily by past State Governments and State Policy should really reflect the wealth of heritage relics within the region . Accordingly, a heritage strategy needs to be developed which represents a new approach to preserving and promoting our past in consultation with the heritage communities.
Paul Garrard strongly supports a ‘heritage out west’ approach to future State Government action.
Older People
Paul Garrard (Independent) recognises that older people have a right to quality services and programmes that enable them to remain living in their own homes and active within their communities.
The State Government needs to identify and provide facilities within the Granville electorate which meet the needs of older residents to maximise their quality of life and well-being.
He strongly supports the recognition of Seniors’ Week as an important vehicle to reflect the valuable contribution made by the older people to their communities through respect, inclusion and being sensitive to the needs of older people.
The Granville Electorate needs to be reassessed in terms of its capabilities of handling an ageing community, together with the appropriate Government support to address the changing demographics of the area.
Children and Families
Paul Garrard (Independent) endorses a vision for the future, which acknowledges our children’s best interests, as the primary consideration in the provision of services. Children have the right to care and education, and that high quality children services is an investment, which develops and enhances the social, spiritual and economic well-being of the entire community.
Paul supports a view which will promote strong and effective linkages between the range of children’s services and between all levels of government, the community and private sector.
Healthy Communities/ Medical Services / Drugs
Paul believes that people should be encouraged to be more active and to realise the social, health and economic benefits of participation. Medical and health services need to be both equitable and accessible across the region.
He recognises that Westmead Hospital precinct has achieved much, but that services are at breaking point and that much more needs to be done to provide the level of high quality care needed, to address the expanding population of Western Sydney.
Paul opposes the use of illicit drugs and recognises the result from the abuse of such substances, and seeks to work with authorities to involve a range of strategies including early intervention, specialist treatment and supply control.
Methadone clinics are not compatible with local neighbourhoods and a State Government review of the practice of imposing these establishments on local communities needs to take place.
