JOBS & ECONOMY - ACT 1995 ELECTION MEDIA STATEMENT

My Favorite Web sites

Angelfire Home Pages
Free Web Building Help

ACTIVE TEAM MEDIA RELEASE - 25/8/1995

ACT PROMOTES BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT

ACTIVE COMMUNITY TEAM Lord Mayoral candidate, Councillor Kerrie Christian, today released details of her team's plans for helping business and development.

Key points include support for existing businesses by retaining parking provisions, landscaping of shopping centres, recycling old industrial & extractive sites for newer higher tech development, such as technology parks, assisting new businesses with site locations and waiver of rates for limited periods of up to 12 months. Sensitive medium density development, when appropriately sited would also be encouraged.

"It's vital that we look after our existing businesses to maintain jobs in the region," stated Cr Christian, "especially given recent announcements from the coal mining industry and Illawarra Electricity."

Cr Christian considered that there is a need to make effective use of degraded land which could help to generate more jobs.

"There are probably many possibilities sitting right under our noses," commented Cr Christian, "we should be thinking in terms of encouraging redevelopment of the old brick pit at Woonona, redevelopment of some of the land along York Rd Woonona, and the BHP brickworks site at Thirroul."

"A tourist mine at Bulli could also be a possibility," explained Cr Christian, "naturally we would want local community consultation to ensure it's appropriate for the area."

Cr Christian said that many people had differing views about the future of Sandon Point, some favoured open parkland area, some wanted residential, whilst others wanted a "natural bush camping style facility", which would encourage tourism, but were not necessarily enthusiastic about a caravan park on the site.

Cr Christian said that the calls for redevelopment of the Headlands site should be looked at, but proposals should be sensitive and ensure public access.

Cr Christian believes that the Wollongong area still has untapped tourist potential, "In the past everyone has focused on big, high rise hotels for the conference and convention market, but there is also a vast backpacker tourist market out there, not to mention for family facilities."

Authorised Cr Kerrie Christian ph 671488