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The Warringah and Mackellar Federal Electorate Councils of the
Australian Labor Party cordially invite you and your friends to
Dinner with

Lindsay Tanner MP

ALP Shadow Minister for Finance
in support of

Hugh Zochling

ALP Candidate for Warringah

Chris Sharpe

ALP Candidate for Mackellar
With Special Guest

Bob Ellis

Venue: Harbord Diggers’ Club
Date: Tuesday 30 October 2007
Time: 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm.
Cost: $55/$45 (Unwaged). Drinks at Bar Prices.
Advance payment essential. There will be an ALP Raffle with usual great prizes
DON’T DELAY!! Hurry!! BOOK NOW!! REPLY TODAY!!
SEE ATTACHED BOOKING FORM FOR DETAILS
THIS IS YOUR BIG CHANCE TO SUPPORT OUR OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES AND
THE ELECTION OF A KEVIN RUDD ALP GOVERNMENT ON 24 NOVEMBER!
Reservation Form
 Tickets @ $55  Tickets @ $45 (unwaged)
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………….
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Telephone: ………………………………………………………………………………
Mobile: ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Email: …………………………………………………………………………………………
For bookings, please contact:
John Ward (Mackellar)
18 Kalang St, Elanora Heights 2101
Phone: 9913 3042
Or
Reg Millar (Warringah)
67 Gardere Ave, Curl Curl 2096
Phone: 9939 2423
You can pay by either cheque or cash
(we do not have credit card or debit card facilities).
Please make cheques payable to ALP Mackellar FEC or ALP Warringah FEC.
RSVP: HURRY !!! Friday 26th October, 2007

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge will undergo a range of structural and strengthening upgrades to extend its lifespan indefinitely, NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal announced today.

Work is scheduled to start on October 15 as part of an $85 million upgrade program of the Sydney landmark. When completed the structural upgrade will not be visible.

"We want to be celebrating the bridge on its 100 and 200 anniversary - this work is designed to guarantee that," Mr Roozendaal said. thth

"The Sydney Harbour Bridge has served Sydney with distinction so it's only fitting that in its 75 anniversary year we invest in its future. th

"After 75 years the bridge is in excellent working condition and structurally sound. We'll be using 21 century engineering techniques to ensure the longevity of the icon for generations to come. st

"While the improvement work will be permanent in nature, it has also been designed to ensure there are no significant changes to the visual identity of the bridge.

"These works, which have been designed to ensure the structural longevity of the bridge, will also take into account counterterrorism measures.

"This is a fact we now have to deal with when it comes to major pieces of infrastructure."

The work, which will take about 18 months to complete, includes:

• Strengthening the hangers that support the deck;
• Two additional steel gantries under the bridge deck to provide a safer working environment for bridge maintenance crew;
• A new system to assist with fire management in the event of an emergency; and
• New storm water pits to redirect water flow away from the bridge structure.

Mr Roozendaal said work during the upgrade would be highly visible, with a temporary platform to be built on the bridge to allow construction workers access to the bridge spans.

"Highly visible temporary work platforms will be constructed along the length of the bridge and some lane closures will be required while these platforms are constructed, and intermittently when materials need to be lifted onto the platforms," Mr Roozendaal said.

"The RTA expects disruptions to motorists and commuters to be minimal with any lane closures to take place outside peak periods to minimise delays.

"The temporary work platforms will also be painted in the Harbour Bridge's standard colour of ‘bridge grey', to ensure they do not affect views of the bridge."

The first work platforms are scheduled to be moved into place at the northern end of the bridge, on the eastern face, from October 15. More platforms will be moved into place on the western face from late October.

Work on the northern section of the bridge is scheduled to finish by May next year, when the platforms will be moved to the southern end of the bridge to allow work to continue.

Fact Sheet - The Sydney Harbour Bridge

• The Sydney Harbour Bridge is recognised as one of the best maintained steel bridges in the world.
• The Harbour crossings are Australia's busiest road corridor - more than 57 million vehicles cross the Bridge every year.
• The bridge is a focus of national and local celebrations and is a key part of Sydney's transport infrastructure used by motorists, rail commuters, bus commuters, pedestrians, cyclists.

Maintenance

• The NSW Government spends approximately $15 million a year on maintaining the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• The bridge is maintained by a team of almost 100 full time RTA employees. This comprises a mix of engineers, tradesmen and other staff, most of whom are located and work at the bridge full time.
• Maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is carried out through two main processes:
  • maintenance of the steel structure, and
  • maintenance of the protective coating of paint on the steel structure.

Bridge repainting

• The RTA is currently carrying out a major program to repaint the southern approaches - this has been going for approximately three years and is about a third complete.
• A similar repainting program on the northern approaches was finished in 1999.
• There is an ongoing program of spot painting for any small areas needing work - as is normal for any bridge of this kind.
• This is a harsh marine environment and some surface rusting does occur. These areas are quickly identified and repainted as part of the ongoing maintenance program.

Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, is encouraging workplaces across NSW to organise activities as part of 2007 National Safe Work Australia Week.

National Safe Work Australia Week will be held from 21 to 27 October and encourages all employers and workers to focus on preventing workplace incidents and injuries.

"Australia currently ranks in the top five countries for reducing work-related deaths with a 36 per cent decrease in fatalities since 1996," Mr Della Bosca said.

"We are also making real progress in reducing work-related injuries and diseases, with a steady decline in claims over the past decade.

"In New South Wales, workplace injury and fatality rates are at their lowest levels in 20 years and while these figures are encouraging, we still need to work together to further reduce these rates.

"Incorporating safety into our everyday work practices saves lives, ensures everyone goes home at the end of the day and improves productivity.

"Safe businesses are profitable businesses," he said.

Mr Della Bosca said it's important that both employers and workers are vigilant in raising awareness of workplace safety and Safe Work Australia Week is an ideal opportunity for businesses to run an event relevant to their work environment.

"By organising a safety event in your workplace for Safe Work Australia Week, employers can begin to highlight the importance of safety and the role everyone plays in making safety a priority at work," the Minister said.

"WorkCover NSW has a free promotional kit, which can be ordered online, ensuring a workplace event won't be expensive or time consuming.

"I encourage employers and workers to get involved and register their Safe Work Australia Week activities on the WorkCover NSW website," he said.

Businesses that register their workplace safety activity with WorkCover NSW receive a free promotional kit to help publicise the activity and also go in the draw to win two tickets to the 2007 NSW Safety Conference at Sydney Olympic Park (24-26 October).

Register your workplace safety activity at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.

State Plan Priority R4: Building Harmonious Communities

State Plan Priority E6: Housing Affordability

Minister for Housing Matt Brown, today met with first home buyer Gail Whitby, who recently bought a home in West Dubbo for her and her family.
Mr Brown visited Ms Whitby as part of his tour of the former housing estate with other members of the Government's Caucus Committee on Housing.
"Ms Whitby paid $88,000 at a recent auction for her three bedroom home in Spence Street and now her mortgage repayments are cheaper than her old rent," Mr Brown said.
"The Government's initiative to sell homes in West Dubbo to owner occupiers such as Ms Whitby aims to provide more affordable housing and to generate a sense of community.
"West Dubbo is going to develop into a great area for families to grow up, and for people to enjoy home ownership in a wonderful environment,' Mr Brown said.
Ms Whitby said she is delighted to be a new home owner - something she thought she would never be able to afford, especially after years of renting.
"I have a very positive feeling about this area and I am confident my children are going to enjoy their new home and the big backyard they now have to play in," Ms Whitby said.
Mr Brown said another seven homes in Algona, Wilkins, Yaruga and Yulong Streets West Dubbo will be offered at auction at the Ashwood Country Comfort Motel on Whylandra Street on Wednesday 31 October at 6.30 pm.
Meanwhile, negotiations with Dubbo City Council on the Master Plan began today and should be finalised and lodged around the end of the year.
Land sales for the now vacated Precinct 2 will begin shortly after and are estimated to sell for around $30,000 to $40,000 a block.
Two lots in precinct one will be auctioned at the end of November.
"I'm really pleased at the progress of this transition to private ownership, which has driven crime rates down and created a more harmonious community, which has been a target under the State Plan," Mr Brown said.
"Land buyers who build their new homes and other redevelopments throughout Dubbo by the Iemma Government are also having a positive impact on the local building industry and will boost the local economy," Mr Brown said.
The entire strategy for West Dubbo Estate should be competed by 2010.

NSW State Plan Priority S7: Safer roads

‘Little Pinkie’ has become one of the most successful anti-speeding campaigns in NSW
history, Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal said.
Mr Roozendaal today welcomed a new survey which reveals the anti-speeding message in the Speeding: No one thinks big of you campaign has hit home and is having an effect on driver attitudes.
76 per cent of people surveyed believed the campaign increased community awareness about speeding and understood the campaign’s clear anti-speeding message.
“Little Pinkie has become one of the most successful anti-speeding campaigns ever in NSW – awareness of the campaign and its anti-speeding message was extremely high,” Mr Roozendaal said.
“Wiggling your pinkie has cut through to that crucial age group of young drivers – they’re using it as a way to slow their mates down and stop them acting recklessly on our roads.
“This campaign has got the community and young people talking and thinking about speeding – that’s the first crucial step in getting young drivers to slow down.
“A wiggling pinkie now has another meaning – slow down and stop acting recklessly on our roads because stupid driving behaviour can cost your life in the blink of an eye.
“This campaign is about saving lives – not pride. If it dents a few egos but helps save a life, then it’s worth it.
“Perhaps most revealing was that 61 per cent of young males surveyed believed the campaign had the power to make them think about their own driving behaviour.”
The campaign has prompted consideration and discussion of the issue of speeding among 56 per cent of the general population and among 61 per cent of young males.
In summary, the majority of people surveyed said the campaign was ‘interesting’ yet ‘believable’, ‘realistic’ and ‘convincing’, and it was ‘entertaining’ without being ‘inappropriate’.
The survey, commissioned by the RTA’s NSW Centre for Road Safety, found:

• 53 per cent of the general population and 53 per cent of young males (17-25 years) said that they would be more likely to comment on someone’s driving as a result of seeing the ‘Pinkie’ campaign.
• 64 per cent of the general population, and 63 per cent of young male drivers, believed the campaign to have some effect in encouraging young male drivers to obey the speed limit.
• 74 per cent of the general population and 75 per cent of young males revealed strong recognition of the anti-speeding message, aimed at making speeding socially unacceptable and at undermining the perceived pay off for speeding.
• 60 per cent of the general population and 59 per cent of young males recognised the meaning behind the message, that speeding is not cool, does not impress, or is stupid.

The commercial and its anti-speeding message received widespread attention both locally and overseas. The commercial has generated interest from across the world including the US and UK, India, Japan, Italy, France, Singapore and South Africa. According to the BBC News London it was the third most emailed story in the world following its launch.
This campaign has recorded a positive reaction from the community in relation to a road safety issue, said Dr Soames Job from the NSW Centre for Road Safety.
“The awareness had led to discussion of the issue of speeding, actively putting it top-of-mind among drivers of all ages.
“The results of the survey are certainly reassuring – the use of the ‘pinkie’ gesture was a direct response to community feedback that said something different needed to be done.
“The RTA has a history of producing cutting edge advertisements that have helped increase road safety awareness.
“Speeding – No one thinks big of you was a calculated break from the tradition of crash and shock images. Our market research indicated that young people were becoming de-sensitised to these methods and messages, which led to this new approach.”
Young drivers are the group most at risk, and are over represented in road crashes in NSW.
In NSW speeding is predominantly a male problem with 85 per cent of drivers involved in fatal speeding crashes being males. While P platers represent only 7 per cent of all licence holders, 95 people were killed in P plate crashes in NSW last year. P Plate drivers also accounted for more than 30 per cent of all high range speeding fines.
Of all speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2002 and 2006, 34 per cent were between 17 and 25 years old.
The Speeding – No one thinks big of you campaign is the first stage of a broader and multi-phased approach to change the attitude and behaviours of speeding drivers of all ages.
The Pinkie campaign was run to support the new changes to L and P plate conditions introduced on 1 July, including zero tolerance for speeding by P plate drivers.
The $1.9 million state-wide campaign was launched on June 24 on television, magazines, cinemas, and outdoor advertising.

State Plan S6: Increasing share of peak hour journeys on a safe and reliable public transport system.

E7: Improve the efficiency of the road network.

CBD peak-hour bus trips will be cut by up to 13 minutes per journey as the State Government continues to roll-out its integrated CBD transport programs.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins said the introduction of new CBD Bus Lane operating hours would get public transport users to their destinations faster.
From next Monday, bus lanes on Clarence, York, George and Elizabeth Streets will operate during peak hours from 6am to 10am and 3pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
"In that final hour of the afternoon peak 350 buses carry around 10,000 passengers every working day," Mr Watkins said.
"And from next Monday, peak hour journeys will be faster and more convenient.
"The extension of bus lane hours into the late peak will contribute to faster trip times from Central Station to Circular Quay with eventually up to a 13 minute saving.
"Other changes as part of our CBD Bus Strategy have already shaved eight minutes for trip from the north to Town Hall.
"Sydney is Australia's global city and the old bus lane hours don't reflect the modern city workers' travel patterns.
"Not only will the trips trough the city be faster, they'll be more reliable during the extended hours with buses not having to stop in traffic," he said.
Mr Watkins said streamlining of bus lane operating hours should also help reduce traffic congestion in the city by providing more consistent information to motorists about the lanes.
"If drivers understand the operating hours of the lanes, they are far less likely to use them illegally," he said.
"The easiest way to make your way into the CBD is by public transport, and now with these changes bus travel will be even faster in our busiest periods."
Mr Watkins said streamlining bus lane operating times in Sydney city is the first step in the Government's CBD Bus Strategy. A mid-city interchange and new layover zone near The Domain car-park are due in mid-2008.

State Plan Priority S6: Increasing share of peak hour journeys on a safe and reliable public transport system

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins today said that a recent survey of secure taxi rank users found Sydney's secure ranks were in the right locations, were effective in reducing security concerns, and were popular with passengers and drivers.
Mr Watkins said the locations of the ranks were carefully chosen by the NSW Government and the NSW Taxi Council to better match passengers with taxi drivers late at night. In choosing the location for secure taxi ranks, consideration is given to access and traffic flow, street lighting, patronage and waiting facilities.
"The survey of 300 secure rank users taken over the last weekend of August, shows we are on the right track and that we have an effective solution for passenger concerns at these locations," Mr Watkins said.
Mr Watkins said key survey findings included:

• 90% of users thought secure ranks were safer;
• 75% of users thought the risk of physical attack, verbal abuse, being robbed and anti-social behaviour on the streets were reduced by using secure ranks;
• 75% of users felt a secure rank increased their chance of getting a late night taxi;
• 70% of users waited less than 15 minutes on a secure rank for a cab;
• 40% of secure rank users use a secure rank at least once a week; and
• 80% of users of secure ranks were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service of the security staff in assisting them to obtain taxis in an orderly manner.

NSW Taxi Council CEO, Mr Howard Harrison said Secure Ranks were an Australian innovation which had proven to be very successful.
"Secure taxi ranks were first introduced in the Sydney CBD in 2001, as a model for matching drivers and passengers in a safer environment for late night travel.
"They have since been used as a model for ranks in New York City, and in December 2005 the NSW Government agreed to extend the ranks to appropriate suburban, regional and rural areas.
"This is another example of industry and government working together for the benefit of everyone," Mr Harrison said.
"There are currently around 30 secure ranks operating, however I would be willing to consider further secure ranks if there is demand and the right locations are identified," Mr Watkins said.
"The success of the Secure Rank Program has been a direct result of the Ministry of Transport, the Police, local councils and the NSW taxi industry working together to provide solutions for local transport issues," Mr Watkins said.
Mr Watkins said ranks were currently located at Belgrave St Manly, The Steyne Hotel Manly, Aussie Rules Social Club Kings Cross, Kings Cross Railway Station entrance, Arden St Coogee, Penrith Railway Station, Boyle Street Sutherland, Cronulla Plaza, Park St Sydney CBD, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney CBD and Chifley Square Sydney CBD.
There is some variation in the exact hours of operation at secure ranks, based on local demands, but as a general rule of thumb they operate Friday and Saturday nights from about 10.30pm to 5am. Some specific ranks operate on major public holidays also.
Each secure rank is staffed by at least two security guards. The extra security provided by the guards makes waiting for a taxi late on a Friday or Saturday night a safer experience.
Three secure ranks are funded jointly by the NSW Government and the Taxi Council. The other 28 ranks are funded from the Taxi Advisory Committee Fund.
For the last financial year just over $1 million was spent on secure ranks. On average, that's $55,700 for one secure rank to operate for 12 months.
Mr Watkins said the Iemma Government would continue to work with the taxi industry and the community to identify locations for new secure taxi ranks.

NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally announced that bookings will open
for the popular Premier's Christmas Gala Concerts on Monday morning at 8am.
"We will hold three concerts over two days, 4 and 5 December and demand is again
expected to be high.
"The Premier's Christmas Gala Concerts are expected to attract more than 30,000 seniors
this year and tickets will be snapped up very quickly," Ms Keneally said.
"The Premier's Christmas Gala Concerts are now in their 26th year with tickets completely
booked out within 2 and a half hours last year.
"The concerts provide free entertainment for older people as a way of celebrating and
rewarding the enormous and diverse contributions they make across NSW every day to
their local communities.
"Seniors have played a major role in the development of this state and many of them
continue to contribute in an unpaid capacity, whether that is looking after the grandchildren
or volunteering with the many organisations that depend on their support.
"Tickets for the concerts are free for anyone over 60 in NSW and if last year is anything to
go by, the three shows will be booked out within a matter of hours," Ms Keneally said.
The theme for the concerts this year is What's in Store for Christmas? and feature:

• a selection of traditional Christmas carols performed by Australia's best musical talent;
• an impressive dance line up; and
• a spectacular lighting display.

The concert booking number is 1300 855 501 (local call costs apply).
Ms Keneally urged seniors to avoid disappointment by phoning the booking line when it
opens at 8am on Monday 15 October.