Council endorses 'cut-the-rail' recommendation

Tonight, Council was the scene of an appalling process to endorse a recommendation to cut the Newcastle rail line.

Here's what happened when my Notice of Motion regarding a planning matter in Wickham came before Council...

NOM 16/06/09 - BULLOCK ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR

Councillor Crakanthorp had declared a non pecuniary, non significant interest earlier and retired from the Council Chamber prior to the commencement of the item.

MOTION: (Councillors M Osborne/S Claydon)

Newcastle City Council initiate relevant clarifications or amendment to environmental planning instruments associated with the possible future use of the former Bullock Island rail corridor in Wickham (referred to as the "Possible Future Transport Corridor" shown on the gazetted Wickham Redevelopment Area Map (sheet WRA - 001) of the Newcastle City Centre Local Environmental Plan 2008) to ensure that:

1. 1. the instruments reflect the objective of the Wickham DCP for stronger pedestrian links between the residential area and Wickham Park
2. 2. the corridor is developed in accordance with the Wickham DCP and is retained for future pedestrian-friendly, ecologically sustainable transport (such as rail trams, light rail and cycleways) development, and
3. 3. the instruments specifically preclude future use of the corridor for major road or heavy rail development

FORESHADOWED MOTION: (Councillors A Buman)

PART A

Newcastle City Council initiate relevant clarifications or amendment to environmental planning instruments associated with the possible future use of the former Bullock Island rail corridor in Wickham (referred to as the "Possible Future Transport Corridor" shown on the gazetted Wickham Redevelopment Area Map (sheet WRA - 001) of the Newcastle City Centre Local Environmental Plan 2008) to ensure that:

1. 1. the instruments reflect the objective of the Wickham DCP for stronger pedestrian links between the residential area and Wickham Park
2. 2. the corridor is developed in accordance with the Wickham DCP and is retained for future pedestrian-friendly, ecologically sustainable transport (such as rail trams, light rail and cycleways) development, and
3. 3. the instruments specifically preclude future use of the corridor for major road or heavy rail development

PART B

Pursuant to council’s unanimous Motion on 2 December 2008 affirming our commitment to the revitalisation of the City centre as a key strategic priority, Council now resolves:

1. 1. Council endorse the City Revitalisation recommendations of the Hunter Development Corporation Report “Newcastle City Centre Renewal – March 2009”,
2. 2. The General Manager bring to Council a report detailing the items contained in the Corporation’s report which can be implemented by Council forthwith subject to funding provision;
3. 3. The General Manager apply to the Major Cities Unit of the Australian Government for funding assistance to implement the recommendations of the Corporation’s report;
4. 4. Council reaffirms its commitment to an integrated public transport system, including enhanced transport links to and from the City and the development of a modern transport interchange for future growth, and strongly advocates that the New South Wales Government endorses, plans for and fund the preferred transport options in the Corporation’s report in conjunction with the outcomes of Council’s Traffic and Transport Study including options for the Wickham Future Transport Corridor.

PROCEDURAL MOTION: (Councillor M King)
RESOLVED: (Councillor M King)
The meeting adjourn for a five minute recess.

The Council reconvened at 8.19pm.

POINT OF ORDER (Councillor Osborne)
That Part B be ruled out of order and is not relevant to the Notice of Motion.

The Lord Mayor advised that Part B addresses incorporates information which addresses Part A which addressed transport in the City so therefore he did not uphold the Point of Order.

Councillor Osborne moved dissent regarding the Lord Mayor’s ruling.

MOTION: (The Lord Mayor)
Chairman’s ruling be upheld.

The Lord Mayor called for a division which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, B Cook, B Luke and S Sharpe.
Against the Motion: Councillors S Claydon, M Jackson, M King, N Nelmes and M Osborne.

The Lord Mayor declared the Chairman’s ruling be upheld on the result of six votes to five votes.

RESOLVED: (The Lord Mayor)
Chairman’s ruling be upheld.

POINT OF ORDER (Councillor Nelmes)
Councillor Nelmes raised a point of order in relation to the Foreshadowed Motion and that Councillor Crakanthorp had declared a non pecuniary, non significant interest due to his parents-in-law owning land adjacent to the Bullock Rail Corridor but he has not such interest on Part B which would not let him vote on Part B.

Councillor Nelmes stated that the HDC report is not just about transport. It was about very positive things such as moving the University to the City and how would such a topic have anything to do with Bullock Rail Corridor.

The Lord Mayor ruled on the Point of Order and declared that he did not uphold the Point of Order.

The Motion was put to the meeting and Councillor Osborne called for a division which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: Councillors S Claydon, M Jackson, N Nelmes and M Osborne.
Against the Motion: The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, B Cook, M King, B Luke and S Sharpe.

The Lord Mayor declared the Motion defeated on the result of four votes to seven votes.

FORESHADOWED MOTION: (Councillors A Buman)

PART A

Newcastle City Council initiate relevant clarifications or amendment to environmental planning instruments associated with the possible future use of the former Bullock Island rail corridor in Wickham (referred to as the "Possible Future Transport Corridor" shown on the gazetted Wickham Redevelopment Area Map (sheet WRA - 001) of the Newcastle City Centre Local Environmental Plan 2008) to ensure that:

1. 1. the instruments reflect the objective of the Wickham DCP for stronger pedestrian links between the residential area and Wickham Park
2. 2. the corridor is developed in accordance with the Wickham DCP and is retained for future pedestrian-friendly, ecologically sustainable transport (such as rail trams, light rail and cycleways) development, and
3. the instruments specifically preclude future use of the corridor for major road or heavy r3. ail development

PART B

Pursuant to council’s unanimous Motion on 2 December 2008 affirming our commitment to the revitalisation of the City centre as a key strategic priority, Council now resolves:

1. 1. Council endorse the City Revitalisation recommendations of the Hunter Development Corporation Report “Newcastle City Centre Renewal – March 2009”,
2. 2. The General Manager bring to Council a report detailing the items contained in the Corporation’s report which can be implemented by Council forthwith subject to funding provision;
3. 3. The General Manager apply to the Major Cities Unit of the Australian Government for funding assistance to implement the recommendations of the Corporation’s report;
4. 4. Council reaffirms its commitment to an integrated public transport system, including enhanced transport links to and from the City and the development of a modern transport interchange for future growth, and strongly advocates that the New South Wales Government endorses, plans for and fund the preferred transport options in the Corporation’s report in conjunction with the outcomes of Council’s Traffic and Transport Study including options for the Wickham Future Transport Corridor.

PROCEDURAL MOTION: (Councillor M Osborne)
The matter be dealt with in seriatim.

A show of hands was called for which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: 7
Against the Motion: 4

The Lord Mayor declared the Motion carried on the results of seven votes to four votes.

RESOLVED: (Councillor M Osborne)
The matter be dealt with in seriatim.

MOTION: (Councillors A Buman/B Luke)

PART A

Newcastle City Council initiate relevant clarifications or amendment to environmental planning instruments associated with the possible future use of the former Bullock Island rail corridor in Wickham (referred to as the "Possible Future Transport Corridor" shown on the gazetted Wickham Redevelopment Area Map (sheet WRA - 001) of the Newcastle City Centre Local Environmental Plan 2008) to ensure that:

1. 1. the instruments reflect the objective of the Wickham DCP for stronger pedestrian links between the residential area and Wickham Park
2. 2. the corridor is developed in accordance with the Wickham DCP and is retained for future pedestrian-friendly, ecologically sustainable transport (such as rail trams, light rail and cycleways) development, and
3. 3. the instruments specifically preclude future use of the corridor for major road or heavy rail development

The Motion was put to the meeting and Councillor Osborne called for a division which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, S Claydon, M Jackson, M King, B Luke, N Nelmes, M Osborne and S Sharpe.
Against the Motion: Councillor B Cook.

The Lord Mayor declared the Motion carried on the result of ten votes to one votes.

RESOLVED: (Councillors A Buman/B Luke)

PART A

Newcastle City Council initiate relevant clarifications or amendment to environmental planning instruments associated with the possible future use of the former Bullock Island rail corridor in Wickham (referred to as the "Possible Future Transport Corridor" shown on the gazetted Wickham Redevelopment Area Map (sheet WRA - 001) of the Newcastle City Centre Local Environmental Plan 2008) to ensure that:

1. 1. the instruments reflect the objective of the Wickham DCP for stronger pedestrian links between the residential area and Wickham Park
2. 2. the corridor is developed in accordance with the Wickham DCP and is retained for future pedestrian-friendly, ecologically sustainable transport (such as rail trams, light rail and cycleways) development, and
3. 3. the instruments specifically preclude future use of the corridor for major road or heavy rail development

Councillor Crakanthorp returned to the Council Chamber at this point.

MOTION: (Councillors A Buman/B Luke)

PART B

Pursuant to council’s unanimous Motion on 2 December 2008 affirming our commitment to the revitalisation of the City centre as a key strategic priority, Council now resolves:

1. 1. Council endorse the City Revitalisation recommendations of the Hunter Development Corporation Report “Newcastle City Centre Renewal – March 2009”,
2. 2. The General Manager bring to Council a report detailing the items contained in the Corporation’s report which can be implemented by Council forthwith subject to funding provision;
3. 3. The General Manager apply to the Major Cities Unit of the Australian Government for funding assistance to implement the recommendations of the Corporation’s report;
4. 4. Council reaffirms its commitment to an integrated public transport system, including enhanced transport links to and from the City and the development of a modern transport interchange for future growth, and strongly advocates that the New South Wales Government endorses, plans for and fund the preferred transport options in the Corporation’s report in conjunction with the outcomes of Council’s Traffic and Transport Study including options for the Wickham Future Transport Corridor.

PROCEDURAL MOTION: (Councillor M Jackson)
Councillor Jackson moved a motion of dissent on the Lord Mayor’s ruling that Part B be considered.

The Chairman’s ruling be upheld.

A division was called and which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, B Cook, M King, B Luke and S Sharpe.
Against the Motion: Councillors S Claydon, T Crakanthorp, M Jackson, N Nelmes and M Osborne.

The Lord Mayor declared the Motion to uphold the Chairman’s ruling was carried on the result of seven votes to five votes.

PROCEDURAL MOTION: (Councillor N Nelmes)
Part B lie on the table.

The Motion was put to the meeting and Councillor Jackson called for a division which resulted as follows:

For the Motion: Councillors S Claydon, T Crakanthorp, M Jackson, N Nelmes and M Osborne.
Against the Motion: The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, B Cook, M King, B Luke and S Sharpe.

The Lord Mayor declared the Motion defeated on the result of five votes to seven votes.

Following the discussion Councillors S Claydon, T Crakanthorp, M Jackson, N Nelmes and M Osborne left the Council Chamber.

The Lord Mayor put the Motion to the meeting and declared it carried.

RESOLVED: (Councillors A Buman/B Luke)

PART B

Pursuant to council’s unanimous Motion on 2 December 2008 affirming our commitment to the revitalisation of the City centre as a key strategic priority, Council now resolves:

1. 1. Council endorse the City Revitalisation recommendations of the Hunter Development Corporation Report “Newcastle City Centre Renewal – March 2009”,
2. 2. The General Manager bring to Council a report detailing the items contained in the Corporation’s report which can be implemented by Council forthwith subject to funding provision;
3. 3. The General Manager apply to the Major Cities Unit of the Australian Government for funding assistance to implement the recommendations of the Corporation’s report;
4. 4. Council reaffirms its commitment to an integrated public transport system, including enhanced transport links to and from the City and the development of a modern transport interchange for future growth, and strongly advocates that the New South Wales Government endorses, plans for and fund the preferred transport options in the Corporation’s report in conjunction with the outcomes of Council’s Traffic and Transport Study including options for the Wickham Future Transport Corridor.

Following the conclusion of the Notice of Motion Councillor Buman retired from the meeting at 9pm.