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Gary Green served on Rockdale City Council from 2004 till 2008 overseeing a municipality with over a billion in assets, an annual budget of $80 million and 350 employees. Gary is a self described "economic rationalist with a heart", who was credited by the ABC with a Local Achiever accolade for solving a major lout and car hoon problem in Brighton-Le-Sands, through the novel idea of using Barry Manilow style music (see Barry Manilow link). Gary's been described in the media as a "statesman", "progressive" and a community member "who instills integrity and some brilliance into Rockdale Council." Gary also served on the Mayoral Task Group responsible for the visionary billion dollar makeover of Rockdale, Destinations 2005 + 20 (see Destinations link). He also championed the billion dollar Cooks Cove development which will revitalise Rockdale. Regrettably, most politicians think as far ahead as the next election, but only statesman think through to the next generation. Additionally, Gary was the Chairman of Rockdale's Traffic Committee, which in 2007 recorded its lowest traffic fatality rate in over a decade. Gary vivaciously supported progress, creating employment opportunities for locals and quality development, while at the same time fostering sustainable heritage policies that ensured the survivability of our significant historic past. Gary also served as a member of the Sydney Coastal Councils Group who helped raise their profile and dramaticly increase their grants. Commenting on his achievements, Gary stated, "Along with my colleagues support, I include amongst my greatest civic achievements our Marina, Destinations, Cooks Cove, Heritage reforms, reconstituting the Brighton Chamber of Commerce and the Residential Amenities Improvement Strategy." Over the course of his term in office, Gary successfully moved over 90% of the following motions or amendments which he specifically drafted...

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Barry Manilow

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ABANDONED SHOPPING TROLLEYS (21/06/06)

Tired of seeing hundreds of shopping trolleys litter Rockdale, Cr Green took action on behalf of Rockdale's ratepayers to clean up our city's streets, footpaths and estuaries where trolleys were regularly dumped. This motion led to a trolley tracking system being implemented in Rockdale that eased the problem by encouraging community members to report displaced trolleys and thereby go into the draw for a prize.

STAGED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BAY STREET BRIGHTON LE SANDS - IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT 15/03/2006

Cr Green requested Rockdale Council investigate the closure of Bay Street on either a full-time or part-time basis, which may incorporate Alfresco widened footpaths between Moate Avenue and The Grand Parade (on the 22/06/2005 - CW10). This would include appropriate streetscape elements such as trees, banner poles, plantings, decorative street furniture and civic art. Additionally he proposed that a community fair, or similar be held in that section of Bay Street four to six times per year in conjunction with the "F6 Brighton by-pass option".

PARKING CODE (21/06/06)

Following research by Rockdale Council which found that ratpayers (including residents and businesses), rated a lack of parking as a major concern, Cr Green moved this motion to increase parking spots in Rockdale city. The motion also called for a review of "Left Turn on Red Permitted After Stopping" signage, so as to identify safe sites where more of the same could be added to ease traffic congestion.

BAY STREET FARMERS' MARKETS (05/07/06)

After attending a conference in Newcastle, Cr Green discovered the national success of Farmers Markets. Following additional research, it was discovered that markets which sell fresh produces (often home grown), were very popular with locals and helped knit a community spirit and provide an economic boost to most communities who held them, the world over.

REPLACEMENT OF PINES IN DECLINE (06/09/06)

Following a letter from the SES that several of our wonderful Cook Park Pines presented a danger to the public (60,000 vehicles daily pass the pines), Cr Green called for a report into the health of several. It was discovered that no long-term plan was in place for the replacement of such, so Cr Green moved a motion to remove 6 leaning, dangerous and sick pines from over 800 in the park and replace them with mature size (7 metre high) healthy/attractive specimens. He also requested an undergrowth strategy be implemented to allow for a seamless transition, as some of the pines had only 5 years life expectancy. Additionally he suggested lighting the pines to enhance their natural beauty and improve Brighton's amenity. According to Patrick Medway AM (President of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia) the pines "are a feature of Brighton-Le-Sands but the removal of diseased or dangerous trees is commonsense." Regrettably commonsense isn't very common.

BARRY MANILOW 05/10/2006

While working in retail and having witnessed the positive effects music can have in the community firsthand, Cr Green had an idea to use certain styles of music to deter unsavory youth (Hoons) from certain areas in Rockdale. This took the world's media by storm and was widely reported around the globe. The idea went on to prove highly successful and may be spread throughout Rockdale by way of musical bollards, when upgrading our shopping centres and trouble hot spots.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SYSTEM (01/11/06)

Subsequent debate in the chamber about perceived inefficiencies in the ranks of some council staff, Cr Green moved a subsequent motion that a report into the economic merit of allowing applicants to lodge their Development Applications with neighbouring councils, rather then have only one choice. This was designed to allow for competition between councils, so as to introduce efficiencies and cost savings for ratpayers and the community alike.

IMPLEMENTING THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION FINDINGS (06/12/06)

Regrettably, heritage regulators are often listing properties that are untested and not genuine heritage items. This was often perpetrated as a pretext purely to prevent development. This disrespected property rights, as fair compensation was rarely paid to owners. The Productivity Commission called for changes to heritage laws and Cr Green moved that Rockdale Council embrace their recommendations, which include incentives for retention. This will result in all prospective heritage listings in Rockdale's 6th stage heritage review being tested, owners treated ethically and ultimately greater retention (win-win).

VARIOUS FORMS OF LIGHTING FOR THE PINES AT BRIGHTON LE SANDS 06/12/2006

Following a request by Cr Green, a report was brought forward dealing with various methods of lighting the pines between Bruce Street and President Avenue, which also considered costing for 'multicolour' floodlighting, fibre-optics, LED, laser and trunk lighting etc, along with photomontages of each. It is hopped that our iconic pines will become a tourist attraction and major draw card as they can be seen by most international visitors landing at Sydney Airport.

RAINWATER TANK PURCHASING SCHEME (13/12/06)

Following a motion by a Greens party Councillor, Cr Green moved an amendment that encouraged bore water to be used where available (and it is in most parts of Rockdale), in addition to installing water tanks, which still rely on rainfall, create pollutants when manufactured and use electricity too. The idea is more cost effective and therefor more sustainable than using rain water tanks alone. Once filtered, bore water is potable, abundant and cheaper to acquire than many other sources.

ROCKDALE GOES GREEN (14/02/07)

The Precautionary Principle directs that action be taken to reduce risk from chemicals in the face of uncertain but suggestive evidence of harm. As such and following discussions with the Brighton-Le-Sands Chamber of Commerce, Cr Green moved to embrace Earth Hour and encouraged Rockdale's residents and business' to participate in the scheme. Australia creates only 1.5% of the world's green house emitting gasses and Rockdale a mere fraction of that. But leading by example and encouraging China to follow in our footsteps, appeared to be the fair, reasonable logical path to take.

EXTRA POLICE FOR BRIGHTON & SPECIAL REQUEST TO MAGISTRATES (02/05/07)

Cr Green urged the NSW Government to allow Supplementary Police (hired Police) to issue fines on Council fine books as 90% of revenue generated on council pads is directed to council reserves. This is a win-win as the police get extra work, the community get extra police, the retailers get extra security, council get extra revenue from the infringement notices and the crims fund it all. Additionally, Rockdale Council is spending over $800,000 PA preventing and repairing vandalism throughout our City. Council should approach our local Magistrates and request that those caught and convicted of vandalising public and private property in Rockdale, make restoration of public/private property within Rockdale as part of any community service order issued. Regrettably, there is presently too much emphases placed on juveniles 'rights' and too little emphases placed on their 'responsibilities'.

GREEN OR RED LIGHT MANDATE AND PLEBISCITE (03/10/07)

Cr Green proposed that a report be brought forward to Rockdale Council detailing the merits (or lack thereof) in holding a plebiscite, to prevent the imposition of "green flag waving" policies onto Rockdale's ratepayers. Cr Green said "There are a lot of parties and independents out there with extreme-green policies that are plainly quite irrational/unwise; yet around 10% of the population typically votes for extreme greens believing they have a patent or exclusivity on green policy, as their names or ideologies often imply. A clean/green environment is an adorable necessity, but green policies must to be wisely BALANCED against economic growth/prosperity." Truth in policy is important and this motion (which was regrettably lost 5 votes to 6) would have provided a real opportunity to have Government by the people - for the people!

MAYORAL MINUTE - CONCLUSION OF THE TERM OF COUNCIL (20/08/08)