Morris
Iemma says his reign as NSW premier will be marked by a consultative approach with
his ministers and a bigger investment in public transport. And where his
predecessor, Bob Carr, took a top-down approach to leadership, Mr Iemma says he
plans to listen to his cabinet colleagues’ input.
“I’m
certainly not dictatorial,” the premier said in an interview with the Courier.
“I do
listen to alternative points of view. But after discussion, you make the
decision.”
The next 20
years will be marked by a massive boost to the State rail system, he says, with
about
$5 billion
to be spent and the possibility of new light rail routes to Bondi, Maroubra and
throughout the
CBD, if it
proves “sustainable and feasible”.
“I am open
to examining the feasibility of light rail,” Mr Iemma said. “I personally think
it’s a good mode of transport.”
More
efficient public transport would, he says, encourage people to rely less on
private vehicles.
In the
realm of local government, Mr Iemma says that rates caps are in place to
protect locals and he does not envisage them being lifted. He says new planning
powers that allow Planning Minister Frank Sartor to seize control from local
government will only be used where councils are underperforming.
“He [Mr
Sartor] has significant powers,” Mr Iemma said. “They are specific to projects
of special significance to the State. Planning laws are not coming in over the
top of local government.
“The State
Government accounts for just 1 per cent of development applications. It is
important that local government is as efficient as possible.”
In regards
to development plans for the Block and the Redfern-Waterloo development
project, the premier says he hopes to get feedback from the community.
He says Mr
Sartor is still in discussionswith the Aboriginal Housing Company over
redevelopment plans for the Block and the Government is s till hoping for the
input of the Aboriginal Housing Company.
“We
recognise that Redfern is a significant centre for Aboriginal housing and the
Aboriginal community,” he said. “Wewant to make it stronger and provide
services and jobs.”
After
recent disasters with public-private partnership projects (PPPs), such as the
Cross City Tunnel, the Lane Cove Tunnel and the M5 East, Mr Iemma says the
State Government has changed its approach, yet would continue to elicit private
sector investment in public infrastructur e projects.
He says
each PPP prompts the Government to review its procedures.
“You have
to be open to changing the arrangement,” he said. “We’ve learned our lessons.”
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http://www.sydneycentralcourier.com.au/