Western Weekender May 2

weekenderthe western

PROUDLY INDEPENDENTPrinted on 100% recycled paper

Annual event this weekend p.18

Penrith Council confi rms its stance p.10

Still againstnew airport

Build us a new stadium p.3

BusinessAdvice, tips and profi les on the best local businesses p.30-31

FRI 2 MAY 2014 • Issue 1151

It’s just Wanderful

O n April 21, 2013, players, coaching staff and thousands of supporters stood in shock when the Western Sydney Wanderers, the A-League’s fairytale

team, were beaten convincingly in the 2013 Grand Final. This Sunday afternoon, exactly one year and two weeks to the day, that same team will return to the grandest of stages in search for the only thing missing from their prize cabinet – the A-League trophy.

The challenge for the Wanderers, once again, isn’t easy. They’ll meet a Brisbane Roar line-up who are just as hungry and just as experienced in big matches as them, but as Wanderers coach Tony Popovic explains, his team has an edge – the heartbreak of losing.

“The players involved in last year’s game know how that felt. We’ve got a chance to put that right. We don’t want to taste that sick feeling again after a Grand Final but it won’t be easy,” he said.

Popovic and his team will also want to do right by the thousands of die-hard fans expected to pack out Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“There will be thousands there on Sunday and I’m sure they will be heard,” he said.

“It’s a special day for them as well and they are going to spend their hard-earned money going to Brisbane and we want to send them home happy.”

Local boy Mark Bridge remains in doubt for the Grand Final, which will kick-off at 4pm on Sunday and be broadcast live on Fox Sports.

“It’s still 50/50 for us. He’s a very fit boy… we’ll give him every chance to be available,” Popovic said on Tuesday.

90 minutes from glory: Can Wanderers claim A-League Grand Final?

Destiny awaits: Aaron Mooy, Shinji Ono and Jerome Polenz at last year’s Grand Final

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

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A new sports stadium “makes all the sense in the world” to Penrith Panthers CEO, Warren Wilson as well as Penrith Mayor

Ross Fowler. The NSW Government in 2011 earmarked

western Sydney for a new sports stadium and with the State election under a year away, Penrith, Parramatta, Liverpool and Blacktown are each making their bid for the new facility.

“You want three reasons why it should be in Penrith? Location, location, loca-tion,” Mayor Fowler said.

“Looking at the future, 57 per cent of our population will be living in western Sydney. Given the development of the Badgerys Creek airport and its surround-ing 10,000 hectares of employment lands, Penrith is very suited to a new stadium.”

Mr Wilson said he could not agree more. “Penrith is centrally located. If you

consider the northwest such as Castle Hill, western NSW including the Blue Mountains, Liverpool to the southwest and Homebush as central Sydney, Penrith is right in the centre,” Mr Wilson said.

“To build in the northwest would isolate the south and vice versa.”

Mr Wilson said that a Penrith stadium would work well if Sydney followed the successful model tried and proven in Melbourne.

“Melbourne has two city stadiums – like Allianz Stadium in Sydney and then Homebush – and then their stadium at Geelong; the equivalent, one hour away from the city, would be a Penrith stadium,” he said.

“It’s been a very successful model for them.”

A new stadium in Penrith would also create jobs and support Penrith as both a regional city and a sporting capital.

“It would also not be just for sports like rugby league, union or soccer, but a multi-purpose entertainment precinct capable of holding concerts,” Mr Wilson said.

“We want it located where the existing stadium is. It would spill across the road so it would be ideal that the race track was relocated to new facilities in the Penrith CBD.

“We have already had Deloitte Access Economics look at the economic benefits a new stadium would bring to Penrith and that’s going to be finalised in the next few weeks.

“I believe it makes all the sense in the world to have it here.”

Cr Fowler said that Council has a

Panthers and Council want State Government to build new venue in Penrith

EXCLUSIVE

Push for stadium ramps up

Warren Wilson and Ross Fowler at Sportingbet stadium

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_o

masterplan for the Penrith CBD that does indicate the desired formation of a sport-ing precinct along Station Street.

“I imagine that if a reasonable proposal

was put forward that met Council’s vision then Council would be very cooperative.”

There’s been no word on when a decision may be made.

local news

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Spoil Mum this Mother’s Day

EDITOR'S DESK [email protected]

Flow-on impact of higher taxes must be considered

My first job as a journalist paid $25,000 a year before tax, was six days a week, and I had to pay to get to North Sydney and back every day.

And I loved every minute of it.When you’re 18-years-old, living at home and

with very few responsibilities, $25,000 is a lot of money.

The money you earn and whether it makes you “well off” really depends on where you’re at in life and what responsibilities you have. The number is not necessarily the important part.

This week, it seems Tony Abbott drew a line under $80,000 when the “well off” question came up. According to reports (which have been denied, I should state), the Budget later this month may confirm that workers on $80,000 will pay an extra $15 per week in tax.

They can afford it, I’m sure many will say.And you know what? They probably can.But you have to wonder what the flow-on effect

of this is. A person earning $80,000 isn’t floating through life, blissfully unaware of how much money they have in the bank.

A person earning $80,000 is still delicately balancing mortgage repayments, bills, kids and general living expenses, and that $15 per week goes somewhere.

Let’s say a person earning $80,000 per year is managing to save some money each week. For argument’s sake, let’s say they’re saving $150 per week. Do you think they’re going to save $135 per week when they’re taxed more, or try to maintain their $150 weekly savings and cut the $15 from somewhere else?

I’m tipping it’s the latter.It’s that one lunch out per week, that second

coffee of the day or maybe that magazine or newspaper. Simplistic but overall, true.

Now I accept there’s plenty of people out there who couldn’t afford one coffee a day let alone two, but to the coffee shop owner, those buying that second cup may be crucial to their business.

Now I’m sure what’s actually announced on Budget night will be somewhat different to the leaks and reports, but the overall point remains the same.

I know people from all walks of life – some who earn $35,000 a year and some who earn $250,000 or more. Yes, those at the higher end of the scale may splurge a little more than those at the lower end, but if anyone thinks they’re not watching their pennies, they’ve read the situation wrong.

Before you take money from people for the greater good, you really do have to weigh up the wider impact that will have.

Sometimes moving cash from column A to column B simply shifts the problem as well.

Talking of problems, Tony Abbott has a signifi-cant one if this tax (yes, that’s what it is), or one like it, does end up getting announced.

No matter how they may try to spin it, it’s a broken promise and one that will not sit well with the wider electorate.

A sporting fairytaleThe incredible sporting story that is the West-

ern Sydney Wanderers just keeps giving.The side has qualified for its second straight

grand final and is rated a big chance of going one better than last year and taking out the A-League Grand Final on Sunday against Brisbane.

The professionalism of the Wanderers both on and off the field is to be admired and everyone in western Sydney should be behind the team on the weekend.

Whilst the Wanderers story is one to behold, I cannot understand the logic of those at rugby league HQ who have again scheduled a break in club matches on the same weekend as the A-League Grand Final. And why the break? So we can play a pointless Test match against a New Zealand side that resembles a reserve grade outfit and a City v Country clash that honestly has no place in the game anymore.

It will not sit well with the wider electorate

TROY DODDS@troydodds

the western weekender

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Ross FowlerNorth Ward

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S taff at Sydney hospitals, includ-ing Nepean, are sick of paying to park at work, with some complaining they pay over

$1,000 a year. The Health Services Union (HSU)

launched a campaign on behalf of staff this week, hoping to bring parking prices down.

“It is a sad state of affairs when people who are either visiting or working with a sick patient have to fork out a small fortune for the privilege of parking,” HSU NSW Secretary, Gerard Hayes said.

“Our members work around the clock to ensure that patients have as comfortable a stay in hospital as possible, yet they are forced to pay to attend work. In turn, the government forces patients and their families to pay for being sick.”

Of all NSW metropolitan hospitals, Nepean Hospital is currently the most expensive hospital to park at for full time staff, costing $21 per week.

It costs only $2.67 per week for staff members to park at Westmead and Mt Druitt Hospitals.

“Car parking rates at public hospitals are generally increased based on the

CPI. Fees vary between sites due to such things as demand, infrastructure, location, space availability, population needs and the local demographic,” a NSW Ministry of Health spokesperson said.

The price for Nepean staff members was hiked up last year, and according to the HSU, has left the $23 million six-storey car park opened in August 2013, “virtually empty”.

It is understood NSW Health is seeking to introduce the $21 fee to all metropoli-tan hospital campuses undergoing car parking development as a standardised weekly fee.

“For staff, parking fees are tax deduct-ible and able to be salary packaged thus reducing the real impact as they are still below public transport fares,” a NSW Ministry of Health spokesperson said.

Nepean staff paying $1,000 per year just to park at work

COST OF LIVING

Hospital’s parking pickle

HSU members are angry about parking prices at Nepean Hospital

KATHERINE TWEED @ktweed_ local news

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F lexibility and affordability remain key concerns for parents using childcare facilities according to Federal Assistant Minister for

Education, Sussan Ley. But childcare centres are also battling

their own challenges including an unfair national ratings system and excessive red tape.

Visiting Penrith on Monday with Lind-say MP, Fiona Scott, Ms Ley said that the Federal Government is working hard to fix elements of the National Quality Framework botched by the former Labor government.

“Calling for the Productivity Commis-sion inquiry was an important election commitment but rather than just wait, I have started working with state ministe-rial colleagues,” she said.

“In the past two meetings we have got the states to recommit to the ratings system deadline of before June 30, 2015.

“They are on task to have 60 per cent [of centres] assessed before the deadline... but a rigorous ratings system is vital for parents’ information.”

After complaints from the industry that the assessment system is unfair, Ms Ley

The Productivity Commission is also looking at ways to make childcare more accessible and affordable.

“Finding the centre you want in the place you want can be difficult,” Ms Ley said.

Ms Scott said that many parents are concerned about the lack of flexible child-care opening hours.

“We spoke to two mums today, one who works in the city and one locally, who both raised concerns about the lack of 24-hour childcare,” she said.

But according to Ms Ley, the former government’s flexibility trials have been less than successful.

“Of the trials I have heard of they are struggling to sign up enough people as there is no certainty,” she said.

“This is an example of how Labor's approach was wrong but I have not cancelled the trial because those are centres where families and children attend.”

Affordability is also a concern, with the latest Department of Education figures from the June 2013 quarter showing that for a full time 50 hour week of childcare, Lindsay families are paying $352.

Whilst touring Glenmore Park Child and Family Centre, childcare staff said that affordability is an issue with many parents relying on rebates.

Flexibility and affordability remain the key issues, say local parents

EXCLUSIVE

Multiple issues plague childcare

Sussan Ley and Fiona Scott visit a local childcare centre on Monday

will be streamlining the system this July. “Experiences with the assessment

ratings system have been patchy. Some centres have been hard done by; the

rating of ‘working towards’ almost looks as though you have got a ‘D’ in the school system when in fact ‘working towards’ is a good rating,” she said.


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P enrith’s Labor, Greens and inde-pendent councillors have had a rare win against their Liberal colleagues after passing a

motion to oppose any NSW Government sale of electricity assets.

Premier Mike Baird has said that he is willing to take a plan to sell off NSW’s electricity networks to the State election in March 2015.

“There are a lot of concerned people who don’t want the these assets sold off,” Cr Kevin Crameri said.

“People are rightly scared that those who buy the poles and wires will increase prices to make a profit.”

He was supported by Cr Prue Car.“I really do believe that public assets

should not be sold off as service delivery should be the priority, not making a profit,” Cr Car said.

Last week she and Opposition Leader John Robertson visited Claremont Mead-ows to protest the sale of the assets.

Councillor Mark Davies said that discussing electricity privatisation was “a waste of Council’s time”.

“It feels like the meeting has been hijacked,” he said.

Power struggle as Council opposes sale

John Robertson and Prue Car in Claremont Meadows last week


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Man assaulted in brazen daylight attack in Penrith

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a brutal attack on a major Penrith street . At about 4.30pm on Monday, April 28 a man was driving his white Mitsubishi Lancer north on Woodriff Street, Penrith when he pulled over to the kerb near Reserve Street to check his mobile phone. While he was stopped, three unknown men, described only as in their mid 20’s and Caucasian, opened the driver’s side door and began to assault the man. He was pulled from the vehicle, where he continued to be assaulted. During the assault an amount of cash was taken from inside the vehicle. The man was taken to Nepean Hospital for the treatment of lacerations and bruising. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information should contact Police.

Drink driver crashes into gas bottle at unit complex

A woman was allegedly caught drink driving last weekend after driving her car into a gas bottle in a unit complex car park. The 41-year-old Glendenning woman was driving along Thurston Street, Penrith, before turning into a unit complex when she collided with a gas bottle that fell over with a loud noise. Police were called to the scene because of the noise and spoke to the driver of the blue Mitsubishi Magna. She was given a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result. She was placed under arrest and taken to Penrith Police Station for breath analysis. She returned a reading of 0.16, which is classified as high-range. Her licence was suspended and she was charged with high range drink driving, to appear in Blacktown Local Court later this month.

Local man set to face court over drugs

A local man has allegedly been identified as a drug dealer and is expected to be handed a future Court Attendance Notice after being found with a large amount of drugs in his vehicle. Police were patrolling Ballybunnion Terrace, Glenmore Park, at around 2pm on Monday, April 28, when they observed a vehicle parked on the street with all the doors open and a number of males in the vicinity. Police approached and spoke to a 19-year-old Glenmore Park man before searching the car. A large amount of cannabis was located, as well as drug paraphernalia. He will appear before the courts for supplying prohibited drugs in the near future.

Man to face court over range of offences

A man has been charged by police with six traffic related offences and will appear before the court early next month. In the early hours of Saturday, April 19, police were called to Palomino Road, Emu Plains. On arrival they stopped a 25-year-old Emu Plains male on an unregistered trail bike. He was spoken to and it was identified that the licence of the male was disqualified. He was submitted to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result. He was placed under arrest and taken to Penrith Police Station for breath analysis, which returned a result of 0.129 – a mid-range reading. He was charged with six offences, including driving with a mid-range concentration of alcohol.

Police snapshot

M ost of Penrith’s residents continued their good behav-iour from the Easter long weekend through to ANZAC

Day, impressing local police. Penrith Police undertook their annual

ANZAC Day operation to ensure that the area’s licensed venues and streets remained safe throughout the day.

Police conducted 51 ‘walk throughs’ of licensed venues in Penrith throughout the day, detecting only one person in the possession of illegal drugs and only two people who were causing trouble due to their level of intoxication.

Police issued two tickets to people who failed to leave a venue after being asked and arrested one man for offensive behav-iour. In the most serious incident of the day, police arrested and charged a man for allegedly assaulting police and resisting arrest.

“Police responded to a call [at about 10pm] regarding an argument in the vicinity of Pyramid Street and Brougham Street, Emu Plains. Upon arrival, police have seen a number of people standing in the street,” said Penrith Acting Crime Manager Cheryl Cook.

“Police commenced conducting enquir-ies as to what had taken place when a 24-year-old male from Blaxland attempted to enter the police vehicle.”

Police allege the man was warned to move away from the police vehicle, however he tried to gain entry again and when warned he would be arrested, the man became aggressive toward police.

“He was eventually arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with ‘assault police’ and ‘resist arrest’.”

He will appear at Blacktown Local Court on May 20.

“Overall, these are good results for Penrith Local Area Command,” Detective Sergeant Cook said.

Police generally happy with ANZAC Day crowds

POLICE

Behaviour praised

Police were happy with the behaviour of locals during the ANZAC Day long weekend

KATHERINE TWEED @ktweed_

Bus strike

Men’s issues

Penrith commuters were left stranded on Wednesday after bus drivers walked off the job.

Drivers said they had walked off the job to highlight serious passenger safety concerns resulting from impos-sible on-time running schedules agreed by the State Government and Busways.

More than 50 drivers chose to take action on Wednesday to highlight the issue before a serious crash or fatality occurs.

Busways services running in and out of Penrith Station were affected until 2pm, with drivers returning to work to ensure that schoolkids and evening commuters got home.

More on this story next week

“Hot topics” in the field of men’s health, wellbeing and relationships are being discussed at a two day confer-ence in Penrith this week.

The inaugural NSW Men’s Health and Wellbeing Conference, “Shaping Solutions” has been organised by the Men’s Health Forum NSW and has been taking place at Penrith Panthers.

The aim of the conference is to discuss men’s role in our society as well as current issues and challenges that affect male wellbeing.

The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Conference was held at Panthers yesterday and today. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler hopes it becomes an annual event in Penrith.

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WW8889penrithcity.nsw.gov.au penrithishere.com.au

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENTPenrith City Council has received a

Development Application in respect of

the subject property. The consent

authority for the development application

is Penrith City Council.

Lend Lease DA14/0411

Lot 1037 DP 1149525 Residue

1208–1274 The Northern Road,

Llandilo

Demolition of existing structures,

roads and hard surfaces and

remediation of land within the central

precinct, St Marys

The proposal is Nominated Integrated

Development. The application seeks

approval from the NSW Office of Water

– Water Management Act 2000 Section

89, 90 & 91.

The Development Application referred

to in this notice and supporting

documentation accompanying the

subject application may be inspected at

the locations listed below at any time

during ordinary office hours, in the period

from 5 May 2014 to 4 June 2014.

Any person may, during the exhibition

period, make a submission in writing to

Penrith City Council, in relation to the

Development Application. Where a

submission is made by way of an

objection, the grounds of objection are

to be specified in the submission.

The submission is to include Council’s

reference number DA14/0411.

For any queries relating to the proposal,

please contact Aimee Lee on 4732 7429.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

Development Applications are displayed at

the Penrith Civic Centre. By law, reportable

political donations or gifts must be disclosed

by anyone lodging a planning application

to Council. Call 4732 7649 or visit

www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Viewing of Development Applications

The above development determination/s may

be inspected between 8.30am and 4pm

Mondays to Fridays (except Public Holidays)

at Council’s Civic Centre, 601 High Street,

Penrith. Officers of Council’s Development

Services Department will be able to assist

with your enquiries.

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CONTACT US

ADMINISTRATION

Penrith Offi ce Civic Centre, 601 High Street. Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri.

St Marys Offi ce Queen Street Centre, 207–209 Queen Street. Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri.

Switchboard Open: 8.30am–5pm. Mon–Fri.

P: (02) 4732 7777

F: (02) 4732 7958

Write to: PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

E: [email protected]

SERVICES

Waste Hotline: Freecall 1800 734 735

Illegal Dumping: Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad).

Graffi ti Hotline: Freecall 1800 022 182

MEETING DATES

Council Meetings

12 May 2014 – 7pm (Policy Review Committee)

26 May 2014 – 7.30pm (Ordinary meeting)

penrithcity.nsw.gov.aupenrithishere.com.au

NEWS

PENRITH

COUNCIL BRIEFS Penrith City Council is inviting local residents to plant a tree for their mum, this Mother’s Day. Trees for Mum is a national community event supported by Landcare Australia, which encourages people of all ages to celebrate their Mum and the beauty of life.

It will be held at Gibbes Street, off Spencer Street, Regentville on Sunday, 11 May from 9am–midday. Access is 600 metres south of the M4 and Mulgoa Road intersection. It’s free to take part, but you must register to ensure Council has enough plants for everyone.

Call 4732 8088 or email [email protected]

Council is about to start inspecting swimming pools and spa pools for compliance with pool legislation. All pools that can hold 30cm or more of water need to be registered and meet certain requirements.

From 31 May 2014 Council will start issuing $220 fi nes for pools that it fi nds are unregistered. If you have not registered your pool, you need to immediately. It’s free to register. Go to swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au

Or call our Swimming Pools administration offi cer Nicole Meyers on 4732 7897 for more information. Safety starts in your backyard. Be pool safe.

Salvos Legal has opened a Nepean Free Legal Advice Bureau and operates on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 12–7pm at 306 High Street, Penrith.

Appointments preferred for meetings between 12pm and 4pm. For more information call 8202 1500.

TENDERAppointment of a Preferred Strategic Marketing Agency Reference 13-14/11

Penrith City Council invites Tenders from suitably qualifi ed and experienced Marketing Agencies for the reliable and cost effective provision of Strategic Marketing Agency Services.

Pre-Tender Briefi ng: 10am Friday, 16 May 2014.

Visit http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Our-Council/Tenders/ to register and download tender documents free of charge. Alternately a hard copy is available for a non-refundable fee of $75 (inc GST) by prior arrangement.

For queries please contact Jake Evans on 4732 7663 or [email protected]

All submissions should be lodged on the forms provided in accordance with the lodgement instructions contained in the documents no later than 11am Wednesday, 28 May 2014 (‘the Closing Date’).Tenders received after will not be considered.

PUBLIC NOTICEHave your say about Council’s draft 2014–15 Operational PlanOur draft one-year Operational Plan and Fees and Charges are

now on public exhibition, and we welcome your comments.

The Operational Plan sets out Council’s budget, services and

specifi c actions we’ll deliver in 2014–15.

Its part of the four-year work program outlined in the Delivery

Program 2013–17, and together these help us achieve the longer

term vision for our City that you helped us identify in the Community

Plan 2031.

Our focus continues to be on local jobs, managing growth, improving

transport connections, creating safe and vibrant places, looking

after the environment and fostering community spirit and health.

Read the draft plan online at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au, at

Council offi ces in Penrith and St Marys or in your local library, and

let us know in writing what you think.

[email protected]

Penrith 2751

any Council library

The plan will be available for comment between Friday, 2 May and

Monday, 2 June 2014. If you have any questions please contact the

Corporate Planning team on 4732 8109.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL ONLINEFind us at:

www.facebook.com/penrith.city.council

twitter.com/penrithcouncil

instagram.com/penrithcitycouncil

www.youtube.com/penrithcitycouncil

www. penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

penrithishere.com.au

W e’ll take your roads and infrastructure but not your airport is the message Penrith City Council has for

Prime Minister Tony Abbott. At Council’s Ordinary meeting on

Monday evening, councillors reaffirmed their opposition to an airport at Badgerys Creek and were furious that a decision had been made on the airport before an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) had been completed.

Cr Kevin Crameri motioned that Council write to the Prime Minister and Lindsay MP Fiona Scott asking when an EIS would be released and when Council would be invited to have a say.

The motion reaffirmed that Penrith Council is against a second airport at Badgerys Creek; and especially a 24-hour airport with no curfew.

“There is so much of a problem. This council has sat on its hands too long and now we are playing catch-up,” Cr Crameri said.

He raised concerns about fuel pollution, traffic and aircraft noise.

“We have heard about all these great infrastructure announcements to accom-

pany the airport but we have been crying out for these before the airport issue,” Cr Greg Davies said in support.

“I just think it is a disaster waiting to happen as [the operators and government] are not going to get their money out of it.

“[Politicians on both sides] are support-ing it but there has been no talk of an EIS. The announcement should have been ‘we are going to release an EIS’, not that ‘a deci-sion has already been made’.”

Cr John Thain said that he was very disappointed with the conduct of the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister insisted that he would be a Prime Minister of ‘no surprises’. He also said that big infrastructure projects would go through Infrastructure Australia. Well he has given us a surprise and it hasn’t gone through Infrastructure Australia. It is estimated that for every dollar spent on Badgerys Creek we would only get 80 cents back so no-one wants to touch the project,” he said.

Cr Mark Davies downplayed the significance of Cr Crameri’s motion and defended Mr Abbott.

“There is nothing really new here so I am happy to support it. When you nut [the motion] down it is really just confirming what we already have said before,” he said.

“The Prime Minister did say that a deci-

Councillors vent anger at Prime Minister over Badgerys Creek announcement

COUNCIL

Still opposed to second airport

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_osion would be made and he has followed through with that.”

Cr Bernard Bratusa, a staffer for Lindsay MP Fiona Scott, took offence to the criti-cisms of Mr Abbott too.

“When he went to the election he said he was going to make a decision. Now whether you agree or not, a decision has been made,” he said.

“This investment is critical and the EIS process will be done correctly. We need to be a proactive Council.

“It was an ALP Minister that turned the sod at that site [former aviation minister Bob Collins on June 26, 1992],” Cr Bratusa added.

Cr Greg Davies quipped, “Yes and we got rid of him!”

Mayor Ross Fowler said that the airport still remains an opportunity for Penrith.

“The issue is that we actually do not know what is being proposed,” he said.

“But it should be looked at as an oppor-tunity. It’s not really just the airport, it’s about the 10,000 hectares of employment lands around it and the airport could be a catalyst for this development.”

The motion was passed. Meanwhile, airport advocate, State

Member for Londonderry, Bart Bassett, has called for further planning of the rail link to serve Badgerys Creek airport.

On Monday, NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced that the Government had begun planning for a continuation of the South West Rail Link to extend to Badgerys Creek and on to St Marys, where it would connect with Western Line services as well as south to Narellan.

Consultation on the extension is set to begin this week.

Mr Bassett called on the Government to include consultation regarding the identi-fication and preservation of a land corridor for connecting the North West Rail Link to the Western Line, therefore enabling the creation of a western Sydney orbital rail network.

“Why stop at the Western line,” he said. “Securing such corridors now would

reduce the price of construction because such projects would be able to be surface transport links rather than tunnels.”

Mr Bassett said the future must be considered in the planning process.

“Let’s include these projects in the planning stages of the airport to ensure NSW has a clear and simple transport plan for the future, a future with an extra 1.7 million Sydney residents by 2036 who will quite rightly expect the transport options and freedoms of a large global city. Let’s do this right. Let’s do this now,” he said.

Mayor’s NewsThe weekly viewsof Penrith’s Mayor

Our River Vegetation Plan & Bushcare

Plans for the Nepean River will be discussed at a workshop at Council on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

We’re inviting local residents, frequent users of the Nepean River and key stakeholders who know the area and its surrounds to attend the workshop.

Ecological consultants have been working with Council to prepare a Vegetation Management Plan and to update the existing Plans of Manage-ment for the river.

The workshop will give an update on the project.

We’re also keen to hear from you

about what is important, what you value, what isn’t working well and where there are opportunities.

RSVPs are essential. Contact Council on 4732 7642, or for more information go to penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/ourriver.

We have a new Bushcare group starting in Cranebrook this month. The eight other Bushcare groups in Penrith City are also looking for new members. For more information contact Council on 4732 8088 or go to http://penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Our-City/Environment/Bushcare/.

ROSS FOWLER OAMMayor of Penrith

Penrith paramedics rushed to the scene of a fire in a local street last week, prepared to treat residents with injuries.

At about 2.45am on Saturday, April 26, an intensive care paramedic team from Penrith rushed to assist other emergency services at a fire on Blaxland Street, Penrith.

Upon arrival, it was discovered that

there was a fire inside an apartment building on the local street.

A man was treated for smoke inhalation before being transported to Nepean Hospital.

Fortunately, there were no other serious injuries as a result of the fire.

News as it breaks: Follow us at www.facebook.com/westernweekender.

Man hospitalised following fire

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We require a Licensed Electrician who is a LOCAL RESIDENT and has experience in maintenance work to join our busy domestic & commercial property maintenance team.

BASED IN PENRITH Must be meticulous with their work & job records, be able to fault fi nd, have experience with stoves, hot water & general repairs and have a clear understanding of and commitment to Work Health & Safety.

Some computer skills would be an advantage as we use an Electronic Job Management System.

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Are you this person ?Then Please forward your resume to :[email protected] or Fax: 02 4721 7577Enquiries to Lea Hicks – 02 4721 7500 OR 0414 441 635.All applications will be treated in confi dence.

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Mr Hard has high hopes that the finan-cial situation for people in Penrith is better but speaking to High Street shoppers this week, the Weekender discovered that there are many doing it tough.

“It is both [a matter of cost of living and a matter of not getting enough money], especially when you’ve got teenage kids,” said South Penrith dad, Jon Cornelius, who confessed to never feeling financially comfortable.

“You’ve got to clothe them, buy them shoes and clothes – school uniforms between the two of them earlier this year was over $1000, and that’s just a public school. Extra money would be great but where would it come from?” he said.

One High Street shopper told the Week-ender she notices more people struggling financially since moving to western Sydney from Paddington, in Sydney.

“You can even see poverty in some places. After moving here, I would say 50 per cent or more are struggling,” she said.

Those who struggle between pays try to manage the situation by staying home and eating cheaper food, with 37 per cent resorting to using their credit card.

According to the ING survey, 12 per cent of NSW households have borrowed money from family members to help make ends meet.

O ver half of NSW households are struggling to make ends meet week to week as they battle below average wages and a

rising cost of living. According to the latest ING Direct House-

hold Financial Wellbeing Index, 65 per cent of the state has been struggling at some point, with 51 per cent saying it would take at least an additional $300 per week for them to feel financially comfortable.

Whether they are students, business owners or apprentices, much of Penrith’s working community is in the same boat as the majority of the state, living pay to pay and barely scraping through.

“For the last five months I have been struggling. People are not spending any money, especially not on menswear,” said small business owner, Simon Hard, who this week opened his menswear store in High Street.

“People are worried about the cost of living, are worried about what the Govern-ment will do next. I had the menswear shop in St Marys but it is a very rough time there. I had to leave St Marys and move the shop here to Penrith, hopefully things are better here.”

Week to week financial pressures bite local residents

COST OF LIVING

We’re doing it tough KATHERINE TWEED @ktweed_

WHAT PENRITH SAYSJon Cornelius,

49, always feels

strapped for cash

“I would be happy with $300 extra a week, I’d even be

happy with $200. I have gone from earning over $100,000 a year to earn-ing less than $30,000. I would say it would be at least 80 per cent of people struggling per week.”

Susan Williams,

41, has struggled

in the past “As a student with a mortgage, when I was a bit younger, I

definitely struggled at times. There are some jobs that are very underpaid but there is that constant improvement in quality of life and what you regard as your basics – what we used to consider acceptable isn’t anymore. Everyone is constantly assaulted by what we should have and how we should look – we have much higher aspirations now but people are still on low wages.”

Deborah Wall, 56, doesn’t struggle

week to week “Cost of living is definitely rising. I have had a career

and have worked full time for my whole life, I don’t struggle, and I have a partner, which obviously makes things easier. I think single parent families are probably the ones who feel it most.”

Simon Hard. Photo: Melinda Jane

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W ork has begun on improv-ing the intersection of Roper Roar and the M4 Motorway at Colyton.

Mulgoa MP, Tanya Davies, said the Roads and Maritime Services will carry out work to extend the right lane on Roper Road from Carlisle Avenue onto the M4 Motorway and build a new pedestrian path on the eastern side of Roper Road.

“The NSW Government provided $1.8 million for this essential project as part

of its ongoing commitment to reduce congestion and improve road safety in western Sydney,” Mrs Davies said.

A new bus zone and pedestrian refuge will be built near Young Street and a no stopping zone will be installed south-bound from Carlisle Avenue to the M4 on ramp as part of the upgrade.

To minimise disruption to motorists and residents, the project work will be carried out from Sunday to Thursday between 9pm and 5am until mid-July, weather permitting.

Partial lane closures and reduced speed limits will be in place during work, and motorists should allow extra travel time.

TRAFFIC

Work begins on vital intersection upgrade

Photo: Melinda Jane


L indsay MP Fiona Scott has expressed concern that vital Federal Government funding for local roads will be blocked in the

Federal Senate.The Federal Government has proposed a

five-year extension of the Roads to Recov-ery and Black Spot Program providing another $1.75 billion for road upgrades.

In 2013-14 Penrith City Council received $1,038,530 under the Roads to Recovery Program for the upgrade of local roads in Penrith and St Marys.

“This is a vital local program that has provided some 128 road projects across our region,” Ms Scott said.

“Our $1.75 billion commitment will help local governments continue local road maintenance, improve safety, transport efficiency, and stimulate economic devel-opment across the country.

“If Labor and the Greens vote against the legislation in the Senate, the Program will terminate, which is of significant concern to many local constituents.”

Since 2000 the Penrith community has benefited from more than $19 million in road funding through the Federal Govern-ment’s Roads to Recovery and National Black Spot programs.

Penrith Council is very supportive of

the program and has used the funds to improve 141 traffic spots and road loca-tions. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said residents could go to their work, take the children to sporting events and visit friends and family knowing that their roads are more efficient and safer.

“Council would continue to actively seek contributions to our road network through the programs,” Cr Fowler said.

A 2010 analysis showed an estimated 15 high casualty or fatal accidents per year were averted through these invest-ments to Penrith City roads and saved the community $1 million through less accidents.

FEDERAL POLITICS

COUNCIL

Vital roads funding could be shelved

Jamie Briggs, Fiona Scott and Ross Fowler


P enrith Council has made changes to the land zonings in the Penrith Health and Educa-tion Precinct after the owners

of the Werrington Signals Site expressed concerns that the draft Penrith Local Environmental Plan (LEP) would be too restrictive of future developments.

Penrith Council has been working on its LEP since 2005 and submitted it to the Department of Planning earlier this year for approval. However, a decision on the Werrington Business Park was delayed after concerns were raised about a B7 Business Park zoning on the Werrington Signals Site.

The publicly exhibited planning controls for the Health and Education Precinct consist of a suite of commercial, residential and industrial zones, includ-ing approximately 80 hectares of land proposed to be zoned B7 Business Park.

But Planning Consultant, Vince Hardy, said that the proposed zonings did not accurately reflect what the land had already been approved for.

“I am representing the owners of the site, and we seek three changes to the LEP... the current zoning is inconsistent with developments already built and approved on the land,” he said.

“I must point out that there are 70 hectares on the site of employment lands

and one zoning of (B7) Business Park for all that land does not reflect the diverse uses.”

The owners of the strategically located Werrington Signals Site requested that land uses including hardware and build-ing supplies, highway service centres and vehicle sales or hire premises be allowed. The submission also requested an increase in the planning control setting the maximum height for build-ings.

Penrith Council has since held meet-ings with the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Business Alliance and site owners and determined that a mixture of uses will be allowed.

Concerns prompt zoning changes

Works at Werrington Business Park


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Many children are unable to live with their birth families and there is an ongoing need for more foster carers in Western Sydney.

UnitingCare Burnside is seeking foster carers to provide safe and secure home environments for school aged children. Some kids have had a challenging start and require extra love and support.

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P olice are appealing for informa-tion from the public after a string of suspicious fires have been lit in the one local street.

Haynes Street, Penrith, has been hit with a spate of suspicious fires damaging cars and buildings in the area.

There were three incidents in April, two occurring just a day apart.

On Monday, April 14, emergency services were called to a unit complex with reports of a fire in the basement car park. A vehicle was damaged.

In the early hours of Friday, April 25, emergency services were again called to Haynes Street, with reports of a car fire.

The vehicle was extinguished and no-one was injured.

In the third incident, emergency services were called to a unit complex at about 2.30am on Saturday, April 26. A number of people had set alight some items in the foyer of the building.

“Police are treating all the incidents as suspicious and would be very interested to hear from anyone who may have information,” said Penrith Acting Crime Manager, Detective Sergeant Cheryl Cook.

POLICE

Police investigate string of fires

Fire crews on the scene of one of the blazes. Photo: D Asher / Matt Black Productions


P enrith City Council has given its support to a campaign for more State Government funding for public libraries after Penrith’s

Library Services Manager, Colin Steven-son said funding “has now reached a crisis point”.

In a report to Council, Mr Stevenson said that local governments such as Penrith are currently paying 93 per cent of the costs to operate public libraries and that state expenditure on public libraries has decreased as a proportion of total public library expenditure from 23 per cent in 1980 to seven per cent in 2013.

“During the 2011 election campaign, the current NSW State Government made a pre-election commitment to undertake a comprehensive review of the quantum and allocation of funding for NSW public libraries. To date, there has been no significant action by the government to meet this commitment,” he said.

Currently, the NSW Public Library Fund-ing Strategy includes a per capita subsidy of $1.85 per NSW resident but it is not properly indexed to population growth.

“Almost 50 per cent of our population is a member of our library service, let alone non-members who also use the services on a daily basis, so any lack of sufficient

funding impacts on a large proportion of our community directly,” a spokesperson from Penrith Council said.

The NSW Public Library Associations (NSWPLA) is coordinating the campaign to bring the situation to the attention of politicians.

They are calling for an increase in per capita allocations for all councils, and support a $30 million library infrastruc-ture program.

Despite the funding shortage, Council has managed to grow its library services in recent years. Penrith Councillors voted at the Ordinary meeting on Monday evening to support the campaign.

COUNCIL

Library funding “crisis” must be resolved

Colin Stevenson

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_o local news

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A fter 25 years of being an incom-plete paraplegic, former Penrith Panthers player John Maclean is taking his first steps towards

achieving his dream to walk again and is inviting the Penrith community to be a part of the journey.

In June 1988, Mr Maclean was hit by an eight tonne truck as he rode his bike along the M4 whilst training for the Nepean Triathlon. The impact resulted in Mr Maclean suffering multiple breaks to his pelvis and back, a fractured sternum, punctured lungs, a broken arm and left him a paraplegic.

But, with the help of neurophysics therapist, Ken Ware, Mr Maclean is now walking, and is planning on completing the Nepean Triathlon in October this year.

“When the accident happened, you know that things are serious, but it really sank in when they started to elevate me into a wheelchair,” Mr Maclean recalls.

“But my dad always said to me down at Little Athletics, ‘I don’t care if you come first or last so long as you try your best’ and so that has been a source of motiva-tion for me.”

Indeed, Mr Maclean has achieved more than what most people could in their entire lives.

In 1995 he made history by becoming the first wheelchair athlete to finish the course at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon and was the first non-American to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In 1998 he was the first wheelchair athlete to swim the English Channel.

That same year he started his children’s charity, the John Maclean Foundation,

Back on his feet: Maclean’s miracle recovery and his Nepean Triathlon goal

SPORT

John’s unfi nished business

John doing the Nepean Triathlon in 1994. Right: John with his family

which supports kids in wheelchairs. He represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, and in 2001 he sailed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

He even won rowing silver at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

But Mr Maclean has had a burning desire to go back to the Nepean Triathlon. He did the triathlon in 1994 in a wheelchair but this year it will all be different.

“I met Ken Ware and he taught me how to think differently. I’ve always had a good mindset as an athlete but Ken showed me

how strong a positive mind can be,” Mr Maclean said.

“He has helped me walk again and shown me that there are only possibilities.

“Now I want to walk the Nepean Triath-lon this year.”

In four months of training, the man that doctors said would never walk again, can now walk four kilometres.

“I’m a Penrith boy and I am looking for support as I go back to complete the triath-lon that I was training for all those years ago,” Mr Maclean said.


A total of 1,337 local people are gearing up to walk for the lives of their friends, families and fellow community members who are

battling cancer. The 13th annual Penrith Relay for Life

will kick off this weekend, at 10am on Saturday, May 3, and will continue for the following 24 hours as local cancer survivors, their family and friends walk for cancer awareness and to raise funds for the Cancer Council at Howell Oval.

“The key elements of the Relay are celebrate, remember and fight back,” said coordinator, Nathan Dart.

“It is not just an event to raise funds, it is an avenue for people to feel the support of the community and it is an avenue for community advocacy.”

Although the relay will be significant to those who take part, there are three laps that are anticipated each year.

The first, a survivors walk, celebrates

COMMUNITY

Thousands tipped to attend annual Relay

There’s lots of fun to be had at the Relay for Life at Howell Oval this weekend

those who have won their battle; the second, a candlelight hope ceremony, is held in remembrance of those who have passed away from the disease; and the final walk of the event, the closing ceremony, is a time of reflection.

“We have all the registered participants who come and attend but there are lots of people who pop in and check it out, sometimes to see if it is something they want to take part in the following year,” Mr Dart said.

“It is actually a really great opportunity for the community to come together and support each other.”

The entire community, whether they have been touched by cancer or not, are invited to take part in the day by attending and supporting those who are running or walking the Relay itself.

The Penrith Relay raised $413,000 last year and it is hoped that this year’s efforts will surpass that as the event goes from “strength to strength”.

All funds raised over the weekend will be donated to the Cancer Council.


“I am asking people to join my team and do the triathlon with me as we do the one kilometre swim, 30 kilometre ride and hopefully 10 kilometre walk... I cannot guarantee I will finish but I am certainly going to try.

“Or people can simply come out and watch the event and cheer everybody on.”

The Nepean Triathlon will be held on Sunday, October 26.

To get involved in supporting the event, visit Mr Maclean’s charity website www.jmf.com.au.

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WW8941

Respect neededI am sickened at the senseless

violence against the elderly that is reported on a weekly basis on our TV. But this is just the tip of a very large Iceberg. We hear of the violent bashing of two pensioners trying to fend off two young thugs and shake our heads. On their shoulders we have grown healthier and wealthier. They are part of our family history. But more than this they are a window on our future because one day we, the younger generation, will be the elderly of tomorrow. How would you like to be treated and respected in your later years? The problem will never be solved by any government whether they bring in tougher laws or more services as long as we as a society have our current negative mindset towards the elderly. But how do we change our collective minds? There is no single solution but we need to put our unsung elderly on a plinth just a few times a year and show them the respect they have rightly worked for. We do it for our mother and father on their respective days but not for our elderly. The change in attitude will take time to cement into

the community mind but it will happen; just as ANZAC Day has grown stronger as the years go on so too will respect for the elderly. I propose that we put aside a Saturday in April and October to recognise our older people. This does not need to be a heavily commercial event, just a reminder to include older relatives or neighbours in a family event such as lunch or dinner, or an outing with grandchildren. This should be their day, the time that we put ourselves out for them, as they have done so many times for us.

PETER, ERSKINE PARK

Don’t bring it onJoe Grassi says in relation to a

Badgerys Creek airport “bring it on” (Dear Weekender, Western Weekender April 25). His view is that having an 11pm curfew at Sydney Airport is a joke. That may imply that an airport at Badgerys Creek could be 24hr and the bulk of the freight handled here. A 24hr airport with north/south runways would not be a joke in Penrith Mr Grassi. Back on the 15th of March 1998, 15,000 residents gathered in Jamison Park, Penrith to show their feelings. Penrith MP Faye Lo

Po said, “it will happen over our collective dead bodies”. I moved to Penrith in 1985 and it was wonderful to be able to “drive to the shops” etc with a minimum of traff ic. Since then the volume of traff ic has probably doubled. The enormous infrastructure needed for an airport and the thousands of employees with their families who will prefer to live where they have everything will see Penrith change dramatically.

PETER TOWNSEND, SOUTH PENRITH

Push for NDISI am writing to express my

ongoing support for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. People with Disability for too long have been provided with inadequate, under-funded and fragmented services. Please do not allow the government to delay or make inappropriate changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Disability can happen to anyone! The National Disability Insurance Scheme will ensure that all people with disability will be provided with the services they require to be active, productive participants in their community.

If we are to achieve true social inclusion in my lifetime, Australia needs the NDIS.

GAIL DAY, VIA EMAIL

Masterplans‘Masterplan’ is the latest Council

buzzword but are there any ‘masters’ running them? Master-plan 1 – Stuart Ayres seems intent on building a new pedestrian bridge next to the old Victoria one (possibly the biggest eyesore in Penrith). It’s like driving alongside an old WW1 steel sided tank! Why not open up the existing bridge to four lanes plus a closed in pedestrian walkway, thus allowing wonderful views of the river instead of old metal pipes and slabs of steel that hide everything. Just add and beautify the existing Victoria Bridge. Masterplan 2 – the Penrith Lakes. We were promised a regenerated area for boating, fishing and wildlife. Now there are plans submitted for future development for two hectare lots around the lakes – another case of Penrith being raped of its sand and gravel laid down after countless floods which will almost certainly be no more and gravel companies making huge

bucks from land sales – but yet the ‘Masterplan’ goes on and on. Masterplan 3 – I now read that the local RTA is moving to High Street after spending a small fortune upgrading the parking facilities at York Road and now moving to a place with very limited park-ing – whose bright idea was this one! Parking is bad enough as it is in the CBD without this lot and a ‘Masters’ store on Mulgoa Road – do any pollies actually have to travel on these roads at all? 7 sets of lights from Glenmore Park to High Street. To my thinking there is no ‘Masterplan’ just a load of dumb people guessing.

MICK FLACK, VIA EMAIL

RTA on the moveHow absolutely stupid (State

Government moves to centralise services at new High Street loca-tion, Western Weekender April 25). Do you people have brains inbetween your ears or sawdust? Really. The current location and service that the RTA provide for the citizens of Penrith and the community is just perfect. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.

NARREL LOADER, VIA FACEBOOK

email: [email protected]: Suite 2, 42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown 2750dear weekender...

There will be two new bus zones in place along Derby Street, Penrith. Council has decided to install a 20m bus zone on Derby Street, Penrith outside property number 111 and an 18m bus zone outside property number 80.

Council’s Trainee Engineer raised a matter on behalf of the Mayor, Councillor Ross Fowler at the Local Traffic Committee meeting, regard-ing cars being parked across the emergency service vehicle access points for Lemongrove Retirement Village in Gascoigne Street, Penrith. The Committee noted that on-street parking in Gascoigne Street is in high demand and vehicles are regularly parked across vehicle and pedestrian access points. To discourage parking, it was resolved that “No Parking” restrictions be installed across all vehicle and pedestrian access points associated with Lemongrove Retire-ment Village.

Councillor Tricia Hitchen has raised concerns on behalf of parents at Kingswood Public School, regarding parking in the public car park near the school being occupied by university students due to on-street parking spaces being occupied in Second Avenue, Kingswood. Cr Hitchen

requested that the provision of timed parking restrictions be considered in Second Avenue, Kingswood, near the school. Council is now investigating.

Funding of $10,000 has been received from Keep Australia Beautiful for the installation of five beverage recycling containers at Tench Reserve, Jamisontown and Coachmans Park, St Marys. $25,000 has been received from the Environ-mental Protection Authority (EPA) for the installation of additional litter bins, signage and cigarette butt bins at Mark Leece Oval, St Clair and Ched Towns Reserve, Glenmore Park.

A draft Kingswood Public Domain Manual has been prepared to establish the standards for design, materials and finish for future street upgrades and maintenance in the area known at the Kingswood Specialised Centre. The Centre is around Nepean Hospital but also includes the residential areas along Orth Street, Rodgers Street and Wainwright Lane. Kingswood has a unique status as a specialised medical and education centre with regular use by people travelling to and from the hospital, university and TAFE and as such requires a high level of amenity. The draft will be put on public exhibi-tion in the near future.

COUNCIL SNAPSHOT

The Western Weekender reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of accuracy and space.For more information, see our public notices section.

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8888

Send us an email with:

• a summary of what you’d like to discuss

• the name of any other person who wants to take part in the video conference

• your name and address

This is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Digital Local Government Program.

• your preferred phone number

• times and dates you’re available during Council’s opening hours. Give us a few options so we can match your availability with the relevant Council officer.

We’re always looking at ways to make life easier for our residents and customers. Our new video conferencing service means you can speak to us one-on-one from your PC, tablet or smartphone.

P enrith Council will make minor improvements to the pedestrian crossing on Woodriff Street oppo-site Nepean Village, but residents

are not happy that the Roads and Maritime Services will not upgrade “Penrith’s worst pedestrian crossing”.

Guide Dogs NSW, representatives from the Penrith Disability Resource Centre and local residents have expressed their concerns over and over again about the safety of the pedestrian crossing on Woodriff Street.

“The problem is that cars are too focused on making a safe turn to notice if pedestrians are trying to cross the road, particularly cars coming from the Jamison Road end of Woodriff Street who then want to make a right turn into Stafford Street,” explained Murray Wilcockson of the Penrith Disability Resource Centre.

Guide Dogs NSW says that they actively tell people to avoid the crossing because it is too dangerous with a vision impairment to tell how the traffic is behaving.

Following on from community repre-sentations, Council has decided to make some improvements, which have been welcomed by the community.

“Minor improvements to the existing

pedestrian refuge on Woodriff Street are programmed for implementation. We are unable to provide a specific time frame at this time,” a Penrith Council spokesperson said.

“This includes the provision of Tactile Markers, additional line marking and new pram ramps.

“These upgrades will improve access and delineation for all users including vision impaired users.

“Where we are advised that there is a high use of a facility by a user group that requires specific needs we will review these.”

But Mr Wilcockson says the improve-ments don’t go far enough.

“We have contacted the RMS but have not got any results. It is such a dangerous crossing, more needs to be done,” he said.

Cr Tricia Hitchen agrees that the improvements are minor and said that she will make a representation to Penrith MP Stuart Ayres seeking help with the matter.

“The improvements really aren’t enough to address the concerns of the commu-nity,” she said.

“We have approached the RMS, who have told us that not enough people use the crossing to warrant improve-ments – however that it because people are actively avoiding the crossing due to safety concerns.”

ROAD SAFETY

RMS ignores pleas to fix dangerous intersection

Sarah Barnes, Murray Wilcockson and Guide Dog Dawson at the crossing

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_o local news

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W ith north Penrith commuter car park consistently full, Penrith Council will be making a number of

improvements to signposting and traffic control to ease congestion.

A spokesperson for Penrith Council said that the improvements are necessary because of the temporary closure of the western access road off Coreen Avenue.

“The car park is on Council land that is leased to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) who are responsible for the provision of commuter car parking at Penrith Station,” the spokesperson said.

“The TfNSW car park design and traffic management strategy is a system of one-way aisles and driveways arrangements that favour traffic access and circulation from the western access road off Coreen Avenue.”

However, the western access road is temporarily closed while Landcom construct a stage of their subdivision at Thornton.

The western access road from Coreen Avenue is proposed to be reconstructed and reinstated later this year.

“In the meantime, all traffic must access

the Penrith Railway Station northern commuter car park from the eastern access. The signage is intended to better allow for this change in traffic flow,” the Council spokesperson said.

Improvements to signposting and traffic control include providing “Pedestrian

Crossing” signs and “No Stopping” signs at the marked pedestrian crossings on the outer circulating road of the car park.

Council will also provide more signpost-ing of “No Stopping” zones and other zones; additional one-way pavement arrows; “Park in Marked Bays Only” signs;

and additional directional signs. The plastic barrier on the median in the

outer circulating road opposite the one-way (eastbound) central aisle will also be extended to better control illegal right turns.

TfNSW will be notified of the changes.

Council moves to clear up issues and ease congestion at new car park

COUNCIL

Car park confusion continues

Changes are being made to signage at the Penrith Railway Station northern commuter car park


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COMMUNITY HE❤RTBEATProudly Supporting our community

WW8936

FOR APPLICATION FORMS email Karen Harrison, Executive Manager, Human Resources at Penrith RSL [email protected] phone 4728 5206.

For more info head to www.kokodachallenge.com

Penrith RSL Club Ltd are proud to announce the sponsorship of four(4) places on the

2014 kokoda trek youth challenge.

All applications must be in writing outlining your desire to participate in the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge. Final applicants will be called to attend an interview with Penrith RSL’s Board of Directors.

Applications are now open for community orientated youth aged between 17 and 22 years who want to experience this life changing opportunity, experience the rigorous and physically demanding 155km Kokoda Trek over ten (10) gruelling days in hot, wet, humid, and muddy conditions. Participants continually learn about the Kokoda campaign, and have a greater awareness of the sacrifi ces of the diggers made.

Each of the four (4) participants will be sponsored by Penrith RSL Club Ltd, with each participant required to provide suitable clothing for the conditions, spending money, immunisations for the trekker, and a gift for the local children in Papua New Guinea.

Participants must be willing to commit to a rigorous physical training program to ensure they are physically capable of completing the trek, in addition to meeting the below criteria;

• Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 years of age.

• Applicants must be physically fi t and willing to undertake physical training prior to departure.

• Consideration will be given to those who have a relative who served in Kokoda or other confl icts.

• Applicants should be able to demonstrate some understanding of the Kokoda campaign.

• Applicants need to be available to travel in between September and October 2014.

• Applicants must hold (or be willing to obtain) a current passport.

• Ability to meet post trek expectations with Penrith RSL Club Ltd and sub-Branch

Applications close at 3pm on 30th May 2014, with participants departing Sydney on 20th September 2014

Commitment to Penrith RSL Club Ltd and City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch

On their return participants are expected to;

• Be ambassadors for Penrith RSL Club for the next twelve months representing the Club at ANZAC and Memorial Day celebrations.

• Be prepared to share verbally or in writing the details of their “life changing experience” by way of presentation to the Board of Directors, sub-Branch and Management of Penrith RSL Club.

• Be prepared to share the experience with local high schools, other RSL Clubs or local groups.

• Allow Penrith RSL Club to use photographs or material relative to the experience for various publications.

COUNCIL

COMMUNITY

A small laneway divides the grounds of Our Lady of the Way primary school in Emu Plains, but the lane’s possible closure

has divided the community. Mackay Lane runs between Mackay

Street and Troy Street and was dedicated and registered as a local road in May 1997.

However, a request for closure of Mackay Lane was made to Penrith Council by the school’s principal in June 2013 in response to child safety and security concerns that had emerged.

The school owns the land on either side of the laneway, with a playground and carpark on one block and the school’s buildings on the other.

Since August 2012 there have been four incidents of loitering in the area and since July 2012 there have been 12 incidents of graffiti and malicious damage to school property.

In October 2013, there was a notable incident where a motorcycle, whilst being pursued by police, drove through the laneway narrowly missing school children.

“This public laneway runs directly through the school grounds and I admit it is a unique situation,” said principal Sue Veling, who joined the school this year.

“There have been a number of concern-ing incidents at the school and so the closure of the lane is a matter of safety for the 380 children who attend.”

She said currently the school has no way to stop trespassers, no way to stop non-custodial parents from trying to access their children and no way to stop illegal acts such as vandalism.

School disappointed as Council decides to keep controversial laneway openLaneway divides a community

Sue Veling with school students. Photo: Melinda Jane

However, several residents informed Council that the lane is a necessity.

“I would like to see the laneway kept open because I use it very regularly with my two young children during the day to walk to the shops or playground,” said resident Carmel Mifsud.

“Other routes along Russell Street are more dangerous, the footpaths are usually blocked by bins or school students and the cars travel much faster along there.”

Fellow resident, Narelle Jarman, said her family had lived in neighbouring Dukes Place for three generations and that the laneway was vital for elderly residents.

“As people are selling off their homes, developers are coming in and building town houses, which are being taken up by the elderly,” she said.

“The lane is vital for them to access the shops safely due to the traffic issues also created by school parents in the area.”

Cr Karen McKeown said that the school had knowingly purchased the blocks on either side of the laneway.

“At the time the Catholic church reas-sured residents and school parents that having the laneway in the middle of the school grounds would be manageable,” she said.

“It is not good enough for the school to now say it cannot be managed when it has always been public land.”

Council voted on Monday evening to keep the laneway open for public use.

“We are very disappointed with the outcome of our application for the physi-cal closure of Mackay Lane, Emu Plains. At present Our Lady of the Way school is in discussion with the Catholic Education Office, Parramatta for alternate options for the security of its students and staff,” Ms Veling said.


I t was a momentous occasion at the Kingswood Women’s Bowling Club on Tuesday morning with more than 80 ladies turning out to celebrate the

club’s 50th anniversary. The Kingswood Women’s Bowling Club

is one the longest running clubs in the Penrith area and currently has 61 members along with five junior members.

President of the Kingswood Women’s Bowling Club, Alice Brown, said women from all over the western Sydney area are members of the club with some involved for its near entirety.

“We have one member here today who has been here for 49 years as well as a few others with nearly 40 years to their name,” she said.

One of those members is 83-year-old Kingswood resident Betty Hannan, who is not only a life member of the club but has been involved for an incredible 38 years and counting.

Celebrations as bowling club hits half century

The ladies of the Kingswood Women’s Bowling Club. Photo: Melinda Jane

“I truly love this club because everyone has fun and enjoys themselves,” Ms Hannan said.

“I only play social bowls these days but I’ll keep playing while I can.”

Ms Hannan said there hasn’t been too many changes over the decades she’s been a member, except for when Easts Group took over a number of years ago.

“It changed a fair bit when Easts took over and tore the old club down but it didn’t really affect our bowling much because they did the renovations in halves,” she said.

For many years the club has also been involved in a number of charity fundrais-ers, for both local and major charities.

“Last Christmas we raised money for the Winmalee Bushfire Brigade and in the past have raised money for the Cancer Council and Penrith Soup Kitchen,” Ms Brown said.

With some great results in recent events and the future looking brighter than ever, the Kingswood Women’s Bowling Club hope to be around for another 50 years yet.


local news

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Book by Mark Thomas O’Donnell Meehan

Tickets available from jspac.com.au, on 4723 7600 or in person at the Box Office

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WW8926

COMMUNITY

T he life expectancy of the aver-age Cambodian is just 63 years; a statistic brought down by the third-world country’s lack of

clean water in many areas. A growing group of local people have

been taking part in an annual walk in Penrith to help change this statistic and are gearing up for their third annual Walk For Water.

The group will be walking 63 kilome-tres in laps of the Nepean River bridge to bridge walk on June 28, to raise money to build wells in Cambodian villages.

“From Walk For Water’s first year in 2012, the national statistic of Cambodi-ans without access to clean water has halved from 64 per cent to 32 per cent,” said Justin Corbett, founder and organ-iser of Walk For Water.

“However we have found through research that the life expectancy at birth is only 63 years. Our annual Walk For Water is essentially a walk for life. We know that clean water produces good health and life’s possibilities are endless.”

Each well costs around $1,500 to build, and this year’s goal is to build 10.

“Before Walk For Water was able to build wells, these people had no other

choice but use dirty and diseased water. The water source was essentially a hole in the ground that was only filled when it rained,” Mr Corbett said.

“However, now the water they have access to is full of life. These families can now use separate water in their washing, cleaning and cooking. We want to change the lives of over 100 more families across 10 different communities this year.”

All funds raised from the walk are donated directly to Cambodia.

To get involved, visit www.wewalkfor-water.org.

How a walk can make a massive difference

Walk For Water is back in 2014

KATHERINE TWEED @ktweed_ local news

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Our contact details are: facebook.com/FriendsHCAStwitter.com/HawkesburyPdVolfohcas.com

Shelters contact details are:Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter10 Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave NSW 2756 ph: 02 4560 4644 [email protected]

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MALE GINGER & WHITE 3 YRS.This boy is a smoocher, he is so lovely i have no idea how he ended up at the pound with no owners looking for him. He is now past his due date and is looking for that loving Forever Home that he deserves.

PCC 271

MALE CATTLE X STAFFY 3 YRS DUE 5.5.14This guy came into the shelter as a stray and no one has come forward to claim him so he is now looking for a new home. A very sweet boy with the looks to match he would love a family to come and meet him and choose to take him home.

PCC 234

MALE SILVER TABBY 12 MTHS.Such a handsome man is this one, he has been at the shelter now for 4 weeks and is in need of a loving new home. This boy is friendly and is fi ne with the other cats at the shelter, come and meet him you wont be disappointed.

PCC 287

FEMALE STAFFY X 3 YRS DUE 9.5.14What a happy and boouncy girl this one is, she arrived at the shelter as a stray and as yet has not been reclaimed by her owner. She is a very sweet girl with a real personality. Loves treats and will sit, if you can offer this girl a Forever Home please contact the shelter.

All Cats - $239 Includes Desexing, Vaccination, Microchipping and Lifetime Rego.All Dogs - $334 Includes Desexing, Vaccination, Microchipping and Lifetime Rego.

WW8927

WW8951

P enrith families could see their gas bills rise by over $150 in the next two years after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

(IPART) indicated that in June it may approve a 16.9 per cent price rise for the year 2014-15.

Last week, IPART released its draft report on gas prices, and said that rising wholesale gas prices were unavoidably pushing up costs.

“The ability to export Liquid Natural Gas is driving a structural change in eastern Australia’s wholesale gas market, and increasingly domestic gas prices will be influenced by what is happening in world gas markets,” said IPART’s Dr Peter Boxall.

If approved this will be the third consec-utive rise in gas prices and the bad news for families is that depending on where you live, your bill could increase by about $159 to $225.

And small business would be hurt too, with a predicted increase of $709 next year to an average small business customer.

Rising gas network costs are also contrib-uting to the regulated price increase for AGL, the major supplier of gas to NSW’s small customers like homes, however, less

than 25 per cent of small customers are on regulated prices.

“Most NSW gas consumers are already on market contracts rather than regulated prices, and we anticipate further competi-tion among retailers as a result of electric-ity price deregulation. This should lead to more competitive energy pricing and better service standards for customers,” Dr Boxall said.

NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said that the Federal Government should be looking at a national gas reservation policy to reduce world market pressures on local prices.

“An increase in gas prices in the middle of winter will only make things harder for families right across the state,” he said.

“One solution to alleviate gas prices is to have local gas meet the needs of Austral-ian businesses and households first before it is exported overseas.

“We need national consistency and national action to keep our gas prices in check.”

IPART is taking submissions on the proposed price increases before May 21. Visit www.ipart.nsw.gov.au for details.

Consumers can compare gas and elec-tricity offers and find the best deal for them on the independent website energy-madeeasy.gov.au.

IPART likely to approve price increase in the middle of winter

COST OF LIVING

Get set for gas prices to rise

Gas prices are set to rise this July


TRANSPORT

A dditional bus stops will be installed along The Northern Road and on Bradley Street in Glenmore Park to support a

new bus service from Penrith to Glen-more Park Stage 2.

In mid May the daily service will be introduced for new residents who have recently moved into the new Glenmore Park release areas.

The route from Penrith Railway Station to Glenmore Park is intended by Trans-port for NSW and Busways to use exist-ing bus stops/bus zones along the route; however, to ensure services are relevant and well patronised, it is proposed that four new bus stops be installed on the south side of Smith Street between Evan

Street and The Northern Road, opposite existing bus stop locations.

Bus stops/bus zones would also be installed on The Northern Road, north of the Maxwell Street and Bringelly Road signals, replacing the “No Stopping” restrictions along the kerbside lane.

New bus stops to help growing community


Photo: Melinda Jane

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“It was really daunting because I’ve never been in a situation like that but at the end of the day, I did the best I could and obviously I did pretty well”

Penrith wins again! Local barista takes out national coff ee making competition

Penrith has been named the home of Australia’s best coffee for the second year in a row, with a local barista taking out a national competition.

Helia Valenzuela was declared the winner of the eighth annual Muffin Break Barista Championships, after she beat her competitors at the grand final on Wednesday, April 9.

The Erskine Park resident, who has been working at the Muffin Break in Westfield Penrith for almost two years, was chosen out of hundreds of entrants across Australia to compete in the final round.

She, along with five other baristas, had to make 12 cups of coffee in 15 minutes in front of a panel of judges who were mark-ing based on sensory elements such as taste and technical performance.

“I competed against five other people, it was just one round, but we had to make four espressos, four cappuccinos and four latte arts,” Ms Valenzuela said.

“It was really daunting because I’ve never been in a situation like that before but at the end of the day, I did the best I could and obviously I did pretty well.”

While Ms Valenzuela may have been nervous, her coffee impressed the judges, who rated her espresso and cappuccino positively but were ultimately impressed with her latte art skills.

“As demonstrated by Helia, a genuine passion for coffee, creativity and the ability to swiftly prepare and serve exceptional coffee in spite of external pressures is essential to being a cham-pion barista,” John Macphail, Muffin

Break National Brand Manager said.On top of the glory of winning, 21-year-

old Ms Valenzuela also received the prize of a coffee machine and training session with industry expert Andrew Gross, who has more than 30 years of experience.

She will also be attending another national barista competition in Melbourne next month.

Ms Valenzuela’s victory marks the second year in a row that a barista from Muffin Break Penrith has taken out the championship, with her colleague Melissa Hall winning the title in 2013.

Having a former winner onside was an advantage for Ms Valenzuela, who practiced her coffee-making skills with Ms Hall, but also said that all the staff at Muffin Break Penrith are skilled baristas.

“We worked together practically every day, so she was a big help in me getting as far as I did, we trained really hard,” she said.

Erskine Park resident Helia Valenzuela can make a mean coff ee. Photo: Melinda Jane

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Education Feature sponsored content

Penrith Anglican College has a reputation for producing successful graduates and Sam

Voller is a case in point. Graduating from the high school in

2007, he toyed with the idea of studying economics and law at Sydney University and the Australian National University before settling into a Macquarie Univer-sity degree of combined Arts Law.

With a particular interest in Russian Studies, he has won a total of eight university medals for his outstanding performances in individual subjects as well as across departments.

“My interest in Russian started when I bought a self-teach Russian language pack... I went and studied at Moscow State University for four months and since then have developed a further interest in its history and culture,” he said.

“At Macquarie they have a program where you can take on additional liberal studies subjects, ‘people and planet’ subjects that broaden your knowledge outside of your degree.

“I took up a modern history subject and apparently did quite well because I was awarded the University Medal for coming first.”

He also received medals for excellence

in modern history across his cohort. Sam also has a job as a paralegal in a

firm in Mascot and somewhat enjoys his law studies, although is undecided if that will become his career.

“I am not sure just yet what I will do after my studies, I have to reserve that judgement until I complete my degree,” he said.

With a bright future ahead of him, Sam said that his time at Penrith Anglican College was a great start.

“It was good to have teachers that you could sit down and talk with about what careers are out there,” he said.

One of PAC’s prized students soars

Sam Voller receiving one of his awards

special feature

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EDUCATING STUDENTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL CITIZENSP E N R I T H A N G L I C A N C O L L E G E

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2013 FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING IB AND HSC RESULTS:

16% of Year 12 students achieved ATARs over 90

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Year 11 places available for 2015. Year 11-2015 IB/HSC Information Evening on Monday 26th May, 2014 at 7.30pm

Visit www.pac.nsw.edu.au for further information and to see PAC’s all-inclusive fees for the IB Diploma and HSC.

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Tailored Learning. Endless Discoveries.Kumon’s Math and English Programmes are tailored to each child’s ability to help advance their numeracy and reading skills through daily practice.

Contact your local Kumon Centre to fi nd out more today

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T he Lollylicious team knows that every mum has a taste for a particular sweet treat, whether it be dark chocolate, lollipops or a Gooeylicious Mars Bar – Lollylicious offers all that and more!

What better gift to give for Mother’s Day than exactly what they are craving, all wrapped up in a beautiful and extremely delicious bouquet.

“A Lollylicious bouquet is a fabulous gift for Mother’s Day, not only does it look good but tastes sensational too!” said Lollylicious owner, Belinda Sanders.

“Mums rarely take the time to treat themselves – that’s where our bouquets are the ideal gift!”

A bouquet of Cadbury Favourites, Freddo Frogs, Ferrero Rochers or any sweet treat you can think of, can be deliv-ered to mum’s door the same day you ordered it, looking as spectacular as a bunch of flowers, only mouth-watering.

The popular store has recently expanded from operating as a 100 per cent online-based business to now opening their first physical store in the Penrith CBD, which allows for local residents to meet face-to-face with the fantastic Lollylicious team.

“The team is a bunch of very talented, wonderful people who are happy to work closely with those who are looking to create the perfect gift for someone special,” Ms Sanders said.

A Lollylicious chocolate or lolly bouquet can cost as little as $20 and is the perfect gift for him or her for a birthday, thank you, special occasion or just because.

Visit the team in store to choose from their HUGE selec-tion at Shop 8, NK Centre, 450 High Street.

Lollylicious450 High Street, Penrith

1300 664 661 [email protected] www.lollylicious.com.au

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Looking for something diff erent for mum this year? The team at Lollylicious in High Street, Penrith are here to help – and mum won’t be disappointed!

BUSINESS OF THE WEEKb

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BUSINESS TIPS

MICHELLE GRICEFounder of Shel Design

This week I’m speaking just to the numerous home based businesses, the overwhelming majority of which are run by women. There are a few ‘essentials’ when working from home – some of you may be aware of them but need to be reminded again!

A schedule is really important. Even if you are more of a ‘go with the flow’ type of person, you need to ensure that you have times for professional and personal commitments. Make decisions about when you will stop answering business calls – and stick to it!

Wherever possible, have a dedicated office space that you primarily only enter when you are working. It needs to be a place that you want to go. If it doesn’t inspire you or enable you to operate effec-tively then you won’t be productive.

Write out a plan for running your home based business. Even though you are not a large company, it is still imperative that you have a path to follow and goals you are aiming for. This also helps you to think ‘big’ and stay focused as your busi-ness grows.

Use your status as a home based business

to your advantage. Promote the fact that you are flexible and can often respond more quickly than larger enterprises that are beholden to company structures and procedures.

Think of other advantages that distin-guish you and your business and explain that uniqueness clearly in your promo-tional activities.

The power of technology has dramati-cally shrunken the gap between micro and large business as far as service provision and you can be a formidable competitor in the world of business!

The rules of working from your own home

MICHAEL TODDSmall Biz Connect Advisor Penrith Valley BEC

Do you fix your weaknesses or build on your strengths? I go through this ques-tion regularly with clients.

When people choose their careers or start off in business, they do so because they have a great strength.

Whether you’re a terrific salesperson or an outstanding electrician, your strength is the vehicle to make you money. But it only takes a short amount of time to realise what you do poorly.

No one is the jack of all trades, every-one has weaknesses as well as strengths. How many New Year’s resolutions are focused on fixing a weakness? Most people are too preoccupied with fixing what’s wrong.

Lots of people seek my advice on how to fix their weaknesses but some simply aren’t fulfilling the potential of their strengths. People that are at the top of their field are not perfect. In fact, they do have weakness, but no fatal flaws. The weaknesses do not hurt them because their strengths are so profound.

I believe you should be as capable at identifying and fixing your weaknesses, as you are at identifying and building

on your strengths. Our weaknesses are areas we need to work with over time.

Just because we don’t do something well at this very moment, doesn’t mean we can’t become very skilled at it in the future.

Instead of looking at these areas as weaknesses, plan for more time or do a little more reading in these areas.

Focusing on your strengths makes it easier to achieve goals, lower levels of stress and improve feelings of well-being. Your greatest successes and greatest growth comes from regularly using your strengths in your work.

We are at our best using skills and experience which have been practiced over and over and over again, because they’re things we like doing and are good at.

Part of my job is identifying gaps in clients themselves and in their businesses. It helps to see if there is a strength I can help a client build on first. But some weaknesses can be countered through good advice and some profes-sional development. Every situation is different.

Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses b

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HANDYPERSON/LICENSED CARPENTERALL- ROUNDER

We are seeking a local Handyperson/Licensed Carpenter, experienced in general repairs and property maintenance to join our busy Penrith based team.

You will :• Be keen to work in the Local Penrith area • Be able to demonstrate good customer service skills • Be well presented • ALWAYS leave the site clean, tidy & safe and promptly

complete all paperwork required• Have some basic computer skills • Work safely at all times and be committed to Work Health and

Safety • Be an “all-rounder” willing to undertake all aspects of domestic

& commercial maintenance, repairs & general cleaning We provide van, uniforms, Phone, Electronic Mobile Tablet(as a part of our electronic job management system) a safe work environment and fl exible start and fi nish times.

Please send your resume To: [email protected]

Enquiries: Lea Hicks – 0414441635

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EXPERIENCED PLUMBER

We are seeking a Plumber who: • Is meticulous with their work • Is neat and tidy (no Plumbers’ crack!) • Is genuinely concerned about customer needs & wants to perform all

work to create a successful outcome • Is keen to be part of a team but can also work effectively alone • Works safely at all times and is committed to Work Health and Safety • ALWAYS leaves the site clean, tidy & safe and promptly completes all

paperwork required • Is keen to learn more and to train apprentices • Has a range of experience in domestic and commercial plumbing

which may include Hot Water, Pipe relining, backfl ow prevention etc

ARE YOU THIS PLUMBER ?…..then Supakwik is your new home !!

We provide van, uniforms, Phone, Electronic Mobile Tablet ( as a part of our electronic job management system) a safe work environment and fl exible start and fi nish times.

If you would like to join our team at Hix Group Pty Ltd please send your resume to:[email protected] or contact Jason Brown on 0247217500 for more information

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AUTO

Toyota’s upgraded Yaris hatch will embark on a new era when it is released exclusively as a five-door model to Australian buyers in September.

The design, which was unveiled last week, reveals the upcoming hatch offers greater emotional appeal by sporting Toyota’s signature front-end design, which delivers a more contemporary ‘family look’ evident in cars like the Corolla hatch and sedan.

Toyota Australia’s Executive Director of Sales and Marketing Tony Cramb said the decision to develop the revised Yaris solely as a five-door model had been driven by customer demand.

“Five-door hatches have gained in popularity and now contribute close to 90 per cent of total sales in the light-car segment,” he said.

“Customers are telling our dealers they love the compact size of Yaris while also wanting the flexibility of having two extra doors.

“Easier access to the back seat is impor-tant for owners who regularly carry more than one passenger – particularly families with children.

“It also offers greater convenience for young singles, couples and empty nesters who are often joined by their friends.”

Yaris is the fourth highest selling Toyota passenger car ever sold in Australia after Corolla, Camry and Corona. Cumulative sales in Australia have passed 181,000 since the nameplate arrived in late 2005.


Toyota confirms its Yaris will beexclusively released as a five-door

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AUTO sponsored content

Is your car in need of a makeover?Perhaps you want a new leather

interior or fancy sunroof to show off to your friends? Or how about some cool new upgrades like reverse cameras and safety sensors to make your family feel safe? Doyles In Car, located in Batt Street, is the only place in Penrith to turn your base model vehicle into something more luxurious.

“We take a standard car, modify it to what the customer requires, and make it look like it was done fresh at the factory. That’s what we try to achieve every time,” Manager and leather inte-rior specialist, Grant Lewis said.

Doyles In Car has been servicing the Penrith area for 15 years with their great looking showroom and workshop in Jamisontown in operation for the past two years.

Their experienced team which includes Doyles-trained Colin and Ahmad are experts in leather interiors while Darren has over 25 years experi-ence in fitting sunroofs.

The team also look after reverse cameras for safety, DVDs for entertain-ment and rear seat entertainment for the kids plus other things like dash GPS systems.

“Our most popular upgrades in Penrith are sunroofs and interior leather,” Grant said.

“Sunroofs are popular with the younger drivers and people that can’t modify their car power-wise.

“For the older generation, it’s reverse cameras and safety sensors.”

Doyles In Car is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm. It is located at 103 Batt Street, Penrith.

Give your car the makeover it deserves

Doyles In Car

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RUGBY UNION

A crucial second half yellow card has cost the Penrith Emus their first win of the season.

With the scores close at 22-17, one Emus player was slapped with a yellow card, sending him straight to the bin which resulted in two tries to oppo-nents Southern Districts to put the game out of reach.

Penrith coach Sateki Tu’ipulotu said while it was his side’s best performance to date, the yellow card did put a dampener on what the result could have been.

“I don’t think what happened warranted a yellow card but the referee thought otherwise and it cost us 14 points,” he said.

“It was a tight game after half time but when he got the yellow card that was it.”

The final score ended with the Emus going down 41-31, their closest loss of the season so far.

Tu’ipulotu pointed out how his side’s attack and defence were improving week to week and scorelines of being beaten by more than 50 points were a thing of the past.

Emus see red after yellow

The Emus in action last weekend. Photo: Nardia Sly

Penrith coach convinced referee’s yellow card cost his side their first win of the season

“We can attack now, we now just have to work on some technical points like offloads and helping out the ball runner instead of ball watching,” he said.

“Things are still progressing but it’s more satisfying than it was say 12 months ago.”

This Saturday the Emus will travel to Merrylands to take on western Sydney rivals Parramatta in what always is a fiery clash.

Tu’ipulotu said he won’t have to moti-vate his side too much as the passion and hatred towards their cross-town oppo-nents is instilled in them.

“It’s always going to be there because we are rivals of the west. They are currently the number one team out here and we need to prove we are better than them,” he said.

“Parramatta will be strong at home; we’ve just got to be more patient and composed instead of panicking in certain areas.”

Parramatta are currently in sixth spot on the Shute Shield ladder with two wins to start the season.

The Emus are sitting in last with no wins to their name. That may change this weekend.


THE NEPEAN District Junior Triples was played at Kingswood Bowling Club. The Final was a hard fought match with K. Shorter, A. Watkins and L. Millican defeat-ing T. Holburn, M. Schultz and E. McLeod 14 to 13 on an extra end.The final of the Ladies Major Pairs was played at Penrith City Women’s BC last Thursday and the winners were Kerry Shiels and Michelle Pearce defeating Lynn Gibson and Roberta Henry 16-15. Well played both teams.After a great roll up at the Penrith BC’s ANZAC Ceremony, the ANZAC Day Triples were played and the winners were Anne

and Nev Philp along with Ash Mitchell who defeated Mike Montgomerie, John Priestly and Mimi Coleman. On the Sunday the Major Pairs was final-ised with Shaun (Shoobs) and Trent Whit-tingham victors over Nev and Steve Philp in a closely played match. Kingswood Ladies President Alice Brown welcomed Beryl Watson from the RNSWBA to their 50th Anniversary last Tuesday. Some 91 ladies from Kingswood and sur-rounding areas enjoyed a game of bowls, a good lunch and awards and presentations were made.See you next week.

THE EMU Plains Junior Rugby Leagues Club and their guests enjoyed a night at the Paceway last Thursday night and from all accounts it was a really top night for all concerned especially those who were able to back a some winners. Race one went to favourite Emerging Art ($2.00) Tod McCarthy who was able to lead from the start and hold off a determined bid from runner up Glencore who raced outside him most of the way.Local trainer driver Ross Adams took out race two with Suzies So Sweet ($11.00). She did some hard work to get to the lead but was able to hold off favourite Santastic Princess who was last early then took an inside run over the last 600m.Another one to lead and win was Corilla Tess ($3.30) John Micaleff. In race three she set a slow pace in front and thus making it a sprint home and it was too hard for the others to make up ground on her.

Grace Artois ($6.00) Kerryann Turner raced three wide early then obtained the one out one back sit. This gave her a little breather and when she pulled out at the 400m she finished strongly to beat the leader El Mega and take out race four.Race five was marred when Deadly Mer-rywood came down on the track and caused the race to be abandoned. The race was eventually re-run and this time with no incidents. The winner was Return Ace ($9.20) Glen McElhinney who was last early but moved up over the last lap to win from Courgar Oreily.Race six saw Level Two ($6.50) also come from last early and with Jim Douglas driving confidently moved up outside the leader then held off determined chal-lengers. Paddy Carmody ($4.60) won the seventh. Race eight went to favourite Don Kee ($1.60) Gary Henman, ensuring the night finished well for punters.

BOWLS // Mick Gilfoyle

HARNESS RACING // Lorraine Pozza

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UNIT 7, 37 YORK RD, PENRITH Phone:4731 3922OPEN 6 DAYS

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Come in for an appointment at no cost to you with a business advisor to help solve your business problems.

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Imagine a world without factory farming...

Watch the film. Sign the pledge. Inspire others.

You would never lock your dog inside a tiny cage and deprive her of all the things that bring her joy and quality of life. Pigs are every bit as intelligent and social as our canine friends, yet they and other animals suffer intense confinement, stress, and surgical procedures without pain relief behind the closed doors of factory farms. Our choices can set them free. By refusing factory-farmed, consuming fewer animal products, or going meat-free, you can help create a kinder world for animals.

Animals Australia, 37 O'Connell St, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051

CANOE SLALOM

W ith just two years to go until the Rio Olympics, Leonay’s Jessica Fox is proving she is the paddler to beat after

a sensational performance at last week-end’s U23 World Championships held at Penrith’s Whitewater Stadium.

Fox was on fire at her home course becoming the first paddler in history to win both the C1 and K1 U23 world titles at the one meet.

The golden double has never been achieved at the same competition before with the 19-year-old describing her K1 slalom victory as “really, really sweet”.

“This is definitely a really sweet victory, revenge I think for last year,” Fox said after failing to achieve the incredible feat in 2013.

“I was really gutted after last year, so to win on my home course is a really sweet feeling. I can’t thank everyone enough.”

The London Olympic silver medallist said she felt the pressure to perform well at her home course considering she virtually grew up at the Sydney Olympic venue.

“I guess there was a little bit of pressure on me to throw down on my home course. I knew the course was proving difficult, so I knew I just had to focus on my run and not worry about what everyone else was doing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Fox wasn’t the only local doing great things at Penrith with kayaker Angus Thompson finishing a respectable 10th in the hugely competitive Junior K1M.

Jessica Fox celebrates last weekend. Photo: Delly Carr / Sportshoot

Golden result for our JessFox in sensational form as she cleans up at U23 World Championships

Chilly nights but lots of funMore than 1,600 players to take part in Penrith OzTag’s winter competition this year

“It is progress – competing against the guys again and to get ahead of them. They smashed me last year,” he admitted.

Also doing well was Fox’s younger

sister, Noemie Fox, who just missed out on a medal in the Junior K1W final by 0.21 seconds, and fellow local Alexandra Broome who improved 11 places on her

result in 2013 to come eighth in the Junior C1W final. Other countries performing well and picking up gold included Poland, United States, Austria, France and Brazil.


OZTAG

M ore than 1,600 local players from 132 teams descended on the Kingsway Fields in St Marys this week for the start

of Penrith OzTag’s winter competition.As the nights get darker and colder,

players come out in force for the annual competitions that are extremely popular.

Men and women from in and around the Penrith area will brave the wintery condi-tions on Tuesday and Thursday nights for the next four months to get fit and have fun with friends.

Jamie Howard from Penrith OzTag said while the numbers are slightly down on previous years, the game is still very popular among locals.

“None of us like the cold nights but I think the players enjoy a bit of exercise regardless of the weather,” he said.

“Players are enjoying the social aspect of sport and more females are joining up bringing their partners and friends along with them.” The Red Ninjas before their thumping 20-4 round one win on Tuesday night

Despite the chilly weather, Mr Howard believed the winter competition was a little less competitive than the busy summer season.

“Winter is a bit more social, some teams don’t take it as serious and play more for enjoyment,” he said.

“Summer tends to get the more serious players, who have been playing sports such as league and soccer during winter, returning.”

One player returning for his eighth season, including fourth winter, is Red Ninjas captain Genesis Yuseco.

“I like playing OzTag all year around but especially in winter because it coincides with the NRL season which gets me moti-vated and excited,” he said.

We’re keen to hear about your OzTag results this year. If you’re part of a team playing this season, jump on Twitter and post your results to @wwpenrith and we’ll retweet them so Penrith locals can cheer you on!

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36

ADAM PEACOCKSports journalist for the Fox Sports team

So much we see in sport is all about being in the right place at the right time.

The greatest moments in an athlete or coach’s career usually come when they happen to be ready, and opportunity is ready for them.

Now that sounds like something you’d see on some gym wall to inspire you to lift another five kilos for the sake of it, but it fits for Sunday’s A-League Grand Finalists.

The Western Sydney Wanderers haven’t been the box office blockbuster they were last season – sequels are always harder – but man, they’ve gone close.

The season hasn’t got into the rhythm of the epic run of last campaign, but here’s where it gets back to timing – then, Central Coast Mariners were a shade too good (a shade, not much) when it really counted.

This time, with the arduous task of dealing with Champions League midweek fixtures, and a travel log book Kevin Rudd would be envious of, rhythm seems to have been found right when the last song is about to be played.

Shinji Ono looks like a spritely 24-year-old, not a near-to-retire-ment 34-year-old, Iacopo La Rocca and Youssouf Hersi have stayed out of trouble and will be there on Sunday unlike Allianz last year, and other important players are nearing performances at full capacity.

Look at Adelaide United. A month ago, they had everyone a little wary, but just when it started to matter more, for one reason or another, their collective force waned slightly. That alone was enough to end their season.

Tony Popovic knows exactly what to expect Sunday. The majority of the players do as well. Given fine margins decide games like this, everything counts. The Wanderers with momentum. Brisbane needing to be as good as they have been all season. Sunday’s all about who times it right.

Who will get the timing right on Sunday?

We play in our second consecutive A-League Grand Final this Sunday and I truly believe the club is in a better position this year because we learnt a lot from last year’s loss.

We probably went into last year’s decider with not the best attitude having been so successful throughout the year. Maybe it got to a point where we thought everything would fall into our laps. That feeling when the full time whistle went was gut-wrenching. The dressing room was sombre and it wasn’t an easy thing to get over for a very long time.

For me personally, I’ve won a Grand Final and I’ve lost one. I know the extreme emotions you can feel after a Grand Final and I know which one I want to be feeling come Sunday night.

It was always our pre-season goal to make the Grand Final again and we achieved that. We’ve now got a chance to create some more history for the club and ourselves.

Popa has tried to make this week as normal as possible for us.We came into training Monday morning and we spoke about

how much this one game matters, and I think every one gets just how important it is.

It has been a normal week of training because there’s no reason to change anything. I think where the difference lies is the outside aspect.

There is more attention from the media and public but so be it. It’s fantastic the game has created such interest.

We haven’t got any injury woes except for Mark Bridge and we’ve got a style of play that can be very effective against Bris-bane. Even though we haven’t beaten the Roar this year, in all the games we have played we have dominated for large periods of time.

If we can go into this game with the same high intensity and with the structure and tactics that are applied throughout this week, then there’s no reason why we can’t match Brisbane.

We definitely believe we can do something in this game.

The chance to make history for ourselves

GrandFinals are all

about the timing and the

small things becoming big

things

SOCCER

ANTE COVIC

Goal keeper for the Western Sydney Wanderers

Popahas tried to

keep everything as normal as

possible in the lead-up to the Grand Final

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T he Wanderers play in their second A-League Grand Final in only their second year of existence this weekend, sealing the 2013/14

season as an absolute success. Awaiting them is the Brisbane Roar – this

year’s Premiers – and a packed out Suncorp Stadium that will provide a worthy envi-ronment for the biggest match of the year.

Before giving full attention to the finale it’s worth remembering what the Wander-ers did last week to get here.

The semi-final was as tense and rollick-ing as anticipated. Pirtek Stadium was packed and boisterous.

However a queasy feeling wasn’t too far below the surface. After all, the Mariners beat the Wanderers recently – enduring a torrid time on defence only to break and score against the run of play. And, impor-tantly, it was the Mariners that defeated the Wanderers in the grand final last year, too. So, as the Wanderers began to domi-nate from the start the mood was positive but pensive. Goals are the only currency in knockout football.

SOCCER

We’ll sing louder than ever

Shinji Ono in action for Western Sydney

Wanderers look to create history against Roar in Sunday’s season decider

In the 31st minute there was a huge release; a parried shot rebounded to Brendan Santalab who flashed it across goal where Youssouf Hersi tapped it in at close range.

Hersi threw himself into the heaving RBB and launched over the barrier into their waiting arms. But wait, was he offside? No flag from the assistant. Tony Popovic put his little black notebook into his pocket looking relieved.

As the match wore on the visitors became more desperate and threw numbers forward in greater abandon. That led to the game-sealer, coming in the most typi-cal of Wanderers’ means – counter-attack. In the 81st minute the ball was turned over in midfield and fed to Hersi, who sent a long pass into the box and found Iacopo La Rocca to slot it home.

Elation! 2-0 and game over. The Wander-ers were going to the Grand Final.

Along with Hersi, Aaron Mooy is likely moving on at the end of the season, which means he has also played his last part in an A-League match in front of the home crowd.

Shinji Ono received an amazing farewell a couple of weeks ago at Parramatta. He

has truly been the perfect foundational marquee player for the Wanderers so deserves all the accolades. However Mooy and Hersi have certainly played large roles and deserve to be remembered fondly as well.

Looking forward to the big one, both sides have first team players under a cloud.

Mark Bridge, the scorer in a number of finals, is pushing it to participate this year. He injured his ankle during the second half of the semi-final and has been fight-ing to get fit enough to make the team.

Roar wing-forward Dimitri Petratos has been fighting hard to make the game as well after also sustaining an ankle injury, while Liam Miller limped off early in the semi-final and is in doubt.

Out of the three, Petratos and Miller are rated much better chances of taking the pitch on Sunday.

It’s unlikely the match will throw up any surprises in how it’s played.

The Wanderers have been at their best when they base their play on a high-energy defensive press and pounce on the counter, utilising space out wide. They will employ the most active possible version of that strategy.

They will rely on the likes of Mateo Poljak and Iacopo La Rocca to do mountains of work in the middle, clogging up passing lanes and supporting the pressing wing players when they’re further up the pitch.

The Roar are a more attacking-minded team in the sense that they try to play all over the opposition while keeping posses-sion of the ball.

This match has the potential to be one of the great finals. Suncorp Stadium is a great theatre for sport. Wanderers fans will hope it writes a winning third act for the A-League including a Grand Final victory to cap off their second year.

ELISHA PEARCE

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GRIDIRON: The Penrith City Grizzlies are on the hunt for senior players for the upcom-ing season and will be holding a registration and information day this Sunday, May 4 from 10am to 12pm at the Cranebrook Footy Fields. For more information email [email protected], the Grizzlies’ colts side had an embarrassing loss last weekend at the hands of UTS 64-0. They will play the Cubs this Saturday.

CRICKET: Penrith Cricket Club’s Patrick Jackson has been named captain of the 2013/14 Sydney Cricket Association Team of the Year. Jackson had an amazing season for the Cats scoring 724 runs and taking 41 wickets. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Jake Day has been selected in the U17’s Cricket NSW Academy squad.

AFL: After a rough start to the season, the Penrith Rams have had a narrow loss to Macquarie University 67-54 last Saturday.After two weeks of absolute beatings, Penrith put up a good fight and even led by three points heading into the final term. Timothy Cameron scored three goals while Andrew Robertson and Sam Simpson scored a double for the Rams. This Saturday Penrith will play the Holroyd Parramatta Goannas at Gipps Rd Oval at 2.30pm. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes ladies are continuing their good start to the season beating the UTS Shamrocks 53-32.

ICE HOCKEY: The Penrith Phantoms had another huge win over the weekend smashing the Liverpool Saints 11-0. However, their second division two side Phantom Menace went down 6-1 to the Norwest Emperors.This Sunday the Phantoms will enjoy a week off while the Phantom Menace will be up against the second-placed Canterbury Chiefs.

BASKETBALL: Waratah Championship League basketball finally returns this weekend with the Penrith Panthers men’s and women’s sides taking on the Norths Bears this Saturday evening at Northern Suburbs Indoor Sports Centre.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The semi finals of the junior rugby league representative finals took place last weekend with Penrith Panthers SG Ball side advancing through to the preliminary finals after defeating Newcastle 36-28. The Panthers will now play the Parramatta Eels this Saturday at 9.30am at St Marys Leagues Stadium for a spot in the grand final. In the Harold Matthews competition, Penrith will also play for a place in the grand final when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at St Marys Leagues Stadium at 11.15am.

SEND your story tips and ideas to [email protected]

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SPORTthe western weekender // www.westernweekender.com.au

the dressing room. I felt so much disappoint-ment,” he said.

“I saw the loss differently too because when you’re on the field you’re playing and focused. I felt like fan.”

When pre-season finally returned midway through last year, Wanderers coach Tony Popovic had one message for his squad: “let’s get to another Grand Final”.

Hersi said the emotion of preparing for a Grand Final is overwhelming but when he’s on the Suncorp Stadium pitch this Sunday afternoon he plans to be switched on, ready to make an impact.

“I’m buzzing and excited, I just want to lead my team,” he said.

“I want to score the goal. I want to push them. I want to give them something back.

“I plan to run like crazy. It doesn’t matter how much they kick me, I will run my ass off.”

The Western Sydney Wanderers story over the past two seasons has been incredible, even Hersi himself agrees. No one can quite believe the success the club has had both on and off the field since their inception in 2012.

“It’s a big story – first year Premier’s Plate and Grand Final appearance. This year another

Grand Final appearance and finishing top of our Asian Champions League group. But the story isn’t finished yet,” he said.

“We have to finish the story, and this Sunday we will.”

Elisha Pearce’s preview: Page 38Ante Covic and Adam Peacock: Page 37

Friday 2 May 2014

O ne Wanderers player that shares a different Grand Final pain to the rest of his teammates is outgoing attack-ing midfielder, Youssouf Hersi.

Last year the Ethiopian-born Dutchman was denied playing in the biggest game of the year after he received two yellow cards in the Grand Final qualifier and was subsequently suspended from the decider.

Speaking openly with the Weekender about that tough moment in his footballing career, the 31-year-old said all he wanted to do after that second yellow was pulled was escape out of sight.

“When I came from the field, I wished there was a tunnel into the dressing room,” he admitted.

“However, I had to return to the field after the game because we were receiving the Premier’s Plate award. It was very difficult.”

While the rest of his teammates were prepar-ing for the biggest game of their lives, Hersi’s game day experience was a lot different.

“I had to sit in the stands, I couldn’t shake my teammates hands, I wasn’t allowed to go in

Time to finish the story

Youssouf Hersi. Photo: Melinda Jane

The Grand Final appearance Youssouf Hersi has waited 12 months for


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Western Weekender May 2

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