The
Connector
A Community Newsletter from Jordan Lane MP, Member for Ryde Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Multiculturalism SUMMER 2023
8,000 more apartments?
We’ll need another school! You may have seen a recent announcement from Premier Chris Minns to allow specially zoned commercial land in Macquarie Park to become residential ‘build-to-rent’ apartments. The plan, which would involve up to 8,000 new dwellings, creates three substantial issues: 1. Ryde has already more than doubled its housing targets, with over 20,000 new homes on the way. When other parts of Sydney fail to even come close to their targets, why do we keep being targeted? 2. Current plans to deliver a new K–12 school in Macquarie Park were modelled off existing demand. By adding 8,000 new homes, we will need to build yet another school, but no plans or funding has been allocated; and 3. How do we maintain our status as one of the largest GDP producing centres in the nation if the sites helping create high-tech jobs and economic growth are converted for housing?
Our community has been very patient as we wait for new infrastructure to be built to sustain the ongoing growth. However, plans to build even more apartments without infrastructure like the Macquarie Bus Interchange and Catherine Hamlin Park are extremely short-sighted.
Millner, and many other commercial precincts in Ryde. The policy of bypassing Councils is inconsistent with the government’s rhetoric before the election that they would “restore local planning powers”, and was never disclosed during the campaign.
It also beggars belief that in the same week the Government announced these 8,000 new apartments, the one road improvement project planned for our community was also axed – upgrades to Blaxland Road and Balaclava Road, Eastwood.
I have always fought to ensure we get better planning outcomes in Ryde, and am devastated that once again, community interest is being ignored. As your local MP, I need your support so I can strongly put the case in Parliament for the future of Ryde.
In response to calls from Ryde Council to preserve the commercial core of Macquarie Park, the Premier has stated on the record that Councils and communities like Ryde “can expect more of this.”
If you have concerns about these plans, support my calls for another school, and want to be kept informed, please sign the community petition by scanning the QR code.
This raises questions about other locations such as Macquarie Mental Health Hospital, Sydney Water, TG
Thank you to the residents of Macquarie Park who have partnered with me on this campaign – it is essential that we win!
The proposed new ‘residential’ zone
o Jordan speaks to the media with the Shadow Minister for Planning, the Hon. Scott Farlow MLC
SCAN AND SIGN THE PETITION
Old Meadowbank Public School
Save the hall! In great news for our community, the old Meadowbank Public School will soon become an open space park. However, I have recently learned that despite previous commitments to preserve the school hall, the State Government has sought to lodge a Section 4.55 application to demolish the structure.
As a former student of Meadowbank Public School, I know many who will be disappointed if demolition proceeds. I am committed to advocating for our community’s best interest and enhancing this much needed public space.
Given the hall is still new, I believe such a decision would be incredibly short-sighted.
Alongside Ryde Councillors Shweta Deshpande, Sophie Lara-Watson, and Justin Li, I am taking the fight directly to the Premier and the Education Minister.
As your local MP, I have heard your calls for more places to play indoor sport, hold multicultural events, celebrate birthdays and much more.
If you support our campaign to save the old Meadowbank Public School hall, please sign and share my petition using the QR code.
i Jordan with fellow Councillors Sophie Lara-Watson Shweta Deshpande, and Justin Li
SCAN AND SIGN!
Bus Taskforce
We ♥ Macquarie Mental Health Hospital After months of campaigning, it seems we have secured a significant win in protecting the Macquarie Mental Health Hospital/North Ryde Common site from development, after secret plans were revealed by the Sydney Morning Herald in August. While good news in the short term, we must remain vigilant and I am seeking confirmation from the Premier and his Ministers that they will not seek to develop any part of the Macquarie Mental Health Hospital/North Ryde Common site at any time in the future. Thank you to everyone that signed petitions, wrote letters, attended meetings and helped doorknock the community, I am eternally grateful. You are the reason I will never stop fighting for community spaces.
I love our local bus services, and know many local residents rely on public transport to get around. In a win for Ryde, the Transport Minister recently committed to restoring the M52 Bus Service. However, we know there is a bus driver shortage and need to ensure this happens without cuts to other services. I am seeking feedback from our community about what works, what doesn’t and any ideas you have for improvements when the government starts reviewing our local bus routes. Please scan the QR code and leave your feedback so I can advocate for better buses in Ryde.
Have your say about our Bus Taskforce!
Cultural Centre
SCAN AND SIGN!
During the election the Government promised Ryde’s Korean community they would build a new Cultural Centre right in the heart of Eastwood. This was warmly received by many in our community. However, we have since learnt that the cost of such a project could be millions of dollars, and insufficient funding has been allocated to ensure its delivery. Worse, it was revealed that no consultation had taken place with Ryde Council, despite them fully owning the physical site. This is unacceptable, and requires the Government to not only stump up funding to keep their election commitment, but also work with Council, not against them, on the delivery of important community facilities. If you support our campaign, please scan the QR code.
In Parliament
Parliament Watch Since my election, I have been busy representing you in Parliament: 138 Speeches, 15 Notices of Motion, 108 Questions on Notice. You can find more details on these contributions by scanning the relevant QR codes below:
138 Speeches
Renter’s forum On 29 October I held Ryde’s first Rental Forum at Marist College Eastwood to help support the over 40% of Ryde residents who rent in our community. It was an important opportunity for local tenants to learn more about their rights, connect with services and advocate for fairer and more modern policies. I have been an advocate for making it harder for overseas buyers to freely retain vacant property, which could instead be used to help house someone in our community. Additionally, I am pushing to remove ‘no-grounds’ evictions, and instead introduce ‘reasonable-grounds’ to ensure fairness and transparency for both renters and property owners alike.
My Role as Shadow Assistant Minister I wanted to highlight a disappointing development in the recent State Budget, with $150m of cuts to palliative care in NSW. As the Shadow Assistant Minister for Health, I have heard the complaints of many health stakeholders who have described these cuts as unacceptable. Across the political aisle, there are strong voices advocating for this funding to be reinstated as soon as possible, to ensure there are nurses, medicines and facilities available to provide world-class end-of-life care.
Interpreter services can be organised if required. In order to assist our Korean constituents in addressing State issues, a bilingual Korean staff member will be available on Mondays. To assist our Mandarin speaking constituents a bilingual staff member is available on Thursdays.
주 정부 현안과 관련된 한국 선거구 매주 월요일에는 영어와 한국어로 민원상담을 도와드립니다. 영어를 구사하는 직원이 있습니다.
如果需要，可以安排口譯服務。每個星期四， 我們還有會講普通話的工作人員為選民提供服務。
15
Notices of Motion
108
Questions on Notice
Out in the Community
Christmas Message As the festive season begins, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to each and every one of you. May this Christmas bring you moments of love, laughter, and reflection, surrounded by the ones who matter most. In our vibrant community, let us cherish the spirit of togetherness and unity. May the coming year be filled with opportunities for growth, prosperity, and shared success. As your representative, it is an honour to serve this wonderful community. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure a bright and promising future for Ryde. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, harmony, and positive progress.
Christmas Card Winner! Congratulations to Ava from Melrose Park Public School for winning this year's Christmas Card Competition. This will now be going out as my official Christmas card for the year. Have a look at the lovely design to the right. Also see our incredible finalists, one from each year, K–6. Thank you to each of you for the incredible work you put in to make these designs. Finally, to all the entrants, thank you for taking the time to participate in the year’s competition. I am overwhelmed by the creative talent we have here in Ryde. Each grade’s finalists: K. Angelina (Eastwood Heights); 1. Piper (Holy Spirit); 2. Sidhant (North Ryde); 3. Ethan (St Michael’s); 4. Mia (St Anthony’s – a), joint year four winner with Yue (Ryde East – b); 5. Olivia (St Charles); and 6. Mia (Ryde).
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4a
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Carols night in Ryde!
y r r e M mas! ist & Oscar C h–rJordan
North Ryde Carols on the Common are back and this year I am sponsoring the RASAID tent who provide supported accommodation for people living with intellectual disability. The Carols on the Common reminds us of the importance of open spaces like North Ryde Common, and I acknowledge the incredible work of our community who have worked to ensure it is protected from government housing plans. I am looking forward to using the Common for its rightful purpose on 17 December, and encourage you to block out your calendars for an evening of Christmas cheer and family spirit.
GET IN TOUCH VOLUME-CONTROL-PHONE (02) 9808 3288
@ ryde@parliament.nsw.gov.au MAP-MARKER-ALT Suite 202, Ground Floor 5–9 Devlin Street Ryde NSW 2112
MESSAGE @JordanLaneRyde ✉ PO Box 736 Ryde NSW 1680
I ♥ Ryde
Don’t forget to share this newsletter with your friends and family to keep them in the loop with all the exciting happenings in Ryde! Together, we can make a difference in our community.
Authorised by Jordan Lane MP. Printed by Print48, Unit 1, 70 Hassall Street, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 using parliamentary entitlements. November 2023.