IN THIS ISSUE
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Reclaim the Streets
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Music with Leo Dale
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Speaker Cr Michael Clarke
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Speaker Colleen Hartland MLC
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Speaker Bernie Finn MLC
ON THE DAY
Councillor Michael Clark
Councillor Michael Clarke is a Labor councillor representing Wattle Ward, he was mayor of the city during 2006. Cr Clarke has been a long time community campaigner working hard to further community interests on a wide range of issues, and has regularly been willing to stick his neck out to advocate on the truck issue.
Colleen Hartland MLC (Greens)
Footscray resident Colleen Hartland represents the Metropolitan Region for the Victorian Greens. Colleen has lived in Footscray for over twenty years. She has a solid track-record in local government, having represented Yarraville and Seddon residents as one of the first Greens to be elected to the Maribyrnong Council (Sheoak Ward) from 2003 to 2005.
As a Councillor, Colleen developed expertise in financial management, working with bureaucracies and dealing with the media, all important skills in the parliamentary arena.
Before her election to Parliament, Colleen was a public housing support worker employed by the Western Region Health Centre, working with and in the community each day.
Colleen has been a crucial catalyst for change in her community. She now strives for social justice and environmental protection in the west at the State level.
Colleen Hartland is the Victorian Greens' spokesperson for Aged Care, Welfare, Disability and Urban Environment.
Bernie Finn MLC (Liberals)
Bernie Finn is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing the Western Metropolitan Region, Victoria since the election of November 2006. He was previously the member for Tullamarine District in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Bernie Finn was the number one candidate for the Liberal Party of Australia in the Western Metropolitan Region and was the only candidate from that party elected in the region, the other four being three Australian Labor Party and one Greens candidate.
Before entering Parliament Finn was a small businessman, broadcaster and a ministerial adviser to a federal parliamentarian.
Leo Dale and the Dustbusters
Leo Dale is a prolific and brilliant saxophonist and composer well known for his work with bands as diverse as the Oxo Cubans and Zebra Crossing. He is also a resident of West Footscray. The Dustbusters also feature Dave Evans on accordion from the Band Who Knew too Much, Howard Cairns on bass from Way Out West, and brilliant young drummer Hugh Harvey. The band will be playing a mixture of rollicking jazzy faves and super groovy originals. There will also be surprise special guests on the day. Never mind the protest, this is a musical event NOT TO BE MISSED. www.myspace.com/leodale
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Saturday 12th April 11.00am to 1.00pm
March from Corner Francis St and Williamstown Rd Yarraville
To Beaton Reserve Fehon St Yarraville for speakers and live music
On Saturday 12th April MTAG is organising a march along Francis St Yarraville and a family picnic with live music at nearby Beaton Reserve. The picnic will also feature high profile speakers: Cr Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland MLC (Greens), and Bernie Finn MLC (Liberal).
MTAG is calling for the State Government to end the port rat run that sees thousands of trucks a day using residential streets as a short cut to the port and as a way of avoiding Bolte Bridge tolls.
This is a chance for people to get out on the streets and express the anger that has been building in the community over excessive truck traffic, but it’s also going to be a fun morning for families with a marching band and then live music at the picnic from a group led by one of Footscray’s musical celebrities, saxophonist Leo Dale.
MTAG is encouraging everyone to bring a musical instrument if they have one, to play during the march. People in Francis St usually wake up on Saturdays to a cacophony of truck noise; on 12th April we want to change the tune.
Adding their voices to MTAG’s calls are prominent local politicians who will speak during the picnic at Beaton Reserve. Cr Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland MLC and Bernie Finn MLC will give their visions for the future and offer a chance for residents to ask some questions.
Our calls for change are reasonable, that’s why people like Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland, Bernie Finn, and Leo Dale are willing to get behind us. We’re not calling for all trucks to be banned from our streets – we don’t want to interfere with local businesses and we understand that this is a shared residential and industrial area. It’s the trucks that don’t have a local origin or destination that we want off our streets.
MTAG is also calling for the transport industry to work with them to find a solution and has had had some positive feedback from industry figures and truck drivers about MTAG’s ideas for change. Suprisingly, a lot of truckies seem to agree that this is not a sustainable situation and that something does have to change. They may not be the most vocal in the newspapers but there appears to be a growing concern in the industry.
Indeed, the threat to health and safety to which MTAG wishes to draw attention is now generally recognised including at government levels. It’s just time everyone put their heads together to come up with solutions. MTAG aims to keep reminding the authorities that Yarraville has the dubious distinction of having the highest levels of diesel pollution recorded in Australia, (according to EPA measurements) and that this situation must not be allowed to continue. It’s time for change and we can’t wait around 15 years for a tunnel to be completed, we need action now and that’s why MTAG is organising this march.
The timing is crucial with the release of the Eddington transport report just around the corner. Major decisions that will directly impact the inner West are being made now. It is vital that the community raises its voice to demand action. We urge people to make time to come out and participate.
This will be a peaceful protest held with the cooperation of Victoria Police and Vic Roads, which will stop traffic for about half an hour.
The schedule is as follows:
10.45 am Gather at corner Francis St and Wiliamstown Rd
11.00 am March East along Francis St
11.20 am Turn into Fehon St and march North
11.40 am Arrive at Beaton Reserve
11.45 am Speakers Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland, and Bernie Finn
12.30 pm Leo Dale and the Dustbusters
For more information visit www.mtag.org.au
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