File Note:   04 August 09.

Subject:     Telephone conversation with Lord Mayor, Friday, 31 August 2009
             approx 1400 h.

Notes:

Lord Mayor (LM)  rang unprompted, approx 1400 h.

LM gave me a summary of his position and points on the Airport-Link project.
They are:

   1. LM was original promoter of the project
   2. LM is cranky about project
   3. BCC prides itself on how it is conducting the Clem7 Tunnel Project
   4. Airport Link project has lots of rubbish, graffiti spoiling the look of
      the suburb.  He lives in the area, sees it himself.
   5. LM’s office has received complaints of sexual harassment of locals by
      workers and of workers leering at school girls.
   6. A complaint was received about work being carried out in Norman Avenue
      at 2210 h.
   7. In comparison to the Clem7 project, when a resident complained about
      vibrations when they were tunnelling 60 m down, they were offered and
      accepted accommodation elsewhere so they could have a good sleep.
   8. Actions to date by BCC:
         1. Written to Premier to complain
         2. Deputy Mayor has written to Minister Hinchcliffe to complain
         3. LM rang the Coordinator General (CG) regarding the problems.
         4. concern - LM is threatening a car parking purge
         5. BCC called TJH today
         6. Graham Quirke called TJH to tell them he was “Unimpressed”
         7. TJH continues to blame CityWorks to the point where BCC has
            refused to carry out any work for TJH other than what they are
            contractually bound to do.
   9. It was the incident on Norman Avenue which prompted the LM’s call to me
  10. In regard to the shaft:
         1. We have every right to oppose the shaft
         2. LM says that TJH are demonstrating that they are unable to 
            effectively manage construction
         3. ** IMPORTANT** Due to the change request, Coordinator General now
            gets to examine the Whole Project again.
         4. CG could look at performance to date
         5. LM has directed someone to write to the Director General of the
            dept responsible for the EPA to source the following information:
               1. Who polices the conditions
               2. Who determines that they are behaving/operating illegally
               3. Who can fine them
               4. If it’s BCC, he’ll start straight away.
         6. Biggest argument we have is BrisConnections/TJH’s lack of concern
            for the conditions put on them and lack of concern for the
            residents
         7. LM prepared to write letter to Premier saying he’s changed his
            position and opposes the tunnel shaft, eg “unless extremely tight
            conditions are met”
         8. BCC has projects that are running well here.
         9. LM’s office has a young girl who lives locally, who has complained
            about the parking congestion.  She was coming out of the gym at 
            Lutwyche and saw Sterling Hinchcliffe in Lutwyche Shopping Centre
            and decided to go and complain.  Hinchcliffe told her she should
            ring the TJH community help line.  He didn’t take here name, number
            or any contact details in order to chase the matter up and get back 
            to her.  LM is amazed that a minister of the government would not 
            do that.
  11. Lord Mayor advises:
         1. Substantive issues:
               1. He will write to CG advising that BCC have changed their
                  position
               2. BrisConnections and TJH can’t be trusted to conform with any
                  conditions set upon them
               3. They’ve had all the conditions and aren’t complying now.
               4. New, more rigorous conditions should be put upon them and
                  the compliance method clearly set out, conducted by a third 
                  party etc
  12. We discussed a Resident Parking Permit scheme.  LM thought this had merit
       and would investigate.
 


LM rang back at approx 1715 h and advised:

   1. BCC had already responded to 17JUL deadline advising they accepted the
      shaft as long as many conditions were met (went for 4-5 pages)
   2. He will now write to CG and advise that he has changed his position on
      the shaft given the lack of regard that BrisConnections/TJH have for the
      conditions to date.
   3. We discussed the Resident Parking scheme.  Three primary ideas, but he
      will mull them over for the weekend and call me back.

END