Who would have thought that you could put 12 lodgers in a single dwelling two storey family home in the suburbs? According to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Accommodation) 2009, the NSW State Government allows this, by way of a boarding house. Using a little commonsense, it was rejected by a small majority. This refusal was on the basis that it was the wrong location for a boarding house, the number of lodgers was too large, it was not close enough to public transport, and it was never envisaged by Council’s own regulations.

In 2005, Time magazine named Peter Singer one of the 100 most influential people in the world. But after showing up on ABC Television’s Q&A, maybe he might have wished he hadn’t.

All I asked was: “Mr Singer, in the past you attracted negative attention for your support of euthanising physically or mentally disabled babies, if that is also the decision of the parents. Is this still your view, and doesn't it basically encourage people with disabilities to be less valued and accepted by human society?”

At a Special Council Meeting held on the night of 2 June 2010, a mutual agreement was struck to purchase three of the last seven properties without invoking public powers for forced acquisition of property.

These three properties will be sold to Parramatta City Council on agreed values following a mutually agreed process facilitated by the Hon Justice Jerrold Cripps QC (former ICAC Commissioner), and an independent valuer.

Toward the end of Nathan Rees’ time as NSW Premier, the NSW State Government began trials of ethics classes at the same time as Special Religious Education (SRE). During these trials, there was a 50%-60% decrease in student attendance in SRE classes.

Have you ever felt unjustly fined for parking just a little too long? Did you have a good reason but you didn’t have an opportunity to voice them? Have you found it too daunting to front up in court to challenge a parking infringement?

Your prayers have been heard. Parramatta City Council will be the first to introduce its local appeals panel (formally known as the Parking Infringements Adjudication Panel). This Panel has been set up to hear genuine grievances from the public who has received a Council fine.