Friday, 10 February 2006

Aboriginal anger as Block rezoned, The Australian, 10 February, 2006.

Aboriginal anger as Block rezoned: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 10 Feb 2006: 6.
LONG-STANDING tensions between Sydney's Redfern Aboriginal community and the NSW Government escalated yesterday after Planning Minister Frank Sartor announced that Redfern's Block, a centre of Aboriginal activism for more than 30 years, would be rezoned for commercial use.
The scheme includes a new town centre next to Redfern rail station, but puts an end to the Aboriginal plan known as the Pemulway Project to redevelop the Block with residential housing, an Aboriginal business college, retail centre and markets.
Mr [Peter Debnam], who visited the Block last week, said discontent among Aboriginal residents of [Redfern] was strong.

Full Text

LONG-STANDING tensions between Sydney's Redfern Aboriginal community and the NSW Government escalated yesterday after Planning Minister Frank Sartor announced that Redfern's Block, a centre of Aboriginal activism for more than 30 years, would be rezoned for commercial use.
The land was given to the Aboriginal community by the Whitlam government in the 1970s. Although relatively trouble-free over the past year, the area, in Sydney's inner-south, has been plagued by riots and heroin dealing since the mid-1990s.
The Government says its proposals, contained in the Built Environment Plan released by the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, will create 18,000 jobs and revitalise the area.
The scheme includes a new town centre next to Redfern rail station, but puts an end to the Aboriginal plan known as the Pemulway Project to redevelop the Block with residential housing, an Aboriginal business college, retail centre and markets.
Mick Mundine, chief executive of the Block's owner, the Aboriginal Housing Company, described the scheme as a big win for developers.
"This is a disgraceful betrayal of Aboriginal people," Mr Mundine said. "The federal Government gave us this land. It is very degrading and very racist what the state Government is trying to do. They do not understand how important the Block is to us."
Long-time resident Bill Simon said the scheme was racist.
"We are just fighting for this little bit of land," Mr Simon said. "This is the heart of Australia. If they take this away, they are ripping our heart out."
Lyn Turnbull, a member of community group Redwatch, said it was time Mr Sartor started listening to the people's desire to live in the area.
"The rezoning is all about stopping Aboriginal families being part of a viable Redfern community," she said.
"People have to remember there was a very good, very family- oriented community on the Block before state government policies allowed the escalation of the drug trade during the1990s.
"This area has always been at the forefront of reconciliation, and the majority of Redfern's non-indigenous families strongly support an ongoing Aboriginal presence here."
But Mr Sartor, who is Minister for Redfern Waterloo, defended the scheme, saying it was a balanced plan. He said the rezoning was consistent with the proposed surrounding land uses.
"This is about the big picture," Mr Sartor said. "The Block is only one component of that.
"The benefits of this economic growth must be shared across these suburbs, which house some of Sydney's most disadvantaged residents."
NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam attacked the Government for its failure to consult local groups.
Mr Debnam, who visited the Block last week, said discontent among Aboriginal residents of Redfern was strong.
"State Labor has taken 11 years to come up with a Redfern Waterloo plan, but still couldn't get the community consultation right," he said. "Putting Frank Sartor in charge was a guaranteed way to ensure the local community was not properly consulted."
Mr Debnam said Mr Sartor's aggressive approach had alienated residents, and called on him to resign from his Redfern Waterloo portfolio.
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 9 February 2006

Locals pour scorn on timing of the find, The Australian, 9 February, 2006.

Locals pour scorn on timing of the find: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 09 Feb 2006: 6.
Show highlighting
George Yanelli, general manager of Leonay's golf course, which is next to the oval where the drilling took place, said locals were cynical. "I am very happy they found water and can solve the problems of the world," he said. "Coincidentally, it helps solve many problems for the Iemma Government."
RESIDENTS of Leonay woke yesterday to find they were sitting atop a solution to one of the NSW Government's biggest problems.
Beneath the Hills hoists and rose gardens of the outer-western Sydney suburb is 15billion litres of water in an untapped aquifer. Surveyors found a similar amount near Kangaloon in the Southern Highlands.
The discovery has given the Iemma Government the perfect out from the unpopular plans for a $500million desalination plant it announced to solve the city's water problems.
But George Yanelli, general manager of Leonay's golf course, which is next to the oval where the drilling took place, said locals were cynical. "I am very happy they found water and can solve the problems of the world," he said. "Coincidentally, it helps solve many problems for the Iemma Government."
Residents said they were only told last month that drilling would begin on January 11. A letter was sent to just a few households. Pamela Karve, who lives near the bore, said it came "out of the blue" without consultation.
Real Estate agent Heather Gall said: "Forty years ago, when this area was more rural, the older properties always had bores and wells. I have always assumed there was water here. I don't believe the Government only found this out a couple of weeks ago."
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 8 February 2006

$17.5m haul of 'ice' found in speedboat, News, 8 February, 2006.


Posted by at No comments:

Monday, 6 February 2006

Dragons still top dog in parade to celebrate Chinese New Year, The Australian, 6 February, 2006.

Dragons still top dog in parade to celebrate Chinese New Year: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Feb 2006: 6.
Show highlighting
The Beijing contingent and the Falun Gong had been deliberately kept apart at opposite ends of the march and that there had been no trouble between the two groups. "The parade was about Chinese tradition and Chinese culture and was for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, even though there were various Chinese groups from completely different philosophical backgrounds," he said.
The Beijing 2008 contingent included an elementary school dance troupe, an art troupe with green frilly umbrellas and pink outfits, and a diabolo troupe performing tricks with large spinning tops.
THE Year of the Dog it may be, but nothing upstages the dragon in Sydney's annual Chinese New Year parade.
A sea of red balloons, yellow flags, bright costumes accompanied by the loud clang of cymbals and lots of dragons marked thebiggest Chinese New Year parade outside China and Hong Kong yesterday.
Fifty thousand spectators turned out to watch more than 500 performers from Beijing, promoting the 2008 Olympics with the Games' slogan "One World One Dream", lead the parade of more than 2000 performers from 50 different groups.
But something you won't be seeing in Beijing -- spiritual group Falun Gong -- took up the rear.
The group, banned in China, used the parade to spread its message that the Chinese Government has oppressed and terrorised it unmercifully.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore led the parade, arriving in a black Mercedes convertible.
Giant inflatable red and yellow digits representing 2008 danced as gold confetti drifted across George Street.
The Beijing 2008 contingent included an elementary school dance troupe, an art troupe with green frilly umbrellas and pink outfits, and a diabolo troupe performing tricks with large spinning tops.
Organiser Robert Kok said the march, part of 15 days of celebrations to mark Chinese New Year, had gone off without a hitch and with no disturbances.
"It was very colourful," Mr Kok said. "This cements Sydney as the largest Chinese New Year festival outside of Hong Kong."
The Beijing contingent and the Falun Gong had been deliberately kept apart at opposite ends of the march and that there had been no trouble between the two groups. "The parade was about Chinese tradition and Chinese culture and was for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, even though there were various Chinese groups from completely different philosophical backgrounds," he said.
The dog had a loyal and friendly personality and Mr Kok said he expected this Year of the Dog to be calmer than last year, the Year of the Rooster. "The Year of the Dog brings forth good friendship. We wish everyone a year of prosperity and good health and good fortune."
Posted by at No comments:

Libs play race card on beach stabbings,The Australian, 6 February, 2006.

Libs play race card on beach stabbings: [2 All-round First Edition 1]

Tracy Ong, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 Feb 2006: 6.
Waverley Deputy Mayor George Newhouse has told Opposition Leader and local member Peter Debnam to butt out of the debate, saying putting more police on the beat was not the solution to outbreaks of violence.
Mr Newhouse responded that: "Debnam should know better." Waverley Council and local police have had a "very active" safety committee since the New Year's riots seven years ago and police should not be criticised for not being able to be "everywhere at once", he said.
Mr Debnam dismissed the claim. "(Labor-controlled) Waverley Council would say that," he said. "These Middle Eastern thugs have been running riot for about 10 years."

Full Text

THE NSW Opposition has renewed its call to stamp out a "subculture" of "Middle Eastern thugs" following the arrest of one man accused of involvement in a stabbing spree at Bondi Beach on Friday night.
But Waverley Deputy Mayor George Newhouse has told Opposition Leader and local member Peter Debnam to butt out of the debate, saying putting more police on the beat was not the solution to outbreaks of violence.
Ahmad Elchami, 18, from Chester Hill in Sydney's west, was arrested on Saturday. Police say his white van was at the scene on Friday night when six teenagers were stabbed in the carpark behind Bondi Beach.
Three people aged 16, 18 and 19 remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition, while three 17-year-olds were discharged on Saturday.
Mr Elchami was refused bail yesterday morning and will appear again before Waverley Local Court today.
A second man, aged 18, from Granville in Sydney's west, was taken into custody but released pending further inquiries.
Despite speculation by the council that the brawl was "more a case of West Side Story" than a racially motivated attack, Mr Debnam went on the warpath yesterday over Middle Eastern crime.
"There's a subculture of increasingly brazen Middle Eastern young men who will have a go at anyone," he said.
But Mr Newhouse responded that: "Debnam should know better." Waverley Council and local police have had a "very active" safety committee since the New Year's riots seven years ago and police should not be criticised for not being able to be "everywhere at once", he said.
Mr Debnam dismissed the claim. "(Labor-controlled) Waverley Council would say that," he said. "These Middle Eastern thugs have been running riot for about 10 years."
Contrary to Mr Debnam's call for more beat police, local business owners said police were effective. The manager of Ravesi's restaurant said trade was subdued after the Cronulla riots, but additional police put on since then had reassured customers and encouraged them to return.
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Murder suspect arrested on Norfolk Island after 4 Years, News, 2 February, 2006.



Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 1 February 2006

Rodney Hooks Monk Bandidos funeral, The Australian, April, 2006.

John Stapleton 

CHOKING back tears, serving NSW police officer Detective Inspector Brad Monk paid tribute to one of the most feared bikies in Australia, his brother Rodney ``Hooks'' Monk of the infamous outlaw bikie gang the Bandidos.
With the coffin lid off, bikies with tears in their eyes had just finished filing past the body. Large, rough, upset men in full bikie regalia embraced each other. As the leader of Sydney's Downtown chapter of the worldwide group Rodney Monk was about as close to bikie royalty as you can get in Australia.
Monk, 31, was killed last Thursday night in an alley in East Sydney by a fellow gang member as part of a vicious power struggle within the group. The only suspect, former Bandido's sergeant-at-arms Russell Oldham, has been missing ever since. The Bandidos are known as a law unto themselves and a police source said Oldham may already be dead in a revenge attack.
In paying tribute to his brother, Det Inspector Brad Monk said wryly that at one time people would point out to him the graffiti tag ``Hooks'' which had been all over Sydney. He said as a kid his brother, with two elder siblings, had to toughen up fast, but had gone on to love his sport and been a fine rugby league player, which is where he got the nickname ``Hooks''. He said Rodney had developed his first taste of the sweet things in life when he used to play hookey from school and gone round to a mates place where he would stuff himself silly. ``It didn't take long to shed those little rolls,'' he said. ``He had a great sense of humour. I will never forget his laugh.''
Rodney Monk's girlfriend of several years Stephanie Roman said the pair dreamt of marrying and having children. In her eulogy she said: ``He was the centre of my world. He was a true gentleman and a born leader. All the good times we had I will never forget, his friends, his brothers, I will miss him so much. He was truly unique. He loved the fine things in life and would never accept second best. He loved his people. I will be ever thankful I have known such an amazing person.''
Dave Hanson from the God Squad said Rodney had loved life and lived it to the full. He said he stood for many things Australian society had forgotten, including mateship, loyalty, respect and commitment to his club. He said Rodney had been bitten with the love of a big bike, the call of the open road and the joys of personal freedom, passions many of his countrymen would never know or even imagine. ``Once it is in your blood you can't get it out of your system,'' he said. ``He was a man of great character and respect. Bad things do happen to good people.''
Father Colin Blayney, who conducted the service, said Rodney Monk had been big hearted, generous person ``beloved by family and friends.'' He said everyone was reminded of the darkness in life, particularly because of his ``sudden and violent death''.
After the service a troop of more than 150 souped-up bikes led the procession to the Castle Hill Cemetery, with Monk's coffin nestled on a side car and draped with red and yellow roses, the colours of the Bandidos. He was laid to rest with the equivalent of full military honours in front of a crowd of 500 friends, family and fellow-bikers. Tributes were paid as his coffin was lowered into the ground.
Posted by at No comments:

Murder ends 'sad run' for cabbie, The Australian, 1 February, 2006.

Murder ends `sad run' for cabbie: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 01 Feb 2006: 5.
Show highlighting
YOUBERT Hormozi, the Sydney taxi driver bashed to death in the early hours of yesterday morning, was a lonely man suffering severe health problems after a marriage breakdown, neighbours and co- workers said yesterday.
Mr Hormozi, in his 50s and of Iranian descent, picked up the passengers from the taxi rank near Cabramatta Station, once notorious as the centre of heroin trafficking in Australia.
Another taxi driver, Kamil Sifri, said he had found Mr Hormozi on the floor of his unit a year ago after he had suffered a stroke.

YOUBERT Hormozi,theSydney taxi driver bashed to death intheearly hours of yesterday morning, was a lonely man suffering severe health problems after a marriage breakdown, neighbours and co- workers said yesterday.    
Police confirmed they were searching for a woman and at least two men, believed to be of Islander appearance.
Mr Hormozi, in his 50s and of Iranian descent, picked upthepassengers fromthetaxi rank near Cabramatta Station, once notorious asthecentre of heroin trafficking in Australia.      
He was later found lying on the road at Canley Heights in Sydney's southwest at about 2am. He died on the way to hospital.
His taxi was stolen and later dumped in nearby Bonnyrigg.
Mr Hormozi had only recently returned to work after suffering a stroke.
He had been robbed several times as a taxi driver. Many people described him as a lonely but hard-working man.
Fellow taxi driver Steve Qamar said: "His marriage broke down, he had a couple of robberies, a stroke and finally he was killed. It is not a good trot."
Another taxi driver, Kamil Sifri, said he had found Mr Hormozi onthefloor of his unit a year ago after he had suffered a stroke.  
"People took advantage because he was disabled," he said.
His boss, South Western Cabs general manager Elis Kobti, said other drivers were shocked by the death. "He was a lonely man actually, he was living on his own, and he was a very simple man," he said. "He was robbed at gunpoint a few times and he was still going on working because he had nothing to do but drive cabs."
A former neighbour, Marko Petrovic, said Mr Hormozi lived a "very miserable life. He had a very rough life, it seemed to me. I felt sorry for him," he said.

Also published on news.com.au

Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

Barrel murders: third person hunted, The Australian, 31 January, 2006.

Barrel murders: third person hunted: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Dan Box, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 31 Jan 2006: 5.
Show highlighting
Mr [Stacey Lea-Caton] arrived alone at Nowra police station about 2.30am on Sunday and was later taken into custody. Acting on information he provided, homicide detectives arrived at the pair's house on Calymea Street at about 5.30am, where Mr Lea-Caton had arranged to meet Ms Snibson later that morning.
The two bodies were found after a triple-0 call was made to Tomerong Rural Fire Service about 11am on Sunday, hours after Ms Snibson and Mr Lea-Caton were taken into custody. It is not yet known who made the call.
"I think he (Lea-Caton) was her boyfriend but we can't think about the murder. It's a mystery. We don't know anything about where her kids are. We just want to know where they are," Ms [Frida Conaty] said Ms Snibson and Mr Lea-Caton were remanded in custody to appear in Nowra Local Court on April 10.
POLICE are searching for at least one more person allegedly involved in the murders of a well-known couple whose bodies were found burning in barrels on the south coast of NSW at the weekend.
Mother of two Kim Leanne Snibson, 36, and Stacey Lea-Caton, 27, appeared in Nowra Local Court yesterday. Both have been charged with two counts of murder. They did not apply for bail.
Magistrate Doug Dick ordered the names of their victims not to be published until they were formally identified.
The corpses, believed to have been carried to the nearby Tomerong State Forest in a ute, had been crammed into two 200-litre drums and set on fire. The grisly scene was discovered at midday on Sunday when volunteer firefighters were called to a small bushfire.
Neighbours of the pair, who lived at the same address, said a third person was seen at the house where the accused lived on Saturday afternoon, the day the murders took place.
A burnt-out vehicle fitting the description of the utility he was driving was recovered by police about 10km from where the bodies were found. Tearful neighbours expressed horror at the incident.
A friend of the murder victims, Helen Kuiper, told the Seven Network that "everybody is phoning and nobody can believe it, such a horrible thing that happened, so gruesome".
She said the murdered couple's 11-year-old son, who is believed to have spent the night alone at his parents' house before being collected by relatives, still didn't know what had happened.
Mr Lea-Caton arrived alone at Nowra police station about 2.30am on Sunday and was later taken into custody. Acting on information he provided, homicide detectives arrived at the pair's house on Calymea Street at about 5.30am, where Mr Lea-Caton had arranged to meet Ms Snibson later that morning.
Residents said there was a party at the house during the previous afternoon, with music loud enough to rattle windows in the houses opposite.
Waking neighbours and asking them to leave their homes, police lay in wait for Ms Snibson and took her into custody about 8.10am on Sunday.
The two bodies were found after a triple-0 call was made to Tomerong Rural Fire Service about 11am on Sunday, hours after Ms Snibson and Mr Lea-Caton were taken into custody. It is not yet known who made the call.
After a full day of questioning at Nowra police station, both were charged with two counts of murder at 1.40am yesterday.
One neighbour, who also asked not to be identified, said Mr Lea- Caton had been renting the house from Ms Snibson since she moved out about a month before.
"She arranged with Stacey to come back and pick up the animals and that was when the police were waiting for her," the neighbour said.
Another neighbour, Frida Conaty, said Ms Snibson had lived at the house with her husband Paul and two daughters since she inherited it in April 2003.
Last October, Ms Snibson, who used to visit regularly, said she was separating from her husband, Ms Conaty said.
"I think he (Lea-Caton) was her boyfriend but we can't think about the murder. It's a mystery. We don't know anything about where her kids are. We just want to know where they are," Ms Conaty said Ms Snibson and Mr Lea-Caton were remanded in custody to appear in Nowra Local Court on April 10.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)