• Make Summerleas road safer for all, people and wildlife.
    We are concerned for the safety of all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders and wildlife that traverse the road. Speeding drivers ignore speed limits and fail to drive to the conditions killing wildlife at night and increase the risk of accident and injury to people in the day time. Wildlife deaths occur almost every night in this well known black spot. The average for the whole of Tasmania is one wildlife death per 3 kilometres. At certain times of the year this section of Summerleas road has recorded an average of one death per 8.5 metres. A total of 65 wild lives were lost on this section of road between the 4/9/21 and the date of this petition. This figure does not include at least 9 known joeys that also died along with their mothers and 3 injured animals that had to be rescued and euthanised due to the severity of their injuries. The Natural Values Atlas lists 3 threatened mammal species of concern for this area. They are the Eastern barred bandicoot, Eastern quoll and the Tasmanian devil. Several Bandicoots have been killed recently on the road. Eastern quolls and Tasmanian devils have been sighted (and devils accidentally trapped) by residents on properties close to the road. The phycological effect on the community that witnesses this amount of death on such a short section of road must not be overlooked. The danger to human life of injury and death is just as real and also needs to be addressed. There is a concentrated population of horse riders in this area, and close surrounding areas and a long established horse agistment centre actually within the section of road that is our major concern. To reach the few safe and designated riding trails that exist, riders must ride through this section as they have no alternative choice. There have been many incidents of very near misses involving horses, their riders and inconsiderate and speeding drivers. There are no safe pathways or verges. The road has at least one dangerous blind corner and is quite narrow in places with nowhere to safely get off the road. The shoulders are narrow with significant ditches and areas where the ground drops away steeply while other sections have a high embankment. These conditions make it dangerous for horse riders, cyclists, dog walkers and pedestrians in general. Many school children regularly walk to and from school bus pick up, and drop off points. The community includes cycling enthusiasts and people who regularly walk their dogs. Both groups also report incidences where an accident has only been averted by sheer luck, including a dog (on lead) that was lucky to escape with severe bruising after an accident involving a speeding driver. The road is undoubtedly a shared zone and drivers need to be alerted to that fact and encouraged to drive appropriately. Signage alerting drivers to the wildlife death black spot need to be installed and a reduced dusk to dawn speed limit imposed. It has been well studied and documented that a reduction of speed between dusk and dawn would reduce the wildlife deaths on Tasmanian roads by a huge amount. (Hobday 2010 ) Some estimates suggest as many as half the estimated annual 500,000 animals could be saved by reduced speed between dusk and dawn. Other mitigation initiatives should also be explored such as speed humps and new generation virtual fences designed for Tasmanian conditions and wildlife. Other options could include community based and created art works that highlight the issues and engage the public in creative and new ways. The people who have signed this petition request Kingborough Council implement speed restrictions, signage and safety measures to make this particular road a safer place for everyone, people and animals.
    379 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Ruth Waterhouse
  • No to more waste at Hampton Park Hill
    In 2022 the City of Casey released the draft 'Hampton Park Hill Development Plan’ which proposes to continue use of the landfill site as a regional hub for waste. We want to make it clear that we totally object to this proposed 2022 development plan. Further we say no to any land use on this site other than repatriation into open space and park land. The Lynbrook Residents Association leads this campaign on behalf of the undersigned and other concerned residents, who will consider all means necessary to fight this proposal including a class action, for which there is already a legal precedent within Australia. WE SAY NO! The long suffering residents of Lynbrook, Hampton Park, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne North have paid a heavy price for poor planning of residential land around the boundary of the Hallam Road Landfill since 2001. They have endured continual noxious odours and putrid smells from the site as well as dust, large trucks, and many health & safety concerns. Since this time, residents have continually been told the land would be repatriated to open space and parkland, a reward for their tolerance and patience. Instead of ceasing operation when the tip is full (approx. 2025), as promised for many years, the proposed plans propose a Waste Transfer Station to remain on site for at least another 30 years, with a proposed 1806 tonnes of waste per day. This proposed 550,000 tonnes of waste per annum would be delivered, compacted and removed off site by B-Double Trucks, all on our local roads, 7 days a week and up to 16 hours a day. WE SAY NO! As late as 2019 in the Hampton Park development plan, (section 4.2.4) the City of Casey stated their objective for this land was :- “To progressively rehabilitate and develop the quarry/landfill site, upon cessation of current operations, for the purpose of public open space.” Now the 2022 proposed plan is anything but that. We have lost about half our public open space and most importantly if this plan goes ahead we will have half of Melbourne’s waste (10 municipalities) still coming to our doorstep for another 30 or more years. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH and we STRONGLY SAY NO! In 2018, without consultation, the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG) identified this as a site of State significance as a resource recovery hub, whilst the residents still continued to be fed the lie of open space. Home owners within the landfill 500 metre buffer zone (at least 1350 homes) will have an overlay added (under section 32) that restricts what owners can do to their own homes! This will affect house prices. Want to put in a granny flat on your home in 10 years? Read this –“To discourage intensification of existing sensitive land uses and development within the landfill separation buffer area through RESTRICTIONS on subdivisions, development of second dwellings and dependent persons unit.” In February 2020 all City of Casey Councillors were stepped down. Since then we have had no publicly elected council. Decisions of this magnitude should not be made without democratically elected councillors who can represent the views of the community. 25 years of waste to Hallam Road is more than this area can take. We need a break and we need Government to consider a more suitable local option such as the Taylors Road Landfill which is 1km from the closest home, or consider another non-residential space. WE SAY NO! No Tip No Waste No Transfer Station No Tip No Waste No Transfer Station This petition is addressed to all levels of local and State Government and the undersigned clearly state that we say no to any development for waste purposes, and will only accept the repatriation of this site to the parks this weary community deserve. We won’t rest until a new Development Plan is proposed that goes back to what was promised. PUBLIC OPEN SPACE ONLY Please SIGN below if you wish to support this cause. Every signature counts. We need to make our voices heard. Tell your friends and family to join us. WE SAY NO!
    614 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Scott Watson Picture
  • Its time... Bathurst Athletics Centre
    The Bathurst Region currently does not have a facility able to host a track and field event that is safe and fair. Indeed, this year our two high schools, Bathurst High and Kelso High have been unable to host safe athletics carnivals for the whole school due to the lack of a venue that meets requirements to keep their students safe. Other schools have relied on the kindness of McKillop College to help host safe events. Even so, their track is well shy of the 8 lane, 400m required by basic standards and the field event facilities are well short of the standard needed. Current occupational health and safety standards are not met at council owned facilities, nor are the requirements needed to host an athletics event of any competitive nature. Last year we nearly had a discus in flight hit a member of the public during an athletics club night due to the lack of appropriate fencing. No school in the Bathurst region is currently able to hold an athletics carnival at a venue that meets basic standards for athletics as set down by the IAAF or Athletics Australia. Morse Park is inadequate for the role it is undertaking. The Sports Ground is a round cricket venue unable house the 2X 100 metre straights and 2 x 100 bends of a standard 400m athletics track. Certainly the cricket community would be less than impressed with a javelin landing in the pitch at the centre of this new facility. Given that Track and Field has and continues to form the basis of all sports across its many disciplines since ancient times, we encourage Bathurst regional council move to address this issue in our “sporting city”. We would never ask Cricket to play on a rectangular pitch or Football Codes to compete without posts, but Track and Field has endured substandard facilities in our city for decades. As Bathurst’s population continues to grow, we call on Bathurst Regional Council to identify and set aside land specifically for the future development of a track and field specific venue. This is integral for the future of the sport in Bathurst, facilitating not only local sports clubs but complementing the educational curriculum of all schools, public, catholic and independent across the region. Previous requests have largely fallen upon deaf ears and we believe now is the time for council to commit to such a project moving forward before the increasing urbanisation rules out land capable of hosting such a venue. Track and Field is participated in by every single child at school in our region and therefore this facility would be used annually by every family with a child at school; a high use facility. Indeed between club meets, group training sessions and school’s use, such a venue would receive year round patronage. School carnivals and seasons traditionally run April/May, finishing in November with large carnivals in Sydney. Athletics as a club sport begins in September/October and continues through to March after the State Championships. Done properly, such a venue has the ability to generate over $1 million into the local economy annually, through hosting of larger zone and regional carnivals both for club and school and university level events. Visitors to Bathurst from outside the region would be spending in fuel, meals and accommodation in our city for endurance events and larger 2 day athletic meets. An allocation of land for athletics would need to comfortably accommodate an IAAF standard international 400m athletics track with two 100m straights and two bends, throwing (shot put, discuss, hammer and javelin) and high jump facilities inside the track and have both long jump and triple jump pits (an area of roughly 180 long by 120m wide before amenities). Planning needs to allow for an all-weather surface as and when funding becomes available. This is imperative for our para athletes who currently have no other option but to travel to Sydney or Dubbo to train due to the lack of all-weather synthetic athletic surfaces in Bathurst. In fact, no such venue currently exists between Blacktown and Dubbo. Such a venue needs to be secure so that kindergarten aged children or our Tiny Tots and U6 athletes can compete without fear of wandering onto surrounding roads, go to the bathroom without fear of intrusion or get changed in safe surrounds. Should these conditions be met, local school principals already canvassed would support the project. An all weather track is needed in future to level the playing field with the same track surface conditions regardless of moisture, weather or general surface condition as those in metro areas. The athletics track at Morse Park is no longer appropriate nor safe to use. It does not conform to modern OH&S standards from athletics bodies. Morse Park is a multiple use facility with the busy highway running next door, no appropriate fencing, no canteen, no shelter, no change rooms, showers or adequate toilets. It has inadequate throwing (discuss, shot put, hammer throw and javelin) facilities situated at the site and non conforming runways for jumping. Additionally, most local school principals would struggle to hold a carnival there as it simply would not pass any modern school risk assessment criteria. Bathurst is also not in a position to host University Championships due to the lack of such a facility despite hosting one of the biggest CSU Campuses here in town. This proposed venue will be used by every school and all students and their families at least annually in our sporting city for generations to come. We urge council to closely examine options so that we as a city have the kind of community use facility that can safely, fairly and comfortably host Track and Field events without compromise, from local school to large regional and championship events in the future.
    914 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Bathurst Little Athletics Picture
  • Improved access to Pigeon House Mountain
    Most people who live in or visit the Shoalhaven would be familiar with Pigeon House Mountain - or to give it the name known by the Yuin Nation people, Didthul. The mountain was called Pigeon House by Captain Cook in 1770, because it was so noticeable even from offshore. It has long been one of the iconic attractions in the Shoalhaven. It routinely attracted hundreds of visitors per day in peak season - so much so that the car park overflowed and the approach roads were jam packed. It has been called the single most popular tourist attraction in the region, and for good reason - it is a perfect day walk and the views from the top are spectacular. After the 2019 bushfires, the mountain was closed for rehabilitation work by National Parks. This has been completed, but is not getting as much use as it might because Pigeon House is not so easy to reach any more. While the roads all over the Shoalhaven are a mess, most are still possible to drive. But the route to Pigeon House is often completely unusable without a 4WD vehicle AND a spell of clement weather of at least a few days. Even then, it may not be possible. Many visitors have ended up stranded, to be rescued by the locals. The main tourist route to Pigeon House is via Clyde Ridge Road, but the maintenance of this road is a mish-mash of responsibility. Only the first kilometre is maintained by Shoalhaven Council. The rest is maintained by State Forestry, and since the 2019 bushfires and subsequent floods has barely been maintained at all. Why not? Because Forestry is currently unable to log in the area, and will only maintain the roads for other purposes if they are paid to do so. National Parks has an interest, because it is a key access route to several National Parks, and so does the Rural Fire Service - this road was one of those critical for access during the 2019 bushfires. Under normal circumstances they all contribute to the maintenance of the road, and Forestry has asked them to do so again - but apparently to no avail, and the road has now degraded to the point where it is often impassable even with a 4WD. The locals know how to avoid the worst spots, but visitors do not and many have gotten stuck and in some cases have had their vehicles damaged by collisions with other vehicles trying to negotiate the roads. This is not good for the image of the Shoalhaven as a tourist destination. Representations to all the stakeholders - State Forestry, the Rural Fire Service, Shoalhaven Council, and the State and Federal Governments for assistance have been unsuccessful. "No money" is one common response. "Not our responsibility" is another. As is "Perhaps in a few years". Fortunately, there are people who live in the area. And it is these people who make it possible that visitors can still get to Pigeon House at all. The locals now maintain these roads and bridges, using their own equipment, in their own time, and with their own money. Their council rates apparently go to fixing other local roads in the Shoalhaven, but not their own. It should not be the responsibility of the locals to maintain these roads. Shoalhaven Council should take primary responsibility of maintaining Clyde Ridge Road and other critical roads in the area, for the sake of assisting the recovery of tourism in the Shoalhaven, and for the safety of visitors to the area.
    128 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Ross Higson
  • Save Moreland's magnificent River Red Gums
    Every single tree assessed as highly significant in December 2021 by government-appointed arborists has been destroyed to make way for a giant car park at Merlynston, just 10km north of the city. These are now the only significant indigenous trees that remain standing within cooee of Merlynston Station on the Upfield Line after the Victorian Government appointed its Level Crossing Removal Project to double the size of the car park. The government is using the special powers of the LXRP to steamroll the local community and council's wishes to keep these trees. The community consultation report for the Merlynston Car Park project, obtained by residents through Freedom of Information, showed that retaining existing trees was their top priority and cited in 53 per cent of submissions to the LXRP. This unwanted car park expansion has been jointly funded by the former Scott Morrison government. In December, arborists prepared a report for the Victorian Government describing these two stunning, large trees east of Merlynston Station as highly significant and said the car park project should take all available measures to protect their roots. This was the plan, until recently. On May 31st, four months after the car park project began, the Victorian Government suddenly letterboxed residents of Bain Avenue and told them the street's two River Red Gums would be coming down within weeks . Enough is enough! Enough sham consultation with community! Enough destruction of Moreland’s significant canopy and habitat trees! Enough new car parks! Listen to us! Change your plan and spare these valuable trees!
    658 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Merlynston Community 3058
  • Bonogin & Mudgeeraba Bus Route
    Bonogin and Mudgeeraba residents that do not drive find it difficult to socialise without relying on others to provide transport options. An extension of the existing bus service to the area will provide a means for residents to commute to Robina and other areas using the established bus/ train network. Socialising with peers improves mental health, reducing stress and anxiety and provides options for families without transport a greater quality of life, which are now further exacerbated by cost of living pressures. A bus service to Bonogin/ Mudgeeraba will also provide improved access to sporting, shopping and recreation amenities; and assist in providing access for teenagers to gain part time/ casual employment opportunities without sole reliance on others to meet transport needs. In February 2022 we received 456 signatures on our first petition. Our petition was submitted to the Minister for Main Roads and Transport on the 4.3.22. Mark Bailey did not consider this issue worthy of his time and delegated this to the General Manager of Transport Integration. A response was received on the 22.3.22, that failed to understand the basis of our request. It was suggested in the response that Bonogin is inadequate to support a stand alone service. The response failed to take into account the bus service requested was for an 'extension' to the existing bus services and is also to include for the residents of Mudgeeraba. A stand alone service was not requested nor implied in our first petition. Bonogin and Mudgeeraba are growing suburbs with an ever changing demography of young people and the elderly sharing who often are living in granny flats due to cost of living pressures. An unsatisfactory response by the Minister has lead me to reinitiate another petition in the hope that we gather a greater level of support from the community for this initiative and have our petition taken seriously.
    50 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Owen Wade
  • Save Ice Sports in Tasmania – A New Modern Ice Sports Centre
    Tasmania’s only ice rink has sold, closing from 22 May 2022 to be repurposed. As Australia’s southern-most state, Tasmania is ideally situated to nurture vibrant, successful and sustainable ice sports. Tasmania’s (only) ice rink currently hosts hundreds of ice hockey, figure skating and recreational skaters every week – all of whom will soon be left without a home to train, compete and play together. Ice Sports Tasmania is working tirelessly to secure a future for our ice sports but we need your help! Research outlining the benefits of participation in sport and maintaining community connection is well evidenced. A new facility means our sports can continue….and can grow to their potential. This includes opportunity to: *grow and develop ice hockey and figure skating *establish new sports such as speed skating, curling and broomball *establish school-based junior programs and vulnerable youth programs, and *establish a raft of ice sports programs for people with a disability. *But we need a new full-sized ice sports centre. Ice Sports Tasmania is already aware of an interstate investor interested in partially funding, building and operating a new, accessible and modern ice sports centre here in Hobart. An investor who shares our vision for growing and developing local ice sports while working towards establishing a future Hobart-based team in the Australian Ice Hockey League. Tasmanian ice sports are now at a crossroads. We either say goodbye to our old ice rink and our beloved ice sports or our political leaders work with the Tasmanian ice sports community and the private sector to secure the future of our sports, bring much-needed investment into Tasmania and ultimately create further opportunities for our local kids. We call on the Tasmanian Government to work with Ice Sports Tasmania, the private sector and our community to establish a new full-sized Tasmanian ice sports centre. This includes exploring a potential partnership between government and the private investor. Please sign and share this petition. With gratitude for your support, Ice Sports Tasmania
    14 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Ice Sports Tasmania Inc Picture
  • Forbes Dog Park
    If you take a walk around Lake Forbes, as many locals do, one thing you'll notice is that almost every other person you see has one or more dogs. It is clear that there is something significant missing in our town, an off leash dog park. There are currently no fenced in off-lease areas for dog to socialize with other dogs within the Forbes Shire. It’s very important for dogs to interact with different people and animals, as well as take part in varied experiences in a safe environment so they can work out the right way to behave. If dogs are not correctly socialized, they can develop phobias and behavioral problems that can be very hard to fix. As someone who travels with my dog, as many people do, I know that I am much more likely to stop in a town where there is a dog park so that the dog can get some exercise on long journeys. A well planned and maintained dog park could be another reason for people to stop in Forbes and enjoy all that we have to offer. This will be another way of bringing our local community together and could be a great asset for our town. If you think Forbes deserves a dog park please sign our petition and help spread the word! Thank you
    230 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Laura Smith
  • Renewables not Gas for the The Hills area
    Gas is a dangerous, polluting fossil fuel. It releases greenhouse gasses that contribute to the horrific bushfires and raging floods we’ve seen devastate communities across the country in recent years. And it isn’t just a disaster for our climate. It’s also bad for our health. Public health experts are concerned about the health risks of cooking with gas in our homes, which can have a similar impact on childhood asthma as living with cigarette smoke. But the good news is that some local councils around the country are bowing to community pressure and taking matters into their own hands - promising to end new gas connections, and help people with the cost of switching to electricity and renewables. And with enough pressure from the community, our local council could join this movement today!
    41 of 100 Signatures
    Created by KRIS NEEDHAM
  • Voting Rights for Permanent Residents
    Imagine living, working, and otherwise contributing to a community where you have no power. Imagine feeling like your voice is never heard in your own home. Imagine being denied the right to vote… in 2022. That is the reality of being a permanent resident in so-called Australia, in this so-called democracy. Estimates suggest that there are 2 million Permanent Residents in Australia*. That's a hefty percentage of our population! For many, getting to this point has been a battle hard-fought. Tears, sacrifices and a significant financial impact are all worth it for many of us, for that sense of security (a sense denied to many of us who were still on temporary visas through the pandemic). Many of us have jobs, and pay taxes. Taxes we don’t get any say in how they are spent. We work in health, education, government, for non-profits - just like Australians. Some of us work those jobs no Australians will do, perhaps on the farms. Some of us volunteer, or get involved with our local community in other ways. We may be students, bettering ourselves for the sake of this country. Others still raise Australian children, our future generation. Some do it all, while some are just figuring it out right now. But even those who do “nothing” contribute to our economy, and more importantly, our society. No matter the level of these contributions, we should all count. Politics literally touch every tiny bit of our lives, every day. The rights we have at work, the protections we have as women, children, or people living with a disability, as well as our ability to access the healthcare and welfare systems. The list goes on. So, why don’t we just become citizens? It is not that easy. Not only is it a time-consuming process, you have to meet a lot of extra requirements. Plus - you guessed it - you have to pay more money (the costs just doubled last year). The wait lists are also pretty ridiculous… and the applications are not processed in order, despite claims to the contrary. Finally, many countries don’t even allow you to have dual citizenship! We are not asking for special treatment. I cannot possibly speak for everybody, but most of us are so grateful to be here. On a personal level, I believe the right to vote is so important. Women died for the right. In all patriarchal and/or white supremacist and/or classist societies, denying a marginalised group the right to vote has always been commonplace. Disgracefully, First Nations people were only given such a right (on stolen land) in 1962. This seems unthinkable now. While I cannot begin to imagine such oppression, surely this is shocking as well? The etymology of the word "democracy" roughly means "the will of the people". ALL people. Did you know? Other countries allow all residents to vote, providing they have shown at least some commitment. The commitment we have shown, I promise you, goes above and beyond. I have been here for almost 6 years, dedicating myself to this country and its people. I am far from the only one. I will pursue this campaign even after I proudly accept my citizenship, hopefully later this year. I love my Australian partner, my Australian friends, all of my opportunities. Chances are, you know someone like me - maybe you were someone like me - please let us be heard! Personally, I think we should allow anyone living here long-term the right (including prisoners), but let’s start with PR. This is our home, our FOREVER home, and we care about it - so we want the chance to make it better. *It is strangely difficult to find the exact numbers of Permanent Residents living in Australia. For the year ending 30 June 2020, there were over 7.6 million migrants living in Australia. 29.8% of Australia's population were born overseas. According to the most recent data from 2016, only 82% of respondents were citizens on Census night. In my city, Sydney, that figure dropped to 64%. Allowing for many temporary visa holders and even tourists, this still leaves a large amount of Permanent Residents unaccounted for. (Please note, 2021 data has not yet been published)
    13 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Claire Louise Sheridan
  • Help Support Currimundi Local Musicians - Busking at Currimundi Lake Park
    Busking at Currimundi Lake is currently financially nonviable due to the specific location being away from the majority of the community gatherings, and times of the approved busking zone being too limiting finishing before the majority of the community gathers (5pm). Busking does not happen in the current approved zone because buskers do not get enough of an audience. The lead petitioners are musicians, performers and Currimundi local residents who want to showcase art where the community want to gather to see it. We want the Council to amend the current location and times for approved street performances at Currimundi Lake. We want the approved zone moved to the lawn adjacent to the public gazebo; where people mostly gather and where the Currimundi Twilight Markets also have their entertainers. We want the times to be amended to include the hours between 12pm and 30 minutes after sunset (seasonal). This change will directly affect and assist the income of dozens of local musicians who have enjoyed entertaining at this location until the recent Council changes. It will encourage the cohesion and connection of local community where the community chooses to gather and socialise. This alternative busking zone will help with exposure to a larger audience for existing local performers, and nurture and encourage young local performers to also showcase their art to their friends, family and the public that gather there.
    2 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Ollie Jacobs
  • Renewables not Gas for Frankston
    Gas is a dangerous, polluting fossil fuel. It releases greenhouse gasses that contribute to the horrific bushfires and raging floods we’ve seen devastate communities across the country in recent years. And it isn’t just a disaster for our climate. It’s also bad for our health. Public health experts are concerned about the health risks of cooking with gas in our homes, which can have a similar impact on childhood asthma as living with cigarette smoke. And here in Victoria, we burn more gas per person than any other state. But the good news is that some local councils around the country are bowing to community pressure and taking matters into their own hands - promising to end new gas connections, and help people with the cost of switching to electricity and renewables. And with enough pressure from the community, our local council could join this movement today!
    39 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Freja Leonard