20 June, 2010

Rowan's questions to Lord Mayor Campbell Newman concerning the budget

Campbell Newman,
Lord Mayor
Brisbane City Council


Dear Lord Mayor,

I have been trying to make sense of your recent budget speech - http://www.thewebconsole.com/process/link.php?lId=845398&cId=1037596

I would like to commend you on initiatives like:
$895k in 2010-11 to help fund a home energy reduction program through the CitySmart, EasyGreen program in partnership with the State Government and private enterprise to assist Brisbane residents slash their power bills, reducing home energy consumption and carbon emissions.

I am particularly pleased about the allocation of $11.25 million to fund a Brisbane-wide litter prevention program including another two general maintenance "flying gangs" to boost the work being done to keep our city clean and green.

You have been particularly generous with half a million allocated for a 15 year plan to restore and rejuvenate the environment of Norman Creek.

I applaude the portion of the $1.23 billion which will go to improve public transport and make it easier for people to walk and ride around our city.

It is the estimated $1.8 billion Northern Link tunnel that has me concerned.



In light of the spectacular failure of the CLEM7 tunnel to attract the projected traffic flows (and projected revenues), would you please advise me how this would impact on the Northern Link Road tunnel project?

I understand that the CLEM7 is a public/private partnership. The risk for financial losses of the CLEM7 lies with the Rivercity Motorway Group. However, I am led to beleive that the financial risk for the Northern Link Road Tunnel rests with Brisbane City Council. Please correct me if I am wrong.

If the Northern Link tunnel fails to attract the projected traffic flows (and projected revenues) by the same margins as the CLEM7, what would be the impact on the ratepayers of Brisbane? How much would our rates increase or what community services would be cut back?

regards,

Rowan Barber

11 June, 2010

World Mayor project: The Code of ethics and the Northern Link Tunnel

Dear Lord Mayor,


As a nominee for the 2010 World Mayor Prize, are you going to sign up to the City Mayors and the World Mayor Project Code of Ethics, which were established to promote, encourage and facilitate good local government?


Article 1 states that:
Mayors shall execute the office of mayor for the common good of their communities while refraining from actions that may harm other communities or the wider world. They shall take full responsibility for any acts performed by themselves or by members of their administrations.

If you proceed with the Northern Link road tunnel it will:
harm the community of Normanby;
emit an estimated greenhouse gas emissions at 32 000 tonnes of CO2e for construction of the project;
emit an estimated annual GHG emissions for the operation of the project of18 120 tonnes CO2-e (averaged over a 12 year period from time of opening).
This will contribute to the harm of other communities and/or the wider world.

What is the legacy you wish to leave for Brisbane and the wider world?

How do you wish history to treat you and how will you be remembered?

regards,

Rowan Barber