№ 4 in Wading through greenwashing
Bingo plans major expansion while still under investigation for foul odours
Business
№ 3 in Wading through greenwashing
Bingo still polluting Sydney's West - and how a previous audit revealed landfill problems
The NSW EPA ordered Bingo Industries to install a gas plant to remove unhealthy hydrogen sulphide odours. Two gas flares were lit but the odours continue. Western Sydney residents, backed by local Labor MPs, are calling on the EPA to close the plant down. In this blog post, I reveal long term weaknesses in the landfill's environmental record, management and regulation.
№ 2 in Wading through greenwashing
EPA takes action on Bingo - but will it be enough?
Bingo Industries is still causing terrible odours in Western Sydney. The EPA has not used its powers to shut the site down but has restricted Bingo's landfill licence and ordered it to install a gas burning plant. Local MPs, Blacktown Council and residents say they won't stop campaigning until the odours are gone for good.
№ 1 in Wading through greenwashing
Ex-CEO of NSW EPA on board of polluting waste giant Bingo
Bingo has passed its deadline for cleaning up terrible odours affecting thousands of residents in Western Sydney.
№ 17 in Public Land is Our Land
Clues to the missing trust in Greater Sydney Parklands
Behind the Greater Sydney Parklands spin - part one
№ 11 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Casino gift turns nightmare
Stokes gives Star casino go ahead while Packer investigation begins
№ 1 in NSW 2019 state election
Sydney Stadium court case reveals it will cost only $1 million to cancel Sydney Stadium contract
Sydney Stadium court case reveals the NSW government can cancel its contract with Lendlease to demolish Sydney Stadium for about $1 million.
№ 30 in Inside Westconnex
NSW Planning ignores EPA's advice and approves WestConnex 'concept' design
NSW Planning approved WestConnex Stage 3 despite receiving formal advice from the NSW EPA that a more detailed environment assessment of impacts was needed
№ 28 in Inside Westconnex
Hundreds of negative results raise questions about WestConnex air monitors
“We have never before observed such high values for negative air pollution concentrations as we see in the Westconnex data” – Dr James Whelan, EJA
№ 25 in Inside Westconnex
RMS thumbs its nose at NSW EPA
Last week RMS submitted its massive Response to Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report on behalf of Sydney Motorway Corporation to NSW Planning.
№ 24 in Inside Westconnex
WestConnflicts of interest
An apparent conflict of interest has arisen in the choice of the company Pacific Environment.
№ 23 in Inside Westconnex
Airborne carcinogens increase around kids
Homes, community centres, worksites and open spaces will be exposed to increased health risks if NSW Planning approves WestConnex’s M4/M5 tunnls.
№ 22 in Inside Westconnex
NSW Environmental Protection Authority rejects WestConnex EIS
The NSW EPA has strongly criticised the Sydney Motorway Corporation’s environmental assessment of the proposed WestConnex Stage 3 M4/M5 tunnels.
№ 21 in Inside Westconnex
WestConnex links to Moore Park destruction
The NSW Berejiklian government announced last week that it plans to tear down and rebuild Sydney Cricket Ground Allianz stadium.
№ 20 in Inside Westconnex
Slippery politics around King street clearways
Newtown residents weren't surprised when the NSW government broke its promise that there would no clearways on King St.
№ 19 in Inside Westconnex
The road that keeps on tolling
When the first tollway fails to reduce traffic congestion, your next project comes into play. Tollways are the gift to the road lobby.
№ 18 in Inside Westconnex
Why were Westconnex contractors chosen to provide independent advice on Westconnex loan?
The Westconnex planning process is ridden with conflicts of interest. The recent Federal audit report provides more disturbing examples.
№ 15 in Public Land is Our Land
Crown Land Alliance letter to NSW Minister for Lands - Urgent Action Required
The Crown Land Alliance is calling on NSW MPs to defer the passing of the Crown Land Bill until 2017
№ 17 in Inside Westconnex
The political advantages of Lucy Turnbull
Lucy Turnbull supports the NSW government's development agenda including WestCONnex. If she didn't, she wouldn't be head of the Greater Sydney Commission
№ 16 in Inside Westconnex
How the Department of Planning botched public submissions for WestCONnex M4 East
On January 7, I laid a complaint against the NSW Department of Planning & Environment for its inequitable & sloppy handling of submissions to the M4East
№ 14 in Public Land is Our Land
Humpty's not so charitable return revisited
SMH's published but later removed a story about charity fundraising focussing on the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. I explain why I have republished the story.
M4 EIS company AECOM has major stake in Westconnex tollway project
AECOM was paid millions for the Westconnex M4 East tunnel EIS. Its critics are asking whether gaps & flaws in the EIS are due to conflicts of interest.
№ 15 in Inside Westconnex
Your Federal Westconnex dollars at work in the City of Marrickville
Westconnex's 'community information' kiosk at Marrickville Metro might be better described as publicly funded misinformation
№ 14 in Inside Westconnex
Will the Feds save the frog from Westconnex?
An edited version of Wendy Bacon's submission to Federal Department of Environment on NSW RMS referral of a threat to endangered species from Westconnex
№ 13 in Public Land is Our Land
Community summit calls for Parliamentary Inquiry into NSW Crown land
A coalition of community groups campaigning to protect public land called for a full parliamentary inquiry into the management of Crown land last night.
№ 12 in Public Land is Our Land
Review finds evidence of corruption in Paddo Bowls dealings
A review of Crown Land dealings with the Paddington Bowling Club has found evidence that an ex-senior Crown Lands officer may have acted "corruptly"
№ 11 in Inside Westconnex
Minister Gay urged to ‘catch a train to the 21st century’
Inner West residents packed into Leichhardt Town Hall in June to call for a halt to the Westconnex project a parliamentary inquiry has been held.
№ 11 in Public Land is Our Land
Last drinks at Paddo Bowls?
With its old management facing criminal charges and its business model broken due to tight alcohol restrictions, Paddington Bowls has closed its doors.
№ 4 in Lynas and its missing waste plan
№ 10 in Inside Westconnex
Westconnex EIS company is heavily involved in pushing motorway forward
NSW government is paying millions to global company AECOM to prepare an EIS for the Westconnex motorway. The same company is already helping build it.
№ 10 in Public Land is Our Land
№ 6 in Winning on Welfare Street
Bruce's Home was his Castle, Until NSW Govt Sold It Out From Under Him
Bruce Begnell knew he owned his home in Welfare Street but couldn't prove it until some old records were unearthed from the NSW State Archives.
№ 9 in Inside Westconnex
Westconnex consultations a 'sham', say residents
Campaigners against the Westconnex motorway say feedback sessions are a 'sham'; Newtown MP Jenny Leong moved a motion to suspend Westconnex
№ 8 in Inside Westconnex
Roads Lobby chooses ratrun rather than toll on way to corporate dinner
As evidence mounts against the case for the Baird government's Westconnex Motorway, Roads Australia guests face mock tollway protest at corporate dinner.
№ 7 in Inside Westconnex
New Sydney coalition to campaign against tollway health risks
A new coalition of community groups & health professionals has formed to campaign against hidden health impacts of the Westconnex and Northconnex tollways.
№ 6 in Inside Westconnex
The secrecy that surrounds Sydney's $15 billion Westconnex
The Abbott and Baird government continue to keep our community in the dark about Westconnex.
№ 4 in Inside Westconnex
Wrong Way, Turn Back. A speech for City of Sydney Westconnex forum
On March 16, City of Sydney Council organised a meeting to discuss the Westconnex. It ended with a vote to stop the project. Here's my edited speech
№ 3 in Inside Westconnex
No Mr Shepherd, I won't apologise
When I tried to unravel the story behind WestConnex, Tony Shepherd threatened to sue me. Here is my reply.
№ 5 in Winning on Welfare Street
Developer sidesteps council in bid to subdivide land
Welfare Street residents lodge objections to a developer's application to subdivide land on which their Homebush homes stand.
№ 2 in Inside Westconnex
WestConnex was ‘aggressive’ says company
Dial a Dump accuses Westconnex of being aggressive and secretive in its dealings
№ 1 in Inside Westconnex
St Peters residents dumped for Westconnex
For six months, Westconnex secretly negotiated to buy a waste dump for a giant interchange, without informing the local residents of their plan.
№ 4 in Winning on Welfare Street
Obeid's old lawyer chosen for Welfare Street deal
The NSW government is involved in a land deal organised by a lawyer who hid controversial Obeid family investments.
№ 3 in Winning on Welfare Street
No subdivision in Welfare Street
A Homebush block was reported in the media as subdivided when sold as 12 properties .When Wendy Bacon investigated she found no subdivision had occurred.
№ 2 in Winning on Welfare Street
Very private developers 'sold' Welfare Street - without a title
Who are the private investors 'sold' Welfare St when the NSW government still owned it. Lance Rosenberg is involved but who else? It's hard to find out.
№ 1 in Winning on Welfare Street
An auction on Welfare Street
How developers keen for quick returns moved in on affordable housing on Welfare Street in Western Sydney. Part One: The auction and the media.
Crucial Confidential transcript missing from Paddo Bowls Inquiry
A transcript of a confidential hearing in an inquiry into possible corruption in affairs of the Paddington Bowling Club is missing.
№ 3 in Lynas and its missing waste plan
Malaysian Police Still Holding Sydney Rare Earth Mining Protestor
Natalie Lowrey, a Sydney-based environmental defender, remains in Malaysian police custody after a weekend anti-mining protest.
№ 10 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
What did Sinodinos, Packer and O'Farrell chat about at Rockpools? Kaye hits a nerve
For a party that was swept to power on a platform of anti corruption and transparency, the NSW Liberal Party is looking very grubby today.
№ 3 in Public Land is Our Land
How did valuable public land end up in developer's hands? Minister Stoner reviews the deal
NSW Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner has announced a review of dealings between NSW Crown Lands and the Paddington Bowling Club
№ 9 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Packer and Sinodinos - an intriguing Rockpool lunch
There's a small issue that has been niggling at me all week. It's about Sinodinos and Packer.
Woolworths supermarket - not welcome on my corner
Today's a sad day for many in our neighbourhood because a Woolworths supermarket, which many in our community didn't want, has opened its doors at the end of my street on the boundary of Newtown and Erskineville in inner Sydney.
Overview of Lynas investigation
StopLynas activists visited Sydney in 2012. Wendy Bacon met them at a meeting organised by Greens MP Jamie Parker.This led to a New Matilda investigation.
№ 2 in Lynas and its missing waste plan
Lynas' Waste Plans A Toxic Pipe Dream
Scientists and community leaders are concerned about radioactive waste from Lynas' Malaysian plant but the company representative who took Wendy Bacon's questions brushed off the criticism.
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The Toxic Waste That's Not In Our Back Yard
Australian-owned company Lynas is quietly shipping rare earth to a processing plant in Malaysia - without a firm plan in place to dispose of dangerous radioactive waste. Wendy Bacon reports.
№ 8 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Packer Wins A PR Coup
If James Packer urging Sydneysiders to back his casino plan is 'news', then that's news to Wendy Bacon. She asked senior journalists at the SMH what they thought of Packer's journalistic debut.
№ 7 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Packer's Casino Present
In late October, New Matilda began our series on James Packer's proposal for a new casino in Sydney. I worked on this series with Lawrence Bull.
№ 6 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Economists question Packer's promised bonanza for NSW
This week, New Matilda continued our series on Packer's proposal for a hotel with casino at Barangaroo South on the edge of Sydney Harbour. Lawrence Bull asked two economists what they thought of James Packer's claim that his casino would deliver $400 million to NSW and they raised lots of questions:
№ 5 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
NSW has laws to control casino industry but Premier O'Farrell wants to cut free
Today, New Matilda published another story in our series on James Packer casino deal. This one explains how casino regulation works in NSW and how O'Farrell's plan to "get on with it" removes a lot of safeguards put in place to protect NSW against organised crime and corrupt influences which have a history targetting casinos.
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Red Tape Cut For Packer
Tough laws regulate gambling in NSW - and they're about to be bypassed to help James Packer build his casino. The independence of casino regulation is being challenged. Wendy Bacon reports.
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The Casino Macquarie St Wants
Packer makes his Sydney casino proposal seem inevitable with strong support from LNP Premier O'Farrell and Treasurer Mike Baird, urged on by NSW Labor
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The Questions O'Farrell Won't Answer
New Matilda had some questions for NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell about James Packer's casino plans. We got a reply from his office - but no real answers. Here’s our exchange with the Premier’s office.
№ 1 in Packer’s Sydney Casino
Who Is On Team Packer?
No businessman in Australia can rival James Packer's political and business connections. This is a summary of Team Packer in 2012
Why The Market Can't Ensure A Free Press
The Finkelstein report has already put some noses out of joint but it's an important analysis of the current state of the Australian media. Wendy Bacon explains the Inquiry's key findings and recommendations.