Dominic Perrottet - The Liberal Party

Our suburb:
1) Please tell us a little bit about your background and connection with Epping. I grew up and went to school in the North West of Sydney, living in Pennant Hills and attending school in Castle Hill. I was also lucky enough to secure my first job at KFC in Thornleigh, where I learnt the value of hard work. Today, I am lucky enough to living in Beecroft with my wife Helen and our five kids. We love the local community, the great coffee shop down the road and the parks where we can take our children.
2) If elected, what are your three main objectives that would affect life in Epping (not state policies, we are interested in things that affect this area)
• Deliver an education revolution for Epping, with the building of a brand new school in Epping and the removal of demountable classrooms at Epping West Public School.
• Deliver the North West Metro, to ensure it’s easier for mums and dads to get to and from work
• Additional funding for cycleways that will help link Epping with Parramatta
3) Briefly describe what you see as the positive and negatives of living in and/or running a business in Epping now?
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to supporting small businesses in NSW. I am incredibly pleased that as Treasurer, I have been able to payroll tax cuts for small businesses across NSW, which helps small business in our community. The lack of available commercial and retail space in the Epping town centre is a challenge for local business owners. I want to see employment opportunities and increased commercial space reflected in an updated Local Environmental Plan (LEP) from Parramatta Council. The NSW Government announced a $45 million package to assist councils in updating their LEP, with Hornsby & Parramatta among those selected for funding.
4) Many people are concerned at the loss of tree canopy and native remnant bushland across Sydney. What would you do about this in the Epping area?
I understand the concern of many people across Sydney regarding the loss of tree canopy and native remnant bushland. As Treasurer, I have been supportive of the government’s initiatives to plant five million trees in the Greater Sydney basin to ensure that Sydney maintains our tree canopy. I also welcome the announcement of a new Minister for Public Spaces, who will identify and protect publicly owned land for use as parks or public spaces. These policies complement the $150 million which will be used for new and improved parklands across urban areas. The NSW Liberals and Nationals have committed to a target of planting five million trees in the Greater Sydney by 2030.
Traffic:
5) Epping has a problem with through traffic clogging the suburb. What changes would you propose to address this, and how else would you also facilitate better inter-connection between people living on the West and East side of the railway line?
The NSW Liberals have already committed $50 million to widen Epping Bridge, with an additional $4 million going towards the planning for the widening so that work can get underway as soon as possible. The NSW Liberals have also built the Sydney Metro Northwest, something that has been promised to the North West for over 20 years. I am very proud that the Metro will be opening by the middle of the year. This will mean that many commuters from our suburbs, such as Cherrybrook and Epping, will be able to use the Metro, which will make their lives easier. In the future I’d like to see improved pedestrian access over the train to better connect the two sides of Epping, and will work with council and other stakeholders to deliver this.
6) If elected would you support a) changes to reduce the toll on the M2 for the Beecroft off ramp to remove through traffic in Epping b) feasibility into constructing a toll free traffic tunnel under the railway line to eliminate Epping traffic congestion long term?
I understand the challenges of congestion especially through Epping, which is why the Liberals will invest in widening the Epping Bridge to help with congestion. Also, the Liberals have introduced an extensive toll relief package for commuters across Sydney, which is particularly beneficial to the people of Epping. This package gives free car registration to toll users who spend more than $25 a week, and also provides half priced registration for toll uses who spend more than $15 a week. I support infrastructure that will remove traffic congestion in the town centre, and as Treasurer, I will be in the position to put these concerns and infrastructure proposals into the heart of the Government.
Planning:
7) Do you support changes to planning laws regarding RE1 zoned land that is currently used as public recreation facilities like bowling clubs? These changes would ensure that if land like this is bought by developers they can either not change the zoning from public recreation or have to provide equivalent open public space. What are your views on the current Austino Planning Proposal that includes the former Epping Bowling club RE1 land?
Damien Tudehope has spoken to me extensively about this matter and he has been a champion of this policy. I believe that government should always ensure that communities get the best use of excess land and as Treasurer, I will ensure that this proposal is heard at the heart of government.
8) Do you think changes should be made to private certifiers and the way in which development projects (like those currently affecting Epping), and if yes, what changes?
The Liberals and Nationals have revealed a four point strategy that builds on recent legislation and strong penalties, to crack down on private certifiers. The four point plan to improve the certification industry includes:
The biggest compliance operation in the industry’s history, with 25-30% of the industry to be audited every year in a strike force style approach; - A zero tolerance approach to dodgy certifiers, including a new disciplinary policy that will see certifiers immediately kicked out of the industry for corruption or negligently signing off on a building which is unsafe or structurally unsound;
- Better protection for strata buildings, with certifiers unable to work on new strata developments if they have breached the code of conduct in any way, in the previous 12 months, regarding building quality;
- Increased transparency, which will include more information for homeowners about a certifier’s disciplinary record, on an enhanced name and shame register.
- Prospective buyers of off the plan developments will be provided with information about a certifier’s history.
9) Do you support the Planning Panel model of development approval that has been introduced by the current State Government and which has removed the approval process from local councils? If not what would you support instead?
Independent planning panels known as IHAPs were introduced to deliver transparency and integrity to the development assessment process in response to instances of serious corruption in some local councils. These expert panels assess developments in accordance with the conditions of approval and advice provided by councils. Much like a courtroom, they are independent of interference by elected officials. I am happy to listen to suggestions about how this process may be improved, however I support the need for independent planning panels and the reasons for introducing them.
10) How would you support Epping restoring some of its commercial floor space, the loss of which has implications for the quality of the town centre during the day?
As previously mentioned, I want to see employment opportunities and increased commercial space reflected in an updated Local Environmental Plan (LEP) from Parramatta Council. The NSW Government announced a $45 million package to assist councils in updating their LEP, with Hornsby & Parramatta among those selected for funding.
Infrastructure:
11) Under the Building Stronger Communities funding from State Government, what local community infrastructure projects would you lobby to be funded?
I would like to see more cycleways funded across the electorate after the programme funded the cycling link between Epping and Carlingford. I would like to see more cycleways funded from a variety of sources for the Epping community, particularly between Epping and Parramatta.
12) Do you support the extension of the Parramatta to Carlingford Light Rail project to continue on to Epping, and thereby ease traffic and congestion on Carlingford Road?
The Parramatta to Carlingford Light Rail project will help transform Parramatta into a world class CBD. I am proud to be the Treasurer who has helped fund the project and no decision has been made on Carlingford to Epping, and I look forward to seeing further feasibility and proposals that might arise. I am disappointed that the NSW Labor Party didn’t deliver the entirety of the Chatswood to Parramatta line, cancelling the project once it reached Epping.

Alan Mascarenhas - Australian Labor Party

Our suburb: 1) Please tell us a little bit about your background and connection with Epping.
I am a moderate, independent-minded Labor candidate. I was preselected for the seat on merit and my strong connection to the local area since childhood. My family migrated from England in 1987. Our first home was in Carlingford and we settled in West Pennant Hills. Mum raised me and my sisters after my father passed away early. I was educated at Trinity Grammar School on scholarship, catching the train every day from Beecroft. We were parishioners at St Bernadette’s Castle Hill, shopped at Carlingford Court and Thompson’s Corner. I even attended summer tennis camps at the Epping YMCA! My degree qualifications are a Bachelor of Arts/Law (First Class Honours) at the University of Sydney and Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. Since 2015, I have worked as a corporate writer and editor for a specialist firm in the Sydney CBD, providing elite editorial services to public and private sector clients. I was a Sydney Morning Herald journalist for several years and speechwriter to Labor leaders John Robertson and Luke Foley.
2) If elected, what are your three main objectives that would affect life in Epping (not state policies, we are interested in things that affect this area)
My top three priorities are to: • Stop overdevelopment. I would be an active member of a government that (a) immediately terminates the status of Epping and Cherrybrook as high-rise precincts (b) ends ‘spot rezonings’ that allow developers to circumvent Local Environment Plans and (c) returns planning powers to the local council and community instead of unelected, unaccountable planning panels.
• Fix Epping’s overcrowded schools. We will replace demountables with permanent multi-storey buildings at schools like Epping West. Under Labor, every public school classroom will be airconditioned. We must also build new primary and secondary schools, using the Chelmsford Avenue TAFE site as a first option. We will keep Marsden High open which is vital to families around Eastwood – the government is closing it.
• Addressing the traffic congestion that is choking life in Epping.
3) Briefly describe what you see as the positive and negatives of living in and/or running a business in Epping now?
It is still possible to find wonderful tranquillity in Epping’s leafy streets and surrounding parks and bushland. We must preserve this essential character. Epping has some of Sydney’s best schools. It has families who are ambitious for their children. The population is full of smart, talented professionals. Despite these many assets, Epping has been let down by terrible planning and ineffective representation in the NSW Parliament. The current state government has dumped high rise on Epping, putting huge strains on local health, education, roads and transport. Trees and green space are being destroyed. Residential is replacing commercial (eg. the replacement of Westpac with 3 massive towers at Langston Place). This is eroding jobs and vitality in the town centre because local residents leave Epping during the day.
4) Many people are concerned at the loss of tree canopy and native remnant bushland across Sydney. What would you do about this in the Epping area?
Trees make suburbs like Epping cool, leafy and liveable instead of overheated tinderboxes. Their continued presence is essential given the recent hot summer. The mutilation of mature trees to make way for high rise, including around Chambers Court, is a tragedy. My greatest fear would be for Epping town centre to head the way of the Parramatta CBD where developers have run riot with no regard for greenery or aesthetics. In this electorate, we also see record tree removal applications by local residents, and the loss of so much bushland due to the North West Metro and Epping Thornleigh Third Track.
Labor will: - plant 6 million trees across Greater Sydney by 2030
- create a public inventory of environmental assets such as trees and change planning laws to require its consideration in all planning decisions
- fund land acquisition for environmental uses; the government announced a fund in April 2018 and failed to activate it
- repeal the government’s 10/50 land clearing legislation, reinstating protections to improve biodiversity
- invest $32.5 million to support Landcare NSW, doubling current funding.

Traffic:
5) Epping has a problem with through traffic clogging the suburb. What changes would you propose to address this, and how else would you also facilitate better inter-connection between people living on the West and East side of the railway line?
My first priority would be to improve public transport. This includes the frequency of bus services from areas such as Carlingford, North Rocks and North Epping. We must get people out of cars. The Parramatta light rail should be extended from Carlingford to Epping (see answer below). I would seek expert advice in gauging the feasibility of an underpass under the rail line. The Ray/Rawson/Carlingford/Beecroft Road intersection is a disaster. While interconnections between east and west are important, we also do not want unintended consequences such as rat runs. Having a viable supermarket on the east side would take pressure off the streets surrounding Coles.
6) If elected would you support a) changes to reduce the toll on the M2 for the Beecroft off ramp to remove through traffic in Epping b) feasibility into constructing a toll free traffic tunnel under the railway line to eliminate Epping traffic congestion long term?
Yes and yes. No option should be off the table and from my doorknocking and canvassing of Epping, these two propositions have substantial support.

Planning:
7) Do you support changes to planning laws regarding RE1 zoned land that is currently used as public recreation facilities like bowling clubs? These changes would ensure that if land like this is bought by developers they can either not change the zoning from public recreation or have to provide equivalent open public space. What are your views on the current Austino Planning Proposal that includes the former Epping Bowling club RE1 land?
The answer is yes – RE1 zoning should be retained as such, disallowing development. Epping desperately needs to protect what scarce community and recreational space it has. The Austino proposal is a direct result of a developer seeking to circumvent local planning instruments through a “spot rezoning” and obtain a favourable outcome in a state government forum – something that Labor would not allow. Its approval in an area that is already congested with new builds would be bad for Epping. All options for acquisition by City of Parramatta Council should remain on the table. In addition to this contested open space, I’d note there is also a rapidly diminishing window to set aside open space for those living in high density on the northern side of Epping Road.
8) Do you think changes should be made to private certifiers and the way in which development projects (like those currently affecting Epping), and if yes, what changes?
The Opal Tower scandal sent shudders across Epping and made it urgent to improve building standards and accountability. Labor will introduce a standalone piece of building legislation. This will be overseen by a NSW Building Authority, reporting to a single Minister. We will introduce “chain of responsibility” in the building process, making every party potentially liable for safety breaches by others. Private certification will remain, but developers will be prevented from choosing their own certifier, in order to eradicate potential conflicts of interest. 9) Do you support the Planning Panel model of development approval that has been introduced by the current State Government and which has removed the approval process from local councils? If not what would you support instead? The Planning Panels have been terrible for Epping. Unelected and unaccountable, stacked with political appointees and people who have no ties to the area. They are biased in favour of developers. They ride roughshod over the objections of local communities (as shown by the failure to protect heritage at 44-48 Oxford). Labor has committed to return to a system where planning decisions are returned to local councils who are at least answerable to their communities. A council’s Local Environment Plan should be king.
10) How would you support Epping restoring some of its commercial floor space, the loss of which has implications for the quality of the town centre during the day?
New developments should have commercial areas and co-working spaces mandated so we can grow economic activity in Epping rather than sending it away. Startup enterprises should be encouraged to set up in suburban town centres such as Epping through discounted rents – current state government subsidies are too focused on the Sydney CBD.

Infrastructure:
11) Under the Building Stronger Communities funding from State Government, what local community infrastructure projects would you lobby to be funded? I would not foreclose any project; however from my consultations and the findings of City of Parramatta’s Social Infrastructure study, priorities would include:
• Upgrade to Epping Library to meet increased demand
• Accessibility improvements to the pool at Dence Park
• Rejuvenation of the Roselea sports fields and canteen area
• Funding the purchase of additional open space, sports fields, playgrounds and youth facilities. One option would be converting the Epping Bowling Club site to netball courts or a skate park
• Amenity facilities at the North Carlingford shops
• Street beautification works to create a sense of place around both sides of Epping station, including floral beds, signage, murals and sculptures.
12) Do you support the extension of the Parramatta to Carlingford Light Rail project to continue on to Epping, and thereby ease traffic and congestion on Carlingford Road?
Yes and I would advocate for this strongly. If the government is ripping out the existing Carlingford Line and replacing it with light rail, it should take the opportunity to improve connectivity with a major transport hub such as Epping. Terminating the line at Carlingford serves no-one. Whereas extending it to Carlingford Court and Epping would actually make the project useful. It would provide those using the line with a city connection. It would also take the pressure off Pennant Hills and Carlingford Roads. Obviously, given the way this government has botched the CBD light rail, detailed consultation and feasibility work would be needed. In addition, any light rail extension should not be an excuse for more overdevelopment. Given congestion in Epping, new transport solutions should be first and foremost for the benefit of existing residents who have suffered for too long.

Simon Margan - The Greens

Response yet to be received