A State in Decay

In NSW a new state government has been installed. Mind you, the drover’s dog would have defeated the tired, corrupt, and inept group of politicians who were wielding power for the previous 16 years.

The most urgent problems facing the state of NSW include lack of affordable housing and inadequate transport infrastructure. The Labor government  failed miserably by pursuing a policy of urban consolidation, stacking people hopelessly one on top of each other in an ever increasing forest of high rise. At the same time, road infrastructure was left stagnant, resulting in hundreds of additional vehicles being thrust upon already congested thoroughfares. Of course, there is also the drain on water and especially electricity. (please don’t get me started on the carbon dioxide tax!)

Government have not had the foresight or courage to release land not contained in the Sydney basin.  They have not had the foresight or courage to plan fast train links. They have not had the foresight or courage to plan or develop anything. Sydney will implode on itself through 24 hour gridlock, families living in shoe boxes, and only the wealthy owning homes.

Put a fast train link to Goulburn, Orange and Newcastle. People will be able to purchase affordable housing, pouring vigour back into regional NSW towns through creating work for tradesmen,  retailers,  local shops, and yes, libraries. Build highways which are at least four lanes wide, not the piddling two which has been the norm.

Using a library analogy, NSW has been using the card catalogue, stamping due dates, embracing the “shoosh” policy, and browsing with IE6, for the past 16 years. It’s time we embraced a little RFID and Chrome.