Herald Article “How to do Business His Way”

SMH 13/6/2007:

Generous council decisions have helped Antoine Bechara develop a suburb, write Linton Besser and Kate McClymont.

FOR someone who has attracted so much controversy, Antoine Bechara cuts a respectable figure. The 45-year-old property developer dresses in beige slacks and a button-down checked shirt. His greying hair is cropped close, and he has a nervous habit of folding and unfolding his glasses. In conversation with the Herald – at a meeting to which he agreed on the condition it was not reproduced in print – he was earnest and agreeable.

Articles on the Strathfield Triangle Controversy

These two Herald articles are quite critical of Canada Bay Council:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/how-to-do-business-his-way/2007/06/12/1181414305886.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/a-triangle-of-odd-developments/2007/06/12/1181414305790.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

In a Brisbane Times article Local Government Association President Genia McCaffery is reported to support “an inquiry into the City of Canada Bay Council about claims a developer received favourable treatment in Strathfield’s Golden Triangle.

“Following the Herald’s stories yesterday, Cr McCaffery said an investigation was needed to reassure the community. “The air needs to be cleared for all parties and for the community,” she said. “I think for everybody, the thing has to be investigated.”"

Liberal MP Chris Hartcher in parliament 6 June:

http://143.119.255.90/isysquery/1b0adeaa-9824-4bfb-a165-88f7db2e0aa0/62/doc/

Court judgement 30/3/2007 on the ‘illegal sale of community land’ to Bechara’s Company:

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lecjudgments/2007nswlec.nsf/61f584670edbfb
a2ca2570d40081f438/13bc9f24cb65cbcfca2572ab00233794?OpenDocument

This judgement has the advantage of laying out in authoritative manner many of the facts concerning Chapman reserve but it does not cover all the complexities of the dealings in the Strathfield triangle over the years.

NB. I did speak with the Herald journalist about this issue but was evidently not very helpful due to my frankly limited understanding of all the details, much of which occurs before my time.

Affordable Housing Policy Now on Exhibition

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has recognised the need to facilitate affordable rental housing to help alleviate housing stress experienced by some individuals and families in the private rental market in the City of Canada Bay.

A draft Affordable Housing Policy and Background Information Report has been prepared for the administration of Council’s affordable housing dwellings. It is recommended that this Policy be endorsed for public exhibition with a view to replacing the existing Affordable Housing Policy when adopted by Council.

40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum

Mayoral Minute Council Meeting 5th June 2007: The 40th anniversary of the referendum on the proposal to include Aboriginal Australians in the constitution was held on Sunday 27 May.

Over 90% of Australians voted to support the changes, which gave the Federal Government the power to make laws specifically to benefit Aboriginal people, and to count Indigenous people in the census. Council is marking this important anniversary with a display at Five Dock Library, 4-12 Garfield Street, Five Dock. The display explores the background to the historic Referendum and acknowledges the Wangal, the original inhabitants of Canada Bay, and contemporary reconciliation issues.