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Dear Local Resident,
It is with great pride and a deep sense of privilege that I humbly present to you the local issues and priorities that have been brought to my attention through feedback and conversations with the local community and residents of Ryan.
It is these local initiatives that I will be campaigning for and seeking to deliver to our local community both now and in the next term of Parliament.
This is my commitment to you, the families, students, pensioners, self-funded retirees, veterans and small business owners of Ryan.
Your advice, suggestion and feedback on each of these initiatives will prove invaluable, so please do not hesitate to contact me on (07) 3378 1599 or via email at michael.johnson.mp@aph.gov.au.
By working together, I know we will achieve a better and brighter future for all people of the Ryan Electorate.
In the coming weeks, I look forward to announcing further policy, both federal and local.
Until then I offer you this pledge and my warmest regards,
Michael Johnson MP
Federal Member for Ryan
9th June 2010
REHABILITATION OF ENOGGERA AND MOGGILL CREEK
In the coming months and following the federal election, I will be working with all levels of Government and local community organizations based in the Ryan Electorate to secure greater funding to support the complete rehabilitation of both the Enoggera and Moggill Creek catchments.
For many years, these two catchments and their tributaries have suffered from increasingly high levels of degradation, brought about as a result of the dumping of agricultural by-products, refuse and garden waste into our local waterways.
The complete rehabilitation of these two catchments will allow ensure the preservation, both now and in the future, Ryan Electorate’s precious local green space.
Upon its completion, the project will also provide a significant environmental, educational and recreational resource for all local residents and families to enjoy.
AMENDMENT TO CURRENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1997
In cooperation with the local community, I am committed to advocating for and delivering a complete review of the Australian Government’s Telecommunications Act 1997, through the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill into the new Parliament.
Largely brought to the community’s attention as a result of Telstra's intention to install a mobile telephone facility at 27 Gerler Street (Bardon) last year, extensive consultation with local residents has confirmed the need for much needed reform to those regulations governing:
- The installation of mobile telephone towers in residential environments.
- The level of community consultation required to be undertaken by telecommunication companies.
- The local community’s right to effectively object to the establishment of such towers in their neighbourhoods.
FURTHER FUNDING TO IMPROVE RESPONSE CAPABILITY OF THE STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE (SES)
By working effectively with existing SES Groups and lobbying extensively to all levels of Government, I am determined to secure funding to increase the response capacity and capability of our currently under-funded State Emergency Service (SES).
With only twelve of Brisbane West’s ninety volunteers currently able to be deployed immediately following the event of a natural or man-made disaster, it is clear that a significant financial investment is required to allow our SES volunteers to cope with the rapid population growth being experienced by our community.
One only need think back on the devastating November storms of 2008, to remember how vitally important the role of the SES is to the people of Ryan.
OUTER WESTERN SUBURBS RING ROAD
There can be little doubt that one of the most significant challenges facing the Ryan community relates to traffic congestion, particularly along the Moggill Road corridor.
Through the commissioning of a fast-tracked feasibility study to explore the effectiveness and likely impact of an Outer Western Suburbs Ring Road (aimed at redirecting heavy traffic around Moggill Road), decisions relating to road infrastructure needs will be more effectively decided by State and Federal Governments.
This will serve to ensure sufficient infrastructure is secured now, to meet our community’s needs for the future.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP GRANT
In their roles as representatives of the community, Members of Parliament are often approached by school students and young adults seeking financial support to allow them to attend valuable leadership conferences at both the national and international level.
This is, I believe, a very worthwhile cause. Yet although demand for the creation of such a Grant exists, the Federal Government does not offer an avenue to support this funding opportunity.
I am committed to effectively negotiating with the appropriate parties at the federal level, to deliver Youth Leadership Grants that would allow allocation of up to twenty-four $500 grants per year able to be awarded to under 24 year olds living in the Ryan Electorate.
The proposed grant would take similar form of the Australian Sporting Commission’s ‘Local Sporting Champions Grants’ program, and allow an impartial board of local representatives to identify and reward young outstanding leaders in the local community.
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