Gay marriage bill backed in Monash

Posted to Waverley Leader (14/12/2011) on 15/12/2011 at 2:41 AM
Commenting on "HAVE YOUR SAY: Gay marriage bill backed in Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/gay-marriage-bill-backed/

The only reason I can think of why the Labor Party and a lot of non-Labor members support gay marriage must be that there are too many unhappy marriages in Australia.

I strongly oppose same-sex marriage because it contradicts what I think modern human beings believe in - going back to nature and growing things organically. We don't need genetically modified or laboratory grown life, including the highest form - the human embryo.

Why is the human race moving forward (a catchphrase used often by Julia Gillard) in the wrong direction?

Burke's call for same-sex feedback

Posted to Waverley Leader (24/11/2011) on 29/11/2011 at 10:23 PM, 30/11/2011 at 10:26 PM
Commenting on YOUR SAY: Burke's call for same-sex feedback
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/burkes-call-for-same-sexfeedback/

Same sex marriage contradicts what modern human race believes in - back to nature and grows things organic! We don't need GM or laboratory grown living things. Why are human race moving forward in the wrong direction!

Kingsway Chaos

Posted to Waverley Leader (29/11/2011) on 29/11/2011 at 9:55 PM
Commenting on "Kingsway Chaos"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/kingsways-chaos/

I am not scare mongering about the potential harm that could happen in the region if planning was not well thought out, allowing perceived city prosperity came before social harmony.

The brawl outside the Glen Waverley karaoke club at 3 am 20/11/2011 that left six people injured is just the start. Glen Waverley may be considered fairly affluent, and the good image can be tarnished easily in the future if drug traffickers use these commercial and entertainment venues to prey on the patrons and thugs start to claim their turfs.

It is most unfortunate that some cities in Melbourne metropolitan suffer from such fate and no solutions are in sight!

Paying for privacy in Monash

Posted Posted to Waverley Leader (22/11/2011) on 22/11/2011 at 1:04 AM
Commenting on "Paying for privacy in Monash"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/paying-for-privacy-in-monash/

It's probably cheaper to build a "small" Great Wall of China as a barrier than the stupid curtain. As a ratepayer I would like to know which company has the contract to build it. At that cost, probably Monash can outsource to a factory in China for less than 25% of the original budget.

The move to install the curtain is a bad precedence, and I can see all future toilets in public places and offices will be renovated to have taps and hosts to cater for those who use their hands instead of toilet paper, after they have discharged their business, for religious reason. That is not a fiction - the new Melbourne Women's Hospital wasted a lot of money to fix the problem after the management discovered the toilets of the newly built hospital were forever wet.

Dandenong police cop it tough with assaults

Posted Posted to Dandenong Leader (10/10/2011) on 14/10/2011 at 3:07 PM
Commenting on "Dandenong police cop it tough with assaults"
http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dandenong-police-cop-it-tough-with-assaults/

We are too soft on law breakers, and by not punishing them appropriately, the social scum will carry on causing unrest, property damages, injuries and even death to human lives. I do believe in more than just minimum penalties, I support hard labour similar to the Chain Gang in the early 1900's in the United States.

Railway crossing blitz in Clayton

Posted to Waverley Leader (20/9/2011) on 21/9/2011 at 1:56 AM
Commenting on “YOUR SAY: Railway crossing blitz in Clayton”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/railway-crossing-blitz-in-clayton

Graphic bill boards, based on the similar concept of cigarette smoking, placed on each side of the crossing may be more effective than issuing fines to offenders. There is always an excuse for non-English speaking, illiterate and stupid idiots to argue that they do not know or understand what the fuss is about. I believe that instead of issuing an infringement ticket, offenders are given a wreath as a life celebration gesture, because dead people do not have the opportunity to see one.

Pokies take a chunk of change

Posted to Waverley Leader (4/8/2011) on 8/8/2011 at 11:07 AM
Commenting on "Pokies take a chunk of change"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au//news/story/pokies-take-a-chunk-of-change/

"Maslow's hierarchy of needs" may be taught as "Maslow's hierarchy of greed". Since I am not a problem gambler, I cannot really understand their psyche. I can only assume that problem gamblers started off as curious children who found something to entertain and excite them.

Non-gambling addicts like you and I do wish to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However, our desire to do so is not as strong as that of the problem gamblers. Their greed level is far higher that ours. Were there that many problem gamblers before the existence of Casino and Tabarets?

Prohibition, education and imposition of God's laws or human's laws will not help to reduce the number of problem gamblers. These are hopes, ideals, and unreachable goals.

If the society is serious about solving the problem, just like getting rid of the plague, then the source must be eradicated.

Why were all these gambling machines introduced in the first place? It can only be summed up in one word - GREED!

Surprise blow to city

Posted to Waverley Leader (3/8/2011) on 3/8/2011 at 6:07 PM
Commenting on "Surprise blow to city"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/surprise-blow-to-city/

How interesting ... So without libraries, will kids sit and read and have a great time somewhere else like home?

I have seen many kids playing computer/internet games, singing, and adults Skyping, etc in the libraries. Entertainment and phone calls (including international ones) were not available free at libraries before, and therefore the provision of internet for games and Skyping should be viewed as unnecessary expense. The same goes to DVD of television series.

There is no evidence that our libraries have been served as "cultural reservoirs". To this end, I think our community centres are under-utilised. I come from the old school, and I enjoy going to libraries with quiet surround to read and research. On many occasions, I had to tell the users to keep quiet and be more thoughtful.

House prices slump

Posted to Waverley Leader (20/7/2011) on 20/7/2011 at 10:53 PM
Commenting on "House prices slump"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/house-prices-slump/

Readers should be made aware that changes in government policies on investment by overseas investors coupled with numerous interest rate increases during the second half of 2010 retarded the property price growth, and in fact reversed its direction in recent months.

It must also be noted that increase in median price does not really imply that one's property has increased in value, but signals the high-end market properties are up for sale, probably from those who once can afford more luxurious life-style but now have to join the common people in experiencing mortgage stress. Buyers beware!

Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation - 2

Posted to Dandenong Leader (9/5/2011) on 14/5/2011 at 4:01 PM
Commenting on "Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation"
http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/auditor-generals-damning-report-into-dandenong-revitalisation/

You can read Part 1 of this comment by clicking here

Dandenong CBD needs more than just revitalisation of the streetscape; it also needs revitalisation of the shops and display windows, and mix of businesses.

Although the ultimate outcome is a plus for the traders concerned, but initial outlay could burn a big hole in their cash registers. There is a distinct disadvantage about the main road, alias National Highway 1 - it is too wide. It does not provide a right ambience for inviting shopping experience. In addition, all the shops in the CBD are spread over a very big area, and on a rainy or windy day, shoppers are likely to stay in the warm and cosy Dandenong Plaza rather than subjecting themselves to the terror of the nature.

Dandenong was once the hub of many big factories, and centre of employment. The wind of fortune has changed. Is the demographics of Dandenong ready for upmarket shopping yet? It is great to be visionary, and hopefully the project pays dividend; otherwise, the ratepayers' and taxpayers' money will be spent on creating a white elephant.

FEDERAL BUDGET: Seniors miss out

Posted to Waverley Leader (11/5/2011) on 15/5/2011 at 8:55 PM
Commenting on “FEDERAL BUDGET: Seniors miss out”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/federal-budget-seniors-miss-out/

Adrian Jackson, not everyone has the opportunity to earn a good income. Many families still face the hands-to-mouth situations now. True, there are dole bludgers, gamblers, and people "breeding" many children as you crudely put it, but then these are not the majority. Have you been divorced? Many couples are forced to sell their houses during the split up, because neither has enough to buy out the other half.

If you think owning a rental property is plain sailing, you can be very wrong. If one does not have additional income high enough to justify negative gearing, they are just asking for trouble. Rental property return is not as good as many expect, and for seniors, they are not in a position to wait for capital growth.

Service apartments are a better option for income flow then owning an apartment which costs an arm and a leg for many fees and charges. During tough time, don't expect 100% occupancy rate for the rental property or equivalent to 12-month rental income each year; sometimes the bond money is not sufficient to cover damage to the property and unpaid rent.

Health, education big losers in Budget

Posted to Melbourne Leader (9/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 12:39 PM (Not published)
Commenting on “Health, education big losers in Budget, says Pike”
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/health-education-big-losers-in-budget-says-pike/

I really wonder all those successful early pioneers, scholars and business people asked for money from the Government for school reconstruction, improved community health centre or alike.

People of today lack the concept of self-sufficiency, creativity, sense of pride and dignity. People in power should be caned for wasting public money, making false promises, dishonesty, irresponsibility and lack of integrity.

Are people spending too much time in whinging and forgetting about doing constructive and productive work, like teaching the students the basic literacy and numeracy skills in order to build a good education foundation; keeping an eye on the children so that they become more responsible in what are doing rather than waiting for the police to put them away; looking after their own health so that a narrow mirror will be good enough to reflect their image; communicating with the business people on how to grow their businesses instead of causing more misery to their lives and livelihood?

No classes at closed Wheelers Hill Primary

Posted to Waverley Leader (12/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 10:30 AM
Commenting on “No classes at closed Wheelers Hill Primary”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/wheelers-hill-primary-school/

Whether we like it or not, it's about time all school compound should be fenced up. The inside of many properties, including schools, may have installed with burglar alarm systems, and yet the surrounds are so inviting and so easily accessible that by the time an intruder gets inside the compound, a lot of damage could have be done.

Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation

Posted to Dandenong Leader (9/5/2011) on 13/5/2011 at 11:59 AM
Commenting on “Auditor-General's damning report into Dandenong revitalisation”
http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/auditor-generals-damning-report-into-dandenong-revitalisation/

Dandenong revitalisation is "pretty" on the surface but I cannot foresee improvement in the public perception about the City and shopping experience.

Success of a shopping arena depends on human psychology; the density of traffic and people flows instead of the actual numbers creates a sense of attractiveness. Put 100 people, shoppers or onlookers, in a narrow street and a wide one respectively, you will think that the narrow street is very busy, but not the wide one. Swanston Street in Melbourne City has been "revitalised" so many times, and buckets of money are wasted on so many grand plans.

I have witnessed the rise and fall of Dandenong, and the changing demographics. The new wing of the Dandenong market is clean but lacks the "warmth", pull-me-in excitement, and too quiet.

Comparing Dandenong with other more flourishing suburbs like Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Springvale, Richmond, the atmosphere is without doubt distinctly different. If Dandenong streets become more up-market, they must be complemented with quality shops which in turn require clients with deeper pockets.

You can read Part 2 of this comment by click here

Should cars been banned from Swanston St?

Posted to Melbourne Weekly (28/4/2011) on 30/4/2011 at 1:03 AM
Commenting on “Should cars been banned from Swanston St?”
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/outrage-over-swanston-car-ban/

Robert Doyle is full of hot air, promises and a member of NATO - No Action Talk Only.

God only knows why he wants to close off Swanston Street from cars, taxis and delivery vehicles. Swanston Street is NOT an alternate road but the main thoroughfare that joins the two end boundaries of the City. Only very idiotic person can strategise in this most ridiculous way. Congestion, if managed properly, leads to vibrancy of a City. Stopping traffic to move through Swanston Street is no different from doing likewise to Glenferrie Road in Hawthorne, or Lygon Street in Carlton.

The City blackspot is not Swanston Street, but the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Streets. Pedestrianisation of Swanston Street will not make the CBD safer.

That's the price to pay for NOT casting your votes with your eyes open. That's the price to pay for voting someone who can do back-flip better than a Chinese gymnast. What's the price? $25.60 million.

Also
http://sinfongchanleader.blogspot.com/2009/11/swanston-street-shuttle-bus-ban-plan.html
http://sinfongchanleader.blogspot.com/2009/12/melbournes-15-million-party-to-bring-in.html

Brushing up on Clayton dental health

Posted to Waverley Leader (27/4/2011) on 28/4/2011 at 10:59 AM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on “Brushing up on Clayton dental health”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/brushing-up-on-clayton-dental-health/

It is fantastic to know that the tooth fairies in MonashLink are doing great jobs. Yup, replacing the sweet fairy floss with tooth fairy floss will be your next move!

Read also
SinFongChanHealth.blogspot.com

Buyers rush to apartments in Glen Waverley

Posted to Waverley Leader (27/4/2011) on 27/4/2011 at 4:53 PM
Commenting on “Buyers rush to apartments in Glen Waverley”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/buyers-rush-to-ikon-apartments-in-glen-waverley/

Buying off-the-plan is buying a drawing, buying an apartment is buying air space, but buying a freehold house is buying the precious commodity called land!

The apartments are miserably small in size, and not unlike some of the early high rise in downtown Hong Kong. I hate to be on the higher floors overlooking the tired, dirty rail tracks.

Good luck to all the buyers!

Council resolute on Kingsway footpath policy

Posted to Waverley Leader (27/4/2011) on 27/4/2011 at 10:53 AM
Commenting on “Council resolute on Kingsway footpath policy”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/council-resolute-on-kingsway-footpath-policy/

OK, outdoor diners, all civic conscious and sensible people sympathise with your plight. We understand that you are contented to smoke or breathe in second-hand smoke to be lung cancer suffers causing grief to your loved ones; be an inconsiderate nuisance to create hazards forcing parents pushing prams or shoppers with trolleys into the street and get knocked down by cars wanting to park at the bays; an environmental hypocrite wasting valuable energy during winter using very inefficient ceiling heaters; gulp down the dirty and silent carcinogens pumped out from vehicles which do not complement well with the presumably healthy food you are consuming.

Oops, I forget to mention about the filthy mess, including the cigarette butts that scattered on the footpaths. Yes, City of Monash is a multicultural city, I do not mean ethnicity related culture, what I mean is the practice of those who want to be seen as trendy and mindless.

No to pets on V/Line trains

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader on 23/4/2011
No to pets on V/Line trains

Whether it is just for Easter or Christmas period to have pets on V/Line, the answer should be a NO! In fact, it should be a blanket NO for pets to be on any public transport at all time.

This should not be confused with having guide dogs accompanying the visually impaired on public transport. The guide dogs are more than just pets, they are instruments used to assist the visually impaired to gain mobility which most people take for granted.

A pet can be as poisonous and small as a spider, and as well-behave and big as a bull. Where do we draw the line? If pets are allowed on trains, be it V/Line or Metro, that is going to set a precedence in allowing pets in food premises, movie theatres, aeroplanes, public swimming pools, workplace and list just goes on.

Hasn't Transport Minister Mulder got better things to do? Perhaps he needs a bit more "training" for his position!

Some people argue that pets are allowed on public transport in many European countries, and that Australia is backward by not following the European example.

We don't need to follow what the Europeans do, because we are Australians NOT Europeans. Economically we are better than many European countries, because we are a better nation. In short they should follow our example. It is sorry to see so many Australians having the me-too mentality.

I do not belong to any union, and I do not like to knock any unionist for the sake of doing so. Train workers have a job to do, and their role is to look after the human passengers. Furthermore, it is not ill-founded that there are risks in handling pets. New sets of laws have to be drawn up for dealing with unruly behaviour of pets on public transport.

Having pets on the train is like asking RSPCA to use pet shelters to accommodate homeless people. There are places for people, and there are places for animals.

No to pets on V/Line trains

Posted to Waverley Leader (21/4/2011) on 22/4/2011 at 6:03 PM
Commenting on "No to pets on V/Line trains"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pets-in-easter-limbo-1

Whether it is just for Easter or Christmas period to have pets on V/Line, the answer should be a NO! In fact, it should be a blanket NO for pets to be on any public transport at all time.

This should not be confused with having guide dogs accompanying the visually impaired on public transport. The guide dogs are more than just pets, they are instruments used to assist the visually impaired to gain mobility which most people take for granted.

A pet can be as poisonous and small as a spider, and as well-behave and big as a bull. Where do we draw the line? If pets are allowed on trains, be it V/Line or Metro, that is going to set a precedence in allowing pets in food premises, movie theatres, aeroplanes, public swimming pools, workplace and list just goes on.

Hasn't Mulder got better things to do? Perhaps he needs a bit more "training" for his position!

Part 1 of 2

Posted to Waverley Leader (21/4/2011) on 22/4/2011 at 6:06 PM

Some people argue that pets are allowed on public transport in many European countries, and that Australia is backward by not following the European example.

We don't need to follow what the Europeans do, because we are Australians NOT Europeans. Economically we are better than many European countries, because we are a better nation. In short they should follow our example. It is sorry to see so many Australians having the me-too mentality.

I do not belong to any union, but I do not like to knock any unionist for the sake of doing so. Train workers have a job to do, and their role is to look after the human passengers. Furthermore, it is not ill-founded that there are risks in handling pets, and new sets of laws have to be drawn up for dealing with unruly behaviour of pets on public transport. Having pets on the train is like asking RSPCA to use pet shelters to accommodate homeless people. There are places for people, and there are places for animals.

Part 2 of 2

Clyde North crash hero cop speaks out

Posted to Cranbourne Leader (18/4/2011) on 19/4/2011 at 3:24 AM
Commenting on “Clyde North crash hero cop speaks out”
http://cranbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/police-officer-braves-crash-horror-in-clyde-north

Once the three injured people get out of the hospital, they should make a public apology to all the people of Australia for their stupidity, costing taxpayers money and emergency personnel's effort to rescue them, and causing immense stress and anxiety to the people who love them.

They should come clean "whether alcohol and speed were factors in the crash". Their licences should be cancelled and they need to re-sit for driving tests again.

Push for Dockland school

Posted to Melbourne Leader (28/3/2011) on 31/3/2011 at 3:08 AM

Commenting on “HAVE YOUR SAY: Push for Docklands school”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/push-for-docklands-school/

Where were the crystal ball "future" tellers cum town planners when they decided to turn Dockland into high density residential precinct? Were schools drawn on the plan? With so many children around, will there be enough open space, childcare facilities - this can't be as simple as ABC?

Can the roads and other infrastructure cope with 600% increase over the next 3 decades? With population increase, demand of water will be phenomenal, not only for drinking but also for toilet waste. The next complaint will be congestion, air pollution, noise pollution, stress related illnesses - did anyone say hospital?

With more and more high rise buildings, how many fire brigades are on the drawing board, or should there be an Elvis on standby? Dockland, another modern eye-sore!

Overhaul for Cranbourne

Posted to Cranbourne Leader (23/3/2011) on 26/3/2011 at 2:10 AM

Commenting on “HAVE YOUR SAY: Overhaul for Cranbourne”

http://cranbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/overhaul-for-cranbourne/

It is useless to have the most beautiful city if the residents don’t have time to enjoy it!

Unfortunately, many Councils draw up plans to beautify their cities on cosmetic level only. If the Casey Council can be more innovative, and think outside the square, making the city more “attractive” to business people and investors to conduct medium to large businesses in Cranbourne, that is to say, create more employment for the City, then the residents will not have to travel to inner suburbs to work, and hence can spend more of their disposable income and time to enjoy the City.

Just think about what I say!

Cranbourne methane estate residents to share $17.5m

Posted to Cranbourne Leader (25/3/2011) on 26/3/2011 at 1:50 AM

Commenting on “Cranbourne methane estate residents to share $17.5m”

http://cranbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/settlement-expected-in-cranbourne-methane-estate-class-action/

Slater and Gordon’s share was a cool $3.9 million after all the costs incurred, or 16.6% of $23.5 million.

Since the Council can recover much of the $13.5 million, so the Mayor said, and we assume that to be 80% will come to $10.8 million. If the legal fee is at 16.6%, then the recovered amount will be reduced to $9 million.

What it means is that the Council will have to pay ($13.5 - $9) million, that is $4.5 million.

Where is the money coming from? Oh, no – it must be from my next rate valuation notice, where else!

Yarra traders fume over smoking bans

Posted to Melbourne Leader (21/3/2011) on 25/3/2011 at 12:16 AM

Commenting on “HAVE YOUR SAY: Yarra traders fume over smoking bans”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/yarra-traders-fume-over-smoking-bans/

I strong disagree with Peri's view that "If I am not enjoying the atmosphere I simply move seats. It's called tolerance." No, Peri, it is called apathy.

Unfortunately, most people in the society take the attitude that “it’s not my problem”, “has nothing to do with me”, “let someone worry about it” and “who cares?” We read about whingers, and hear their moaning and complaints, and yet they don’t take their grievances to the authority, customer relation departments, consumer affairs, etc. During election time, they close their eyes and their hearts and simply voted some good for nothing representatives in the council, state parliament or federal parliament. If everyone continues to live for his own self-interest, our social fabric will decline to a state of no return! We MUST intervene!

According to Food Standard 3.2.3, Div 2, Para 3(d), "The design and construction of food premises must to the extent that is practicable – exclude dirt, dust, fumes, smoke and other contaminants." That paragraph alone is more than sufficient to support the banning of smoking at outdoor café.

Debate rages over Monash "racism"

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/3/2011) on 23/3/2011 at 11:15 AM
Commenting on "Debate rages over Monash "racism""
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/have-your-say-debate-rages-over-monash-racism/

The design of the preamble and the questions of a survey can greatly influence the way a surveyed candidate or respondent in making the decision.

Racism, whether real or perceived, is stemmed from suspicion, which in turn is the result of distinct differentiation and segregation from the norm or main stream population. Many immigrants hide behind the curtain of multiculturalism and expect to have special treatment or consideration. In almost all cases immigrants come to Australia are not by invitation, and they should be thankful that Australia open her hands to let them settle here for a better future. They should also be thankful that all who are ready here open their hearts and share this beautiful country for them to enjoy.

This is not a statement of immigrant bashing, because I am also an immigrant! I believe that the public is more sympathetic to indigenous Australians’ plight for equality than anti-indigenous. There have been 43 federal elections since 1901, and nothing much have been done by any government to improve the standard of living of the indigenous Australians.

Should Yarra Council ban outdoor smoking?”

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/3/2011) on 19/3/2011 at 1:46 AM

Commenting on “HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Yarra Council ban outdoor smoking?”

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/melbourne-council-considers-outdoor-smoking-ban/

City of Monash should be praised for banning smoking in many public areas, but unfortunately the Monash Councillors were gutless to ban smoking in outdoor dining cafés / restaurants recently. It was said that "Monash-specific ban would be hard on traders and thinks that the cost is too great to implement it."

There will always be people who enjoy lighting up a cigarette inside or outside eating places, but there are a lot more who don’t. By promoting Yarra as a complete smoke-free zone for café, it can attract non-smokers coming to help improve the food business in the City.

It will be fantastic if Yarra is the first City to implement such policy in banning all outdoor dining.

Monash drops bid for smoke ban

Posted to Waverley Leader (1/3/11) on 3/3/2011 at 11:48 AM
Commenting on "Monash drops bid for smoke ban"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/monash-drops-bid-for-smoke-ban/

It is load of nonsense for Cr Stephen Dimopoulos to say a Monash-specific ban would be hard on traders and thinks that the cost is too great to implement it.

There will always be people who enjoy lighting up a cigarette inside or outside eating places, but there are a lot more who don’t. By promoting City of Monash as a complete smoke-free zone for café, we can attract non-smokers coming to help improve the food business in the City.

Unfortunately I disagree with Cr Geoff Lake trying to wash his hands clean by saying that "al fresco dining was something for the state government to tackle." City of Monash can introduce by-laws to overcome this problem. What’s wrong being the first City to implement such policy?

Target 155 down the drain

Posted to Waverley Leader (25/2/11) on 26/2/2011 at 11:07 PM
Commenting on "Target 155 down the drain"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/target-155-down-the-drain/

Liberal Government definitely made the wrong decision in ditching the Target 155 campaign,. In business and in life, we set targets and goals not that we will achieve them definitely, but they are something to aim for, to better ourselves in many aspects of performance.

Whether or not it was introduced by the former Labor government or anyone, Target 155 "was" a fantastic idea. Saving water should not be viewed as a policy; it should be a way of life. The best part of Target 155 was that no additional tax was imposed on people using water above the target. The public made conscious and unconscious decisions to conserve this valuable "resource".

By axing the campaign, or more correctly removing this magical target, many will revert back to bad habit using more water, causing increase in household spending, which can either increase household debt, or cannibalise spending on other services.

Target 155 should be synonymous to Keep Australia Beautiful, Cleanup Australia, Planet Ark, Greening Australia, Earth Hour, etc. The program should be expanded instead of being axed.

$45,000 bill for Monash women-only pool sessions (Post 2 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (14/2/11) on 21/2/2011 at 11:08 AM
Commenting on "$45,000 bill for Monash women-only pool sessions"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/your-view-45-000-bill-for-monash-women-only-pool-sessions/

Who is going to pay for the on-going up-keep and maintenance of the curtain at the Clayton Swimming Pool? The ratepayers, of course!

Every dollar spent on the curtain is a dollar sacrificed on other items such as maintenance of roads, street lighting, tree pruning, rubbish collection, etc. Now that this matter is so publicised, the flow-on negative effects will outweigh the benefits. There will be additional financial cost on security in addition to cost stated above, and social cost such as racial/religious harmony.

The next DEMAND will be prayer room and special toilets in all public facilities in the City of Monash. Some larger organisations have bowed to pressure to provide special prayer rooms, and companies must make allowance for workers to pray during work hours.

While I was assisting in a project in a middle-eastern country, my colleagues and I were advised to be sensitive not to eat in front of fellow colleagues at lunch break during the fasting period!

City of Monash welcomes Year of the Rabbit

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leder on 17/2/2011 at 10:57 PM

City of Monash welcomes Year of the Rabbit

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/city-of-monash-welcomes-year-of-the-rabbit/

City of Monash celebrated the year of Rabbit with another successful, colourful, eventful, foodful (a new word) and playful celebration at Kings Way on Sunday 13/2/2011.

In fact, it was a day full of noise and smoke - yup, the rhythm of the drums and gongs that the dragons and lions danced to, and the noise of the firecrackers which was supposedly for driving away any evil spirits from the City of Monash. Unfortunately, the smoke from the firecrackers, deep-frying and barbequing in the open air was not very green for the environment.

There were activities keeping the kids entertained from castle jumping which I don’t think was very Chinese at all, to lantern painting. It was really great to see so many non-Chinese performing cultural dances on stage, and participating as the dragon legs.

The aroma from the fried crumbed calamari would wet anyone’s appetite. There were also the popular satays stalls, and rice cake cut into cubes that pan-fried with eggs.

Stalls selling DVDs were doing booming business. There were at least three tents and two carts offering DVDs at bargain basement price.

The highlight of the day was the lion dance performance. It was awesome that the lions hopped around so playfully or shall I say mischievously on the long steel columns, as though they were just dancing on level ground.

It’s another year, another celebration! Well done and thanks to the organisers, City of Monash and sponsors. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

$45,000 bill for Monash women-only pool sessions (Post 1 of 2)

Posted to Waverley Leader (14/2/11) on 15/2/2011 at 12:50 PM
Commenting on "$45,000 bill for Monash women-only pool sessions"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/your-view-45-000-bill-for-monash-women-only-pool-sessions/

I have written in various papers including this about my views on segregation, whether it is on businesses in Kingsway or the use of swimming pool.

Multiculturalism is not a one-way traffic. Australians are asked to be patient, tolerant, and acceptant with other’s cultures, and expected to learn about them, and yet many immigrants do not reciprocate. Unless there is a common unifying force to bind them together, the Australian social fabric will be torn.

To find out more about my other comments, follow the links
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=114&m=49118&ps=50&dm=2, published 27/8/2009
http://www2b.abc.net.au/guestbookcentral/list.asp?numtoview=&GuestbookID=156&start=&sort=&filter1=Name&filter1val=CHAN, Sin Fong&filter2=Subject&filter2val=Speak English and Respect the Laws&filter3Remark=&filter3val=Tower of Babel&view=&advanced=&Action=&pagestart=, published 19/9/2006
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/women-only-pool-float-for-monash/, published 19/10/2010
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/better-business-mix-in-kingsway/, published 7/1/2011
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/content/letterstotheeditor/, published 7/1/2011, 3/12/2010, 20/10/2010

Think about it, before the next rain drop falls

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader on 5/2/2011 at 10:46 pm
Think about it, before the next rain drop falls
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/think-about-it-before-the-next-rain-drop-falls/

Many new residential blocks are small; the house, driveway and garage occupy most of the land, leaving very little room for lawn and plants.

Although earlier subdivided land sizes are bigger, many people have turned the non build-up areas into rock gardens or concreted outdoor area due to busy life style. Rain is not absorbed, and goes down to the drain literally, and if not, causes flood in low lying areas. Paved areas are not only a better medium for faster water flow, but also act like impervious bases of mini-reservoirs in flooded regions.

With fewer plants, absorption of carbon dioxide is reduced, and in the meantime, emission of oxygen is reduced as well.

With all these taken into consideration, should new building and planning codes be amended to incorporate “rainfall friendly” clauses?

Better business mix in Kingsway

Posted to Your News, Waverley Leader (4/1/2011) on 7/1/2011 at 12:01 AM
Title: "Better business mix in Kingsway"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/no-support-for-glen-waverley-karaoke/

There are more concerning issues regarding this proposed development:

• Over concentration of restaurants / food premises will cannibalise existing businesses
  
• A lot more late-night alcohol-fuelled violence will be in the precinct
  
• More demand on Police and Council resources to ensure Monash residents peace and quiet enjoyment of their properties at night
  
• Possible organised gangs will be attracted and infiltrated to this area with early morning licence
  
• Non-existing by-laws to ensure balanced mix of business
  

Although I’m a Chinese by descent, I definitely do not like to see the Kingsway turned into a Chinatown like Box Hill, Springvale, Richmond in Melbourne, or Eastwood, Chatswood and Cabramatta in Sydney - almost filled with Asian restaurants or businesses. Only a balanced mix of businesses and ethnicity in the City of Monash will ensure racial harmony in the near and long-term future.

Karaoke out of tune

Posted to Waverley Leader (4/1/2011) on 7/1/2011 at 11:51 AM
Commenting on "Karaoke out of tune"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/no-support-for-glen-waverley-karaoke/

There are more concerning issues regarding this proposed development:

• Over concentration of restaurants / food premises will cannibalise existing businesses
  
• A lot more late-night alcohol-fuelled violence will be in the precinct
  
• More demand on Police and Council resources to ensure Monash residents peace and quiet enjoyment of their properties at night
  
• Possible organised gangs will be attracted and infiltrated to this area with early morning licence
  
• Non-existing by-laws to ensure balanced mix of business
  

Although I’m a Chinese by descent, I definitely do not like to see the Kingsway turned into a Chinatown like Box Hill, Springvale, Richmond in Melbourne, or Eastwood, Chatswood and Cabramatta in Sydney - almost filled with Asian restaurants or businesses.

Only a balanced mix of businesses and ethnicity in the City of Monash will ensure racial harmony in the near and long-term future.