Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Truly sharing Sydney's Olympic Spirit

By Gary Moore - posted Tuesday, 15 August 2000


The hosting of the Olympics in Sydney, at the least, has fuelled these housing market characteristics, and at the most, led to specific difficulties faced by tenants, boarders and lodgers, with substantial rent increases, more no fault evictions and the closure of cheap rooms.

The NSW Government has refused to either recognise Olympic related housing impacts, or to act to improve tenancy protections in the face of this crisis of affordability in Sydney. For many, this has been the key failure of the NSW Government in the Olympic preparations period.

At the 11th hour, NSW Government agencies have moved to expend assistance and protections for the homeless during the Games period. A Homeless Protocol, to be shortly signed off between Government security and welfare departments, and the opening of some additional emergency accommodation beds for the next few months have resulted from some intensive lobbying.

Advertisement

Community Care Services

There is little doubt that, in parts of inner Sydney, and on major roads linking, or around Olympic venues, significant transport dislocation will take place during the Games period. The degree of this "transport gridlock" remains impossible to predict.

A key, unresolved issue is the disruption which will take place to the massive number of essential home based services which are provided to the aged, the disabled, the mentally ill and those with various other health problems.

The fear is that some services such as meals on wheels, home nursing and drug and alcohol will simply not be available to a large number of clients who are daily dependent on these activities.

No special arrangements, on a city wide basis, have been able to be negotiated with the relevant Olympics agencies.

Substantial disruptions are also expected to childcare services, including the extra week of vacation care required because of the extended school holidays during the Games period.

Advertisement

There remain fears that a range of bus transport, including community buses, will be inappropriately taken from regional NSW to help address Sydney Olympic transport needs.

Finances and legacies

The strong economic conditions of the second half of the 1990s, have enabled state Budget funds to be directed readily to priority Olympic spending since Sydney won the bid. State coffers were also estimated to be swelled by over $600 million during this time due to increased economic activity influenced by Sydney staging the Olympics.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Gary Moore is Director of the Council of Social Service of NSW.

Related Links
Council of Social Service NSW
Photo of Gary Moore
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy