News in brief

News in brief
Image: Foreshore near the White Bay Passenger Terminal has now been opened to the public

Neville Wran farewelled

Former NSW Labor premier Neville Wran was remembered at a state funeral at Sydney Town Hall on May 1.

“His brain was forever crackling with ideas,” said former prime minister Paul Keating at the service.

Mr Wran’s legacy included the introduction of random breath testing, creating the Land and Environment Court and redeveloping Darling Harbour.

“His political judgment … was unfailingly smart,” said his wife Jill at the funeral.

Mr Wran grew up in working-class Balmain. He died aged 87 on April 20.

White Bay foreshore opening

Half a kilometre of foreshore at the White Bay Passenger Terminal has been opened to the public after an agreement between Leichhardt Council and Sydney Ports.

Former independent councillor John Stamolis, who led a community campaign against the impacts of cruise ships on the surrounding residential area, celebrates the opening up of the foreshore to community use.

“We want people to use and enjoy this area,” he said.

The foreshore can now be accessed via wharves 4 and 5 when ships are not in port.

“Council will continue to work with Sydney Ports to further enhance the access and amenity of this area,” Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne said.

Expensive requests

Leichhart Council spent $170,000 last year responding to nearly 800 requests for information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act. Approximately 200 of those were lodged by a single ratepayer.

The Act allows residents to request records, such as development applications, held by state and local governments.

Council voted to establish a $30 fee for application submission and moved to set limits on the number of files that could be reasonably requested.

More than half of applicants do not come to view the documents they request.

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