Living in the Olympic State
3-4 October 1998

Conference calls for urgent action on Olympic social impacts

The next six months are critical, if the NSW Government is to ensure that low income families and communities are not hurt by social impacts such as rising rents, overstrecthed health care services and inaccessible public transport, arising from Sydney staging the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics.

Over 150 delegates, to the Living in the Olympic State conference have unanimously called on Olympics Minister, Michael Knight and SOCOG Chief, Sandy Hollway to also lift the "veil of secrecy" which has , to date, surrounded any public assessment of progress in managing such social impacts.

The Living in the Olympic State conference was organised by the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS), in conjunction with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and the Inner Metropolitan Regional Organisation of Councils (IMROC).

"For the first time, the conference saw estimates of the value of NSW capital works projects ($500 million) which have to be deferred or abolished because of the priorities of Olympic spending needs," said Gary Moore, NCOSS Director.

"If we are putting off spending on other important community infrastructure, we must maximise the value of these Olympic investments. This means ensuring the widest community access to facilities after the Games with no ongoing taxpayer subsidies."

"The conference also sent a clear message that every citizen should have a fair chance to see major Olympic events. Low income families should have access to the best seats."

"Many conference delegates emphasise that the benefits of the Cultural Olympiads must be widespread and last well beyond the yearly events themselves."

"Whilst much has already been achieved in making Olympic facilities accessible to people with disabilities, a huge question remains about how the disabled and the elderly will get to Homebush Bay."

"A further priority is to ensure that the existing residents living near to Homebush Bay and those destined for the new suburb of Newington (the Olympic Village), receive their adequate share of essential community services in the future."

"As yet, no effective social plan exists. There is an urgent need for discussions between Auburn Council and the relevant Olympic authorities to properly resolve this issue."

"The conference called on the Carr Government to finalise a Charter of Social Development Principles and to arrange for a post Olympics Social Impact Assessment to take place. Both of these actions were recommended in the 1995 Keys Young Report."

"The conference has shown that people want to participate in the Olympics, both to reap the benefits and minimise the costs. It is up to the NSW Government to truly meet its social development responsibilities up to, during and beyond the Olympics," added Mr Moore.

For further details contact Gary Moore, tel (02) 9211 2599, fax (02) 9281 1968, email garym@ncoss.org.au; Alex Gooding, WSROC Executive Director, (02) 9671 4333; Cr Maire Sheehan, IMROC President, (02) 9265 9439

See also

• Issues of concern and recommendations: sent to Olympics Minister Michael Knight.
• Keynote speech: "The experience must be for everyone" by SOCOG Chief Executive, Sandy Hollway.

Council of Social Service of New South Wales
66 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
tel (02) 9211 2599, fax (02) 9281 1968, email info@ncoss.org.au

All information contained on this web site is copyright
Web site maintained by webmaster@ncoss.org.au.

[Home]