HAVING got no satisfaction from Treasurer Joe Hockey on keeping the Australian Tax Office at Hurstville, Hurstville Council is looking to enlist Banks MP David Coleman to promote jobs.
Referring to Mr Hockey's recent visit to Hurstville and to Mr Coleman's expressed interest in doing what he could to help, the council resolved at its last meeting to invite Mr Coleman to a workshop to outline his plans to boost employment in Hurstville and attract more public sector agencies to the city.
Councillor Justin Mining said the council was concerned about Mr Hockey's refusal to reconsider the closure of the Australian Tax Office, causing 500 job losses, when he visited Hurstville.
But at the time of Mr Hockey's visit, Mr Coleman said he was very focused on the results of the ATO closure and would talk to Mr Hockey and other ministers about what help could be given to Hurstville.
Cr Mining said the loss of the ATO jobs was exacerbated by the state government's recent decision to strip 300 jobs from Hurstville by moving NSW Office of Environment and Heritage staff from 43 Bridge Street, Hurstville, to Parramatta.
"The council has been working hard to attract more public sector agencies and commercial tenants to Hurstville CBD, given the associated economic benefits for our business community and local jobs for our residents," Cr Mining said.
"As the major commercial centre and public transport hub for southern Sydney, the council needs to work closely with our local MPs to ensure we are supported in our endeavours by the other tiers of government."
Mr Coleman said he would work with anyone who wanted to build the local economy.
"There is nothing more important than jobs," he said. "Economic growth matters because it leads to more jobs, which benefits our local community.
"The government is pursuing job-promoting policies like the abolition of the carbon tax and the building of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure around the nation.
"Locally, we are moving ahead with the M5 East duplication, which will cut travel times to the city from Beverly Hills by more than 20 minutes in peak hour."
Mr Coleman pointed out that the ATO began the review of its leases during the term of the previous Labor government. As a result, 13 offices around the country were earmarked for closure.
He had some advice for Hurstville Council.
"In particular, I would encourage Hurstville Council to fast-track plans to improve parking in the Hurstville CBD," he said.
"The lack of parking is, in my view, holding back the economic development of the area."
Have you got any ideas about increasing jobs?
