Amid cries that it is too expensive and/or it has had its day, there is unrest from some over Unley hosting the TDU.
During budget deliberations, we heard cries from some in our community to abandon the TDU. Indeed (from memory) two councillors said the same. Some including the two councillors will be disappointed with the news it is going to happen.
Those same cries were not so apparent when we debated earlier in the year whether we should put another bid in or not. That is when the debate was needed to be had, not at budget time.
Curiously this happens every year. We agree to put in a bid. Then at budget time we debate if we should change that decision.
With the announcement imminent of who has been successful in hosting a start or a finish, budget time is precisely the wrong time to have the debate. To pull out then would surely to be irresponsible.
But what are we debating. The calls to drop our association with the TDU come from concern over the $ 266,000 it costs council to stage the Gourmet Gala.
I don’t argue that this is a significant amount of money for one event. But is it? More on that in a future blog.
Whilst the Gourmet Gala is associated with the TDU it is not the TDU. The TDU start surely must stay. As I wrote in my last blog post the City of Unley and the TDU go hand in hand.
For the premier bike capital of Adelaide (Unley) not to host a start, or a finish for that matter, would surely be criminal.
So, when this comes up again, let us focus on what we are actually debating. Is it the TDU or is it the Gourmet Gala? Or is it both?
$ 266,000 to host the Gourmet Gala? What do we get for that? A link to an explanation would be fine.
keep watch for my next blog on the topic thanks Cathy.
Contrary to what the UCC thinks we are not ALL happy and mad about Lycra clad cyclist racy around the streets and to fund the TDU with an elitist party is beyond a joke, surely that money could be better spent on our roads and looking after the requests of the residents of ALL of Unley and surrounding Suburbs that fall under the Councils Budget planning would be a start. So to make a comment that we are all benefiting is untrue and the statement” City of Unley and the TDU go hand in hand” is not true when you have even one single vote against it.
I dont doubt Gail there are those who don’t as my 2nd blog post recognises. The argument for or against the Gourmet Gala is a different argument to that of hosting the TDU as I indicate in my 2nd blog. A 3rd blog is nearing readiness (maybe a day away) to explore this further.
As far as the TDU goes the City of Unley has developed the best network for bike riding in Adelaide. Surely if any Council goes hand in hand with the TDU it would be the one that has developed the best network.
Don: ‘As far as the TDU goes the City of Unley has developed the best network for bike riding in Adelaide. Surely if any Council goes hand in hand with the TDU it would be the one that has developed the best network.’
I don’t think we can have that argument. The lycra brigade are the enemies of other cyclists, not to mention pedestrians. I’m reminded of the cycling lanes they have in Melbourne now. Quite aside of the increased dangers and difficulties for pedestrians crossing roads now, I have lots of Melbourne cycling friends whose idea of cycling is cruising along just fast enough not to fall off, having a good time. They feel so threatened by the grim lycra cyclists that they’ve stopped cycling. The cycling lanes have forced these two groups together.
I see no connection whatsoever between the corrupt drug cheating corporate world of cycling and ordinary cycling. Any more than we’d be arguing to have the Olympics in the area because we have good playgrounds.
I wouldn’t want to link to something that’s all about big events, gouging money from ordinary people and yeah, surely corruption all the way. Why is it that unless huge corporate parties are being held on public land at public expense, a certain type of person thinks nothing is happening in Adelaide???
Cant argue with you Cathy. I too have experienced the dangers presented by uncaring cyclists. And they are probably the same people who criticise motorists for taking them for granted.
This is a whole different conversation however. One that we must have I add.
As I prepare my 3rd blog on the current set I wish to maintain the Gourmet Gala is not the TDU. As we prepare for the next TDU I will be seeking Council to promote responsible bike riding in conjunction with the marketing at least of our leg.
Sounds like a Kevin Costner film”if you build it they will come” Just because you say that you have developed the best network for cyclist, still doesn’t mean you have 100% support from your constituents in having either the road race or the Gala,just because a few elitist want the publicity and the cudo’s pat on the back doesn’t mean we are all behind it, thats what the Unley Council seem to conveniently forget, when they ask for our voices to be heard “Have your say” yet are constantly ignored anyway, and you go on your merry way with what you already have a greed on behind closed doors,the public are no fools and you wonder why people dont stand up and say anything,they have finally woken up to the fact that whatever opinion we give that differs from what the UCC want to do it will be ignored so why bother. So to me if you dont have a majority on this and you have even one lonely little voice crying out Stop and I believe you have more than one even from your own members then Why? do you persist in not listening and put the money where its really wanted.Just my opinion if you want to listen
Sorry that you feel that Council does not listen Gail. I can assure you it does. We are here to represent and therefore listen to our whole community. It has a duty to listen and then to determine what we believe is best for our whole community.
I have oft blogged on the power of people power and its impact on Council, as recent as the current budget. WE listened and included most of what was being asked for, requiring our rates to increase 0.1%.
Another very recent example was the changes we made to the Unley Central DPA.
Honestly we have often backed down on something because of a few people speaking harder and louder against than those speaking for.
Please do not give up on offering your opinion.
Ok hears my opinion,So what your saying is you listen but still decide what you Want is the right way to go!! Even though it might not be the right way to go!! because you think its what the Whole community wants!! Even when some of that WHOLE community doesn’t want it!! and state they dont!
I dont believe ever saying I agreed to spending money on the TDU or the Gala, yet I do remember saying things like I would like to see our residential streets being treated as residential streets not rat runners or used as main arterial roads for semi trailers,cranes,double D’s and I dont believe I was ever asked how increased traffic would happen with the proposed buildings of High rise apartments on the Le Cornu site which will affect us or spending money on water troughs on goodwood road or street parties on Unley rd how about looking at the WHOLE community as a whole and looking after all residents not just a select few that would be a good start and all the other issues that are ignored yet brought to the attention of UCC, because you have listened but chosen to make a decision on what you believe the whole community wants.In my opinion
I support Gail on this matter.
She has voiced my concerns.
The council does not listen to the residents.
Sorry that you feel that Council does not listen Roger. I can assure you it does. We are here to represent and therefore listen to our whole community. It has a duty to listen and then to determine what we believe is best for our whole community.
I have oft blogged on the power of people power and its impact on Council, as recent as the current budget. WE listened and included most of what was being asked for, requiring our rates to increase 0.1%.
Another very recent example was the changes we made to the Unley Central DPA.
Honestly we have often backed down on something because of a few people speaking harder and louder against than those speaking for.
Please do not give up on offering your opinion Roger.