There is a new mobile phone app that allows you to send pictures and location of problems in your area, directly to Council.

It is as simple as.

1. Download the app to your phone (it is called ‘Snap Send Solve‘
2. Open the app. You have a variety of options such as sending a text message or photograph.
3. Select your local Council (Willoughby Council has already been preloaded into the app). The app works out your location (GPS: Latitude & Longitude)
4. Send your complaint/request directly from your phone
5. Once Council receives the complaint/request it would processed along with any other complaints (but they will have better information to go on, such as the photo and accurate location)

The app was launched in late 2010 and over 30,000 requests/complaints have been lodged to Councils across Australia.

A news story on the technology can be found at the Daily Telegraph.

A design for the Traffic Lights at the intersection of Mowbray Road and Beaconsfield Road has been approved by Lane Cove and Willoughby Councils and by the RMS.The RMS has agreed to fund the installation of the traffic lights which will be installed by a contractor engaged by Lane Cove Council. Lane Cove Council has called tenders for the construction of the lights and it is understood that works on the traffic lights are to commence prior to the end of June (sic)

Lane Cove Council has rezoned land on the southern side of Mowbray Road to permit higher density residential development. This redevelopment will result in increased traffic generation from that area and in order to ameliorate the impacts of that development the Department of Planning & Infrastructure commissioned a traffic study for Lane Cove Council which proposes a number of traffic changes along Mowbray Road West. Staff from Lane Cove Council and Willoughby Council have met to discuss the works proposed by that study and to discuss a  community engagement strategy in regard to the proposed changes. Recently Willoughby Council requested that all premises within the area bounded by Epping Road, Mowbray Road, Pacific Highway and Fullers Road be consulted in regard to the traffic changes. The consultation will commence shortly.

Works proposed under the traffic strategy include:

• Traffic signals at Mowbray Road/Hatfield Street
• Addition of a right turn bay for southbound traffic turning from Mowbray Road into Centennial Avenue
• Addition of a dedicated left turn lane for traffic exiting Centennial Avenue northbound to Mowbray Road westbound
• Right turn bays to facilitate turning movements into Mooney Street,
• Girraween Avenue, Mindarie Street, Hatfield Street, Kullah Parade and
• Willandra Street
• Banning right turns out of Willandra street (south), Mindarie Street, Girraween Avenue and Mooney Street

A new Government Policy requires that you register your swimming pool with Willoughby Council. Inspections by Council will be starting shortly of all swimming pools. Council will likely use aerial photographs to identify the location of pools.

You can comment on the new Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Policy. Information is available at http://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au.

Written submissions by 5pM, Monday 2nd September 2013 can be sent to The General Manager, Willoughby City Council, PO Box 57, Chatswood NSW 2057 or email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

According to Mayor Reilly, the likelihood of  a future line line from Chatswood to the northern beaches is remote. Commenting on the State Government’s plans for massive development over railway lines and stations, Mayor Reilly pointed out that at Chatswood there would be a major problem as the recent high rise development around the station has three floors of parking underground. Reilly also pointed out that an enclosure containing the railway lines was only wide enough for four tracks.

Mayor Reilly also pointed out the new bus interchange at Chatswood Station is already over capacity.He questioned where extra bus services could be accommodated.

The Federal Opposition have announced that they will not fund transport projects in NSW. Only roads and motorways will be funded. This means that major transport projects such as the Epping to Parramatta rail link will not be funded.

NSW Transport Minister Berejicklian is reported as saying that she welcomed the announcement. However there is $18M in current projects that now will not receive funding.

Federal Labour says it supports national funding for urban public transport projects.

The referendum designed to give Local Government financial certainty has been postponed. Evidently, the earliest the referendum could be held was September 14. .

Direct federal funding to local government has delivered safer roads, upgraded public amenities and better playgrounds and parks. However, it is at risk due to two court cases that found direct funding to be unconstitutional.

When the constitution was written federal funding for local government projects wasn’t mentioned, which means today billions of dollars in federal funding for community projects could technically be legally challenged.

The referendum, unlike many, looked likely to be passed as it had bipartisan support.

If you happen to be speaking with candidates for the upcoming election on 7th September, ask them what they intend to do about the referendum

Lake Macquarie Mayor Jodie Harrison said the way in which the constitution was worded meant it was crucial for the referendum to be passed.

“When our constitution was written 112 years ago, federal funding for local government projects wasn’t mentioned, which means today billions of dollars in federal funding for community projects could technically be legally challenged.”

A bill to hold the referendum cleared Parliament on June 24, with only seven Coalition senators voting against it.

The new planning system will radically alter how residents are informed and engage with planning for change in their local area.

At the moment residents are informed about 80% of development applications. Under the new laws this will drop to around 20%.

The government is saying that residents will have the opportunity to engage with the strategic planning for their local area, but this is exactly the same as now.

Basically, it appears that the government is trying to exclude residents and their opinions. All in the name of economic development and urban consolidation.

The new planning laws are likely to go before parliament shortly.

How will Willoughby Council raise enough money to cover its unfunded asset liabilities? 

State Electoral boundary interim win for West Ward locals: The western boundary for the State Electorate of Willoughby has been returned to the logical Willoughby City Council boundary in the interim map released recently by the State Electorate Commission. This means Mowbray Road (not Epping Road) will be the southern boundary, Lane Cove River will be the western boundary and Blue Gun Creek/Boundary Rd the northern boundary. Several local residents, the Willoughby Watch Editorial Committee and the Progress Association were among groups that wrote to the redistribution Commissioners pointing out that the previous western boundary along Greville Street (north and south sections) meant that about 100 houses near the entry to the Chatswood Golf Course were in the Lane Cove electorate, despite the residents community of interest with the rest of Willoughby electorate. The final boundaries are expected to be confirmed in September.