Almost $1 billion will be cut from Council funding. This means less money to spend on roads and community services. Whilst these funds are mostly allocated to smaller and regional Councils, it is likely that grants for road maintenance by Willoughby Council could be reduced in real terms.

In the Local Government section, page 28, of today’s Sydney Morning Herald, there is an article concerning confidential negotiations between Meriton and Marrickville Council over a “Meriton offer to pay the Council $5 million to allow greater density for a controversial development at Lewisham.” A Green Councillor who disclosed this to Fairfax Media was suspended by the Council, but reinstated by the administrative appeals tribunal.

There have been calls from the local community for concessions to be made by Willoughby Council to assist Clr Mandy Stevens to resume her role in full as a Councillor. Clr Stevens has missed a large number of Council meetings since 2012 due to medical reasons. Currently, Clr Stevens is attending some meetings of Council but typically needs to leave the meetings early.

Former Willoughby Council Alderman Prue Dally has organised a petition in an attempt to remedy the situation. The petition calls on the Minister of Local Government and the Legislative Assembly to intervene on behalf of the community to “ensure Willoughby City Council complies with the intention of their legislative responsibilities, standards and guidelines and West Ward is effectively represented”.

Preambles to the petition cite the need for ‘appropriate representation’ and ‘the apparent inability of a Councillor to direct, control and participate in the affairs of Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 No.30.

A key issue being pursued via the Petition Preamble is questioning Clr Stevens’ ability to ‘represent ratepayers and residents to liaise communicate and advocate on their behalf with the local Council.

READ MORE BELOW

West Ward Petition April 2014

Preamble to Petition

Performance Improvement Order

If you wish to sign the petition, just print out a copy and add your support by signing.

The, either scan your signed petition and email it to the President of the Chatswood West Progress Association at jim11tessa@gmail.com or you can post your petition to:

Jim McCredie, President, Chatswood West Ward Progress Association, 11 Tessa St, Chatswood NSW 2067.

May 2014: The North Shore Times published a letter and editorial commending Clr Stevens’ contribution to the community over a long period of time.

It is proposed to redevelop the Mandarin Centre.The Planning Proposal seeks to allow shop top housing to occur on the site.

The development standards for the site requested in the Planning Proposal are:

1. An increase in the maximum height limit from 27m to RL181.95 (89.95m). The height is similar to the Sebel building at 31-37 Victor Street, Chatswood.
2. Increase the permissible Floor Space Ratio from 2.5:1 to 11.15:1 (the existing building was approved at 4.6:1)

The indicative concept plans and report accompanying the Planning Proposal indicate hat this would allow 13,829sqm of leasable retail/commercial floor space and 23,512sqm of residential floor space (244 units). The development would comprise a podium building with 6 storeys above ground level (generally matching the existing Mandarin entre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of
“Entertainment” use(s).

The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.

The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:

i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.

The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of “Entertainment” use(s).

The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.

The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:

i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an
active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.

The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be
rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre.