There has been a complaint regarding the electronic animated
billboard that has been installed by Chatswood Primary School on the Pacific Highway (see comment below).

The Minister for Roads has indicated that “animated signs which are visible to drivers are not allowed under the current guidelines.

(Note: Image not representative of billboard installed)

Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney has announced that Council is looking to spend $30,000 to ­beautify the suburbs under the Urban Tree Management Policy. This would allow for the planting of 400 new trees.

Of course, whilst most of us would like to see more trees, it is important that they are the right species and planted in the right places.

Council would like to hear from  us as to where the new trees should be planted.

The  Council report also mentions a few surprise. “Tree-lined avenues are likely to slow traffic speed and quality streetscapes will increase real estate values,” the report said. Not sure if this could also mean that the trees will become a traffic hazard.

The policy will go to a council meeting in July and if approved, will be on public exhibition in July.

IPART have announced massive increases in Council rates (over 50% for some Councils). You may recall that Willoughby Council was intending to seek a large rate increase but this was withdrawn after the passing of Emeritus Mayor Reilly and the subsequent Mayoral election. So this year we will have the ‘rate-pegged’ increase around 2.3%.

Why will Council need to increase its rates? The main reason is that for the past 30 years rates have artificially been kept excessively low. So Councils are now having to play ‘catch up’.

Will Willoughby Council in future years seek an increase above the ‘pegged’ rate? Highly likely.

With Council elections scheduled for 2015 it is likely that there will need to be changes made to Ward boundaries. Legislation requires that all Wards be within 10% of each other for the number of electors.

Currently the boundaries of West Ward are: Mowbray Rd (from Claude St), Mowbray Rd West to Lane Cove River and back by Blue Gum Creek to Boundary St. Then down the railway line to Ashley St, across to Archer St. Down Victoria Avenue to Claude St and back to Mowbray Rd.

Currently, West Ward abuts two other wards – Middle Harbour Ward to the East and Naremburn Ward to the South.

Given the amount of unit development within the CBD that is in West Ward, it is likely that West Ward will need to divest some electors. Areas that could be at risk of moving to another Ward are the ‘Flower’ Streets (Mills Lane to Ashley St) and between Chatswood Park and Mowbray Rd. However, other configurations are also possible.

Willoughby City Council is seeking community feedback on the proposed Draft Street Parking Strategy, which aims to optimise street parking, and offer greater choice to residents, visitors and workers about how, why and where they park.
The Draft Street Parking Strategy is made up of six different parking policies, which
cover all aspects of on-street parking needs within the City – from residential, to
commuter, business and long stay options, as well as specific needs for motorcycles, trades people, people with disabilities, carers and car share.

The Draft Street Parking Strategy aims to:

• Optimise street parking capacity by encouraging greater turnover of parking spaces
• Provide equitable sharing of existing street parking spaces among users
• Maintain access to local services and amenities
• Manage parking allocation for motorcycles
• Improve street parking requirements for trade worker vehicles
• Encourage developers to consider the need for construction and trade vehicle parking prior to construction
• Manage parking allocation for car share schemes
• Encourage and improve access to alternative and active transport modes
• Manage demand and provision for long-stay employee parking
• Re-address the allocation of street parking for residents, visitors and carers

Council is proposing to

• Increase and/or decrease parking fees – via an adjustable pay-parking system to manage street parking
• Increase resident parking permits to up to three cars per household
• Introduce visitor parking permits
• Provide improved security and additional parking, through various means, for motorcycles
• Allocate a proportion of available street parking to long-stay visitors and managing demand through pay-parking charges
• Vary parking prices and restrictions to optimise the turn over of parking spaces in major shopping areas

Have Your Say
Find out more, and provide feedback via survey until Thursday 31 July at
http://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au

Attend a Public Meeting:

7pm, Thursday 12 June – St Leonard’s Catholic Church Hall, 43 Donnelly Road, Naremburn

7pm, Thursday 19 June – Dougherty Community Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood

7pm, Thursday 26 June – The Willis Recreation and Sport Centre, 325A Eastern Valley Way, Castle Cove

2pm, Saturday 12 July – Willoughby Uniting Church Hall, 10 Clanwilliam Street, Willoughby

If you do not understand this document, phone 9777 1000 to discuss with Council staff, or visit Council’s Administration Building at 31 Victor Street, Chatswood (8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

Alternatively phone the Translating & Interpreting Service on 131 450.

You can also provide feedback in writing by Thursday 31 July to:
The General Manager
Willoughby City Council
31 Victor Street
Chatswood NSW 2067