The new Opal Smartcard being introduced by the NSW Government has run into more trouble. The Opal card is designed to allow commuters to travel on all form of public transport: trains, buses and ferries.

 NSW has been trying to get a system like the Opal card implemented for some time, at least over the past ten years. They have been promoting the card as providing lower costs for travel. There are also other incentives offered such as free travel after the completion of eight journeys in a week, lower fares during off-peak travel plus a cap on daily spending.

 The Government have been trailing the cards in Sydney. Reports are in that rather than saving commuters money, in fact, it is costing them more. One commuter expecting to save 60 cents per week found she was paying an extra $7.60. Commuters who use multi-buy tickets to commute to and from work during peak hours will also pay more. The hardest hit will be yearly pass holders.

The Federal Transport Department is considering proposals to introduce measures in suburban driveways to protect small children from being run over. Under consideration are driveway speed limits, speed bumps and pool fences. The slope, width and length of driveways may also need to change. They are also recommending the removal of plants and landscaping that block a driver’s view.

 It appears that children are most at risk on driveways longer than 12m, cul-de-sacs, single driveways and driveways located on the property boundary. A study found that seven children aged 15 or younger are killed on driveways every year and 60 are seriously injured.

 The proposals for change have the potential to dramatically change the character of many homes.

The idea for the change came after consideration of the effectiveness of pool fencing in reducing the number of deaths in swimming pools.

Transport Minister Berejiklian recently defended her decision to limit the North West Rail Link to single deck trains using small tunnels. She acknowledged that the decision to go with small tunnels might be unpopular. She said that would have been easier for her  (politically) to build a double deck system, but she said this would have been the wrong decision.

Cramming passengers quickly onto single deck trains is used in a number of world cities. Will it work in Australia where our culture is different and very diverse? Let’s hope so.

A reasonable compromise might have been to dig tunnels that can cater for double deck trains. Then if the experiment fails, at least there would be something useful to return to. There is no way once the system is operational could you back and make the tunnels bigger.

The design of Sydney’s new public transport “brand” – a hopping ball – cost over $1 million for design fees, market research and testing.

Transport Minister Berejiklian defended the costs saying “it will add to information for customers”.

The branding to deck-out traIns, buses, posters and uniforms.

The State Opposition claims the cost is well in excess of $1M when a number of other consultancy contracts are considerable. According to Ms Berejiklian the re-branding signage will be introduced gradually.

Chatswood Rotary War Memorial Athletics Field at the western end of Mowbray Road is an important open space resource in the Willoughby Council area and has significant environmental, active and passive recreational value. Council is seeking to develop an understanding of how the Field and its surrounds are used in order to produce a Master Plan for future management and improvements to ensure this open space continues to meets the needs of the community and its users. Willoughby Council has sent letters to about 400 residents surrounding the Field asking how they use the park, as well as all user groups and other stakeholders. A survey is included on the Council’s website under Have Your Say. Also, a Notice has been placed on the site, and at the West

Chatswood Branch Library. All comments received will contribute to the development of a Draft Master Plan for the Field. Once prepared, all respondents will be contacted and will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft Master Plan.

The NSW State Government is currently proposing to change the Planning Laws to give us a greater say in planning the localities where we live.

What a joke!

Under the current system we already have that ability.

What a joke!

A point at hand is the current proposal by Meriton Apartments to build what will be the tallest building in Chatswood. Taller even then the former State Architect’s structures rising above Chatswood Station.

What a joke!

Willoughby Council spent years planning the area around the station in consultation with local residents. This plan was accepted and signed-off by the NSW Planning Department and the Government.

What a joke!

The NSW Planning Department assessed the Meriton plan. Whilst they did not agree exactly with what Meriton are asking for, they did recommend approval of the project with far taller building than allowed under the current planning on the basis that it would help contribute to population targets in the Metropolitan Strategy.

What a joke!

Stop the joke!

Residents have one more chance to have a say. The Meriton proposal will be determined at 4PM, Tuesday, 27 August at the Joe Ciantar Rehearsal Room, Zenith Theatre, Cnr. McIntosh & Railway Streets, Chatswood.

(Note: The PAC has been advised that the correct address for the Joe Ciantar Room is 8 McIntosh Street.)

You can request the right to address the panel (of two) who will make the decision by contacting Miss Stephanie Calderaro on 9383 2112 by 1PM, Thursday 22 August or uyou can email pac@pac.nsw.gov.au Attention: Kate Masters.

Talk with your neighbours, check that you will not be repeating points that someone else will be making. Focus on how the proposal will impact you (and the city).

As an aside, one of the Commissioners who will determine the application is prominent architect Mr Rick Thorpe. Rick was one of the leading architects who designed The Concourse. Implore him not to allow property developers to despoil the Chatswood that he has so significantly contributed to.

The State Government has announced a new bus route from Chatswood to Castle Hill. More details to follow.

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