Another election move? At least this motion is asking for something to be done – a report.

Councillor Zhu has indicated his intention to move the following Notice of motion.

That Council:
1. Prepares a review of the opening hours and utilisation of all branches of the
Willoughby City Library Network.
2. That the review will also provide data to support opportunities to expand the
opening hours of Chatswood Library:
i) on Friday nights beyond 6pm;
ii) on Saturday nights beyond 5pm;
iii) on Sunday beyond the current 2pm – 5pm arrangement; and
iv) during peak HSC and university examination time periods in the months of
June, July, September, October and November.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE COUNCILLOR ON THE
NOTICE OF MOTION
The local government area of Willoughby City Council has seven libraries which include
Chatswood, Artarmon, Castle Cove, Castlecrag, Naremburn, Northb

The Office of Local Government has issued a discussion paper to seek the views of councils and their local communities on whether councillors should receive superannuation payments.

Under the Commonwealth Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1993, councils across Australia are not required to make superannuation contributions in relation to the fees they pay to mayors and councillors. This is because mayors and councillors are elected to a civic office in a council and are not employees of the council.

The release of the discussion paper has been prompted by concerns raised by mayors and councillors that the ineligibility of councillors to receive superannuation payments is inequitable and is a deterrent to more women and younger people standing as candidates at council elections.

The discussion paper is available on the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) website at www.olg.nsw.gov.au. 

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

The article below from the Artarmon Gazette  strikes a pragmatic balance between development and community amenity.

“with the absence of a coherent Council strategy, developers and the Land & Environment Court will deal with matters on a site by site ‘spot rezoning‘ basis”

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

Chatswood Golf Club is holding community information sessions about their planned re-vitalisation of the course and clubhouse. Full details below. The session planned are for:

Tuesdays: 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st March
between 1pm–2pm

Thursdays: 12th, 19th, 26th March and 2nd April
between 5pm–6pm

Chatswood Golf Club (CGC) and Watermark invite you to come and hear about their innovative project which proposes to deliver a brand new Golf Club and Seniors Living Development.

The planned development will ensure the survival of the Golf Club, preserve the green space of the golf course and include a number of features that will benefit the local community.

CGC – Community Info Sessions

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

INTERSECTION OF ANDERSON ST, VICTORIA AVENUE AND CHATSWOOD MALL

This intersection continues to be dangerous for pedestrians and problematic for buses and cars.

Pedestrian safety

Pedestrians waiting to cross Anderson St on the northern crossing at the side of the Westpac Bank are at risk of being struck by buses travelling west on Victoria Ave turning right into Anderson St. It looks like the temporary footpath barrier was installed incorrectly. Action: pedestrian barrier on Anderson St (west side) needs to be extended to the entrance of the Mall.

Pedestrians regularly cross against the pedestrian stop light on the southern Anderson St crossing: Action: requires regular policing.

Traffic regularly blocks the ‘scramble” type crossing elements at Victoria/Anderson/The Mall. This puts pedestrians legally using the crossing at risk of being struck by an illegally positioned vehicle if it moves. The situation is compounded as there is a non-pedestrian area within the intersection.

Actions:

• Requires regular policing of vehicle movements.
• Consideration also be given to making the entire intersection a scramble crossing (similar to Victoria/Archer).
• Installation of ‘Do Not Block Intersection’ signs
• Road surface markings (yellow hatched or Do Not Block Intersection markings)

Traffic flow issues

If traffic blocks the intersection, traffic travelling south in Anderson are blocked from crossing the intersection to continue south in Anderson. Similar problems for traffic travelling west in Victoria turning right into Anderson. Actions: the measures suggested above also address this issue.  

WESTFIELD PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN ANDERSON

A significant contribution to the vehicles being trapped in the Victoria Ave/Anderson St intersection (heading south on Anderson Street) is due to this pedestrian crossing (between each side of Westfield).  If you look at the area on the weekend and on Thursday nights, there might be other times, it appears that a majority of activity at that crossing is pedestrian movements, which leaves the vehicles with few opportunities to proceed south towards Albert Ave, this in turn causes the traffic to bank back to the Victoria Ave/Anderson St intersection and vehicles to become trapped in the intersection when the lights are green (and they are still trapped there when the lights have gone red).

An investigation should be done to determine if this pedestrian crossing is a significant contribute to the problems of the Victoria Ave/Anderson St intersection.  If it is found that the pedestrian is causing problems, I would suggest a traffic management measure be put in place like traffic lights to bring the pedestrian and car sharing of the area back to 50/50 and the pedestrian lights can be syncronised with the Victoria Ave/Anderson Street traffic lights to enable cars heading south through that intersection have a place to move to. Action: Undertake investigation regarding installation of traffic lights,

RESTRICTING VEHICLES IN VICTORIA AVENUE BETWEEN ANDERSON AND ARCHER

There has been a suggestion that this segment of road be restricted to public transport (buses) and emergency vehicles only. There has not been a rationale given for the proposal. The major implications of this proposal would be the need to construct a ‘CBD Ring Road’ or ‘CBD By-pass Rout”. This could have major impact on residential street to the north of Victoria Ave.

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

Place to be seen

A  Northbridge resident (jn the Mosman Daily of all places) pined that “all agree (Chatswood Mall) is run down“. Well not according to Willoughby Council’s CEO.

Chatswood centre – criticism unwarranted

 Willoughby City Council’s most recent perception survey of 723 residents contradicts his statement that ‘all agree’ Chatswood is ‘run down’.

On the contrary, more than nine in 10 respondents indicated that Willoughby is an appealing place to live. In fact, 84% of respondents said the appearance of public spaces in the Chatswood shopping precinct were either good or very good. I invite you to visit Chatswood to see for yourself – take in a show at The Concourse, enjoy a meal at one of the many amazing restaurants or bring your family and friends to a festival.

Debra Just, CEO, Willoughby City Council

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

Council response to bushfires: The recently Mayor reported on this matter. She moved that Council:

1. Note that Willoughby City Council has made an offer of vehicles and other support through the Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group.
2. Note that Willoughby City Council has provided much appreciated support to the Gwydir Shire Council community, especially with a water tank and water cartage service.
3. Encourage the use of the GIVIT.org.au online service for coordinating the donation and receipt of much needed goods and services for those impacted by the bushfires

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

The plan was previously exhibited. The report in the Council papers for Monday 10th February 2020 presents the results of the consultation process. Thirty three participants provided feedback through the Have Your Say site and six provided additional feedback direct to Council. The majority of responses received were in support of the Draft Vegetation Management Policy, Guidelines and Draft Part C.9 Vegetation Management, with minor changes. There were only three submissions that did not support the Policy.

Based on submissions the only change made to the policy was  “To enhance canopy cover in the Willoughby LGA”

The main issues raised were:

1. Not to all pruning of Public Trees for Views
2. Bush Fire Risk
3. Application Notifications (when trees are to be removed)
4. Need for Flexibility to Remove Healthy Trees
5. More Education required

Council officers have recommended that Council adopt::

1. The Vegetation Management of Willoughby Development Control Plan (WDCP)
2. The Vegetation Management Policy and Vegetation Management Guidelines
3. Establish the Tree Offset Planting Scheme once the Policy and Guidelines are adopted.
4. Repeal the following Policies that have been incorporated into the Vegetation Management Policy and Guidelines, or, are no longer required due to overriding legislation:

• Nature strips in Willoughby
• Noxious Weed Bamboo Policy
• Removal of Trees on Public Land Policy
• Street Tree Pruning Policy
• Street Trees Policy – Community Gardens Policy
• Temporary Access Over Community Land

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.

Council officers have recommended that Council adopt:

1. The Vegetation Management of Willoughby Development Control Plan (WDCP)
2. The Vegetation Management Policy and Vegetation Management Guidelines
3. Establish the Tree Offset Planting Scheme once the Policy and Guidelines are adopted.
4. Repeal the following Policies that have been incorporated into the Vegetation Management Policy and Guidelines, or, are no longer required due to overriding legislation:

• Nature strips in Willoughby
• Noxious Weed Bamboo Policy
• Removal of Trees on Public Land Policy
• Street Tree Pruning Policy
• Street Trees Policy – Community Gardens Policy
• Temporary Access Over Community Land

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To become or renew as a member of CWWPA before March 30, direct deposit $10* with your name in the reference field to BSB: 032090 Acct: 548083 & complete our Membership Application.  *Non-refundable subject to meeting membership criteria.