At the meeting of the Chatswood West Ward Progress Association last evening the recent departure of former Mowbray School Principal Anna Blakeney was noted. Our members asked if their tribute to Ms Blakeney could be forwarded to her. We are hoping that you can oblige.

Re:  Negative impact of restructuring of the National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dear Ms Berejikian,

We are writing to express our concerns over the effects of the restructuring currently going on in our National Parks and Wildlife Service which has resulted in a massive reduction in the actual on-ground funding over the past 10 years (NST article in the North Shore Times 22 Feb 2018). Through this restructure, many staff members are being made redundant, or being made to re-apply for their jobs with lower pay. The number of NPWS areas is also being reduced from 50 to 37. Managers are being expected to look after thousands of hectares with virtually no additional staff. The Lane Cove National Park manager once looked after 675ha, now administers 18,000ha.

These cuts are leading to a range of problems such as fewer toilets, less mowing, a shrinking maintenance budget and insufficient funds for bush regeneration.” (NST article in the North Shore Times 22 Feb 2018)

The Public Service Association has indicated this means the loss of hundreds of years of experience in fire management. (With NSW feeling the effects of climate change, managing fire risk is even more important than ever before –not a time to be cutting experienced staff in this area.)

The restructuring measures have negative implications not only for fire management but for visitor safety, maintenance of cultural heritage sites and weed and feral animal management.

The Government claims it is increasing jobs in NPWS, but in reality these jobs will be at a lower pay level, with lower or minimal skill requirements, and created at the cost of demotions, redundancies, resignations and attrition of more highly skilled and experienced staff.   We do not accept the Office of Environment and Heritage spokesman’s argument (see NST article in the North Shore Times Feb 22 2018) that such measures redress the balance of junior and senior roles. This would not be acceptable in other areas e.g. medicine. (Would anyone like to have a nurse perform their operation?)

As National Parks in NSW attract millions of visitors each year and are important natural places for future generations, we urge you to reverse the current policy on reduction of staff and employ experienced staff in roles commensurate with their skills and experience.

The above letter was approved for distribution at the March meeting of the Association.

Simba & Aphex

Make your pet famous – Billy + Margo Pet Festival

The ‘Archipaws’ Pet Portrait competition launches today with great prizes and the opportunity to have your superstar pet portrait become a 2-meter tall flag in the Chatswood CBD.

Artists, owners and pet lovers can submit their drawings, paintings or photographs before April 5. Thirty finalists will have their images featured in the Chatswood CBD and be in the running for prizes from pet food company Billy + Margo.

The Pet Portrait competition promotes the Billy + Margot Pet Festival that will come alive with activities for pets and their human companions on May 20 at Artarmon Reserve. The Festival invites pet owners, wannabe owners and anyone who loves animals to celebrate all creatures great and small. From doggy fashion parades to scent scrambling games, there’s plenty to do with your furry (or not so furry!) friend.

Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome – bring your cat, pig or python! Join us to celebrate the value of companion animals and learn more about responsible pet care.

• Talks by leading veterinarians
• Advice on the best pet care & nutrition
• How to solve behavioural problems
• Doggy fashion parade
• Accessories + food stalls

Don’t have a pet? No worries! Head down to our Pet Match Zone to find the right pet for you, or simply enjoy a day out surrounded by animals.

For further details, visit http://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/events/billy–margot-pet-festival/

Artist impression of possible development

Strong demand for housing in Sydney’s popular lower north shore has prompted continual zoning changes and a rush by vendors to sell land, with another 22 houses being offered for sale to developers in one line in Chatswood.

The properties at Bowen Street and Moriarty Road, Chatswood, have been quietly purchased.

Source: AFR

Read more: http://www.afr.com/real-estate/22-properties-banded-together-for-sale-in-one-line-in-chatswood-20180314-h0xfyl#ixzz59sfOLl1l
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In memory of Garry Crossley

Council is developing a Reserve Action Plan for the OH Reid Memorial Park. They are seeking community input.

Details of Plan.

Note: This is not a Master Plan but focused mainly on issues pertaining to the surrounding bushland.

Courtesy North Shore Times

All councils in NSW have been set a target of 90 per cent of housing approvals to be determined within 40 days by 2019. Willoughby currently is taking 90 days. Maybe the Council staff that were ‘let go’ in the not so distant past were making a difference. Will we now see staff numbers increase?

Courtesy North Shore Times

Progress Association Members at the Interchange

Local Progress Associations and Willoughby Council have been advocating to the State Government the need for additional transport interchange facilities in Chatswwod. The current interchange is at capacity.

An ideal site for additional facilities is the property at 1-5 Railway St, just on the other side of the line. However, recently the Sate Government sold the site. This was after the Premier told the Federation of Willoughby Progress Association that her government had no plans to sell the site. Unfortunately, she had been misled by Transport Minster Andrew Constance. This was real ‘Utopia’ or ‘No Minster’ proceedings

Willoughby Council is now rethinking its strategy for resolving transport issues  within the CBD.

Government agencies who ask communities for their opinion on infrastructure projects and then ignore them are scared of losing control, a federal inquiry into the development of cities has been told.

The power that central agencies have in deciding what infrastructure gets built should be reduced and data-sharing technology used to get citizens’ input, instead of “stakeholder consultation” that was often ignored, software group SAP Australia and the Regional Australia Institute said.

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