You may recall that via the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations we have been agitating for a resolution to the problem of people parking across a driveway in such a way that the residents cannot get out. This has been particularly problematic near schools, sports venues and other locations.
Follow the link below to read the Council’s response. The Federation will continue to pursue an appropriate resolution.
88 Archer St (on the corner of Ferguson Lane) is the old Library carpark. The site is owned by Council but subject to a 99 year ground lease. The intent of the lease in the site was for Strata Subdivision of 88 Archer Street (Lot 102 DP1186488) into 224 leasehold lots and included the inclusion of a positive covenant restricting the use of the lots to tourist accommodation. The provision of tourist accommodation on this site is a key aspect of the ongoing success of The Concourse.
Council Officers have been able to establish a number of additional provisions to assist Council in ensuring that the future use of the 224 leasehold lots is consistent with the sites tourist accommodation objectives
The Section 88b Instrument that sets out Terms of Easements and Restrictions that apply to each of the Strata Lots now includes:
Council Officers should be congratulated on their handling of these lease conditions.
This coming Monday (27 February) Willoughby Council is considering a proposal to ‘webcast’ its meetings. A webcast is a video broadcast of an event transmitted across the Internet. So we can watch Council meetings at home. (A bit like Gogglebox).
The Officer’s report states:
“Transparent, participatory democracy is at the heart of local government. Public access to proceedings can increase confidence in the exercise of Council decision making. Council meetings are held in the evenings and members of the public are occasionally required to wait for the agenda item in which they have an interest. Live webcasting can enable the public to be present in real time when decisions that may affect them are being made. Members of the community are also able to be aware of the debate around particular issues, either as it is happening or subsequently, without having to travel to the Council Chambers”.
Both Mosman and North Sydney Councils are already webcasting Council meetings.
The Officer goes on to say: “Given that Council is in a pre-merger state, it would be preferable to defer consideration of this issue until a merger is proclaimed to ensure that the most economical option is considered and Council is not in the position of paying unnecessary monthly maintenance costs.:
This is a furphy. Even after amalgamation, Willoughby residents will be paying for webcasting.
The Officer’s recommendation is:
“That Council defer consideration of this issue until after amalgamation to enable an assessment of the technology used by North Sydney and Mosman Councils to ensure the most economical solution.”
There is no certainty as to when Willoughby might be amalgamated. This appears to be another example of Council failing to act in a timely manner.
We have received the following response from Council in relation to the Church of Scientology’s proposal to rent rooms for its parishioners in the local area.:
:”It appears that the renting of a room may be considered “Share House Accommodation”
The latest news on the second application is:
Council staff have advised as follows:
The Sydney (North) Planning Panel was briefed about this application on 8 February 2017. Council officers do not support the proposal in its present form and has advised the Panel as such. The minutes of this briefing is available here: Minutes – Briefing DA2016-425
The applicant is recommended to withdraw the application by Council officers. We are still waiting for a formal response from the applicant.
a) Has the date for the hearing been set, if so, when?
No, a date has not been set. The Panel Secretariat has indicated that a determination meeting date is tentatively available in late April (26th?) for this application. Assessment report for the application will be publicly available approximately 2 weeks before the determination meeting.
b) Who is on the SNPP? Which council officers will be present?
Council members:
The Mayor, Councillor Gail Gile-Gidney Council’s Consultant, Linda McClure.
State appointees:
Deborah Dearing (Chair/ District Commissioner for the Sydney North District) John Roseth (former senior commissioner of the Land & Environment Court/former Chair of the JRPP)
Sue Francis (Town Planner/ former member of the JRPP)
Assessment Officer: Annie Leung If the elected Council wishes to make representation/submission to the Panel, this submission will be presented to the Panel by Planning Manager, Ian Arnott.
c) Can members of the public attend, and what is the process for them to address the panel?
Yes. The determination meeting will be a public meeting. Council will provide a list of the correspondents/submissions to the Panel Secretariat, who will then advise correspondents of the meeting date/venue at least 7 days prior to the meeting.
Anyone who wishes to address a Planning Panel at a public meeting must register with the Secretariat before the meeting. For more information, a member of the public can call 02 8217 2060 or email the Panel Secretariatenquiry@planningpanels.nsw.gov.au
The off-again, on-again State Government amalgamation process is well and truly ON-AGAIN.
The Premier has announced that pending amalgamations in the Sydney area will proceed (subject to the outcomes of court challenges).
It is proposed to amalgamate Willoughby with North Sydney and Mosman Councils. Both have launched court appeals. So until these are determined the matter stays open.
Given that the probabilities lie in that we will be amalgamated, we need to start now working so that the Willoughby we cherish does not wilt or perish.
Please consider joining your local Progress Association or other local bodies that have similar interests (such as the Willoughby District Historical Society).
We will be discussing the issue of parking either parallel across a driveway or on a driveway crossing on public land with our elected representatives over the next few weeks.
It is illegal to park as described above.
Recently, a local resident received a warming notice, he was lucky not to be fined.
Local Lane Cove resident Brian Scott has recently published his book ‘The Business History of the Lane Cove River’. As a Chartered Accountant, Brian brings a unique perspective to understanding the history of the Lane Cover River from 1788 between the Parramatta River and its headwaters near Thornleigh. Brian is a great storyteller. His book is enthralling.
Although today Willoughby has a short frontage to the river, prior to 1895 the present area of Lane Cove was part of the Municipality of Noth Willoughby. So there are many aspects of Brian’s journey that are directly relevant for Willoughby residents. In fact nearly half of the book directly relates to aspects of Willoughby’s history.
Some of the stories Brian tells relate to early timber getting, land grants, William Henry, Orchards around 1850, the wharves on the river, early tanneries, ferry services, Fullers farm and the Jenkins orchard, the Clifford Love bridge, Chicago Starch Mill, Fullers Bridge and Chatswood Golf Course.
The book is well researched (over six years) and well written. Brian has referenced his sources and provides an extensive Bibliography. The full colour, paperback edition of over 200 A4 pages costs $35.00 in a limited edition of 200 copies. It is selling out quickly. If you wish to purchase a copy, contact Brian Scott on 9418 6669 (b.h) or office@scott.com.au
Residents living near the Church of Scientology recently received the following. We have had a number of queries regarding whether it is legal or not for residents to rent out accommodation as suggested.
COMMUNITY, CULTURE & LEISURE DEPARTMENT- Culture & Leisure Unit
6 February, 2017
Dear Resident
RE: Mowbray Public School Oval – proposed floodlights
Council is notifying residents on the proposal to install floodlights on the sportsground at Mowbray Public School. The oval is currently unlit, and is used for weekday sports training and weekend competitions for soccer (winter) and cricket (summer).
The proposed floodlights will be subject to a Development Application (DA), as per the usual statutory process. Feedback from the local community will assist the preparation of the Statement of Environment Effects for the DA. Further community comment can be provided in the DA notification phase.
The attached lighting plan above shows the proposed light locations:
Your preliminary comments on this proposal will be appreciated by Monday 20 February 2017 and can be sent to:
Enquiries: Julie Whitfield ph 9777 7751
MOWBRAY PUBLIC SCHOOL OVAL – corner of Mowbray Road and Hatfield Street,
Lane Cove West
Proposal for floodlights
Lighting proposal:
Chatswood West Ward History 