Chatswood High School is undergoing an upgrade of infrastructure.

It is proposed to build a new building(s) with up to 25 classroom. This will likely result in the removal of some demountable buildings from the site. Given the restricted locations for new buildings on the site it is likely the new building(s) will be multi-storey. These days, the Department of Education seem to favour new 3-storey buildings as they require a smaller footprint.

The consultation for the project is being undertaken by Savills Project Management on behalf of the Department of Education. They are running two informtion sessions for parents. In addition,on the 1st June they had an Information Table in Railway Street. Savills’ had placed an obscure advertisement in the paper, so it is unlikely many people would be aware of the project. Savills have not notified surrounding houses and are not planning a separate information session for neighbours.

The claim is that the new building(s)/classrooms are for the High School not for the Primary “Bush” School. However, as this is early days of the project, they are only now starting to look at possible locations.

As can be seen in the diagram below, there are a number of locations that may be considered. All locations have possible negative impacts.

The Chatswood West Ward Progress Association has requested Savills (Department of Education) to advise neighbours, and the general community, early in this process (like now). We have also suggested that they hold a public meeting on the proposal

The project managers have provided the following information to the school community.

Q: What will the proposed project include?

A: A new building with up to 25 classrooms, and the removal of some demountable buildings.

Q: Where are you in the process to date?

A: The design team is on board and they are carrying out site analysis in the early stages of design

Q: When will the design be complete?

A: It is expected to be completed early next year.

Q: When will the project be complete?

A: The project is expected to be completed in the next few years.

Q: When can I get more information?

A: As the project develops more information will be available via further information booths and updates will be made available on the school website.

Please complete the questionairre below and despatch.

Proposed Chatswood HS Upgrade – Consultation Consultation

The NSW Department of Education is planning an upgrade to Chatswood High School. Your feedback on the questions below would be greatly appreciated.

1. What aspects of the school do you value?
2. What features would you like to see in any future development?
3. Are there any comments you would like to make about the proposed upgrade
4. Workshops may be held with the community during the design process. If you are interested in participating please provide your contact details below. Workshops normally run for 90 minutes and are held in a location at or close to the school.
5. Other comments……………………………………………………..

 Name:…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Email Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………..

 Contact Numbers: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Send your comments to: Emma Viljoen, Project Manager: eviljoen@savills.com.au

The Better Planning Network is holding a special event on Origin night this week. Hopefully there will be a summary of what was said.

A REMINDER:  Special event at Parliament, Wednesday, 1 June at 6pm.

In 2011, the Coalition government came into power on the promise of returning planning to local communities. However since then the government has steadfastly introduced changes that fast-track development and dilute community engagement. In addition, the government has established the Greater Sydney Commission and more recently made changes to local government.

In response, we invite you to join us at the next BPN Planning Event, when we hear Sarah Hill, the new CEO at the Greater Sydney Commission’s, explain their role and how community engagement will be managed.  We have also invited a panel of eminent experts to join Ms Hill for a panel discussion, with the opportunity for questions from the audience.

In addition, the Minister and executive staff from the Department of Planning have been invited to attend the event, so they can hear the conversation.

As part of the event, Ms Hill will also discuss the commission’s work underway – including the preparation of six draft District Plans for the Greater Sydney region (previously Regional Plans). The plans are required to be exhibited by late January, 2017 with a subsequent review of Sydney’s Metropolitan plan in 2017. Once finalised, the plans are intended to inform changes to local planning controls.

We’ll also provide an update about the government’s plans to change the EP & A Act which legislation is intended to be introduced into the spring parliament. This includes a number of aspects from the Planning Bill 2013 and other amendments, however is not proposed to change the definition for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).

Tickets to BPN‘s special event are free, however as seating is limited, reservations are essential. As seats are filling up fast, reserve your ticket ASAP using the eventbrite link above.

As the legislative changes also impact rural and regional areas, members and affiliate groups outside the Sydney basin are also invited to attend. We look forward to seeing you.

Have your say

The Greville Street Reserve (near the Church of Scientology) due for a makeover. Council is calling for your views, comments and suggestions.

You can undertake the quick survey at www.haveoursaywilloughby.com.au or sent an email (attention Meredith Paterson via: email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Closing date for suggestions is 8am Monday 20th June 2016.

If you have any questions, ring Council on 9777 1000

There is a DA application that the Department of Planning has put forward as part of ‘Major Projects’ that closes this Monday to turn the two large advertising signs under the Boundary St Railway Bridge digital.

It looks like only RMS has made a submission yet and that neither Willoughby or Ku-ring-gai Council have made one yet (I have emailed our West Ward and Middle Harbour Councillors this afternoon).

The RMS submission, which opposes the sign on one side, also looks like it was made by someone who was at their desk and doesn’t know intimately how that whole section of road operates at present like we locals do, and consider all the safety issues with this intersection and how dangerous it would be to create an additional distraction right at this already complicated traffic location.

I know there is lots happening but it would be good if our Progress Associations or individual members could put in submissions, even if just a quick sentence re the related safety issues to ensure that there is proper representation on the issue. I am concerned to ensure that because it is on the boundary of two council areas and the boundary of two progress associations and made at a time when people are focussed on the amalgamations that  it does not get missed by all. If you consider that there are safety issues can you please put in a submission on behalf of the Progress Associations and/or as individuals by the closing date on Monday.

It is quick and easy to make an electronic submission at the following link (the Railbridge DA is second down on the list) or go to Dept of Planning website and ‘major projects’ and put in ‘Willoughy’:

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=search&page_id=&search=&authority_id=569&search_site_type_id=&reference_table=&status_id=&decider=&from_date=&to_date=&x=58&y=12

To give you a summary of some of the issues, here is a copy of my submission:

Digital signs can be very distracting and it is very dangerous to have digital signs distracting drivers within a major intersection. These applications to replace the existing signage with digital signage should be refused because they pose a serious road safety issue for the following reasons:

1. The section of Boundary Street from the Pacific Highway to Archer Street is very busy and currently operates like one big intersection for much of the day, and should be treated as such for consideration of this DA application.
2. This is already quite a dangerous section of road because:

• there is already much confusion and distraction with traffic entering this section from Hill Street and Archer Street, and because of the volume of traffic quite a few cars fly out of Hill street unexpectedly and in traffic gaps that are too narrow to accommodate them;
• there are cars changing lanes right where the digital signage is proposed in both directions as  the numbers of lanes increase in both directions within metres of the proposed digital signage;
• this is the major thoroughfare from the Northern Beaches through to the Ryde area and Western Sydney, and many drivers who come through are new to the area and don’t know which way to go and need to make last minute decisions which lane they need to be in.

3. In this section of Boundary Street the drivers changing lanes, those turning into Boundary St and those already in Boundary St need to be fully focussed on the road, other drivers, and what else is happening ahead of them in this large 3 in 1 intersection (which combines 3 intersections which are each busy intersections in their own right); and
4. The existing non-digital signage which has been put in place since the Bridge was replaced is already a enough of a distraction.
5. There are also cars coming in and out of the petrol station driveway and in the driveway to the units on the South and the North Side of Boundary St between the highway and the Bridge, and drivers don’t usually expect cars to be turning in and out of these driveways.

For these safety reasons the application to convert both signs to digital signage should be refused.

In considering road safety data for this application, Boundary St is the boundary between two Council areas, so you need to acquire the data for both Kuringgai and Willoughby because some accidents are recorded by police as being in one Council area and some in the other, and without both sets of data any figures you use will be materially understated. (This was the case when accident rates at the Boundary St/Spearman St intersection were being considered, and it was not showing up as being a dangerous intersection because data was being attributed to two different council areas. When data was considered together it was realised there were issues)”

From Council:

Land and Environment Court joins

Willoughby Council into Mosman and North Sydney legal proceedings

The Land and Environment Court yesterday (Thursday 26 May) joined Willoughby Council into Mosman Council and North Sydney Councils’ legal proceedings against the State Government regarding proposed Council mergers.

Willoughby Council’s lawyers appeared on behalf of Council in the Land & Environment Court to present Council’s resolution that they did not wish to be joined to the proceedings of either Mosman or North Sydney.

His Honour Justice Moore indicated he would join Willoughby Council as a party, giving Council the right to file a submitting appearance and take no active part in the proceedings.

Council will now serve a submitting appearance save as to costs. This allows Council to be joined to the proceedings as an observer while being largely protected from costs.

This follows a Willoughby Council meeting on Monday 23 May where Council resolved not to join proceedings led by Mosman and North Sydney Councils, after considering two pieces of correspondence:

• a Notice of Motion in proceedings no. 40395 of 2016, Mosman Council v Minister for Local Government (the Mosman proceedings). The Mosman proceedings attached a Notice of Motion seeking to join Willoughby; and
• A letter from Matthews Folbigg dated 20 May 2016, North Sydney Council v Minister for Local Government (the North Sydney proceedings). This letter suggested that the Council should be a party to the proceedings.

– Ends –

From the NST:

A new playground at Kenneth Slessor Park, Chatswood with an embankment slide and arched net climber has been completed.

The playground compliments other upgrades at the Park including new paths, seating walls, furniture, artwork and planting.

The financial report by Council below on the surface sounds good. However, it behooves that some of the information be closely scrutinised.

It is good to note that Council’s apparent new focus on a long awaited Project Management focus is paying dividends.

However, we should ask if it is in the community’s interest to reduce spending on projects as indicated below. Council is there to provide community resources.

By its nature, Council is not in the business of making profits (surplus). If they were we should see some of our rates refunded.

So, whilst this report is generally positive it does beg some questions.

Willoughby well on track

Third quarter report indicates surplus finances and project milestones met

Willoughby Council’s third quarter report (1 Jan – 31 Mar 2016) of its 2015/16 Operational Plan and Financial Performance provides for a further surplus movement of $2.239M, confirming Council’s current strong operating and financial position (estimated annual operating position of a $4.928M surplus).

This positive result is linked to a reduction in anticipated expenditure of a net $1.881M, linked to savings in anticipated employee costs of $612K, and materials and contracts of $1.458M. An increase in income of $358K from additional funds largely from hoarding fees and interest on investments, also contributes to the positive result.

The report, presented at last night’s Council meeting (Monday 23 May 2016), also projects council’s Unrestricted Working Funds for day to day operations to be at $3.431M net of anticipated carryovers, at the end of the Financial Year. This is an improvement of $1.549M on 2014/2015.

Other highlights of the report include the on-track status of Council’s Priority Improvement Program, with 98 per cent of all budgeted projects for the financial year either complete (69 per cent) or in progress (29 per cent) at 31 March 2016. Of all budgeted projects (not just those commenced or completed), 97 per cent have met their respective milestones.

An update on The Concourse Financial Review reveals the actual nine month result exceeds an external consultant’s estimate by a surplus of $180K. This positive results stems mainly from Paid Parking.

“The third quarter report confirms Willoughby Council is in a solid financial and operating position and provides a positive outlook for the future of our community. Council’s recent focus on working smarter and project management is paying off. This is part of Council’s commitment to continue delivering for our community, while we navigate a potential time of change,” said Willoughby Mayor, Gail Giles-Gidney.

– Ends –

As has occurred a number of times since its inception, Chatswood Golf Club is proposing to sell some of its land.

NOTE: This article is being continuously updated as new information comes to hand.

On the 6th June 2016 at 7PM the golf club is seeking their member’s approval to sell a large portion of their land as shown in the accompanying diagram. This land includes their carpark and clubhouse. Members have been told that the Club wants to sell the land to ‘Watermark‘ for the purpose of constructing ‘seniors living apartments‘. It also appears that as part of the development the Club would gain a new clubhouse with underground parking.

There is no information as to the scale and density of the new residential development. This would be subject to a separate development proposal. With the pending dismissal of Willoughby Council, it is unclear as to who would assess such an application.

Details about the proposal can be found at Briefing 6  and Notice of Meeting

The proposed development is likely to pose a number of concerns for nearby residents including: increased traffic in Beaconsfield Rd; overlooking onto residential properties and loss of privacy and other impacts.

THE CLUBS HISTORY OF SELLING OFF ITS LAND

In preparation

Residents in Dalrymple Avenue are concerned about traffic changes that Lane Cove Council may make. What happens with traffic in Lane Cove impacts Willoughby residents.

“I find it amazing how Lane Cove Council are considering implementing changes that will have more impact on the West Ward residents; streets were built for vehicles and I dont believe traffic restrictions should be implemented just because residents dont like the increased traffic.  The proposed changes at Karilla Avenue Lane Cove will impact on West Ward residents especially since we are still only permitted to turn left at the Beaconsfield road lights”.

Kind regards,

Some years ago when local Councils had control over traffic, Lane Cove Council implemented traffic changes to benefit their residents. These changes had widespread impact. Such was the impact that the then RTA removed Council’s control over traffic. Since then we have all been at the whim of RTA/RMS decisions.

You can read below the North Shore Times take on this matter.

“A GROUP of residents forced to “bear the brunt” of a daily “stampede” of speeding traffic caused by a twoway rat run has called on Lane Cove Council to act.

The frustrated residents – living on a network of streets being used as a thoroughfare between Centennial Ave and Epping Rd – claim council has neglected their pleas for a number of years now, despite the problem increasing “exponentially” with the suburb’s blossoming development.

The residents said vehicles used Karilla Ave, Parklands Ave and Kurri St to bypass traffic at peak times, creating a convoy of speeding vehicles through the narrow residential streets.

“The residents of Karilla Ave are being unfairly affected by council inaction over several years,” resident Jon Johannsen of Karilla Ave said at a council meeting last week.

“(There’s a) noticeable growth in the glitzier vehicles with augmented muffler systems, loud music and a tendency to use Karilla as a speed test zone.

“This means faster speeds up to 70km/h in some cases occur with single vehicles in either direction and that’s when they’re not travelling in convoy, which we regularly get.”

Karilla Ave resident Ruth Neumann said: “We bear the brunt of the two-way rat run on a daily basis. We experience the growing intensity of the rat run travelling both east and west.

“We are concerned at the increasing volume, speed and safety issues.”

The residents are lobbying the council to amend traffic rules to allow only left-hand turns from Karilla Ave into Centennial Ave and no entry into Karilla Ave from Centennial Ave.

Ms Neumann argued that the council had taken such action on surrounding roads, so Karilla Ave should be included or those streets opened up to distribute the rat run equitably.

After the meeting, Ms Neumann told the North

Shore Times many residents felt frustrated and neglected after campaigning the issue with council for more than four years without results.

“This has been a longstanding issue that the residents’ association has tried to engage with council on,” she said. “It is increasing exponentially. As they open up more and more apartments we seem to be getting more and more vehicles.”

Lane Cove North Residents’ Association president June Hesseran said the problem was making it “very dangerous” for residents to come and go from their driveways.

“These people are only interested in getting from A to B in the fastest possible time and they think it’s their God-given right,” she said.

“I have got to the point now where I try not to leave the area before 9am in the morning. Somebody is going to be badly injured or even killed,” Ms Hesseran said.

A council spokeswoman said the matter would be addressed this week at the Lane Cove North Advisory Committee to discuss the results of a recent traffic consultation. From there, a recommendation would be made to the council’s traffic committee, she said.

The residents of Karilla Ave are being unfairly affected by council inaction Resident Jon Johannsen”.