In the Local Government section, page 28, of today’s Sydney Morning Herald, there is an article concerning confidential negotiations between Meriton and Marrickville Council over a “Meriton offer to pay the Council $5 million to allow greater density for a controversial development at Lewisham.” A Green Councillor who disclosed this to Fairfax Media was suspended by the Council, but reinstated by the administrative appeals tribunal.

There have been calls from the local community for concessions to be made by Willoughby Council to assist Clr Mandy Stevens to resume her role in full as a Councillor. Clr Stevens has missed a large number of Council meetings since 2012 due to medical reasons. Currently, Clr Stevens is attending some meetings of Council but typically needs to leave the meetings early.

Former Willoughby Council Alderman Prue Dally has organised a petition in an attempt to remedy the situation. The petition calls on the Minister of Local Government and the Legislative Assembly to intervene on behalf of the community to “ensure Willoughby City Council complies with the intention of their legislative responsibilities, standards and guidelines and West Ward is effectively represented”.

Preambles to the petition cite the need for ‘appropriate representation’ and ‘the apparent inability of a Councillor to direct, control and participate in the affairs of Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 No.30.

A key issue being pursued via the Petition Preamble is questioning Clr Stevens’ ability to ‘represent ratepayers and residents to liaise communicate and advocate on their behalf with the local Council.

READ MORE BELOW

West Ward Petition April 2014

Preamble to Petition

Performance Improvement Order

If you wish to sign the petition, just print out a copy and add your support by signing.

The, either scan your signed petition and email it to the President of the Chatswood West Progress Association at jim11tessa@gmail.com or you can post your petition to:

Jim McCredie, President, Chatswood West Ward Progress Association, 11 Tessa St, Chatswood NSW 2067.

May 2014: The North Shore Times published a letter and editorial commending Clr Stevens’ contribution to the community over a long period of time.

It is proposed to redevelop the Mandarin Centre.The Planning Proposal seeks to allow shop top housing to occur on the site.

The development standards for the site requested in the Planning Proposal are:

1. An increase in the maximum height limit from 27m to RL181.95 (89.95m). The height is similar to the Sebel building at 31-37 Victor Street, Chatswood.
2. Increase the permissible Floor Space Ratio from 2.5:1 to 11.15:1 (the existing building was approved at 4.6:1)

The indicative concept plans and report accompanying the Planning Proposal indicate hat this would allow 13,829sqm of leasable retail/commercial floor space and 23,512sqm of residential floor space (244 units). The development would comprise a podium building with 6 storeys above ground level (generally matching the existing Mandarin entre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of
“Entertainment” use(s).

The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.

The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:

i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.

The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre podium and the adjoining Westfield podium) upon which sit two separate towers – a western tower having a height of 11 storeys plus plant (next to the Sage building) and an eastern tower with a height of 23 storeys plus plant (next to the Sebel/ Council building). The retail/commercial floor space is shown in the indicative concept plans to include a supermarket in the below ground level, 3 levels of specialty retail and one level of “Entertainment” use(s).

The Planning Proposal documentation advises the intention to provide 4% of the residential floor space as affordable housing.

The applicant has also submitted a letter agreeing to enter into a Voluntary Planning
Agreement with Council to provide:

i) a 3m wide road dedication to Council along Albert Ave to enable adequate traffic
access to and from the site;
ii) a publicly accessible landscaped open space area connecting with the interchange
public open space terrace precinct and;
iii) the provision of a two metre building setback at the ground level of the proposed
development along the full length of the Victor St frontage of the site providing an
active street frontage with a widened public footpath and street planting.

The applicant‟s justification for the proposed amendments is on the basis that the existing
Mandarin Centre is not functioning effectively as a shopping centre and needs to be
rejuvenated. The accompanying economic study argues that there is sufficient retail demand in the Chatswood CBD to support the redevelopment of the existing Mandarin shopping centre.

This article has been contributed by a reader

In the Australian Financial Review 24 -27 April,page 9, there was an article sub-headed “Those who bought in yesterday’s down-at-heel suburbs are happy”. Amid other text, it says apartment baron Harry Triguboff built his early projects on sites that sparked some scepticism at the time. Now, looking at the price growth and gentrification in areas such as Ultimo, Pyrmont, and Chatswood, he said he was right to get in while land was cheap. Unit developers often follow hospitals and shopping centres, but Mr. Triguboff boasts that everyone followed him. “Don’t worry about the future, just follow me, that’s where the price growth will be,” he said.

Some years ago Council decided to develop a walk from Chatswood Station to Fullers Bridge on the Lane Cove River (where it would connect to the Great North Walk and the Lane Cove River Walk). The plan was to route the walk through as much open space as possible.

The upper part of the walk from the station to Swaines Creek follows the track that Charlotte (Chattie) Harnett used to wonder of an afternoon. (Chatswood was named after Chattie).

The bulk of the walk is on public land. However, one small section of the walk needed to transverse a small section of land owned by Chatswood Golf Club. It was assumed that since Council leases land for 3 golf holes to the Club that the Club would agree public access across this small portion of land. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

So, the walk had to be interrupted when it was progressing down the Swaines Creek gully. At Greville Street, the walk is diverted by Fullers Rd and Bellevue St before reentering open space at O.H. Reid Oval.

Council is about to renew the lease of public land to the Golf Club. Council and the Club have recently informed the community that a Memorandum of Understanding granting public access across the small portion of private land would be signed before any lease renewal. However, the lease renewal is going to Council on 27th April 2014. There is no mention of the MOU.

We have asked Clr. Saville to action to ensure that Council and the Club live up to their promises.

Mayor Giles-Gidney with former Mayor Bartels

At the recent Mayoral by-election, over 45,000 people were enrolled to vote. A mere 31,193 (just under 70%) voted. This is an appalling outcome. In the last Mayoral election in 2012, there was 43,882 entitled to vote.34,759 people voted (80%). Both Council and the State Government need to consider why people are abandoning Local Government.

The result of the election was that Clr. Gail Giles-Gidney was elected Mayor with just 20% of votes of those enrolled and 29% of votes cast (this was as predicted earlier on this site).

It was a close contest. The first preference votes were:

Clr Stuart Coppock 6,259 (20.83%)

Clr Tony Mustaca 6,163 (20.52%)

Clr Gail Giles-Gidney 6,144 (20.45%)

John C. Owen (former General Manager) 5,036 (16.76%)

However, the vote counting system was by optional preferential. That is, voters can decide for themselves if they wish to give a second or subsequent vote to other candidates (as well as their first choice).

To assist this process, candidates can suggest what voters should do via their ‘How to Vote’ card.

The most significant preference recommendation was between Clr Stuart Coppock (Liberal) and Clr Nic Wright (Labour). Strange ‘bedfellows’? However, as often happens, most voters made up their own mind about preferences. Of Nic Wright voters, 56% did not indicate a preference. Coppock only received 23%  of preferences from Wright.

John Owen did not suggest any preferences. 72% of his votes ‘extinguished’ – that is no preference noted. 12% of his preferences were for Giles-Gidney

Mustaca and Giles-Gidney cross-preferenced. Unfortunately for him, Mustaca had less votes than Giles-Gidney before the final distribution of preferences. He was thus eliminated. 24% of Mustaca’s preferences went to Giles-Gidney.

At the end of vote counting, Clr Giles-Gidney (first time candidate) was declared elected with 9,094 votes. Clr Stuart Coppock who has unsuccessfully contested the Mayoral election on two previous occasions was defeated again, securing 8,806 votes.

The actual percentage of preferences lodged is also interesting. For candidates such as Wright and Coppock who suggested preferences the actual preferences granted were 44% for Wright and 39% for Mustaca. For candidates who did not preference (Owen & Norton) the outcome was 28% and 31%. Looks like that if you suggest preferences, more of your voters will indicate a preference.

The popularly-elected Mayoral election needs to be contested again in just over two years time.In previous Mayoral elections voters have traditionally supported the incumbent.

When candidate expenditure details are published, I intend to do a similar analysis.

The following question has been posed by a local resident. The question will be asked of Council and we will publish any response.

Does WCC provide the following information online and, if not, can this please be made available to rate-payers and the wider audience for the benefit of transparency & accountability−transparency has been promised by some Councillors during the recent Mayoral election:

Distribution of WCC expenses by the four (4) Wards (Middle Harbour, Naremburn, Sailors Bay & West Wards) for about the last 5-10 years and also the forecast/estimated expenses for the next few years for each Ward.

While expenses are available by WCC function/activity area, such as arts and infrastructure, I cannot locate expenses per Ward (in “Operational Plan & Budget 2013/2014”).

If the previously proposed 30% Special Rate Variation was to raise revenue to pay off a $28M infrastructure/maintenance backlog (a proposal which has been cancelled), then can I assume that funding for other WCC functions/activity areas, such as arts & community services, has been adequately maintained? Or does this mean that funding for the latter has been maintained while funding for the former has not?

Prompted by the State Governments ‘Amalgamation’ initiatives, Willoughby Council is considering joining a new organisation known as the Northern Metropolitan Council of Mayors. This Council would comprise the Mayors and General Managers of:

• Hornsby
• Kur-ing-gai
• Ryde
• Willoughby
• North Sydney
• Hunters Hill
• Lane Cove
• Pittwater
• Mosman
• Manly
• Warringah

The initiative consists of two new organisations – the Council of Mayors plus a Regional Services Group where General Mangers of each Council would form the board.

It is hoped that creating these two structure will assist any attempt by the State Government to amalgamate Councils.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In the past, in the Council areas proposed there have been three regional initiatives. Willoughby has been involved with two of them – NSROC and SHORELINK

Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC)

This covered 7 Council areas: Hornsby; Kur-ing-gai; Ryde; Willoughby; North Sydney; Hunters Hill and Lane Cove. When it first started it was seen as a regional purchasing group. The ‘Board’ consisted of two Councillors from each of the participating Council. It was reasonably successful in achieving group savings.

As local Government became more complex, the structure of NSROC was varied slightly to include the Mayors of each Council. Funding for executive support was increased so that NSROC also became a reasonably effective lobby group.(SHROC Councils of Pittwater, Manly, Mosman and Warringah were operating in a similar way)..

The new proposal streamlines the new ‘Board’ by making it purely of Mayors. It would be impractical to have a Board of 22 Mayors and Councillors). The services organisation group continues (as it did under NSROC) with the General Mangers at the helm.

Shorelink

Shorelink is a voluntary amalgamation of five Councils (Willoughby, North Sydney, Mosman, Manly and Lane Cove) for the provision of Library Services for its member Councils. It has been in successful operation since the early 1980s.Library users love the system. It allows borrowing across the entire network with the ability to return a book to any library (as well as a host of other features). An independent analysis of the financial operations found the structure adopted (a single system with tailored interfaces for each library – if needed) was the most effective of any public libraries in NSW. The only downside of the operation is that the two large library systems (Willoughby and North Sydney) are partly funding services for the three smaller libraries.

As detailed in the Council Report below, Council Saville has proposed a plan to beautify the Pacific Highway. It is estimated that such a proposal would cost at least $25,000..

Whilst, some people would no doubt like a more beautiful highway experience, the majority of people are more concerned about traffic congestion.

In an era when Council finances are becoming critical, what process is used to prioritise Council spending? A Councillor’s (Council) whim or a pre-agreed prioritisation of works?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A Notice of Motion was received by Clr Saville and resolved on 24 February 2014

Background
Council resolved on 24 February 2014:

That a report be prepared outlining costs and options for implementation of a
streetscape improvement program for the Pacific Highway.

Discussion
The length of the Pacific Highway within the Willoughby City Council local government area
boundary is 5.5 kilometres. The highway is a State Road and is maintained from kerb to
kerb by the NSW Government / Roads and Maritime Services. Over half of this highway
length (3.5 kms) borders with Lane Cove Council (from Mowbray Road to St Leonards).

The responsibility for the footpaths, verges and any street trees remains with the relevant
Council. On sections of the Highway where overhead power lines exist, Ausgrid have taken responsibility for the pruning / removal of trees affecting the electricity grid.

Conclusion

Given the extent and scope of the work outlined in the Council resolution, it is recommended  that the work be subject to the engagement of a suitably qualified landscape architect/ urban designer as currently Council does not have the available resources to complete such a report.

ACTING GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
That funds of $25,000 be considered in the draft 2014/15 Council budget to engage a
suitably qualified urban landscape professional to undertake site analysis, concept
options and costings for streetscape improvements for the Pacific Highway within the
Willoughby City Council LG

May 2014: After first being unanimously supported by Councillors, in April, Clr Saville’s motion was voted down (including by Clr Mustaca) when sources of funding were considered. Clr Saville is likely to re-present her motion  later in the year.

96 people have lodged a petition of protested about the proposed construction of a 9-storey building to replace the single storey former Legacy House in Chatswood. There were a variety of objections. Most worrying is the assertion that the proposal was insufficiently advertised. Residents are seeking an extension of time to lodge objections.