NSW Transport Department is proposing to install two Digital Train Radio System in Chatswood. These radio towers apparently replace the rejected proposal at Nelson
Street.

I assume there will be two DAs?

The southern 30 metre tall tower seems excessive.

The towers north of the station appear to be close to the Pacific Place.

Is there a cost issue against putting them on the tower buildings?

What is the radiation pattern produced by the proposed antennas transmitting this digital information?
How is the radiation level measured, and how are validating measuring
locations chosen?

Is there a radiation risk from side lobes to nearby residents?

Jim McCredie.

There is a proposal to construct a ‘missing link’ footpath in Hawthorne Avenue.

Some years ago, Council prepared a plan for streets without footpaths. For decades, Council policy has been to provide a footpath at least on one side of a street in quieter areas.

Requests for footpaths come from mothers with prams, walkers and the elderly.

When a path is proposed, all residents should be notified of the plan.

If a significant number of people object, the path might not get built.

Reasons for objection typically include destroying the ‘green’ nature of the street; cost of the footpath (which is not insignificant) and lack of demand.

Clr. Mandy Stevens who had been granted  extended leave of absence from Council due to illness attended this week’s Council meeting.

Mandy was sorely missed during her absence from Council as this left the Ward with just two representatives.

We hope Mandy makes a full recovery as soon as possible.

The Federal Government is concerned about the planned demolition of the BER (Building the Education Revolution) funded library at Mowbray Public School. The Library was built four years ago.

The reason the Library is slated for demolition is to allow for a redevelopment of the school to provide badly needed student places on the Lower North Shore. There will be a new (better) library in the new school.

Mowbray School is unique on the North Shore with its amount of open space. The new plans seek to retain the trees and other open space (such as the oval). If the library was retained the amount of open space on the site would be reduced.

SEE related comment below from the NSW Minister of Education

The following motion was moved last night by Acting Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney. It was adopted unanimously. Basically,  Council is doing a backflip. It is trying to find savings before considering a Rate Variation:

It is proposed to run a Mayoral By-election on the 12th April 2014. The By-election is required to fill the vacancy left by Pat Reilly’s passing.

The Mayoral by-election will require electors in all Wards to vote.

Indicative cost will be between $250,000 and $300,000.

The total cost of the 2012 ordinary election was $305,000.

It should be noted that should one of the current Councillors contest and win the Mayoral office, a Ward by-election will be triggered by the casual vacancy so caused.

The draft amendments to the WDCP were publicly exhibited from Wednesday 20 November to 18 December 2013. The amendments were available for viewing on Council’s website and in hard copy at the Council Administration Building.

Notification letters were sent to the local Progress Associations regarding the exhibition.
One submission was received from the Chatswood West Ward Progress Association. The submission supported the amendments, stating:

“The proposed amendments seem comprehensive. It is obviously pertinent that the revised plan addresses additional subdivision such as Strata, Community Title and Stratum subdivisions as well as controls for Industrial and Commercial land.”

Willoughby Welcomes the Year of the Horse

 Kung Hei Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

Willoughby’s annual Chinese New Year Festival, one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in Sydney, will be held from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 8 February in Chatswood Mall, Victoria Avenue, Chatswood.

 Welcome the Year of the Horse watching spectacular Dragon and Lion dances as well as an array of entertainment and demonstrations from local community groups including Tai Chi, Cantonese Opera Singing, Qi Gong and folk dance performances.

Browse the market stalls selling variety of delicious Chinese foods, arts and craft and take in colourful New Year decorations.

SBS Pop Asia will host interactive games, djing and giveaways on The Concourse between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Wrap up a great day of fun by watching Kung Fu Panda on the outdoor Urban Screen on The Concourse from 5.30pm.

For more information on Chinese New Year celebrations phone Willoughby City Council on 9777 1000 or visit www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Numerous people have been commenting on what might be an appropriate memorial to Pat’s contribution to Willoughby.

If you have a suggestion, please comment below.

Willoughby turns out in force to celebrate the life of beloved Mayor

 Tuesday 28 January: More than 1,000 community members, residents and Willoughby Council staff packed Our Lady of Dolours Church, Chatswood and spilled onto the streets to say goodbye to the late, great Willoughby Mayor, Pat Reilly.

 Guests included Mayor Reilly’s wife and daughter; former Prime Minister of Australia, The Honourable Bob Hawke AC GCL; Federal and State MPs, past and present Mayors and Councillors of northern Sydney councils and Willoughby City Council, as well as more than 1000 people from the Willoughby community and council staff.

In tribute to the Mayor’s vibrant personality, the church service was followed by the Pat Reilly Tribute at The Concourse Concert Hall.

Emceed by Nicholas Milton, the concert featured a range of entertainment and music from Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir, Willoughby Band, as well as special guest performers including David Campbell. There were also toasts from the Mayor’s oldest and best friends.

Guests, including Brian L. Davies Esq LVO on behalf of The Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO, were asked to wear their own ‘bling’ in honour of the Mayor, who was always seen wearing his mayoral chains.

The bling-themed concert was broadcast simultaneously to the outdoor Urban Screen on The Concourse.

“He was prepared to stand up and throw his hat in the ring. To participate. Pat Reilly didn’t hide in the grandstands – his place was down in the arena,” said Australian author, and Mayor Reilly’s nephew, Matthew Reilly in his Eulogy.

“The Concourse… will be Pat’s legacy. It’s the sparkling jewel in the crown that is Willoughby. There is nothing else like it in Greater Sydney. It took vision to start it and uncompromising vision to deliver it. Pat has left us but The Concourse remains and it will remain his gift to the people of Willoughby for a long, long time to come,” Matthew Reilly said.

The funeral’s principal celebrant was Father Paul Finucane from our Lady of Dolours, with co-celebrants Bishop David Walker and Father Rex Curry. The funeral included words of remembrance from Raymond Reilly, Louise Collins, John Maio, Nick Tobin and John Owen, and a Eulogy by Matthew Reilly.