A number of issues of concern are emerging with regard to the North West Rail link. The link is planned to terminate at Chatswood.

Of major concern is recent calculations that show that passengers who terminate at Chatswood 50% will not fit on the next train to city. In fact, it could take three trains to clear the backlog (not sure what happens if another North West Rail Link train arrives before the passengers are cleared). The worry concerns the safety of passengers on Chatswood Station due to overcrowding.

Another concern is that the tunnels being bored will only accommodate single deck trains. This means that ,in the future, double-deck carriages would not be able to use the tunnels.

FULL STORY

There is a comprehensive analysis of the problems and possible solutions at:

http://transportsydney.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/how-might-the-nwrl-work/

Willoughby City Council Announcement from Willoughby General Manager Nick Tobin and Deputy Mayor, Cr Gail Giles Gidney:

It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news of the passing of our magnificent mayor, Pat Reilly.

Pat passed away last night (20 Jan: 10.24pm) after a short sudden illness and hospitalisation, with wife Beth Reilly and daughter Sophie by his side.

Pat was an incredible man. No words can describe the immense contribution he made to the City of Willoughby and to its people, and his passing is an incredible loss for our community.

Pat was the type of person you meet once in a lifetime, and we are all so fortunate to have shared him in our lives.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time, and we ask that they be provided with privacy.

Details of how the community can pay their respects will be available through Willoughby Council in the coming days.

About Pat

• Born 1952, and lived in Willoughby the majority of his life.
• Educated locally at St Thomas’, Willoughby, and St Pius X at Chatswood.
• For the greater part of his life he has worked in Willoughby, ultimately in the field of Marketing, however he spent many successful years prior as a muso as a drummer in a band
• He was elected to Willoughby Council for Middle Harbour Ward in 1987, and re-elected in 1991 and 1995.
• Elected Mayor of Willoughby City in September 1997, and in 1999 became the first popularly elected Mayor of Willoughby. He is one of the longest serving mayors in Australia, being the longest serving on the North Shore having served as mayor for 17 years, and on council for 27 years.

Pat Reilly will always be remembered as a man who would do anything for his community. Having lived in Willoughby his entire life he dedicated himself to the people of Willoughby. He was the people’s mayor and will be remembered for bringing major city issues to the attention of State and Federal governments, listening to and fighting for the community and attending every event requested of him – even dressed as Elvis Presley on more than one occasion.

He was the driving force behind The Concourse, leading the delivery of one of the largest public infrastructure projects undertaken by a local government. The Concourse realised his vision of bringing cultural activities to the people of Willoughby. He was so proud every time he saw local school children perform on the Concert Hall stage or when the community attended to see professional performers, performing in a world-class venue in their own backyard.

He kept a sense of history and individuality throughout the neighbourhoods of Willoughby while also accounting for as he would say “appropriate growth and development”.

Pat supported the City of Willoughby to become the City of Diversity, a city that is positively renowned for its diversity and that celebrates many cultural groups and activities.

He was an enormously generous and caring man who knew so many residents personally, having helped them in some way, attended their event, or presented them an award at school event.

Pat Reilly’s impact on the City of Willoughby, and entire North Shore will never be equalled or forgotten. His legacy will remain in the diversity of the city, the exceptional lifestyle offered and in the happiness of the community.

Photo Gallery

Herald-Sun Tribute

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Yesterday Willoughby lost a great leader and my family lost a treasured friend. Pat you better be up there jamming with the king right now .

I could not add more to your very moving words, which I agree with 100%. Pat Reilly was a “man for all seasons”, with a wide vision which matched the need to propel Chatswood forwards into becoming a leading suburban city, in the real sense of the word. His talent for looking at issues and seeing the really important aspects made him the right man in the right place at the right time. In my few personal meetings I felt a warm rapport with him. Personally I am very sad.

Very sad news.

Sad to hear this.

I thought Pat was fantastic and knew him both in his professional capacity and via both school and sporting events. He will be sorely missed. A very sad day.

A sad loss: I had tears when I read your email, but he’ll be remembered.

I didn’t know the Mayor at all but he seemed a reasonable man who had a vision for our city and for its people. He seemed also to treat all citizens the equally no matter there cultural background or demographic group.

Thanks for letting everyone know. As Beck just said “he has had a date with destiny for a while now” At least he had a chance to enjoy his crowning achievement – The Concourse.

That is sad news. Let us know how we can pay our respects.

I was shocked to hear of his passing. So sudden and at his age.
May God bless and comfort his family,

I met him when I escorted some old folks from Elizabeth Lodge to a Senior’s luncheon and he had time for everyone, stopping at all the tables to talk to every single person.
How will he ever be replaced

We remember Pat fondly from our times with the Lane Cove Tunnel project and respect and recognise sincerely his involvement with and contribution to the community of the wider Willoughby area. Our thoughts are with you all.

He will be sorely missed by the Willoughby community and certainly has big shoes to fill for his successor!!

He was a great supporter of the Society and we will miss that as well.

Though he had his detractors he did a mighty job as Mayor of Willoughby. He will be sorely missed by many.

It is so sad to lose someone who is was still so young. He gave so much in the service of his community.

Very sad news of Pat’s passing. He was a champion of the cause without a doubt and a larger than life character.

Thanks for sharing these details. I have shared the information with Chatswood High School P & C who all express their sadness at Pat’s passing he was such a great supporter Of Chatswood and CHS .
Our current President will attend services on behalf of CHS P & C

Thank you too for your previous email and good words about Pat, a truly significant and dedicated person in and for our community.

We will all miss seeing him around Willoughby and his involvement in the community has been exceptional.

He will be a loss to the community.

The following information was provided by a local resident:

I have taken {data} from the Centre for Road Safety Crash Analysis Report 2011, all of the Sydney Metropolitan Area Speed Cameras, with their dates of installation, and the crash criteria justifying them.

The last speed camera installed (apart from the Tunnels) was in 2006, at Bexley North. It would seem that NO speed cameras were installed between 2006 and 2011, and I suspect NONE since 2011. There would appear to be a total  embargo on any new speed camera installation.

It would seem that all of the RMS – Centre for Road Safety “consideration” was a sham, and that speed cameras were never on the table. In addition Fullers Road has more crashes than 14 other locations where speed cameras are installed.

The recent Sansom review of local government concluded that Sydney Councils will need to amalgamate to maintain strong and effective local government. In line with a number of previous reports, the suggestion is that  there be 15 ‘super councils’ in Sydney. Currently there are 42 councils. In the northern region, of which Willoughby is part, the suggestion is that 5 Councils amalgamate:Hunters Hill, North Sydney, Mosman, Lane Cove and Willoughby.

Currently, Willoughby is a member of the Northern Sydney Organisation of Councils (NSROC).The suggested councils, apart from Mosman, are all members of NSROC. The collaborations achieved through NSROC demonstrate the benefits of ‘being big’.

Local government in NSW needs a new agenda and a fresh start. 

For far too long local government has been bogged down in debates about amalgamations, rate-pegging, cost-shifting and demands for additional State and federal funding. Meanwhile the financial sustainability of many councils – and their capacity to deliver the services communities need – has declined, and a significant number are near crisis point. Local government is far from realising its potential to help achieve the State government’s goal of ‘Making NSW Number One’.vernment – ILGRP Final Report – October 2013 According to a recent review, local government in NSW needs a new agenda and a fresh start.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Sydney region, where the structure of local government has been largely ‘snap frozen’ for more than half a century. Australia’s global city is still divided amongst forty-one councils, many of which lack the scale and resources to play an important role in metropolitan affairs. There is also a deepening divide between a privileged east and a struggling west. Gaps in coordination amongst State agencies have made matters worse.

The Independent Panel that conducted the review has highlighted the need for a systems approach. The challenges facing local government can only be addressed successfully through a package of measures: the jigsaw has to be assembled correctly to create a clear picture of the way forward.

Thus the Panel’s objective is to create a revitalised system of local government that will remain sustainable and fit-for-purpose well into the middle of the 21st Century. For that to be achieved, the old debates and slogans must be put aside. The time has come to tackle the underlying issues.

Sooner or later amalgamations will have to be part of the package: the number of councils in NSW has halved during the past century and that trend will surely continue. Rate-pegging should be reviewed in the context of a wider effort to address infrastructure backlogs and ensure financial sustainability. Cost-shifting has been overstated relative to other factors, but local government does have legitimate concerns about rating exemptions and concessions, and the way some fees and charges are fixed below cost.

The Panel’s approach has been evidence-based and pragmatic, not ideological. Its recommendations blend economic rationalism with a firm belief that more must be done to enhance social equity. Similarly, a strong commitment to local identity and democracy does not rule out creating larger council areas to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The Panel sees encouraging signs of an understanding that things must change. This can be found in the Destination 2036 Action Plan, the joint local and State government initiative to ‘create strong communities through partnerships’. The formation of a single local government association also offers an invaluable opportunity to set a new agenda, as do moves by several State agencies to establish more productive working relationships with councils.

Local government has lots of people with the talent, drive and commitment to make the changes required. The Panel has heard many times that this review offers a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity: an opportunity to advance both local government as an institution and the wellbeing of the communities it serves. Much of what the Panel has proposed echoes the findings of the ‘Barnett’ committee that examined NSW local government exactly forty years ago. Not enough was done to follow through on Barnett’s work. This generation must do better.

With the new traffic flow on Fullers, we now turn right into McLean Avenue. McLean is on a rise and it is impossible to know if someone is coming the other way. The road is wide enough for 3 cars.

What is crazy is although there is space prior and past the rise, yet cars (and they seem to be the same cars) park on the rise!!

Surely the needs of one family to save on 10m of walking is not worth the inconvenience and safety of the many ?

Can one side be made a NO  STOPPING zone.  

 Having a no parking makes no sense with a time limit, it is only in complete darkness would you get the aid of on coming headlights,

i.e. after 6pm or before 8:30am in summer means no lights.

Then when you get down to the corner, with greater visibility both during the day and at night, there is a NO STOPPING.

The councils logic makes no sense.

All issues related to the management of traffic within the Willoughby Council area are under the direct control of the State Government department Roads and Maritime Services (RMS, formerly the RTA).

Full detaIls about this Committee (including meeting Agendas) can be found on the Willoughby Council Traffic Management page.

Along with most other Councils in the State, under current funding models, Willoughby’s operational deficit is unsustainable. The average infrastructure backlog across the State is $1,000 per capita. Willoughby’s infrastructure backlog is estimated to be between $500 – $1,000 per capita. This is the cost to bring Willoughby’s infrastructure back to an acceptable level.

MEASURES TO ADDRESS LONG TERM FUNDING NEEDS

New income sources: The Long Term Financial Plan proposes a series of new income sources that have been explored and some that have yet to be considered in detail. They include income from parking meters under the Parking Management Strategy reported to Council in October, income from bus shelters through the new contract and potential for stand-alone advertising panels in the CBD and possibly other centres.

Savings measures: Further to this Council has embarked on a Service Review project. The aim of the Service Review is to identify organisational efficiencies, improve performance, improve service delivery, and to create overall cost savings. The Service Review project will undertake an analysis of Councils services, systems, processes, work streams, resources and overall costs, with a review of market based comparisons for some relevant services.
From an original analysis, Council Officers believe that an initial savings of $1M can be attained. Staff also believe, however, that further revenue raising opportunities may fall out of the Review as well as opportunities for savings through regional collaboration with other Councils.

Special rate variation: The ‘rate peg’, which controls the amount NSW Councils can increase rates in order to cover price increases, is set each year by IPART. If a Council wishes to raise their rates above the ‘rate peg’ they must make an application to IPART for a special rate variation. IPART makes a judgement on these applications on a condition that they meet the criteria of being “realistic, justifiable and affordable for ratepayers” (IPART fact sheet, 2013). There are a variety of reasons a Council may wish to apply for a special rate variation. These include improving infrastructure, addressing a maintenance backlog, to pay for new capital works or reduce operating deficits. Special rate variations may be granted on a permanent or temporary basis.
Key dates & figures

In order to apply for a Special Rate Variation it is required that final applications be submitted to IPART online and in hard copy before the 24th February 2014. Subject to the Council’s consideration of the outcome of the community consultation, an application could seek the following increase in rate revenue in order to address the funding needs identified in the Resourcing Strategy beginning in the financial year 2014/15:
Year 1 Income $2 – 2.5M
Year 2 Income $3.5 – 3.7M
Year 3 Income $4.5 – 4.8M
Year 4 Income $5.5 – 6.0M
Year 5 Income $6.5 – 7.0M

In order to achieve this income the increases in rates, based on a 2.3% Rate Peg as indicated by IPART for 2014/15 (and potentially subsequent years), would be:

The Concourse
Comments have been raised during community consultation relating to The Concourse and whether it has had any impact on rates or Councils financial position. The model used to fund The Concourse was designed to have minimal impact on residential rate payers. In 2004 a special rate variation was applied to businesses in the CBD increasing business rates by 10%. This was justified given the increase in commercial activity in the Chatswood CBD generated by the construction and opening of The Concourse.
The construction of The Concourse was funded from existing Council reserves, property and car park sales/long term leases, s94 Contributions, grants and loans. The loans are serviced by $1 million debt servicing provision, from annual parking fine income (set aside as part of The Concourse funding plan), the special rates variation levied in the Chatswood CBD, s94 Contributions and a proportion of operating surplus if available.

All ongoing costs of The Concourse including maintenance are paid for with income generated by retail and commercial rent for premises on site on The Concourse. The proposed SRV application for 2014/15 will not be used to pay for The Concourse or for any ongoing costs associated with The Concourse.

The installation of the pedestrian refuges on Mowbray Road is not related to the traffic works proposed as a result of the rezoning on the Lane Cove side of Mowbray Road. The pedestrian refuges are part of the package of works which were tied to the Local Area Improvement Plan for Mowbray prepared in conjunction with the Lane Cove Tunnel project. The pedestrian refuges were the subject of widespread community consultation at the time the Local Area Improvement Plan was prepared. The installation of the refuges has been approved by both Council through the Local Traffic Committees and installation has always been tied to the completion of the traffic signals at Mowbray Road and Beaconsfield Road. Now that those signals are installed there was no impediment to installation of the refuges which have been long awaited by Willoughby Council. The refuge work is being managed by Lane Cove council and funded by RMS.

The refuges do not conflict with the proposed traffic control measures linked to the Rezoning work. An exception to this was the refuge proposed near Hatfield St which is not being installed at this time given that the intersection is proposed to become a signalised intersection with pedestrian phases over Mowbray Road.

Council has not yet determined its position in regard to the traffic measures proposed in conjunction with the Mowbray Road rezoning. To assist Council in determining its stance we are currently in the process of engaging a traffic consultant to assist us with the following.

• review of the works proposed by Lane Cove for the efficacy and impact on Willoughby residents
• review traffic counts data (volume, speed, direction and turning movements) in Coolaroo, Felton, Hart, Dalrymple,  in addition to the intersections outlined in the Lane Cove Council report.
• Analyse crash histories in the subject streets
• Prepare recommendations for changes to proposed works or for additional works for this precinct
• Submit a draft report for review.

Once this is complete we propose to commence an engagement process that seeks community feedback on the proposed changes and consideration of our findings of the above work. We will ensure that every household in the area is notified and would be prepared to attend a West Ward progress Association meeting to present both the Lane Cove Study and our response to it. Both documents would be available for review by the community.

Feedback from the community will be considered and included in a report to Council, via the Willoughby Traffic Committee that will allow Council to adopt a position on the matter.