Suburban turkey

My neighbour Christine called me recently with the news that she has seen the first of what is bound to become a more common sight – a scrub turkey just alongside Channel 9 - no doubt due to the success of the northside Councils’ fox baiting program. Now that Young James has decided to concentrate on his gaming interests and to sell off the Channel 9 site, the presence of this bird is a timely reminder that Council needs to negotiate with whomever ends up owning the site, to achieve a green corridor connecting Flat Rock Gully with Artarmon Reserve. I believe that Expressions of Interest for the site have been invited but don’t know any details. In any case, we have made it clear to the officers that along with a compatible residential component, we would like the tower gone (which should increase the value of the land so that might happen), a sportsfield and a green corridor along the freeway alignment, upslope from the freeway walls. Of course if Frank Sartor calls it in – well, it will all go the developers way.

On the subject of Frank, Local Government had its Annual Conference in Coffs Harbour this year and although some may feel this is a needless junket, I have to say that I find the event useful - as well as enjoyable. This year we were addressed by the man we all love to hate. Frank is on a mission to “reform the planning system in NSW”. Trouble is he’s reforming it to suit the development industry and that’s about it. Of course he denies this when challenged, and says he’s “cutting green and red tape” for the “mums & dads” who are developers. From where I sit, there would be at least equal numbers of “mums & dads” who have been adversely impacted by the “reforms” thus far. Such as the introduction of Private Certifiers who, being paid by the developer/applicant have little interest in accommodating the interests of neighbours – unlike Council Officers who used to perform this function. And such as the now infamous Part 3A of the EP&A Act which allowed the redevelopment of Chatswood station to be taken right out of our hands, robbing us of millions in S94 funds as well as the possibility of a genuine transport interchange.

We anticipate a further episode of Frank’s reforms imminently so over the next months our Association and its President, Genia McCaffery, North Sydney Council’s independent & popularly elected Mayor will be preparing a campaign to draw attention to the fact that the Iemma government is incrementally but effectively, shutting the people out of planning decisions which affect them. Anything Frank deems to be “critical infrastructure” or “major development” is exempted from the need to conform with pesky legislation like the Coastal Protection Act, the Heritage Act, the Fisheries Management Act, the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the Native Vegetation Act, the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act, the Rural Fires Act, the Water Management Act, the Threatened Species Conservation Act and of course, local planning instruments.

At the Conference, I was able to meet and compare notes with Councillors who share similar interests but different experiences and approaches. A Councillor from Byron Shire explained that he sees bike transport and facilities as a matter of equity and access since although Byron has its share of wealthy residents, there are many residents who don’t own cars and public transport is completely absent from much of the Shire.

The theme of the Conference was of course, Climate Change….

Channel 9

Is selling up!
We haven't been told much however unless Frank Sartor decides its a State Significant site (highly possible given his record) Council is still the consent authority re zoning.
This is an unusual opportunity as large sites like this rarely come on the market in our LGA.
What are your thoughts on what should happen here?
What questions do you have?
I'd like to hear from you & will use this space to post information as it comes to me...

Welcome post

Welcome to my first post!
Friday 5th October was Walk to Work Day
At Council the previous Monday, Councillors supported my idea that we invite a local Coffee Cart vendor to provide free coffee at the Willoughby Rd bus stop while they wait - as they have to every morning - to catch a city bound bus.
As Council has limited ability to improve public transport services, at least we can thank those who do travel sustainably and draw attention to the poor level of service provided at present!!
In fact My Councillor colleagues wanted carts at the bus stops in all their Wards too !!