Nappy Valley = Naremburn

Despite thunder and lightening this evening, more than 120 people arrived at the St Leonards Catholic Church Parish Hall to make it known that Naremburn needs a school. It was good news then to hear from both Deonne Smith (Regional Director,DET) and Brother Tony Whelan (Catholic Education Office)that they were going to talk to each other and also to find out later, that there was "someone from the Property Division " lurking in the audience. We passed a motion which amongst other things :
. committed the Department & the Church to work together, to provide a school within 2 years
. set up a community working party to establish the case for a school and call on Ministers for Education and Transport
. required a 'report back' within 3 months

Thanks to Delia from Probate St who coined "Nappy Valley", to Gladys for her committment to represent us on this and to the Progress Association for organisation & publicity. Most of all, thanks to Karen and Belinda who have worked so hard to get to this point - nice going Naremburn!

And here's beautiful Belinda, with everyone's favourite neighbour John and Geoff, a longstanding resident who cares passionately about this community.

EPA Bill

Sartor ploughs on. The first reading of the EPA Bill 2008 happened yesterday morning – you can read Hansard on line (50 pages worth!) It does not propose any inquiry or review of the impacts.
The second reading will not be until Parliament resumes week of 3rd June however it will be in the Upper House that we have any chance of amending the thing and the advice I have so far is that although several of the cross bench members are supportive, it may be that the 2 Shooters Party members have been "bought off" with a rifle range at Hill Top in the Southern Highlands. Ironically this development was "called in" by Minister Sartor under Labor's Part 3A "State significant" legislation, that which allowed him to take control of the CRI development site in Chatswood (aka the Transport Interchange).
Democracy at work in NSW..

Public Meeting to reinstate Naremburn Public School

Following presentation of your 350+ signatures to our Council, Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly, has called a Public Meeting to be held at the St Leonards Catholic Parish Hall on Wednesday 28th May at 7pm. Representatives from The Department of Education and the Catholic Education Office are being invited to attend and local MP Gladys Berejiklian, has confirmed her attendance as Parliament is not sitting on that night...