ABC in Willoughby

When I asked our Community Services Director in early November if we should be expressing an interest in local ABC Centres the response was "NO - not yet!" Looks like the time may be upon us as today the mellifluous sounding Mr Honey (The Receiver @ McGrathNichol) announced that only 2 of the ABC Centres located in Willoughby Local Government Area (Tulloh St & Johnson St)would continue to operate amongst the 720 to remain as part of the restructured organisation. Australia wide, 55Centres will be closed. We have not been told which ones however parents of children at those centres will be offered places at nearby (2.5k radius) Centres. Mr Honey thought there would be jobs for 80% of the staff from these Centres. He also announced that another 241 Centres were "not viable under ABCs business model" but that it was possible that they could be profitable if operated under an "alternative business model". Four Centres operating in Willoughby (Fullers Rd Chatswood, Mowbray Rd Artarmon, 354 Eastern Valley Way and Barcoo St Roseville) are amongst them

Meanwhile, Julia Gillard announced a further $34M of federal support for the 241 Centres, available till March "if necessary". The Deputy Prime Minister made it clear on the 7.30 Report tonight that she thought the alternative business model was going to be that of the not for profit and local government providers.

So far as local government is concerned, I can assure Willoughby parents and staff that your Council will move to protect your places and your livelihood and we will be doing our utmost to negotiate fair and just terms in any handover from the Commonwealth (and Mr Honey). This negotiation is probably best done collectively through our peak organisation, the NSW Local Government Association of which I am now an Executive member.

Interesting to note that Mr Groves organisation appears to have secured a preferred provider arrangement with the previous federal government having a monopoly over all 21 Defence Force sites - all of which will continue to trade. Makes you wonder whether the Commonwealth has made special arrangements which have not been the subject of any press releases.

I will keep you posted and am looking forward to the return of quality child care for our children.

PostScript:
ABC (the broadcaster) reports that "a consortium" comprising Bendigo & Adelaide banks and unspecified "charities and community service agencies" are interested in taking over all 241 of the non viable centres. Also that 100 of the 500 staff of the centres to be closed "will not be reassigned" Full story here

Green Infrastructure

Our Mayor tells me he enjoyed the opportunity to go to Canberra last week - especially since he came home with a promise of some $285K to spend on infrastructure projects before September next year. He and other NSW Mayors must have found it refreshing to be treated respectfully after the contemptuous way in which our state government and its Ministers deal with local government! We must prepare a submission in order to secure the funds and our GM will be working on it right now. An additional $50M is being made available - on a competitive basis - and in this regard, I'll be asking Willoughby and northside Councils to advocate for an iconic piece of Green Infrastructure HarbourLink Have a look and see what you think:


If you like the idea, please send an email to :
1. Your local Council
2. Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Federal member for Grayndler, A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
3. cc info@sydneyharbourlink.com
As soon as you can, thanks!

NSW Planning Legislation

Kristina Keneally now presides over Sartor's empire. Despite her reportedly being both a sensible and a sensitive person, it seems she is in no position to reverse the excesses of her predecessor or indeed what may be the best chance she and the bunch of bullies infesting Macquarie Street's front bench have of being returned. To create a housing bubble, barriers must be removed from the planning process. Chief amongst the barriers are local elected reps and the opportunities they have created for neighbours to be informed about (and yes - even comment upon!) development proposals next door.
I have just returned from a briefing provided by our Environmental Services Director. He presented some interesting facts for example, Willoughby currently determines more DAs of greater total dollar value faster than either North Sydney or Lane Cove Councils. Anyway, leaving aside the lucrative $10M+ developments which the Mnister and her appointees are to deal with, the so called planning reforms are aimed at moving local development along such that 50% of all applications can be dealt with under "complying development codes" (CDCs) and the rest by Planning Arbitrators should the applicant feel the Council is being too slow. The current plan is to have one Complying Development Code for single storey & one for two storey developments. The latter code has not yet seen the light of day and will not be availalable for public comment before being introduced early next year - March I think..

An Aboriginal History of Willoughby

A nice photo of three of my Councillor colleagues last Wednesday at the lauch of Bo-ra-ne Ya-goo-na Par-ry-boo-go Yesterday Today Tomorrow, an Aboriginal History of Willoughby. Stuart Coppock looking especially happy to see this great result of a Motion he put to Council some 3 years ago, celebrating with newly elected Clr John Hooper and returning Clr Wendy Norton. Author Jessica Currie has stated that she wants us to imagine what Aboriginal life would have been like in the Willoughby area, before the arrival of the British. Over many months she has assembled a remarkable amount of material from the archeology, from journals of the coloniser and direct quotation from Aboriginal women "to give a voice...where that connection has been lost". The work is nicely illustrated, well referenced and provides a chronology of Aboriginal history 1770 - 2008. A drop in the ocean against the 60,000 years of continuous prior occupation, care and custodianship of this great land of ours!

Incidentally, the Northern Sydney Reconciliaion Network extends to you an Invitation to a FREE EVENT - ALL WELCOME Its a COMMUNITY BBQ at 6.30 & FORUM (7.15 - 9 pm) on Friday 24 October 2008 The Dougherty Centre, 7 Victor St, Chatswood entitled " PATHWAYS OF PROGRESS: ABORIGINAL INSIGHTS featuring:
ADEN RIDGEWAY Executive Chairman, Indigenous Tourism Australia"Indigenous Tourism - Future Opportunities"
GREG DAVISONIndigenous Engagement Officer, CSIRO"Indigenous Engagement - Engaging in a Sustainable Way"
LINDON COOMBES Executive Director, Tranby Aboriginal College"Aboriginal Education - A Changing Environment"
0438 777 545 for more information.

More Spring Festival Events

Hallstrom Park was once again the setting for Northbridge Rotary Club's excellent Garden Fair. I was pleased to hear from Malcolm (seated) and Penny Lye that this year, twice last years number of patrons came out to look, learn and buy from the many colourful and well stocked stalls. Outside broadcast studio Radio 702 BL was there with Simon Marnie hosting a live performance from Bruce Mathiske jazz guitar master, cooking demonstrations and plenty of horticultural chat. Locally indigenous chat could be had at the WEPA (Willoughby Environmental Protection Association) stall where I found Sheila & Gay taking a break. How gorgeous is that parasol? A perfect location for this sociable and somewhat languid event..looking just like a set from Midsomer...

Sunday in Naremburn

There was plenty to do in Naremburn last Sunday! In the morning I caught up with the Bike Week Guided Discovery Ride - along the new Epping Rd Shared Path, led by Bike North Club members. About 45 people, 27 of whom used the Centennial Park hire bikes (courtesy of Council) participated. Nash from Renegade Cycles at Lane Cove conducted safety checks and Alison Jones, Council's wonderful Sustainable Transport Officer was there, holding it all together. As it was such a success, we might try doing this regularly - let us know what you think..
Up the road at the former Temperance Hall in Central Street, Ingrid Morley's studio was participating in our annual Artists Open Studio Weekend. I took these pics of works in her garden.. Then it was back down to Hallstrom Oval to watch 3 Northbridge Football Club teams (under 13 boys, under 14 girls & under 16 girls) play in State championship matches. Congratulations to all these members of our diverse, talented and vibrant community!

Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, China - by bike!

Celebrating NSW Bike Week, Willoughby City Council is hosting a bicycle film festival this Sunday the 28th Sept, 3.00 - 5.00pm. The event will feature a series of short films including the award-winning documentary Off the Rails, directed by Tim Cope. "It was March, the beginning of Spring in the northwest corner of Russia. Struggling to make 6km a day, Tim Cope & Chris Hatherly, both 20 year-old Australians had embarked on an epic journey across Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, and Northern China, finishing in Tiananmen square, Bejing." The 14 month cycling journey is as much about the warmth and hospitality of Siberian villagers and Mongolian nomads, as it is about the haunting landscapes, the outer limits of a cycling adventure and a tested friendship. Our venue is The Freeway Hotel located on the Gore Hill Freeway shared path. Bicycle parking is available. This event is presented in association with BikeSydney and the eighth annual Bicycle Film Festival (13-15 November 2008 @ the Dendy Newtown). For further information phone 9777 7706. This is a FREE event.