22 COUNCIL NEWS
WOOLLAHRA
Solar success
'Solar My School', an innovative program which helps local schools install solar systems, has received the Local Government Professionals NSW Excellence Award for Environmental Leadership and Sustainability.
More than 90% of schools in the eastern suburbs have signed up to the project, which provides solar feasibility and funding advice, tender assistance and installation, as well as education for students. The program is run by Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick’s 3 Council Regional Environment Program. Late last year, 'Solar My School' also won the Climate Change Action award in Local Government NSW’s annual Environmental Excellence Awards and the Renewable Energy Achievement Award in the inaugural national Cities Power Partner Awards. www.solarmyschool.org.au
Entries now open for the Woollahra Garden Awards
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WAVERLEY
Council declares war on racist vandals
Waverley Council will install more CCTV cameras at Bondi beach and surrounding areas following a fresh outbreak of racist graffiti. In the latest incident, swastikas and racist slogans such as ‘white power’ were discovered on the sea wall below the Bondi Beach promenade. This follows a similar incident in February, when several swastikas were painted on the same stretch of wall. At the latest full meeting of Council, a motion by Councillor Leon Goltsman urging improved CCTV surveillance of the beach and surrounding area was unanimously carried. The meeting was addressed by a member of the Jewish Board of Deputies, who said the swastika was the ultimate symbol of racial hatred. The meeting was told that the Bondi Beach promenade was currently only covered by a single camera. Officers will now meet with NSW Police, Bondi Ward Councillors, lifeguards and the North Bondi and Bondi Surf Clubs to identify locations for additional cameras.
Junction chaos looms All residents, local businesses, community organisations and school groups are encouraged to showcase your gardens, whether big or small, and share your creativity, hard work and sustainable gardening practices.
Attention residents and commercial users of Rowe Lane, Bondi Junction – due to a massive building project in Oxford St, your road is about to be closed during the day. And a new one-way system will be in place during the restricted hours it’s open to traffic.
The awards aim to recognise community members and groups whose green spaces help to enhance our local environment. Award categories include: - Best Community/School Garden - Best Sustainable Garden - Best Small Garden - Best Large Garden - Best Garden (Overall) There are great prizes to be won! Nominations are open until Fri, Sept 13. More info: www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au
Need extra time & space to study?
Woollahra Library, Double Bay opening hours have been extended to accommodate peak study periods during July and August. Mon, July 15-Thurs, Aug 22 Mon- Thurs 9am-10pm Sat-Sun 9am-5pm Level 1, 451 NSH Rd, Double Bay More info: www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/library
RANDWICK
Randwick to start phasing out 'Roundup'
Glyphosate-based weedkillers such as 'Roundup' are being phased out by Randwick Council as part of a trial of organic alternatives to the controversial herbicide. Councillors voted to trial alternative controls in parks, playgrounds and other public areas despite a report by Ryan Zammit, the council’s Acting Manager Infrastructure Services, which supported continuing use of gyphosates. Mr Zammit’s arguments were based on cost, and he drew his figures from a series of experiments at a council works depot where some patches of weeds were treated with organic substances and others with 'Roundup'. According to his report, to achieve the same result as $4,000 worth of 'Roundup', the council would have to spend $72,000 on a product called 'Slasher'. Price tag for something called 'Imazapyr Arsenal' was put at $181,000. And if council went for 'Pine Oil Weed Blitz', the cost would be a whopping $225,000. The only non-chemical form of weed control, weed steaming, would also be very expensive, according to the report, involving a large capital outlay and operational costs. However, at their latest meeting, councillors decided to put public health before economic considerations. They agreed to trial organic weedkillers, in particular the 'Slasher' product mentioned in Mr Zammit’s report. The meeting heard that 'Slasher' is made from naturally occurring acids found in plant oils and is a non-selective weed killer which works in a similar way to glyphosate. Randwick Mayor, Kathy Neilson said: "Some members of the community are concerned about the use of glyphosate and recent court decisions overseas. We’re proactively responding to that concern through this trial."
Councillors and staff given strict social media guidelines The mega building project at the north end of Oxford St is also bad news for public transport users - truck exit movements from Rowe Lane will need to be under full traffic control, meaning that all traffic movements, including buses entering and exiting the busy Bondi Junction Bus Rail Interchange, will grind to a halt when trucks are turning. And thanks to the same $24 million project, parking spaces are to disappear in nearby Leswell St, between Camp Lane and Grafton St, to aid truck movements. The cause of the chaos is construction of a mixed use, 14-storey building at 362–374 Oxford St. The project includes residential units, serviced apartments, shops, offices and basement parking. Waverley Council approved the special traffic measures at the latest meeting of its Traffic Committee.
Randwick Council is cracking down on inappropriate social media posts by councillors, staff and contractors.
It has ordered that social media posts: • Must be non-political • Must not commit Council to a course of action without prior approval • Must not publish content that has the potential to damage Council • Must not publish material that is obscene, defamatory or threatening That’s just part of the list of social media taboos in a report tabled at the last full council meeting. The document singled out councillors as prime offenders, saying "Councillors should be aware that any social media activity or interaction, whether official or personal, is public, often permanently available, traceable and able to be reproduced elsewhere."
Marjorie O'Neill MP Member for Coogee June has been a busy and exciting month! I have enjoyed meeting the people, businesses and community groups who have visited my office to introduce themselves. I look forward to supporting all my constituents in any way I can.
Harmony Day
I was honoured to represent the NSW Opposition at the recent Harmony Day Song Writing and Poster Competition organised by Moving Forward Together. Congratulations to the local schools that participated, there were some incredible songs and artworks showcased.
Claremont College raises $25,000 for Prince of Wales Hospital
Congratulations to the energetic students at Claremont College who raised close to $25 000 for Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation. Students were sponsored to perform squat thrusts or "burpees" and other exercises at Grant Reserve in Coogee. A wonderful morning of fitness and fun, all in the name of a great cause.
Work experience student
I would like to thank and acknowledge the contribution of Sarah Myatt of St Catherine’s School in Waverley. Sarah gave up a week of her school holidays to volunteer in my office. She was an incredibly fast learner and was able to provide valuable assistance to my team. We welcome any other students interested in work experience.
Refugee Week
Congratulations to Randwick Council on a memorable acknowledgment of Refugee Week. 'Human Flow' by Ai WeiWei was screened at Randwick Ritz to a full house.
This was followed by presentations by the Refugee Advice and Casework Service, Music for Refugees and Sydney Multicultural Community Services. My office is now a drop off point for instruments to be donated to refugees - no pianos please!
JP service
A JP Service is now available, please visit the office on Wednesday mornings from 10-11am. If you require any other assistance, please contact my office on (02) 9398 1822, or at coogee@parliament.nsw.gov.au, or drop in at 15/53-55 Frenchmans Road, Randwick. 15/53-55 Frenchmans Rd, Randwick 9398 1822 coogee@parliament.nsw.gov.au