Volume 5 Issue 1
February/March 2011
Summer at the Baths
The trip of a lifetime It was a dream come true for six young Chinese girls from the Council's friendship community of Mudanjiang, China, when they recently arrived in Sydney. The girls, whose education has been sponsored by Mosman Rotary, Council and a number of residents, are all from outlying rural villages in north-eastern China When the girls left their home there were blue skies but it was minus 19.5 degrees C with a wind chill factor of minus 25.5, so the weather was their first surprise! The generosity of Dr Philip and Mrs Trish Arber, Councillor Jim and Mrs Marlene Reid and Mr Murray and Mrs Breda Block, has brought the girls to Sydney following a suggestion when the group visited Mudanjiang in May last year. The visit has also been financially supported personally by Mosman Councillors and residents who have previously visited Mudanjiang as well as Council's staff social club. The girls have been hosted in the Mosman homes of the Arbers, Blocks and Reids, and attended both Queenwood School for Girls and Mosman High for their month long stay.
Would you like Mosman News delivered to your email inbox?
Big ticks for Mosman Mosman residents taking part in a recent independent survey have painted a positive picture of life in Mosman and have delivered a vote of confidence for services and facilities provided by Council.
n ws
If so, sign up on Council’s website www.mosman.nsw.gov.au and you'll receive the news as it’s published. This issue of Mosman News can also be downloaded as a PDF from Council’s website.
The survey, conducted by independent market researchers on behalf of Council, was completed by over 400 residents, randomly selected from across Mosman's three wards. Residents were asked a series of questions about Council performance, as well as being asked to voice their views on key local issues and community well-being. Survey results indicate that Council is extremely well placed in terms of community satisfaction, especially when compared to other metropolitan councils. Community pride and connectedness is strong. For further details on survey results turn to page 3.
www.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Page 2
International Women’s Day Tuesday 8 March, 6pm–8pm, Drill Hall, Cross Street It’s the 100 year anniversary of International Women's Day. Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, will be delivering an address celebrating the achievements of women.
Amenities upgrades a hit with the public
There is no charge for this event however bookings are essential via email: a.landis@mosman.nsw.gov.au or on 9978 4257. Numbers are limited.
What’s the Big Idea? You may have seen recent reports regarding Council’s commitment to e-technology ... Stay tuned for another launch... The new amenities building at the Tram Shed, Balmoral.
The quality of public amenities in Mosman took a quantum leap in December with the opening of new facilities at Clifton Gardens, Balmoral and Rosherville Reserve. The new buildings feature open, well ventilated layouts, with baby change areas, water reuse systems and beach showers and were designed and completed in time for Christmas 2010.
Bookends: another chapter An exhibition of bookends in 20th Century Australia 12 April – 15 May, Mosman Library Bookends were a popular gift for weddings, birthdays and retirements. Their decorativeness captured the imagination and, like a shelf of books, reflected one's sense of style and interests. Bookends: another chapter showcases treasured bookends held in private collections. This exhibition is an opportunity to view some fantastic pieces dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. Included are significant works by Australian art potters depicting native flora and fauna as well as dancing penguins, cheeky cats, ebony elephants, harlequins, courting couples, horses, dogs, fish and ships – you name it and in all probability it is a bookend.
Concurrently Clifton Gardens picnic area and Balmoral Tramshed were renovated and all this work was completed on time and within the budget provided by paid parking. The response to these much needed upgrades has been almost exclusively positive. Some have chosen to write, e.g. 'I wish to pass on my congratulations to Council for the great job you have done in renovating the public amenities toilets in Rosherville Reserve. Not only are they a huge improvement from a functional perspective, but also the design has blended in extremely well with the surrounding area.' Council is working with the building contractor to sort out some teething problems and defects that have become evident over the past months of very heavy use. This is to be expected but the attractive new facilities are now in keeping with the world standard locations and will benefit the community for years to come.
2011 Mosman Address Thursday 14 April, 7pm, Grand Hall, Mosman Art Gallery The 2011 Mosman Address is to be presented by Ian Macfarlane AC, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Macfarlane ended his term as Governor on 17 September 2006 after 10 years presiding over Australia's economic boom. The Treasurer at that time, Peter Costello, said of Macfarlane: "Ian Macfarlane has been an exceptionally successful governor of the Reserve Bank ... and when history of the last 10 years is written, it will show as one of, if not the greatest, periods of economic management in Australian history." For more information and enquiries: 9978 4106
Parking in Sydney Harbour Federation Trust lands Mosman residents should note that Mosman Foreshore Stickers do not apply on Sydney Harbour Federation Trust lands including those at Georges Heights, Middle Head and Chowder Bay. Mosman residents using these carparks will be required to adhere to the parking restrictions in place, including paying for parking where specified.
The stylish new facilities at Rosherville Reserve have met with praise.
Independent Development Assessment Even before Councillors were made aware of residents’ low rating of its development approvals process (refer story Page 3), plans were adopted to improve transparency and processes for the consideration of development applications. The Honourable Paul Stein AM, QC, a former member of the NSW Court of Appeal and a judge for 12 years in the NSW Land & Environment Court, has agreed to chair an independent panel of experts to determine applications that previously went to Council. The panel will meet monthly commencing in May and one of its major functions will be to achieve good urban design and development outcomes consistent with the elected Council’s policies and statutory NSW planning controls. Members of the public will be welcome to attend and make submissions during the public hearings.
Page 3
Survey gives Council and community the 'thumbs up' Council shapes up
What does Mosman mean to its community?
The 2010 Mosman Community Survey, conducted in October and November last year, shows that community satisfaction with Council has improved since the last similar survey in 2006. Overall community satisfaction with Council's performance rose from a mean score of 6.53 out of 10 in 2006 to 6.70 in 2010. This also places Council above the average satisfaction achieved by comparable Councils in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
Survey respondents were asked to complete the sentence ‘Mosman is...’ Here are some of the top responses to this challenge:
40% 35.3%
2010
2006
35% 30%
Mean 2010 = 6.70 Mean 2006 = 6.53
the best place to live
Highs and lows
Distribution of Overall Satisfaction Rating
25%
§ a wonderful/great place to live § a beautiful place § my home § perfect/paradise/
24.2%
20%
The 2010 Community Survey results provide an indication of how important residents consider various services and facilities to be, as well as how satisfied they are with their delivery. Highest on resident's 'Importance' list were (in order):
15% 9.5%
10%
11.9%
6.3%
5% 0.8%
0.4%
0.8%
0 Very Dissatisfied
1
2
5.5%
2.0%
1.8%
1.2%
10 Very Satisfied
Can’t Say
0% 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
§ Waste and recycling collection § Provision and maintenance of parklands § Overall cleanliness, appearance and management of public spaces § Providing and maintaining footpaths § Management and protection of the environment § Provision of car parking
Top of the resident's satisfaction list were (in order): The survey also indicated that residents feel they are getting better value for their rates dollar than they were four years ago, providing a mean rating of 6.22 out of 10 in 2010 compared to 5.85 in 2006. For survey respondents who could recall recent contact with either Council staff or Councillors, satisfaction levels were again encouraging. Satisfaction with staff overall rose a full point from 6.5 to 7.5 between 2006 and 2010. Councillor performance ratings also rose on 2006 levels, being just above the metropolitan average.
§ Library services § Provision and maintenance of parklands § Waste and recycling collection services § Overall cleanliness, appearance and management of public spaces § Services and facilities for families and children
Community life still strong Results from the 2010 Community Survey indicate that Mosman retains a good sense of community, with a high level of community pride. Nearly all residents agree 'highly' that they feel safe in their home and feel safe walking around their neighbourhood. 83.7% of residents consider that their neighbourhood is a friendly place to live and a little over 82% say they can call on a relative or neighbour if they need assistance.
In total, survey respondents were asked to rank 34 Council services and facilities. Lowest satisfaction scores were recorded for (in order): the development approvals process; providing and maintaining better bike paths; enforcement of parking restrictions; provision of car parking and condition of public toilets. Each of these is already receiving attention by Council, with the proposed Independent Assessment Panel and amenities upgrades at foreshore locations being key examples of Council’s active response to community concerns. Community feedback will continue to be responded to in ongoing planning. In every instance where satisfaction ratings for individual services/facilities could be compared with results in other metropolitan council areas, Mosman either matched or exceeded the average. In seven cases Mosman's service delivery recorded the highest satisfaction score of all benchmarked councils.
More support for parking strategy An eye on the future What are the main issues of concern for Mosman residents over the next 5–10 years? Respondents to the 2010 Community Survey listed their Top 3 as follows: § Traffic, transport and roads § Overdevelopment § Parking
Making up the Top 5, but with considerably lower scores than the Top 3: § Environment and Climate Change § Over population and overcrowding
Although carparking remains a significant issue of concern for Mosman residents, the 2010 Community Survey has highlighted a shift in community sentiment on Council's on-street paid parking strategy at beaches and foreshore reserves. The survey shows 51.3% of respondents agreed with the strategy as a means of managing the costs and other impacts of visitors to our area. Only 30.4% indicated that they disagreed with Council’s strategy, down from 52% who were not in favour of on-street paid parking in 2006. A further 17.4% of respondents to the 2010 survey stated that they had no strong opinion either way.
Want to know more? Results from the 2010 Mosman Community Survey will be reported to Council in early March 2011. Details are available on Council's website.
Mosman News
Page 4
Mosman Design Awards 2011 Twenty-two nominations were received for the Design Awards this year. By the time you read this, judging will have been completed but the winners not yet announced. Council encourages everyone to view the designs on the website as 1 Curraghbeena Road 10 Euryalus Street they provide a snapshot of the high-quality of development in “A brilliant blend of new and old!” “The contemporary design suits the environment.” Mosman, many taking advantage of water views. During the People's Choice voting, held earlier this month, many positive Celebrating outstanding contributions to the built comments were left by voters. Here's just a taste… environment & heritage conservation in Mosman
63 Muston Street “I love the open plan living and light throughout this house. Fabulous for entertaining.” “It is a beautiful design, I would love to live somewhere like this.”
A new celebration for Mosman Plans are well underway for the 2011 Festival of Mosman (28 October – 6 November) to be a vibrant, creative and engaging event that unites residents and visitors in celebrating the best of Mosman.
features of Mosman through community barbecues and street celebrations); the Unveiling of the Balnaves Collection (a donation of art works to the value of $1 million); Golden Summers (world premiere of a musical exhibition celebrating the work of the famous Australian Impressionist painters); Open Air (iPhone locative media project exploring the artists camps of Sirius Cove); and Sculpture-inthe-Shops. A complete festival program will be available closer to the event.
Council has now endorsed a Festival Events Plan and highlights include a Contemporary Corroboree (celebration of contemporary Aboriginal song and dance); NAFAS (World Drumming Concert exploring drumming from Afghanistan, India, Africa, Pacific Island, Eastern Asia and Western traditions); Mosman Open Day (celebrating the lookouts, walks and
beat the
For more information or to provide support please contact 9978 4106.
MOSMAN COUNCIL COMMUNITY EVENT
blues YOUTH CONCERT
TH RAI SING EAL AL H AWAREN T N E M ESS FOR
EXCITING LIVEACTS
FREE
COMMUNITY
CONCERT Sunday 27 March
‘Beat the Blues’ is a free community concert raising awareness for issues affecting youth mental health. The event is supported by the Black Dog Institute and other youth mental health service organisations with information and resources provided throughout the afternoon. Queenwood School for Girls has kindly donated use of their performance venue for the event.
More information coming soon!
Facelift – Marble Beauty Mosman Council's marble Antico Fountain will be getting a facelift commencing mid-February. The fountain was badly vandalised in the early 1990s and was repaired at that time. However, those repairs are now beginning to show their age, affecting the beauty of the fountain. The renovation works will be undertaken by specialist tradesman from International Conservation Services. The works will include carving and installation of missing elements, securing loose elements by removing and rejoining, partially removing old patching and replacement with new fillers. Once the fountain in Mosman Square is repaired, works will commence to renovate the surrounding pond.
New State Government building rules From 25 February new planning rules come into effect meaning that certain types of development may be carried out in some areas of Mosman without the need for a development application. The State Government has made changes to its policy for exempt and complying development, meaning it will now apply to land previously excluded from the Policy. Some
Mosman Municipal Council Civic Centre, Mosman Square Mosman NSW 2088
minor works but also buildings such as new two storey houses may be approved as complying development provided they meet certain requirements. Complying development regulations ensure a decision on the proposal in ten days but also mean there will be no opportunity for neighbours to comment. Most complying development certificates are issued by private certifiers,
tel fax email web
9978 4000 9978 4132 council@mosman.nsw.gov.au www.mosman.nsw.gov.au
©2010 Mosman Municipal Council. All information correct at time of printing.
although applications can also be made to Council. Certain areas of Mosman, most notably the slopes and heritage conservation areas, will remain excluded from complying development under the Policy. If you would like more information contact Joe Vertel on 9978 4172 or visit http://housingcode.planning.nsw.gov.au/
Proudly printed by:
twitter.com/mosmancouncil
1300 735 100