Less plastic

Vegetation management around powerlines

In response to community concern with tree trimming around powerlines, Council has been working with Ausgrid to develop a Vegetation Management Plan that ensures better communication of local factors and requirements before trimming programs are implemented. Following a community consultation period, a draft plan has now been adopted by Council and forwarded to Ausgrid for final approval. A range of solutions have been proposed including the use of Aerial Bundle Cabling (ABC) to reduce the number of above-ground powerlines and their impact on local vegetation. Other proposed recommendations are compliance with minimum standards of certification and qualification of arborists and horticulturists carrying out pruning work; that wildlife inspection of trees be carried out before pruning works commence; feasibility and viability of underground cabling be considered and that a tree replacement agreement is incorporated for the removal of trees.

Talk about payment options

The debt management and customer hardship policy of Lane Cove Council has been updated in line with recommendations by the Office of Local Government to include third-party mediation Any Lane Cove resident having difficulty making payment to Council is encouraged to discuss it via email or in person at Council to sort out payment methods or timing. About 20% of customers smooth out payments by setting up weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments while the rest use BPay. Council reports a very low default rate of less than 1.5% outstanding bills last year, mainly by pensioners against whom the Council does not take action, preferring to make more flexible arrangements.

Rosenthal retail details

A DA has been approved for the construction of retail space on the park level of the Rosenthal development. The DA has addressed use of tenancies as either restaurant or café premises together with hours of operation. The buildings will be single storey, open in style, with glazed panels inset in a masonry façade, and with a total gross leasable floor area of 772m2. Fitout of each tenancy is subject to a separate application and approval. Three groups of submissions were received about the DA, raising concerns related to sight-lines between existing arcades bordering the Rosenthal project, as well as design detail of the proposed buildings. These were addressed by the applicant and it has been found that the DA complies with Council’s Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. When completed in mid-2020, the Rosenthal project will provide basement parking for 500 cars, two supermarkets, retail tenancies and public open space.

Artist’s impression of retail space in the Rosenthal project (Birdwood Lane entrance)

Less plastic, more fantastic

More than 100 local food outlets took part in a highly successful Council campaign trialling environmentally friendly drink straws made of paper, wheat, and even reusable metal or silicon. According to a survey following the trial, 46% of people stopped using plastic and began using eco-straws as a result of the campaign. The survey found that 11% of participating outlets were ahead of the trial and already stocked eco-straws. Nearly 40% of outlets continued to use single-use plastic straws while others did not offer straws at all. Those not taking up the eco-straws either found their price an obstacle; or were concerned about straws disintegrating in thicker drinks such as smoothies or about the hygiene of reusable straws. Council created the campaign in response to community concern about single-use plastics. It included a ‘Say No to Straws’ poster to attract like-minded customers and a catalogue of eco-straws to help businesses make future decisions.

Time: 7am Date: Thursday 28th March Place: Junction Cafe

Owner and barista Pritesh Patel making coffee for customers keen to get their early morning caffeine fix at Junction Cafe in Lane Cove Plaza.