14 minute read
Government
What’s On:
Lane Cove
AUGUST
LANE COVE PLAZA
First Fridays: Jeans for Genes Day Friday 3 August, 3:30pm - 5:00pm. A free recycled denim workshop for kids. Lane Cove Festival Launch: Friday 10 August, 3:30pm - 6:00pm Expect an afternoon of fun and excitement featuring a dynamic live performance by Lolo Lovina on her Gypsy Caravan stage, creative workshops, face painting and loads of exciting kids activities! After the launch, head over to Gallery Lane Cove from 6:00pm for the Lane Cove Art Award. Saturday Sounds: Antoine Saturday 11 August, 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Community Concert Series: Lane Cove Concert Band
Saturday 25 August, 10:00am - 12:00pm Coffee Carnevale: Saturday 1 September, 9:00am - 3:00pm. Details: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/carnevale
SUSTAINABILITY
Repair Cafe - Fix it on Father’s Day Sunday 2 September, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Road. Come and learn how to get Dad’s beloved items working again. No bookings required.
BUSHCARE EVENTS
Weed and Native Plant Identification: Saturday 25 August, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Pick up tips to distinguish between common weeds and their native look-alikes at this practical workshop.
Growing Native Wildflowers: Saturday 1 September, 9:00am - 12:00pm. Celebrate spring by learning to grow some of Lane Cove’s most beautiful wildflowers from cuttings. Apply your new skills at home to grow Grevillea and other flowering shrubs for your garden.
Threatened Species Day Guided Walk: Friday 7 September, 9:30am – 11:00am.
LANE COVE LIBRARY
All events are free. Call 9911 3634 to book.
Nature Games – Celebrating National Science Week:
Wednesday 15 August, 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Get to know your local bush, animals, their homes and how to protect them, so you can be a game changer for nature! Author Talk - The Bulldog Track by Peter Phelps: Thursday 16 August, 6:15pm – 7:30pm. This is the story of Tom Phelps and the ‘other Kokoda Track’, a story that has never been told. Seventy-five years later, Tom’s grandson, award-winning actor and writer Peter Phelps, is sharing the unforgettable tale of resilience and survival.
History Talk – Monash at The Battle of Hamel: Tuesday 21 August, 6:15pm – 8:00pm. Hear Robert Muscat, Council member for the Military History Society of NSW and member of the Australian Army Reserve discuss the significance of Hamel and the role of John Monash.
Author Talk – Fathers & Daughters by Madonna King:
Wednesday 29 August, 6:15pm – 7.30pm. The bestselling author of BEING 14 now tackles the complicated father/ daughter relationship. Thursday Tunes – A Celebration of the Musical: Thursday 30 August, 10:30am – 12:00pm. Local musician Graham Ball will discuss the mainstream musical stages of the western world, from the 18th Century to the present day.
Volunteer Expo
Do you want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Hear from local community organisations such as Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios; Lane Cove Football Club; Sydney Community Services; Sydney Wildlife Rescue; and Council’s Bushcare Team. There is also a chance to hear from the Centre for Volunteering and to mingle with volunteer organisations after the presentations.
Monday 27 August, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Lane Cove Library RSVP: 9911 3591 or email sanil@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
For more details on these events visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au or call Lane Cove Council on 9911 3555.
Councillor Pam Palmer, Mayor
P: 0431 959 980 E: mayor@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
It’s always busy when I pass the front desk in the foyer of the Civic Centre. This is because every day Council is responding to a large number of enquiries and service requests be it in person, on-site, over the phone or by email. Over the next 12 months we will be upgrading our Customer Request Management System to better handle all this information as well as introducing new resources to ensure a smoother service for all.
This involves addressing the need for better communications and adherence to Council’s service standards through a Customer Concierge role. We have also planned to make some changes to the outdoor staff team to help when staff need to attend to emerging issues. Rather than interrupting our regular, scheduled maintenance activities there will be dedicated resources to address urgent requests. Council will also help to keep residents better informed with a new digital communications presence online to increase access to important community information.
In addition to looking at what we can do better with our own processes, Council has identified the opportunity to connect local businesses with Service NSW to provide businesses with a one-stop shop to streamline the processing of development applications for new restaurants, cafes and bars. Local residents, community groups and visitors may have also started to use the new online facility booking system which provides increased access to your local facilities.
I hope you will appreciate these improvements. As always, I look forward to your feedback.
LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
What’s new this financial year
In addition to the continuation of a range of services, Council has earmarked a number of key infrastructure projects including: • Mindarie Park in Lane Cove North • Upgrades to the grandstand and amenities at
Kingsford Smith Oval • Planning for a replacement grandstand at
Lane Cove Aquatic Centre • Installing traffic signals at Tambourine Bay/
Burns Bay Road intersection A range of new sustainability initiatives this year include: • installing solar panels on the roof of the
Lane Cove Aquatic Centre; • creating art from electronic waste; and • upgrading the street light system to
LED lights. A new HarbourCare volunteer program is also being promoted this year to help reduce litter along Lane Cove River.
Armistice Grant
Council has been successful in receiving funding under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program. A range of initiatives will be developed in the coming months to help mark the Armistice Centenary in November.
OUT & ABOUT IN LANE COVE
Get gardening today
It’s time to register your garden for the 2018 Lane Cove Garden Competition with entries open until 10 September. Whether you have a small garden or balcony or are proud of your produce patch, there is a category for you! Visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/gardencomp for details.
Ping Pong Tables get a face-lift
The ping pong tables at Helen Street Reserve and Blackman Park have had their striking artworks restored by local artist Kasia Jacquot. Both tables are free to use, simply bring along your own paddles and ball to enjoy a friendly game in the crisp winter air.
Brush-turkeys
If you are trying to live harmoniously with brush-turkeys or are just interested in knowing more about them, join expert Ann Goeth, author of Mound Builders, for a closer look at the unique life of the Australian Brushturkey. The workshop is on Thursday 16 August from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. To book, please phone 9911 3583.
Carnevale is coming!
Coffee-lovers unite on 1 September when Lane Cove celebrates its coffee culture - visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov. au/coffeecarnevale to get your fix of details about the big day.
AUGUST 2018
Did you know?
• Several Council employees are, in a voluntary capacity, registered Justices of the
Peace (JP’s).
• Residents can have their documents witnessed by a
JP at the Civic Centre Monday to Friday between 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
• Lane Cove Library also has a JP service on Wednesday afternoons between 1pm to 3pm.
I look forward to seeing you at the Lane Cove Festival Launch on 10 August in the Plaza.
Latest Works
• The new Plaza bandstand vinyl cover has been installed.
• The boat ramp at Woodford
Bay has been replaced.
• A new road surface is now complete in Eva Street and
Eva Lane.
• This month Council will start to top-dress, aerate and fertilise ovals in preparation for Summer sports.
Trent Zimmerman, MP
P: 9929 9822 E: trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au
Tax plan
The Turnbull government seven-year personal income tax plan was recently legislated by Parliament. The plan started 1st July 2018 with support for low income earners and initial changes to address bracket creep. Step 2 of the plan will see further changes to tax brackets, while the final step will see the 37 per cent tax bracket abolished. This will mean that 94 per cent of Australians will pay no more than 32.5 per cent tax. These reforms are designed to make personal taxes simpler and fairer and are part of an overall plan to bring the budget back into surplus while increasing funding for essential services like Medicare, hospitals, schools and infrastructure.
Solar communities grants
Congratulations to Hunters Hill Pre-School and the Hunters Hill Club who have been awarded $10,240 and $12,500 respectively under the Solar Communities Program. This federal government initiative was announced by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg, and delivers grants to community organisations wishing to increase their use of solar power. It is designed to provide funding for community groups to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), solar hot water and solar-connected battery systems at their facility to reduce emissions, reduce their electricity costs and support renewable energy.
Stronger communities and volunteer grants
Two important grant opportunities are about to open that could assist your local community organisation. The Stronger Communities Program provides grants for eligible small capital projects that improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities. Not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants from $2,500 to $20,000 to add to funds that they already have for their project. The Volunteer Grant Scheme provides small grants to community organisations that rely on the support of volunteers. Grants of $1,000 to $5,000 can be used towards the cost of essential items that help make the work of volunteers easier, safer and more enjoyable, such as equipment, training, transport and background screening. Applications open on 7th August and close on 12th October. If you are interested in applying, contact Flynn McDermott in my office on 9929 9822 or Flynn.mcdermott@aph.gov.au so we can provide an expression of interest form. APPLICATIONS AND DETAILS CAN BE FOUND AT www.communitygrants.gov.au
Justice Of The Peace
My office offers JP services by appointment. If you require a Justice of the Peace, please call 9929 9822 for assistance.
Anthony Roberts, MP
P: 9817 4757 E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Local character - the key to good development
Much has been said about development in Sydney, with tens of billions being spent on infrastructure to accommodate that development. It doesn’t matter if you are in the Shire or Penrith, or indeed, in my own electorate of Lane Cove, people are proud of their local area. They feel connected to it, they belong to it and recently my Department held a symposium which recognises that. It recognises that as our neighbourhoods are changing, as we are growing, people are questioning the change. We don’t want to lose the soul and sense of our communities.
At this symposium, which included council representatives and planners from around NSW, we explored ways to respect the characters of our local communities and at the same time, be responsive to the changes before us with a rapidly growing State. It’s why we are delivering on our promise to include local character considerations in our planning proposals, with new local character statements, some of which are already being prepared. I have to say, this work of strengthening and preserving local character is difficult, but it’s not impossible - and it is vital as well. The NSW Government wants to see development that meets the needs of NSW and at the same time preserves local character.
Not only must we accommodate growth – but our neighbourhoods and streets must have a joy about them. It’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about more parks and richer tree canopies, because they deeply contribute to that sense of joy. Our local communities should be a genuine expression of what people value about their neighbourhood and that means the desired future character must be set with the community. Local character needs to be considered as part of strategic planning and when detailed plans for places are prepared. This does not mean that new development cannot occur. Instead it means that a design-led approach needs to be implemented which builds on the valued characteristics of individual neighbourhoods and places. As well, we are producing a Guideline on Local Character - a toolkit for councils and communities. Our work on local character is about making it ‘tangible’. We want to equip councils and their communities with the tools to identify what it is that we cherish about a community. Towards the end of this year, I will be releasing a book that celebrates local character and all that we have learned from the symposium. I am confident that this will allow us to better collaborate across all aspects of planning to ensure that as our communities grow, they become better places.
Councillor Mark A. Bennett
MAYOR OF HUNTERS HILL
P: 9879 9415 E: markbennett@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
Le Vesinet student welcome
Hunter’s Hill Council recently welcomed eight French exchange students who are in Australia for six weeks to experience life in Australia. Hunters Hill has a friendship pact with the City of Le Vesinet in France and each year Australian students visit there for six weeks. This program has been ongoing since 1991 and has been a huge cultural and educational success on both sides of the world. Plans to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Friendship Pact includes a farewell dinner for the students. All past and present students and parents are invited to attend on August 9th at the Hunters Hill Club, Madeline Street, Hunters Hill. Further information is available by contacting Gael Czinner at czinner@ozemail.com.au or RSVP through www.trybooking.com/381331.
Presentation of cheques
I had the distinct pleasure to present cheques to recipients from the 19th Hunters Hill Food and Wine Festival. The Festival brings together the best of Sydney’s produce, showcasing it to well over 8,000 attendees, and the money raised goes to local organisations. This year’s recipients included Sydney Community Services ($22,000); Hunters Hill Ryde Men’s Shed ($3,000); Hunters Hill SES ($2,500) and St John Ambulance Service ($2, 500). All recipients worked with the committee to make this another successful event - one which certainly benefits the community.
The Hunters Hill Quilt Show
Since its inception in 1982, Hunters Hill Quilters has grown to a membership of 65. The group meet each Thursday at Fairland Hall in Hunters Hill, aiming to enhance and further develop the craft of patchwork and quilting, while using their skills to support the local community. The group will be hosting a quilt show in the Hunters Hill Town Hall from August 9 -12th. Opening Night is Thursday 9th at 7.00pm. A significant donation from this years’ exhibition will go to Days for Girls and Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter. Over their 35 years of stitching, the group has contributed more than 1,500 quilts to local community projects and more than $190,000 to various local charities.
NORTH SYDNEY COMMUNITY AWARDS
Federal Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman is organising the North Sydney Community Awards to mark the contribution and achievements of residents in the North Sydney federal electorate.
The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 27th September at 6.00 pm at Norths in Cammeray and the guest speaker and presenter is journalist Annabel Crabb. “In this busy world it is important that we take time out to think of others. There are many people quietly working in our area to help those in need or in support of the community”, Mr Zimmerman said. Nominees may live or work (either professionally or voluntarily) in the North Sydney federal electorate. Award categories include:
• SPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Recognising outstanding sporting performances and contributions, nominees may be sportspeople or those that work behind the scenes to assist local sporting organisations.
• NORTH SYDNEY COMMUNITY AWARD (GENERAL CATEGORY)
Nominees should be individuals who make an outstanding contribution to assisting the local community, protecting our local environment and heritage or supporting the development of local businesses.
• NORTH SYDNEY YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
Recognises outstanding service to the community over an extended period by a young person up to the age of 25.
Trent Zimmerman and guest speaker, Geraldine Doogue, presenting Ada Belcher with the North Sydney Older Person of the Year award at last year’s ceremony.
• NORTH SYDNEY OLDER PERSON OF THE YEAR
Recognises outstanding service to the community over an extended period by a person over the age of 65.
• COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR
Open to any local community group that is helping to make our local area a better place. The North Sydney Community Awards are a community celebration attended by state and local government representatives, community leaders and residents. For nominations forms or to make an enquiry about the Awards, please contact Trent Zimmerman’s office on 9929 9822. Nominations close Friday 24th August 2018.
