Government

A Message from the Mayor of Lane Cove Councillor Deborah Hutchens

Welcome to a New Year in Lane Cove.

Another busy year where facilities will continue to improve, infrastructure will be built, major projects will commence and the local character of our bushland, parks and waterways will continue to be preserved.

One of the most substantial projects of the year is the Rosenthal Avenue Car Park Redevelopment project. Construction will commence on the car park area mid-year ahead of its transformation into a 500-space underground car park with park and open space on top. This will be one of the most significant projects in Lane Cove’s history – arguably only matched by the conversion of Lane Cove Plaza from a road to a pedestrian Plaza. It is therefore fitting that this year we celebrate the 40 Year Ruby Anniversary of the Plaza’s official opening in 1976.

I look forward to sharing in the exciting future of Lane Cove throughout 2017.

Lane Cove Community Hub opens

I am pleased that at the end of last year we officially opened the Lane Cove Community Hub – a brand new community facility above the 200–space, Little Street Car Park. The new Terrace Function Room is capable of holding a function for over 150 people, with access to the adjacent commercial kitchen. There is also a purpose-built space for Lane Cove & North Side Community Services which incorporates the Park View Room (a 70 person community space) and studios for the Lane Cove Music and Cultural Centre.

Pedestrian safety in and around the Little Street precinct has been greatly improved with the opening of the pedestrian footbridge over to the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre. This not only makes it safer but more convenient to park within the underground car park and cross over to the Aquatic Centre and gymnasium.

Successful Australia Day

Congratulations to the 100 conferees who became Australian Citizens on Australia Day. It is always a pleasure to be part of these ceremonies throughout the year, however Australia Day is always an extra special day. Thank you also to Jude Bolton, Australia Day Ambassador and Lane Cove local who joined us on the day to deliver the key-note address. This was a wonderful addition to the day.

Summer Reading Challenge

It was my pleasure to present Awards to children who participated in Lane Cove Library’s Summer Reading Challenge. It is great to see Lane Cove locals invest in their reading from such a young age, particularly over the summer period. Congratulations to all involved.

Lunar New Year

One of the most popular events of the year is on in Lane Cove Plaza this month – our Lunar New Year celebrations. I encourage you to drop by on Friday 3 February from 4:00pm for an afternoon of insight and celebrations relating to the Year of the Rooster. The highlight of the afternoon will be the Chinese lion dance at around 6:00pm.

It’s time to Walk Around the World

I would like to encourage everyone in the Lane Cove community to register for this year’s Walk Around the World program. This fantastic initiative is not only a great opportunity to improve your health – it is also an opportunity to support a locally-born initiative. The program is flexible so you can register as an individual or a team – whatever will help motivate you to track your steps every day throughout the month of March. Keep an eye out for volunteers in the Plaza on weekends this February or head directly to the website to register today www. walkaroundtheworld.org.au.

M: 0422 174 730 E: dhutchens@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

Citizenship Awards reminder

Time is running out to nominate someone in the community for the annual Lane Cove Citizenship Awards. For more information or to complete an online nomination form, visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ lovewhereyoulive. Nominations close Monday 6 March 2017.

Council Merger update

Just days before the Christmas break, the Supreme Court-Court of Appeal delivered its long-awaited decision on Woollahra Council’s appeal.

Given the dismissal, Council is receiving legal advice on its appeal prospects and will determine via an Extraordinary Meeting on 13 February whether to continue with its appeal (currently scheduled for a Directions Hearing on 22 February). The latest information will be available on Council’s website.

1 Million Stars exhibition

The time has finally come to celebrate and reflect on the truly amazing effort of Lane Cove locals who have together woven over 10,000 stars as part of the global 1 Million Stars project. The stars will be on display as part of an Exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove this month before they then head on to form part of a 1 millionstar installation at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

P: 9929 9822 E: trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au P: 9817 4757 E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Australia day 2017 celebrations - Australia Day is an important day for all of us to reflect on the achievements of our nation. All four of the local Councils in the North Sydney electorate marked the day with special ceremonies and citizenship ceremonies.

This year I had the pleasure of welcoming new citizens at North Sydney Council’s event. This is always a highlight of my role as an MP and to see the individuals and families who have chosen to make Australia their home is a reminder of all the things that make our country special.

My congratulations go to all our new citizens, our local Citizens of the Year and residents whose work for our community and the nation was acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours List.

A very special birthday - Recently I had the immense privilege of attending the 111th birthday of a person who I suspect would go unchallenged as the Lower North Shore’s most senior resident. Ann Quan has been a resident in the Lane Cove municipality for almost 20 years and is still going strong. Ann’s family attributes her longevity to clean living at Bondi Beach earlier in her life and her strong Christian faith. It was a pleasure to meet Ann and present her with flowers and special congratulatory messages.

Lunar new year - We are blessed to live in one of the most multicultural communities and electorates in the nation. I want to wish those with Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese heritage all the very best for the Lunar New Year which commenced on Saturday, 28 January. This is the most important traditional holiday in many parts of our region and marks the first day of the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year 2017 begins the year of the Rooster (I am told that Roosters are hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented). Watch out for scams - Throughout the year many local residents contact me about scams. It’s important that we are aware of how to recognise, avoid and report scams as the level of sophistication involved is increasing with new technology. We have all had calls or emails claiming to be from our software providers, banks or even the ATO seeking access to our computers or money – they can sound very convincing.

‘Scamwatch’ is available to help you recognise a scam and avoid it where possible. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) works with consumer protection and other government agencies to promote awareness. 'The Little Black Book of Scams' is a pocket-sized guide to spotting, avoiding and reporting consumer fraud and scams. Copies are available from my office, please call 9929 9822.

Latest seniors guide available - Following my very successful North Sydney Seniors Expo in December 2016, my office now has available the latest Seniors Guide. This handy booklet has contact numbers for local services, government bodies, emergency service providers, community and volunteer groups as well as important information about the aged care pension, carer’s payments, concession and seniors health cards and vaccinations. If you would like a complimentary copy, please contact my office on 9929 9822.

I would like to wish you all a happy, prosperous and healthy 2017 and assure you that as your State Representative, I will be working hard to support you and ensure our community has a loud and strong voice.

As this summer nears its end, I want to voice my concerns about the inordinate numbers of drownings – children and adults alike - in NSW recently and my sympathies to the families and friends of the victims.

Although some of the drownings occurred in rivers and beaches, most children were victims in their own backyard pools.

That’s why I want to highlight the importance of safety guidelines around pools – having effective fencing, ensuring your child has swimming lessons, wears floaties and is under constant supervision.

Also, knowing how to perform CPR and having first aid skills is vital as this can and has saved lives. In that regard, I strongly urge you to contacting St John’s First Aid - 1300 360 455 or www.stjohnnsw.com.au - in order to learn or update your First Aid skills.

On brighter news, I am pleased to announce the recipients of the recent NSW Community Building Partnership Grants.

The Community Building Partnership program aims to create more vibrant and inclusive communities by supporting projects that encourage community participation, inclusion and cohesion, and deliver positive social, environmental, inclusive or recreational outcomes.

The $200,000 that our electorate of Lane Cove was allotted has been awarded to the following seven worthy recipients: ● Ryde Hunter’s Hill Community Transport Association was given funds to upgrade the parking depot for community transport vehicles. ● Hunter’s Hill Congregational Community Church was given funds to repair the front gable of their church. ● Concord and Ryde Sailing Club was given funds for a Rescue and Training Watercraft Replacement Project. ● Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney was given funds to further their restoration of the All Saint’s

Church Memorial Hall. ● Osborne Park Progress Association was given funds to complete their construction of a new tennis clubhouse. ● Greenwich Sailing Club was given funds to upgrade their men’s bathroom. ● The NSW branch of the Scouts Association of Australia was given funds to refurbish the kitchen, and upgrade the floor and security fence at Ryde Scout Group.

I encourage communities within my electorate to visit the Community Building Partnership website to learn more:

www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au

Again, I wish everyone in the Lane Cove electorate a safe and successful 2017 and pledge to work hard for every citizen of the electorate in my capacity as the Local Member, together with every citizen of NSW as a senior Minister.

Mayor of Hunters Hill P: 9817 7599 E: richardquinn@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

Australia Day - Another successful Australia Day ceremony was held at the Deckhouse Woolwich on 26 January. The ceremony included the conferral of citizenship for 11 residents of Hunters Hill and the announcement of our 2017 Community Awards. Congratulations to Hunters Hill Citizen of the Year, Andrew Curtin; Young Citizen of the Year, Patrick O’Farrell; Sportsperson of the Year, Nicholas Wilkinson; and Community Event of the Year, the Hunters Hill Historical Society’s Heritage Walk and Plaques launch.

Our Australia Day Ambassador was Dr Benjamin Law, who is an author and frequent contributor to Good Weekend, frankie and The Monthly. Dr Law has written for over 50 publications in Australia and worldwide. The television adaptation of The Family Law, which he wrote for SBS and Matchbox Pictures, was screened across Australia in early 2016.

Forced merger update - On 19 December, Council lodged our grounds for appeal to the Court of Appeal (CoA). The CoA advised a return date for the Government response to the appeal is 22 February. A hearing date will be set at that time, possibly in late April. Council’s solicitors are also examining the CoA decision on the Woollahra appeal, which was handed down on 22 December and Woollahra Council has subsequently sought leave to appeal to the High Court.

Ryde Hunters Hill Community Transport - I would like to encourage older and frail aged residents of our Municipality to use our wonderful local community transport service. If you are no longer driving, find public transport difficult to use, need help getting to medical appointments, shopping or just out and about, please telephone Ryde Hunters Hill Community Transport on 9816 5000. They can arrange to pick you up from your home and take you to where you need to go. They also have a regular program of social bus outings to interesting locations. The service provides caring, reliable transport and their drivers take extra time to make sure you are looked after. Last year the service celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Community Recycling Centres for Household Problem

Waste - Common household problem wastes that can’t be collected via council kerbside waste and recycling collection services include paint, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, motor and other oils, car batteries, household batteries, smoke detectors, and fluorescent globes and tubes. New and enhanced Community Recycling Centres (CRC) are being established across NSW and householders can drop off their problem wastes free of charge. One is due to open in Artarmon and the centres will be operated by local councils working in partnership with the EPA. Funding for the centres comes from the waste levy, as part of the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative. Stay up to date via

www.epa.nsw.gov.au/managewaste/comm-recycle-centres

Council is keen to hear your thoughts about CRCs. If you have a spare two minutes, please fill out the pre-launch survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSCRCpre to go in the draw to win a $50 Bunning's gift voucher.

Best wishes for the year ahead.

Can you spare some time to help someone locally?

Volunteer drivers needed

YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE.

We are currently looking for volunteer drivers for our Medical Transport Service to take older people to their medical appointments.

With a team of over 200 volunteers, Lane Cove & North Side Community Services provides a range of services to support over 500 older residents and people living with a disability living in our local community.