16 minute read
Government
What’s On:
Lane Cove
JULY
Exhibition: Blak Mirror: Thursday 6 July - Sunday 30 July, Gallery Lane Cove, Upper Level 164 Longueville Rd,
Opening during NAIDOC Week, Blak Mirror is an exhibition featuring emerging, early career, regional, local and interstate multidisciplinary artists reflecting their view of Australian society through a black lens. The artists’ works gaze into the eyes of non-Aboriginal people and reflect the current realities of being Aboriginal today, whilst holding a mirror up to Australian society. For exhibition opening hours visit www.gallerylanecove.com.au.
LANE COVE LIBRARY
All events are free. Call 9911 3634 to book.
Social Media Workshops @ Lane Cove
Library: Thursday 13 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm or Tuesday 18 July, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. In the first of this three part series, learn the basics of Facebook, Twitter and Flickr as part of Tech Savvy Seniors program. If Aprons Could Talk @ Lane Cove Library: Friday 14 July, 10:30am – 11:30am. A fascinating show and tell session about the role of women’s aprons. Avid aproncollector Helen Burgin will be displaying her collection and discussing the history and use of the humble apron. Poetry Writing Workshop @ Lane Cove Library: Thursday 20 July, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Julie Chevalier writes poems and short stories. Her second collection, Darger: his girls was awarded the Alec Bolton prize and short listed for the W. A Premier’s Prize.
Thursday Tunes @ Lane Cove Library – The Savoy
Operas: Thursday 27 July, 10:30am – 12:00pm. Local musician Graham Ball presents a tribute to W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Conversation with an Author @ Lane Cove Library –
Vicki & Alisa Bryce: Friday 28 July, 10:30am – 11:30am. Local authors Vicki & Alisa Bryce will share stories and advice from their book Hatch & Dispatch: Tales and advice from a midwife. This book provides practical advice to expecting mums through stories from the delivery suite. Book Launch @ Lane Cove Library – Jagged Edge of Joy by Liz Newton: Monday 31 July, 6:15pm – 7:30pm. Local author Liz Newton will discuss & launch her new novel Jagged Edge of Joy, which centres round the disappearance of a child and its emotional impact on the family; filled with twists and turns, readers will be captivated.
BUSHCARE
Greendale Park Planting Day: Saturday 15 July, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Greendale Park, meet at end of St Giles Ave, Greenwich. Join Greendale Park Bushcare in restoring the sheltered forests of Berrys Creek by planting native shrubs and grasses. Wear suitable gardening clothes and sturdy shoes. Afternoon tea provided. Bookings required on 9911 3583 or www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/bushcareevents National Tree Day: Sunday 30 July, 9:00am – 11:00am, Burns Bay Reserve, end of Kooyong Rd Riverview (opposite end to boat ramp). Support local wildlife by helping to plant hundreds of native shrubs and groundcovers at this community tree planting day! Bring the family and enjoy the outdoors, with a free sausage sizzle and take-home seedling for all tree-planters. For more information and to RSVP: www.treeday.planetark.org/site/10014603
ROAD SAFETY
Child Car Seat Safety Checks: Saturday 29 July, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Lane Cove Civic Centre Car Park. Make sure your child is safe with this free inspection by Authorised Restraint Fitters. You can have your child car seats, harnesses and booster seats checked for safety and fit. Bookings: Council’s Road Safety Officer on 9911 3576
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS
Shopping Rights: Wednesday 19 July, 10:30am - 12:00pm, Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Rd. The Department of Fair Trading NSW will provide you with information on your rights and responsibilities. Topics covered include: your shopping rights; shopping refunds; guarantees and warranties; lay-by agreements; contracts; resolving issues and lodging complaints. To make a booking call 9911 3591 or email agrant@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
For more details on these events visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au or call Lane Cove Council on 9911 3555.
A Message from the Mayor of Lane Cove Councillor Deborah Hutchens
Each month when I think about what has been happening or is about to happen in Lane Cove, I am impressed by not only the range but also the standard of activities and events. No matter whether they are presented by community groups made up of volunteers or by Council, there is always such a variety for each of us to participate in. It is what essentially makes Lane Cove a great place to live.
Inaugural Garden Competition
2017 - I would like to encourage all green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts to get digging ahead of Lane Cove’s brand new Garden Competition. Entries will open in August with judging taking place in September. There will be several categories including formal garden, community garden, native/edible/sustainable garden and balcony/small garden. First place and runner-up prizes will be awarded in each category.
Full details will be available on Council’s website from mid July: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au
Rosenthal project - This
September, work is scheduled to commence on the highly anticipated Rosenthal project. The project involves transforming the existing car park into a 500-space underground carpark, with Coles and Aldi as supermarket tenants located on the lower ground floor. A new community open space on top will complement the new structure, to include play and picnic areas, an outdoor stage and on grade connections to the existing arcades and Plaza. The development will take approximately 2.5 years to complete.
Onsite signage, a dedicated Project website and hotline will be available in August to assist the community to know what stage the development is at. In the meantime, information is available at
Last month in this column I mentioned that a new Fire and Emergency Services Levy would be introduced in July, with the levy being collected via the Council rate process. The State Government has deferred the introduction of the Levy pending a review.
Little Blue Dinosaur initiative
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Michelle and David McLaughlin, founders of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation. The Foundation was established in memory of their son Thomas (Tom) and is dedicated to increasing pedestrian safety awareness in educating young children and their parents about road safety, especially around schools, playgrounds, parks and childcare centres. Council will be rolling out some Little Blue Dinosaur ‘Hold My Hand’ signage in the coming months. This is a wonderful initiative and is strongly supported by other municipalities and the NSW State Government.
Captured Photography evening
As in previous years, this year’s Captured Photography award winners highlight the diversity and beauty of Lane Cove. The winners of this year’s theme ‘Love Where You Play’ were Luke Torrevillas (18 years and older category); Timothy Dalton (12 – 18 years category); and Leo Schmid (under 12 years category). Congratulations to all of the winners and everyone who entered photos into the competition. Council uses many of the images in its publications, so expect to see some captured images in Council publications over the next 12 months.
NAIDOC Week event – Blak
Mirror exhibition - As part of
celebrating NAIDOC week, Gallery Lane Cove will be hosting the Blak Mirror exhibition from Thursday 6th to Sunday 30th July. The exhibition features emerging, early career, regional, local and interstate multidisciplinary artist. The artists reflect their view of Australian society through a black lens. Further detail is available by visiting
www.gallerylanecove.nsw.gov.au
Lane Cove Art Exhibition - An
exciting event coming up in August and a highlight of the Lane Cove Festival for both artists and viewers is the annual Lane Cove Art Exhibition. If you are an artist, this is the time to think about putting an entry into the exhibition. Entries are now open and close on 20 July with total prize money of $7,750. For more information, go to
www.lanecoveartsociety.com.au
Also on the art front, calls are currently out for the Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Award. This national art award is open to artists and residents of Australia aged 18-30 years of age. The main prize is an acquisitive prize of $5000. Applications close 6th August 2017.
M: 0422 174 730 E: dhutchens@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
Local Government elections 2017
Lane Cove residents are reminded that a Local Government election is required to be held in 2017 and the date for the election is September 9th 2017. Information for potential candidates will be available on the Council website in late July and information regarding polling places and times will be available in August 2017.
Schools Environment Forum
To celebrate World Environment Day, Council hosted a Lane Cove Hunters Hill Green Schools Network Forum in the Council Chambers on Friday 16th June. Five schools in our area attended including St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Lane Cove West Public School, Saint Ignatius' College, Villa Maria Catholic Primary School and Currambena Primary School.
This was such an exciting day to engage with young people in global environmental issues and I want to thank and congratulate all the students and teachers who participated.
The United Nations World Environment Day encourages worldwide awareness about how we can all make a difference in reducing our impact on the earth and protecting our precious environment. The theme for 2017 is Connecting people to nature, and students demonstrated this through preparing a presentation on a nominated United Nations country and looking at the impacts of pollution in their chosen countries.
New basketball court - Council has
recently completed works at the Lane Cove North Tennis Court (cnr Helen Street and Norton Lane). The area around the existing tennis court has been upgraded and a new basketball post and backboard hoop has been added, providing a new venue for use by the whole community.
Mayor of Hunters Hill P: 9817 7599 E: richardquinn@huntershill.nsw.gov.au P: 9817 4757 E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Local Council elections
The NSW Government has announced that elections will occur on 9th September for Hunters Hill Council and other local government areas that did not have elections in 2016.
If you have moved recently, make sure your details are updated on the electoral roll. Voting in local government elections is compulsory. If you are interested in standing for election as a Councillor, Hunters Hill Council will be holding a candidate seminar on 19 July. Further details are available on Council’s website.
In conjunction with the Council elections, Hunters Hill Council intends to ask a poll question regarding support for the proposed amalgamation of Hunters Hill Council with Lane Cove Council and the City of Ryde Council.
Contaminated site at Nelson Parade
September 2016 marked the eighth anniversary of the 2008 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry completed by the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5, titled ‘The Former Uranium Smelter Site at Hunters Hill’.
The Inquiry Report made twelve recommendations relating to investigating and addressing remaining issues from the activities of the Radium Hill Company on properties at Nelson Parade, Hunters Hill. Some of the recommendations related to the treatment of private and public property in and around the site of the former uranium processing plant. 2016 also marked the 50th anniversary since contaminated material was found on the site.
In its March 2009 response to the recommendations of the Inquiry, in addition to supporting recommendations related to the remediation of three Government properties at Nelson Parade and foreshore areas, the NSW Government agreed to undertake a range of survey and test work and related remediation work on the surrounding private properties and public domain.
However since 2009, successive NSW Governments (including the current Government) have done little to address and resolve this serious ongoing environmental issue. Following a request from affected residents, Hunters Hill Council is taking the matter further, triggering a formal procedure under the relevant legislation that enables legal action to be taken by individuals or organisations to ensure that this issue is finalised after so many years.
Improved bus services for Hunters Hill
New routes and additional bus services were introduced from 4th June. • ROUTE 252 extends between North Sydney and Gladesville via Linley Point and Hunters Hill. Over 60 additional weekly trips have also been introduced on Route 252, with buses every 30 minutes in the evening and on Sundays. • ROUTE 506 has an additional 30 trips a week improving access from Hunters Hill to both the CBD and Macquarie University. • ROUTE 518 has an additional 50 trips per week, improving access between Gladesville and the CBD and Macquarie University. Other routes along Victoria Road have additional trips. A new Route 530 also runs between Chatswood and Burwood via the Hunters Hill overpass.
It is always an honour that I take very seriously to represent the wonderful people who live in the electorate of Lane Cove.
It’s often a daunting task. My aim is to represent you in the best possible way and to advocate as strongly as possible for the facilities that make this area so liveable.
One of the great pleasures is moments like this when I can announce that Greenwich Public School will receive funding for major upgrades provided through this year’s NSW Government Budget.
The NSW Government is working hard to provide high-quality education facilities for students and their communities now and into the future.
As the Local Member, and a proud member of this community, I am so pleased to be able to announce that the NSW Government is delivering these much-needed resources for the education of our children.
The funding will see the Greenwich Public School expand significantly, with new permanent teaching spaces and greatly improved facilities to help meet enrolment growth in the local area.
Early planning and consultation will begin in the coming months on the scope of works for the new school project. Final funding for the project will be confirmed after the tender process for works has been completed.
This project is part of the NSW Government’s record commitment to education across the state, which will see a record $4.2 billion invested into new and existing school projects over the next four years, including $2.2 billion worth of new projects commencing in the next two years.
I want to personally thank parents of the school, past and present, as well as local educators and our community for their successful lobbying to achieve this tremendous outcome. It will make teachers and students of Greenwich Public School truly proud and provide the resources they need to succeed in the 21st century.
I look forward to visiting Greenwich Public School for the official announcement in the next couple of weeks.
More details can be found on the new School Infrastructure NSW website at: schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au
P: 9929 9822 E: trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au
School funding reforms pass Federal Parliament
In the Federal budget, the government announced important changes to the way in which schools across Australia are funded - our Gonski 2.0 reforms.
The government supports the Gonski model of needs based funding and these reforms are designed to ensure a fair, transparent and consistent funding model. They will replace the 27 separate agreements put in place by the Gillard government which saw students with the same needs treated differently depending on what state or territory they lived in.
The reforms will be backed by an estimated additional $23.5 billion in Federal funding over the next ten years.
Parents of Catholic schools have raised issues with me about what the reforms mean for the Catholic education system. I support strong government and non-government school sectors and I have met with parents and principals to discuss their concerns.
In conjunction with other local federal MPs, we argued for changes to the reforms to confirm the right of systemic school systems to allocate funds according to their own assessment of needs. The legislation has been changed to make clear that this will continue.
Similarly, concerns were raised about the SES system of determining the capacity of school communities to contribute. This will now be reviewed over the next 12 months. Overall, funding for Catholic schools in NSW will increase by 3.8 per cent each year for the next four years. Funding for government and other non-government schools will also increase.
Turnbull Government welcomes Finkel Review
The government has welcomed the release of the final report of the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market, chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel.
The Finkel Review was commissioned at a meeting of the COAG Energy Council in October 2016.
In commissioning the report, COAG Energy Ministers agreed that their primary responsibility is to ensure the security, reliability and affordability of the energy system for all Australians. The final report contains 50 recommendations and is intended to provide a blueprint for the once-in-a-century transformation currently taking placing in Australia’s energy system. The report is focussed on four key outcomes: increased security, future reliability, making sure consumers are better off and meeting our international emission targets.
The government will now carefully consider the recommendations of Dr Finkel’s final report, with a priority to ensure an affordable and reliable energy system as we honour our international agreements: putting Australian jobs and consumers first.
Nominations for the North Sydney Community Awards
To recognise the work of our local volunteers, the 2017 North Sydney Community Awards will be held in midSeptember.
If you would like to nominate a local volunteer for the Awards, nomination forms can be provided by my office. Call 9929 9822 or email trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au Nominees should live or work in the North Sydney electorate.
Family Law in a multicultural context
No doubt about it, we’re a multicultural nation. To prove the point, Australia was recently ranked as the second most multicultural nation in the world (after Luxembourg). Almost 50% of Australia’s population was either born overseas or has a parent who was born abroad.
But how has this cultural diversity affected marriage, separation and divorce in Australia?
It is a question that affects many Australians as almost half of marriages involve at least one spouse born overseas. And about 70% of immigrants to Australia marry outside their own ethnic group, thus contributing to the ethnic melting pot which is Australia.
There is no doubt that many multi-ethnic marriages are strengthened and enriched by the interest and respect each partner takes in their spouses’ culture, together with their commitment to raise their children with knowledge and involvement in both party’s culture, language and traditions.
But marrying someone outside your culture can bring some additional challenges and tensions. And when such marriages fail, there can be extra problems in working out a settlement and resolution.
Divorce is a taboo subject in many cultures, and cultural values will play a role in the decisions people make and how they make them. Usually, in stressful situations, an individual will revert to the values and behaviours influenced by their culture.
The Family Law Act does have something to say on cultural issues. That is that children, following a separation, have a right to enjoy and participate in the culture and communities of both their parents. This is a factor which needs to be taken into account in working out parenting arrangements.
Sometimes, where a man or woman belong to a culture which considers that a divorce reflects badly on their reputation and/ or that of the extended family, they may become convinced that they need to do whatever they can to ‘rescue the reputation of the family’ and to ‘save face’.
Much will also depend on who is influencing their decisions at the time of brokering the divorce. If for example they have a sense of obligation to the matriarch or patriarch of their family, then it is also important to consider what their cultural values might be. Whilst some may see it best to salvage the marriage at all costs, others may see a prompt end to it as the best resolution for everyone.
The lesson for lawyers, mediators and judges is that it is important to be informed, and have sensitivity to, the various cultural issues which the parties bring to their separation. This can be of great benefit in assisting the parties to a good resolution of their family law disputes, for themselves and their children.
FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST Andrew Corish. Corish & Co Specialist Family Lawyers, North Sydney.
