Kate Lamb

Some of you may have seen the article in the North Shore Times about our missing Scrub Turkey. I’m sure that like me, those of you who have seen the bird have marvelled at its boldness - going about its business in an urban environment - apparently unconcerned about the multiple risks all around. Sharing in this thrill is Phillipa who emailed me to say:

 “My children and I saw a turkey just up the road from Artarmon Library on Tuesday 8 July (1st week of the school holidays). It was between about 4 and 5pm.  We were so thrilled we took a photo. He/She was heading in the direction of Artarmon Road. “

Increasing biodiversity in the city is one of the higher level indicators of success in the application of the Special Rate Willoughby residents have been supporting since 2000. Known as e.restore, the levy has allowed Council to invest in a number of programs which strengthen our capacity to work towards a more sustainable future. We have implemented programs to save water, to rehabilitate and restore local bushland and creeks, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to help improve environmental standards of local businesses. Our local Sustainability Street Groups are supported by the levy as are the Enviro Grants which have enabled the city’s schools to establish eco gardens and waste management projects. The innovative and much appreciated Council Cab, as well as our suite of walking and cycling maps, have also been made possible through this levy.

You may have seen reports that Willoughby has recently received approval from the Local Government Department to continue this levy. Approval was given because we were able to provide evidence that there is support in our community for these programs. Even with this levy, Willoughby still has the second lowest rates on the North Shore - a record we are able to maintain with the support of Chatswood’s thriving commercial sector. The Civic Place development will complement and reinvigorate the commercial centre by providing a performing arts and cultural hub for the North Shore, bringing life into the city after hours.

Speaking of Civic Place – I was proud to read the following from Peter (Artarmon resident) who recently wrote to say:

“It is pleasing to note the Civic Centre construction is proceeding with very little environmental impact to the surrounding streets. Council should ensure this project remains an example to the community, State Government, developers and contractors of environmental impact minimisation during construction. Invariably, neat and tidy construction costs less. I'm not surprised Laing O'Rourke staff are saying the company has lost money on the Interchange project.”  

After the extraordinary disruption, dirt and noise we’ve been subjected to in the course of the station redevelopment, it’s good to see an end in sight. Council has resolved to issue a progressive “report card” regarding its performance against the stated objectives. I’m guessing there will be a very poor result on the interchange function!

Visit my blog: - www.katelamb.blogspot.com

Stuart Coppock

The biggest news locally since the last Gazette has to be that Council has approved Australia’s first accredited ‘5 green star’ mixed use technology park for the former ABC site on the Pacific Highway.  This is the second DA approved for this site, and is a much better outcome.  

Although the Officer’s recommendation was for refusal, interestingly, the Council vote was unanimous.  As one Councillor observed, the approval illustrated that the task of developing around environmental challenges means that Council’s planning instruments already need updating.

There were three issues in possible contention.  The first was that the application was 14% over in the permissible floor space ratio.  There was a request for car parking on the site in excess of the Council’s DCP and site coverage increased from 45% to 51%.  A State Planning Policy No 1 application allowed the Council to approve the DA if it thought the variances were reasonable and the application was in line with the planning requirements for the site.

The application had four buildings housing multi-level light industrial units, sporting facilities, office/research & development, pool and fitness centre retail and motor show rooms. The pool and fitness centre and open plaza will front onto Campbell St. The sporting facilities will be at the TAFE end of the site fronting the Highway and will have its own entrance with 79 car spaces.  These facilities will be handed over to Willoughby Council and consist of community facilities, indoor soccer, and a multi purpose centre suitable for basketball, volleyball, badminton, netball and tennis. The multi purpose centre may be available for weekend meetings given the car parking available. One of the consent conditions introduced by Council is the use of the parking facilities on the site for weekend sport parking (such as netball parents) with a shuttle bus being provided to the play site.

Additionally, this DA had lower maximum heights, double the retail space, a 25 metre swimming pool and gymnasium (to be run privately), and two shuttle buses from St Leonards to the site.  Employment positions to be generated on the site are 4347 compared to 3703 in the former DA.

The new development has a 5 star ABGR rating. A co-generation plant will save 8104 tonnes of CO2 per annum and solar hot water will save another 191.6 tonnes per annum. This total CO2 saving equates to approximately 2796 cars removed from the roads annually.

There are also nearly four times as many bike racks.  Rainwater harvesting will be 720 kilolitres per annum. Potable water saved per annum is will be 95.3 million litres, equivalent to 38 Olympic swimming pools.

A combination of initiatives will see only 22.5% of the workforce travel by car – one of the lowest journey to work ratios in Australia. Drive to work ratios elsewhere are: St Leonards 51%, St Leonards Rail Precinct 48%, St Leonards & Artarmon Hwy Precinct 63%, Artarmon West 59%, Artarmon East 69%.

Personal thank you This will be my last contribution to the Gazette as a Councillor in this term.  The Council elections are only a matter of weeks away.  I would like to express my personal appreciation to the editorial staff of the Gazette.  The task requires hard work and dedication and is a community service which everyone I have contact with appreciates and values.  Well done to all concerned.

As an elected Councillor for Naremburn Ward which includes Artarmon it has been an enormous privilege to be an elected representative.  It is a humbling task and at the same time it is an honour to represent such a wonderful vibrant community.  I thank you for the experience.

stuart.coppock@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Barry Thompson

With local government elections fast approaching, I decided to review the last four and a half years to reassure myself that I had achieved and/or materially assisted some worthwhile outcomes and delivered on my election platform. I share that review with you below, first concentrating on outcomes that are specific to Artarmon:

• Supported the 99 year-leasing of the underutilised Reserve Rd Works Depot. $50M+ realisation was double expectations. The bulky goods retail development currently under construction will further enliven the area on weekends. Advocated for proceeds to be reinvested in local property for income and strategic benefit to future generations (one such property purchased)
• Supported new childcare establishments in Artarmon and elsewhere and also called on the Federal government to monitor supply/demand for places in a manner that is meaningful to Local Government **
• Joined and assisted the fledgling Artarmon-St Leonards Chamber of Commerce
• Conceived and assisted the organisation of an Owners’ Corporation Forum and subsequent Apartment Dwellers’ Forum – to become a regular communication mechanism with Council about issues specific to apartment dwellers **
• Moved to establish a ‘Council-cab’ trial as a first step towards a local public transport initiative **
• Advocated successfully for conversion of the shuttle bus commitment for the ABC site redevelopment to a Council-operated service and moved to establish a self-funded two-bus trial from mid-2009 **
• Strongly supported the revised development for the ABC site – as more suitable to the iconic nature of the site; for its increased creation of high-paying jobs; for its voluntary provision of much-needed sport/recreation facilities; and for its planned reliance on public and active transport for workers. **

The aforementioned achievements may appear biased towards the industrial area of our suburb. I believe the upgrading achieved will increase the amenity of ALL of Artarmon, with that increased amenity being recognised both physically and financially.

More general achievements include:

• Detailed review of development steps towards Civic Place, particularly in relation to energy and project execution issues. I am comfortable that the project enters construction in good shape to be completed on budget by July 2011
• Advocated review and expansion of the Recreation/Sports Plan and for the return of the Leisure Centre to Council management **
• Moved to set up a ‘P&C equivalent’ community group to agitate for the reestablishment of a primary school in Naremburn. Working Group now active
• Made specific recommendations on measures to make large developments more sustainable (eg. cogeneration at Willoughby Leisure Centre, pre-investment for renewable power generation at Civic Place)
• Advocated early and persistently for expansion of e-restore program to address climate change challenges and for commensurate funding
• Chaired committee that implemented ward inspection process for assessing contested DA’s and that introduced combined standing committee meetings. Both measures were intended to allow full Council to give more attention to policy issues
• Advocated full restoration of the Walter Burley Griffin designed Incinerator in Bicentennial Park and its use as a community facility. Restoration is underway, assisted by grant funding.

In listing these activities, I have concentrated on those where I believe I took an early position, either independently or in concert with Council officers. I am heartened to note that my colleagues have very often added their strong support to these initiatives.

Despite considerable achievements and a very successful Council, much more needs to be done. I seek your vote on September 13 to continue working for the benefit of our city and for Artarmon in particular.

** Activities marked with asterisks are associated with specific undertakings given in my flyer prior to the March 2003 elections

As always, contact me at barry.thompson@willoughby.nsw.gov.au, or on 9412 1596 (phone/fax)