Community News: December 2017

December 17, 2017 - January 13, 2018: Issue 342

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 342: 

Palm Beach Walkway and Landscape Plans Misses A Few Consult, Coastal Study and Historic Storm Marks - Boardwalk Wipeout

Pictures: Pittwater’s 2017: a few of the articles run along with the images from these.

The Rise Of The Cruising Season: A Look At Some Early Australian sailers and Local Visitor Beauties

Aquatics: Frantic Double Back For Club Marine Pittwater To Paradise Regatta by Lisa Ratcliff

Dolls - No 4 In: Really Bad Poetry For Children

Park Bench Philosopher Invitation To Come Play Summer Will Leave Mona Vale Public School Accessible To All

Surf Life Saving Australia’s 2017 National Coastal Safety Report

Windsor Bridge: Planned Destruction Of Historic Link With A Pittwater Connection -  Upper House Parliamentary Inquiry into Windsor Bridge replacement program accepting submissions until January 28th

Christmas Cheers From The Critters by Lynleigh Greig

The 2017 Sydney to Hobart: Classics, Supermaxis, an All Women Crew and an Invictus Games 2018 Prelude, the Ashes on Water Test + Some Pittwater Sailors

2017 Reprises (Readers Requests); Avalon Beach North Headland Indian Face 'Falls': An Everchanging Coastline

Pittwater Ocean Swim Series 2017-2018: Newport January 7th, Avalon January 14th, Mona Vale January 21st, The Big Swim January 28th

Profile: Lisa Ratcliff On Course Communications The lady whose sailing articles features every week in specialist sailing magazines, as well as here, in her own hometown news service, has been nominated for sailing awards for her work multiple times and won the 2007 Yachting Australia media award. 

The proprietor of On Course Communications (OCC)Lisa is a Freelance event manager and event journalist/PR professional specialised in covering sailing events and classes in Australia and internationally. Lisa Ratcliff is industry recognised and has been awarded for her work covering most of the major Australian regattas and races including the Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race, Hamilton Island Race Week and World Sailing Series, as well as covering three world championships in different classes.

With over 20 years experience in sailing journalism you could say that saltwater is in her blood - so much so that this year she's sailing the Sydney to Hobart, the legendary race her pen has brought you details of through years past  - which is a whole other side of a mainsheet!

This week, that lady who brings you your sailing news every week takes the final turn for 2017 as a Pittwater Online News Profile of the Week.

History:  Pittwater Fishermen: The Sly Family Narrabeen Exploits and Manly Community Contributors - men and women of this family made massive contributions to our area, even if they had a fracas or two

Artist of the Month: December 2017 - January 2018  Robyn McWilliam's Malevolent Desire - Published by Rob McWilliam on Amazon also available as an e-book. Reviewed by:  Pippa Kay; If you are looking for a fast-paced read this book is for you. The reader is drawn into the suspense because the author makes us care about the characters, despite their flaws. Sanderson, the hard-drinking detective, loses his best friend and colleague and blames himself. Initially he doesn’t get on with his new side-kick, Fyurk. Jill, the academic, with her insecurities, is sympathetically drawn, and the victim’s friends and fellow students are an interesting but credible group of university students. Chapter.1 Sample and More available here

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 2/1/2018 

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Pittwater’s Heritage

December 16, 2017
I was amazed again this afternoon as I was at Hilltop Rd Clareville to check out the bottle recycling contact at Hilltop Shops. As I pulled in I noticed 4-5 people around a tree. They were obviously Aboriginal Australians and were carrying bowls of collected bush food, long sticks and carved hard wood noise sticks that make a beautiful note when hit together. I approached and said g'day and was told that they were blessing some particular trees that had been rediscovered by a local woman jogging past that knew their significance. 

This particular image shows a tree in the frontyard of a house that is possibly a 200 yr old template of a canoe that would have taken about 6 men to cut the bark/timber out then bend it into a canoe shape to be able to stand upright and paddle in Pittwater near Clareville! I have seen 3 of them. They told me that Hilltop rd ridgeline was a known burial area.
There are many reserves and locations in the Peninsula area that have cultural significance to the local indigenous Aboriginal tribes. Burial grounds, middens, natural caves, rock carvings, etc. they all make up another element in the heritage of the area. If we do not act to uphold the status of these and other elements in Pittwater then they will be lost for all time to the forces within the new local government that would and are acting on regulations that suppress Environmental planning laws set up over many years by responsible caring members of our community in Pittwater. 

The reason that Pittwater seceded from Warringah years ago is still the same. They are Warringah, we are Pittwater. We like low buildings and historically significant areas, they want high rise. We need less population, they want more. Central Road in Avalon is a beautiful tree lined laneway which is suffering a constant onslaught from developers that are trying to punch in corporate multi level structures. Avalon is not a place for high rise apartments or aged care complexes with all of the associated chaos that ensues.

A Concerned Resident.

Mona Vale Performance Space: Expression Of Interest For Committee Members

NBC are inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified community members for the membership of the Advisory Committee for the Mona Vale Performance Space Project.

The purpose of the Committee is to assist council in an advisory role for the purposes of developing a feasibility study and detailed business case, including a business plan for the construction and operation of the project to ensure the project’s viability.

The community members are required to have specialist skills in the development of new government infrastructure and/or community projects. Knowledge of performance venues, the performing arts, car parks and commercial retail development is highly desirable.

A community engagement strategy will be developed with the Committee to facilitate, engage and enable communication between the community and stakeholders, with an interest in the development and for the use of the performance space, with the NBC and the Department of Education and Training (DET).

The Committee will meet approximately four times a year.

For more information please view:
The Charter and Terms of Reference (automatically downloads PDF: 333.96kb)
For queries please contact Governance on 1300 434 434 or email:

Committee nominations close Wednesday 24 January 2018

NBC Information on:
Stage 1 - Development of Feasibility Study and Business Case

The objectives for Stage 1 of the project include:
  • To develop a feasibility study for the proposed Mona Vale Performance Space to test the viability and achievability of the proposed project.
  • To develop a business case for the proposed Mona Vale Performance Space in order to understand the potential cost for construction and future management and operation of the project.
  • To initiate a charitable trust that can receive donations for the construction of the centre.
  • To actively engage with the community to gauge and garner their support and buy-in for the project.
  • To understand costs of the operation and lifecycle of the venue for the future.
  • To determine the most suitable location for the Performance Space.
Background
The Art, Culture and Heritage Strategic Reference Group Directions Paper (April 2017) identified the community's desire to have a musical performance space in the Northern Beaches community and a Social Plan was developed to further this idea.

Concept plans for an auditorium were developed as part of a civic and cultural precinct in the Mona Vale Place Plan and further to this plan, the opportunity has arisen for a potential site at the Mona Vale Public School. This concept was originally proposed around 2014 and now has gained further support from various stakeholders including the Department of Education and Training (DET) that have offered school land at the corner of Bungan and Waratah Streets, Mona Vale.

Currently a high level project scope for the community performance space includes -
  • an auditorium 600 – 1000 seats
  • stage size for concert orchestra 15m x 10m
  • warm up and rehearsal spaces
  • technical attributes – low tech
  • funding approximately $20M
  • potential retail/ commercial use
  • underground carpark

Zonta NB And Avalon Quilters Gifts

December 16, 2017: Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Inc. 
An email received today from Kenya where our Club sponsors a school student. Avalon Quilters made these beautiful quilts.

Dear Zonta Ladies and Avalon Quilters
Today I had the privilege of presenting each of our sponsored secondary school leavers with your quilts. All are very thankful for your gift and kind wishes.

They see results next week. Then we will know whether their hopes of becoming an Aeronautical Engineer, journalist, scientist and a Pilot respectively will be achievable.

Sincere thanks
And Happy Christmas

Newport Residents Association Christmas Meet

Newport Residents Association invites all Newport residents & friends to
Join us on Tuesday 19th December 7.00pm Newport Community Hall

The next meeting of the Newport Residents Association will be our Christmas get-together on Tuesday 19th December 2017 at the
Newport Community Hall (The Boulevarde, next to the Bowling Club) at 7.00pm. There will be no formal meeting, just an opportunity to
celebrate an active year and enjoy each other’s company.

Drinks and nibbles will be supplied by NRA members.
All members of the Newport community will be most welcome and we encourage you to attend.

For further information on the NRA, including joining for $20 per person (or only $25 per family, through to June 2018) please go to our website:www.newport.org.au

Environment Good Bad Ugly 2017

The Good: The continued program followed by Volunteers in Pittwater to maintain and restore local Bush Reserves.

The Bad: The plan to do Seismic Testing during Whale Migrations North and South by a W.A. Mining Company.

The Ugly: The polluting of the Caley Wetlands by Adani from its Abbott Point facility and the continued Australian Government support of the world's most unpopular proposed coal mine in the Galilee Basin, including pushing around the traditional owners of these sacred lands through changing laws to facilitate this, robbing local farmers of needed water to be put to Adani's use and discussing granting a billion dollar loan to help Adani destroy another part of this place.

The Ugly Too: read below - the NSW Dept. of Planning has plans to move local bush reserves out from council custodianship and under their jurisdiction per 'Ministerial Directions'; to 'give priority to retaining bushland unless significant environmental, economic, or social benefits arise which outweigh the value of the bushland. '

State Environmental Planning Controls(Draft Environment SEPP):Urban Bushland

The Berejiklian government has just announced changes that propose to repeal and replace the following State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) with a single Environment SEPP:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19—Bushland in Urban Areas - [Manly, Warringah, Pittwater; pages 23 to 32]
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50—Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2—Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20—Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997) [*Pittwater and Warringah]
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1—World Heritage Property.

Aimed at reducing 'red tape' and 'streamlining' NSW's planning system, some changes are commended such as protecting Sydney Harbour's natural assets by prohibiting new canal estates.

However other changes will enable development in sensitive areas that are currently protected.

Designed to marry up with other planning instruments, such as the controversial Biodiversity Act 2016, the changes also give greater effect to Ministerial Directions.

The changes also propose to revise the term ‘bushland zoned or reserved for public open space purposes’ to ‘public bushland’. This includes all land that is zoned non-rural, and owned or managed by a council or a public authority, or reserved for acquisition for open space or environmental conservation by a council or a public authority, and that has vegetation which meets a clear definition of bushland.

From • Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB):
State Environmental Planning Policy No 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP 19)
  • The majority of the provisions of SEPP 19 will be transferred to SEPP (Environment). These provisions will be updated and some will be transferred to a Ministerial Direction.
  • Update council names to reflect recent council amalgamations and boundary changes.
  • Extend its land application to cover local government areas that are currently partly outside the application of SEPP 19 including parts of Hawkesbury and Central Coast local government areas.
  • Transfer plan making provisions in SEPP 19 to a Ministerial Direction.
  • A new circular on Urban Bushland is being finalised for consultation. It has been developed to provide further information and detail regarding the application of SEPP 19. This circular will replace planning Circulars No. B13 and No. 114. 
Creating a new Ministerial Direction – Urban Bushland
SEPP 19 contains provisions for the preparation of local environmental plans in clause 10. The clause ensures that when a council is drafting local environmental plan provisions for any land to which SEPP 19 applies, other than rural land, it considers the general and specific aims of the SEPP, and gives priority to retaining bushland unless significant environmental, economic, or social benefits arise which outweigh the value of the bushland. This should be transferred to a
new Ministerial Direction as it is the appropriate mechanism to guide plan making. No current direction adequately covers urban bushland in the same way. Urban bushland exists across many different zones, therefore Ministerial Direction 2.1 – Environmental Protection Zones, is not appropriate to address public urban bushland of the type protected by SEPP 19.

The new Ministerial Direction is intended to function largely the same way as clause 10 of SEPP 19. As currently, the direction will apply when a planning authority is preparing a planning proposal for land to which the Urban Bushland provisions of SEPP (Environment) apply.

Critically the current SEPP (no 19) SEPP 19 extends 'beyond the protection of environmental values of bushland by identifying 'the need to protect the aesthetic and community values as well as the recreational, educational and scientific values of this resource'.

The proposed SEPP also enables the Roads and Maritime Services, to undertake the subdivision of foreshore lands in order ‘to lawfully reclaim Sydney Harbour land’ and redefine the ‘heads of consideration for consent authorities when assessing Development Applications on Foreshore lands.

The changes also include amending the aim of the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan that ensures Sydney is a ‘working harbour’ to enable a range of recreational, transport, tourism and commercial uses. Greater flexibility to 'mooring pens' is also proposed, which are currently prohibited.

Other changes include transferring heritage provisions to the relevant local environmental plan, thereby reducing the protection of heritage assets.

In addition, concerns have been flagged that moving the prohibition of extractive industries in parts of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment to the SEPP for Mining, Petroleum and Extractive Industries - and moving the Sydney Opera House provisions in the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan to SEPP (State Significant Precincts) effectively reduces the current protections.

The changes are on exhibition for public comment until the 15 January*.

_______________________
*page 26:
Provisions to be updated and moved to Ministerial Directions
Provisions within the Hawkesbury Nepean Regional Environmental Plan related to local plan making will be updated and are to be moved to a new Ministerial Direction.

The following current provisions contain plan making guidance suited to a Ministerial Direction:
• Clause 3 ‘Aim of This Plan’
• Part 2 ‘General Planning Considerations, Specific Planning Policies and Recommended Strategies’
• Clause 6(3) ‘Water Quality’
• Clause 6(10) (a) ‘Urban Development’ - rezoning or subdivision of land
• Clause 6(11) ‘Recreation and Tourism’.

Other aspects of Clause 6, such as water quality, total catchment management, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive
areas will be transferred to the proposed new SEPP.

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 31 January 2018 (NB changed date for submissions/feedback)
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

Draft Environment SEPP

October 31, 2017: NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment
• Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB)
The Explanation of Intended Effect for the Environment SEPP is on exhibition from 31 October 2017 until the 15 January 2018.
 
The NSW government has been working towards developing a new State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) for the protection and management of our natural environment. These areas are important to communities in delivering opportunities for physical health, economic security and cultural identity.
 
This consolidated SEPP proposes to simplify the planning rules for a number of water catchments, waterways, urban bushland, and Willandra Lakes World Heritage Property. These environmental policies will be accessible in one location, and updated to reflect changes that have occurred since the creation of the original policies.
 
The Department of Planning and Environment is seeking your feedback on the proposed SEPP to update and improve the planning framework in regards to these environmental issues. This is discussed in the Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) for the proposed Environment SEPP.
 
Changes proposed include consolidating the following seven existing SEPPs:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50 – Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2 – Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20 – Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997)
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1 – World Heritage Property.
 
Changes are also proposed to the Standard Instrument – Principal Local Environmental Plan. Some provisions of the existing policies will be transferred to new Section 117 Local Planning Directions where appropriate.
 
The EIE outlines changes to occur, implementation details, and the intended outcome. It considers the existing SEPPs proposed to be repealed and explains why certain provisions will be transferred directly to the new SEPP, amended and transferred, or repealed due to overlaps with other areas of the NSW planning system.
 
 

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 31 January 2018

We welcome your feedback on the Explanation of Intended Effect and encourage you to have your say.
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

DoggieRescue.com

Pet of the Week

Cessna

AGE/SEX: 3 years / F
BREED: Bull Terrier X Kelpie

Cessna is a beautiful gentle girl. She gets excited to walk and walks nicely on loose lead. She ignores cars and other dogs and walks at good pace. She enjoys being patted by volunteers and sits on command. She has a short coat and weighs 15.4kg. She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. Her adoption cost is $450.

For further details or to meet all dogs at DoggieRescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 

Central Coast Makes Big Progress In First Year Of Regional Plan

15.12.2017: Ministerial Media Release - The Hon. Anthony Roberts, Minister for Planning and Housing
Big gains in housing and job opportunities are the highlights of the first Central Coast Regional Plan 2036 Monitoring Report released today in Gosford by the Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts.
 
The 2017 report charts the progress of the first year of the Regional Plan, the Department of Planning and Environment’s 20-year blueprint for the Central Coast.
 
Mr Roberts said the Regional Plan had already delivered big gains for the region and was delivering on the promise to revitalise Gosford and the Central Coast.
 
“In just its first year, the Regional Plan has enabled the approval of about 1,600 homes and the construction of more than 1,000 for the people of the Central Coast,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“We’ve also identified more than 1,800 hectares of industrial land that could lead to $66 million in investment to generate new local jobs.
 
“This great work is just the beginning. The Regional Plan is set to deliver much more over 20 years to ensure a thriving, vibrant coastal community.”
 
Other achievements of the first year include:
  • Issuing Gateway Determinations (decisions on planning proposals) with potential for 420 jobs and 800 dwellings;
  • the Government Architect tasked to oversee the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD;
  • supporting the Gosford Hospital health and wellbeing centre and University of the Newcastle Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute to the tune of $350 million.
The Department’s Coordinator General for Central Coast, Lee Shearer, and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, joined Mr Roberts outside the soon-to-be-opened Regional Plan Information Centre and inter-departmental work hub in Gosford’s CBD.
 
Mr MacDonald said the Information Centre, due to open in early 2018, “will be an interactive space where members of the public will be able to see how the Regional Plan will impact their day-to-day lives”.
 
“The centre will include information about the work of the Government Architect on a framework for revitalising the city centre.”
 
Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch said: “We know that the next decade is an exciting time for the Central Coast. The Regional Plan has set out a strong framework for employment and residential housing. This new centre will provide easy access to the public in the future.”
 
Ms Shearer said the flexible work hub was a partnership between the Department and Property NSW that will provide flexible workspaces for Government employees from a range of state agencies. The pilot will test shared office systems ahead of the construction of a Department of Finance, Services and Innovation building near the Waterfront.
 
“The work hub is an example of our goal to grow jobs on the Central Coast, promote work/life balance, relieve pressure on transport infrastructure and activate the Gosford City Centre in line with the current work being undertaken by the Government Architect,” Ms Shearer said.
 
For copies of the report: Matthew.Porter@planning.nsw.gov.au.


The countdown is on .... the 2018 Team Navy ASRL Open will be held atELOUERA, NSW on February 16 - 18, 2018.

The biggest surf boat event is BACK and it's run BY THE BOATIES FOR THE BOATIES. Three days of exciting racing will be held at a new venue.
More information will be available in the coming weeks so stay tuned! The official event page can be found here 

Entries are now open via the 'ASRL' section of the Carnival Manager System.

The 2018 Team Navy ASRL Open - proudly supported by Team Navy ASRL and Destination NSW

Coaches & Managers Invite For 2018

November 24, 2017: Newport Rugby Club
Newport Breakers Rugby Club is advertising for senior coaches and managers for the 2018 season. Newport Rugby Club is a leading 3rd Division NSW sub-districts club.

The club fields 3x grade sides and 1x colts side and has enjoyed recent on field success with 2 grand finals (2nd and 3rd grade) and a premiership in 2017 (3rd grade).

The club has a strong playing roster and boasts rich traditions, a strong financial position and an organised, experienced and passionate committee and supporter base.

The club is based out of arguably Australia’s best suburban rugby ground, Porter’s Reserve, which overlooks Newport Beach. We also boast one of Australia’s largest junior clubs with over 400 junior players. Applications are invited for the following positions:

First Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Second Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Third Grade – Coach, Manager.This year, we’re looking to build on recent finals appearances and convert into premierships.

The coaches’ roles will include:
  • Leading by example to promote an inclusive, committed and united club culture. 
  • Raising the skill level of new and existing players.
  • All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience 
  • Innovative coaches with the ability to plan, design, implement and review training programs consistent to ensure player development and enjoyment.
  • Player roster, game day and mid week administration and management duties.
  • Working with the committee and players to promote the playing, social and community objectives of the club.
The head coach will be supported by a player manager to assist with administration of the team and various support staff.

All applicants must be Smart Rugby compliant.
Applicants should email a brief coaching and playing history, coaching qualification details and a description of what they can bring to Newport Rugby Club to... heath.radel@suncorp.com.au.

For more information, call Heath on 0429 660 439. All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience.

Residents Want 'Welcome To Pittwater' Sign Returned

Pittwater Online has been contacted by a number of residents this week expressing their dismay that the 'Welcome to Pittwater' sign as you come along Wakehurst Parkway has disappeared.

Although many of the former Pittwater Council logos are disappearing or being scrubbed out from the names of wharves, obviously to be replaced by the new 'design', readers have expressed this cheery sign made them many feel welcomed and gave those returning home a boost after a long day.

As Pittwater is now a Ward, with different boundaries, the wish expressed is that such a sign may be returned and placed where the new lines mark Pittwater's circumference so that good cheer may continue.
The Old
 The New?

Call For National Heritage List Nominations

1 December 2017: Media release - The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy
Nominations are now open for places of outstanding natural, Indigenous or historic significance to the nation for possible inclusion on our National Heritage List.

“Our prestigious National Heritage List celebrates and protects places that reflect our unique landscapes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and development as a nation,” said the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy.

“The List currently includes more than 100 sites from across Australia and its territories, ranging from icons such as Bondi Beach, Fraser Island and Kakadu National Park to lesser-known gems such as the Dirk Hartog’s Landing Site, Darlington Probation Station, Mount William Stone Hatchet Quarry, Witjira-Dalhousie Springs and the High Court-National Gallery Precinct.”

“Each year, more places are added to the List as our national story unfolds and understanding of our heritage deepens.”

Nominations are open until 26 February 2016 and will be considered by the Australian Heritage Council before a final list of places to be assessed in 2018-19 is developed. As part of that assessment process, there will be further opportunities for public comment on each proposed listing.

Nominations of natural, Indigenous and historic places with significant heritage value for possible Commonwealth heritage listing are also being sought.

Petition: Save Ingleside From Over-Development

PROPOSED INGLESIDE DEVELOPMENT
We the undersigned, write in connection with the above proposal and wish to object strongly and respectfully to the development of the area in the proposed manner.

Ingleside is a dispersed settlement where development proposals should be considered very carefully: infilling could ruin the character of the area but estate development will not only overwhelm it but also overwhelm the vast majority of residents living from Narrabeen to Palm Beach who will travel through or near Ingleside every day.

Naturally, we understand that the State Government has a determined growth strategy. However, the overwhelming increase in immediate population and thoroughfare traffic will have a devastating effect upon the existing population who live here and contribute to Sydney as a city and as a defined demographic already. 

Pressure for the development in the region is considerable, mainly for housing city commuters, but has been successfully resisted for more than 30 years for the same reasons as now. The infrastructure was not in place and as can be seen by the impact of development in Warriewood, remains at an unsupportive level. The reasons for rejecting those schemes also included the inadequacy of the minor roads apart from Mona Vale Road to accommodate even small increases in traffic. 

Reference is made to the over one thousand comments on the supporting website, mostly by residents of Pittwater external to the immediate area of Ingleside who have failed to have a voice but as your constituents have equal right to be represented as bearing the impact of the development.
With the above in mind, we request that the development be reviewed to take into account the residents of Pittwater, whom you represent. Rather than telling them why it will be good for them, consider the voice of the residents and understand why it will be bad for them. 


Pittwater Online Christmas New Years Break

Pittwater Online News's last Issue for 2017 will be published onSunday December 17th. The first Issue for 2018 will be published onSunday January 14th. 

Interviews and photography of local news recommences from Friday January 5th 2018 for that first Issue on January 14th.

Many thanks for all your support, contributions, news tips, advice, thanks, suggestions and story requests again this year. Apologies for the multiple typos every single Issue.

Apology II: Barranjuie Fisherman will run January 14th, 2018:Windsor Bridge: Planned Destruction Of Historic Link With A Pittwater Connection -  with its current Upper House Parliamentary Inquiry into Windsor Bridge replacement program accepting submissions until January 28th has been a focus requested for a few years now with a timely need to meet that request.

We wish you and yours the very best for Christmas and New Year's and look forward to continuing a community news service in 2018.

NB: Pittwater Online News Emails will still be monitored for those sending in items/events for the first Issue of 2018.

Pasadena Progress?

Church Point residents reported a few months back that the gentleman who owns the Pasadena had men working on it - he said to them council had not offered to buy it. That discussion has still not taken place. He's currently refurbishing the premises with a view to reopening them in the near future. 

A protest against the structure reopening was held by offshore residents on Saturday December 16th, 2017. 

On August 9th 2017 an Administrator and Pittwater's MP announced the NSW Government had agreed to provide financial support to the Northern Beaches Council, as yet unelected, to assist with a resolution to purchase the former Pasadena site at Church Point, demolish it, put in a bit of a park and more car parking. 

Pittwater Online pointed out then that the owners of the Pasadena, were unaware of the plans for acquisition of their property. The Administrators Minute of Tuesday August 8th, 2017 was the first they heard of the matter. There are also a few other matters a council must address in acquiring land or property in a structural form - other than discussing it with the owners prior to making announcements. 

It further evolves the owners leased an area adjacent to the property late in 2016 as part of their revised plans for getting the site functioning, adding value to their asset. 

One recent sad note for all who loved the Gone Fishing Gallery when in this space is the painting over of the wonderful fish created by Nettie Lodge that became the 'logo' of this artist's run co-op. The fish disappeared as part of the works being done. 

Hopefully an actual discussion, between real live people, will soon take place.... or has that horse already bolted?



Gone Fishing Gallery totem once on the entrance-way to the Pasadena - Below - The Pasadena quietly rotting in recent years AJG photos.


New Truck For Ingleside RFS

Ingleside RFS welcomed our new 2017 Isuzu Category 1 Tanker worth about $300,000 into our Brigade today. It has now become our primary response vehicle for all types of incidents including; Vehicle Accidents/ Fires, Structural Fires & Bushfires. 
How do we fund it? 
The NSW Government, Fire Levy & Northern Beaches Council residents. So we say 'Thank You' for supporting us.

This tanker replaces our older 2005 tanker which will go to a country Brigade in NSW. Our new Fire Truck is now fully operational with the callsign 'Ingleside 1 Bravo'...

We continue with our new truck, plus secondary Isuzu Tanker & Toyota Hilux Ute, along with over 50 active volunteer fire fighters. Thanks to our volunteers who gave up their time today to change over all equipment from the Old to New trucks.

Interested in Joining: www.inglesiderfs.org.au/join-us


Photos taken at the Sydney Bahai House of Worship, Ingleside & our Fire Station, courtesy Ingleside RFS

Whale Rock Avalon: To Be Or Not To Be?

A discussion among members of the community has renewed itself in the wake of us rerunning a much requested page featuring an overview of the changing face of our coastline in Avalon Beach North Headland Indian Face 'Falls': An Everchanging Coastline 2017 Reprises (Readers Requests); end of year Summer break, spoil 'em rotten, reading.

One regular contributor states he took friends who were visiting from Mullumbimby to Sth. Av. the other day, to point out the rockfall at Nth Av from Sth Av.

One asked,  seeing it for the first time:... 
 "The big rock that looks like a whale?"

"And it does look like a whale breaching... So I thought, what about a new name for it ... The Whale ? or Whale Rock ?"

"It would be a fitting name and symbol of the increasing numbers of whales now passing the headland each year," our Reader/Contributor explains.
Which is a lovely thought, quite accurate, and a great way to mark another shift in what has changed around here.

On asking around others tell us part of this is already 'Jump Rock' if slightly remodelled, while another points out these local names for local places are something that evolves among us through popular use.

We'd add it all together and call it 'Whale Breaching Jump Rock' - but then we like it all, the way it is and comes together. 

If others have thoughts on this we'd welcome their feedback. Email us herewith your ideas on what may evolve or become, before something else becomes at Nth. Av. headland. 

Who else sees a whale breaching upwards in this new stone frame?

Ausgrid Energy Reliability Project: Scotland Island And Western Foreshores

You may have noticed Ausgrid staff undertaking work in your area in recent months. This work is ongoing and contributes to long term reliability together with the more comprehensive solutions discussed above. 

Improvements include:
• Assessment and upgrades of network assets including existing cables, vulnerable points in the network and isolating capability.
• Assessment and improvements to current vegetation management

Key Dates
December 2017
Further investigations into West Pittwater solution and development of market brief
Now – mid 2018
Design and approval of the new underground cable for Scotland Island
Now and 2018
Implementation of short term measures in both areas
January 2018
Home Energy Audits West Pittwater
Mid 2018
Construction to commence for Scotland Island cable
End 2018
Developed design for West Pittwater solution

Community Information Session
Church Point Café, Tuesday 19 December, 4-7pm

Ausgrid will undertake individual household energy audits of all properties on West Pittwater to gain detailed energy consumption data, these will start Monday 8 January.  Further information on the audits will be available at the community information session.

Contacting us
You are welcome to contact us with any enquiries:
Call 1800 006 549 (free call from fixed phones)

Pittwater Camera Club Images Of The Year

A huge congratulations to all of our award winners at our final meeting for 2017, 'Images of the Year'. It was a great turnout with some amazing images presented, with Alan Hitchell critiquing and selecting a winner from each category. 

Below are the list of winners from this year's awards presentation, congratulations everyone.

On the night we also presented very special and well deserved Lifetime memberships to two outstanding and long standing members of our club, Bob Hunting and Sue Kleverlaan. Both members have continuously contributed to our club throughout their time with the club. Congratulations to you both. 

With the upcoming Christmas break, I hope you all get out and get some amazing images in preparation for some of next years competitions. The new program is looking fantastic with some great presentations and competitions, we should see the program later this month, the first meeting for 2018 will be Monday 29th of January. 

At Pittwater Camera Club our aim is for members to share their enthusiasm and love of  photography via competitions, lectures, presentations and social activities. We are a friendly, contemporary and progressive club with regular competitions that are aimed at improving photographic skills. Lectures are given by visiting photographers and professionals in the industry and encouragement is provided in the appreciation of the art of photography.

Membership is open to everyone who enjoys photography and we conduct photographic outings on a regular basis.

The Club welcomes visitors to any of our meeting nights. Meetings of the Pittwater Camera Club are held at Pittwater RSL, commencing at 7.30 p.m..

To see some of the great images created this year visit just one gallery available - February 2017's Open Competition
Find out more by visiting: www.pittwatercameraclub.org

Takis Pallas
Media Coordinator

ABHS Christmas Party 2017

A happy crowd came to the last meeting for this year of the ABHS to socialise pre Christmas. 

Everyone enjoyed Geoff's great old time slide show...which featured some interesting ' Then and Now ' photos including the old store in Careel Head Rd that was moved to become a house in Milga Rd, and the old church in Binburra Ave that was moved to become the Uniting church in Bellevue.



Photos also included  the headland before and after the rock fall.

Some paintings of Avalon Beach by none other than Pro Hart caught everyone's attention as no one knew of these previously.

Other items included the original Clare Villa that Clareville was named after. The postman used the name to distinguish it from the stretch of Long Beach .

ABHS meetings have something for anyone interested in our local area, while enjoying a cool refreshment from the bar at the Avalon Bowlo.

New members are always welcome. 


Roger Sayers
ABHS Member
Study For Avalon Beach 1982 
oil on board - 40.5 x 51.0 cm
signed and dated lower left: PRO/ HART 82
Provenance: Private collection, Sydney

Planning Proposal - 1-3 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest

NBC have received a Planning Proposal to amend Warringah Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP 2011) to include ‘hotel or motel accommodation’, ‘retail premises’, and ‘residential flat buildings’ as additional permitted uses and amend the Height of Buildings Map to apply a 70 metre maximum building height limit to the site at 1-3 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest.

The Planning Proposal for 1-3 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest is now on exhibition.


The exhibition documents are also available at council’s Customer Service Centres in Dee Why, Manly and Mona Vale.

Make a submission
In writing - addressed to Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why NSW 2099 and mark ‘PEX2017/0010’

Any person may make a written submission to Council in relation to the Planning Proposal. If you intend to do so, you should make yourself aware of any obligation you might have in relation to Political Donations and Gifts Disclosure.

Please note that all submissions are public documents and are available to the Applicant or other interested persons on request.

For further information contact Adonna See on 1300 434 434.

Submissions close Sunday 21 January 2017.

New Years Eve Fireworks

Sunday December 31st, 2017: 3 p.m. to 11.59 p.m.
Ratepayers are funding New Years Eve Fireworks at the following sites on Sunday 31st December 2017: 

Bayview - 9pm and Midnight
in partnership with surrounding Bayview businesses; The Newport, Royal Motor Yacht Club and World Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Rowland Reserve, Bayview will have a 150m firework exclusion zone in place on both land and water.

Dee Why Beach - 9pm
Road closure in place between 4pm and 10pm at: - The Strand from Oaks Avenue roundabout to Dee Why Parade roundabout - Howard Avenue from Clyde Road to The Strand

Manly Cove - 9pm
In conjunction with surrounding Manly businesses. Road closure in place between 5pm and 10.30pm at: - West Esplanade from Commonwealth Parade to Belgrave Street - Belgrave Street from Sydney Road to West Esplanade - West Promenade from Sydney Road to Gilbert St - East Esplanade from Belgrave Street to Ashburner Street - Wentworth Street from Darley Road to East Esplanade - Victoria Parade from Darley Road to East Esplanade In addition there will be a clearway in place along West Promenade, East & West Esplanade and parts of Belgrave Street with vehicle towing enforced between 3pm and 10pm.

Alcohol Free Zones
There is an alcohol prohibited zone in place Alcohol prohibited zones are in place along Manly harbour foreshore from 4pm daily, and at Rowland Reserve from 6am on 31 December 2016 until 6am on 1 January 2017.

Getting There
Visitors are encouraged to come by foot or public transport to avoid congestion. Check www.transportnsw.info for transport options, as additional buses will be available immediately after the event.


Avalon Lifeline Sale

Avalon's Lifeline store will be open between Christmas and New Year's. Not the public holidays but open Wednesday 27th December until and including Saturday December 30th. 

There will be a 50% off sale on those days. As usual there's plenty of amazing stock so come on up folks .. 
683 Barrenjoey road 
(above Ninja restaurant)
Macmillan Court

Draft Affordable Housing SEPP 70 Review

December 15, 2017: NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment
State Environmental Planning Policy No. 70 Affordable Housing (Revised Schemes) encourages the development of new affordable housing.
SEPP 70 Affordable Housing (Revised Schemes) is a mechanism that allows specified councils to prepare an affordable housing contribution scheme for certain precincts, areas or developments associated with an upzoning within their local government area. Schemes currently operate in the City of Sydney at Green Square, Ultimo-Pyrmont and the Southern Employment Lands.
 
An Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) for SEPP 70 is currently on exhibition and open for public comment until 31 January 2018. The EIE proposes the inclusion of five Councils – Randwick City, Inner West, Northern Beaches, City of Ryde and City of Canada Bay.
 
Each council has undertaken an analysis of the need for affordable housing within their local government area to support their application for inclusion in SEPP 70. Links to these documents are available below:
Randwick City Council
Inner West Council
Northern Beaches Council (Northern Beaches Affordable Housing Need Analysis Dec. 2016.(PDF - automatically downloads: 382.29kb)
City of Ryde Council
City of Canada Bay
 
We invite you to comment on the proposed changes to SEPP 70 until the 31 January 2018

Or write to:
Director, Housing & Infrastructure Policy
Department of Planning and Environment,
GPO Box 39,
Sydney NSW 2001
 
Published submissions will include your name and the organisation on whose behalf you may be writing. Contact details such as email and postal addresses, and telephone numbers are not published. The Department reserve the right to not publish selected submissions (in full or part).
 
 
For further information please email information@planning.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 305 695. 

Supporting documents
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF: 406.77 kb)

Sydney Art Space, Mona Vale: Term 1 2018

Let the creative feast begin this January at Sydney Art Space with Summer Art School, our Sydney Art Space Yearly Exhibition and Term 1 Coursework for 2018!!

We have 12 wonderful art workshops scheduled for January Summer School catering to adults, youth and children across various genres including sculpture, painting, printmaking, collage, weaving, watercolour, glass and resin work.

Our Sydney Art Space Yearly Exhibition is held in January from Thursday 18th till Sunday 21st at Avalon Recreation Centre, opening night is Friday 19th from 6-8pm showcasing student work for sculpture, drawing and painting.

Term 1 Coursework 2018 begins on Tuesday January 30th with 10 week classes that follow the state school calendar and include sculpture workshop working on your own projects; sculpture life-class working from the lifemodel; drawing fundamentals; watercolour; painting multi-media; life drawing and kids/teens art club. We also tutor for HSC VAPD.

You can see all workshop and coursework outlines and costs online at www.sydneyartspace.com Sydney Art Space is located at 64 Darley St, Mona Vale opposite Pittwater Place carpark.

Florence Foster Jenkins - The Worst Singer In The World

Elanora Players invite you to 1940's New York to join the performer who everyone wanted to see live - Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic singer whose pitch was far from perfect! Known as 'the first lady of the sliding scale', she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter.

But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was. Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence's charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins was recently brought to life in the movie of the same name, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. Elanora Players brings this wonderful character to the stage in the Peter Quilter play Glorious! starring Pam Ennor as Florence, Wade Orth as her pianist Cosme McMoon and James Belfrage as her loving boyfriend St Clair. Jan Adamson, Chris Richardson and Robin Silvolli round out the cast of eccentric characters in this feel good play.


Pam Ennor as Florence

The show is playing from 12 to 20 January 2018. Tickets are $25, $22 concession, $20 groups (10+) and bookings can be made by phone: 9979 9694; email: 1966elanora.bookings@gmail.com; or web:www.elanoraplayers.com.au.

Christmas Cheers From The Critters

It has been a busy and difficult year for our wild ones.  Burgeoning human growth and all the things we humans seem to 'need' for our convenience are taking a toll on their existence.  There are many people who don't place any value on the wildlife's contribution...

Thankfully, however, our community is also overflowing with superhuman beings who pour all their passion, energy, time, money and their very souls into making things better for the wild babies!  These are the people we would like to thank profusely.  

Concerned members of the public, all wildlife rescue organisations, our Police, our Firefighters and SES, all our educators, our environmental representatives and wildlife advocates in Council, our veterinarians and their staff, our Zoo clinic, our wildlife-trained dogs and their trainers, our bush regeneration teams, our volunteer environmental advocates and groups, our roadkill prevention team and our wonderful media without whom the wildlife would be lost.   

Over the Christmas period, temperatures go up, more people will be on the roads and there will be lots of fireworks for celebrations.  

Just like our pets, the wildlife will be affected by all these things, too.

In hot weather, you can help immensely by leaving a bowl of fresh water at the bottom of the garden for thirsty little critters.  Not a metal bowl as they get too hot.  A nice ceramic bowl works best in a shaded area with some tree/bush for cover.  Make sure to replenish it daily.

When driving, try to keep alert for wildlife at the edge of the road and slow down if they look like they are attempting to cross.  If you see any marsupials (mammals with pouches) that have been hit, call for help as a joey could still be alive in a pouch.

If you see any wildlife in distress or in an odd location during or after the fireworks, please call:

Sydney Wildlife 9413 4300 (24-hour service)
WIRES 1300 094 737

Wishing you all a safe, happy and WILD Christmas and New Year!!!

Lynleigh Greig
Sydney Wildlife

BYRA's Summer: 1957

60 years ago this summer (1957)
Vee-Jays rigging and launching at BYRA.






BYRA Bayview Yacht Racing Association Sailing Club
Established 1949
Find out more at www.byra.org.au

Northern Beaches People 
I NEED YOUR STORIES PLEASE!

As promised I’m launching a website to collate our case for better buses on the northern beaches and present it to government and the media.

As I’d like to make an impact with a credible information plus story sharing place on the web would you please take a moment to email me your experience so far with the new service. Let me know your name, age if willing and location and what the difference it has made negative (or positive). Give me as much detail as you can tobetterbusesforthebeaches@gmail.com.

As per this photo I would like to quote you so please let me know if you would rather remain anonymous. PLEASE share this information  - let’s mobilise and make this count people!



Helen Crozier

Policy For Appointing Community & Stakeholder Representatives To Committees

November 30, 2017
A policy has been developed to govern how community and stakeholder representatives are appointed to NBC council committees.

Learn More:

View the Council report (automatically downloads PDF: 195.78kb)
Read the draft policy (automatically downloads PDF: 30.06kb)

Have your say on the draft policy
In writing marked 'Policy for Appointing Community and Stakeholder Representatives to Committees', to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, NSW, 2099
Submissions close Sunday 4 February 2018.

Report Illegal Tree Loppers

November 28, 2017
C/- Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA)
Be Alert. Illegal tree loppers are around. They knock on doors asking if residents would like trees cut down for cash around Avalon, Bilgola Plateau and perhaps elsewhere. Recently their vehicle was a maroon utility truck with a dual cabin. It had Western Australian registration plates 1EIX261. The men appear to be Polynesian. Their business card says M&A Tree Services. They say they are working for the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church and say they are from Enfield. They refuse to give tax invoices and can get quite aggressive about payment. They have been reported cutting Spotted Gums on Council reserves as well as on private land.

If you see them contact the Council Rangers on 9970 1111. 
Lopped tree dumped at Careel Bay Soccer Fields parking are this week.

Grants For Portable Defibrillators

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes is encouraging Pittwater’s sporting clubs to apply for defibrillator funding assistance under the NSW Government’s new Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Up to 2,500 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be rolled out across the state over the next four years under the $4 million program.
An AED is a portable, battery-operated device designed to deliver a controlled electrical shock to a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year and early access to CPR and defibrillation within the first eight minutes are critical and can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent.

The program will fund up to 50 percent of the defibrillator cost, along with training and maintenance support.

“Portable defibrillators are easy to use and can save lives in cases of sudden cardiac arrest,” Rob Stokes said today.

“This fantastic technology has been proven on beaches, sporting fields and in shopping centres – so I’m delighted the NSW Government is providing financial support to help equip more local sporting organisations with this device and the required training.

“The more defibrillators we have in our community, the greater the chance we can assist someone with life-saving intervention,” Rob Stokes said.

The scheme is targeting community sports clubs, however applications from licensed sporting clubs and sports organisations associated with schools, churches, universities and councils will also be considered.

Applications close 20 December 2017. For more information visit:sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants

 Gone Fishing Gallery at Waterfront Store Church Point

Open again TODAY in the top room Waterfront Store. Open mainly weekends as an addition to the waterfront cafe. Keep up to date on theirFacebook page

Pittwater Community Groups: 


Sports

Gardens and Environment

Rural Fire Brigades
Services

Arts and Social

 

Click on logo above to visit their website.

Searching For William John Gibbons

We are endeavouring to trace an early member of our family - a William John Gibbons.

We believe that my wife's grandfather, a William John Gibbons, lived on Scotland Island in the latter part of his life. It is understood that he commuted to and from the mainland to his place of employment, he may have been a journalist.

William's wife was Mary Eliza Gibbons who outlived William and later remarried Ernest Gotwald.

William died on September 13, 1912 in Newtown hospital. Family oral history believed that William was involved in some boating accident 7 days earlier and had subsequently died in hospital as result of his immersion.

We would be very grateful if there is any person who might have some knowledge of the unfortunate demise of William and be willing to share this with our family. Right now we have no verification that William  did actually  reside on Scotland Island nor that he actually did die as the result of a boating mishap.

John Blair
50 Hoffschildt Drive
Currumbin Waters. QLD. 4223
Ph: 07 5598 5960 or 0427 393 626

Planning Alerts


Find out what's happening in your area. Get alerts of new applications near here straight in your email. It's free!

Course For A Cause At Avalon

Just beyond the Bilgola Bends as you are about to enter the Avalon Village, nestled in behind a strip of nature that separates it from the often busy Barrenjoey Road – you have the Royal Avalon Golf Course.

Not only 9 holes of golf open to the public every day of the year, with no membership required but also one of the best located venues available for hire on the Northern Beaches, or even Sydney!

Recently we have begun a program called “Course for a Cause”. The initiative is designed to help local charities by offering free use of our facilities to raise money and/or awareness for a worthy cause.

Do you have a cause close to your heart?
Nominate your charity to become part of this program by calling 9918 2606 or emailing manager@avalongolfcourse.com.au

If you don’t want to play golf, but are still after a venue for your function, the clubhouse is available for extended hours. So with plenty of parking on sight, the time of day shouldn’t be a problem when promoting your personal cause.

If you don’t have a charity, but are still looking for somewhere to party, the clubhouse can be hired to celebrate all kinds of occasions.

The bar is available and serving some of your favourite beer and wine, or take advantage of our BYO option.

Day time events can always incorporate games to raise some extra money with the practice putting green beside the clubhouse being utilised for competitions or a bit of fun for the kids.

If you are interested in our Course for a Cause initiative OR would just like to hire Avalon Golf Course and clubhouse for a function, please emailmanager@avalongolfcourse.com.au or call 9918 2606


The purpose of  www.westpittwater.com.au  - is best defined by the vision of the West Pittwater Community Association.

To be a supportive community, encouraging and promoting civic pride, interest in community affairs and goodwill amongst residents.

To protect local fauna and flora and generally preserve West Pittwater and its environs.

To secure essential facilities including public wharves and reserves and to protect private and public property.

To speak with one voice and represent the interests of the Western Foreshore community when in discussion with Pittwater Council and other relevant government bodies. The WPCA website provides a forum for the better realisation of these objectives. Visit: www.westpittwater.com.au

New Season for Sailability Pittwater 

Sailability Pittwater is a volunteer organisation which provides sailing for people with a disability. Our main recreational sailing activities are at Rowland Reserve, Bayview, and we run competitive sailing for people with a disability out of RPAYC Newport. We are currently looking for new volunteers for our Saturday morning program at Rowland Reserve and Tuesdays at RPA. For more information at  www.sailability.org/au/pittwater or call John on 9982 5656

Ingleside Precinct Planning Update

Monday November 13, 2017: Dept. of Planning and Environment
The next steps in the planning process for Ingleside are as follows:
  • All of the submissions and feedback have been reviewed. Feedback from landowners, Northern Beaches Council, the Ingleside Community Reference Group, state agencies and the community will inform the development of the final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan.
  • A decision will be made regarding the proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) 2006 to make Ingleside a Priority Growth Area. An amendment to the policy will help to assist Northern Beaches Council when assessing development applications prior to rezoning. This will ensure that the intended planning outcomes for Ingleside are considered during the assessment of new buildings or projects.
  • The final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan will be released early in 2018, which forms the basis of the formal planning controls and contributions schemes. The Plan will include new material on energy and water conservation measures as well as affordable housing.
  • The formal planning controls and contributions schemes will also be placed on exhibition for comment at that time, including:
  1. Proposed changes to land use zones and associated controls for Ingleside;
  2. An application for Biodiversity Certification (this is required to be exhibited at the same time as the rezoning proposal). Biodiversity Certification enables areas of high conservation value to be identified upfront and means that landowners, Council and developers don't need to undertake a threatened species assessment during the Development Application stage;
  3. A Development Control Plan, addressing urban design controls for streetscapes, active travel, other public spaces and controls regarding the built form;
  4. A Special Infrastructure Contributions determination (section 94EE), funding biodiversity offsets, major infrastructure and potentially affordable housing;
  5. A Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan (Section 94), funding local infrastructure which will be maintained by Northern Beaches Council.

Red Cross Shop Newport

The Newport Red Cross shop desperately needs your quality, discarded clothing items. Now that spring is almost springing, perhaps you are all set to 'declutter' your offshore abode. But what to do with all those gems that are no longer you. Well donate them of course. The Red Cross shop at Newport is very excited to receive your cast offs. We also take small household items but alas, no electrical or furniture. 

Did you know that all profits from Red Cross shops stay in Australia? Profits from Red Cross shops support worthy programmes like providing breakfast for school kids, Telecross - a daily call to elderly people in need of contact, youth services, disaster relief, mental health services and much, much more.

Should you need assistance please feel free to call me or just leave your items in our boat. We live on the northern side of Lovett Bay between Now and Zen and Therese and John. The house is called 'Foreshore' and our boat is a Stabicraft for purposes of identification! 

Don't hesitate to call in to the Newport Red Cross shop with your donations - close to Woolworths petrol station at 334 Barrenjoey Rd Newport or call Lesley Scott to help with donations - 0410 687864


December 10 - 16, 2017: Issue 341

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 341: 

Christmas Cheers From The Critters by Lynleigh Greig

NSW Interbranch Championships 2017: SNB Leads after Day 1 

B-Line Two Weeks On: Feedback Being Monitored - Newport Residents Update

LGNSW Conference 2017: Overview - Labor Councillors win President, Treasurer and Vice Presidencies, Motions carried: against the State Government takeover of planning powers through IHAP legislation + the requirement that where an amalgamation with one or more councils is proposed there be a binding referendum in each council area asking voters if they want their council to be amalgamated or not. Not discussed: Transfer plan making provisions in SEPP 19 to a Ministerial Direction: Urban Bushland

Pictures: Carols At The Beach 2017

Woolworths Australian Junior Surfing Team Announced

Aquatics: The 2017 Sydney to Hobart: Classics, Supermaxis, an All Women Crew and an Invictus Games 2018 Prelude, the Ashes on Water Test + Some Pittwater Sailors

Reflections by George Repin: SNAPSHOTS OF AMSTERDAM

Farr 40 Newcastle One Design Trophy 2017 by Lisa Ratcliff

Park Bench Philosopher 2017 Reprises (Readers Requests); Avalon Beach North Headland Indian Face 'Falls': An Everchanging Coastline

Pittwater Ocean Swim Series 2017-2018: Bilgola December 10th, Newport January 7th, Avalon January 14th, Mona Vale January 21st, The Big Swim January 28th

Profile: Avalon Beach SLSC’s Surfboat Division - the U23's Women'sAvocados have been chosen as Australian representatives in the Trans Tasman 2018, a role the ABSLSC U23's Mens Pinkies won in 2016. Their Antiques Masters Ladies are World Champions, their Reserves Mens can rung rings around those a quarter their age. Last Issue we shared an insight into one of this surf club's Life Members, Don Imison - this week the dynamic present and future that strives to create one club atmosphere - these boaties should be poster people for how good surf life saving is!

History:  Pittwater Fishermen: The Sly Family Narrabeen Exploits and Manly Community Contributors - men and women of this family made massive contributions to our area, even if they had a fracas or two

Artist of the Month: December 2017: Mick Glasheen The Art Of Mick Glasheen: Drawing On The Land, Garigal Country - 

Mick is holding his first public exhibition of his extraordinary panoramic drawings and paintings of the sandstone plateaus, caves and beaches of Pittwater. Mick brings the landscape to life in a way that few other artists have done. 

Running over three weekends in December; 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 December, 2017, 8am - 5pm

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 9/12/2017 - Issue 1000!

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

A PON Milestone Has Been Reached: Issue 1000 !

You may have noticed in the last PON issue, (1st December), that we had reached issue number 999, so this makes this issue the 1000th Issue of the online PON !  So I thought it appropriate to take you back to the beginning when it all started...

The PON first started it's life as a two-page issue of the Scotland Island Progress Association Newsletter back in 1955. It was put together by Geoff Steen, the then provisional Secretary of the newly founded Scotland Island Progress Association. 

He continued producing the newsletter until Ian ‘Bunks’ Carmichael, a senior executive at the ABC, took over for two years before being sent to London. Leicester Warburton then took over from Ian and kept the newsletter running for around 28 years. It was during this time that Scotland Island News was more conveniently condensed into S.I. News (Sinews) and so it was referred to there after. Under Leicester’s stewardship the readership grew to over 300 with issues running to 8 pages.
In March 1995 SINEWS celebrated 40 years of publication and continued to run for a few years until the most capable and computer literate Paul Purvis felt it was timely to embrace the internet and gather information for all residents of West Pittwater with the introduction of a more contemporary news service - see Volume 1 Issue 1 HERE - this was later to be renamed  Pittwater Offshore Newsletter (PON). Readership grew and as the service was seen to be so readily available the number of issues increased from the original one per month to roughly one per week.

Some 360 issues and eight years later Paul hung up his keyboard and handed over the editorship to me. That was back in December 2008, now 9 years on and 640 odd issues later, we have close to 1000 subscribers as well as some 200-400 social media users regularly reading the newsletter.

The overall style of the newsletter has not change dramatically over the years however the content has, and it's interesting to see those changes as they reflect, to a certain extent, the life of the offshore community. I encourage anyone interested in what life was like years ago to go back through our PON archives online - link HERE as it provides a glimpse as to what was going on then.

Finally, I thought it would be interesting to reprint the very first S.I.News which was distributed in 1955. Now remember this was typed on a typewriter, probably with two sheets of carbon paper to make 3 copies in total and then copied; how, I don't know, and I have not been able to find out, but it must have been a real chore regardless to produce 8 pages every month, copy them and then hand deliver them around the island.  

Happy reading and reminiscing....

Oh, and a big thank you to Annette for sending me the copy of this first issue, and, we seem to be missing some of the very early PON's - Nov 1 2001 thru to Feb 2003,  if anyone has any of these, I would love to get a copy.

Many thanks for your continued support and contributions.

Julian
Editor
Pittwater Offshore Newsletter (PON)

Premier's Volunteer Recognition Program

Courtesy Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches
As part of International Volunteer Day (December 5), six Life Members from Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches clubs were presented with recognition awards at the NSW Premier’s Volunteer Recognition function, held at Parliament House this week. 

The awards were presented by Mr. Trevor Khan MLC on behalf of the Premier.

In all, the Branch nominated 265 members who had completed more than 25 years of volunteering and 130 members who had completed more than 40 years of volunteering for these awards. Local Members of Parliament are currently making arrangements to present or forward the awards to those members residing in their electorates.
Pictured (left to right) Richard Andjelkovic ( Newport SLSC) – 25 Years; David Piper OAM (Queenscliff SLSC) – 40 years; Glenn Langley ( Newport SLSC) – 25 years; Trevor Khan MLC; Wayne Schwebel ( Narrabeen Beach SLSC ) - 40 years; Rick Millar ( Avalon Beach SLSC ) – 40 years and Ray Isaacs (Collaroy SLSC) – 40 years.

Pittwater Online Christmas - New Years Break

Pittwater Online News's last Issue for 2017 will be published onSunday December 17th. 

The first Issue for 2018 will be published on Sunday January 14th. 

Staff will be out and about doing interviews and photography of local newsfrom Friday January 5th 2018 but please be advised Issue 342 will cover the period from December 17th to January 14th.

If you have items or events you want run in that Issue encompassing those dates you will need to have it to the mag. by 7 a.m. December 17th as staff will be unavailable after that time until January 5th.

NB: Pittwater Online News Emails will still be monitored for those sending in items/events for the first Issue of 2018.

Toys ‘N’ Tucker Christmas Appeal

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes is encouraging local residents, businesses, and community groups to make a contribution to Anglicare’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker Christmas appeal.
 
Christmas can be a time of stress and worry for many families. Unfortunately some parents contemplate going hungry so their children can have something special on the day.
 
Toys ‘n’ Tucker is part of Anglicare’s annual Christmas campaign where donations of non-perishable foods and new toys are collected and packed into hampers for families across Sydney who would otherwise go without.
 
In 2016, about 95 tons of food and toys were donated to the campaign, which meant Anglicare could pack and deliver more than 6,000 hampers to people in need.
 
“Christmas is a special reminder of how important it is for us to love and care for one another,” Rob Stokes said today.
 
“Toys ‘n’ Tucker is one practical way people can support families that may be struggling this year.
 
“Our community has been extremely generous over the years in providing invaluable assistance to Sydney’s most vulnerable families and I encourage everyone to contribute this year,” Rob Stokes said.
 
The Pittwater electorate office in Mona Vale will be accepting Christmas gifts as part of this year’s Toys ‘n’ Tucker appeal until Tuesday 12 December.

Christmas Cheers From The Critters

It has been a busy and difficult year for our wild ones.  Burgeoning human growth and all the things we humans seem to 'need' for our convenience are taking a toll on their existence.  There are many people who don't place any value on the wildlife's contribution...

Thankfully, however, our community is also overflowing with superhuman beings who pour all their passion, energy, time, money and their very souls into making things better for the wild babies!  These are the people we would like to thank profusely.  

Concerned members of the public, all wildlife rescue organisations, our Police, our Firefighters and SES, all our educators, our environmental representatives and wildlife advocates in Council, our veterinarians and their staff, our Zoo clinic, our wildlife-trained dogs and their trainers, our bush regeneration teams, our volunteer environmental advocates and groups, our roadkill prevention team and our wonderful media without whom the wildlife would be lost.   

Over the Christmas period, temperatures go up, more people will be on the roads and there will be lots of fireworks for celebrations.  

Just like our pets, the wildlife will be affected by all these things, too.

In hot weather, you can help immensely by leaving a bowl of fresh water at the bottom of the garden for thirsty little critters.  Not a metal bowl as they get too hot.  A nice ceramic bowl works best in a shaded area with some tree/bush for cover.  Make sure to replenish it daily.

When driving, try to keep alert for wildlife at the edge of the road and slow down if they look like they are attempting to cross.  If you see any marsupials (mammals with pouches) that have been hit, call for help as a joey could still be alive in a pouch.

If you see any wildlife in distress or in an odd location during or after the fireworks, please call:

Sydney Wildlife 9413 4300 (24-hour service)
WIRES 1300 094 737

Wishing you all a safe, happy and WILD Christmas and New Year!!!

Lynleigh Greig
Sydney Wildlife

Political Paradoxes

You know it's getting towards the end of the year when a debate that seems aimed at knocking off members of the opposition takes the place of getting on with it in Federal politics. Recent noise purporting to ensure Section  44 of the Constitution of Australia is being followed, is bringing up some interesting insights into laws that exist elsewhere, as well as making known our own, namely;

Section 44 of the Australian Constitution lists the grounds for disqualification on who may become a candidate for election to the Parliament of Australia. It has generally arisen for consideration by the High Court sitting in its capacity as the Court of Disputed Returns. It has been reviewed several times, but has not been amended. Following several disqualifications under sub-section 44(i), a new review of the whole section was instituted on 28 November 2017.

44. Any person who -

(i.) Is under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power, or is a subject or a citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or citizen of a foreign power:

For the past several months Pittwater Online News has been collecting old records and listings that point to the influx of people into our area through the decades. This publication plans to celebrate the growth of such culture here through those who chose to live on our coast in a series that will run in 2018. In the meantime, one such article, easily found, states:

CERTIFICATES OF NATURALISATION
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973) Thursday 15 February 1968 [Issue No.16] p 843
Government Gazette Notices
... 67 Falinski, George, 72 Denning Street, South Coogee, 27 7 67,Falinski, Leon, 72 Denning Street ... , South Coogee, 27 7 67, Falinski, Maria, 72 Denning Street, South Coogee, 27 7 67, Falinski, Stanley, 72 Denning Street, South Coogee, 27 7 67

The above is particularly poignant when you know that Leon and Maria's son George was lost through a car accident in the Blue Mountains on Sunday January 7th, 1968 when only 17.

About Australian Citizenship by Naturalisation:
Citizenship by naturalisation
"Naturalisation is the process by which one undertakes allegiance to a new sovereign and, often enough, sheds allegiance to another sovereign." Between 26 January 1949 and 30 November 1973, British subjects were able to apply for registration as an Australian citizen after one year's residence in Australia as an immigrant, and there was no requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony. Non-British subjects were required to apply for naturalization, which had stricter requirements, including a five-year residency. They were required to attend a citizenship ceremony and swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown. From 1966 they were also obliged to renounce "all other allegiance".

About Polish Citizenship
Polish citizenship is determined by the citizenship of a Polish parent - without any explicit limitation for the number of generations elapsed abroad for descendants of Polish emigrants.
Citizenship by descent
Citizenship can generally be claimed only by descendants of Polish citizens. However, because the newly independent Poland comprised lands from Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary, who became a Polish citizen was unclear. The Polish Citizenship Act of 1920 referred back to the residency laws of these former states, and also "international treaties". Polish Citizenship Act of 1920, Article 2 Those without a right to Polish citizenship were considered to have only "Polish origins" but not citizenship. Polish Citizenship Act of 1920, Article 2a Thus, not all ethnic Poles could claim Polish citizenship if they had left Poland before the country became an independent state in 1918. Also, there can be no break in Polish citizenship between the emigrant ancestor and the descendant. If the applicant's ancestor lost Polish citizenship, such as by becoming a citizen of another country before 1951, the descendant did not inherit Polish citizenship through that ancestor. Application for "Confirmation of Possession or Loss of Polish Citizenship" can be made through Polish embassies or consulates abroad
Loss Criteria
A person who obtained foreign citizenship (non Polish) due to the changes of the borders after WWII, or had Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Lithuanian, Latvian or Estonian citizenship in 1951 had lost his Polish citizenship (see clause 4 of the second law). Nonetheless, if the ex-Pole returned to Poland afterwards due to the different agreements of repatriation that had been signed between the Soviet Union and Poland (e.g. in 1945 and 1956), they regained his Polish citizenship. In fact, every Pole that became a Soviet citizen and did not take advantage of that opportunity to come back to Poland in relation with those agreements, lost their Polish citizenship.
In order to confirm the citizenship of a person who left before 1951, it will be easier to prove that they left Poland after the first law from 1920 had entered into force.
Article 11. Loss of citizenship happens by: 1) obtaining another country's citizenship, 2) taking a public office or entering the service in a foreign country’s army without proper governor's (Capital City of Warsaw Government Commissioner’s) consent, given when entering service in another country’s army in accordance with the District Corps' proper commander.

To renounce Polish citizenship a citizen of the Republic of Poland is obliged to submit a formal application to the President. It is only after 30 days after obtaining an official approval from the President of the Republic, that Polish citizenship is considered to be formally renounced and lost. Polish citizens residing abroad submit their applications through the offices of the Consulate of the Republic of Poland.

Clearly Polish Citizenship Law has been subject to the historical, political, and racial events that nation has gone through and has a few paradoxes. What negates citizenship on one hand is overridden by some other clause elsewhere.

Jason George Falinski was born at Manly in August, 1970. His Jewish father, Stanisław (later Stanley), was born in what is now Kyrgyzstan, to Russian and Polish parents; he grew up in Kraków before the family immigrated to Australia. On his mother's side, Mr. Falinski has English and Irish heritage. His paternal grandfather, Leon Falinski, born in Krakow, fled the Nazis in 1939. 

Mr. Falinski is clearly as Australian as we come, subject to the convoluted paradoxes of possibly being a little bit Polish, Irish with a good splash of Pom and Russian for good measure. 

Referrals to the High Court and expensive by-elections to achieve exactly the same result as was there prior to, while everyone probably has better things to do and the taxpayer would welcome the thrift, are also a timely reminder that all Australians came from somewhere else once, except those who came here 60 thousand years or more ago, and like to call themselves Custodians, or Historically called themselves by the name of their tribe or language group.

Either way, and back on subject, most Australians are looking forward to a Christmas-New Years break from such 'debates' and for the matters to be cleared up in the new year so we can all get back to more important things; such as world peace, or ensuring our young citizens have access to food, shelter, a kind ear and funds for schoolbooks ... or nudging our pollies towards a firm embrace of solar and an end to encouraging black holes to spread in the ground...

By An Scottish-French-English-With a Splash of Swede and a few other strains, AUSTRALIAN.

Northern Beaches People 
I NEED YOUR STORIES PLEASE!

As promised I’m launching a website to collate our case for better buses on the northern beaches and present it to government and the media.

As I’d like to make an impact with a credible information plus story sharing place on the web would you please take a moment to email me your experience so far with the new service. Let me know your name, age if willing and location and what the difference it has made negative (or positive). Give me as much detail as you can tobetterbusesforthebeaches@gmail.com.

As per this photo I would like to quote you so please let me know if you would rather remain anonymous. PLEASE share this information  - let’s mobilise and make this count people!



Helen Crozier

Policy For Appointing Community & Stakeholder Representatives To Committees

November 30, 2017
A policy has been developed to govern how community and stakeholder representatives are appointed to NBC council committees.

Learn More:

View the Council report (automatically downloads PDF: 195.78kb)
Read the draft policy (automatically downloads PDF: 30.06kb)

Have your say on the draft policy
In writing marked 'Policy for Appointing Community and Stakeholder Representatives to Committees', to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, NSW, 2099
Submissions close Sunday 4 February 2018.

Report Illegal Tree Loppers

November 28, 2017
C/- Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA)
Be Alert. Illegal tree loppers are around. They knock on doors asking if residents would like trees cut down for cash around Avalon, Bilgola Plateau and perhaps elsewhere. Recently their vehicle was a maroon utility truck with a dual cabin. It had Western Australian registration plates 1EIX261. The men appear to be Polynesian. Their business card says M&A Tree Services. They say they are working for the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church and say they are from Enfield. They refuse to give tax invoices and can get quite aggressive about payment. They have been reported cutting Spotted Gums on Council reserves as well as on private land.

If you see them contact the Council Rangers on 9970 1111. 
Lopped tree dumped at Careel Bay Soccer Fields parking are this week.

The next meeting of the Avalon Beach Historical Society will be our last for the year and will be held on Tuesday 12 December in the Avalon Bowling Club in Bowling Green Lane, starting at 8pm.

The attendance at the June meeting confirmed to the Executive Commitee that a good old ‘slide show’ is hard to beat!

We have selected another batch of photos from our archives. Last time we dealt with and talked about some fascinating local houses and how they had (or hadn’t) changed and whether in fact they still existed. Although we crammed 35 buildings into one night – we had some ‘leftovers’ – 25 in fact and all equally interesting and very different in their own way.

To this ‘batch’ we will add some truly historic photos of our second Christmas Party in 1984 (and there are some surprises!).

Grants For Portable Defibrillators

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes is encouraging Pittwater’s sporting clubs to apply for defibrillator funding assistance under the NSW Government’s new Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Up to 2,500 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be rolled out across the state over the next four years under the $4 million program.
An AED is a portable, battery-operated device designed to deliver a controlled electrical shock to a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year and early access to CPR and defibrillation within the first eight minutes are critical and can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent.

The program will fund up to 50 percent of the defibrillator cost, along with training and maintenance support.

“Portable defibrillators are easy to use and can save lives in cases of sudden cardiac arrest,” Rob Stokes said today.

“This fantastic technology has been proven on beaches, sporting fields and in shopping centres – so I’m delighted the NSW Government is providing financial support to help equip more local sporting organisations with this device and the required training.

“The more defibrillators we have in our community, the greater the chance we can assist someone with life-saving intervention,” Rob Stokes said.

The scheme is targeting community sports clubs, however applications from licensed sporting clubs and sports organisations associated with schools, churches, universities and councils will also be considered.

Applications close 20 December 2017. For more information visit:sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants

Australian Government Procurement Contract Reporting

Wednesday, December 6, 2017: Australian National Audit Office
Procurement is a significant public sector activity worth $47.4 billion in 2016–17. This information report seeks to provide greater transparency on procurement activity in the Australian public sector. This information report is neither an audit nor an assurance review and presents no conclusions or opinions. The report presents in a variety of ways, including tables and figures, publicly available data from public sector procurement activity.
Some key points:

Total Australian Government procurement in 2016-17 was $47.4 billion, from 64,092 separate contracts.
The largest agency, in terms of both number and value of contracts, is the Department of Defence (including the Defence Materiel Organisation). In the five years to 30 June 2017, that total value of its procurement exceeded $112 billion. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection was a distant second, on $15.3 billion.

The largest item across all agencies was ‘commercial and military and private vehicles and their accessories and components’, at $42 billion. Defence was responsible for most of this.

Contracts for consultancy rose from just under $400 million in 2012-13 to nearly $700 million in 2016-17. The biggest contracts were to ASC (the former Australian Submarine Corporation), with just two contracts for a total of $3.5 million.

Contracts with the consultancy firms Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC reached nearly $2 billion over the five years, with 2014-15 and 2015-16 the biggest years.

The report breaks down contracts by type of tender, by location, across various agencies. It looks at the usage of panels, the size of organisations awarded contracts, confidentiality provisions (and the reasons for them), the frequency of contract amendments, and more.

Scotland Island Dog Race

It's on again!
Same time same place
Christmas Eve 6pm @ Church Point

DETAILS:
Register your Dog from 2:30 to 5:30pm
Entry fee is 1 Longneck (Cold !) and 1 x Large Tin Dog Food
Official starting time 6pm (or thereabouts)
Courtesy Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, 

Scotland Island Dog Race 2016

By Pittwater Pathways
Pittwaters' men, women, boys and girls race their dogs across the Scotland Island channel. Light-hearted Australian culture at its best. 
Dolly Parton, CrackerJack: 

DoggieRescue.com

Pet of the Week

Lexi


AGE/SEX: 5 months / F
BREED: Staffy X

Lexi is a bright happy pup who is social with other dogs around her age and size. She enjoys cuddles with people and sits on command. On lead she pulls a bit and can lunge at dogs, but it is still all a bit new to her. Volunteers say out walking "she was excellent". She is easy to pick up, sits on command and is easy to train. She has been walking with older children at the shelter. At 16 weeks she weighed 11kg and is expected to grow to English Staffy size. She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. Her adoption cost is $450. 

For further details or to meet all dogs at DoggieRescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 

Searching For William John Gibbons

We are endeavouring to trace an early member of our family - a William John Gibbons.

We believe that my wife's grandfather, a William John Gibbons, lived on Scotland Island in the latter part of his life. It is understood that he commuted to and from the mainland to his place of employment, he may have been a journalist.

William's wife was Mary Eliza Gibbons who outlived William and later remarried Ernest Gotwald.

William died on September 13, 1912 in Newtown hospital. Family oral history believed that William was involved in some boating accident 7 days earlier and had subsequently died in hospital as result of his immersion.

We would be very grateful if there is any person who might have some knowledge of the unfortunate demise of William and be willing to share this with our family. Right now we have no verification that William  did actually  reside on Scotland Island nor that he actually did die as the result of a boating mishap.

John Blair
50 Hoffschildt Drive
Currumbin Waters. QLD. 4223
Ph: 07 5598 5960 or 0427 393 626

Pittwater Carols Afloat 2017

Friday 22nd December
7pm at Lovett Bay Boatshed
8.30pm at Church Point

Everyone is welcome

The performance date is Friday 22nd December with the first performance to be held at the Lovett Bay Boatshed 
at 7 pm.

Boats can raft up or gather around the marina.

The choir then embarks on a ferry - courtesy of Penny Gleen and the Church Point Ferry Service - for the trip to Church Point.

The second performance will be on the old ferry wharf starting at 8.30 pm

A boat will be across the end of the wharf (as Tim Byrne’s was last year) with some of the choir on board.

Whether the audience is in the square, in the restaurant or on boats around and about they will hear everything.

The sound system will be the same as last year.

The Choirmaster is Rod Heard, as last year, and we hope the carols being sung will appeal to young and old

Share the fun with family and friends .. bring along that silly hat, a picnic and the dogs.
John Flower
Whipper-In
Pittwater Carols Afloat 2017

image by June Lahm

Courtesy Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, 

Rotary Carols In The Park - Mona Vale

The Rotary Club of Upper Northern Beaches is once again presenting its annual "Christmas Carols in the Park". This year it will be held again in Mona Vale Village Park on Saturday 16 December.

This is the 14th year of this Pittwater tradition, with an even better show for the crowds of local families who come out to share the Christmas spirit and sing the familiar Christmas songs.

The fun begins at 6.30pm with a line-up of great local singers and musicians backed by the talented Pittwater Uniting Church band. Joining them again this year is special guest vocalist, Samantha Shaw*.

There'll be food and refreshments available, and free lollies for the kids. And Santa will make his usual appearance. Admission is free. 

Enquiries:  0417 228 294 or visit www.rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org. Don't miss this terrific family evening and local seasonal tradition.


* Samantha Shaw has worked professionally for 30 years in radio, TV, theatre, concert and recording studios. Recently she spent 20 years in the UK as a renowned singer in London's session scene and in well-known UK vocal groups, singing on movie soundtracks, recordings, jingles, TV commercials and concerts. She has worked in theatre for producers such as Cameron Macintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and sung as a soloist with many orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The London Symphony Orchestra. She has sung backing vocals for artists such as Robbie Williams, Donny Osmond, Michael Ball and Sarah Brightman, and her voice can be heard on film soundtracks including Nine, A Christmas Carol (2009), Mamma Mia!, Bee Movie, 300, and Troy.

Have Your Say On Palliative Care In NSW

17 November 2017: NSW Health
​The NSW community is being asked to participate in a palliative care survey to ensure everyone receives the support and services they deserve at the end of life.
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health Leslie Williams today also released a consultation paper based on feedback from community roundtables held across NSW earlier this year.

Mr Hazzard said providing quality palliative care services to every resident of NSW is a key priority for the NSW Government

“We are investing an extra $100 million over the next four years to provide more tailored, community-based palliative care services, on top of the approximately $210 million already spent each year,” Mr Hazzard said.

 
“We are listening carefully to the community’s views on where and how palliative care services can be improved so that we have a strong plan for the future.”

Mrs Williams said the consultation paper and feedback from the survey will inform a new palliative and end-of-life care policy in NSW.

“Getting the public’s feedback on palliative care priorities is vital if we are to produce better outcomes for everyone when the inevitable occurs,” Mrs Williams said.

“The survey will only take about 10 minutes so I strongly urge everyone to take this opportunity to have their say.”

The NSW Health Palliative Care Roundtables Consultation Paper and survey can be viewed at www.health.nsw.gov.au/palliativecare

The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete and closes on 15 December 2017.

Please Visit:

Ingleside Precinct Planning Update

Monday November 13, 2017: Dept. of Planning and Environment
The next steps in the planning process for Ingleside are as follows:
  • All of the submissions and feedback have been reviewed. Feedback from landowners, Northern Beaches Council, the Ingleside Community Reference Group, state agencies and the community will inform the development of the final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan.
  • A decision will be made regarding the proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) 2006 to make Ingleside a Priority Growth Area. An amendment to the policy will help to assist Northern Beaches Council when assessing development applications prior to rezoning. This will ensure that the intended planning outcomes for Ingleside are considered during the assessment of new buildings or projects.
  • The final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan will be released early in 2018, which forms the basis of the formal planning controls and contributions schemes. The Plan will include new material on energy and water conservation measures as well as affordable housing.
  • The formal planning controls and contributions schemes will also be placed on exhibition for comment at that time, including:
  1. Proposed changes to land use zones and associated controls for Ingleside;
  2. An application for Biodiversity Certification (this is required to be exhibited at the same time as the rezoning proposal). Biodiversity Certification enables areas of high conservation value to be identified upfront and means that landowners, Council and developers don't need to undertake a threatened species assessment during the Development Application stage;
  3. A Development Control Plan, addressing urban design controls for streetscapes, active travel, other public spaces and controls regarding the built form;
  4. A Special Infrastructure Contributions determination (section 94EE), funding biodiversity offsets, major infrastructure and potentially affordable housing;
  5. A Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan (Section 94), funding local infrastructure which will be maintained by Northern Beaches Council.

Pasadena Progress?

Church Point residents report that the gentleman who owns the Pasadena has workmen working on it - he has said to them council have not offered to buy it, and he's going to refurbish it. 

We'll follow up on this by hopefully talking to the owners ourselves ASAP.


 Gone Fishing Gallery at Waterfront Store Church Point

Open again TODAY in the top room Waterfront Store. Open mainly weekends as an addition to the waterfront cafe. Keep up to date on theirFacebook page

2018 NSW Women Of The Year Awards

November 9th, 2017: NSW Government
Nominations are now open for the 2018 NSW Women of the Year Awards.
Now in its seventh year, the awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women to industry, communities and society.

2018 Awards categories
NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year
NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
Community Hero
Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year
Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year
NSW Business Woman of the Year
First State Super Lifetime Achievement.

There are seven state-wide Award categories:
NSW Premier's Woman of the Year recognises NSW women who have excelled in their chosen career, field or passion. These women are exceptional achievers who have made a significant contribution to NSW and whose accomplishments make them a strong role model for other women.

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year recognises Aboriginal women in NSW who have excelled in their chosen career, field or passion. These Aboriginal women are exceptional achievers who have promoted economic, cultural or social opportunities for Aboriginal people in NSW.

Community Hero celebrates heroes and/or volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the community. These women are positive role models who inspire others to contribute to the community too.

Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year celebrates women aged 18 to 30 years who have excelled in their career or made a significant contribution to their community.

Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year celebrates women from regional NSW who have made significant achievements in areas that are important to regional or rural communities.

NSW Business Woman of the Year recognises excellence in business in NSW. These women provide outstanding leadership and inspiration for other women to succeed.

First State Super Lifetime Achievement recognises an outstanding individual who has dedicated their life towards the advancement of women in NSW.

Minister for Women Tanya Davies called on the community to recognise women’s achievements in the state.

“It is important to give the outstanding and inspirational women leading the way across NSW, the recognition and acknowledgement they deserve,” Mrs Davies said.

Nominations close 18 December 2017. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on 8 March 2018, International Women’s Day.

Pittwater Community Groups: 


Sports

Gardens and Environment

Rural Fire Brigades
Services

Arts and Social

GSC: Draft North District Plan

The vision for Greater Sydney as a metropolis of three cities – the Western Parkland City, the Central River City and the Eastern Harbour City – means residents in the North District will have quicker and easier access to a wider range of jobs, housing types and activities.

The North District is part of the Eastern Harbour City. Its expansive national parks, waterways and beaches provide a natural setting for its vibrant, productive centres and strong community connections.

The District comprises geographically diverse, economically strong and environmentally aware communities who value and embrace progress, the local landscape and a great quality of life.

The draft North District Plan guides the growth of the District within the context of the metropolis of three cities to improve the District’s social, economic and environmental assets.

The draft Plan guides this growth by protecting the District’s many lifestyle assets – from the bush, to its world-class beaches and Sydney Harbour, its vibrant local centres and heritage.

The District will attract even more local, domestic and international visitors as this thriving modern economy grows and coexists within beautiful, natural landscapes.

Housing and jobs will be targeted in the right places, aligned to new and enhanced infrastructure. Sydney Metro will create fast and efficient rail connections to both the Harbour CBD in the south and the growing communities in the northwest, while re-energising centres along its corridor.

Economic growth and a greater diversity of jobs will be targeted in the strategic centres of St Leonards, Chatswood, Macquarie Park, Brookvale-Dee Why, Hornsby and in Manly and Mona Vale as required. The Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest will significantly boost the District’s businesses and jobs in the health sector.

North Sydney’s commercial core will be enhanced to strengthen the District’s economic links to the Harbour CBD and its role in the Eastern Economic Corridor. North Sydney’s neighbourhoods and lifestyle assets will continue to provide housing close to jobs, services and infrastructure, and give the area a unique character.

The North District will have new networks for walking and cycling both within and between strategic centres, along main roads, and along the coast from Manly through to Palm Beach. It will also have networks of open space and urban tree canopy as the Greater Sydney Green Grid is developed.

Revised draft North District Plan

The revised draft North District Plan provides a 20-year plan to manage growth and achieve the 40-year vision, while enhancing Greater Sydney’s liveability, productivity and sustainability into the future. It is a guide for implementing the draft Greater Sydney Region Plan at a District level and is a bridge between regional and local planning. Download and read the full draft North District Plan (PDF 11MB). 

How to be involved 
This revised draft North District Plan replaces the draft North District Plan, released in November 2016. You can read the entire draft District Plan at www.greater.sydney 

This draft District Plan is on formal public exhibition until 15 December 2017. 
You can make a submission: by visiting: www.greater.sydney/submissions by emailing: submissions@gsc.nsw.gov.au by post to: Greater Sydney Commission Draft North District Plan PO Box 257 Parramatta NSW 2124 

Before making a submission, please read the Privacy Statement at www.greater.sydney/privacy. 

If you provide a submission in relation to this document using any of the above addresses, you will be taken to have accepted the Privacy Statement. 
Please note that all submissions and comments will be treated as public and will be published in a variety of mediums. 

If you would like to make a submission without it being made public or if you have any questions about the application of the Commission’s privacy policy, please contact the Commission directly on 1800 617 681 or submissions@gsc.nsw.gov.au
_________________________

Page 34:
New communities in land release areas 
The Priority Growth Area programs of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment guide the development of new communities in land release areas. The current program includes the Priority Growth Area of Ingleside with the potential for a new community of 3,400 dwellings.

Page 69:
Mona Vale
Mona Vale strategic centre is a mixed use area including retail, commercial, community, light industrial and residential uses. It is a thriving centre during business hours,  providing amenity, convenience and a sense of community for residents.

Mona Vale’s connectivity to Brookvale-Dee Why and the Harbour CBD will be improved with the commencement of the B-Line bus service.
Actions 
42. Strengthen Mona Vale through approaches that:
a. protect and enhance the commercial and retail function of the centre to provide employment growth and maintain high job containment
b. ensure sufficient retail and commercial floor space is provided to meet future demand
c. leverage Mona Vale’s role as a north-south and east-west bus interchange to facilitate a greater diversity of employment and mixed uses in the centre
d. improve access and linkages to local destinations, such as Mona Vale Hospital, through priority pedestrian networks
e. promote walking and cycling to and within the centre
f. retain and protect the industrial precinct to the north of the centre to serve the growing population
g. prioritise place making and urban activation, including enlivening the centre.

Urban activation: ‘Urban activation precincts aim to deliver more homes in places with access to infrastructure, transport, services and jobs.’

Draft Environment SEPP

October 31, 2017: NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment
• Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB)
The Explanation of Intended Effect for the Environment SEPP is on exhibition from 31 October 2017 until the 15 January 2018.
 
The NSW government has been working towards developing a new State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) for the protection and management of our natural environment. These areas are important to communities in delivering opportunities for physical health, economic security and cultural identity.
 
This consolidated SEPP proposes to simplify the planning rules for a number of water catchments, waterways, urban bushland, and Willandra Lakes World Heritage Property. These environmental policies will be accessible in one location, and updated to reflect changes that have occurred since the creation of the original policies.
 
The Department of Planning and Environment is seeking your feedback on the proposed SEPP to update and improve the planning framework in regards to these environmental issues. This is discussed in the Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) for the proposed Environment SEPP.
 
Changes proposed include consolidating the following seven existing SEPPs:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50 – Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2 – Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20 – Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997)
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1 – World Heritage Property.
 
Changes are also proposed to the Standard Instrument – Principal Local Environmental Plan. Some provisions of the existing policies will be transferred to new Section 117 Local Planning Directions where appropriate.
 
The EIE outlines changes to occur, implementation details, and the intended outcome. It considers the existing SEPPs proposed to be repealed and explains why certain provisions will be transferred directly to the new SEPP, amended and transferred, or repealed due to overlaps with other areas of the NSW planning system.
 
 

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 31 January 2018

We welcome your feedback on the Explanation of Intended Effect and encourage you to have your say.
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

State Environmental Planning Controls(Draft Environment SEPP):Urban Bushland

The Berejiklian government has just announced changes that propose to repeal and replace the following State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) with a single Environment SEPP:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19—Bushland in Urban Areas - [Manly, Warringah, Pittwater; pages 23 to 32]
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50—Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2—Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20—Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997) [*Pittwater and Warringah]
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1—World Heritage Property.

Aimed at reducing 'red tape' and 'streamlining' NSW's planning system, some changes are commended such as protecting Sydney Harbour's natural assets by prohibiting new canal estates.

However other changes will enable development in sensitive areas that are currently protected.

Designed to marry up with other planning instruments, such as the controversial Biodiversity Act 2016, the changes also give greater effect to Ministerial Directions.

The changes also propose to revise the term ‘bushland zoned or reserved for public open space purposes’ to ‘public bushland’. This includes all land that is zoned non-rural, and owned or managed by a council or a public authority, or reserved for acquisition for open space or environmental conservation by a council or a public authority, and that has vegetation which meets a clear definition of bushland.

From • Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB):
State Environmental Planning Policy No 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP 19)
  • The majority of the provisions of SEPP 19 will be transferred to SEPP (Environment). These provisions will be updated and some will be transferred to a Ministerial Direction.
  • Update council names to reflect recent council amalgamations and boundary changes.
  • Extend its land application to cover local government areas that are currently partly outside the application of SEPP 19 including parts of Hawkesbury and Central Coast local government areas.
  • Transfer plan making provisions in SEPP 19 to a Ministerial Direction.
  • A new circular on Urban Bushland is being finalised for consultation. It has been developed to provide further information and detail regarding the application of SEPP 19. This circular will replace planning Circulars No. B13 and No. 114. 
Creating a new Ministerial Direction – Urban Bushland
SEPP 19 contains provisions for the preparation of local environmental plans in clause 10. The clause ensures that when a council is drafting local environmental plan provisions for any land to which SEPP 19 applies, other than rural land, it considers the general and specific aims of the SEPP, and gives priority to retaining bushland unless significant environmental, economic, or social benefits arise which outweigh the value of the bushland. This should be transferred to a
new Ministerial Direction as it is the appropriate mechanism to guide plan making. No current direction adequately covers urban bushland in the same way. Urban bushland exists across many different zones, therefore Ministerial Direction 2.1 – Environmental Protection Zones, is not appropriate to address public urban bushland of the type protected by SEPP 19.

The new Ministerial Direction is intended to function largely the same way as clause 10 of SEPP 19. As currently, the direction will apply when a planning authority is preparing a planning proposal for land to which the Urban Bushland provisions of SEPP (Environment) apply.

Critically the current SEPP (no 19) SEPP 19 extends 'beyond the protection of environmental values of bushland by identifying 'the need to protect the aesthetic and community values as well as the recreational, educational and scientific values of this resource'.

The proposed SEPP also enables the Roads and Maritime Services, to undertake the subdivision of foreshore lands in order ‘to lawfully reclaim Sydney Harbour land’ and redefine the ‘heads of consideration for consent authorities when assessing Development Applications on Foreshore lands.

The changes also include amending the aim of the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan that ensures Sydney is a ‘working harbour’ to enable a range of recreational, transport, tourism and commercial uses. Greater flexibility to 'mooring pens' is also proposed, which are currently prohibited.

Other changes include transferring heritage provisions to the relevant local environmental plan, thereby reducing the protection of heritage assets.

In addition, concerns have been flagged that moving the prohibition of extractive industries in parts of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment to the SEPP for Mining, Petroleum and Extractive Industries - and moving the Sydney Opera House provisions in the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan to SEPP (State Significant Precincts) effectively reduces the current protections.

The changes are on exhibition for public comment until the 15 January.

_______________________
*page 26:
Provisions to be updated and moved to Ministerial Directions
Provisions within the Hawkesbury Nepean Regional Environmental Plan related to local plan making will be updated and are to be moved to a new Ministerial Direction.

The following current provisions contain plan making guidance suited to a Ministerial Direction:
• Clause 3 ‘Aim of This Plan’
• Part 2 ‘General Planning Considerations, Specific Planning Policies and Recommended Strategies’
• Clause 6(3) ‘Water Quality’
• Clause 6(10) (a) ‘Urban Development’ - rezoning or subdivision of land
• Clause 6(11) ‘Recreation and Tourism’.

Other aspects of Clause 6, such as water quality, total catchment management, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive
areas will be transferred to the proposed new SEPP.

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 31 January 2018 (NB changed date for submissions/feedback)
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

Coaches & Managers Invite For 2018

November 24, 2017: Newport Rugby Club
Newport Breakers Rugby Club is advertising for senior coaches and managers for the 2018 season. Newport Rugby Club is a leading 3rd Division NSW sub-districts club.

The club fields 3x grade sides and 1x colts side and has enjoyed recent on field success with 2 grand finals (2nd and 3rd grade) and a premiership in 2017 (3rd grade).

The club has a strong playing roster and boasts rich traditions, a strong financial position and an organised, experienced and passionate committee and supporter base.

The club is based out of arguably Australia’s best suburban rugby ground, Porter’s Reserve, which overlooks Newport Beach. We also boast one of Australia’s largest junior clubs with over 400 junior players. Applications are invited for the following positions:

First Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Second Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Third Grade – Coach, Manager.This year, we’re looking to build on recent finals appearances and convert into premierships.

The coaches’ roles will include:
  • Leading by example to promote an inclusive, committed and united club culture. 
  • Raising the skill level of new and existing players.
  • All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience 
  • Innovative coaches with the ability to plan, design, implement and review training programs consistent to ensure player development and enjoyment.
  • Player roster, game day and mid week administration and management duties.
  • Working with the committee and players to promote the playing, social and community objectives of the club.
The head coach will be supported by a player manager to assist with administration of the team and various support staff.

All applicants must be Smart Rugby compliant.
Applicants should email a brief coaching and playing history, coaching qualification details and a description of what they can bring to Newport Rugby Club to... heath.radel@suncorp.com.au.

For more information, call Heath on 0429 660 439. All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience.

Residents Want 'Welcome To Pittwater' Sign Returned

Pittwater Online has been contacted by a number of residents this week expressing their dismay that the 'Welcome to Pittwater' sign as you come along Wakehurst Parkway has disappeared.

Although many of the former Pittwater Council logos are disappearing or being scrubbed out from the names of wharves, obviously to be replaced by the new 'design', readers have expressed this cheery sign made them many feel welcomed and gave those returning home a boost after a long day.

As Pittwater is now a Ward, with different boundaries, the wish expressed is that such a sign may be returned and placed where the new lines mark Pittwater's circumference so that good cheer may continue.
The Old
 The New?

Call For National Heritage List Nominations

1 December 2017: Media release - The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy
Nominations are now open for places of outstanding natural, Indigenous or historic significance to the nation for possible inclusion on our National Heritage List.

“Our prestigious National Heritage List celebrates and protects places that reflect our unique landscapes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and development as a nation,” said the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy.

“The List currently includes more than 100 sites from across Australia and its territories, ranging from icons such as Bondi Beach, Fraser Island and Kakadu National Park to lesser-known gems such as the Dirk Hartog’s Landing Site, Darlington Probation Station, Mount William Stone Hatchet Quarry, Witjira-Dalhousie Springs and the High Court-National Gallery Precinct.”

“Each year, more places are added to the List as our national story unfolds and understanding of our heritage deepens.”

Nominations are open until 26 February 2016 and will be considered by the Australian Heritage Council before a final list of places to be assessed in 2018-19 is developed. As part of that assessment process, there will be further opportunities for public comment on each proposed listing.

Nominations of natural, Indigenous and historic places with significant heritage value for possible Commonwealth heritage listing are also being sought.

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Proposed Lease Of Lands Prep. Works

Earlier this week council has invited feedback on the proposed lease of lands connected with the Mona Vale road upgrades. Queries have confirmed this is part of preparation works. Construction tenders will be advertised shortly and contractors will be selected early next year (2018).



Council’s invitation to provide feedback:

Proposed Lease Of Land To Roads And Maritime Services (RMS) - Mona Vale Road

In accordance with Section 47A of the Local Government Act 1993, Northern Beaches Council hereby gives public notice of its intention to consider a lease for a term of three (3) years for the parcels of land known as: 

• Lot 2, 3 & 4 DP 350940 Walana Crescent, Mona Vale
• Lot 101 DP 749415, Lot 6 DP 239061 and Part of Lot 12 DP 241313 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale
The purpose of the lease is for the construction of noise walls, drainage and associated infrastructure and for temporary construction and road purposes.

A separate process is being undertaken for RMS to acquire some of the leased land in the future. The parcels affected are marked on the attached plans.

• Site Plan SR4779
• Site Plan SR4790
• Site Plan SR4794

Have your say
• Online 
• In writing to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, Civic Centre, 725 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why, 2099 marked 'Proposed RMS leases Mona Vale'
For enquiries contact Council’s Property Officer on 1300 434 434.

Submissions close Monday 18 December 2017


Petition: Save Ingleside From Over-Development

PROPOSED INGLESIDE DEVELOPMENT
We the undersigned, write in connection with the above proposal and wish to object strongly and respectfully to the development of the area in the proposed manner.

Ingleside is a dispersed settlement where development proposals should be considered very carefully: infilling could ruin the character of the area but estate development will not only overwhelm it but also overwhelm the vast majority of residents living from Narrabeen to Palm Beach who will travel through or near Ingleside every day.

Naturally, we understand that the State Government has a determined growth strategy. However, the overwhelming increase in immediate population and thoroughfare traffic will have a devastating effect upon the existing population who live here and contribute to Sydney as a city and as a defined demographic already. 

Pressure for the development in the region is considerable, mainly for housing city commuters, but has been successfully resisted for more than 30 years for the same reasons as now. The infrastructure was not in place and as can be seen by the impact of development in Warriewood, remains at an unsupportive level. The reasons for rejecting those schemes also included the inadequacy of the minor roads apart from Mona Vale Road to accommodate even small increases in traffic. 

Reference is made to the over one thousand comments on the supporting website, mostly by residents of Pittwater external to the immediate area of Ingleside who have failed to have a voice but as your constituents have equal right to be represented as bearing the impact of the development.
With the above in mind, we request that the development be reviewed to take into account the residents of Pittwater, whom you represent. Rather than telling them why it will be good for them, consider the voice of the residents and understand why it will be bad for them. 

 

Click on logo above to visit their website.

Planning Alerts


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Course For A Cause At Avalon

Just beyond the Bilgola Bends as you are about to enter the Avalon Village, nestled in behind a strip of nature that separates it from the often busy Barrenjoey Road – you have the Royal Avalon Golf Course.

Not only 9 holes of golf open to the public every day of the year, with no membership required but also one of the best located venues available for hire on the Northern Beaches, or even Sydney!

Recently we have begun a program called “Course for a Cause”. The initiative is designed to help local charities by offering free use of our facilities to raise money and/or awareness for a worthy cause.

Do you have a cause close to your heart?
Nominate your charity to become part of this program by calling 9918 2606 or emailing manager@avalongolfcourse.com.au

If you don’t want to play golf, but are still after a venue for your function, the clubhouse is available for extended hours. So with plenty of parking on sight, the time of day shouldn’t be a problem when promoting your personal cause.

If you don’t have a charity, but are still looking for somewhere to party, the clubhouse can be hired to celebrate all kinds of occasions.

The bar is available and serving some of your favourite beer and wine, or take advantage of our BYO option.

Day time events can always incorporate games to raise some extra money with the practice putting green beside the clubhouse being utilised for competitions or a bit of fun for the kids.

If you are interested in our Course for a Cause initiative OR would just like to hire Avalon Golf Course and clubhouse for a function, please emailmanager@avalongolfcourse.com.au or call 9918 2606


The purpose of  www.westpittwater.com.au  - is best defined by the vision of the West Pittwater Community Association.

To be a supportive community, encouraging and promoting civic pride, interest in community affairs and goodwill amongst residents.

To protect local fauna and flora and generally preserve West Pittwater and its environs.

To secure essential facilities including public wharves and reserves and to protect private and public property.

To speak with one voice and represent the interests of the Western Foreshore community when in discussion with Pittwater Council and other relevant government bodies. The WPCA website provides a forum for the better realisation of these objectives. Visit: www.westpittwater.com.au

New Season for Sailability Pittwater 

Sailability Pittwater is a volunteer organisation which provides sailing for people with a disability. Our main recreational sailing activities are at Rowland Reserve, Bayview, and we run competitive sailing for people with a disability out of RPAYC Newport. We are currently looking for new volunteers for our Saturday morning program at Rowland Reserve and Tuesdays at RPA. For more information at  www.sailability.org/au/pittwater or call John on 9982 5656

Red Cross Shop Newport

The Newport Red Cross shop desperately needs your quality, discarded clothing items. Now that spring is almost springing, perhaps you are all set to 'declutter' your offshore abode. But what to do with all those gems that are no longer you. Well donate them of course. The Red Cross shop at Newport is very excited to receive your cast offs. We also take small household items but alas, no electrical or furniture. 

Did you know that all profits from Red Cross shops stay in Australia? Profits from Red Cross shops support worthy programmes like providing breakfast for school kids, Telecross - a daily call to elderly people in need of contact, youth services, disaster relief, mental health services and much, much more.

Should you need assistance please feel free to call me or just leave your items in our boat. We live on the northern side of Lovett Bay between Now and Zen and Therese and John. The house is called 'Foreshore' and our boat is a Stabicraft for purposes of identification! 

Don't hesitate to call in to the Newport Red Cross shop with your donations - close to Woolworths petrol station at 334 Barrenjoey Rd Newport or call Lesley Scott to help with donations - 0410 687864


December 3 - 9, 2017: Issue 340

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 340: 

Pittwater High’s Inaugural Surfing Cup by Daniel Burton, Surfing Coordinator    

7 Little Ducklings: Just Keep Paddling - Australian Wood Duck family take over local pool by Peta Wise 

It’s A Wrap Bush Bound Lifesavers Head Home: Australia's most popular primary aged surf education program has closed the books on another successful season with almost 9000 NSW country students taking part in a lesson on surf safety from our volunteer lifesavers last week. Find out more about FLAGS; F for find the flags, L for look for the signs and read them, A for ask a lifesaver if you’ve got any questions or need help, G for get a friend, always swim with a friend and then S is also being to signal for help so explaining to them what they need to do if they get into trouble. From Surf Life Saving New South Wales

Tyler Wright Wins WSL World Title No 2 In Epic Conditions At Maui Pro by Surfing Australia

Pictures: The Art Of Mick Glasheen: Drawing On The Land, Garigal Country Now Open - The Opening Event - some Social Snaps

Aquatics: 2017 Surf Dive n Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles at Culburra Beach by Surfing NSW

DIY Ideas: Preparing Al Fresco Areas for Christmas Get-Togethers and Summer Visitors

Take A Wander Down Australian Yachting Memory Lane (Admiral’s Cup 50th anniversary regatta in Sydney this weekend) by Di Pearson

Profile: Don and Beryl Imison: Avalon Beach SLSC’s first 60 Year Service Awards went to Life Members Max Watt, Doug Crane, Ken Davidson, Don Imison and Reg Wood in 2006, 11 years ago. 

Don has seen the earliest and newest versions of this clubhouse. He’s also seen Avalon change from horses that take themselves for an amble down roads made of dirt to traffic lights. Beryl has seen days when there were lots of birds, then years when there were none due to all the developments and cutting down of trees, to now, when there are many more again. She served soft drinks at the clubhouse when The Stomp was all the rage. She served cake and tea and coffee to those who came to Avalon Beach SLSC to film that 1963 version of Bandstand.

History:  Pittwater Fishermen: The Sly Family Narrabeen Exploits and Manly Community Contributors: The First Surfboat at Manly - 1903 - men and women of this family made massive contributions to our area, even if they had a fracas or two

Artist of the Month: December 2017: Mick Glasheen The Art Of Mick Glasheen: Drawing On The Land, Garigal Country - 

Mick is holding his first public exhibition of his extraordinary panoramic drawings and paintings of the sandstone plateaus, caves and beaches of Pittwater. Mick brings the landscape to life in a way that few other artists have done. 

Running over three weekends in December; 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 December, 2017, 8am - 5pm

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 1/12/2017 

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Pittwater Online Christmas - New Years Break

Pittwater Online News's last Issue for 2017 will be published onSunday December 17th. 

The first Issue for 2018 will be published on Sunday January 14th. 

Staff will be out and about doing interviews and photography of local newsfrom Friday January 5th 2018 but please be advised Issue 342 will cover the period from December 17th to January 14th.

If you have items or events you want run in that Issue encompassing those dates you will need to have it to the mag. by 7 a.m. December 17th as staff will be unavailable after that time until January 5th.

NB: Pittwater Online News Emails will still be monitored for those sending in items/events for the first Issue of 2018.

State Environmental Planning Controls(Draft Environment SEPP): Urban Bushland

The Berejiklian government has just announced changes that propose to repeal and replace the following State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) with a single Environment SEPP:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19—Bushland in Urban Areas - [Manly, Warringah, Pittwater; pages 23 to 32]
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50—Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2—Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20—Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997) [*Pittwater and Warringah]
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1—World Heritage Property.

Aimed at reducing 'red tape' and 'streamlining' NSW's planning system, some changes are commended such as protecting Sydney Harbour's natural assets by prohibiting new canal estates.

However other changes will enable development in sensitive areas that are currently protected.

Designed to marry up with other planning instruments, such as the controversial Biodiversity Act 2016, the changes also give greater effect to Ministerial Directions.

The changes also propose to revise the term ‘bushland zoned or reserved for public open space purposes’ to ‘public bushland’. This includes all land that is zoned non-rural, and owned or managed by a council or a public authority, or reserved for acquisition for open space or environmental conservation by a council or a public authority, and that has vegetation which meets a clear definition of bushland.

From • Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB):
State Environmental Planning Policy No 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP 19)
  • The majority of the provisions of SEPP 19 will be transferred to SEPP (Environment). These provisions will be updated and some will be transferred to a Ministerial Direction.
  • Update council names to reflect recent council amalgamations and boundary changes.
  • Extend its land application to cover local government areas that are currently partly outside the application of SEPP 19 including parts of Hawkesbury and Central Coast local government areas.
  • Transfer plan making provisions in SEPP 19 to a Ministerial Direction.
  • A new circular on Urban Bushland is being finalised for consultation. It has been developed to provide further information and detail regarding the application of SEPP 19. This circular will replace planning Circulars No. B13 and No. 114. 
Creating a new Ministerial Direction – Urban Bushland
SEPP 19 contains provisions for the preparation of local environmental plans in clause 10. The clause ensures that when a council is drafting local environmental plan provisions for any land to which SEPP 19 applies, other than rural land, it considers the general and specific aims of the SEPP, and gives priority to retaining bushland unless significant environmental, economic, or social benefits arise which outweigh the value of the bushland. This should be transferred to a new Ministerial Direction as it is the appropriate mechanism to guide plan making. No current direction adequately covers urban bushland in the same way. Urban bushland exists across many different zones, therefore Ministerial Direction 2.1 – Environmental Protection Zones, is not appropriate to address public urban bushland of the type protected by SEPP 19.

The new Ministerial Direction is intended to function largely the same way as clause 10 of SEPP 19. As currently, the direction will apply when a planning authority is preparing a planning proposal for land to which the Urban Bushland provisions of SEPP (Environment) apply.

Critically the current SEPP (no 19) SEPP 19 extends 'beyond the protection of environmental values of bushland by identifying 'the need to protect the aesthetic and community values as well as the recreational, educational and scientific values of this resource'.

The proposed SEPP also enables the Roads and Maritime Services, to undertake the subdivision of foreshore lands in order ‘to lawfully reclaim Sydney Harbour land’ and redefine the ‘heads of consideration for consent authorities when assessing Development Applications on Foreshore lands.

The changes also include amending the aim of the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan that ensures Sydney is a ‘working harbour’ to enable a range of recreational, transport, tourism and commercial uses. Greater flexibility to 'mooring pens' is also proposed, which are currently prohibited.

Other changes include transferring heritage provisions to the relevant local environmental plan, thereby reducing the protection of heritage assets.

In addition, concerns have been flagged that moving the prohibition of extractive industries in parts of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment to the SEPP for Mining, Petroleum and Extractive Industries - and moving the Sydney Opera House provisions in the Harbour Regional Environmental Plan to SEPP (State Significant Precincts) effectively reduces the current protections.

The changes are on exhibition for public comment until the 15 January.

_______________________
*page 26:
Provisions to be updated and moved to Ministerial Directions
Provisions within the Hawkesbury Nepean Regional Environmental Plan related to local plan making will be updated and are to be moved to a new Ministerial Direction.

The following current provisions contain plan making guidance suited to a Ministerial Direction:
• Clause 3 ‘Aim of This Plan’
• Part 2 ‘General Planning Considerations, Specific Planning Policies and Recommended Strategies’
• Clause 6(3) ‘Water Quality’
• Clause 6(10) (a) ‘Urban Development’ - rezoning or subdivision of land
• Clause 6(11) ‘Recreation and Tourism’.

Other aspects of Clause 6, such as water quality, total catchment management, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive
areas will be transferred to the proposed new SEPP.

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 15 January 2018
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

Draft Environment SEPP

October 31, 2017: NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment
• Draft Environment SEPP (PDF: 6.215 MB)
The Explanation of Intended Effect for the Environment SEPP is on exhibition from 31 October 2017 until the 15 January 2018.
 
The NSW government has been working towards developing a new State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) for the protection and management of our natural environment. These areas are important to communities in delivering opportunities for physical health, economic security and cultural identity.
 
This consolidated SEPP proposes to simplify the planning rules for a number of water catchments, waterways, urban bushland, and Willandra Lakes World Heritage Property. These environmental policies will be accessible in one location, and updated to reflect changes that have occurred since the creation of the original policies.
 
The Department of Planning and Environment is seeking your feedback on the proposed SEPP to update and improve the planning framework in regards to these environmental issues. This is discussed in the Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) for the proposed Environment SEPP.
 
Changes proposed include consolidating the following seven existing SEPPs:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011
• State Environmental Planning Policy No. 50 – Canal Estate Development
• Greater Metropolitan Regional Environmental Plan No. 2 – Georges River Catchment
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 20 – Hawkesbury-Nepean River (No.2-1997)
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005
• Willandra Lakes Regional Environmental Plan No. 1 – World Heritage Property.
 
Changes are also proposed to the Standard Instrument – Principal Local Environmental Plan. Some provisions of the existing policies will be transferred to new Section 117 Local Planning Directions where appropriate.
 
The EIE outlines changes to occur, implementation details, and the intended outcome. It considers the existing SEPPs proposed to be repealed and explains why certain provisions will be transferred directly to the new SEPP, amended and transferred, or repealed due to overlaps with other areas of the NSW planning system.
 
 

Have your say on the Explanation of Intended Effect for the proposed Environment SEPP until 15 January 2018

We welcome your feedback on the Explanation of Intended Effect and encourage you to have your say.
 
• Or write to:

Director, Planning Frameworks
Department of Planning and Environment 
GPO Box 39 
Sydney NSW 2001

Pittwater Park Palm Beach Parking 

Thursday, 30 November 2017: Media Release - Northern Beaches Council
Northern Beaches Council has approved the Palm Beach Parking Management Plan to improve parking at Pittwater Park, Palm Beach and environs.

Mayor Michael Regan said Council had worked closely with the community to develop a parking demand management strategy for the area and welcomed the significant community input from more than 300 residents and businesses.

“Palm Beach is a popular destination and attracts many visitors. The Palm Beach Ferry Wharf services the offshore community as well as day trippers, holiday makers and commuters. This plan tries to balance the needs of locals, visitors, commuters and nearby businesses,” Mayor Regan said.

Following extensive community consultation, Council developed a comprehensive plan to manage parking which will:
  • Provide more parking for the community to access nearby businesses through two hour, four hour and eight hour parking spaces
  • Increase turnover and manage peak demand, eg during summer holidays, long weekends
  • Provide dedicated parking with a new parking permit for Western Offshore residents
  • Balance the needs of residents, visitors and commuters
  • Promote nearby parking alternatives and public transport, including using the car park of nearby sports grounds Iluka and Woorak Reserve carparks and the 181 space Careel Bay Playing Fields carpark
  • Prioritise road safety

Policy For Appointing Community & Stakeholder Representatives To Committees

November 30, 2017
A policy has been developed to govern how community and stakeholder representatives are appointed to NBC council committees.

Learn More:

View the Council report (automatically downloads PDF: 195.78kb)
Read the draft policy (automatically downloads PDF: 30.06kb)

Have your say on the draft policy
In writing marked 'Policy for Appointing Community and Stakeholder Representatives to Committees', to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, 725 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, NSW, 2099
Submissions close Sunday 4 February 2018.

Report Illegal Tree Loppers

November 28, 2017
C/- Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA)
Be Alert. Illegal tree loppers are around. They knock on doors asking if residents would like trees cut down for cash around Avalon, Bilgola Plateau and perhaps elsewhere. Recently their vehicle was a maroon utility truck with a dual cabin. It had Western Australian registration plates 1EIX261. The men appear to be Polynesian. Their business card says M&A Tree Services. They say they are working for the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church and say they are from Enfield. They refuse to give tax invoices and can get quite aggressive about payment. They have been reported cutting Spotted Gums on Council reserves as well as on private land.

If you see them contact the Council Rangers on 9970 1111. 
Lopped tree dumped at Careel Bay Soccer Fields parking are this week.

Pittwater’s On-Demand Transport Trial Underway

27 November 2017
The NSW Government’s innovative on-demand transport trial is now underway in Pittwater.
 
The trial, known as Keoride, is being administered by Transport for NSW and allows customers to use a website, phone number or app to book a vehicle that will arrive at their home, or convenient pick up location, and transfer them to the nearest B-Line bus stop.
 
The on-demand services will be delivered using vehicles with the capacity to carry four passengers, and will particularly assist local residents living in areas that are not easily serviced by traditional buses. Bookings can be made up to one month or a minimum of 30 minutes before a trip.
 
The launch of the on-demand trial coincides with the start of a new regional bus timetable which includes additional services on key CBD express routes, a new route between Palm Beach and Manly, increased frequency on local shuttle routes and the commencement of B-Line services between Mona Vale and the CBD.
 
“This is all about customising services and allowing commuters to have more choice on when and how they travel,” Rob Stokes said today.
 
“Pittwater is among the first areas in NSW to trial this innovative, on-demand transport model.
 
“There are many areas of our community that are not easily accessible by traditional buses – so this is a flexible and adaptive service that could help people access the B-Line service at a time that best suits their needs.
 
“This new service could also encourage commuters to leave their cars at home – taking pressure off commuter car parks and our local roads.
 
“This is not something that’s been trialled before by the NSW Government – so the response and feedback will be really important.
 
“We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access our public transport network and this could be another important component in the service mix,” Rob Stokes said. 
 
The on-demand trial is administered by Transport for NSW and will be run by Keolis Downer, one of Australia’s largest providers of multi-modal public transport.
 
A one way trip costs $3.10, with concession card holders (including pensioners, seniors, students and apprentices) receiving a 50% discount.
 
Keoride will operate at the following times:
• Weekdays: 6am-10pm
• Saturday 7am-7pm
• Sunday: 7am-5pm.
 
Bookings can be made:
•  Online at www.keoride.com.au;
•  Over the phone by calling 1800 KEO RIDE (1800 536 7433) or
•   In coming weeks, commuters will be able to download the ‘Keoride’ app from the Google Play and Apple App Stores.
 
Upon booking, customers will receive a booking confirmation and an estimated pick up and drop off time.

The next meeting of the Avalon Beach Historical Society will be our last for the year and will be held on Tuesday 12 December in the Avalon Bowling Club in Bowling Green Lane, starting at 8pm.

The attendance at the June meeting confirmed to the Executive Commitee that a good old ‘slide show’ is hard to beat!

We have selected another batch of photos from our archives. Last time we dealt with and talked about some fascinating local houses and how they had (or hadn’t) changed and whether in fact they still existed. Although we crammed 35 buildings into one night – we had some ‘leftovers’ – 25 in fact and all equally interesting and very different in their own way.

To this ‘batch’ we will add some truly historic photos of our second Christmas Party in 1984 (and there are some surprises!).

Grants For Portable Defibrillators

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes is encouraging Pittwater’s sporting clubs to apply for defibrillator funding assistance under the NSW Government’s new Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Up to 2,500 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be rolled out across the state over the next four years under the $4 million program.
An AED is a portable, battery-operated device designed to deliver a controlled electrical shock to a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year and early access to CPR and defibrillation within the first eight minutes are critical and can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent.

The program will fund up to 50 percent of the defibrillator cost, along with training and maintenance support.

“Portable defibrillators are easy to use and can save lives in cases of sudden cardiac arrest,” Rob Stokes said today.

“This fantastic technology has been proven on beaches, sporting fields and in shopping centres – so I’m delighted the NSW Government is providing financial support to help equip more local sporting organisations with this device and the required training.

“The more defibrillators we have in our community, the greater the chance we can assist someone with life-saving intervention,” Rob Stokes said.

The scheme is targeting community sports clubs, however applications from licensed sporting clubs and sports organisations associated with schools, churches, universities and councils will also be considered.

Applications close 20 December 2017. For more information visit:sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants

Scotland Island Dog Race

It's on again!
Same time same place
Christmas Eve 6pm @ Church Point

DETAILS:
Register your Dog from 2:30 to 5:30pm
Entry fee is 1 Longneck (Cold !) and 1 x Large Tin Dog Food
Official starting time 6pm (or thereabouts)
Courtesy Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, 

Scotland Island Dog Race 2016

By Pittwater Pathways
Pittwaters' men, women, boys and girls race their dogs across the Scotland Island channel. Light-hearted Australian culture at its best. 
Dolly Parton, CrackerJack: 

Searching For William John Gibbons

We are endeavouring to trace an early member of our family - a William John Gibbons.

We believe that my wife's grandfather, a William John Gibbons, lived on Scotland Island in the latter part of his life. It is understood that he commuted to and from the mainland to his place of employment, he may have been a journalist.

William's wife was Mary Eliza Gibbons who outlived William and later remarried Ernest Gotwald.

William died on September 13, 1912 in Newtown hospital. Family oral history believed that William was involved in some boating accident 7 days earlier and had subsequently died in hospital as result of his immersion.

We would be very grateful if there is any person who might have some knowledge of the unfortunate demise of William and be willing to share this with our family. Right now we have no verification that William  did actually  reside on Scotland Island nor that he actually did die as the result of a boating mishap.

John Blair
50 Hoffschildt Drive
Currumbin Waters. QLD. 4223
Ph: 07 5598 5960 or 0427 393 626

Help The Island Kindy Get A Playground

Start voting TODAY for Scotland Island & Offshore Children’s Services to win a recycled playground worth $45,000 – thanks to Garnier!

Everyone can cast one vote for every 24 hours by jumping ontoGarnier.com.au/Playground. Vote every day until December 8th.

Once you click on the link, go to the bottom right hand corner of the page and there will be a "Cast your vote" section. If you fill out your details and then type "Scotland" into the school section our kindy will come up. 

Below is a picture of our current playground – as you can see we need some help!

You can also help by saving all your empty cosmetic containers and packaging. Examples include; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand cream, hand wash, face cleanser, face wash, moisturiser, makeup, lipstick, lipgloss etc etc 

Larger Signs Or Ranger Patrols Needed At Church Point

Residents of our offshore areas are finding the frustrations with the building of new car park works at church point compounded by visitors not being aware, or disregarding how to use the new areas already finished.

On weekends Restaurant diners have taken every spot in the 10min unloading zone, not good for residents who may have items they wish to drop off to their boats.

One resident spent 40 minutes trying to find a parking spot yesterday (Saturday November 18th) resulting in the ruination of ice-cream - not something those with easier access to a car-park and their freezer will have to explain to youngsters.

A little consideration, paying attention to what you can do when and where, or a few fines may remedy the problem of onshore people not looking out for or after offshore people.


Church Point 10 minute drop-off zone yesterday

Local Government NSW Annual Conference

More than 850 delegates representing NSW councils will gather at Sydney's Hyatt Regency Hotel for the LGNSW Annual Conference on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 December.

Conference delegates will be addressed by Acting Premier John Barilaro; Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton; Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey and the Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose.

The Conference serves as the key policy-making body for LGNSW, with members submitting policy motions for debate and vote. Conference also elects LGNSW's governing Board for the following two years. 

Study Finds Heatwaves In NSW Cause 10 Per Cent Increase In Deaths

01 December 2017: NSW Health
​Extreme heatwaves lead to a more than 10 per cent increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts, according to a long-term study by NSW Health.
 
NSW Health’s Director of Environmental Health and co-author of the study, Dr Ben Scalley, said with the start of summer it is important people take heatwaves seriously.
 
“Prolonged periods of very hot weather can be dangerous because hot weather can overheat the human body, leading to a range of serious illnesses,” Dr Scalley said.

“Certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable, including older people, infants and children, people with a chronic medical condition and those who live alone.
 
“During hot weather, it’s important to stay in regular contact with elderly neighbours, friends and relatives and to look out for other vulnerable members of their community.” 

The study, published in the International Journal of Biometeorology, analysed the health effects of heat events from 2005-2015 and their impact on mortality, hospitalisations and ambulance call-outs.
 
Dr Scalley sad the study showed extreme heatwaves are associated with a 10.8 per cent increase in deaths, a 3.4 per cent increase in hospital presentations and 10.9 per cent hike in ambulance call-outs.
 
“The increases in all three measures were seen across metropolitan, regional and rural areas across the state,” Dr Scalley said.
 
The results of the study support several recent international studies that have linked heatwaves with significant impacts on human health and mortality.
 
Dr Scalley said the following simple precautions will help minimise the risk of heat-related illness:
  • drink plenty of water, and remember to carry some with you when out and about avoid alcoholic, hot or sugary drinks
  • plan your day around the heat, particularly in the middle of the day, and minimise physical activity
  • keep the sun out by shading windows with curtains, blinds or closing shutters
  • keep windows closed during the day until it cools down and in early morning
  • if you don’t have an air-conditioner, try to spend time in an air-conditioned place like a shopping centre, library or cinema
  • wear light, loose-fitting clothing
  • when outdoors, stay protected from the sun by wearing a hat and sunscreen. 
For more information, visit the NSW Health beat the heat website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/Pages/default.aspx

Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2017

December:
December 8th: 8am to 4pm Stall, outside ANZ Bank, Avalon Parade, Avalon Sewing, knitting, craft, jam. 
December 9th, 8am to 3pm Bunnings Narrabeen, sausage sizzle    

Have Your Say On Palliative Care In NSW

17 November 2017: NSW Health
​The NSW community is being asked to participate in a palliative care survey to ensure everyone receives the support and services they deserve at the end of life.
 
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health Leslie Williams today also released a consultation paper based on feedback from community roundtables held across NSW earlier this year.

Mr Hazzard said providing quality palliative care services to every resident of NSW is a key priority for the NSW Government

“We are investing an extra $100 million over the next four years to provide more tailored, community-based palliative care services, on top of the approximately $210 million already spent each year,” Mr Hazzard said.

 
“We are listening carefully to the community’s views on where and how palliative care services can be improved so that we have a strong plan for the future.”

Mrs Williams said the consultation paper and feedback from the survey will inform a new palliative and end-of-life care policy in NSW.

“Getting the public’s feedback on palliative care priorities is vital if we are to produce better outcomes for everyone when the inevitable occurs,” Mrs Williams said.

“The survey will only take about 10 minutes so I strongly urge everyone to take this opportunity to have their say.”

The NSW Health Palliative Care Roundtables Consultation Paper and survey can be viewed at www.health.nsw.gov.au/palliativecare

The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete and closes on 15 December 2017.

Please Visit:

Ingleside Precinct Planning Update

Monday November 13, 2017: Dept. of Planning and Environment
The next steps in the planning process for Ingleside are as follows:
  • All of the submissions and feedback have been reviewed. Feedback from landowners, Northern Beaches Council, the Ingleside Community Reference Group, state agencies and the community will inform the development of the final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan.
  • A decision will be made regarding the proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) 2006 to make Ingleside a Priority Growth Area. An amendment to the policy will help to assist Northern Beaches Council when assessing development applications prior to rezoning. This will ensure that the intended planning outcomes for Ingleside are considered during the assessment of new buildings or projects.
  • The final Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan will be released early in 2018, which forms the basis of the formal planning controls and contributions schemes. The Plan will include new material on energy and water conservation measures as well as affordable housing.
  • The formal planning controls and contributions schemes will also be placed on exhibition for comment at that time, including:
  1. Proposed changes to land use zones and associated controls for Ingleside;
  2. An application for Biodiversity Certification (this is required to be exhibited at the same time as the rezoning proposal). Biodiversity Certification enables areas of high conservation value to be identified upfront and means that landowners, Council and developers don't need to undertake a threatened species assessment during the Development Application stage;
  3. A Development Control Plan, addressing urban design controls for streetscapes, active travel, other public spaces and controls regarding the built form;
  4. A Special Infrastructure Contributions determination (section 94EE), funding biodiversity offsets, major infrastructure and potentially affordable housing;
  5. A Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan (Section 94), funding local infrastructure which will be maintained by Northern Beaches Council.

GSC: Draft North District Plan

The vision for Greater Sydney as a metropolis of three cities – the Western Parkland City, the Central River City and the Eastern Harbour City – means residents in the North District will have quicker and easier access to a wider range of jobs, housing types and activities.

The North District is part of the Eastern Harbour City. Its expansive national parks, waterways and beaches provide a natural setting for its vibrant, productive centres and strong community connections.

The District comprises geographically diverse, economically strong and environmentally aware communities who value and embrace progress, the local landscape and a great quality of life.

The draft North District Plan guides the growth of the District within the context of the metropolis of three cities to improve the District’s social, economic and environmental assets.

The draft Plan guides this growth by protecting the District’s many lifestyle assets – from the bush, to its world-class beaches and Sydney Harbour, its vibrant local centres and heritage.

The District will attract even more local, domestic and international visitors as this thriving modern economy grows and coexists within beautiful, natural landscapes.

Housing and jobs will be targeted in the right places, aligned to new and enhanced infrastructure. Sydney Metro will create fast and efficient rail connections to both the Harbour CBD in the south and the growing communities in the northwest, while re-energising centres along its corridor.

Economic growth and a greater diversity of jobs will be targeted in the strategic centres of St Leonards, Chatswood, Macquarie Park, Brookvale-Dee Why, Hornsby and in Manly and Mona Vale as required. The Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest will significantly boost the District’s businesses and jobs in the health sector.

North Sydney’s commercial core will be enhanced to strengthen the District’s economic links to the Harbour CBD and its role in the Eastern Economic Corridor. North Sydney’s neighbourhoods and lifestyle assets will continue to provide housing close to jobs, services and infrastructure, and give the area a unique character.

The North District will have new networks for walking and cycling both within and between strategic centres, along main roads, and along the coast from Manly through to Palm Beach. It will also have networks of open space and urban tree canopy as the Greater Sydney Green Grid is developed.

Revised draft North District Plan

The revised draft North District Plan provides a 20-year plan to manage growth and achieve the 40-year vision, while enhancing Greater Sydney’s liveability, productivity and sustainability into the future. It is a guide for implementing the draft Greater Sydney Region Plan at a District level and is a bridge between regional and local planning. Download and read the full draft North District Plan (PDF 11MB). 

How to be involved 
This revised draft North District Plan replaces the draft North District Plan, released in November 2016. You can read the entire draft District Plan at www.greater.sydney 

This draft District Plan is on formal public exhibition until 15 December 2017. 
You can make a submission: by visiting: www.greater.sydney/submissions by emailing: submissions@gsc.nsw.gov.au by post to: Greater Sydney Commission Draft North District Plan PO Box 257 Parramatta NSW 2124 

Before making a submission, please read the Privacy Statement at www.greater.sydney/privacy. 

If you provide a submission in relation to this document using any of the above addresses, you will be taken to have accepted the Privacy Statement. 
Please note that all submissions and comments will be treated as public and will be published in a variety of mediums. 

If you would like to make a submission without it being made public or if you have any questions about the application of the Commission’s privacy policy, please contact the Commission directly on 1800 617 681 or submissions@gsc.nsw.gov.au
_________________________

Page 34:
New communities in land release areas 
The Priority Growth Area programs of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment guide the development of new communities in land release areas. The current program includes the Priority Growth Area of Ingleside with the potential for a new community of 3,400 dwellings.

Page 69:
Mona Vale
Mona Vale strategic centre is a mixed use area including retail, commercial, community, light industrial and residential uses. It is a thriving centre during business hours,  providing amenity, convenience and a sense of community for residents.

Mona Vale’s connectivity to Brookvale-Dee Why and the Harbour CBD will be improved with the commencement of the B-Line bus service.
Actions 
42. Strengthen Mona Vale through approaches that:
a. protect and enhance the commercial and retail function of the centre to provide employment growth and maintain high job containment
b. ensure sufficient retail and commercial floor space is provided to meet future demand
c. leverage Mona Vale’s role as a north-south and east-west bus interchange to facilitate a greater diversity of employment and mixed uses in the centre
d. improve access and linkages to local destinations, such as Mona Vale Hospital, through priority pedestrian networks
e. promote walking and cycling to and within the centre
f. retain and protect the industrial precinct to the north of the centre to serve the growing population
g. prioritise place making and urban activation, including enlivening the centre.

Urban activation: ‘Urban activation precincts aim to deliver more homes in places with access to infrastructure, transport, services and jobs.’

Pasadena Progress?

Church Point residents report that the gentleman who owns the Pasadena has workmen working on it - he has said to them council have not offered to buy it, and he's going to refurbish it. 

We'll follow up on this by hopefully talking to the owners ourselves ASAP.


 Gone Fishing Gallery at Waterfront Store Church Point

Open again TODAY in the top room Waterfront Store. Open mainly weekends as an addition to the waterfront cafe. Keep up to date on their Facebook page

2018 NSW Women Of The Year Awards

November 9th, 2017: NSW Government
Nominations are now open for the 2018 NSW Women of the Year Awards.
Now in its seventh year, the awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women to industry, communities and society.

2018 Awards categories
NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year
NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
Community Hero
Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year
Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year
NSW Business Woman of the Year
First State Super Lifetime Achievement.

There are seven state-wide Award categories:
NSW Premier's Woman of the Year recognises NSW women who have excelled in their chosen career, field or passion. These women are exceptional achievers who have made a significant contribution to NSW and whose accomplishments make them a strong role model for other women.

NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year recognises Aboriginal women in NSW who have excelled in their chosen career, field or passion. These Aboriginal women are exceptional achievers who have promoted economic, cultural or social opportunities for Aboriginal people in NSW.

Community Hero celebrates heroes and/or volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the community. These women are positive role models who inspire others to contribute to the community too.

Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year celebrates women aged 18 to 30 years who have excelled in their career or made a significant contribution to their community.

Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year celebrates women from regional NSW who have made significant achievements in areas that are important to regional or rural communities.

NSW Business Woman of the Year recognises excellence in business in NSW. These women provide outstanding leadership and inspiration for other women to succeed.

First State Super Lifetime Achievement recognises an outstanding individual who has dedicated their life towards the advancement of women in NSW.

Minister for Women Tanya Davies called on the community to recognise women’s achievements in the state.

“It is important to give the outstanding and inspirational women leading the way across NSW, the recognition and acknowledgement they deserve,” Mrs Davies said.

Nominations close 18 December 2017. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on 8 March 2018, International Women’s Day.

Red Cross Shop Newport

The Newport Red Cross shop desperately needs your quality, discarded clothing items. Now that spring is almost springing, perhaps you are all set to 'declutter' your offshore abode. But what to do with all those gems that are no longer you. Well donate them of course. The Red Cross shop at Newport is very excited to receive your cast offs. We also take small household items but alas, no electrical or furniture. 

Did you know that all profits from Red Cross shops stay in Australia? Profits from Red Cross shops support worthy programmes like providing breakfast for school kids, Telecross - a daily call to elderly people in need of contact, youth services, disaster relief, mental health services and much, much more.

Should you need assistance please feel free to call me or just leave your items in our boat. We live on the northern side of Lovett Bay between Now and Zen and Therese and John. The house is called 'Foreshore' and our boat is a Stabicraft for purposes of identification! 

Don't hesitate to call in to the Newport Red Cross shop with your donations - close to Woolworths petrol station at 334 Barrenjoey Rd Newport or call Lesley Scott to help with donations - 0410 687864



 

Click on logo above to visit their website.

Planning Alerts


Find out what's happening in your area. Get alerts of new applications near here straight in your email. It's free!

The purpose of  www.westpittwater.com.au  - is best defined by the vision of the West Pittwater Community Association.

To be a supportive community, encouraging and promoting civic pride, interest in community affairs and goodwill amongst residents.

To protect local fauna and flora and generally preserve West Pittwater and its environs.

To secure essential facilities including public wharves and reserves and to protect private and public property.

To speak with one voice and represent the interests of the Western Foreshore community when in discussion with Pittwater Council and other relevant government bodies. The WPCA website provides a forum for the better realisation of these objectives. Visit: www.westpittwater.com.au

Course For A Cause At Avalon

Just beyond the Bilgola Bends as you are about to enter the Avalon Village, nestled in behind a strip of nature that separates it from the often busy Barrenjoey Road – you have the Royal Avalon Golf Course.

Not only 9 holes of golf open to the public every day of the year, with no membership required but also one of the best located venues available for hire on the Northern Beaches, or even Sydney!

Recently we have begun a program called “Course for a Cause”. The initiative is designed to help local charities by offering free use of our facilities to raise money and/or awareness for a worthy cause.

Do you have a cause close to your heart?
Nominate your charity to become part of this program by calling 9918 2606 or emailing manager@avalongolfcourse.com.au

If you don’t want to play golf, but are still after a venue for your function, the clubhouse is available for extended hours. So with plenty of parking on sight, the time of day shouldn’t be a problem when promoting your personal cause.

If you don’t have a charity, but are still looking for somewhere to party, the clubhouse can be hired to celebrate all kinds of occasions.

The bar is available and serving some of your favourite beer and wine, or take advantage of our BYO option.

Day time events can always incorporate games to raise some extra money with the practice putting green beside the clubhouse being utilised for competitions or a bit of fun for the kids.

If you are interested in our Course for a Cause initiative OR would just like to hire Avalon Golf Course and clubhouse for a function, please emailmanager@avalongolfcourse.com.au or call 9918 2606

Avalon Preservation Association's 50th AGM

A fun 50th Celebration AGM was held this week. 
Richard Stutchbury gave a very entertaining presentation on his work and influences. 

After much hard labour by Craig Boaden and Michael Mannington our new APA Website was launched – take a look at: -http://avalonpreservationassociation.org.au/  

The longest serving committee member (28years??) Pat Gleen has stood down from the committee. Many thanks for all your years of Caring for Avalon Pat. A well earned rest.

The existing committee remains with the welcome addition of Roger Sayers.

Pittwater Carols Afloat 2017

Friday 22nd December
7pm at Lovett Bay Boatshed
8.30pm at Church Point

Everyone is welcome

The performance date is Friday 22nd December with the first performance to be held at the Lovett Bay Boatshed 
at 7 pm.

Boats can raft up or gather around the marina.

The choir then embarks on a ferry - courtesy of Penny Gleen and the Church Point Ferry Service - for the trip to Church Point.

The second performance will be on the old ferry wharf starting at 8.30 pm

A boat will be across the end of the wharf (as Tim Byrne’s was last year) with some of the choir on board.

Whether the audience is in the square, in the restaurant or on boats around and about they will hear everything.

The sound system will be the same as last year.

The Choirmaster is Rod Heard, as last year, and we hope the carols being sung will appeal to young and old

Share the fun with family and friends .. bring along that silly hat, a picnic and the dogs.
John Flower
Whipper-In
Pittwater Carols Afloat 2017

image by June Lahm

Courtesy Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, 

Coaches & Managers Invite For 2018

November 24, 2017: Newport Rugby Club
Newport Breakers Rugby Club is advertising for senior coaches and managers for the 2018 season. Newport Rugby Club is a leading 3rd Division NSW sub-districts club.

The club fields 3x grade sides and 1x colts side and has enjoyed recent on field success with 2 grand finals (2nd and 3rd grade) and a premiership in 2017 (3rd grade).

The club has a strong playing roster and boasts rich traditions, a strong financial position and an organised, experienced and passionate committee and supporter base.

The club is based out of arguably Australia’s best suburban rugby ground, Porter’s Reserve, which overlooks Newport Beach. We also boast one of Australia’s largest junior clubs with over 400 junior players. Applications are invited for the following positions:

First Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Second Grade – Head Coach, Forwards Coach, Backs Coach, Manager.
Third Grade – Coach, Manager.This year, we’re looking to build on recent finals appearances and convert into premierships.

The coaches’ roles will include:
  • Leading by example to promote an inclusive, committed and united club culture. 
  • Raising the skill level of new and existing players.
  • All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience 
  • Innovative coaches with the ability to plan, design, implement and review training programs consistent to ensure player development and enjoyment.
  • Player roster, game day and mid week administration and management duties.
  • Working with the committee and players to promote the playing, social and community objectives of the club.
The head coach will be supported by a player manager to assist with administration of the team and various support staff.

All applicants must be Smart Rugby compliant.
Applicants should email a brief coaching and playing history, coaching qualification details and a description of what they can bring to Newport Rugby Club to... heath.radel@suncorp.com.au.

For more information, call Heath on 0429 660 439. All club positions are volunteer appointments; however a small honorarium may be available depending on experience.

Residents Want 'Welcome To Pittwater' Sign Returned

Pittwater Online has been contacted by a number of residents this week expressing their dismay that the 'Welcome to Pittwater' sign as you come along Wakehurst Parkway has disappeared.

Although many of the former Pittwater Council logos are disappearing or being scrubbed out from the names of wharves, obviously to be replaced by the new 'design', readers have expressed this cheery sign made them many feel welcomed and gave those returning home a boost after a long day.

As Pittwater is now a Ward, with different boundaries, the wish expressed is that such a sign may be returned and placed where the new lines mark Pittwater's circumference so that good cheer may continue.
The Old
 The New?

Call For National Heritage List Nominations

1 December 2017: Media release - The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy
Nominations are now open for places of outstanding natural, Indigenous or historic significance to the nation for possible inclusion on our National Heritage List.

“Our prestigious National Heritage List celebrates and protects places that reflect our unique landscapes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and development as a nation,” said the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy.

“The List currently includes more than 100 sites from across Australia and its territories, ranging from icons such as Bondi Beach, Fraser Island and Kakadu National Park to lesser-known gems such as the Dirk Hartog’s Landing Site, Darlington Probation Station, Mount William Stone Hatchet Quarry, Witjira-Dalhousie Springs and the High Court-National Gallery Precinct.”

“Each year, more places are added to the List as our national story unfolds and understanding of our heritage deepens.”

Nominations are open until 26 February 2016 and will be considered by the Australian Heritage Council before a final list of places to be assessed in 2018-19 is developed. As part of that assessment process, there will be further opportunities for public comment on each proposed listing.

Nominations of natural, Indigenous and historic places with significant heritage value for possible Commonwealth heritage listing are also being sought.

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: Proposed Lease Of Lands Prep. Works

Earlier this week council has invited feedback on the proposed lease of lands connected with the Mona Vale road upgrades. Queries have confirmed this is part of preparation works. Construction tenders will be advertised shortly and contractors will be selected early next year (2018).



Council’s invitation to provide feedback:

Proposed Lease Of Land To Roads And Maritime Services (RMS) - Mona Vale Road

In accordance with Section 47A of the Local Government Act 1993, Northern Beaches Council hereby gives public notice of its intention to consider a lease for a term of three (3) years for the parcels of land known as: 

• Lot 2, 3 & 4 DP 350940 Walana Crescent, Mona Vale
• Lot 101 DP 749415, Lot 6 DP 239061 and Part of Lot 12 DP 241313 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale
The purpose of the lease is for the construction of noise walls, drainage and associated infrastructure and for temporary construction and road purposes.

A separate process is being undertaken for RMS to acquire some of the leased land in the future. The parcels affected are marked on the attached plans.

• Site Plan SR4779
• Site Plan SR4790
• Site Plan SR4794

Have your say
• Online 
• In writing to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, Civic Centre, 725 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why, 2099 marked 'Proposed RMS leases Mona Vale'
For enquiries contact Council’s Property Officer on 1300 434 434.

Submissions close Monday 18 December 2017


Wayne's Award!

Loosely Woven's free Christmas concert in Avalon on the 10th December.   As regular readers know these musicians are local and very talented  and  generously perform for the love of music and  for good causes. Entry is free and the Church supplies a wonderful free supper.
Donations to Amnesty International are voluntary.  

Wayne Richmond has been making music and raising money for Amnesty for more than 20 years.  At Amnesty Internationals (Avalon  Group )August concert Wayne received an award from Amnesty International Australia for his  wonderful work to help others!!! 


Wayne with his award

Avalon Group of Amnesty International are working to help those who suffer human rights abuse. We have been working in the Amnesty campaign to reduce the incarceration and suicide rates of indigenous youth and also the Write for Rights campaign.  At this concert we will have petitions about the victims of injustice around the world.

Free Concert:   “RIVER”  (Loosely Woven)
Free:   afternoon tea
Date:   Sunday   10th December,   4p.m.       
Place:    Avalon Baptist Church -   2 George St.
Voluntary Donations:  Avalon Amnesty International Group

Rotary Carols In The Park - Mona Vale

The Rotary Club of Upper Northern Beaches is once again presenting its annual "Christmas Carols in the Park". This year it will be held again in Mona Vale Village Park on Saturday 16 December.

This is the 14th year of this Pittwater tradition, with an even better show for the crowds of local families who come out to share the Christmas spirit and sing the familiar Christmas songs.

The fun begins at 6.30pm with a line-up of great local singers and musicians backed by the talented Pittwater Uniting Church band. Joining them again this year is special guest vocalist, Samantha Shaw*.

There'll be food and refreshments available, and free lollies for the kids. And Santa will make his usual appearance. Admission is free. 

Enquiries:  0417 228 294 or visit www.rotaryuppernorthernbeaches.org. Don't miss this terrific family evening and local seasonal tradition.


* Samantha Shaw has worked professionally for 30 years in radio, TV, theatre, concert and recording studios. Recently she spent 20 years in the UK as a renowned singer in London's session scene and in well-known UK vocal groups, singing on movie soundtracks, recordings, jingles, TV commercials and concerts. She has worked in theatre for producers such as Cameron Macintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and sung as a soloist with many orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and The London Symphony Orchestra. She has sung backing vocals for artists such as Robbie Williams, Donny Osmond, Michael Ball and Sarah Brightman, and her voice can be heard on film soundtracks including Nine, A Christmas Carol (2009), Mamma Mia!, Bee Movie, 300, and Troy.

DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Rocky


AGE/SEX: 5 years / M
BREED: Chow x

Rocky is a gentle calm boy. He came from the pound with weepy sore eyes and a matted coat. He had entropian surgery on one of his eyes and looks so much better now, especially with his summer hair cut! Rocky is easy to handle on lead and is very compliant at the vets. He would do best in a quiet gentle household who are after a loyal companion rather than a cuddle bunny. Chows are known for their proud, independent spirit and loyalty. They can be a bit aloof and suspicious of strangers. He has a long coat with undercoat and weighs 25.4kg. He comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DR Vet. His adoption cost is $400. 

They come desexed, vaccinated, heartworm free, microchipped and wormed. Their adoption fee together is $900. 

For further details or to meet all dogs at DoggieRescue call  9486 3133 or email monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 

Petition: Save Ingleside From Over-Development

PROPOSED INGLESIDE DEVELOPMENT
We the undersigned, write in connection with the above proposal and wish to object strongly and respectfully to the development of the area in the proposed manner.

Ingleside is a dispersed settlement where development proposals should be considered very carefully: infilling could ruin the character of the area but estate development will not only overwhelm it but also overwhelm the vast majority of residents living from Narrabeen to Palm Beach who will travel through or near Ingleside every day.

Naturally, we understand that the State Government has a determined growth strategy. However, the overwhelming increase in immediate population and thoroughfare traffic will have a devastating effect upon the existing population who live here and contribute to Sydney as a city and as a defined demographic already. 

Pressure for the development in the region is considerable, mainly for housing city commuters, but has been successfully resisted for more than 30 years for the same reasons as now. The infrastructure was not in place and as can be seen by the impact of development in Warriewood, remains at an unsupportive level. The reasons for rejecting those schemes also included the inadequacy of the minor roads apart from Mona Vale Road to accommodate even small increases in traffic. 

Reference is made to the over one thousand comments on the supporting website, mostly by residents of Pittwater external to the immediate area of Ingleside who have failed to have a voice but as your constituents have equal right to be represented as bearing the impact of the development.
With the above in mind, we request that the development be reviewed to take into account the residents of Pittwater, whom you represent. Rather than telling them why it will be good for them, consider the voice of the residents and understand why it will be bad for them. 

Pittwater Community Groups: 


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