June 25 - July 1, 2017: Issue 318

Community Expresses Dissatisfaction With B-Line Newport Proposal - Reduction Of L90

Newport SLSC Carpark proposed as bus terminus and carpark for commuters to meet Mona Vale shortfall for B-Line.
The Newport Residents Association have had information supplied to them from the B-Line project team that the failure to provide 150 commuter parking spots in Mona Vale (the Town Centre and junction of major roads for the area) whereby they only achieved 74 spots meant they needed to look to the Newport surf club to find the other 76 spots. 

The NRA also heard about the various options for terminating and turning 100 buses a day around in Newport, and that TfrNSW are proposing to use the Newport SLSC carpark as a bus terminus - a place already full during summer and one that is utlised by local netball teams for practise.

"We find this a very inappropriate reason to move the terminus to Newport." the Newport Residents Association said this week, while the President of Newport SLSC commented,

"... proposing such significant bus infrastructure on the absolute beach front land seems completely inappropriate for the local beachside environment and people that use the car park for the coastal walk, visiting the beach, netball training..."

The Newport Chamber of Commerce spoke about the concerns they have for the Surf Club car-park, the amenity of Newport and the effect it may have on their businesses as a dedicated bus lane has been put forward as a part of the proposals, while those who are residents are concerned the changes will ruin the streetscape of Newport.

Those north of Newport are not happy either, with the Avalon Preservation Association, Clareville and Bilgola Plateau Residents Association and the Palm Beach Whale Beach Association finding discontinuing some L90 services are a step backwards instead of forwards.

"The proposed changes to the L90 service, whereby it will only run during off-peak times, will make the trip to the longest trip to the city even longer in the morning peak hours as it will be necessary to catch the new 199 Bus from Palm Beach and change to either the E88 at Careel Bay (where it starts) or the B-Line Hub at Newport or Mona Vale. On the return journey from the city in peak hours it will necessary to change to the 199 Bus. This could involve a half hour wait for the bus to come from Manly. This will make the longest trip even longer."

All these residents groups have stated the better place for a bus terminus is at Mona Vale, where one already is and as was suggested when the idea for a B-Line was first mooted, and that any new express services must extend all the way to Palm Beach.

The B-Line website has also posted an update for the Warriewood carpark works this week, announcing 24 hour/Night Work will commence during July. To those already being deafened by pile-driving works on the site, the update is not welcome news.

Details HERE

The Local Government Amendment (Amalgamation Referendums) Bill 2017 Passes Upper House

Bill To Fix Forced Amalgamations Passes Upper House

In a win for communities and councils across the state, the Upper House passed The Local Government Amendment (Amalgamation Referendums) Billto end forced council amalgamations on Thursday, June 22nd.

All parties other than the government voted to halt all outstanding forced amalgamation proposals until residents are given their say in a binding referendum. The bill also gives residents in councils that have been forcibly amalgamated the right to a binding vote on de-amalgamation.

The Greens also successfully moved an amendment to ensure that no council amalgamation can ever happen again without first holding a referendum in local communities. This protects local democracy in the future.

On Friday proponents confirmed the bill will go to the Lower House in the first week of August.

Reaction in Pittwater to the news has been positive, although many residents point out it is expected the incumbents with the numbers will simply ‘step on’ the Bill. However, the NSW Parliament’s Legislative process explained webpage lends insight into the processes that determine that ‘stepping on’ this bill may not quickly silence what this Bill contains:

Consideration by the other House - The Presiding Officer or Chair advises the House that a message has been received seeking concurrence with a bill. (This replaces the notice of motion stage in the House of origin.) The bill then proceeds through all remaining stages in the second House before being returned to the House of origin, either with the second House's agreement or with amendments for consideration by the House of origin.

Consideration of amendments by the House of origin - Bills that have been returned to the House of origin with amendments from the second House are considered in the consideration in detail stage (LA) or Committee of the Whole (LC). If the amendments are agreed to in the House of origin, the bill is sent to the Governor for assent. If, however, the amendments are not agreed to, both Houses exchange messages until agreement is reached or the bill is set aside.

Where agreement cannot be reached, and the House of origin does not wish to lay the bill aside, a conference and joint sitting of both Houses can be held to discuss the bill. If necessary, the Legislative Assembly can then submit the bill to the people of NSW by referendum, under section 5B of the Constitution Act 1902.

Bob Grace, Protect Pittwater community group, who are currently formulating a legal challenge to Pittwater’s forced amalgamation, stated:
“The passage of The Local Government Amendment (Amalgamation Referendums) Bill through the Upper House shows that the thought and feeling in communities regarding forced amalgamations has not abated and the fight to reinstate them is not going away. It is time for this government to own the mistake that has been made and address reinstating councils where they have been taken away, against the clearly expressed wishes of those residents these local government bodies represented.”

More HERE

'Service To Humanity' Award For Southern Cross Wildlife Care's Dr. Howard Ralph

Howard receiving the Sydney University School of Veterinary Science 2017 Service to Humanity Alumni Award.

We are pleased to share with you the news that Southern Cross Wildlife Care's Dr Howard Ralph received the Sydney University School of Veterinary Science's 2017 'Service to Humanity' Alumni Award on May 23rd, 2017. 

We're sure everyone who knows Dr. Ralph would agree that it is very well deserved. This gentleman has devoted decades to saving our wildlife, or ‘critters’ as he calls them, in a voluntary capacity. He often works incredibly long hours to try and meet the increased demand more roads, speeding drivers or displaced animals through habitat destruction is wreaking on the other residents of Australia – our native animals. During and after bushfires the amount of work he and the team who support him do must not only take a huge toll on their own health but cause immense distress in trying to meet the financial burden of saving all he can.

Southern Cross Wildlife Care relies on donations to save our animals. No one in SCWC is paid a wage. 

The SCWC Care Centre is in the Southern Tablelands but Howard also treats sick and injured wildlife in Sydney. Howard has to travel every fortnight to the Southern Tablelands to attend to the growing number of animals that are injured or too sick to travel. Such service requires great commitment and devotion which highlights just how rare an individual Howard is. He remains committed to assisting each and every creature that comes through the door.

As Dr. Ralph repeatedly dodges others lauding and applauding him; he prefers to devote his time to saving native animals, we’re sneaking this one out while (we think) he may be out of Pittwater for a few days. 

A perusal of this overview of his decades of work, listed HERE, clearly a shortened version of a lifelong commitment to serving our animals and others, hopefully will inspire those who cannot help through becoming volunteers to assist by becoming financial supporters.

Let’s give our native animals, and Dr. Ralph a break – let’s save the furred, finned, feathered and scaled by putting something towards ensuring our grandchildren get to see the animals we’ve grown up with – in their natural state. Visit: southerncrosswildlifecare.org.au

First Champions Crowned At 2017 Australian Skin Cancer Clinic NSW Longboard Titles

Jason Livingston (Curl Curl) - 1st in bth the Over 45 and Over 40 Men's Division - photos by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW
Over 150 longboard competitors from all over NSW have ventured to Port Macquarie to take part in the 2017 Australian Skin Cancer Clinics NSW Longboard Titles presented by HIF. The prestigious four-day event, which runs from Thursday, 22nd to Sunday, 25th June crowns all NSW Longboard and Logger Champions across Junior, Open and Age divisions.

The results of the Australian Skin Cancer Clinics NSW Longboard Titles will decide the NSW Team for the upcoming Australian Surf Festival in Tweed Heads in August.

The first batch of champions were crowned on Friday after all elder age divisions duked it out in clean three-to-four foot waves in an attempt to claim a NSW Longboard Title. On Saturday another round of champions were crowned as a handful of Junior and Women’s divisions wrapped up in two-foot peaks.

Reports, results and great photos by Ethan Smith/Surfing NSW HERE

Pittwater Lifeguards Reflect On Successful Summer: 2016/17 And Looking Ahead

Summer may be fast fading into the rear-view mirror but planning is well advanced to ensure that for the Pittwater based Lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service the 2017/18 season is just as successful.

The final numbers indicate another busy summer for the Lifeguards from Pittwater who were charged with patrolling 9 locations throughout Sydney’s iconic Northern Beaches.

Rescues performed by the team doubled this season with 360 carried out in 2016/17 in comparison to the previous season.

A continued emphasis on preventative actions to control situations before they escalate the point a rescue is required resulted in an increased number of these actions (78,000 up from 57,000), while total first aids remained relatively stable.

A hot summer and a warm start to autumn meant crowds flocked to the beach with an additional 200,000 beach visitations recorded this summer, which ultimately pushed the attendance figures to over a million.

Although the season has finished the work never stops with the ALS team busy conducting reviews of the season, planning training programs, and inspecting equipment.

Perhaps most importantly of all is the recruitment phase. The ALS prides itself on its people with many Lifeguards returning year on year. But they’re always on the hunt for new talent with many Lifeguards having a strong background in the surf club environment.

“As we look back on a successful summer it’s important to note that none of this would be possible without our professional team of lifeguards and lifeguard supervisors,” ALS NSW Lifeguards Operation Manager Oliver Munson.

“Lifeguarding is a challenging but rewarding career that can take you around the state and even overseas. “Were always on the hunt for new talent”
Applicants for Lifeguard positions will participate in a vigorous fitness and skills session ahead of the season to ensure that they are in peak physical and mental condition ahead of the demands of the season.

2016/17 ALS Statistics For Pittwater:
• Rescues – 360
• Preventative actions – 78,192
• First Aid – 3,081
• Beach Attendance – 1,276,511

For additional information about becoming a Lifeguard with the ALS for the 2017/18 season please visit https://lifeguards.com.au/NSW/become-a-lifeguard/ By Surf Life Saving NSW - Surf Life Saving NSW will be announcing the Lifeguard of the Year shortly with winners going into contention for NSW honours at the Awards of Excellence in August.

Winter In Pittwater 2017

First sprigs of Winter Wattle spotted flowering this week

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Pittwater Online News was selected for preservation by the State Library of New South Wales and National Library of Australia. This title is scheduled to be re-archived regularly.

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