Mayoral message
We’re now at
the point of making really important decisions that will
affect the future of Pittwater. Next week (18 November) is the deadline
for councils to submit amalgamation preferences to the State
Government.
Although Pittwater has up until now rejected the idea of any boundary
change, in the face of the State Government’s stance, it now makes
sense to have a good think about other options.
From Pittwater Council’s point of view, and our community agree, a
single Council for the northern beaches is not in the best interests of
the community.
We have achieved much in ensuring that our tight-knit ‘villages’ are
vibrant connected places, that we give priority to our environmental
protection and that we prioritise planning for infrastructure that will
continue to make a real difference to our local community.
We want to have a structure of local government that retains the best
things for our community and ensures that decision making recognises
the unique communities and larger challenges that face our
community. We are up to the challenge, as demonstrated by our
recent 2015 A R Bluett Memorial Special Commendation Award. We
want to continue building a strong Council capable of partnering with
State Government to achieve vital outcomes for our growing community on
issues such as transport, health, roads, employment and housing.
We recognise that we need to respond to change. The State
Government has made it clear—the status quo is not an option. We will
continue to advocate and consider what is in the best interests of the
community. Council will consider preference options at its
meeting on Monday 16 November and I encourage you all to read the
council report that will provide further detail about the decisions we
need to make.
Please understand that your council is working tirelessly to produce
the best result possible for Pittwater and the larger community and
we’ll keep you updated as news comes to hand.
Cr Jacqueline Townsend
Mayor
Between a rock and a
hard place
13
Nov 2015
In the lead-up to 18 November—the State Government’s deadline for
councils to respond to the IPART assessments—Pittwater and Manly Mayors
have something to say: A two-council model is the best solution for our
local government if maintaining the status quo is not supported by the
State Government.
Both Pittwater Mayor, Jacqueline Townsend and Manly Mayor, Jean Hay
have said that their communities are ‘between a rock and a hard
place’—Warringah Council on one side pushing for a mega council, and
the State Government on the other wanting less councils.
“With the Baird Government’s letter to all councils spelling out the
status quo is not an option, it's obvious that change is staring us in
the face,“ Mayor Townsend said.
“It’s now a case of what that change is going to look like.
“Our community is unequivocally opposed to a mega council; it’s too big
and not in the best interest of the community.
“The good management of the social, economic and environmental pillars
of the entire northern beaches peninsular is unsustainable under one
council," Cr Townsend said.
“Having two equally balanced and specialised councils that focus on the
delivery of local infrastructure and services and partnering with the
State Government to achieve regional outcomes, is a much better option
for the people of northern beaches,” Mayor Townsend added.
Both councils have said that a two council model will bring about
significant savings, but what is at the heart of the decision to be
made is the retention of a strong voice and advocacy.
“It’s a disgrace that Warringah Council misled the community with
exaggerated cost savings“, Mayor Hay said.
Some $200 million was promoted as the amount that would be saved.
“The estimated savings under a one Council model over a 20 year period
are in fact $43 million—as assessed by Manly Council and Pittwater
Council financial consultants KPMG and peer reviewed by IPART’s
independent financial consultants Ernst & Young,” Mayor Hay said.
“Mayor Hay explained that as well as ensuring stronger local
representation, a two council model would better deliver an alignment
of catchment and economic boundaries for stronger environmental
management of the northern beaches natural assets,” Mayor Hay said.
“Although Manly and Pittwater would prefer to stand alone, it’s very
unlikely this model of local government will be accepted.
“A two council model would allow us to maintain some of the
characteristics of a smaller council while meeting the State
Government’s reform agenda’, Cr Hay added.
Contact: Media contact:
Phone: Pittwater Council: 9970 1119 and Manly Council: 9976 1575
big human NO - Winnererremy Bay
Thank you!
On behalf of Pittwater Forever, thank you to the off-shore
residents who made the effort to attend the big NO last Thursday
evening at Winnererremy Bay.
It was good to see them there as we do appreciate the extra effort it
takes for the off-shore residents to attend mainland events.
Thank you
Gavin Butler
Secretary Pittwater Forever
Sunset Drinks
Friday Nights at the
Top Room
Friday
nights as a bar with live music in the Top Room above the Waterfront
Store.
It’s called Sunset Drinks in The Top Room and we open at 5pm.. with
live music between 5-8pm.
ALMOST NEARLY PARADISE
! ! by Brenda Gottsche
“Just
when you thought it was safe to
go
back to the bookclub”!
A bookclub meets on
“Spanish
Island” in the
Pittwater. The alcohol
flows, and the night
becomes a
goldmine of juicy
revelations. Then
Australia’s 48th
richest man rolls up
and makes them a
dangerous but
alluring offer. And
once they choose
there will be no
turning back!
November 4,5,6 at
7:30 pm,
Sunday November 8 at
5:pm,
November 10,11,12,13
at 7:30
The Exchange Hotel
94 Beattie
Street,Balmain 2041
Tickets $25/$20
www.trybooking.com.au/164611
There is also a $25
meal deal (main course and drink alcohol or non)
need to book and tell
them you are with the theatre
028755 2555
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Woody Point Yacht Club
Commodores Cocktail
Christmas Party
Saturday 14th
November 4pm-11pm
bag it !
Free Film Screening
Community Hall Nov
15th from 6.30pm
Carols Afloat 2015
Rehearsals Commence
17th November at "Elandra" in Elvina Bay
Please contact
John Flowers 0444 444 448
PittwaterWeather
It is at great expense that the creation of http://www.pittwaterweather.com/
has been established and paid for by a benevolent local to ‘give back’
to the people of Pittwater.
It is the ONLY Pittwater specific
Actual & Forecast weather website – ALL other websites base
their data on Terrey Hills if you look very closely into their data. Pittwater is a
‘micro-climate’.
The Bureau of Meteorology has given us a 5 Gold Star rating, our equipment is
ISO Certified
and the Federal Minister for The Environment has sent us a letter
congratulating our outstanding initiative by being “the first community
group in Australia to develop a coastal weather network”.
The BoM Head of Marine and Coastal Weather has enthusiastically
embraced our data & is feeding it into their WOW (Weather
Observation Website).
http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/?ref=ftr
then go to Observations, then Sydney Area. It is a very basic
presentation but valuable anyway.
Our website presently features four stations – Observation Point (Palm
Beach), Scotland Island (East), The Quays Marina (Church Point), &
Mona Vale.
The Actual weather conditions are updated every 2 minutes including
Temperature, Humidity, Feels Like Temperature, Wind, Wind Chill,
Barometric Pressure, Solar Radiation, UV Index, Rainfall (present &
cumulative), Sunrise/Sunset, Dawn/Dusk, Moonrise/set & a multitude
of other data.
The ‘Snapshot’ of each station gives the most used info –
Temp./Humidity/Wind Speed & Direction.
The ‘Gauges’ tab then ‘Steel Gauges’ also gives a fascinating overview.
We have two more stations coming to complete our coverage – Stokes
Point(shortly) & Barrenjoey Lighthouse(a tedious process).
We have already had over 40,000 hits on our stations with Scotland
Island presently showing 5,300 hits since the seven months of operation
from 1st April 2015.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) at The Quays use our forecasts as
their official reference & daily posting.
Stephen Hosking – manager The Quays – has studied our forecasts vs BoM
& finds them more accurate (because they are location specific).
The whole of Sydney is a huge area.
The RMYC & Avalon Sailing Club have links on their websites to our
service.
Thank You
Rohan Walter
President – Pittwater Weather Incorporated
9997 2600 0404
803 747
rohan@pittwaterweather.com
rohanwalter747@gmail.com
Looking for a New Home
Chicken Coop
Please ring Therese O’Neill: 0438 27 97 66.
Deck Sale
Saturday 15 November
For Sale
Quintrex Dinghy -
Kayak - Canoe
TRAMPOLINE FOR SALE 
Perfect Xmas pressie
Never used Premier Spring Trampoline in excellent condition
10 FT with ladder, safety nets and basketball hoop, worth $420 new take
a look at www.premiertrampolines.com.au for all the info
$250
If you would like a look just give Claire a call on: 0479 072 200
The
views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the
Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA), or
the Western
Pittwater Community Association (WPCA)
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