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- Supplementary February 2005 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia  Volume 7, Issue 74; February 2005     

This newsletter contains material received too late for the 'first of the month' edition you all received recently.

I am sorry to have to tell you that I have been VERY disappointed with Telstra's response to my frequent requests to advise us all of the availability of true (not ISDN) broadband for the offshore communities. I was advised by them yesterday that ADSL will not now be available till March. A spokesperson for Telstra suggested that people wanting ADSL should sign up with Telstra to "improve the chances of our community getting ADSL sooner rather than later". This is just unacceptable. Many residents want to choose their own internet service provider or may want to stay with the ISP they currently use. I will keep you informed of progress.

In this Issue:

SIRA President's Australia Day Message

Island Thinking 2005

The Local Guide

Archived Newsletters

Your Subscription Information

President’s Australia Day message

During the Pittwater Council Australia Day breakfast at Newport Beach, Scotland Island’s fabulous duo, Emmy and Claire were awarded medals for the Pittwater Cultural Event of 2004. We are all basking in their reflective glory and in the echo of how we all felt on the day of the fair – something like the way we all felt during the Sydney Olympics.

And I started thinking about island people – what a civic minded, talented and hard working bunch we are. Since I was privileged to be elected as president of SIRA last June I have become ware of what a wonderful diverse and yet cohesive community we have – it’s just as rare and precious as out unique environment.

We are full of admiration for our high flying medal winners but there lots of other living national treasures in our midst, people who contribute to our island life in lots of different ways:

Ian, John and the ‘firies’ who help us prepare for the unimaginable disaster and will fight to save us if it ever happens. They are also first on the scene when any of us need a medi-vac.

Our wonderful “rottweiler”, Cass, who keeps the place running smoothly, and simply make things happen. Even when she’s gnawing away at each of us we must value her

Colin, Cass and the community vehicle drivers who ferry us around

Sharon who has worked energetically for years to ensure that our roads remain usable.

Deryn, Guyren and the water monitors for a water that isn’t perfect yet but is improving and it sure beats having none

Paul who keeps us all informed through the electronic newsletter.

Colin, Rosemary, Cass, Anne Richard, Toby. Dave and Russell and all their helpers who keep the island looking terrific.

Karen and the Kindergarten Committee

Jenny who has organised and led the bush care group for years

Jenny who makes us think

John and Allison who generously provide superb background music every time there is an island event.

Trudy who has turned several generations of little island girls into elegant and gracious performers

Jennifer who’s working to sort out the public wharves

All the Players, specially current producer, Bob.

Bill who holds our history

These are just some of the people who come to mind. I know there are others. We love and appreciate you all, our friends and neighbours. And a big thank you to everyone.

School Ferry
Farewell to Karmel, welcome to Carrie

At the end of the last school year Karmel Patterson retired after 17 years service as supervisor of the kids on the school ferry. We thank her for her valiant work and wish her well for the future. Welcome to Carrie Towers who has taken over the job.

The future of Church Point Car Park

The Church Point Master Plan developed by representatives of SIRA, WPCA , Church Point and Bayview residents associations, working with Council, was passed by Council on 21 December. While we support the Master Plan in principle we are concerned about one aspect of it. The car park is on crown land. The associations had agreed to a mix of free surface parking and the construction of an underground car park with spaces for sale. DIPNR, owner of the Church Point Reserve (the car park), has indicated that it is willing to allow only 70 free spaces. An article in the Manly Daily (31.12.04) suggested that no overnight parking would be allowed in any of these. A time frame of two years has been suggested for this to be set in train.
.

SIRA has taken the following actions.

1. In the Council meeting I spoke against any reduction of free spaces in the car park, saying that “off-shore residents will not tolerate the removal of what is seen as a basic social right, access to their homes”.
2. Following the meeting SIRA has sought advice on whether we have a legal right to free car parking in Church Point Reserve, based on 43 years of usage and a 1993 gazettal that DIPNR claims is null and void because the Minister did not sign off on it.
3. I wrote a response (published 27.1.05) to the Many Daily article, (enclosed)

When the advice is forthcoming we can plan an appropriate campaign to settle this vexed question once and for all. We will be calling a general meeting of all off-shore residents to discuss it. We will be publicising this widely and I urge you all to attend and contribute to the discussion


Shar Jones
President
31.1.05

Letter to the Manly Daily published 31st December

It is good to see media interest in Pittwater affairs. The recent Manly Daily articles on the “jetty tax” and Church point Precinct plans are welcome contributions on issues of vital interest to water access only residents.

Like others, we look to the Church Point Master Plan (Manly Daily 31/12/04) to sustain and enhance the unique character of this beautiful place. But the proposed arrangements for the Church Point car park ring alarm bells for the off-shore residents who use it.

For nearly fifty years Church Point has been a transport interchange. Off-shore residents leave their vehicles in the car park and either catch a ferry or drive an aluminium boat (tinny) to their homes in all seasons and weathers. It’s the only option open to us without a reasonable bus service. The sticking point is that residents will be required to buy underground spaces, at a cost beyond the means of many, so that the surface area can be used for recreation and some short term parking.

It needs to be stated that the offshore community does not support and will not accept any loss of car parking places, free of charge and without time restrictions for residents, in Church Point Reserve 100256.

Yours sincerely

Shar Jones
President
Scotland Island Resident’s Association
Island Thinking 2005

First event by David Wardman on February 26th 7.30pm at his home, 82 Richard Road

David Wardman draws for a living and will talk about how drawing is used and has been throughout history, we will discuss how drawings are made, in terms of composition, helping us to see clearly and appreciate drawings more.

For more information contact Jenni 9997 8724 / jenni.cover@urnet.com.au or David david@wardman.com.au

Our second event will be in March by Ariel Salleh

Ariel will ask:
What is Ecological Ethics? And what is Genetic Engineering?
Where do these issues meet? And how do they touch our lives?
The talk will draw on her book ‘Ecofeminism as Politics’ and wide experience as a social activist.

More details later.

Our third event will be the first of a series of evenings on "Island Stories". Stories presented at the SI Fair, as well as new stories, will be read by the authors, with discussion time following. If you have a story you would like to share please let me know on jenni.cover@urnet.com.au
 

The local guide

As our newsletter continues to grow (nearly 800 readers) we are including some links to other nearby organisations and events that may be of interest. If you would like to contribute, please send a message to the editor by clicking here.

Local Real Estate Agents:

Government Organisations:

• Local Pittwater Council, or email them at pittwater_council@pittwater.nsw.gov.au  or by clicking here.
• State: John Brogden, Member for Pittwater, or email him at jbrogden@nswcoalition.com or  by clicking here
• Federal: Bronwyn Bishop, Member for Mackellar, or email her at Bronwyn.Bishop.MP@aph.gov.au or by clicking here

Local Transport:

Airlines, Buses and Railways

Weather

• Tides, Moon phases, Sun rise & set for Sydney
• Weather Forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology in Sydney, Australia

Archived Newsletters A complete set of past electronic newsletters since 2000 can be found and read at http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/newsletters/archive.html  or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library.

Spread the Word:

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Finally:

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy!. Send an e-mail to the editor by clicking here. Type your short contribution (100 words would be fine) and assuming it is of general interest to the community, does not include matter of a political nature and is not offensive to your neighbours, it will appear next month.

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The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA), or any of the associated Pittwater Offshore Resident's Committees