Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia Volume 5, Issue 48; October 2003
Editorial:
I am pleased to report that an active committee has been formed to re-design and manage the Scotland Island website. It might be a month or two before it is ready (budget constraints!) but I am sure it will be of benefit to our local communities and to the world at large. If you want to promote a local activity or would like to be further involved, please click here
On an other matter, a local resident has decided to contest some recent parking fines 'earned' at Church Point in court. To quote the resident "Anything would be useful at this point including examples of parking problems you have had or just an email offering your support of this action. I am not sure how successful this will be but the more I take into court, the greater my chances I guess. If there is anyone out there with legal experience that might help that would be great to. You can contact him by clicking here
In this Issue:
Keen
gardeners in Pittwater are invited to enter this competition, which has
categories in: Residential, Eco, Australian Native, Habitat, School,
Balcony/Courtyard. Applications close Friday 24 October, with judging
taking place on 30 October. Application forms available from
Council offices at Warriewood and Avalon, at Mona Vale and Avalon
Libraries and on the Garden Competition website under “G” on
pittwaterlga.com.au Enquiries: Gay McCorby on 9970 1119.
(Kindly sponsored by the Pittwater Natural Heritage Association, Kimbriki Recycling & Waste Disposal Centre, the Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT and Australian Native Landscapes.)
Resident's are
advised that the maximum vehicle speed on Scotland Island is 20kph.
To help residents who are unable to determine their vehicle speed, your association is considering funding a speed camera that will be moved to different parts of the island under the cover of darkness.
Drivers who are detected exceeding the statutory speed will be expected to spend a day removing asparagus fern from Catherine Park.
Pittwater's Asparagus Fern
Challenge 
Pittwater Council is leading the war against Asparagus Fern – Pittwater’s most serious weed - in partnership with the Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA) and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Asparagus Fern is growing in Pittwater’s bushland reserves, on road verges and gardens.
It is
on Pittwater’s Noxious Weeds list because it is such a threat to the
natural environment, growing thickly and spreading so rapidly that our
native plants cannot compete with it. The berries are highly attractive to
native and introduced bird species and small mammals, ensuring the weed’s
further spread into bushland areas.
The PNHA received a $30,000 grant from the Federal Government’s Envirofund as part of a $119,000 project to help Pittwater’s community in controlling Asparagus Fern. The money will help residents by providing weed bags and skip bins for removal of the Asparagus Fern vegetation and information on control. However most of the grant funding will be spent on Asparagus Fern eradication in bushland reserves.
Asparagus Fern Out Program is part of a major effort to control the spread in Pittwater.
During September and early October 2003, Pittwater residents are invited to cut back berry-laden fronds or dig out Asparagus Fern plants from their gardens.
Volunteers from the Pittwater Natural Heritage Association are distributing fliers on the weed and its removal into letterboxes of residents living around reserves where contractors are working, and Council staff are co-ordinating the program.
Free
re-usable weed bags and information kits for effective control are
available from the Coastal Environment Centre at Lake Park Rd, North
Narrabeen, Council’s Works Depot at 1 Boondah Road, Warriewood and Avalon
Customer Service Centre at 59A Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon. (Loan of digging
levers are available from Boondah Depot only).
August 2003
Catherine Park
Agreed that swing and climbing equipment will be located near the bottom
of the emergency access into the Park. Steve Lawler from Pittwater
Council will assess. Steve said that the main area will be re-turfed in
September.
Signs
The meeting expressed dissatisfaction with the appearance of Council
signs, without any community consultation, at all wharves, three in
front of the community hall, as well as the mesh fencing around the
basketball area. The visual pollution is considered unacceptable (there
are already existing signs for the Community Hall and the Preschool).
Committee reps to discuss and agree with Council a community based process
to be followed for any future initiatives.
Roads and Drainage Report
Paul Davies of Pittwater Council is working with the Committee on the
maintenance of the roads and drainage. The long term improvement plan is
being developed. A plan for Carols Hill must be finished by November.
The committee will apply for funding. $ 10 K is available for short term
maintenance. There is also up to 30K in Environmental funds available in
October.
Water Issues
A tentative meeting has been set up with John Brogden for 12 September (a
number of committee members will attend, as well as a member of the SIRFS)
re the impasse with public liability for the delivery of water, gaining
support from Sydney Water, and also bringing forward the time frame for
mains water to the island.
Important News from the
Fire Brigade
As the bush fire season begins on the 1st Oct ANY burning off of
material or pile burns will require a written permit from the fire shed on
the island. New legislation concerning burning off garden hazardous leaf
litter, twig and tree trimmings/loppings require residents to apply for a
Bush Fire Hazard Reduction certificate, valid for one year. The
application forms for the certificate are available from the fire shed.
Your property will be inspected by a fire brigade officer. However for
small non invasive pile burns on your property you can simply ring the
fire shed ( present procedure) and someone from the island brigade will
have a quick look, before you burn. Scotland Island Fire Brigade shed 9999
4404
A reminder to all Scotland Island Residents - the next major household
'possessions' collection is on October 12th. Residents are asked to NOT
put out un-required goods until the week prior to the collection.
A reminder of the limits!
- A maximum of 3 cubic meters (approx. a small trailer load) Leaf
litter, prunings and cuttings placed in 1 cubic meter hard sided
containers
Appliances such as hot water heaters, refrigerators, stoves, etc -
doors must be removed
Branch length to be no longer than 1.2m and 75mm thick - tied into
manageable bundles with twine.
Furniture - doors must be removed No bags
General household items No cardboard boxes
Paint tins - empty and lids removed No soil
No Vegetation (keep for vegetation cleanup)
No Food scraps and wrappings
No bricks or other building materials
No tyres or other car parts
No soil
No Recyclable materials such as paper, glass, PET plastic
No Paint and oil (take to Belrose Waste Management Centre)
All former students, staff and friends of Pittwater
High School are invited to be part of the 40th
anniversary
celebrations. Two major events are planned for Saturday November 22nd.
An open afternoon and evening reunion and celebratory dance in the school hall are being planned. Please contact the school: 9999-4035 or pittwater40@hotmail.com to register your interest in either or both these events.
On Saturday 4th October will be a screening of "Blinky Bill" at 4.00pm
in the fire shed on Scotland Island. The film is $5.00 including free
popcorn and a sausage sizzle afterwards. Proceeds go towards the Scotland
Island Fire Brigade.
For those that haven't been, the films are scheduled for the first Saturday of each month and as the most enthusiastic audiences have been the kids, that's who the films are presently aimed at. More information about these movies can be found by clicking here
Advance notice that the film for November 1st will be "Finding Nemo".
Catherine Park Catchment NSW Stormwater Trust Grant Update:
The Grant must be completed by December. In the time remaining the island
roads and drainage work group will facilitate further improvements in late
October to the drainage and road network in the Catherine Park catchment
this will include:
Reshaping and stabilizing existing water bars which have been identified
as a problem by local residents
Construction of an additional sediment basin in the upper catchment to
reduce sediment flow into Catherine Park Bay
Sealing of the resin-crete road surface behind Catherine Park
Preparation for the instillation of the playground equipment by
improvements to drainage on the Catherine Park access road
In addition and most important the Grant will facilitate:
Preparation by a consultant of a concept plan for future roads and
drainage works on the south side of the island ( called the South Island
Precinct Study). Ian Souter is assisting with survey marks and a south
side team will complete a digital record of specific issues and problems.
This study when complete will be used as a guide for future road works and
as a basis for
requesting capital works or grant funding.
Targeted removal of invasive and noxious weeds including invasive vines,
for the Catherine Park bushland. These weeds have frequently spread from
the road edges and unless controlled are a threat to our community
parkland.
Follow-up weed control following the hazard reduction burn in the upper
Catherine Park
Already with the help of volunteers there has been a big improvement along
the access area to tennis court wharf. This bush regeneration contract
though small will extend improvements to other areas of the park.
For additional information or to help contact on the north side Sharon
Kinnison, Annette Ritchie, Jennifer Knox, and on the south side Deryn
Vokins, Shar Jones and Adrienne Hunt
Many hands make a big job achievable - A big thanks to all those who
helped over the months to reconstruct the entrance way to Catherine Park.
There is nothing like the view from the sunset seat.
A reminder to vehicle drivers that parking is available below the fire
shed. The corner at Pitt View and Florence Terrace works best when parked
cars do not restrict the movement and turning of larger vehicles including
fire trucks, the community vehicle and machinery. Your continued support
for island improvements is appreciated.
Scotland
Island Fair
Following on from the item in the last newsletter, only one offer of
help has been received to assist with the running of the Fair. Obviously,
this is not enough so without an organizing committee it looks like the
Fair will not proceed this year. If you are interested in joining the Fair
Committee, please email (Jabawoc@bigpond.com) or telephone Jenny on 9979
3777.
Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade
Bushfire season has arrived early yet again! It’s time to spring clean
around the house and garden to prepare for what looks to be another risky
season. A few tips:
Prepare your bushfire plan now and discuss it with everyone in the
household
Clear roofs and gutters regularly
Ensure woodpiles are stored away from the house
Trim overhanging trees
Plant fire retardant plants
Keep some water reserved for fire fighting
The Brigade intends to again host a ‘Bushfire Awareness Session’ – keep an
eye out for posters with the dates. New members are always welcome at the
Brigade, telephone 9999 4404.
Bayview
Kiosk Open Friday Nights
The Bayview Kiosk at Bayview Marina will be starting its summer season of
Friday night dinners this week, Friday 3 October. The guest chef on Friday
will be Charlie O’Connor who will be cooking up some Indian curries to
tempt the tastebuds. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling
Chris or Deb on 9979 5782. BYO only.
As our
newsletter continues to grow (nearly 600 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:
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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:
Local Accommodation:
Emergency Contact Numbers
Emergency Scotland Island Water Contacts: (to be advised next edition) |
Airlines,
Buses and Railways
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Sydney Airport: Arrivals and Departures |
Qantas Information |
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Virgin Blue Information |
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NSW Railway Timetables and Information. |
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Weather
- Tides for this week and month for Pittwater
- Weather Forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology in Sydney, Australia
You can now join the Scotland Island Residents Association by clicking here. Please print the page you see and return the completed form to SIRA at this address: The Treasurer, SIRA, PO Box 70, Church Point 2105. Please NO CASH.
A complete
set of past electronic newsletters since 2000 can be found and read at
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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