Dear Offshore Community Member,

Thank you to all those who came to the Church Point meeting at Mona Vale on Tuesday night, and to those who sent in letters of support or apologies.  Thanks also to all those whose hard work behind the scenes helped it happen. The meeting went extremely well and made me very proud to be a part of such a fine community. I don’t have exact numbers yet, but I guess about 350 people attended the meeting with a great show of support from the Offshore communities!  Every Offshore resident who spoke made a fine contribution and showcased the diversity of viewpoints we have within our own healthy community.

Whilst there were obvious contrasting viewpoints between Onshore and Offshore groups, the meeting was civil and well run.  Mark Eriksson from Pittwater Council did a very good job of presenting the history and plan, as well as answering questions posed to him. The current plan, as presented, received in principle support from Pittwater Council and the Department of Lands.  As most long term observers of this issue are aware, the current plan sits about as close as you can get to the middle of all the conflicting demands and constraints upon what is one of the busiest areas in Pittwater.

Once the finer details are incorporated, a Final Draft Plan for Church Point will go on public exhibition (for about 60 days) for further submissions.  This plan and submissions will then be presented at a Council meeting and, if adopted, Pittwater Council will submit a Development Application.  As Rick LePlastrier said “the God, not the Devil, will now be in the details” and there are many fine details to work on, particularly in relation to aesthetic, environmental and safety matters.  I know we have some fine talented people who would like to make a contribution so that, even with all its conflicting demands, we can make Church Point both a beautiful and user friendly place for all users of Church Point.

There are too many people to thank individually though I would like to thank Alex and Matt for free use of the Water Taxi.  A healthy community, like a pristine rainforest, or ten million dollars in the bank, is an asset with great value.

Bill Gye President SIRA