Greenwich, NSW

Apologies
John May, John Gebler, Ann Stein, Richard Stein, Jill Geddes, Nicola Khoury, Alison Bird, GusHerstik, Sally Lancaster, Stephanie Lainey, Noni White

Welcome
Pam Palmer welcomed newsletter deliverers who were invited guests.

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
As the previous meeting was the Annual General Meeting there were no minutes tabled at this time.

3. Matters Arising
Lane Cove Pool
Judy McMahon advised that there is no action yet in relation to shelter but she will follow up. It was noted that the Mayor has undertaken to look into matter.

Wharf Railing
The railing at Greenwich Wharf had been replaced.

4. Correspondence
• Resident letter thanking for support in DA matter
• Lane Cove Sustainability Action Plan CD-ROM
• Community Options and Outlook for Older People forum on 27 April
• Acknowledgement of Nominations for Citizenship Awards to be presented on 11 May
• Miscellaneous DA matters.

5. Financial Report
The Treasurer, Gus Herstik being unable to attend the meeting, no Financial Report was available. Pam Palmer called for volunteer to assume role of Assistant Treasurer. Peter Walton agreed to take on this role.

Pam Palmer noted that Association had borrowed a PA system for the meeting and suggested that consideration should be given to the purchase of one.

Discussion followed about the format of the newsletter and the cost of moving to an A4 format. A printer’s estimate of costs involved would consume Association surplus funds. General discussion re sponsorship of newsletter by business – agreed that funds should be collected through a community membership drive instead.

6. Current Developments
Billy Blue
Councillor Tudge advised that DA has been withdrawn. It is understood that Council officers were recommending rejection on design grounds so applicant elected to withdraw. There is no sign of a replacement DA at this stage.

Rob Starling noted that first DA avoided SEPP 10 issue and asked where this left the community in terms of objections. Councillor Tudge was unable to comment.

Councillor Lawson expressed thanks to Council officers for being resolute as the matter may otherwise have ended in up in the Land and Environment Court.

Waterbrook
Discussion re purchase by developer of a house in Nield Avenue that is to be used as a display home. Objections have been lodged with Council over this use in a Residential area. Alan Winney advised that house had been gutted. Councillor Tudge advised that he has not received notification of a DA despite his standing watching brief. Councillor Tudge advised that Council altered its policy after the last election in relation to treatment of DAs that have been objected to. Policy is that if matter is minor, irrelevant or can be dealt with by conditions then DA can be approved under delegated authority.

Woolworths /Austin Street
It was noted that discussions with Lane Cove Primary School are going well.
Woolworths is seeking a reduction in its S94 contributions.
The temporary Library building is progressing well.
Consideration of DA conditions was deferred the previous week. The independent assessor has rejected most of Woolworth’s objections to the DA conditions.

Greenwich Shops Development
Newsagency DA is being assessed by Council but pharmacy plans are yet to go to Council. The two developments are under separate ownership.
Councillor Tudge advised that there are some technical problems with the newsagency.

Councillor Tudge has asked the pharmacy developer to consult re community’s long term needs but there has been no contact with GCA to date.
John Gebler is to write to Council to draw their attention to the impact of Greenwich Road development on neighbours.

Pam Palmer noted that deliveries are made to shops during school hours and suggested that Council should be informed when this occurs.

Rob Starling asked about status of Council’s Main Street Program given that report is due end April. He expressed concern that focus had shifted totally to Lane Cove shops and that smaller developments were being overlooked.

Duntroon Avenue Development
Pam welcomed Wendy Stamp and Warren Richards of the St Leonards/North Wollstonecraft Community Association to discuss the Duntroon Avenue development.
Wendy outlined the background to the development. The original DA was lodged following the approval of SEPP 53 Amendment #6 (which was incorporated into Lane Cove’s LEP). Council refused the DA and the matter was challenged by Australand in the Land and Environment Court. Council’s action was vindicated by the Court with Australand losing on SEPP 65 grounds. The decision was appealed by Australand but again lost.

Australand has now lodged a new DA which exceeds SEPP Amendment 53 #6 despite a requirement that they liaise with the community.
Wendy seeks the GCA support to urge Council to enforce LEP provisions.
The following resolution was passed unanimously:

That the Greenwich Community Association urges Council to continue to require that any development in Duntroon Avenue does comply with the current LEP (which incorporates SEPP 53 Amendment #6)and with the design principles of SEPP 65 (Moved John Gebler; seconded Rob Starling).

6 Manns Avenue
A dual occupancy application has been lodged and John Gebler has requested more detailed plans.

7. Committee Reports

Marjorie Propsting Library
Pam Palmer reported that turnover of books has increased.

Lane Cove Community Alliance
No report as no meeting in February.

Shell Committee
John Gebler reported that Shell is conducting a full review of its operations. There is no sign of closure, Shell is struggling to meet demand.

East Ward Traffic Committee
Richard Muller advised that tunnel construction was main item for discussion.
Discussion re lack of footpath on St Vincents Street near Gore Street intersection.
Richard urged residents to contact committee with concerns.

Lane Cove Tunnel Action Group
Pam Palmer sought a volunteer for this committee.
Councillor Tudge reported that committee was disappointed in the lack of a filter system. Some trees have disappeared from Pacific Highway. There is to be no watering system in the median strip.

GMCCA
Discussion of Pre school issues.
DOCS requires a fence along boundary near Senior Citizens’ Hall and Library. Council has obtained a quotation and has offered to meet 50% of cost. Pre school anxious to get work done as soon as possible.
It may be necessary to reduce child number next year if staff do not meet specified qualifications.

8. Councillors’ Reports
Councillor Lawson reported as follows:-
About half the matters in Woolworths’ S96 application have been addressed. Woolworths and RASAD have asked for more time to make submissions.

Two community representatives have been appointed to the Library fit out committee.
Architects are STI. A nominee from the Youth Advisory Committee has also been appointed.

A presentation is to be made to the community by the Lane Cove Alive group on 30/4/2005.

Lane Cove West Bowling Club may not be financially viable and Council is calling for submissions on development of the site.

Council has endorsed the Climate Protection Program and the Every Drop Counts Program and has nominated Councillors Lawson and Freedman as its representatives.

Councillor Tudge reported as follows:-
Council has approved a Traffic and Parking Scheme - fees will rise.

The Council budget will be settled next month and some items may be cut back.

Pam Palmer asked if there were any discretionary East Ward funds left to assist with Pre school fence – Councillor Tudge is to look into this.

The River Road realignment has been assessed as safer.

9. General Business
Pam Palmer advised that some residents are seeking to restrict the right hand turn from River Road to St Vincents Road – a letter has gone to the Traffic Committee.

Denis Smith advised that lighting in Smoothey Park is not fully functional. A letter has been written and the GCA is to write again, this time to North Sydney Council.

Noni White had drawn attention to the need to clean the shelter at Greenwich Wharf and to provide more lighting on the route from the wharf to the street. She also suggested that planter boxes would improve the look of the shops and the school opposite.

10. Close
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50pm. Supper was served in special acknowledgement to newsletter deliverers.