Correspondence
IN

Letters to John Gebler from LCC re outcomes on 12 George St, 14 George St and 5 Mitchell Street
To secretary from Bill d’Apice re further information for ATO to gain tax exempt status for GCA

It was noted that the financial status of the GCA is positive.

Judy Washington accepted our invitation to speak on her 22 continuous years of working for LCC, to mark her retirement. She noted that when she took on the role her records consisted of 2 boxes and 1 photo. Original requests came from students seeking records for historical assignments and she focussed on building accessible and comprehensive records of the development of the area, including extensive oral histories of older residents, forming a priceless record.
Local assistance came from Bill Heningham and Chris Henderson.

Local authors have written about the area - eg Marjorie Barnard, Jim Diver, Ned Trickett. Many theme displays have been organised.
Highlights included going into and photographing the tunnel from Greenwich to Long Nose Point, and the bi-centennial production ‘Across the Water’

Later in the meeting it was noted by Rod Tudge that use of scanning technology had preserved 3000 photos and dozens of maps as JPEG files.

A peace garden has been established to remember Shah Tregarian, murdered near Shell Park. Julia Starling and Sally Charkos in consultation with the parents, local residents and LCC have designed a memorial of a sandstone rock and native plants with an inscription.

Carlotta Street – traffic calming devices – a survey was taken and many residents were in favour but others preferred a roundabout at the cnr of Ffrench/Ford/Oscar streets. Options are still to be investigated by the traffic committee of LCC.

12 George St – development refused.

Rosenthal Ave – plans were put up on display at the meeting. 350 car parking spaces, extension of plaza, small extra retail, toilets. There are 75 units of 2-4 storeys with 104 private car spaces.

There is heated debate at LCC with a strong vocal group wanting more car parking and no unit development

JM presented view that affordability is the deciding factor, keeping LCC debt free.

An independent assessor is to report on the development

Austin Street – assessor to report on this subject also

The Coles development should be completed during the current month.

Duntroon Avenue development. LCC has submitted a response to the proposed plan of Planning NSW – robust objection

Other groups have also protested strongly including St Leonards Nth Wollstonecraft Comm Assn who included an alternative.

There has been no response

LCC has been asked to consider placing Norman Park on the heritage register and develop DCP for the area. JM made point that these actions can be overridden by NSW govt. Want an independent commissioner to report on the issue

Rosenthal Avenue – application still being assessed and no report yet. Made point that LC Chamber of Commerce has taken a stand, while there are many conflicting opinions. He advocated an independent assessor’s report in particular when a question was asked about where a ‘summary’ can be obtained about all the issues (Subsequently John May and Rod Tudge have summarised some of the issues in a letterbox drop)

Rod Starling raised the issue of compliance with the requirement to preserve certain trees at the development 72 Greenwich Rd.
Rod & John May will check the compliance

John Gebler raised the issue of Planning and Support Group Report no 39 of Council and questioned why this had been discussed in Closed Meeting on 19 August 2002.

A motion read out was not taken up, but Rod explained the reasons for the closed session and noted that all contiguous neighbours would have to be kept informed about a sale of public roadway.

After Rod had spoken, John May again spoke about the car park debate which is causing dissension in Council. He noted that a large car park without unit development on the Rosenthal Ave site would consume at least half of LCC’s total budget and put council into debt

Committee Reports

3 major goals achieved.

The most developed project is the ‘Easy guide to DA process’ which is to be placed on the web site shortly.

John May asked whether it should go onto the LCC web page as well. Response that it is a large document and better option would be to place a LCC link with the document on GCA site.

New bus interchange proposed and 4 houses purchased – this positive
Site of eastern stack – purchased.

The stack issue is unresolved – EPA is in favour of filtration/Dept of Health also. Only the RTA continues to state there is no need.

Some hopeful signs include the 4 private contractors making independent enquiries. RAPS may also give PR support.

FUN RUN: 22 September - volunteers required

KAMERAYGAL FESTIVAL: a month long festival – LCC – several activities in the local area – details in brochure and at LCC
OLEANDERS: Bruce Stuckey from LCC has advised that the oleanders in Greenwich Rd have been trimmed to the current height to block out unsightly buildings etc on the other side of the fence in Shell. He is reluctant to remove them completely unless GCA puts in a formal request.