GREENWICH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC

Minutes of the Meeting held
on Wednesday December 14 2005


at Greenwich Memorial Community Centre
46 Greenwich Road

1. Opening
After determining that a quorum was present the meeting commenced at 8.10pm with Sally Lancaster chairing the meeting in Pam Palmer’s absence.

2. Apologies
Pam Palmer, John May, Merri Southwood, Rob Starling and Alan Winney

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting of 19 October 2005 were tabled. The minutes were accepted as a true and correct record (Sally Lancaster/John Dowey).

4. General Business - Friends of Greenwich School – FOGS (Denis Smith)
FOGS currently in a holding pattern due to the ‘Fun Run’ being unable to proceed under previous arrangements due to a number of issues (perceived safety, insurance, legal etc).

FOGS is currently considering a number of fundraising alternatives.

2008 is the Centenary of Infants School, and preparation will start well in advance for ‘Back to Greenwich School styled activities’.

Membership fees $2 individual and $5 family.

5. Matter Arising from Minutes
Matters will be covered under respective agenda items.

6. Correspondence
Duntroon Avenue – DA delayed till February 2006 due to the holiday period. There will be another Community Consultation Day to coincide with the advertising period for the new DA. Residents are invited to send comments beforehand. (Details available from the GCA for those interested).

Waterbrook – letter sent on the advertising signs. Nothing back from Council.

73 Carlotta St – letter sent highlighting non compliance with FSR, height and setback requirements.

Mayor and Councillors have kindly invited the GCA President to Lane Cove Christmas function.

Joe Hockey has kindly invited the GCA to his Christmas drinks function.

Kerry Hickey, Local Government Minister, NSW Government responded to earlier GCA letter regarding the Waterbrook development. The Minister’s response said that she had no power to direct Council on DA’s, or advise or adjudicate on. Further action was possible via the Land and Environment Court if there were legal defects in the approval of the DA.

7. Financial Report
There was no Financial Report available.

Tom Lawson expressed his concern at the ongoing deficiency in the GCA financial records.

8. Undergrounding Power Lines
Sally Crossing gave a presentation on O’Connell Street’s experience to date in progressing the options for putting street cables underground.

At present residents have agreed to fund Energy Australia approx $3k to work out the design, and provide a detailed quote to complete.

Once the decision to proceed made it would take around a year to do.

Both Sally Lancaster (Acting Chair) and John Gebler thanked Sally Crossing for her presentation. It was suggested that after the next stage was completed that the process be documented and linked to the GCA web page.

9. Current Developments
Billy Blue
The review by the external assessors still not received. The belief was that it would not go to Council before February.

Waterbrook
Concern was expressed at Council agreeing to vary the number of traffic movements in and out per day from 25 to 35 without any trade-off in the construction period.

Still don’t have a Construction Plan. Demolition not considered to be construction and seemingly proceeding unconstrained.

The meeting asked that this apparent loophole in current Council codes be closed.

Duntroon Avenue
Update given by representative from North Wollstonecraft Precinct. (See also Correspondence above).

It appears that S94 moneys received will be directed to Newlands Park.

10. Committee Reports

10.1 Marjorie Propsting Memorial Library Working Party
No update.

10.2 Lane Cove Community Alliance
No update.

10.3 Shell Community Consultative Committee
John Gebler mentioned the overall good relationship.
Noted $10k given to fund seating at PrimarySchool, and the provision of sound equipment for the Christmas Carols.

10.4 East Ward Traffic Committee
Richard Muller updated the meeting on putting a footpath onto one side of St Vincents Rd.

Other issues:

• Implications of Lane Cove Tunnel project. Especially traffic being ‘diverted’ towards Longueville Road. Council is investigating late night diversions.
• St Leonards parking restrictions. Objections now being received despite the earlier Community consultation. Parking also seems to be spreading down Greenwich Road.

Sally Lancaster raised the possibility of the Committee considering the implications of either a School Zone restriction outside of the Pre-School or a Zebra Crossing

Annabelle Burley said that she would obtain details of the previous knockback.

Once obtained it was agreed that the GCA would write to Council requesting that they investigate appropriate pedestrian facilities for the preschool. The same letter should also request the replacement of the seat at the bus stop.

10.5 Lane Cove Council Tunnel Action Group
Meeting on at the same time.

Rod Tudge mentioned that Lane Cove Council had still not received details on the flats collapse.

He highlighted the likely implication of the highway being one way was that people would be forced to take alternative routes, including through Greenwich.

10.6 Greenwich Memorial Community Centre Association
Bill Clarke (President of the GMCCA) spoke about the KU proposal to take over the management of the preschool and the implications thereof.

Sally Lancaster referred to the GCA letter that went to Council two weeks prior which discussed options for the site including:

• Approval contingent on ‘shared use’ with other community groups, including for GCA meetings
• GMCCA or the GCA to retain head lease
• Council accepts need for fencing upgrade

KU are prepared to start new year under license in the absence of lease arrangements being finalised.

11. Councillors Reports
Tom Lawson updated the meeting on the Woolworths development. Now on hold pending appeal outcome. (Legal costs to date $0.5m approx). It will be well into the New Year before it is decided.
Lane Cove Alive Program – Encouraged applications for people to participate on Consultative Group. (The GCA has background material for those interested).

Rod Tudge mentioned the number of amendments approved on the Woolworths development (50 approx).

The Lane Cove Sustainability Committee had met.

Issues raised re Northern Suburbs Rugby Union Club noise and crowd control (especially Thursday nights).

Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

12. Other
People reminded Santa arrives at Greenwich Wharf on Christmas Morning at 8am. Contact 9437 6417 for details.

Isabelle Heim Fund function at the Rocks on New Year’s Day. For invitations call Sally on 9438 2037.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00pm.