Greenwich, NSW

Apologies
Judy McMahon, Eleanor Aitchison, Sally Pike, Bronte Gebler
Confirmation of Minutes
of AGM - Tom Lawson read the Minutes of the AGM held on 16 February, 2000. Moved by MaryEd Hartnell that they be accepted as a true record: seconded by Alison Bird; carried.

of General Meeting held 13 December
Tom Lawson read the Minutes of the Meeting. Moved that they be accepted as a true record by John Gebler; seconded Pam Palmer; carried.
Matters arising from Minutes
Bill Clarke reported that with completion of the building work the floors had been polished and there was only nominal work to be done. The pre-schoolers have been using the hall since the beginning of term 1. The girl guides have returned to their rooms downstairs. The Mayor will be officially opening the re-furbished hall on 23 March between 4-6 pm.

Tom Lawson reported that a memorial seat for the late Judge Ted (EOG) Pain had been installed on Greenwich Point looking south-south/west of Greenwich Wharf. Tom has written a letter to Council expressing thanks for the installation.
Correspondence
Out - letters to Lane Cove Council re Strand Development and Greenwich Baths.
Tom Lawson informed the meeting that a letter had been forwarded to the General Manager concerning two matters which were dealt with as "matters of urgency" at Council's meeting on 18 December. The two matters were the proposed removal of trees in Greendale Street, and the proposed removal of the "Public Pathway" from outside 25 Mitchell Street.

Inwards - letters from LCC in response to Tom Lawson's letter regarding matters of urgency

President's Report
Tom Lawson tabled his report for the year (copy attached). He also moved a vote of thanks to the east ward councillors for attending our meetings.
Treasurer's Report
John Gebler tabled the Treasurer's Report. (Refer attached copy). As recorded in Note 1 to that report, the auditor's report will be presented to the next general meeting.
Election of Office Bearers
Tom Lawson vacated the chair. In presiding for the election of office bearers, Bill d'Apice thanked Tom for his, and his committee's, year of service to the Association and the community.

Position
Mover
Seconder

President

Tom Lawson
John New
Mary Ed Hartnell

Vice President

John Gebler
Tom Lawson
Alison Bird

Vice President

John New
Mary Ed Hartnell
John Gebler

Secretary

Christine Kirkwood
Tom Lawson
Jill Pain

Treasurer

Gus Herstik
John Gebler
Helene New

Committee Members

Mary Ed Hartnell
Alison Bird
John Hall

Joanne Cunningham
Tom Lawson
Bruce Hill

Neil Jones
John Gebler
Christine Kirkwood

Tricia John
Tom Lawson
Jill Pain

Don Murchison
Mary Ed Hartnell
Kazuyo Okuyama

Pam Palmer
John Cunningham
Christine Kirkwood

Liz Price
Tom Lawson
Pam Palmer

Continuance of Neighbourhood Watch functions
John Gebler tabled a paper entitled "Report on Neighbourhood Watch Request to Greenwich Community Associations" (Refer attachment).
Comments from the floor included -
In New Zealand the name Neighbourhood Watch was changed to Neighbourhood Support.
North of river road neighbourhood watch committee operations had closed entirely.
Our newsletter may have to change in size and format so that it can cover all items.
One street co-ordinator since inception felt that street co-ordinators should be kept in active role.
Rod Tudge informed the meeting that the NW programme had been funded by the Police and that they may be a little "paternalistic about the name - there is a need to involve Police in the proposed assimilation of NW with GCA. John Gebler informed that he had spoken with the Police.
Police set the areas.
Questions were raised about whether NW ran the Safety House Scheme. This is a separate organisation.

John Gebler moved three motions

That the Greenwich Community Association accepts the request of the Neighbourhood Watch to continue their activities under the Greenwich Community Association.
That a sub-committee of Greenwich Community Association, to be known as the Neighbourhood Watch Sub-Committee be formed with the help of the present NHW organisation members. This sub-committee to be responsible to the GCA committee.
That the GCA Committee be authorised to make the final arrangements for transfer of operations, funds and the relations of the NHW Committee to the GCA Committee with the former members of NHW.
Seconded: Gus Herstik. No one spoke against. Motions carried unanimously.

Development Application for Catholic Communications Centre
Mayor, Stephen Bowers, informed the meeting that he understood a new set of plans is to be submitted to Council. On receipt by Council of the plans procedurally the following should happen:
The new plans will have to go on display.
Council officers will have to write to nearby neighbours and because of the amount of interest in this matter it may be necessary to take appropriate action to write to a wider band of residents, as well as place notices on site and on the local noticeboards.
A report and recommendations will be written by Council's officers
The matter will be referred to Council's Planning and Building Committee.
Because of the amount of interest, the matter will proceed to an inspection committee on the first Saturday of the month. The Mayor of the day chairs the inspection committee. On that day only one inspection will be carried so as to allow the appropriate amount of time. Everyone attending the inspection meeting has the opportunity to speak.

Bill d'Apice was invited to address the meeting.
He informed the meeting that he chaired the Lane Cove Parish Finance Committee and he was a member of the Lane Cove Parish Pastoral Council. He was concerned by the level of misunderstanding about the motives of the Catholic Church and welcomed the opportunity of addressing the meeting.

A copy of the amended plans - to be lodged with Council, probably Thursday 22 February - are on display tonight. The amendments are to the façade design - the footprint has not changed.
The buildings presently on the Parish land are the Communications Centre and the Church.
The communications centre has concrete cancer - last year the church had to be closed for a number of months because of structural problems.
What is proposed is to meet the changing demographics, to provide retirement living (24 self-care units), there will be a meeting hall, church, courtyard. Ownership will remain in the church with external management. Occupation of the units will not be exclusive to the Parish. Parking for 27 vehicles will be underground. Access will be via Chisholm Street.

Helen Martins spoke on behalf of the Greenwich Action Group which tabled a paper entitled "Expert Opinions on 72 Greenwich Road Development" (refer attachment).
Points raised were: Gift of land to the church for church-use for the benefit of the local community; size of the units; proximity to school; visibility; parking.

Stephen Bowers moved that there be a meeting of the Greenwich Action Group, GCA and the church on the matter. Discussion followed on whether this matter be before or after council officers had written their report and recommendations; and whether Councillors and/or council officers should be present.
Stephen Bowers withdrew his motion.

Helen Martins asked whether the application will be considered based on the new or old SEPP5 policy. Stephen Bowers informed the meeting that the changes to SEPP5 amount to what were guidelines are now requirements. The application will be considered under the old policy.
Helen Martins also highlighted that the application is for self care - not "assisted care".

Stephen Bowers sought an undertaking from Bill d'Apice that the Church not go to the Land & Environment Court until there had been a public meeting.

Alison Bird reiterated that because of the interest in the matter and that there are other agenda items for tonight's meeting which is to conclude near 10 pm, there needed to be a special meeting of GCA, Greenwich Action Group and the church.

It was moved by Joanne Cunningham that there be a special meeting of anyone wishing to attend to discuss the proposed development on Wednesday, 7 March, at 8 pm in the community hall. Seconded John Gebler. Carried

Protection of Mature Trees on Council Land
Concern was expressed regarding Council's consideration as a "matter of urgency" of the removal of trees at the western end of Greendale Street. As the recision motion was defeated by the Mayor's casting vote, Stephen Bowers was asked what professional advice was sought and relied upon. Stephen responded that in his five years of being on council he has voted in favour of the removal of only two trees. He informed the meeting that the two trees were one in Greendale Street outside Don Paterson's place; the other (which was removed some time ago) was one outside Bill Myles place. With regard to the tree in Greendale Street, the tree shades a solar hot water heater on Don Paterson's roof and there were "vertical growth" considerations. He did not rely upon any professional advice.
The Mayor is not aware of any programme for the felling of healthy mature trees within the municipality.
Lane Cove Councillors' Reports
Councillor May spoke of
a) a proposal submitted to Council by Australand for Duntroon Avenue. Australand has been informed that the proposal it totally inappropriate and for this reason the plans did not go on display
b) Bellevue Avenue - Council lost the injunction. It is deciding whether to appeal in conjunction with the LGA
c) D/A for Strand - about 40 submissions have been received
d) D/A carpark behind Coles - has been submitted and assessed. There are problems
e) Council is awaiting proposal for Rosenthal Carpark - developer is to present options.
f) New recycling bins have been distributed and the first collection (paper) commenced this week.
g) LCC is introducing a senior's parking scheme.
h) New LEP is continuing and GCA has indicated its wish to be involved.
Committee Reports
Owing to lateness of evening these were very brief
M2 - John New had been at a meeting tonight and informed the meeting that a report from the RTA is about to be released.
Greenwich Village Games - Sally Rossi Ford informed us that the 2000 Games made a slight profit. The existing committee is to meet in 3 years time. There has been valuable feedback on the games for use in 2004: some events will be dropped; others introduced.
General Business
Jill Pain reminded everyone that 4 March is Clean Up Australia Day and people will be required for Greenwich Point.
Don Murchison also informed that there is a CUAD group working in the Lane Cove Bushland Park - 4 Innes Road.
Bill Pyke spoke about a taxation seminar for retirees on 9 March, 2001, at the Bailey Hall in Chatswood commencing 10 am. Topics include PAYG taxation, quarterly returns. All welcome.

Rob Starling was pleased to advise that the Greenwich Carollers raised just over $1,000 to be donated to Youth Suicide charity.
Next Committee meeting is to be held on Tuesday 13 March, 2001 - 18 Victoria Street.

Next General (public) meeting Wednesday, 18 April, 2001.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.45.

Supper was served