Earlier this month I attended a range of events connected to Diwali, which is a South Asian festivity that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil.
To be honest, I had limited knowledge about this tradition until quite recently and as far as I know many of the Ku-ring-gai celebrations connected to this event were first started in 2022.
I’m glad to have taken part and look forward to seeing each of these events (organised in chronological order by Ku-ring-gai Council, AASHA and SHARE SMR) scaling up in the future.
Earlier this month I attended a range of events connected to Diwali, which is a South Asian festivity that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil.
To be honest, I had limited knowledge about this tradition until quite recently and as far as I know many of the Ku-ring-gai celebrations connected to this event were first started in 2022.
I’m glad to have taken part and look forward to seeing each of these events (organised in chronological order by Ku-ring-gai Council, AASHA and SHARE SMR) scaling up in the future.
I attended a Planning Institute of Australia event earlier this month and was pleasantly surprised when Ku-ring-gai Council was awarded the ‘𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲’ Award for the Lindfield Village Green. Congrats to the entire Ku-ring-gai Council team involved.
Quoting the Planning Institute’s reasons for giving us the award, they said that…
It’s the time of the year where we attend (and handout at) annual awards presentations. Yesterday I was at Brigidine College St Ives and it struck me how (compared to my own school in the 90’s) there was a very strong culture of nurturing each individual student as well as the promotion of social justice initiatives. It’s a great option for our local students here at Ku-ring-gai.
It’s the time of the year where we attend (and handout at) annual awards presentations. Yesterday I was at @[100064030569835:2048:Brigidine College St Ives] and it struck me how (compared to my own school in the 90’s) there was a very strong culture of nurturing each individual student as well as the promotion of social justice initiatives. It’s a great option for our local students here at Ku-ring-gai.
I was glad to join the team at Better Business Partnership, an initiative shared by Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney and Willoughby Council along with local businesses that is tasked with exploring sustainable options for our businesses and residents.
At this month’s event I spoke about our journey to sustainability from the perspective of a Roseville resident since the 1980’s. We have improved quite significantly from a council that throws everything into one bin and now to a council that has multiple recycling options, but there’s still a long way to go.
This morning the State Government proposed that in order to boost housing supply, it will:
1️⃣ allow dual occupancies (two homes) on all R2 low density across NSW
2️⃣ allow terraces and townhouses on R2 low density ‘near transport hubs and town centres’
3️⃣ allow 4-6 storey apartments on R3 medium density ‘near transport hubs and town centres’ (meaning within 800m of hubs / centres)
With 2️⃣ and 3️⃣ it’s important to note that there has been a softening of language because last month’s message was that they will allow it across 𝘢𝘭𝘭 of NSW rather than limit it to places close to transport.
Having said that, both 1️⃣ and 2️⃣ will significantly increase the number of households here in Ku-ring-gai while decreasing the open space (and tree canopy) that we have in our yards. We currently have capacity for approximately 45,000 households but the change if implemented will result in a capacity that well exceeds 80,000. (And by way of comparison, the controversial housing strategy plans from three years ago targeted 54,000 by 2036.)
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀. But whether we’re talking about existing bottlenecks on Archbold Road, Boundary Street, and Pacific Highway or last week’s removal of $9.8m funding for commuter parking, the signs that I’m getting is that 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳.
I’m meeting with the Planning Minister next month so that we can finetune our understanding of proposed changes and explore how the housing needs of Greater Sydney can be met with appropriate infrastructure.
For more information see
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/news/new-planning-rules-fast-track-low-and-mid-rise-housing
Update: Public consultation on the matter to occur over Christmas.
I’m excited about our new library app as it allows you to:
🖥️Access our digital e-book, audio, and magazine catalogue. This includes accessing paywalled material such as The Australian Financial Review
🔍Check what books we have available by scanning the barcode
📘Reserve a book for pickup, and renew your existing bookings
💳Act as your digital library card, meaning one less card for you to carry
📆 Check out upcoming events and book meeting rooms
You can search for it in your App Store. In the coming year, we will explore the possibility of other apps to make your interactions with council smoother (e.g. information on waste collection, report a problem, discover upcoming events and recreational facilities, have your say, etc.)
I’m excited about our new library app as it allows you to:
🖥️Access our digital e-book, audio, and magazine catalogue. This includes accessing paywalled material such as The Australian Financial Review
🔍Check what books we have available by scanning the barcode
📘Reserve a book for pickup, and renew your existing bookings
💳Act as your digital library card, meaning one less card for you to carry
📆 Check out upcoming events and book meeting rooms
You can search for it in your App Store. In the coming year, we will explore the possibility of other apps to make your interactions with council smoother (e.g. information on waste collection, report a problem, discover upcoming events and recreational facilities, have your say, etc.)
☔️It’s a bit wet right now but we have Australia’s largest obstacle course this weekend at St Ives Showgrounds.
☀️Sunny tomorrow!
https://www.tuffnutterz.com/tuffnutterznsw-act
☔️It’s a bit wet right now but we have Australia’s largest obstacle course this weekend at St Ives Showgrounds.
☀️Sunny tomorrow!
https://www.tuffnutterz.com/tuffnutterznsw-act
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
😢It was a sad night. Last night was meant to be the time when we voted to proceed with the Lindfield Village Hub. We were ready to announce the development partner and proceed with lodging a Development Application next year. Instead, 8 hours prior to the council meeting the State Government told Council that it will withdraw its funding and support for the Lindfield Village Hub 135 space commuter carpark (even though the $9.8m was already in our bank). This surprising turn of events changes the financial certainty of the project and as a result, the councillors voted to defer the decision while discussions take place on next steps.
Earlier this month the State Government also requested that all councils urgently look at increasing the housing capacity supported by their Local Environment Plan and Planning Controls. The frustrating thing with this is that I am a firm believer that increased density needs to be supported by appropriate infrastructure. We already have infrastructure bottlenecks in each suburb; now the State Government is killing infrastructure projects while still requiring additional housing (and it is not helped that rates increases are limited at below the rate of inflation). The local government sector has not been setup for success, and more information is available on Council’s website.
🛝Last night we also voted to select appropriate firms to upgrade stage 1 of Hassall Park in St Ives and Eldinhope Green in Wahroonga. We also voted to make a space next to Council chambers (9 Dumaresq Street) in Gordon available for passive recreation after the building that was on the site was demolished earlier in the year.
🎭We voted to establish an Arts and Culture Committee as well as a Status of Women’s Advisory Committee.
🌲We voted to increase the headcount of staff dedicated to tree issues and also to re-establish a former practice of displaying a 🕎 Chanukah-related Menorah in Gordon, next to our 🎄Christmas tree.
✉️ Councillors also voted for the Mayor to write a letter of thanks to the former General Manager and publish the letter on Council’s website.
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
😢It was a sad night. Last night was meant to be the time when we voted to proceed with the Lindfield Village Hub. We were ready to announce the development partner and proceed with lodging a Development Application next year. Instead, 8 hours prior to the council meeting the State Government told Council that it will withdraw its funding and support for the Lindfield Village Hub 135 space commuter carpark (even though the $9.8m was already in our bank). This surprising turn of events changes the financial certainty of the project and as a result, the councillors voted to defer the decision while discussions take place on next steps.
Earlier this month the State Government also requested that all councils urgently look at increasing the housing capacity supported by their Local Environment Plan and Planning Controls. The frustrating thing with this is that I am a firm believer that increased density needs to be supported by appropriate infrastructure. We already have infrastructure bottlenecks in each suburb; now the State Government is killing infrastructure projects while still requiring additional housing (and it is not helped that rates increases are limited at below the rate of inflation). The local government sector has not been setup for success, and more information is available on Council’s website.
🛝Last night we also voted to select appropriate firms to upgrade stage 1 of Hassall Park in St Ives and Eldinhope Green in Wahroonga. We also voted to make a space next to Council chambers (9 Dumaresq Street) in Gordon available for passive recreation after the building that was on the site was demolished earlier in the year.
🎭We voted to establish an Arts and Culture Committee as well as a Status of Women’s Advisory Committee.
🌲We voted to increase the headcount of staff dedicated to tree issues and also to re-establish a former practice of displaying a 🕎 Chanukah-related Menorah in Gordon, next to our 🎄Christmas tree.
✉️ Councillors also voted for the Mayor to write a letter of thanks to the former General Manager and publish the letter on Council’s website.
It’s National Recycling Week and I’ve seen some pretty weird social media posts from politicians. I think it’s better to provide balance so here it is.
According to Office of Local Government data, the NSW Local Government Sector collected 4.0 Megatonnes of waste in the twelve months to 30 June 2022. Of this waste, 20% was dry recycling (paper, hard plastics, glass, tin), 21% was organics, and the remaining 58% went to landfill. Our “Diversion from Landfill” percentage was 41.8% while the NSW target is 80% by 2030.
So is the 80% achievable? At this stage my guess is no, but it is theoretically possible if everything perfectly fell into place.
The NSW Government has mandated that all councils implement FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collections by 2030, and in the unlikely event that the NSW organics industry is able to solve supply chain issues then we can see another 26% uplift to 68% diverted from landfill.
There is still a lot of paper, hard plastics, glass and metals that goes to landfill and if we are disciplined enough to recycle all of those then we can get up 91%. In reality though, some of that material may be contaminated so the realistic theoretical figure is somewhere in the 80’s.
On the Soft Plastics front we do have the supermarkets working together (with ACCC authorisation) to come up with a new solution by 2024 while the Australian Food and Grocery Council is undertaking trials in Victoria. At Ku-ring-gai we are trialling a service (RecycleSmart/APR) that has links to a local recycled with limited capacity, and other Councils up the coast are undertaking trials with Curby it. The entire industry is having a go and eventually we will reach commercial scale. However soft plastics is only a few % at most and I find that well meaning residents focus their efforts on this few percent rather than the 20%+ opportunities that exist for organics and other dry recyclables. Council only has limited funds so the effort needs to go to education and the initiatives with highest return rather than those that make residents feel happiest.
Earlier today, we also had representatives from Northern Sydney as well as Veolia meet with the State Government to discuss the future of the Woodlawn Bioreactor, which is where we currently dispose of our landfill. At the bioreactor, our landfill (including food organics) is stored and methane emissions captured to generate electricity. It was over a $100m investment and quite beneficial from an emissions perspective, but the FOGO by 2030 mandate means that the industry’s investment has an uncertain future as well as substantially higher future costs for ratepayers. Discussions are underway and I hope that there will be a sensible outcome.
Many of us know the phrase Reduce, Reuse and Recycle but when I look at the 2019 Federal and 2021 State Waste Action Plans, there is a lot of Reduction and Recycling but not so much on Reuse. I believe there are further opportunities for local government to promote the reuse of materials before they enter landfill, and I’ll be exploring some of these in the coming year.
It’s National Recycling Week and I’ve seen some pretty weird social media posts from politicians. I think it’s better to provide balance so here it is.
According to Office of Local Government data, the NSW Local Government Sector collected 4.0 Megatonnes of waste in the twelve months to 30 June 2022. Of this waste, 20% was dry recycling (paper, hard plastics, glass, tin), 21% was organics, and the remaining 58% went to landfill. Our “Diversion from Landfill” percentage was 41.8% while the NSW target is 80% by 2030.
So is the 80% achievable? At this stage my guess is no, but it is theoretically possible if everything perfectly fell into place.
The NSW Government has mandated that all councils implement FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collections by 2030, and in the unlikely event that the NSW organics industry is able to solve supply chain issues then we can see another 26% uplift to 68% diverted from landfill.
There is still a lot of paper, hard plastics, glass and metals that goes to landfill and if we are disciplined enough to recycle all of those then we can get up 91%. In reality though, some of that material may be contaminated so the realistic theoretical figure is somewhere in the 80’s.
On the Soft Plastics front we do have the supermarkets working together (with ACCC authorisation) to come up with a new solution by 2024 while the Australian Food and Grocery Council is undertaking trials in Victoria. At Ku-ring-gai we are trialling a service (RecycleSmart/APR) that has links to a local recycled with limited capacity, and other Councils up the coast are undertaking trials with Curby it. The entire industry is having a go and eventually we will reach commercial scale. However soft plastics is only a few % at most and I find that well meaning residents focus their efforts on this few percent rather than the 20%+ opportunities that exist for organics and other dry recyclables. Council only has limited funds so the effort needs to go to education and the initiatives with highest return rather than those that make residents feel happiest.
Earlier today, we also had representatives from Northern Sydney as well as Veolia meet with the State Government to discuss the future of the Woodlawn Bioreactor, which is where we currently dispose of our landfill. At the bioreactor, our landfill (including food organics) is stored and methane emissions captured to generate electricity. It was over a $100m investment and quite beneficial from an emissions perspective, but the FOGO by 2030 mandate means that the industry’s investment has an uncertain future as well as substantially higher future costs for ratepayers. Discussions are underway and I hope that there will be a sensible outcome.
Many of us know the phrase Reduce, Reuse and Recycle but when I look at the 2019 Federal and 2021 State Waste Action Plans, there is a lot of Reduction and Recycling but not so much on Reuse. I believe there are further opportunities for local government to promote the reuse of materials before they enter landfill, and I’ll be exploring some of these in the coming year.
Congratulations to our Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay for getting elected to the Board of Local Government NSW for a period of two years.
Christine has shown an eagerness to engage with Mayors, Councillors, and General Managers across the state to understand the challenges that the sector faces and bring lessons back to Ku-ring-gai. She has already performed a similar role at ALGWA NSW to promote diverse participation in Local Government and I am sure she will do a great job of advocating for our interests at our state industry body.
Congratulations to our @[100049240526757:2048:Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay] for getting elected to the Board of @[100064656852887:2048:Local Government NSW] for a period of two years.
Christine has shown an eagerness to engage with Mayors, Councillors, and General Managers across the state to understand the challenges that the sector faces and bring lessons back to Ku-ring-gai. She has already performed a similar role at @[100063696336134:2048:ALGWA NSW] to promote diverse participation in Local Government and I am sure she will do a great job of advocating for our interests at our state industry body.
As a former Killara resident, I was excited to be invited by Matt Cross – Member for Davidson to the official opening of the Killara Station lifts last week, along with our two Gordon Ward councillors Barbara Ward and Cr Simon Lennon.
With a brief 7 minute walk, Killara Station used to be our family’s go to for trips to the city or airport but if we needed to move prams or luggage then we would aim for Lindfield. Lifts at Roseville and Killara were a popular requests from residents young and old, and I made representations to our then-State MP Jonathan O’Dea. It was encouraging to see the initiative commence during the same term of government, and it was great to see our residents using these new facilities last week.
The ribbon was cut by Joy, a Killara resident and student of the local school.
As a former Killara resident, I was excited to be invited by @[100087669656114:2048:Matt Cross – Member for Davidson] to the official opening of the Killara Station lifts last week, along with our two Gordon Ward councillors Barbara Ward and Cr Simon Lennon.
With a brief 7 minute walk, Killara Station used to be our family’s go to for trips to the city or airport but if we needed to move prams or luggage then we would aim for Lindfield. Lifts at Roseville and Killara were a popular requests from residents young and old, and I made representations to our then-State MP Jonathan O’Dea. It was encouraging to see the initiative commence during the same term of government, and it was great to see our residents using these new facilities last week.
The ribbon was cut by Joy, a Killara resident and student of the local school.
I’m at the annual Local Government NSW conference where councils get together to share knowledge and also agree on matters to collectively work on, including the lobbying of the state and federal government on key issues.
Ku-ring-gai in particular has motions in relation to Private Certifier activity, trees, and the costs associated with assessing development. Other key themes include housing, waste, finances, community, the energy transition, and water management.
I’m at the annual Local Government NSW conference where councils get together to share knowledge and also agree on matters to collectively work on, including the lobbying of the state and federal government on key issues.
Ku-ring-gai in particular has motions in relation to Private Certifier activity, trees, and the costs associated with assessing development. Other key themes include housing, waste, finances, community, the energy transition, and water management.
🌺 Lest We Forget
Today our kids had their first experience of laying poppies. My wife and I explained the significance of these poppies, including the sacrifice that their great grandfathers and other Ku-ring-gai residents made to protect our peace.
🌺 Lest We Forget
Today our kids had their first experience of laying poppies. My wife and I explained the significance of these poppies, including the sacrifice that their great grandfathers and other Ku-ring-gai residents made to protect our peace.
Tomorrow we remember the actions of the many who served both at home and abroad to protect the freedoms that we enjoy here in Australia. I know that many of our children do not have a concept of war as we have been fortunate to enjoy a period of peace. However, I do want my children to know the sacrifices made by their two great grandparents, one of whom is featured here. Ken served in World War II as an anti-submariner and towards the end of the war he took command of the corvette HMAS Lismore before settling down in East Lindfield. I’ll be sharing more about Ken and others like him at our Remembrance Day ceremony tomorrow at Roseville Memorial Park, 10:40am. See you there, and Lest We Forget.
Tomorrow we remember the actions of the many who served both at home and abroad to protect the freedoms that we enjoy here in Australia.
I know that many of our children do not have a concept of war as we have been fortunate to enjoy a period of peace. However, I do want my children to know the sacrifices made by their two great grandparents, one of whom is featured here. Ken served in World War II as an anti-submariner and towards the end of the war he took command of the corvette HMAS Lismore before settling down in East Lindfield.
I’ll be sharing more about Ken and others like him at our Remembrance Day ceremony tomorrow at Roseville Memorial Park, 10:40am. See you there, and Lest We Forget.
Our council has 22 of these life-saving units scattered across the LGA but due to high incidence of theft and vandalism in other parts of Sydney, council usually installs them behind locked doors. Following multiple requests, council is trialing the relocation of one unit outdoors for a 12 month period. Whether this will lead to the relocation of units may depend on whether there is any sabotage of this particular unit. Unfortunately it is the bad behaviour of the few that sometimes disadvantages the many.
![It’s the time of the year where we attend (and handout at) annual awards presentations. Yesterday I was at @[100064030569835:2048:Brigidine College St Ives] and it struck me how (compared to my own school in the 90’s) there was a very strong culture of nurturing each individual student as well as the promotion of social justice initiatives. It’s a great option for our local students here at Ku-ring-gai.](https://roseville.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/405369255_1104412474294006_7806074174194911341_n_1104811030920817.jpg)
![Congratulations to our @[100049240526757:2048:Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay] for getting elected to the Board of @[100064656852887:2048:Local Government NSW] for a period of two years.
Christine has shown an eagerness to engage with Mayors, Councillors, and General Managers across the state to understand the challenges that the sector faces and bring lessons back to Ku-ring-gai. She has already performed a similar role at @[100063696336134:2048:ALGWA NSW] to promote diverse participation in Local Government and I am sure she will do a great job of advocating for our interests at our state industry body.](https://roseville.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/401509793_1095821191819801_1066392152600590013_n_1095821198486467.jpg)
![As a former Killara resident, I was excited to be invited by @[100087669656114:2048:Matt Cross - Member for Davidson] to the official opening of the Killara Station lifts last week, along with our two Gordon Ward councillors Barbara Ward and Cr Simon Lennon.
With a brief 7 minute walk, Killara Station used to be our family’s go to for trips to the city or airport but if we needed to move prams or luggage then we would aim for Lindfield. Lifts at Roseville and Killara were a popular requests from residents young and old, and I made representations to our then-State MP Jonathan O’Dea. It was encouraging to see the initiative commence during the same term of government, and it was great to see our residents using these new facilities last week.
The ribbon was cut by Joy, a Killara resident and student of the local school.](https://roseville.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/400725755_1095325865202667_2804146580500014273_n_1095413558527231.jpg)
