Issue No. 64
To the residents of Willoughby South:
Welcome to this edition of The 272 which has been supported by the generous sponsorship of:
- La Botte Italian Restaurant (608 Willoughby Road, Willoughby 2068).
- Oishi Furniture and Homewares
- Willoughby Architects
The aim of The 272 is to build community spirit in the Willoughby South area, so readers are invited to comment below on any issue pertaining to our community.*
You can contact the Willoughby South Progress Association at:
Email: hello@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
Editor: Tony Tenney
*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA.
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A word from your new president...
By Wayne Farmilo
Welcome to The 272 for 2024!
There are a couple of significant changes planned for The 272 and Willoughby South Progress Association (WSPA) this year.
One of the first you will see is that WSPA will have a website. Currently, WSPA is the only active Progress Association that doesn’t have one and, thanks to a grant from the Willoughby City Council, that is about to change.
The goals of the website are varied, but high among them are:
- Residents being able to receive The 272 in a digital format.
- Creating a more IMMEDIATE way of communication with the WSPA patch, and
- Providing a better and more straightforward way for you to communicate with your committee and your neighbours.
We plan to have the website rolled out by the end of February, and you will be able to get an update on our Facebook page.
You can register for the digital version of The 272 by scanning the QR code below.
We are not planning to stop the hardcopy of The 272, so have no fear you won’t have something local to read with your Saturday morning coffee at least four times a year.
Email addresses you may want to take note of are:
- whisper@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
If you need a local advocate for something happening on your street or in your immediate surroundings. - committee@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
If you’d like to communicate with us. - editor@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
If you would like to propose or write an article for The 272.
Redevelopment of 14-16 Penshurst Street
Background: The developers Narrahome Pty Ltd and Y Lin submitted a Development Application to the Willoughby City Council (DA-2020/113). Due to the number of submissions, this application was referred to the Willoughby Local Planning Panel, which refused it citing, amongst other reasons:
- As the front setback is less than the 7.5 metres required by Council’s DCP, the desired future character of the locality in providing medium-density residential housing is eroded.
- Recognising that the location is undergoing transition, it is important that the planning controls (including floor space ratio, height and setbacks) which guide built form and desired future character are respected
- The proposal has not adequately demonstrated how the impact on adjoining properties with regard to overshadowing, visual and acoustic privacy and residential amenity have been addressed.
However, the developers took the matter to the Land and Environment Court, which approved the development in June 2021. This approval include the following amendments:
- the development was setback 7.5m, to comply with Council’s front setback control,
- the front yard was lowered stepping down from the terrace outside living rooms of units 1 & 2,
- an increase in the setback of all structures on the roof to a minimum of 3.0m from the southern edge of the building and those areas made non-trafficable,
- unit 8 was made the accessible unit instead of unit 3, and
- amendments to the parking allocation in the basement.
The local residents’ action groups’ concerns are:
“…that the height of the car park has been raised 1.4 metres and that the height of the walkway and therefore the ground floor has been raised by that much and it will be right on the boundary line, not set in as the plans showed. The front of the building is set back 3.6 metres, we all understood it was to be 6 meters.”
The Action Group arranged a meeting with KUDOS Building Certification’s Tony Huong on 1/12/23, which I attended as WSPA president. The certifier claims that all works are as per the approval and that the Action Group has no recourse; however, he committed to providing a copy of the approved planning drawing and would ask if the construction certificate drawing could be released.
The certifier provided the approved drawing on the 18th of January but no construction drawing have been forthcoming.
The Council’s response so far to the concerns raised:
“You have also requested Council to investigate and action specific matters in relation to alleged non-compliances with the Development Consent.
I advise that Council’s current level of resourcing does not provide adequate capacity to investigate all allegations that may pertain to all development under the control of an appointed private Principal Certifier. Moreover, Council will not enter onto a development site that is under the control of an appointed private Principal Certifier, unless:
- Principal Certifier has served a WDN and Council has been formally engaged.
- Council is investigating an offence against Council’s adopted Vegetation Management Policy.
- Council is exercising its powers under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 and is investigating a pollution event.
WDN is a Written Directions Notice that is issued by the private certifier advising of a non-compliance.
We will keep you posted.
My Rant
You will have noticed it has just been Council clean-up time, and as a dog walker and part-time hoarder, I’m always interested in seeing what others think is rubbish.
I know in this consumer society we constantly replace items that aren’t perfect or are outdated or redundant, and the disposal of these items is a huge issue, not just in Willoughby but throughout NSW, Australia and the world.
Every person I speak to about this agrees; it just can’t keep getting dumped into landfill.
Our household isn’t much better, though we try limiting what is put out on cleanup day.
The following are my go-to’s to dispose of our more common and bulkier items, most of which are free:
- Soft plastics and old clothes (beyond wearable) – Recyclesmart
- Wearable clothing – Clothing Cleanup
- Underwear – Underwear for Humanity
- Mattress – Softlanding
- Bikes – Revolving Recycling
- Electrical waste and other problem waste -Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at 8 Waltham Street, Artarmon.
I would be keen to hear of any others that you use, so please email us at:
editor@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
Wayne Farmilo,
President, Willoughby South Progress Association.
Every person I speak to says the same thing – recyclables just can't keep getting dumped into landfill.
Warringah Freeway Upgrade (WFU) and Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT)
By Kristina Dodds
Have you travelled along the Warringah Freeway and noticed the upgradee works? How did it make you feel? Do you remember what the area used to look like before the upgrade works began – 7.2 hectares of heritage listed parklands – over 1500 trees. Now they are gone. What does it all mean and what can we do? It’s just not good enough that such valuable land has been taken. Rozelle got 10ha of parkland in compensation, the lower north shore gets nothing but more lanes of traffic, more pollution, congestion that will spill into surrounding local streets.
The Beaches Link has been cancelled, but did you realise that the Warringah Freeway works are progressing without modification to remove cancelled Beaches Link infrastructure and detrimental freeway changes that will impact Willoughby streets.
On 21 November last year, a public meeting organised by North Sydney Bay Precinct and Naremburn Progress Association was held to discuss next steps following the Beaches Link (BL) cancellation and the continuing work on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
The purpose of the meeting was to request that the NSW Government reassess the Western Harbour Tunnel project and deal with the impacts, before going ahead with the main contract. Mitigations are needed due to widespread local road impacts, over criteria pollution levels and the need to replace more than 4 hectares of lost space permanently and 3000 trees 2:1.
105 people attended the public meeting, including the Mayor of North Sydney, Zoe Baker, and Naremburn Ward Councillors Anna Greco and Georgie Roussac. Willoughby South Progress Association committee members also attended.
Paul Walter, co-convenor of North Sydney Bay Precinct, emphasised that the main aim of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade is to enable traffic on the freeway to travel faster, but at the expense of increased traffic and congestion on local roads in surrounding suburbs.
Mayor Baker said North Sydney local area was ground zero for the project, as described in oral ‘victim impact statements’ given by several residents. The design was only 30% complete when the contracts were awarded.
Larissa Penn, president of Naremburn Progress Association added that the justification for the Western Harbour Tunnel was inextricably linked to the Beaches Link. But the WFU/WHT project is continuing without any changes to remove a substantial amount of BL infrastructure, such as lanes, portals, emissions stack, space at Cammeray Park for motorway facilities and facilities at Artarmon. There are precedents for cancelling a project where emerging costs outweigh expected benefits, such as the East West Link in Victoria.
All speakers encouraged residents to email toll-road tunnel decision-makers asking them to reassess urgently the WHT project and to deal with the unacceptable impacts of the WFU. Willoughby LGA residents can personalise the draft letter at the link below to include significant impacts to both Willoughby Road and Miller Street and knock-on effects across Willoughby local roads.
The letter will be sent to the NSW Premier, Treasurer, Roads, Transport and Planning Ministers and Senior DPIE Planners:
https://tinyurl.com/BayPrecinctLetter
All speakers encouraged residents to email toll-road tunnel decision-makers asking them to reassess the Western Harbour Tunnel project and to deal with the unacceptable impacts of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
Willoughby South Progress Association (WSPA) – working for you and for our community
By Kristina Dodds
And we don’t do it alone! We work with other community members from the six other Progress Associations across the Willoughby Council area. We meet each quarter to discuss how we can make Willoughby a better place to live, a connected community. At our last meeting in December, we discussed the impact of the Freeway works on Willoughby streets and resolved “That the FWPA supports the work of North Sydney Council and Naremburn PA in calling for reassessment of the business case by the NSW Auditor General and a traffic impact review of WFU and WHT” (see article above).
Concern was expressed about the safety of the proposed trial of e-scooters in designated areas of Willoughby and a letter written to Willoughby City Council.
Also discussed was the Special Rate Variation and the proposed rate rise of 15%. With that rate rise residents expect the proper maintenance of all services and assets and would like Council to reassure the community that this will be the outcome.
Flat Rock Gully is always on the agenda. A separate Plan Of Management POM) for the area has been recommended by the Federation to Willoughby City Council as it is such a unique site, with the historical contaminated tip underneath, that it is a wildlife corridor, valuable bushland, the major water catchment for Willoughby leading into Middle Harbour and a widely used recreation and sporting area that includes the Willoughby Leisure Centre.
Other matters discussed included the Chatswood Metro Dive site and future use, concern over the high council staff turnover, reduced speed limits in high pedestrian streets, and a request for a traffic study in St Leonards. Reports were given from the following Advisory Committee meetings – Access and Inclusion, Bicentennial Reserve and Flat Rock Gully, Active and Integrated Transport. Willoughby South Progress Association is a great advocate of these Advisory Committees to Council, where community members with an interest and expertise meet with Council staff up to six times a year to provide feedback and advice.
What’s in a street name?
Armstrong Street – 1893 on William Carr’s grant.
Runs off Willoughby Road (west side), part-way to Edward Street. Armstrong Street East is on Charles Nathan’s grant on the east side of Willoughby Road, between Salisbury Road and Pendey Street and is thus not contiguous with Armstrong Street. The reason is not known.
Named after Andrew Armstrong, land and parliamentary agent, who owned land in Tulloh Street and was sole owner in 1886 of most of the land on the Castle Cove and Middle Cove peninsulas. To him is due the chief credit for the proposal in the late 1880s to bridge Long Bay gully so that better access could be provided to the Middle Harbour suburbs.
Source: Municipality of Willoughby 1988.
Willoughby South Progress Association is a great advocate of these Advisory Committees to Council, where community members with an interest and expertise meet with Council staff up to six times a year to provide feedback and advice.
Nine – What benefits does it bring to our community?
By Kate Lamb
Although it is often the disadvantages which command our attention – think increased traffic, reduced street parking, oversubscribed infrastructure, crowded schools and so on – this is a story about benefits. When Willoughby South got up on its hind legs about the Channel 9 development (remember the placards?) several local heroes did their utmost to get us some compensations.
Removal of the tower was definitely a neighbourhood improvement! And although there is controversy about the position of the pedestrian crossing and new roundabout on Artarmon Road, we understand that some further refinements may yet be implemented.
Public open space of 6,500sqm is to be provided in the centre of the 442 apartment complex. It remains to be seen how readily it will be used by the general public however, as there is a very steep drop from Artarmon Road with access to be via steps or a lift (we are unsure who is responsible for its maintenance). A children’s playground is to be provided at the southern end of this space and apparently a section of the former transmission tower is being transformed into a climbing frame, a centrepiece for this facility.
Two contributions to Council under the NSW government’s Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) system will be made once the final Occupancy Certificate has been issued. $500K is promised towards ‘intersection improvements’ at Willoughby Road/Small Street/Artarmon Road and $1M is for ‘future public access and regeneration works’ to Walter Street Reserve.
This latter project has caught the eye of sustainable transport advocates who would like to see this access made bike-friendly, despite the steep gradients involved. Given that Edward Street is to have a Council-curated makeover, linking it to the Nine development seems sensible. Heading south from Edward Street, a right into Artarmon Road and a left into Richmond would then allow for pedestrian and bike-friendly access at the Scott Street alignment ‘at grade’ through to the open space and then to the southern boundary. The VPA funded access would then connect down to/through the Walter Street Reserve and then to the Gore Hill bike path, thereby creating a valuable recreational asset, extending Willoughby’s sustainable transport network and providing easy, additional access to the playground and open space within 9.
Public Beheading in Artarmon!
By Kate Lamb
In the week between Christmas and New Year, a small group of locals joined forces to remove agapanthus seedheads. Masses of these invasive plants have been planted by Willoughby City Council’s contractor in and around Artarmon Station with no sign of Council taking responsibility for its maintenance and preventing seeds spreading to nearby bush and watercourses.
Listed as an environmental weed in many areas, the Sydney Weeds Network (of which Willoughby Council is a member) identifies agapanthus as being of ‘regional concern …. a popular garden plant that needs active management’ and ‘a threat to the integrity of our natural bushland’. Seeds and tubers are carried by wind and along adjacent creek lines, spreading throughout bushland.
Willoughby Council is custodian of some 300 hectares of fragmented bushland, significant areas containing a wide variety of native flora and fauna, with concentrations along the Lane Cove River and Middle Harbour. The Council is understandably proud of this asset, making much of its ‘green’ character in the images dominating its website.
Council asks residents to ‘consider planting flora that is native to your particular area, not just Australia, as these plants are more likely to attract wildlife and are less likely to overrun bush areas’.
To help people find out which plants will suit, Council’s website provides an attractive and detailed Plant Species List for download.
Why is it not applied by Council/its consultants in public works?
Further information from Kate on:
0419 236 397.
IN and OUT on Willoughby Road
The 272 can confirm that The One Earth Café closing rumour was correct, and now we have another vacant shop for lease.
Also noted as vacant on the strip is the site previously occupied by Eco At Home; however, Eco at Home still has a Web and Facebook presence. The rumoured Deli at the old King Cork and Timber may just be that. The space is undergoing a substantial upgrade, including installing stairs linking the ground and first floors. The latest on the rumour front is that it will now be a carpet and rug retailer.
Please support our local Business and keep our part of Willoughby alive and vibrant.
Loading Zone – 562 Willoughby Road – Update
As a result of talking to one of our local councillors, Cr Hugh Eriksson, the loading zone was raised with The Willoughby City Council Traffic Committee at the 16th November 2023 meeting.
The committee’s response:
TfNSW advised that the Loading Zone was approved and installed, based on the DA condition during the DA stage of the development at 562 Willoughby Rd. TfNSW reserves the right to make changes to the Loading Zone and advised it will consider changes to the timing based on consultation with local shop keepers and residents. Cr Eriksson advised the shop owners that TfNSW has undertaken to survey them about the need for and times of the loading zone. To date, the survey hasn’t been undertaken.
A message from Mayor Tanya Taylor
February 2024
Thank you for the opportunity to provide an update in this edition of The 272.
To help Council understand the current parking situation in Willoughby South, surveys of affected streets have been undertaken to determine the current street parking availability and occupancy (the Draft Willoughby South Parking Study is available to view: https://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au/willoughby-south-parking-management).
As a result of the study, Council is now considering the introduction of timed restrictions 1P and 4P resident timed parking restrictions. The proposed parking restrictions would discourage long-term parking by commuters and provide opportunities for short-stay parkers such as visitors, carers and trade person. Eligible residents with valid resident parking permits for this area would be able to park in the 1P & 4P areas for an unlimited time period. The exhibition period on this proposal ended on 4 February. Thank you to everyone that provided feedback and I look forward to updating you on the progress of this initiative.
I am pleased to announce that a contractor has now been appointed and concept plans for the Edward Street and Penshurst Street South Improvement project will be available mid this year. Thank you to everyone who attended our community workshops throughout May and June last year and provided us with valuable feedback. This is an exciting project, and it’s great to see some progress.
A Willoughby Leisure Centre update was presented to Council for noting in December 2023, including information regarding the site conditions impacting the design, construction methodology and program. There have been some significant challenges identified beyond Council’s control that have affected progress. Council has been working to gather more information to keep the community updated and a report will be presented to the February 2024 Council Meeting including program and budget.
Our Councillor Community Engagement sessions provide the opportunity for the community to meet their elected representatives at convenient locations around the local government area. The next dates for Sailors Bay Ward Councillor engagement sessions are 24 February at Bellambi Square from 10am-12pm and 4 May at the Leisure Centre from 10am-12pm.
Willoughby City Council’s CEO, Debra Just has announced her retirement, ending a distinguished career in Local Government spanning more than 25 years. Debra will be retiring in March to return to family in Adelaide. She will remain as the Chief Executive Officer of Willoughby City Council until 1 March, 2024.
Of course, if you have any feedback or concerns to raise with me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
tanya.taylor@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
Council is now considering 1P and 4P resident timed parking restrictions. These would discourage long-term parking by commuters and provide opportunities for short-stay parkers such as visitors, carers and trade person.
Cr Roy McCullagh
It has been a very productive period with a lot interaction with Willoughby South residents in relation to a number of issues. The key issues that I have worked on include:
- Installation of sandstone rocks to plug the gaps in the artist-designed fence at Hallstrom Park.
- Conducted seven in-person meetings with residents over the Christmas period in addition to meeting with local businesses and listening to their concerns.
- In the December Council Meeting I requested that Council provide a report in April 2024 focusing on potential long-term Rideshare Pick Up and Drop Off locations throughout Willoughby South and the broader LGA.
- Requested Council to conduct additional Resident Parking Scheme Extra Drop-In Sessions to enable residents who may have been away in January to attend.
- Continued representation in relation to the impact to Edward Street and local roads of the proposed changes to residents’ parking.
Cr Hugh Eriksson
Dear readers, Happy New Year, I hope you all had a nice break with family and friends.
In this final year of the current Council term I will be focusing on the following issues specific to our area:
- Council is currently reviewing the local resident parking scheme – those who know me know that I am passionate about parking – I will be supporting any change that improves parking for residents.
- The special rate variation will be returning to Council soon – while I am not a supporter of high taxes I will be supporting a small additional increase to rates. Willoughby has some of the lowest rates in Northern Sydney. I believe a small percentage increase now will offset higher increases later.
- I intend to encourage Council to work with the state government on sensible housing growth. We need to work with the Premier and his cabinet to ensure we achieve the right balance otherwise the decision will be made for us, not by us.
All the best for 2024.
Like and follow Hugh on Facebook
A wallaby’s tail.....
By The Constant Gardener
In 2001 Northside Councils agreed to try and rid our bushland of foxes. Easier than getting rid of cats – which collectively have probably done more damage to our wildlife. It involved burying 1080, a particularly nasty poison throughout many tracts of native bushland. Some residents may remember the signs and extensive awareness campaign, warning that dogs were particularly susceptible: an excellent reason for keeping them on leash when in the bush. This baiting program is no doubt the reason for the resurgence of brush turkeys and bandicoots and a prime reason for increased sightings of wallabies in built up areas. Remember the one found bounding along the Harbour Bridge in 2018?
Some residents are aware that due to Willoughby Council’s long-term and hard-fought environmental planning policies an almost continuous corridor of bushland adorns the western shores of Middle Harbour from Garrigal National Park to Tunks Park/Flat Rock Gully. Artarmon Reserve on the other hand is an island, having no connection to the foreshores of either Middle Harbour or Lane Cove River. The Reserve has lots of birdlife, four reptile species, ring and brush tail possums and grey headed flying foxes. No ground-dwelling native mammals. This means that our backyards and Council’s street and drainage reserves are the only corridors for wildlife and this is likely to be what the wallaby featured in our last 272 was doing in my backyard – trying to find her way into Artarmon Reserve, from Flat Rock Gully. How and where she crossed Willoughby Road beats me!
This baiting program is no doubt the reason for the resurgence of brush turkeys and bandicoots and a prime reason for increased sightings of wallabies in built up areas.
Report from Councillor Anna Greco
The proposed planning reforms announced by the State Government December 2023, have created significant concern for council and residents of Willoughby. These reforms, include the overriding of Council’s planning controls, and allowing provisions for increased density throughout much of the local government area (LGA), including heritage conservation zones. Council staff are currently drafting a submission outlining concerns such as the potential loss of tree canopy and private open space, traffic congestion, compromise of low-density suburb character, especially within heritage conservation areas, and adverse amenity impacts such as privacy loss and overshadowing. This submission will be made publicly available on the Council’s website:
The recent January 2024 revision to the Code of Meeting Practice (Code), will significantly improve our community’s ability to fully engage in the Council’s decision-making process. The Code now mandates the publication of agendas and reports nine working days prior to Council meetings. This earlier publication of the agenda reports will provide both the public and councillors more opportunity to address issues and questions arising from business being considered at upcoming Council meeting.
Council has commenced working with external consultants on the Edward Street Project. The design process is expected to run for the next four months before a planned workshop with the community. Council will be promoting the workshop event in advance to allow the community to register and participate.
Note: Council’s Willoughby South Parking Scheme ‘Have your Say’ is a separate program to the Edward St Project. More information can be found on Council Web page:
https://www.haveyoursaywilloughby.com.au/willoughby-south-parking-management
Construction activities have resumed on the Artarmon Clubhouse Community Facility, with utmost care being taken to preserve the site’s heritage. Collaboration with Council officers continues to document the significant women’s heritage associated with the building. The imminent completion of these works later this year is very exciting!
Want to make a difference in Willoughby South?
Consider joining the Willoughby South Progress Association.
Annual membership fee:
- $10 for an individual
- $20 for a family
This will give you 18 months of membership.
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Contact details:
Our email: hello@willoughbysouthpa.org.au
Text: 0400 635 607
Alternatively, you can pay cash or by cheque at our next meeting:
Date: Tuesday, 20 June
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Naremburn Community Centre
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