Newsletter

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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 HomewaresWilloughby ArchitectsThe 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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue 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, andProviding 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.auIf 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 … [Read more...] about Issue No. 64

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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 HomewaresWilloughby ArchitectsThe 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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue A word from your new president... By Ken WIlson Getting involved in local good planning is a raison d’etre of our Progress Association. Yet this July, we have been completely outdone by children at Willoughby Public school.Working with their teachers, council and bicycle network, Year 6 have designed, mapped, and marked an active transport map for the school. Four routes now wind their way to school from the Leisure Centre (pink), the Nine Development (green), Sydney Street North (orange) and Willoughby Park Centre (blue).Data for this year’s ride to school day, shows students mostly avoided being driven to school with 108 on bikes, 62 on scooters and 357 making the trip on foot. The school community is also involved in the Edward Street proposal which aims to make what is now the “green” route greener with more trees and improvement for cyclists and pedestrians.Active transport has many benefits for our environment, health and wellbeing. If you do still need to drive, please be careful when backing out of your driveway, especially if your property is now on one of the school’s active transport routes. You can view the Willoughby Public School’s “Active map” by scanning this QR code below. Ken Wilson,President, Willoughby South Progress Association. Getting involved in local good planning is a raison d’etre of our Progress Association. Ken Wilson | President Tweet In this issue: Edward Street Update By Bob Taffel Recently Council received a grant of $5m from the state government to upgrade Edward Street. With the Channel 9 property, now rechristened as NINE by Mirvac, soon to welcome its first residents, Council’s focus will be on traffic and parking in the surrounding streets. As a preliminary project, Council is looking at Edward Street with a view to improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow, not just in Edward Street but also in the connecting streets. An important part of the project will be the enhancement of the amenity of … [Read more...] about Issue No. 62

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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).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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue A word from your new president... By Ken WIlson Are we NIMBYs or YIMBYs?Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) or Yes, in My Backyard (YIMBY)?The Committee for Sydney lists four priorities for the new NSW government to keep Sydney moving. A fast rail from Sydney to Newcastle, continued development of Sydney’s rail network, an active transport revolution and an upgrade of our High Streets.The committee boasts over 150 members including developers, councils, bus companies and even Transurban. Willoughy Council is a member as is Mirvac who are developing the former Channel 9 site. Neither Busways nor Mosman council is on the list.Yet the Beaches Link toll tunnel that we had been told is "critical" infrastructure hardly ranks a mention on its web site. Likely the issue is finding enough toll revenue given the relatively low population density in the Northern Beaches which is growing at 0.28% per year (compared to Parramatta 2.03% and NSW 0.95%). The real fans live in Mosman (0.07%) where the council warned that it would not support the road if it meant one additional dwelling in their LGA. Few would disagree that Mosman is not a NIMBY suburb.The Committee's new CEO, Eamon Waterford, lives in Turella on the T8 line and is a 100% YIMBY (Yes in my back yard). He sees Turella as a dead suburb that can be fixed with higher density, more restaurants and better services. Enjoying brunch at the Incinerator café you can, in way, see what he is talking about. He argues that if we can fix Nimbyism we can fix the housing crisis, homelessness and will see our kids able to move out, without “boomeranging” back when their rent or interest rates go up again. Eamon Waterford argues that if we can fix Nimbyism, we can fix the housing crisis. Leah Bulfin | President Tweet So, with the Willoughby population growing at 0.48% a year, where is South Willoughby on the NIMBY-YIMBY scale? Certainly, we are not against development, but are prepared to fight for a transparent planning process that delivers the best of both approaches. Association members have worked … [Read more...] about Issue No. 61

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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).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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue Traffic and the Western Freeway Upgrade and Western Harbour Tunnel By Kristina Dodds Many of you would have seen the extensive preliminary works being carried out for the Warringah Freeway Upgrade (WFU) and the Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT) in Cammeray and North Sydney. A total of 1500 mature trees have been cleared from the Warringah Freeway corridor and from Cammeray Park/Golf Course. This is to make way for the upgrade, tunnel infrastructure and the twin unfiltered exhaust stacks near Earnest Street.But what are the traffic implications for Willoughby and in particular Willoughby Road with the construction of the WFU and WHT over five years? And what are the implications in the long term after the projects have been completed? It is a little hard to find the answers to traffic flows, projected delays on key intersections, and the entry and exit points for the WFU. So far material provided is confusing and contradictory. As the previous Mayor of Willoughby stated at the Parliamentary Inquiry into the projects in 2021 – there are no gains for the residents in Willoughby. The WHT and Beaches Link will lead to increased traffic, congestion and rat-running through local streets.So the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations (FWPA) has organised a meeting with Transport for NSW to ask questions and get further clarity. The FWPA is made up of seven resident groups across Willoughby, including our own – Willoughby South. The FWPA is advocating for the tunnel projects to be reassessed so that transport infrastructure in Willoughby, North Sydney and the Northern Beaches is fit for purpose, reduces traffic congestion and gets people to where they need to go.FWPA is essentially asking for a whole-of-network review. This could include a redesign, mitigations, and comprehensive assessment of public transport alternatives. With such a significant infrastructure spend the government needs to get it right.Delegates from the Willoughby South Progress Association will ask questions at the February meeting, such as the predicted impact on arterial roads in Willoughby that were not modelled in the supplied intersection analysis, the predicted … [Read more...] about Issue No. 60

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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).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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue A word from your new president... By Leah Bulfin Dear Willoughby South residents,I hope you enjoy reading this issue of The 272, a shortened version but still jam-packed with local issues relevant to our area.I would also like to invite you to our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 22 November at 7:30pm in the Naremburn Community Centre, to hear about what we do. Our aim is to cultivate community spirit and provide representation for concerns that matter to you.Your committee will report on our activities during the past year. Local councillors will address our meeting and will be available to answer questions. We urge you to consider joining the Willoughby South Progress Association so that you too can be involved in keeping Willoughby South a great place to live.Want to make Willoughby even greater? View the details below.Your committee continues to monitor how Willoughby Council is developing its new Local Environment Plan (LEP) and its Development Control Plan (DCP). It is anticipated that the new LEP and DCP will come into force in the second half of 2023. All of us need to be vigilant in monitoring proposed and approved developments in the area.Dates for your diaries:In 2023, our General Meetings are planned for:Tuesday, 21 FebruaryTuesday, 20 JuneTuesday, 21 NovemberBest wishes to you and your families for the upcoming holiday season from your WSPA Committee and I look forward to meeting some of you at the AGM.Leah Bulfin,President, Willoughby South Progress Association. Our aim is to cultivate community spirit and provide representation for concerns that matter to you. Leah Bulfin | President Tweet What's in a street name? Frenchs Road is named after James Harris French, born in England on Christmas Day 1817. He arrived in Sydney in January 1841 and married Mary, the daughter of Billy Blue, the first ferryman between Sydney and Blues Point. In 1851 he purchased his first grant of Crown land on the corner of Sailors Bay Road and Alpha Road. He called his property Paradise and built a large weatherboard … [Read more...] about Issue No. 59

A sub-title for visitor clarity 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).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.auEditor: Tony Tenney*The views and opinions of individual contributors are not necessarily those of the WSPA. Want to be a voice in your community? Raise an issue by hitting the button below share more info about the issue you'd like raised at the next General Meeting. Raise an issue A word from your new president... By Leah Bulfin Dear Willoughby South residents,It is my pleasure to present to you the new, updated The 272 – a newsletter prepared by the Willoughby South Progress Association for the residents of Willoughby South. It is our aim to keep you informed on matters affecting residents of Willoughby South and to encourage you to get involved in your local association.Willoughby South is a fabulous area to live, combining a great location to the City and other major centres, yet with plenty of parks, green space, good schools, great restaurants and local shopping. It is an area undergoing much change at the moment and certainly has its challenges. Some of the challenges we have faced in recent times include the loss of bushland and greenspace due to the proposed NSW Government Tunnels projects, reduced and cancelled bus services, increased development with less community consultation, the rise of Complying Development Certificates further reducing community consultation and affecting our conservation areas and the increasing lack of housing affordability, just to name a few.While some of the changes happening in our area are necessary and some are even welcomed, the Progress Association works hard to represent our community to ensure that the demands of an ever-growing and ever-changing city are balanced with retaining some of the things we value, such as our bushland, green space, parks, liveability, good community consultation, transparency from Government on issues that affect us, transport and ensuring development is appropriate and compliant with Council planning policies.It is a challenging time – Willoughby has a new LEP (Local Environment Plan) and DCP (Development Control Plan) coming into place very soon. However it is also an exciting time for our area and a time to get involved to ensure that our area develops and grows into the future without losing the things we value and love.Please come along to our next meeting to hear more about what is happening in our area. We have our local member, Mr Tim James giving a short presentation that night and to hear any concerns from our local community.Date: … [Read more...] about Issue No. 58