Council Meeting 5th November 07

Another late meeting for our community (and us) as we dealt with a full agenda. There was some constructive discussion regarding our parking on footpaths, the possible appointment of a Council Regulator / Ombudsman, the parking restictions around Jonahs, some further warriewood rezoning, the Newport Masterplan and Pittwater High Schools Solar Power Station. Please see our website for the full agenda and minutes following the meeting, or contact me directly for further comment. Our web site is www.pittwaterlga.com.au

Community Planning and Services Committee

On the 7th November I attended the above committee meeting in my role as Executive on the Local Government and Shires Association. A couple of interesting notes follow:
* The Ageing Roundtable was recently held titled "Ageing 2030: creating the future" I was not at this forum but I am led to believe it was provacative and productive with much discussion around the challenges facing our ageing population. The outcomes will appear on a web site soon and as soon as I am made aware of it I will post it here for your information.
* The Public Libaries Funding Review continues with the LGA draft submission considered. A lot of work has gone into this review and we can only hope that Minister Sartor fully takes into account the comments and concerns of local government as we will continue to fight for equitable distribution of government funding! And dont forget
PUBLIC LIBRARIES - TOO VALUABLE TO LOSE!!
* There was also preliminary discussion regarding the proposed reforms to Licencing Laws in NSW. Im not convinced they are all good!! Some reforms will certainly give our communities more of an opportunity to participate in proposed licences, however this may become extremely onerous on the resourses of local government with no real say in the outcome. I do have some concerns regarding the new live music licence which will allow cafe's to provide liquor in conjuction with live music with no requirement for patons to have a meal. Great in the CBD - not so great in some of our cafe's with a close residential component. I will keep my eye on this, but let me know if you have concerns!

Maritime Infrastructure Assessment Committee

I am priveleged to sit on the above committee as a representative of local government. It is our responsability to alocate monies raised through recreational boating licences and the like back into the community to provide better infrastructure for users. This year we had 56 applications totalling $4 million dollars. This committee determines the allocation of these funds. It is a great opportunity for me to see the vastness of our water way network and an honour to assist those local communities to build better wharves, boat ramps and facilites for users. This year we allocated out almost $2 million dollars!!

LGA Conference 2007

The Local Government Conference was held in Coffs Harbour during the end of October this year. As usual Pittwater Council was well represented by 4 Councillors, of which I was one, and our General Manager. We have become recognised at conference by our strong committment during the discussion of important topics relevant to local government. Pittwater Council successfully moved all 8 of our motions put before the chair. There were some highlights of the conference, one of which was the discussion forum held on the Saturday titled "Global Problem, Local Solutions - leadership on Climate Change". The speakers and questions allowed for some open exchange and it became obvious to all involved that Local Government has a very real ability to influence our communities reaction to the possible effects of climate change. This was also reflected in a great many of the motions put before conference. We heard presentations during conference from Hon Paul Lynch - Minister for Local Government - who I believe holds local government in high regard and I see a very positive working relationship able to be formed. Dr Tony Capon from the Premiers Council and the CSIRO spoke about "Cities, Sustainability and Health". Frank Sartor appeared before us and outlined his visions and achievements for local government, it was obvious during question time that he is certainly not local governments favourite minister!! Richard Torbay was right on the ball with his statement that "Cost Shifting is the biggest impediment to Local Government - well we have been trying to tell State Government that over and over again - maybe someone is listening!! This conference was very successful again, however through my role on the Local Government Executive I will be pushing for some changes in years to come to ensure the motions put before the chair are more strategic and achievable! Some Councils still put forward motions that are only relevant to them, and while they are no doubt of high importance to their community we need to realise that this is a state wide conference with the aim of finding strategic policies and frameworks to lobby other levels of government. I have the full print out of 2007 decisions for any members of my community should you be interested.

Northern Beaches Liquor Accord

Hi, Ive just returned from my first meeting of the Northern Beaches Liquor Accord at Harbord Diggers Club. My desire to attend this meeting stems from a presentation made to the LGA Community Planning and Services Committee by several of Sydney's Mayor's in regard to Alcohol and Violence. It is a well established fact, and community conern, that excessive alcohol consumption has the capacity to increase anti social behaviour, particularly amoungst our young people. This is happening all over Sydney - Including Pittwater. Who hasnt noticed the increase in Graffiti, smashed bus shelters and young people in distress?? Especially on a Friday or Saturday night?? With the onset of the summer months, and the silly season, this will only increase. The LGA has agreed to hold further discussions on the issue with key stakeholders in order to try and identify the real problem and find solutions that can be achieved and enacted. The cost to our community, both Council, Business and Private property is too large already. So that leads me to why I wanted to attend the Accord Meeting. I would like to say a big thank you to the the licenced premises in Pittwater that attended the meeting today - it was so great to see you there with open eyes and prepared to learn. The topics of discussion centered around Fake ID's and the presenters were both interesting and informative. I hope we can continue to be positive with these meetings, although I would like to see something a little more interactive next time. I do look forward to further participation and encourage you to let me know what concerns you have with our licenced venues>

LGA Executive Meeting Oct 07

Hi again everyone. I know it's been a really long time since I have blogged (if that is a word?) but you know how life is - and then of course we had school holidays!! We had a couple of interesting topics discussed at the recent LGA meeting that I would like to share with you all.
** The first is in regard to the Review of Public Lighting Code, of which I sit on the Joint Working Party. This has major implications to all Councils as the review is in two parts. One of which consists of the IPART decision to increase public lighting charges to Country Energy. It is our view that their was insufficient regard given to some items, such as the fact of no effective competition, insufficient detail to establish current cost base and of course our never ending concern re rate pegging. The cost increase awarded was 5.22 % when rate pegging is set at 3.4%. The concern for metro councils is the obvious flow on effect to Energy Australia. IPARTs decision in full is available at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au. Please look it up and let me know your concerns. The second part to the working party is the review of the code, involving street lighting installation, maintenance, technology choice and reporting. The code commenced in January 2006 and was designed to clarify the relationship between councils and utilities. The code was welcome but it is now obvious that implementation timetables have not been met! Stay tuned as I find out more!!
** Another review being undertaken is the NSW Public Libraries Funding Review. I am of the opinion (as are my Pittwater Councillor colleagues) that this review has the potential to further disadvantage our library. Quantum funding continues to be reduced by the government as a whole and now the distribution criteria is being considered for change. This is likely to see a further reduction to Metro Councils in favour of our country councils. While it is recognised they are in need also, our library system cannot continue to survive the increasing demands placed on it with a continued reduction in funding. Please let me know what you think so I can represent your views.

Biography

I started my life on the Peninsular as one of the first babies born in the new maternity wing of Mona Vale Hospital in January 1965. After which I grew up with my parents and brother at Frenchs Forest. It was here that I learnt the value of community, through my parents long term association holding executive positions and expending tireless hours working with Apex, Meals on Wheels, the Primary and High School committees and local sporting organizations.

In 1988 I moved to Narrabeen with my husband where our 2 daughters were born in 1994 and 1998.

We began a local coach tour operation in 1994, serving both the community we lived and those wanting to experience our wonderful area. My desire to work with my community in developing a higher recognition for local business’s led me to join the Narrabeen Lakes Chamber of Commerce, where I held the position of secretary. It was through this association and my exposure to many different people that I was encouraged to stand for Council as their voice.

I was successfully elected to Council in September 1995 and held the position of Deputy Mayor in the 1998/1999 term. In my role as Councilor I have had the opportunity to stand and Chair committees where my strengths were and interests lie. Currently I Chair;
The Environment and Planning Committee
The Urban and Consolidation and Planning Portfolio Committee
The Traffic Committee
The Road Safety Committee, and
The Crime Prevention Committee.

In 2002 I stood for a position as executive on the Local Government Association of New South Wales. This organization was formed to provide a united voice to Local Government area’s in New South Wales. This position has given me an opportunity to work for my community on a higher level, and lobby for their concerns directly with the Ministers responsible. As an Executive I have had the opportunity to represent the Association in the following ways;
Member of the Community Planning and Services Committee
Member of the Child Care Working Party
Member of the Maritime Infrastructure Project Assessment Committee
Member of the Sydney Water Corporate Customer Council, and
Chair of the Working Party into Leadership in Local Government.

I believe the 12 years I have given to my community has given me the skills to effectively chair committees, represent the needs of my constituents and work effectively with higher levels of government. This role as Councilor and Executive Member has allowed me to be a voice for members of my local community who otherwise would be unrepresented. Now, as a single mother with many more direct ties to my community on varied areas of interest, I believe I continue to be able to use my natural ability to work with people from all levels of society and bring their needs together for a common outcome that I gain such pleasure in this role. My aspirations for the future lie in continuing this role on the big issues Pittwater will continue to face.

Introductory Post!!

Hi, and welcome to my first blog!

The intention of this new blog page is for me to better communicate with you, my constituents. I will be keeping you up to date with the happenings in Pittwater Council, but also Id like to share with you some of my and my family's more personal achievements.

I have served my community as a Councillor on Pittwater Council for the last 12 years as well as serving as an Executive on the Local Government Association for the last 5 years. My two daughters have spent their whole lives as part of the Pittwater Council family and have grown up with strong social and community values.

My value to you is only as strong as the comments and discussions you create within this blog - so please reply to me and lets talk about some of the issues that are important to you, your family and your business.

For further information regarding Pittwater Council visit our web site http://www.pittwaterlga.com.au/ or alternatively send me a comment on line!!