President’s New Year message

 

We wish a healthy and prosperous New Year to all our readers.

 

During 2005, SIRA’s 50th year, we’ve made excellent progress in promoting island issues, thanks to our talented and hard working SIRA Committee and to the support we’ve had from Pittwater Council, particularly the Mayor Alex Mc Taggart, our wonderful Councillors Lynne Czinner and Patricia Giles and the new General Manager, Mark Ferguson.  SIRA is represented on two Portfolio Committees of Council and the Environmental Levy Committee.  We are now firmly on Council’s radar,

 

In celebration of our 50th Birthday we changed the constitution so that we can award life membership to people who make a big contribution to island life over a long period of time.

Our first two life members, announced at our birthday party, are Leicester Warburton and Trudy Engler.

 

Highlights of 2005

 

ISLAND COMMUNITY

 

The Secession Review, produced by Kerry Borthwick and Bob Bolton

.

Island Thinkers and SIRA presenting Leicester Warburton’s An evening at History Corner

 

The SIRA Birthday Party, organised by Committee members, Lisa, Guyren and John,

 

Iskybibble, Produced by the Erdmans

 

Trudy’s Annual Ballet Concert

 

 

ISLAND INFRA-STRUCTURE

 

Ongoing green waste cleanups in Council’s new waste contract.

 

Allocation of substantial funding from the Environmental Levy to be spent on island roads and drainage.

 

Further development of the new water line

 

Council agreement to begin negotiations for the transfer of the Community hall to SIRA management.

 

After a crisis when KU announced that it was pulling out of our kindergarten with barely any notice,  dedicated and determined work by Anne Palmer and her team have ensured that the kindergarten will re-open in its 21st birthday year as SIOCS (Scotland Island & Offshore Children’s Services). SIRA and Pittwater Council have given strong support.

 

Margaret Holley has been indefatigable in her campaign to ensure that the ferry stops at the Cargo Wharf

 

Regular electronic Newsletters, courtesy of Paul Purvis and an new POD, delivered to all free of charge

 

 

CHURCH POINT ISSUES

 

SIRA was instrumental in preparing a brief for a consultant to develop a Plan of Management for Church Point, including the car park. It will be based on the Church Point Master Plan and further community consultation.

 

Council has negotiated with the Department of Lands for an extension of the cut off date for parking in the car park

 

Council has agreed that work should begin on enlarging the commuter wharf next financial year.

 

Approval of the Pasadena Development application has been delayed while compliance issues raised by SIRA and WPCA are further examined

 

 

ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

SIRA has been working hard to change perceptions of off-shore residents as simply feral.  We assert that Scotland Island is the jewel of Pittwater, notable for its natural beauty, for a talented, vibrant and cohesive community and for one of the most active and well-organised residents’ associations in the state.  

 

We also assert that, as rate payers and tax payers, we have a right to the services people on the mainland take for granted, from access to our homes to green waste collections.

 

One of our most successful public relations exercises in 2005 was the Meet the Candidates Forum at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, organised by SIRA President, Paul Purvis, during the election and attended by about 250 people.  With the help of our honorary Publicist, Karin Krueger, we had extensive media coverage.

 

Plans for 2006

ISLAND COMMUNITY

 

Island Festival in September

 

ISLAND INFRA-STRUCTURE

 

Completion of the water line

 

Road work on Thompson Street from Hilda Avenue to the Fire shed

 

Further study and community consultation on sustainable solutions to water provision and waste water/sewerage treatment

 

Management and more extensive use of the Scotland Island Community Hall.

 

A kindergarten that has long term viability

 

 

CHURCH POINT ISSUES

 

Agreement by the Department of Lands to the maintenance of the current level of off-shore residential parking on the surface of the Church Point Reserve.

 

Allocation of Council funding for enlargement of the commuter wharf at Church Point.

 

No approval of Pasadena development application which includes shop top housing adjacent to Thomas Stevens Reserve .

 

ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

More residential involvement in SIRA, a greater appreciation of the value of Pittwater’s off-shore communities and recognition of their special needs by all levels of government 

 

 

Thanks to:

 

Many, many people who have worked for our community in the past year.   You are all wonderful threads in the rich tapestry of our island life.  I warmly thank each and every one of you and wish you all the best for 2006.

 

Shar Jones

28.12.05