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
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
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
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
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 |
|
|
|