- January 2002 2001 -

Newsletter of the Scotland Island Residents Association   Volume 3, Issue 25; January 2002

Editorial:

Welcome to a bright New Year. May all the good intentions you agreed to on January 1st be still in effect and that the decisions you made are not causing you too much strife. I am sure you will be in better health for it! This year may prove to be a difficult one for those of us who park 'n ride from Church Point and we will need to keep our wits about us if major planned changes are forced upon us by others who care little for our lifestyle. Keep looking over your shoulder and report any strange activity to SIRA. While I have your attention, SIRA is updating it's database and wants everybody EVEN if you are already a member, to complete the application form again. A copy can be found by clicking here.

In this Issue:

• Cables DownUnder

• Why your membership is important

• Roads and Drainage – Maintenance & Upgrading

• Emergency Water and Waste Management

• Mona Vale Hospital

Cables DownUnder

The overhead power distribution may be destroyed in a bush fire resulting in the local water and sewage pumps failing. This results in a lack of water for fire fighting and a potential public health crisis leaving homes etc in effected areas uninhabitable till power can be restored. Reports in the media during the last week have indicated that there have been a number of areas where poles have been burnt and wires destroyed resulting in such situations. One report was of 80 poles being destroyed.

I would most strenuously encourage you to immediately write to the Premier with a copy to the Minister for Energy and CC a copy to your local member requesting that these strategic assets be not be replaced with the same type of unreliable infrastructure as currently used, but that underground cables be installed in their stead. This would have the combined effect of:

• Reducing the risks for our valiant fire fighters from live wires
• Saving public funds replacing burnt poles and cables in future fires
• Saving residents of the combined problems of lack of water and sewage services during times of emergency
• Reduction in the likelihood of fires started by overhead powerlines.

( An average of 350 bush fires per year are started by overhead powerlines in NSW alone, and some of the worst fires in Australia eg, the "Ash Wednesday Fires"  in Vic, were found by the coroner in that state to have been started by overhead power lines.) Your letters should be complimentary, we need friends not enemies, after all the Premier has already begun a process to bury all Sydney's Cables. But it is important that the public voice be heard loud and clear so as to have the project expedited rather than being left to wither through lack of visible public support.

This is not just a country issue but a metropolitan issue also, as a typical example burnt poles and damaged conductors can be seen along the Comennara Parkway in Sydney’s Turramurra.

Contact details are as follows.

The Hon. Bob Carr, Premier of NSW

 Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower

 1 Farrar Place Sydney NSW 2000

 The Hon. Kim Yeadon, Minister for Energy

 Level 34,  Governor Macquarie Tower

 1 Farrar Place Sydney NSW 2000

 Also CC a copy to your local member.

 Thank you for your assistance and it would be appreciated if you could pass copies of this message and the earlier one on to sympathetic friends and acquaintances. The message needs to be heard loud and clear. Signed: Pete Downey

Why your Membership is Important

There are a number of major issues that require Scotland Island to have a strong voice – with Council, Sydney Water, Department of Land and  Water Conservation (DLAWC), and Energy Australia as examples. These issues include :- 

Church Point Precinct

We need to ensure that the Church Point area, from Holmeport (Mitchells) to the southern end of the carpark, is developed as a complete precinct, having regard to the historical and cultural background and good design, and not just a series of isolated developments.

Church Point Wharf – we are still fighting, after 3 years, for a design that provides a good social environment, an efficient and safe transport terminal, meets the historical aspects (the Burra Charter), and is of maximum benefit for all stakeholders.

Pasadena – the case goes to the Land and Environment Court in March, we understand.  The offshore residents will be called on, according to Council and its lawyers, to support the case.  A special workgroup is active on this.

Church Point Carpark – once again we have a serious problem.  DLAWC has advised Council that the Carpark is to be returned to a Reserve , with short term parking only!  That means

NO PARKING FOR OFFSHORE RESIDENTS.

 It’s designed for the day tripper from Blacktown who wishes to purchase an ice cream and gaze at the water for a few minutes. We have already met with John Brogden (our local Member), and will be meeting with Council shortly, with John’s full support. This challenge alone needs a 100% membership for both SIRA and WPCA (the Western Foreshores Association). We are seeking legal opinion and will keep you informed on progress and whatever action is needed.

Roads and Drainage – Maintenance & Upgrading

Whilst we know, through the Survey, what the Island wants for its roads, it will take a long time to achieve it .

In the meantime we have to work with the Council and keep pressure on it to repair the dangerous sections (this has started), fix the table drains so that the water drains down the side of the road instead of cutting out the road itself, to repair the damage caused by Energy Australia and Telstra, and to gradually improve sections (as was achieved through the Stormwater Grant).

This, most certainly, needs a strong voice with Council.

Emergency Water and Waste Management

We now know that SI, together with the Western Foreshores, along with a number of other communities in NSW, will be sewered within 5 years (ref Bob Carr’s announcement     ??date??)

However, we have an emergency water system that is collapsing and a Public Liability situation that is extremely worrying, to say the least.

SIRA has been managing the water supply on behalf of the Council and Sydney Water for years, and we have been advised by our legal and insurance consultants that because we have no PL insurance and, indeed, would never be able to get it, we must immediately cease being involved.

This means that we must quickly negotiate with Council and Sydney Water so that they take the full Public Liability responsibility. Again, it needs a strong Association. The alternative is that water would cease to be provided to the 280 households that ask for it!

The whole business of managing waste on the Island needs to be improved.  Vegetation removal is just 1 aspect.

Mona Vale Hospital

We need a very strong and persistent voice on this one, both from SI and the Foreshores. Northern Sydney Health has been forced, by public actions over the past year, including the huge amount of work carried out by the Save Mona Vale Hospital Committee (which has representation from SIRA) and supported very strongly by the Council,  to go back to the community to conduct a proper community consultation.

It is felt, by the SMVHC that NSH continues to want to build a new hospital up in the Warringah Rd and Wakehurst Parkway area.

Our recent research results from the December Newsletter clearly states that there should be a maximum of 15-30 minutes by car, and 1 hour by Public Transport travel time to the hospital.  Actual travel times would be dramatically greater.

It’s a long fight, and both offshore Associations need a 100% membership, given that we regard reasonably quick access to hospital as important .

So, please complete the Application Form, even if you are a long term member.  We are completely updating our Data Base and need this information. The application form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Spread the Word:

The future of this newsletter is in your hands. More than 500 residents and friends read this electronic newsletter monthly. Please tell your friends and neighbours to subscribe. If you are particularly literate in matters computing, you might like to help them follow the very simple path to subscription. It is easy to join. Simply click here to join (or leave) or go to following address: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/newsletters

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Finally:

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy!. Send an e-mail to the editor by clicking here. Type your short contribution (100 words would be fine) and assuming it is of general interest to the community, does not include matter of a political nature and is not offensive to your neighbours, it will appear next month.

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The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association Committee.