“THE DUKE “
October 2016 Update from The Friends of Freshwater Inc.
CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES TEST THE FRIENDSHIP OF FRESHWATER COMMUNITY
The construction companies on the three major Freshwater sites have been working into the night with their trucks rumbling through the community during sleeping hours, and constantly during the day, without any obvious traffic management plan, and with apparently scant regard for either pedestrian safety or community amenity. Recently a Tower Crane was erected by Hindmarsh Construction on Sunday night 23 October where an out of hours work application Permit 2016/00191 was approved by Council for commencement on Sunday 23 October 2016.
The Permit operating hours were clearly stated to commence at 8.00pm and conclude at 3.00am on Monday morning 24 October 2016.
It was a surprise when neighbours received notice from Hindmarsh Construction in their mailboxes on 20 October 2016, stating that the massive Tower Crane installation would be commencing work on Sunday 23 October 2016 at 6.00pm and concluding at 6.00am Monday 24 October 2016.
With not much thought given to community amenity, Hindmarsh Construction was also blatantly contravening the out of hours permit approved by the Northern Beaches Council.
Residents have been most patient with these builders particularly on the numerous occasions that they have worked outside of allotted hours. It is apparent with Hindmarsh Construction that the Principal Certifier, and Council’s Compliance Officers have simply let this happen.
Hindmarsh Construction, as with Ganellen and Growthbuilt have a regulatory requirement to comply with the Conditions of its Permits, and Northern Beaches Council has to ensure breach enforcement action in accordance with the Provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.
SWING CRANES AND THEIR AIR SPACE.
It appears to be a little known fact that the air space above one’s property can be a source of income. Construction companies have long paid a fee to nearby property owners whose properties are being overshadowed by the swing arc of Self-Erecting and Tower Cranes and their counterweights.
When the apartment complex, “Sea Change” on Crown Road, was being constructed, neighbours were handsomely compensated for the inconvenience of the tower crane hovering above. This is the current situation for properties in the near vicinity to both “Freshwater” and “Kahana “constructions.
SOLDIERS AVENUE ROADWAY UPGRADED.
Much work is being done on and below the road surface of Soldiers Avenue. A variety of services are located under this road including major sewerage pipes, storage tanks, high voltage power cables, Telstra communication systems and, of course, Freshwater Creek.
In the last week, the road surface has been completely renewed after fully laden concrete and B-double trucks had roughed its surface. There are calls for a speed zone for this Avenue given the lack of two-way movement. A speed hump is being installed between 56 and 58 Soldiers Avenue by NBC
FRIENDS OF FRESHWATER HAS ANOTHER ACTIVE YEAR
Friends of Freshie has been actively involved this year in a wide range of projects including: –
- · Successful campaign for the removal of the 4G Optus tower from the McKillop Park headland
- · Registration of the Freshwater Anzac Precinct as a community war memorial
- · Refurbishment of the Soldiers Avenue of Honour, undergrounding of HV cabling and seeking State heritage listing.
- · Public Toilets for Jacka park
- · Freshwater Community Garden
- · Urban planning issues
- · The Village Public Art Project.
- · Upgrading of Queenscliff steps
- · Removal of weed infestation in Undercliffe Reserve
- · Upgrading and saving Freshwater Beach Reserve Playgrounds.
- · Boardwalk extensions from South Curl Curl to Freshwater Pool.
All of these projects require close interaction with the three tiers of government.
At its AGM on 12 October, a new Executive was elected for 2017. It includes:-
Peter Harley, President
Phil Curry, Vice-President
Brian Dunphy, Secretary
Denise Goldstein, Treasurer
Sean Rout, Executive Committee
Stacey Berkman, Executive Committee
Kent Bull, Executive Committee.
Mine Host of the Harbord Beach Hotel, John Thorpe, AO, was again elected as Patron.
HARBORD PUBLIC SCHOOL AND MANLY SELECTIVE CAMPUS SHORT CHANGED ON MAINTENANCE.
FOI documentation has revealed that Harbord Public School and Manly Selective are among 6 schools on the northern beaches which have a maintenance backlog in excess of $500,000. With $28 mill being spent on new classrooms at Harbord Public, this figure appears confusing and may relate to maintenance in other parts of the School. In the case of Manly Selective nothing appears to have been spent on the School or its grounds for a long time. The same dilapidated fence surrounds the Campus as it did in 1970.
ARMISTICE DAY CEREMONY AT THE FRESHWATER ANZAC PRECINCT IN JACKA PARK AND THE SOLDIERS AVENUE OF HONOUR.
It is now 98 years since the formal conclusion of World War One on 11 November 1918. In Freshwater, we especially remember this day because of the profound impact this senseless conflict had on our community in both losses of life and injuries to those that returned.
On the 11 November next, we will be remembering a 24-year-old Freshwater Surf Club member, Horace “Ponto” Logan who was killed in action, near Fromelles, exactly a century ago. A bronze footpath memorial plaque in memory of him will be unveiled at his tree on the eastern corner of Eric St. and Soldiers Avenue. Many members of the Logan family will also be in attendance and for them it is a very poignant occasion.
The original Logan plaque and tree guard was mistakenly removed by Council in 1985.
The replacement of plaques is part of a five- year program to restore the original objects and fabric of the historic Soldiers Avenue of Honour. It has the support of the three tiers of Government.
At 11am on 11 November a commemorative ceremony will commence in Jacka Park and then proceed to Soldiers Avenue. All are most
welcome and then everyone will be invited to walk to Logan’s tree for the unveiling.
BABY HEALTH CENTRE SET TO GO
We reported in our last month’s edition that Freshwater’s long established Early Childhood Centre is set to close. It is slated to be part of a consolidated service within the new Community Health Centre being constructed near Warringah Mall. Mothers will then have to travel by car to the Mall to attend previously arranged appointments. This Centre will service the whole of the Northern Beaches.
The Village Early Childhood Centre is much cherished by young mothers, who can drop in for advice, and is used as a meeting point for mothers’ groups. It is pram accessible.
Located in a heritage listed building (a former fire station) it is an important part of the Village fabric.
Friends of Freshwater has written to the Hon Mike Baird to confirm the Department of Health’s intention to relocate the Service away from the Village. We are awaiting a response from the Department of Health before mounting a campaign for its retention.
WHO MAKES THE BEST COFFEE?
In Freshwater, we now have a large number of thriving coffee and café outlets. This has now increased with the re-opening of Carlos on Albert. This outlet previously had a loyal “milk crate” following. In the new year, another coffee outlet will emerge with the opening of About Life and its mezzanine coffee shop.
Good coffee relies on a good barista, so who makes the best Coffee?
NORTHERN BEACHES WHITE RIBBON WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 23 NOVEMBER.
Starting at Queenscliff Surf Club a 30-minute Community Walk to Manly will be held on Wednesday 23 November next from 7am with a BBQ to be held on the Corso. This initiative against domestic violence is actively supported by Northern Beaches Police Command.
A Flyer is attached.
2017 NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCIL ELECTION LOOMING.
All the political parties appear to be gearing up for the election of the inaugural Northern Beaches Council. On 21 October, Your Warringah which had a majority on Warringah Council, as well as the Mayoralty, sought to change its name on the Register of Political Parties to YOUR NORTHERN BEACHES INDEPENDENT TEAM. Campaign literature under its new name can’t be far away.
As we have stated previously, the Friends of Freshie is apolitical and will not be endorsing or supporting any political party.