Anniversary of NPA's Founding
Posted 17 October 2011
On Sunday 27 November the NPA will hold a community street party in Central Street from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to celebrate its 110 years. All Naremburn residents are invited.
The Naremburn Progress Association was founded at a meeting held on 27 November 1901 in the old Temperance Hall, now a private residence at 31 Central Street. The NPA holds its meetings in the Community Centre at 7 Central Street. The Centre is the result of the work of the Naremburn Amenities Development Association (NADA) formed in May 1947 under the sponsorship of the NPA to raise funds for a Public Hall for Naremburn.
Posted 7 September 2010
The NPA is the oldest Progress Association in Willoughby City.
In 1901 the people of Naremburn felt that their area was "still the neglected outskirts of the Borough of Willoughby". A group of public-spirited residents called a public meeting in the Temperance Hall – 31 Central Street - on Wednesday 27 November 1901; a Willoughby Civil Heritage Plaque in the footpath lists this meeting at which the motion was put "that those present form themselves into a Progress Association".
The vision of these residents was for a better Naremburn. This has remained a constant for the NPA over the years. The Association has fought for our suburb and its people with challenges on many fronts; saving the remnant Naremburn Shops; the destruction of many homes in the State Government’s push for expressways. The NPA has continued through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II - and the GFC! Naremburn should celebrate these 110 years.
Apartment Building DA for 96 Chandos Street
Posted 10 October 2010
Development Application, DA-2010/539, 96 Chandos Street Naremburn, lodged with Willoughby City Council, is for a new building comprising 26 residential units and 1 commercial suite to replace an existing 2 storey unit building.
Overall the structure stands 8 storeys above ground with a 2 level commercial suite (ground and mezzanine) to the east side of the Chandos Street frontage with 5 floors of single level residential units above. The Henry Lane frontage has the car park entry and garbage bin storage with 7 levels of residential accommodation above comprising 1 floor of single level residential units and 6 floors of ‘loft’ style units each occupying 2 levels. Level 8 is roof mounted plant and stair access. The North West and South West corners of the site are landscaped areas accommodating existing trees. The Henry Lane façade of the building is set back approximately 7 metres from the lane boundary.
The 26 residential unit component comprises 16 single bedroom and 6 double bedroom units giving a total of 32 bedrooms. On the Development Application documents each of the bedrooms is shown with a double bed so it can be assumed that the design population of the building is more than the 32 persons that would be 1 per bedroom. On a 50% double bed occupancy by 2 persons this would give the development a theoretical population of 48 individuals.
Vehicle parking for the development is by an automated car stacker accessed from a driveway from Henry Lane. The maximum stacker capacity is 18 vehicles. Also on the site are 3 outside car spaces accessed directly from Henry Lane. In the traffic and parking report these spaces are described as being either for visitors or for occupants, depending on circumstances.
The traffic and parking report comments that the vehicle parking provided is less than what is required by the Willoughby City Council Planning instruments and the report includes a detailed demographic analysis to justify this reduction in vehicle parking numbers.
Love Food Hate Waste - top five tips
Posted 6 October 2011
- Plan your weekly meals to save time and money
- Write a shopping list and check the fridge and cupboard before you go
- Measure serving sizes
- Store your food correctly - air tight containers help keep food fresher for longer
- Use your leftovers for an easy week night meal
WCC has received a $20,000 grant from the Office of Heritage and Environment (OHE) to continue the popular Love Food Hate Waste program and help combat the growing environmental and economic issues of food waste. New South Wales households currently generate 800,000 tonnes of food waste each year, equating to $2.5 billion worth of food. In the Willoughby City Council area alone, close to $25 million worth of food is wasted annually. The Love Food Hate Waste program aims to raise awareness of the scale of food waste within households and provide tips on how to reduce this waste and save money.
Naremburn Community Centre
1 October 2010Excellent Spring weather helped attract record numbers to the Naremburn Community Centre’s 2010 Open Day that ran from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday18 September.
Our NPA display highlighted the contribution of N.A.D.A., Naremburn Amenities Development Association, whose vision, fund-raising by hard-working dedicated volunteers, paved the way for what became the Community Centre, venue for the Open Day’s activities. We also had a display of historic maps that showed how Naremburn was carved up by the Warringah Freeway extension. Among the good news encounters of the day was the visit by Anita Sorak (Di Santo) to the NPA display. In the photo of Miss Marilyn Christensen reading to a group of young children in the N.A.D.A. Children’s Library, Anita recognised her young sister Rosetta; she phoned Rosetta and asked her to come down to the Centre to see the photo. David Lendrum has since scanned the photo and sent it to Rosetta so that she can identify the other children in the photo. All were 1978 Year 1 students of the then St Leonard’s Catholic Primary School.
Children enjoyed many free activities; face-painting, craft activities sponsored by the Library and the Pre School, a Jumping Castle and a KindiFarm. An NPA-sponsored ‘How many jelly beans in the jar?’ guessing competition was popular; Jenny Geddes was our winner!
The Sausage Sizzle ran out of sausages before noon despite catering numbers being increased from 2009. Other offerings included a cake stall, a craft stall and the Northern Suburbs Philatelic Society who offered a free stamp bookmark.
We thank Centre Manager Darius Turner for his assistance; NPA members Helene Kemp, Martha Follent, Robyn Butler, David Lendrum and Kevin FitzPatrick for their contribution on the day. A special word of thanks to Helene Kemp; her wholehearted promotion of the Day resulted in a better than usual turn-up of Naremburn residents to the event. Photos from the Open Day
2 September 2009The Signwave Artarmon donated banners have arrived today in time for their first outing at the Naremburn Community Centre Open Day on Saturday 5 September.
The "day" that runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, held every year on a Saturday in September as part of the WCC Spring Festival, showcases the various organisations in the User Group. This group includes: the Naremburn Progress Association, Playgroup, Over Fifties, Northern Suburbs Philatelic Society, After School Care, Willoughby Pre School, and, is home to the Naremburn Library.
Artwork for the banners was done by Robin Phelan of Rocket Design who has been doing the typesetting and printing for our quarterly Naremburn Matters since its first issue in April 2005.
Michael Prior, owner of Signwave Artarmon, and a member of the NPA, donated the banners so that we would have a noticeable ‘presence’ when presenting to the Naremburn community.
Willoughy Local Environmental Plan 2009
11 October 2010Willoughby City Council has now notified, by letter, people who made submissions on the Draft Willoughby Local Environment Plan (WLEP) 2009 that two Public Forums to allow submitters the opportunity to address the Council will be held at the Council Chambers, Level 6, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood commencing at 6:00 pm on:-
- Wednesday 20 October 2010 – residential and heritage matters
- Thursday 21 October 2010 - business, industrial and other matters.
Anyone is welcome to attend the forums, however, only submitters who have registered will be permitted to address Council in an allotted 3 minutes. To register, contact Michelle Murphy between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm on 9777 7675 and by close of business on Friday 16 October – requirements for registration are name, address and phone contact details and the matter you wish to speak about. Email requests will not be considered.
The Naremburn sites in the proposed WLEP 2009 re-zoning to R3 medium density are:-
- Site No. 22: 4-10 Quiamong Road, 1-5 Rohan Street;
- Site No. 23: 242–248 Willoughby Road, 2-8 Dalleys Road, 31-33 Martin Street;
- Site No. 24 32-48A Northcote Street, 1A Waters Road;
- Site No. 25 35-39, 30-34 Merrenburn Avenue, 31-41 Donnelly Road;
- Site No. 38 1-3 Central Street.
- Site No. 45 25 Station Street (SES)
There will be no debate and no decisions will be made by Council at the Forums.
The Special Council Meeting on Wednesday 3 November 2010 at 6:30 pm will consider the Council report, written submissions and recommendations for amendments to the draft Plan. Go to www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au to view the Council report.
WCC Timetable for Draft WLEP 2009 Process
Updated 29 September 2010Councillor Kate Lamb of Naremburn Ward has provided the following information [from Greg Woodhams, Environmental Services Director, WCC] for the benefit of residents of Naremburn
Community Centre Open Day, Saturday 18 September 2010
1 October 2010Excellent Spring weather helped attract record numbers to the Naremburn Community Centre’s 2010 Open Day that ran from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday18 September.
Our NPA display highlighted the contribution of N.A.D.A., Naremburn Amenities Development Association, whose vision, fund-raising by hard-working dedicated volunteers, paved the way for what became the Community Centre, venue for the Open Day’s activities. We also had a display of historic maps that showed how Naremburn was carved up by the Warringah Freeway extension. Among the good news encounters of the day was the visit by Anita Sorak (Di Santo) to the NPA display. In the photo of Miss Marilyn Christensen reading to a group of young children in the N.A.D.A. Children’s Library, Anita recognised her young sister Rosetta; she phoned Rosetta and asked her to come down to the Centre to see the photo. David Lendrum has since scanned the photo and sent it to Rosetta so that she can identify the other children in the photo. All were 1978 Year 1 students of the then St Leonard’s Catholic Primary School.
Children enjoyed many free activities; face-painting, craft activities sponsored by the Library and the Pre School, a Jumping Castle and a KindiFarm. An NPA-sponsored ‘How many jelly beans in the jar?’ guessing competition was popular; Jenny Geddes was our winner!
The Sausage Sizzle ran out of sausages before noon despite catering numbers being increased from 2009. Other offerings included a cake stall, a craft stall and the Northern Suburbs Philatelic Society who offered a free stamp bookmark.
We thank Centre Manager Darius Turner for his assistance; NPA members Helene Kemp, Martha Follent, Robyn Butler, David Lendrum and Kevin FitzPatrick for their contribution on the day. A special word of thanks to Helene Kemp; her wholehearted promotion of the Day resulted in a better than usual turn-up of Naremburn residents to the event. Photos from the Open Day
Earth Hour 2011
6 September 2010At a recent NPA Open Forum the celebration of next year’s Earth Hour was queried. The 28 March 2009 event was a magnificent Earth Hour Festival at Naremburn Park, organised by WCC and supported by the Naremburn Progress Association, the Artarmon Progress Association and the North Shore Climate Action Group.
The NPA wrote to the General Manager on 10 June requesting a 2011 event in Naremburn Park; this went to the Cultural Events Committee on 6 July and then to Council on 28 July 2010. Marcia Waller, Community Services Director responded:-.
"….The focus of the Earth Hour Event has now changed from a large scale event to low scale community events to encourage people to support social sustainable events. Council’s Environmental team plan to rotate a small activity, such as that held in Artarmon, this year, to other areas …. Council does, however, have a precedent wherein we give support to Progress Associations which organise self-run festivals. If the Naremburn Progress Association wishes to take the lead in organizing a community event at Naremburn Park for 2011 Council can assist with project management advice and in-kind assistance such as traffic management and marketing…."
Earth Hour 2011 is Saturday 26 March between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Send ideas for Naremburn’s celebration to - Naremburn Matters using the Contact form
Ella Street Bridge and traffic in the western areas of Naremburn
5 September 2010The NPA’s report to WCC on the effect of the temporary closure of the Ella Street Bridge included requests for actions to be taken to improve traffic and safety in the short term. Click for the NPA Report At the 16 June WCC Traffic Committee Meeting the matters raised by the NPA were reviewed and the actions agreed (italics) at that meeting are:-
- Council’s Mobile Speed Display Trailer to be located in Station Street: Station Street has been added to the list of locations for the speed display trailer.
- Police booking of motorists for speeding in Dalleys, Station, Park, and Francis Streets: Police are requested to provide surveillance to speed limits in the area particularly on the shoulders of peak periods when traffic count data for streets in the area suggests speeding is more prevalent and when traffic volumes are still quite high 7-8am and 6:30 to 7:30p.m are suggested as appropriate time periods
- Police RBT in Park Road during evening peak hours on varying days: This issue will also be passed onto the police.
- Monitoring of parking between Dalleys Road and the Station traffic calming device: Council’s compliance officers will be requested to monitor parking activity within the No Stopping zone on approach to this traffic calming device.
- Police monitoring of the Dalleys and Northcote intersection stop sign compliance: Police will be asked to monitor the lack of adherence to the STOP restriction at this location.
- Council ranger booking of vehicles parked too close to corners or driveways: Council’s Parking Officers already have a heavy presence in the area however this particular issue will be passed on to them for specific attention.
The introduction of pedestrian refuges or marked pedestrian crossings on Park Road near Naremburn Park will be further investigated.
27 June 2010The bridges issue, Ella Street and Lambs Road, has been a contentious one for decades. The Ella Street Bridge needed to be closed for maintenance work, in fact a re-build. The NPA decided to take the initiative to survey the residents in the streets most affected by the RTA detours set in place during the six month closure.
In late February, two hundred and sixty nine (269) survey forms containing nine (9) questions together with introductory notes, were delivered to residents in (a) Dalleys Road between Northcote Street and the Ella Street Bridge, (2) Talus Street and Berry Avenue, (3) Station Street, (4) Waters Road between Dalleys Road and Park Road, (5) Park Road between Waters Road and Francis Street, (6) Francis Street and Chelmsford Avenue. The response date was Monday 8 March. Residents – the NPA does not have access to rate-payer details - were asked to give their street address.
There were ninety-two (92) responses, plus an additional three (3) that were ineligible; one was late, one had no identifiable address, and one was from a property not in the survey area. The survey questions were devised in consultation with WCC with our intention to gain the opinions of residents in this area so beset as they are with traffic, vehicles exceeding the default speed limit of 50 km/ph, rat-running, commuter parking that not only fills the streets but makes it difficult for residents to drive out - many commuters park too close to driveways - as well as safety issues adjacent to the children’s playground.
In early April, the NPA survey report, dated 31 March 2010, was delivered to WCC. The report is a 20-page compilation of survey responses; the delivery to WCC included the survey forms grouped and packaged by street.
On the highly emotive issue of whether residents of the area surveyed would ‘support the permanent closure of the Ella Street Bridge to vehicles but keeping it open for bicycles and pedestrians’ the tally was: 36 Yes; 55 No; 1 Undecided. The Majority of the votes against closure of the Ella Street Bridge came from residents in Park Road, Francis Street, and Station Street.
On 16 April, the NPA delivered a thank you letter to the street mail boxes of the 92 respondents.
On 21 May, WCC informed the NPA that the report had been examined and that it will be considered at the Traffic Committee meeting of 16 June.
2 September 2009The Ella Street rail bridge is shortly to be reconstructed and widened to provide increased safety for pedestrians and traffic using the bridge. The works will take place between October 2009 and April 2010. During this time Ella Street will be closed. Council officers have been working with the bridge contractors, residents and the RTA to seek to minimise traffic issues during the bridge construction period however it is unavoidable that there will be increased traffic on some roads during this period. Traffic will be detoured via Dalleys Road, Station Street, Park Road, Lambs Road and Cleg Street while Ella Street is closed.
Temporary No Parking restrictions will be introduced on the south side of Station Street (between Nolan Crescent and Park Rd) and traffic conditions in other streets will be monitored once works are under way to determine if additional measures might be required.
WCC Timetable for Draft WLEP 2009
Councillor Kate Lamb of Naremburn Ward has provided the following information [from Greg Woodhams, Environmental Services Director, WCC] for the benefit of residents of Naremburn
The Officers have been working on the process to bring the report to Councillors on the draft LEP.
A timetable has been prepared with a series of steps including Councillor briefing meetings, a public forum then a Special Council meeting on the draft LEP.
The timetable has tried to take into account other Councillor commitments such as the Local Government Conference at the end of October.
The timetable that is proposed with comments as applicable is set out below:
- Officers report sent to all Councillors on: - 27 September.
Comment: The report is proposed to contain:- Introduction/Background
- Submissions from Community (Summarised in an attachment);
- Submissions from Govt agencies
- Submissions from Progress Associations/Community Groups/Societies
- Consideration of Submissions under Residential; Commercial; Heritage/Conservation; Other.
- Reclassifications
- Additional Changes not arising from Submissions
- Draft DCP amendments and CBD Strategy adoption;
- Conclusion
- Recommendation (listing each recommendation for Council resolution seriatim)
The report will contain a summary of the submissions received. A copy of the original submissions received will be available as 2 copies in the Councillors Room and a copy "floating" for Councillors to lend to read after the report has been distributed. Other sets can be provided if the summaries are not enough and Councillor "demand" for the complete original set is high. We are unable to break the submissions down into localities.
- Report placed on Council web site on:- Early October.
Comment: This allows Councillors to have the report for at least a couple of days before they get bombarded with emails etc. - Submitters notified in writing of web availability of
report/recommendations, process and Draft LEP Forum:- 4 to 8 October.
Comment: The "forum" is explained below. We will also arrange information to go in the North Shore Times Council Column - Councillors can send Questions to Director prior to
Councillor Briefing Meetings:- First week in October.
Comment: this will allow for Councillors to ask questions that we can try to respond back to all Councillors before the briefing meetings or at the briefings. - Briefing Session 1 (confidential meeting for Councillors):- Thursday 7 October.
Banksia Room- 3 Hours: Residential and Heritage - Briefing Session 2 (confidential meeting for Councillors):- Wednesday 13 October.
Banksia Room- 2-3 Hours : Commercial and Other
Comment: The meetings are to enable Councillors to talk with staff about the issues and recommendations. They should be confidential as we may be discussing other rezonings affecting people's properties that have not been identified in the draft LEP. If that discussion is held in open session it may lead to speculation by owners or property purchasers. The meetings are not Councillor Committee meetings for the purposes of the Act dealing with when Council/Committee meetings can/can't be closed to the public. The discussions need to allow broad ranging discussion of ideas and alternatives. I propose that I facilitate the briefing sessions so that all Councillors can participate in the discussions. An agenda including any Councillor Question, will be circulated prior to the sessions. - Councillors can submit draft Motions to Director on
draft LEP recommendations following the Briefings:- by Friday 15 October.
Comment: This will enable proposed changes / additions to the Report recommendations to be framed prior to the Special Council Meeting allowing additional time for Councillors to consider the Motions. The draft Motions can be placed on the Council web site for public information. - Draft LEP Forum held:- Wednesday 20 October
Comment: This forum is for any of the submitters to speak on the draft LEP and the report recommendations. The Councillors will be primarily listening to the addresses. No debate or decisions will be made; just listening and perhaps asking questions to speakers to clarify points made in addresses. Speakers will register before the Forum. Open to anybody to attend. This forum is proposed in lieu of submitters wanting to address at the Special Council Meeting. Could be 50+ speakers. Speakers can address on the draft LEP, the report or any draft Motions put by Councillors. It will be up to Council at the Special Meeting whether they provide another opportunity for speakers on the draft LEP. Mayor to chair the Forum. 2-3 hours depending on number of speakers. - Additional or Revised draft Motions from Councillors emailed to Director:- by Thursday 28 October.
(Local Government Association Conference: 24-27 October) - Special Meeting of Council to Consider the Draft LEP:- Wednesday 3 November.
Comment: At the Special Council Meeting, Councillors will consider the Recommendations and draft Motions submitted by Councillors. The recommendations and draft Motions will be dealt with one by one.
Safety Barriers on Long Gully Bridge completion
4 September 2010The RTA has completed the construction of safety barriers on Long Gully Bridge (aka Suspension Bridge) Northbridge. Completion was delayed by bad weather. The project was fully funded by the NSW State Government at a cost of $1.5 Million. RTA flyer
2010 NPA Executive Committee & Delegates
12 March 2010At the Association’s Annual General Meeting of 11 March 2010, the following were elected:-
President: Kevin FitzPatrick
Vice President: Frances O’Brien
Secretary: David Lendrum
Treasurer: Barry Shaw
General Committee:
- Martha Follent
- Donna Kessler
- Don Swonnell
NPA Delegates to the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations:
- Kevin FitzPatrick
- Martha Follent
- Don Swonnell
NPA Delegates to the Naremburn Community Centre User Group:
- Beryl Batterham
- Kevin FitzPatrick
- David Lendrum
- Trisha FitzPatrick
President's report to the AGM of 2010
12 March 2010Click here to view the President's report.
2 February 2010The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is installing a safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge, Northbridge, with work commencing 22 February 2010. The safety barrier will be a steel curved picket fence.
The RTA will display a section of the safety barrier on Saturday 6 February 2010 at Northbridge Oval car park, Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge from 10am to 3pm. Members of the project team will be available to discuss the construction of the safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge.
Willoughby City Council, Northbridge Progress Association and the Naremburn Progress Association have been involved in meetings and discussions regarding the required safety barrier to prevent further suicide attempts from this bridge that is of heritage significance.
The RTA has gone through a process of community consultation but the general feeling in this community is that this process has been inadequate and has not followed the initial guidelines announced by the RTA and that the RTA has proceeded with its own expeditious solution.
Suspension Bridge
2 February 2010The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) is installing a safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge, Northbridge, with work commencing 22 February 2010. The safety barrier will be a steel curved picket fence.
The RTA will display a section of the safety barrier on Saturday 6 February 2010 at Northbridge Oval car park, Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge from 10am to 3pm. Members of the project team will be available to discuss the construction of the safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge.
Willoughby City Council, Northbridge Progress Association and the Naremburn Progress Association have been involved in meetings and discussions regarding the required safety barrier to prevent further suicide attempts from this bridge that is of heritage significance.
The RTA has gone through a process of community consultation but the general feeling in this community is that this process has been inadequate and has not followed the initial guidelines announced by the RTA and that the RTA has proceeded with its own expeditious solution.
16 December 2009The RTA is holding a ‘community meeting’ on Wednesday 17 December regarding the proposed work to this bridge. See attached RTA flyer for details
22 May 2009The Roads and Traffic Authority will introduce security patrols on Long Gully Bridge (Suspension Bridge) Northbridge this month. The security patrols will operate 24 hours a day.
The patrols are a temporary measure in response to a recommendation from the NSW Coroner following a number of suicides from Long Gully Bridge.
The Coroner’s recommendation is to install a safety barrier on Long Gully Bridge to prevent or significantly impede jumping from the bridge.
The RTA is currently assessing options for the safety barrier to address the Coroner’s recommendation. The options will be assessed to account for suicide prevention, heritage conservation and urban design impact. This process includes consultation with local councils, community groups and heritage groups.
The community will be able to view the RTA’s preferred option for the safety barrier when it goes on public display. These details will be advertised at the appropriate time.
If you would like further information about the project please contact the RTA project manager, Martin Gormley on (02) 8849 or email Martin_Gormley@rta.nsw.gov.au.
Nick Tobin - the future of the Community Centre
Naremburn residents can have a say in what happens in the refurbishment of the Naremburn Community Centre at 7 Central Street. What do you want?
- A real library in Naremburn, not just a foyer?
- That our asset, the Community Centre, is upgraded?
- That our Community Centre provides services for our young people, now and into the future?
- That adults can take a stroll from home to the Centre, borrow a book or two, a DVD, and attend an interest group?
- That our children can walk or ride to a library in their suburb
- That the NPA has a sufficiently large room for meetings, storage for records, a place for members to work on projects?
The NPA invited the Nick Tobin, WCC’s General Manager to speak to us on the issues. Nick’s presentation commences at 7:30 pm on Thursday 11 February at the Community Centre with an expected conclusion by 8:30 pm at which time there will be a break ahead of the NPA’s February meeting. There is no need to stay for the general meeting. There is a real need for parents and other interested residents to attend Nick Tobin’s presentation and Q & A.
Child Care Centre DA for Donnelly Road
The saga of this long-running Development Application for a Child Care Centre to be built in the cul de sac that is a remnant of Donnelly Road that was cut in two by the Freeway extension, was lodged with Willoughby City Council, refused and then taken by the Developer to the Land and Environment Court, not one but three times. This part of Donnelly Road is off Brook Street and close to the on and off ramps for the Freeway. Read the account of this saga in a letter written to the Naremburn Progress Association here.
Naremburn and the ‘Tour de Cure’ – update
I emailed you details of our charity ride in February and the information was kindly included in the following edition of Naremburn Matters, thank you. We received many positive comments and well-wishes from residents who read the newsletter and article.
I wanted to also let you know of our results from our charity cycle from Brisbane to Cairns. Our goal was to raise $600,000 for our charity beneficiaries:
- National Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
- Camp Quality
- Leukaemia Foundation
- Cancer Council
Our total raised was $850,000 which we are thrilled about. The Naremburn-based Tour de Cure registered charity has raised since May 2007 a total of $1.7M. Our charity ride next year is set for 7 to 15 May from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast as we travel to Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Armidale, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Grafton, Byron Bay and Brisbane along the 1,433km route in 9 days. The donation target for 2010 is $1 million.
We are also producing a 1-day seminar, called ‘A Day of Inspiration’ to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday 9 September 2009. All proceeds from the event go to Tour de Cure. It’s our 3rd Annual event, and each year we attract a wonderful line up of speakers who generously donate their time to contribute and share their secrets of success.
For more information visit www.tourdecure.com.au or contact me on 0411 044 888
Malcolm Heath
Grandview Street
Naremburn Shops – real or rumour
Many Naremburn residents are upset that the organic butcher shop has closed. Rumour has it that the owner of this shop would not renew the lease for Sam the Butcher because the owner wanted to rent out the floor space above that shop and Sam did not need if for his business.
There is now a DA for the floor space above 296 Willoughby Road (formerly Sam the Butcher) and 298 Willoughby Road (Delicia). DA-2009/334 is for a Fitness Studio with the entrance from the footpath adjacent to the shops car parking area. Comments and questions can be made to WCC’s Kate Drinan 9777 7895 by Wednesday 5 August.
We cannot speak for the views of the adjoining shop-keepers who may be adversely affected by the increased demand on the parking spots, nor for the shop-keepers immediately below the proposed Fitness Studio who may be adversely affected by noise. However, the NPA Executive will discuss the issues at its meeting on 28 July.
The 'cause', retaining the Naremburn Shops, has been an ongoing fight by the NPA since the 1970s. The 1980s plan for the proposed Expressway meant that those shops north of Rohan Street would be lost. Protests and concerted activity by the NPA, together with the Naremburn community, saved these shops. The Lane Cove Tunnel Project also threatened the shops and the car park and our objections were heard.
So, now Naremburn does not have a butcher shop let alone an organic butcher shop. Sam the Butcher is being replaced by Arrosto, a roast chicken shop, and we will have a Chicken Café next to the Fish and Chip shop. Does the Naremburn Shops strip need two chicken shops?
National Tree Day in Naremburn – update
Again Naremburn residents marked this day by planting 23 street trees, this year in Dalleys Road, Northcote Street, Glenmore Street, Rohan Street and Waters Road on 2 August.
A further 15 trees will be planted by the end of September. Trees were selected by Willoughby City Council taking into account existing species, suitability in local soils and being water-wise. This year Council is using a new type of tree guard to protect against overuse of whipper snippers as many of our street trees are under stress due to the damage these cause, especially to soft-barked young trees. Some residents use contractors to cut their grass verges and it would be timely to remind these contractors to go easy with whipper snippers when working around street trees. On the day, residents also put some 80 of these new tree guards on existing trees.
2010 National Tree Day is Sunday 1 August. Meantime if you want to have a street tree planted outside your home give a call to 9777 1000 and one of Council's street tree co-ordinators will follow up on your request.
Ronan Ahern
Northcote Street
Soccer – the NFC & Bicentennial Oval
At its 27 April meeting, Council voted in favour of a request by the Northbridge Football Club (NFC) for a 7 Saturday trial of football (soccer) to be played between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm at Bicentennial Oval. This over-ruled a rescission motion by Naremburn Ward Councillor Kate Lamb, who claimed that the decision did not follow point 4 of the Cultural & Environmental Committee recommendation:-
"Notification of the Saturday afternoon trial at Bicentennial Oval be undertaken to the adjoining residential community and any issue arising be resolved to the satisfaction of the Infrastructure Services Director prior to the commencement of the trial."
Councillor Lamb, in speaking for the rescission motion quoted the lack of respect for the local community in the early 1990s and the subsequent embarrassment to Council when lights illegally erected on this oval were taken down and Gordon Rugby Club was prevented from establishing infrastructure and the playing of organised sport to the detriment of general use of what had been established as Hallstrom Park. In her words,
"we [the Council] have been ambushed into making an ill-advised decision".
Although the first NFC game is scheduled for Saturday, 2 May, WCC is conducting its notification of the
trial to the
adjoining area by sending out 300 letters to affected (?) residents neighbouring the oval after the decision
was
made.
The NFC had the opportunity to air its potential application to WCC at a meeting of the Bicentennial Reserve
and
Flat Rock Gully Advisory Group meeting held on 1 April 2009 and attended by representatives of progress
associations, netball, baseball, etc. In fairness, the NFC may not have had concrete plans for the trial at
this
stage. Although the motion to conduct a 7 week trial was moved at the 20 April meeting of the Cultural &
Environmental Committee, the NFC did not consider this action significant enough to announce it at the Open
Forum of
the 16 April general meeting of the NPA.
Traffic movement and parking are major concern in the Bicentennial Reserve precinct. A planned survey in the
area
remains incomplete after the key officer of Council’s study body left WCC. Northbridge Football Club has
committed
to its team gathering at Northbridge and car pooling to Bicentennial Oval. Visiting teams are to gather at
Naremburn
Oval and similarly car pool.
Teams – two matches per Saturday – are Premier League, 18-30 year old males. It is hard to believe that
there will
be no spectators or family members attending the matches.
Naremburn Ward Councillors: – for the trial, Cr Barry Thompson, against the trial, Cr Kate Lamb. Cr Stuart
Coppock
was an apology due to illness.
Ella Street Bridge temporary closure
The previously announced temporary closure of the Ella Street Bridge at the northern end of Dalleys Road
that was to
take place between March and September 2009 has had its commencement date postponed to September.
Steven Head, Infrastructure Services Director, WCC, whose role includes traffic, is to speak at the NPA
general
meeting on 14 May see above
Latest Laing O'Rourke flyer to affected residents here
Proposed detours when Ella Street Bridge is closed here
Traffic, Parking – Steven Head @ May meeting
Ella Street Bridge temporary closure, and other traffic and parking issues for Naremburn will be
featured when
Steven Head, WCC’s Infrastructure Services Director, speaks at the NPA’s next general meeting on Thursday,
14
May at
the Naremburn Community Centre, 7 Central Street.
Steven will commence speaking at 7:30 pm with normal meeting business suspended until after his Q&A
session. Come
along. Bring your neighbours.
Artarmon Loop bus
Commencing Monday 4 May 2009, The Artarmon Loop is a free shuttle service travelling on a loop from St
Leonards
station through the Artarmon industrial area.
The service aims to encourage the use of public transport and reduce car usage across the City of Willoughby
while
also enhancing the viability of the Artarmon business precinct.
Jump on the bus at any of the Artarmon Loop bus stops located along the route. Take your bike too - Bicycles
can be
stored in bike racks inside the bus.
The Artarmon Loop will run every 15 minutes from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Buses depart from St Leonards
Station
on the hour, quarter hour, half hour, and quarter to the hour. (i.e. 6.00am, 6.15am, 6.30am, 6.45am through
to 6pm).
Last run departs from St Leonards Station at 6.00pm.
Download the Artarmon
loop map and timetable
2009 AGM minutes
Read the President's report on community issues and the achievements of the NPA in the past year.
Ella Street Bridge temporary closure
Update
Latest flyer from the contractors, Laing O'Rourke here
As part of the major periodic maintenance program for the North Shore Railway Line, the existing road
bridge passing
over the railway line just beyond the western end of Dalleys Road is due to be replaced.
Bridge construction works will be completed between March and September 2009 and include the necessary
closure of
the Ella Street Bridge.
During the temporary closure of the Ella Street Bridge, Naremburn residents, as well as those doing rat
runs through
our suburb will not be able to access Herbert Street via Dalleys Road.
No vehicular access and no pedestrian access over the Ella Street Bridge from 3 March to 26 September
2009.
Naremburn and the ‘Tour de Cure’
A charity was formed in 2007 whose head office resides in Naremburn and focuses on raising funds to find a
cure for
cancer; it is named ‘Tour de Cure’.
Tour de Cure features an annual cycle by approximately 30 ordinary people from around Australia. This year’s
ride
will leave Brisbane on Friday 29 May for Cairns covering 1,555km over 10 days, with the longest day being
256 km.
Due to growing interest the rider base has increased to 47 riders from Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Melbourne,
Brisbane
and Perth. The riders are men and women ranging in age from 18 to 52 years old.
Of the 47 riders preparing for this year’s tour, four reside in Naremburn:
- Geoff Coombes, Co-Founder, 20 Park Street;
- Malcolm Heath, 16 Grandview Street;
- Caleb Jones, 28 Waters Road; and
- Daniel Marles, 20 Slade Street
Each rider must commit to a demanding training program (cycling up to 500km+ per week, while juggling family
and
work commitments) and raise a minimum of $10,000 in donations.
We focus strongly on rider safety and responsibility and have produced a
Bunch Riding Rules and Etiquette document
which continues to attract favourable feedback from a wide sector of the community - cycling bodies, City of
Sydney
Council, and other groups and individuals.
Since May 2007 we have raised over $1,000,000 and we fund key projects within the National Breast Cancer
Foundation,
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Camp Quality, Cancer Council and the Leukaemia Foundation. A
feature of our
rides is meeting people from the various towns along the way including the charity support groups, the
public
generally and school students from secondary and primary schools. We promote cancer awareness and
prevention,
attract strong media following, fund raise and promote the benefits of fitness as a means of defence against
the
disease.
For more information, visit the
Tour de Cure website or contact Malcolm Heath on 0411 044 888.
NPA Oral History Program
Posted 6 February 2009
The NPA in conjunction with the Willoughby City Library is conducting an oral history program with some of
Naremburn’s longstanding residents. So far we have interviewed and recorded the Naremburn memories of:-
Dulcie Barratt of Dalleys Road; Cyril and Lorna Clark, of Brook Street; Mary Teteris of Merrenburn Avenue;
and
Jack Dean of Mitchell Street.
For seniority Jack Dean tops the list at age 94. His many memories are reinforced by his family pictorial
history. Jack’s mother numbered Billy Hughes’s wife among her customers at her millinery shop in Miller
Street,
North Sydney. She later ran a similar store at 29 Willoughby Road, next to the present W.H. Soul Pattison
Chemist.
Jack played Aussie Rules way back in 1926 but named tennis as his first love. He recalls the grace and style
of
Jack Crawford. Jack Dean first played on the tennis courts at the back of Naremburn Primary School in what
is
now Lawson Lane. The Plummers, Fleggs and Hopmans had courts there. The Hopman was Harry Hopman, uncle of
famous
Australian Davis Cup Coach, Harry Hopman. Jack recalls that the Hopmans had a holiday home at Collaroy and
always rented a court nearby. Young Harry Hopman was playing at Wimbledon about this time. On one occasion
Jack
shared a court at Strathfield with two former Australian Davis Cup players, J.O. Anderson and Aub Willard.
Jack
still attends the Men’s Shed at Lane Cove where he engages in wood-carving, Formula One racing cars a
specialty.
He also paints and creates his own hand-painted Christmas cards.
If you would like to contribute to this Oral History Program with your stories, pictures, newspaper
cuttings,
or, you know someone with valuable memories of life in Naremburn, please contact Kevin FitzPatrick on
or or 9439
8119.
Bike Racks at the Naremburn Shops
Willoughby City Council has installed three bike racks on footpaths in the Naremburn Shops area.
- adjacent to Old Fashioned Fish ‘n Chip Shop and Naremburn Natural
- adjacent to Raymond’s Framing and 1st Choice Liquor, and
- outside 1st Choice
We invite the ever-growing number of cyclists using the shared path that passes through the shopping area to secure their bikes at these racks. The NPA thanks WCC for installing the bike racks at our request.
The Naming of the Lanes of Naremburn
In 2008, un-named lanes within the Willoughby City Council Local Government Area (LGA) were named; 16
Naremburn
lanes now honour some of our past residents who contributed to our community.
Click here for details