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Strathfield
Local Government Report
Issue 11 -
June 2000
C O N T E N T
S
1. Wetlands community activities 2. Ca'd'or Cafe Strathfield opened 3. Bankstown-Strathfield Councils' boarders should be redrawn: Ho 4. Westpac closure hits Homebush 5. Strathfield South mainstreet 6. Council considers legal action against Energy Australia 7. Council merger talks disrupt garbage bin collections 8. Dog dos and don'ts decided 9. Federation kit for local schools 10. New PM's environment awards 11. National Tree Day in Strathfield 1. WETLANDS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES STRATHFIELD Girls High School students took part in a morning of tree planting in May at Mason Park Wetlands, at Homebush, with Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho.
"Twenty five girls from the school planted 300 trees on the edge of the wetlands on Tuesday, May 9th, as part of the state and federally funded Greenhouse Parks Program, run at the wetlands by Strathfield Council," Cr Ho said.
"The aim of the Greenhouse Parks Program is to assist schools like Strathfield Girls High to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to enhance the environment by planting trees to act as local carbon sinks in nearby parks," he said. "The benefits of this program to Strathfield Council include the enhancement of existing planting programs in open space areas, opportunities for the council to link with environment education programs and local schools, and linkages of the council’s planting program to the global issues of greenhouse gas emissions. "Another activity to be undertaken at Homebush’s wetlands over the autumn and winter seasons will be a high school monitoring program run from May to October. "Senior science students from the Strathfield-based Sydney Adventist College will monitor the marine ecosystem of the saltmarsh at Mason Park Wetlands during school terms two and three. "Mud samples will be collected regularly from the saltmarsh and taken back to the school lab for analysis. The students will then identify which macroinvertebrate organisms live in the saltmarch. "The monitoring program will be an excellent practical and educational exercise for the students and will provide Strathfield Council with some basic, but valuable, information about the health of the saltmarsh. "Regular work days of the Mason Park Wetlands bushcare volunteers group will also continue to be held on the first Saturday of each month, between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm, under the supervision of Strathfield Council staff. "Over the next few months, on June 3rd, July 1st and August 5th, our volunteers will plant thousands of salt-loving plants in the saltmarsh. These species have been specially propagated at the council’s nursery," Cr Ho said.
2. CA'D'OR CAFE STRATHFIELD OPENED THE new Ca’d’or Café Strathfield, located at 4 The Boulevarde, was officially opened on Wednesday, May 10th, by Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho. "The Ca’d’or Café Strathfield is yet another marvellous example of our nation’s great productive diversity at the local level, with the new restaurant owned and managed by Australians of Korean background," Cr Ho said. "In this way, it provides a truly Australian blend of multiculturalism – an Italian style café, with a Korean charm, for an Australian market," he said. "The café also features a unique blend of top hotel quality restaurant cuisine and contemporary café charm with today’s technological essentials of email and internet access. "I salute this tremendous local entrepreneurial initiative, which will provide a most welcome addition to fine dining, rest and recreation for the people of Strathfield," Cr Ho said. The new Ca’d’or Café is the brainchild of its owner and managing director, Mr Nak Hyun Baik, and is capably run by its manager, Mr Jong Myung Kim, head chef, Mr Chae S. Lim, whose previous appointment was with Sydney’s ANA Hotel, and a twenty member staff team.
3. BANKSTOWN-STRATHFIELD COUNCILS' BORDERS SHOULD BE REDRAWN : HO A NEW redrawn council border between Strathfield Municipal Council and Bankstown City Council is the only viable long-term solution to a major environmental dispute between the councils, Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho has said. Councillor Ho was commenting in the light of a potential legal battle between the councils over Bankstown Council’s controversial decision to rezone and sell off its former sanitary depot at Greenacre, and to then approve its use as a refrigerated warehouse facility. "The local government boundary between Strathfield and Bankstown councils was originally drawn around the depot, in good faith, so that Bankstown Council would have a say in how it managed its works on site," Cr Ho said. "But, by rezoning the site and then selling it off to developers, Bankstown Council has breached its trust to the people of Strathfield and has acted like a neighbour of the very worst kind," he said. "What has added insult to injury is that the sort of massive development that Bankstown has approved adjoins the home of so many endangered species of plants and animals like the green and gold bell frog, which prompted a special redesign to be taken at the Olympic site itself. "The only way that these frogs and plants from the age of the dinosaurs can be protected, in the long term, is not by a long drawn out court battle between the councils, but, rather, if the rectangle off Roberts Road is handed back from Bankstown to the people of Strathfield," Cr Ho said. Strathfield Council last month resolved to seek legal advice from its solicitors on Bankstown Council’s processes in the preparation of its development control plan for the site and calling of tenders for development applications. Strathfield councillors also voted to seek clarification from their counterparts in Bankstown regarding their assessment of the impact of their approved development on the Coxs Creek Bushland Reserve, related threatened species and the critical habitat at the reserve. Strathfield Council’s decision, which will also see the council continue to monitor the habitat and threatened species at the reserve, followed advice to the council in a special joint report by its parks and recreation director, David Backhouse, and planning, building and environmental services director, Don Smith. "It may be the case that BCC [Bankstown City Council] did not consider the significance of CCBR [Coxs Creek Bushland Reserve] and the related threatened species, or critical habitat contained on that reserve when assessing their DA [development application]," the report said. "There is some question over the processes taken by BCC with respect to recognition of the fact that CCBR is bushland under SEPP 19 [State Environmental Planning Policy No 19] and that the proposed development may impact the threatened species and community of CCBR and the need for certain processes to be followed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act," it said. "[Strathfield] Council may be within its rights against BCC for failing to acknowledge these two points and for inadequate consultation and assessment of submissions during the preparation of the DCP [development control plan] and tenders for development. "It is suggested that [Strathfield] Council obtain legal advice with respect to BCC processes in preparing the DCP and tender for DAs. "If [Strathfield] Council were to take a third party appeal against BCC then legal advice should be sought as to the likely implications, costs for [Strathfield] Council as well as potential success or failure of such an action," the report said.
4. WESTPAC CLOSURE HITS HOMEBUSH "PLANNED bank closures by Westpac to shut its branches in suburbs surrounding the main Olympic site are not only a betrayal of its local customers, but untimely with the Sydney Games just months away," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho said last month. "Local residents, overseas visitors and even Strathfield Council will be among the victims hardest hit in the latest round of Westpac bank closures in Inner Western Sydney, which will now regretfully include shutting of the Homebush and Concord branches," Cr Ho said. "Strathfield Council, which holds its main bank accounts at the Homebush branch, last month unanimously voted to write to Westpac objecting to this closure in the strongest possible terms. The council also voted to investigate the impact of the closure on its business with the bank," he said. "So much for Westpac portraying itself as the bank of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when, just months before the Games are due to begin, it plans to shut down its Olympic branches, and so much for its commitment to customer service for the people of Homebush. "But, not only has this bank betrayed its long standing local customers, it has also given the local council an unjustified stab in the back. Strathfield Council chose to do business with Westpac Homebush because it was a local suburban branch serving the local Homebush community. "Last year, that very branch was presented with the council’s access award for providing easy entry for the disabled and wheelchair bound. Now, I ask you, how is the bank seeking to serve these citizens by closing this branch ? "Westpac cannot be allowed to gloat over the thirty pieces of silver it will make with the Homebush closure. Accordingly, I call on the people of Homebush and Inner Western Sydney to take the necessary and appropriate action in terms of their continued custom with this particular bank," Cr Ho said.
5. STRATHFIELD SOUTH MAINSTREET "STRATHFIELD Council’s budget for next year will betray Strathfield South locals if funds are not allocated for a much needed mainstreet improvements program first earmarked by the council four years ago," Councillor Andrew Ho has said. "The street beautification program, expected to cost $250,000, was developed as a result of widespread consultation with local residents and shopkeepers since mid 1996, auspiced by the council, together with the South Strathfield Shopkeepers Association and Strathfield South Residents Association," he said. "Local life will be brought back into this neglected town centre with just a few meagre streetscape improvements, when compared to over $2 million dollars injected by the council to improve Strathfield Square and the Flemington shops," Cr Ho said. In a letter to the council, South Strathfield Shopkeepers Association secretary Bill Varlow, who also runs the local TAB on Liverpool Road, said, "In considering council’s priorities for the next financial year, I would ask that consideration be given to the fact that the South Strathfield Shopkeepers Association commenced discussions with council staff in June 1996." "During this time, we have seen the rapid decline of business in this area with eight premises currently unoccupied, a general decrease in trade of the remaining businesses, redevelopment of the Strathfield Plaza area and further improvements to the Homebush shopping area, whilst our area has received little attention," he said. "This project represents a chance to revitalise the area and identify the Strathfield South shopping strip as not just another dying centre along the highway," Mr Varlow said. "Strathfield Council’s budget workshop held on Wednesday, April 19th, and ratified by the council last week, endorsed the development of the council chambers complex, future library planning and no less than three additional staff as key funding priorities for 2000/01," Cr Ho said. "Meanwhile, it is deplorable to note that the council’s quarterly budget review tabled on February 1st and May 2nd identified increased expenditure of $74,000 and $30,771, which was needlessly squandered on the failed attempt to merge with Burwood," he said.
6. COUNCIL CONSIDERS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ENERGY AUSTRALIA "STRATHFIELD Council may prosecute an electricity provider for butchering its street trees, at no less than six separate locations, less than two kilometres from the Olympic Games site," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho has warned. "The council last month unanimously voted to immediately seek legal advice from its solicitors in relation to the pruning of street trees by Energy Australia, without council consent, which may constitute a serious breach of the local Tree Preservation Order (TPO)," Cr Ho said. "Strathfield Council also has written to Energy Australia requesting reasons why legal action should not be taken against it for the pruning works in Ismay Avenue given that consent was not sought and that works exceeded the 1.5 metre specifications for clearance of low voltage domestic supply," he said. "The matter was brought to the council’s attention early in April by a local resident of neighbouring Short Street, who also advised that she had been the subject of verbal abuse and threats by contractors undertaking the work for Energy Australia, prompting calls to police and the local member of parliament. "From all accounts, this is a wanton act of barbarism by Energy Australia, through is contractors, which cannot be permitted to go unchallenged. It is an attack on the peaceful enjoyment of the local community and the blatant destruction of native flora. "As the voice of the people, it is the responsibility of Strathfield Council to stand up for locals by not letting this environmental vandalism go unpunished. And, on that basis, we must avail ourselves to all legal avenues to seek redress on behalf of the local community. "The local amenity of Homebush, which will see thousands of overseas visitors in a matter of months, has been significantly compromised. While the trees are expected to grow back, steps will have to be undertaken by council staff to ensure their healthy regrowth," Cr Ho said. In his report to last month’s council meeting, tree coordinator Dennis Flaherty said, "Council acknowledges that Energy Australia does have responsibilities and legitimate powers to clear power lines of vegetation, but that work must have limitations and must follow appropriate notification processes."
7. COUNCIL MERGER TALKS DISRUPT GARBAGE BIN COLLECTIONS "GARBAGE bin collections across all of Strathfield have been severely disrupted because an expected council merger with Burwood prevented the purchase of new garbage trucks," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho said. "With the proposed amalgamation deemed a fait accompli by many, for the better part of a year, the council refused to replace ageing garbage trucks and other equipment," he said. "This culminated with a major rubbish collection crisis across the municipality with only one out of the council’s four garbage trucks actually able to pick up bins," Cr Ho said. In a special report to councillors, environmental services manager Paul Wilson said, "One of the spare vehicles received a bent loading hopper caused by the metal wearing thin and this vehicle is to be sold. "Two of the other vehicles have required major repairs due to wear and tear with the result that there was only one truck available for the collection of the week commencing Monday, April 24th," Mr Wilson said. "A hire truck collected on Monday morning proved unsuitable and was returned to the supplier. Despite several hours enquiry, including Burwood and Bankstown councils, Collex and Cleanaway, I was unable to hire a replacement vehicle. "The staff picked up one truck’s collection plus a portion of the second truck’s collection each day, however, as the week progressed, the collection grew larger. On Friday, April 28th, the staff worked on their rostered day off and, on Saturday, they worked until 1.00 pm to complete the week’s collection," Mr Wilson said. "These council merger talks have cost local residents dearly – not just in financial terms or staff hours – but even now, after the proposal was voted down, the people of Strathfield continue to be hit with the costs of this amalgamation, and this time it was in the form of a garbage collection crisis," Cr Ho said. "I was flooded with calls from concerned locals last week who thought that it was the public holidays or that their garbage days had changed. "Fortunately, the trucks will be repaired and new ones will be purchased with the tender for a new vehicle now closed, and awaiting assessment by staff and approval by the council," Cr Ho said.
8. DOG DOS AND DON'TS DECIDED DOGS will be publicly permitted to exercise leash free in parts of Strathfield, but will be banned from nature preserves, under a new plan adopted by Strathfield Council last month. "Matthews Park in Greenacre and Elliott Reserve in Belfield will be designated as leash free areas, under the Companion Animal Act, which requires local councils to set aside pet exercise areas for recreational activity," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho said. "But, the endangered green and gold bell frog’s habitat at Cox’s Creek Reserve will be designated a cat and dog free zone, while Mason Park Wetlands at Homebush will remain a dog free area to protect local wildlife," he said. "Appropriate dog waste facilities will also be installed at the designated leash free zones and in other areas where dogs are exercised, including Strathfield Park, Airey, Bressington and Mason Parks in Homebush, and along the Bay to Bay Cycleway," Cr Ho said. In her report to the council, recreation officer Sally Pratt said, "The parks and recreation department have carried out an extensive evaluation of possible parks and open space to determine possible locations for the leash free dog exercise areas. "Although the Companion Animal Act only requires the provision of one leash free area per Local Government Area, it is proposed that two open space areas be designated leash free areas. This would enable greater community access to these areas," she said. "Council may, as resources permit and as a result of community demand, increase the number of leash free areas in the future," Ms Pratt said. Leash free activities for dogs, under controlled conditions run by the Western Suburbs Dog Training Club, will continue to take place at Bressington Park. 9. FEDERATION KIT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS "LOCAL secondary school children will have the chance to explore Australia’s history through a fascinating new resource, 1901 and All That: A Federation Resource Kit, which was launched at the National Archives of Australia (NAA) on Tuesday, May 2nd," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho has said. "The kit, which explores Australia’s Federation and how it came about, was developed by the NAA mainly for teachers of years 9 and 10 history and the study of society and environment classes," he said. "The resource kit will be of considerable benefit to local students in Strathfield, which has one of the highest concentration of schools than any other area, and will provide a timely source of information in the lead up to next year’s Centenary of Federation celebrations," Cr Ho said. Federal Arts Minister Peter McGauran, who is also Minister for the Centenary of Federation, said, "The kit is a rich resource for secondary students, which will make learning about our past enjoyable and informative. "I’m sure it will play a key role in explaining the dilemmas and decisions of a century ago, to the students of today. It will educate them, not only about our history, but also about what it means to be Australian," the Minister said. The kit contains five units: Investigating Federation which sets the scene; Australians All examines what united and divided Australians; Making Federation Happen looks at the yes and no federation campaigns; Making the Constitution, which shows who was involved in the federation campaigns; and Making a Difference, which examines how Federation affected peoples’ lives. "Each of these units offers a number of lively and engaging activities for students, and includes a Federation game You Decide on CD-ROM," Mr McGauran said. Development of the kit followed an important research phase which involved teachers from various Australian schools, who tested the content in their classes. This very timely project developed by the NAA was made possible by a grant of $75,000 from the National Council for the Centenary of Federation. Copies of the kit can be purchased from the NAA for $34.95. For further information, please call the NAA on 02 6212 3979.
10. NEW PM'S ENVIRONMENT AWARDS AUSTRALIA’s top environmental achievers from the community, private and public sectors will be honoured by the Prime Minister as part of celebrations for World Environment Day on Monday, June 5th. Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho welcomed the announcement by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage, Dr Sharman Stone, that nominations had opened for the inaugural Prime Minister’s Environment Awards.
"The awards will recognise excellent achievement in environmental works, innovation and enterprise that has helped protect and sustain Australia’s natural resources," Cr Ho said. "You might be planting trees or grasses in a local park, monitoring water quality in a local stream, helping to protect endangered species or running a community or private recycling program – all these great projects are invited to nominate for the awards," he said. Award categories include individual achievement, business best practice, community achievement, local government, rural and regional leadership, urban, innovation and youth/schools. To be eligible projects should meet at least two of the following selection criteria:
Dr Stone said she hoped the awards would inspire Australians by show casing individuals and organisations who have made a real difference in protecting and conserving Australia’s unique and fragile landscape. "This is our chance to say thanks to Australia’s unsung environmental heroes, the volunteer community groups, businesses and local authorities who work tirelessly and often anonymously to help restore and protect our natural resources," Dr Stone said. Winners will receive a trophy and will be invited to attend a gala luncheon in Adelaide on Sunday, June 4th, as guests of the Prime Minister.
11. NATIONAL TREE DAY IN STRATHFIELD NATIONAL Tree Day 2000, on Sunday, July 30th, will be celebrated in Strathfield with community tree plantings at Elliot Reserve. Strathfield Council this month voted to organise plantings at locations throughout the reserve, which is located on the side of the Cooks River and forms part of the foreshore’s green corridor. "Since European settlement, Australia’s forest cover has been reduced from 69 million hectares to 41 million hectares – a loss of 60 per cent of forests that existed at the time of first settlement just over 212 years ago," Strathfield Councillor Andrew Ho said. "To address the demise of Australian trees, Planet Ark will organise National Tree Day to involve local communities in tree planting and to educate all Australians about the benefits of native trees and shrubs, in particular those native to each local area," he said. "On Sunday, July 30th, Planet Ark will celebrate National Tree Day by planting over 250,000 native trees across Australia to help combat the greenhouse effect, prevent soil erosion and provide wildlife habitat. "Strathfield Council’s decision to take a leading role in National Tree Day follows calls by Planet Ark to local councils, community groups and schools to organise tree planting activities in their local area. "Over 200 plants will be available in Strathfield for planting by local residents on the day, which will include a mixture of native plants. A mixture of native trees has also been produced by the council’s nursery. "The benefits of National Tree Day are numerous to our local community and the spirit of the day is in line with the principles of Strathfield Council’s popular adopt-a-park program. "With the support and participation of all residents of our local area, Elliot Reserve will develop into Strathfield’s newest community reserve," Cr Ho said. Dear
Friends,
Thank
you for taking this opportunity to read up on the current affairs facing
the
Residents of Strathfield Municipality and the People of Inner
Western Sydney.
Please do not
hesitate to contact me directly on 9703 5521 or 0414 572
496,
by facsimile 9703
5520, or via email at this address, if I can ever be
of
any assistance to
you or your family, friends and neighbours.
Regards,
Andrew.
Councillor Andrew Ho
Municipality of Strathfield Telephone: 02 9703 5521 or 02 9742 1343 Facsimile: 02 9703 5520 Mobile: 0414 572 496 Voice Mail: 0416 555 592 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.andrewho.net (Coming Soon) Address: P.O. Box 134A, Strathfield South 2136, New South Wales, Australia |
