Member for Coogee

WOOLLAHRA WAVERLEY RANDWICK

Zero emissions Woollahra survey

Council has been working to ensure measures to address climate change are included in its plans, policies and works programs. Significant recent sustainability projects have included the installation addition of solar panels at Double Bay Library, which will supply 50% of its power.

In 2020 Council achieved carbon neutral certification for Council operations, and is now in the process of planning to support the Woollahra community in reducing carbon emissions.

To provide feedback on how the Council can further support residents, businesses and schools to reduce their emissions, complete our short survey before June 30:

yoursay.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/zero.

Council venues open for bookings

We have a wide range of halls and venues available for hire across the Woollahra municipality, such as Cooper Park wCommunity Hall in Bellevue Hill, that are suitable for recreational and community activities, children's parties and private functions.

COVID safety plans and conditions are in place for each venue.For a full list of venues and booking information, visit: woollahra.nsw.

gov.au/community/spaces_for_hire/venues.

Woollahra Preschool exceeding national standards

Council is committed to providing the highest quality care and a happy, safe learning environment through our Woollahra Preschool, which we are proud to report has received a rating of ‘Exceeding the National Quality Standard’ for early education and care services as part of the National Quality Framework Assessment process.

Located in Double Bay, the Preschool expanded in October to provide childcare services for an additional 40 children.

For further information, visit: woollahra.nsw.

gov.au/community/services/childrens_and_ families/woollahra_preschool.

Community consultation on local bus services

The NSW Government is consulting the community on proposed changes to bus services in Sydney’s East. Residents can provide feedback to Transport for NSW until June 18 before a Network Plan is finalised in mid-2021.

Concerns over Bondi supermarket plan

Waverley Council is concerned about traffic impacts of a planned Woolworths Metro Supermarket in Hall Street, Bondi.

A developer wants to convert three ground floor shops at the base of a newly-built fivestorey unit block into a Woolies Metro that will operate 6am-12am, seven days a week.

But a report to the council’s traffic committee expressed concerns about the pedestrian impacts and loss of parking which would be caused by the operation of the supermarket.

Proposed extension of a loading zone in front of the site at 10-14 Hall Street would have “adverse impacts on the amenity of pedestrians,” said the report by the council’s traffic and services transport manager. In addition, pedestrian safety could be compromised by unloading activities.

The council would also miss out on parking income from a metered space which would disappear under the loading zone extension. To compensate for this, the developer would need to pay a one-off fee of $43,000.

Tamarama Surf Club upgrade

Work has commenced on the $4.5 million upgrade of Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club and is expected to take a year to complete.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the clubhouse restoration and upgrade will provide significantly improved amenities to cater to the needs of modern surf lifesaving as well as public education and engagement with the community.

New first aid and incident response facility for Bondi

Emergency responses by Bondi lifeguards will be improved with the construction of a purpose-built first aid and incident management facility.

The first aid and incident management facility will be located under the promenade to the north of the lifeguard tower, with construction expected to take six months to complete once planning applications are approved. The tower will also be refurbished as part of a program to boost safety and emergency response.

“As as we slowly return to normality, there will again be an increase in visitation to Bondi, and these new facilities will play a key role in how we respond to emergencies.” said Matt du Plessis, Manager of Lifeguard Services.

Council opposition to bus cuts

Randwick councillors have added their voices to the clamour of opposition to bus services cuts in the south east (see P16 of this issue ESL).

At the May 25 full meeting of Council, a motion from Labor councillors was passed stating that the bus route cuts were “strongly opposed,” and calling on the state government to listen to community concerns.

A separate motion, tabled by Greens councillor Lindsay Shurey, was also passed. It raised the issue of future privatisation of buses. Councillors agreed that concerns about e privatisation should be expressed to the state government.

Mayor Danny Said will seek a meeting with Transport Minister Andrew Constance to discuss the cuts and “inconvenience to our residents, especially the elderly and school children.”

Maroubra Junction activation

An underutilised green space in the central median strip of Maroubra Junction, on Anzac Pde between Maroubra Rd and Green St, will soon receive some landscaping improvements, lighting and seating to invigorate the area.

The upgrade will be implemented thanks to a NSW Government Your High Street grant, which aims to increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space in urban areas across NSW.

“By transforming the area with attractive seating, new landscaping, lights that provide a festive atmosphere and creating the potential to hold market stalls and other activities in the area, we are giving Maroubra Junction the high street it deserves,” stated Randwick Mayor Danny Said.

Pedestrian crossing improvements

Wombats are invading Randwick City – wombat crossings that is.

Pedestrian safety will be improved at 29 locations across Randwick City with the construction of new raised crossings known as ‘wombat’ crossings.

The projects will be undertaken throughout 2021 and 2022 as part of a $4.37 million grant recently awarded to Council under the Federal Stimulus Road Safety Program School Zones project.

Marjorie O'Neill MP

MEMBER FOR COOGEE

Hello Everyone!

One of my top priorities has been campaigning for the protection of our community’s bus services. On May 6, the Minister for Transport revealed plans to remove 25 bus routes from across the Eastern Suburbs.

Currently, the following bus routes are being cut: 300, 301, 302, 309X, 310X, 314, 316, 317, 338, 353, 357, 372, 373, 376, 377, 391, 393, 394, 395, 400, 400N, L94, X40, X93, and X99. In addition to these cuts, 23 routes will be modified to force the community to use the Sydney South Eastern Light Rail, increasing the number of modes of transport and extending the journey time.

Currently, the following bus routes are planned to be modified: 303, 304, 307, 309, 313, 320, 339, 339X, 343, 347, 355, 362, 370, 373X, 374, 374X, 377X, 392, 397, 399, 418, 420, 420N. Bus services have already been reduced and cut, including the M10, M50, 891, 893, 378 and 361, and these further cuts will be devastating to our community.

I am vehemently against the privatisation of our buses, and will oppose any cuts to our bus routes, any reduction in services and the removal of any bus stops. Public buses are part of the fabric of our community. They take us where we need to go, be it to work, to our schools, to the library, to the city, to our hospitals, and to our local businesses. Buses take cars off the road, and ease congestion on our streets, as well as reduce our carbon footprint. The greatest impact we can have on all of these factors, is by having the light rail and our buses working together, not replacing one type of service with another.

What you can do to support our campaign to save our buses:

• Complete our community petition against these cuts and share it with your friends and family. To access the petition, scan the QR code below.

•Complete the Government's community consultation survey ‘Have Your Say On The South East Bus Changes’, and let them know what you think about their shameful bus cuts to our community.

OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

If you have any issues relating to the NSW Government, or you are not sure where to go to for help, please contact my office on 9398 1822; coogee@parliament.nsw. gov.au or 15/53-55b Frenchmans Road, Randwick. You can also visit my website at www.marjorieoneill.com.au, and sign up to my online community newsletter there too.