Ku-ring-gai Update
July 2018
Cover image: The Secret Garden behind Gordon Library by Glen Leo IN PERSON 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072 PHONE 02 9424 0000
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FROM THE MAYOR Welcome to the 2018-2019 Ku-ring-gai Update! This is the annual newsletter about your Council that goes to all Ku-ring-gai ratepayers in July. During this new financial year Ku-ring-gai Council is preparing to spend nearly $60 million on capital works. This includes around $21 million for the new Lindfield Village Green and other local centre upgrades. A further $15 million will be spent on the Lindfield Village Green in the 2019-2020 financial year. Two other top priorities in 2018-2019 are upgrading sports facilities, parks and playgrounds ($15 million) and renewing roads and footpaths ($10 million). In addition to Lindfield Village Green we are making progress on the Lindfield Village Hub and Turramurra Community Hub. These projects are the largest Council has undertaken in its 100 year history. They will deliver a vibrant mix of new community facilities including libraries and community centres, parks, shops, supermarkets and residential housing.
“…..this new financial year Ku-ring-gai Council is preparing to spend nearly $60 million on capital works.” The Council’s objective for the Lindfield and Turramurra projects is to create assets and services which are fully self-sustaining, provide no risk to ratepayers and can flourish under the certainty of a secure financial future. If you’re interested in being kept informed on progress visit kmc.nsw.gov.au/activate and sign up to our e-news. Our website at kmc.nsw.gov.au is a great way of staying connected with our Council and finding out about events and the services we offer. Don’t forget also to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – you can also stay in touch with me through my Facebook page.
These projects have a lot of community support and while we appreciate people want to see them happen quickly, we have to follow the rules when it comes to carrying out the work. We must also ensure we make the most of this once-off opportunity to develop Council’s highly valuable land holdings to bring the best possible financial and community outcomes for generations to come.
Jennifer Anderson, Mayor of Ku-ring-gai E mayor@kmc.nsw.gov.au F facebook.com/kcmayor P 9424 0709
FAST FACTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS WE…
REPAIRED OVER
160,000
SQUARE METRES OF ROADWAY
PROVIDED VACATION CARE FOR
3400 CHILDREN
GAVE OUT
$481,000 IN COMMUNITY GRANTS
LENT OVER
750,000 LIBRARY BOOKS
FIXED
5700 POTHOLES
Lindfield Village Green WHAT’S HAPPENING We’re building a contemporary village green by putting the public car parking in Tryon Road car park underground. This will free up the area for a new public plaza and park. There’ll be a pavilion-style café or restaurant with public toilets, as well as elevators and stairs to the basement car park. Shared pathways will allow easy access to the train station for cyclists and pedestrians. When finished, the Village Green will be a great meeting place for everyone and a focal point for events and markets.
Lindfield Village Hub WHAT’S HAPPENING The Village Hub – located on the western side of the Lindfield centre - will transform this area into a dynamic urban village, through a mix of community buildings, open space, dining, housing and shopping. Improvements to roads and footpath upgrades will be funded by the project and link the Hub with other new mixed use developments to be built in the area. The Village Hub will have a sophisticated range of eateries, new shopping and housing choices for all types of families set around a new park. A community based committee has been set up to help keep the public informed. The Lindfield Village Hub Reference Committee meets quarterly; find out more at kmc.nsw.gov.au/activate
WHAT’S HAPPENING The current masterplan for The Turramurra Community Hub will include a new library, park and community centre, plus a mix of housing and retail designed to breathe new life into the centre of Turramurra. Redevelopment scenarios based on the masterplan to meet Council’s financial objectives for long-term self-funding are being prepared for presentation to the Council in the next quarter. To find out more visit kmc.nsw.gov.au/activate
Architectural drawings are artists impressions
Turramurra Community Hub
CAPITAL WORKS IN 2018-2019 This year we’ll be investing in roads and footpaths, sports facilities, improving our major centres and public buildings. Here’s a quick rundown:
$3.5 million for the natural environment
$1.2 million for drainage and stormwater facilities
$10.4 million $21 million
for roads and footpaths
for the $36 million Lindfield Village Green project and the redevelopment of our local centres.
$3.45 million to improve community buildings
$14.8 million for sportsfields, playgrounds and parks
For more details on Ku-ring-gai’s 2018-2019 budget visit kmc.nsw.gov.au
Gordon Library air-con upgrade The library at 799 Pacific Highway Gordon will be closed to the public between Thursday 19 July and Sunday 29 July to install a new air conditioning system. The new system will improve comfort levels for users and cut carbon emissions by around 30%. Our other libraries at St Ives, Turramurra and Lindfield are unaffected during this time; please visit kmc.nsw.gov.au/library to find out more. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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COMING UP IN KU-RING-GAI
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Sun 29 July, 10am-1pm
Sat 11 August, 10am-1pm
National Tree Day Event
Small Space Productive Gardening
Where: Primula Oval, Lindfield
Where: Gordon Library
Bring your friends and family and plant a tree to support your local environment. Sausage sizzle provided.
Transform your balcony or small space into a lush edible oasis. Learn about design, plant selection and how to deal with pests. 26 August
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden Festival Where: Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden Revel in spring wildflowers, native plant sales, wildflower displays, guided walks, children’s craft workshops, food stalls and more. Don’t miss the Festival Sculpture Walk! kmc.nsw.gov.au/wildflowergarden
22 & 23 September
St Ives Medieval Faire Where: St Ives Showground
SPEC OFFEIAL R
Ea loyalt rly bird yt for K icket pric e u-r ratep ing-gai ayers !
TEAR THIS PAGE OFF AND POP IT ON YOUR FRIDGE SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR EVENTS!
St Ives Showground will be transformed into a medieval kingdom on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September. See a solid lance joust, birds of prey and a fully authentic medieval village spanning the centuries. Loads to do for the whole family! Follow the Faire on Facebook or visit the website to find out more.
The first 200 ratepayers to book their tickets online for the 2018 Medieval Faire will receive a special discounted price on the gate ticket price. Offer valid till 31 July 2018. Quote JOUST as the discount code when you book at stivesmedievalfaire.com.au
SEPTEMBER 22 + 23 - ST IVES SHOWGROUND
TICKETS - WWW.STIVESMEDIEVALFAIRE.COM. AU
20 October
Twilight Concert Where: Wahroonga Park Enjoy a picnic under the stars and live music at our free concert in the park. Our journey through the decades has now arrived at the 90s and you will ‘party like it’s 1999’ with the best of Prince & 90s pop!
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kmc.nsw.gov.au/twilight
26 January 2019
Australia Day Where: Bicentennial Park West Pymble Celebrate what’s great about Australia and living in Ku-ring-gai. Music, food, citizenship ceremonies, pool party and more! kmc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday
SUSTAINING SYDNEY’S GREEN HEART Ku-ring-gai Council’s Environmental Levy has been in place since 2005 as a 5% levy on top of the annual rate. It funds around $2.5 million worth of environmental programs and works every year that: • • • • • • • • • •
reuse water for irrigation protect for our bushland, waterways and wildlife reduce our energy and water use reduce and recycle our waste boost sustainable transport provide recreation activities in natural areas ensure best practice environmental management foster environmental research help our local businesses and community to be more sustainable has secured an additional $9.9 million in grants from other government agencies since 2005
WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED Sustainable transport
Bushland and wildlife
8.9 km of new cycle ways stretch across Ku-ring-gai from Roseville to St Ives 30 km of walking tracks created and maintained
60 hectares
Community Over 25,000
Water and catchments 86%
participants in Council’s Loving Living Ku-ring-gai program since 2012
of total water demand at our harvesting / reuse sites met by harvested / reused water in 2016/17
Over 10,000
10,845 tonnes
actions taken by residents to benefit the environment since 2012
of rubbish diverted from our waterways since 2012
of bushland reserves managed to enhance biodiversity
Over 600 environmental volunteers dedicating over 12,000 volunteer hours per year
Energy 7
Solar PV installed at Council facilities and solar capacity doubled over the past 3 years
Future of the Environmental Levy The current Environmental Levy is due to expire on 30 June 2019. Under the current levy the average residential ratepayer pays around $80 as part of their annual rates. The average business ratepayer pays around $65 as part of their annual rates. Council is considering applying to the NSW Independent Pricing and Review Tribunal (IPART) for the permanent continuation of the Environmental Levy at the amount currently paid by Ku-ring-gai ratepayers. This would commence from 1 July 2019. If the Levy is not renewed Council will need to significantly review its environmental programs and works as we will be unable to deliver these at current service levels.
Why does the Council want to make the Environmental Levy permanent? Much has already been achieved by the Environmental Levy. However all this work needs to be maintained and more needs to be done if Council is to continue protecting Ku-ring-gai’s unique natural environment. Our population and housing density is increasing, meaning our natural areas need even more protection and improved management.
Have your say As a ratepayer, your opinion is very important. You are invited to learn more about the Environmental Levy and to have your say on its future. Over the coming months Council will be seeking your feedback on the continuation of the Levy and what programs and works should be funded if it continues. Keep watching our website at kmc.nsw.gov.au/elevy for ways to have your say.
RECYCLING ALERT Our recycling service depends on you keeping it clean! Contamination in Ku-ring-gai’s recycling bins is becoming a problem – meaning we can’t sell it and it ends up in landfill. Here are some tips to get the best out of your recycling.
WE’RE EASY TO DO BUSINESS WITH!
Only paper and cardboard in paper bins. Only containers in the mixed recycling bin.
Please don’t place recyclables in plastic bags.
No plastic bags, food or nappies in recycling bins
DID YOU KNOW You can chat with us online between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays via our website kmc.nsw.gov.au
Don’t dump your waste in others’ bins Thanks for your help!
Ku-ring-gai Council has joined the NSW Government’s Easy To Do Business program. This means setting up a business in Ku-ring-gai will become easier, thanks to much less paperwork. Find out more at kmc.nsw.gov.au/business While you’re there, sign up for regular updates on free workshops and networking events specially for you!
Coming up Lindfield – 2 August
FAMILY DAY CARE Have your child cared for in a nurturing home-based environment with professionals trained by Ku-ring-gai Council. Find out more at kmc.nsw.gov.au/children
Creating compelling videos with your smart device Pymble – 16 August
The sales strategies you need to know in 2018 Gordon – 29 September
Managing contracts Lindfield – 17 October
Programs to support small business Book into these free sessions at kmc.nsw.gov.au/business or call 9424 0757. Also, keep an eye out for our Small Business Roundtable program, which are monthly discussion-based events where businesses can connect and learn together.
SIGN UP TO KU-RING-GAI E-NEWS Get local news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to our monthly Ku-ring-gai E-news. kmc.nsw.gov.au/subscribe
WATERLESS PRINTING ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER