Issue 11 Spring 2015
MOSMANNOW NEWSLETTER Defending Mosman's future In the winter 2015 edition of this newsletter we reported on the results of recent community engagement about possible amalgamations of councils. The research indicated overwhelming local support for Mosman retaining its independence as a local government area and council. Under the State Government's Fit for the Future reforms, all councils in NSW were given until end June this year to submit a proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) illustrating their future 'fitness' and their preferred way of operating. Mosman submitted its proposal prior to the deadline, indicating its strong desire to remain independent and clearly demonstrating the Council's capacity to continue providing high quality, sustainable services to residents.
Youth enjoy a game of bubble soccer
Cape exhibition shines light on dementia An exhibition of artworks by prominent Australian mother and daughter artists, Ann and Sophie Cape, is proving one of Mosman Art Gallery's most popular exhibitions for 2015. An Unending Shadow, a series of challenging new artworks exploring the phenomena of dementia and its impact within the community, launched at a full-house opening night featuring guest speaker Sue PietersHawke, Alzheimer's Australia ambassador and daughter of the late Hazel Hawke. The exhibition, which runs until 29 November, examines the emotional and psychological ‘spaces’ that people with dementia inhabit, as well as those of their family, friends and loved ones and includes portraits of individuals, carers and large abstract works. Both Ann and Sophie have shared their personal experiences of having a relative living with dementia, and how it affects their lives and artistic practices in the hope of encouraging dialogue about its wider impacts.
IPART is due to present its findings on all proposals to the State Government by mid-October. In recent months there has also been a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Fit for the Future process and the Inquiry's final report is expected to be released by end October. Despite the fact that both IPART and the Parliamentary Inquiry are yet to report their findings, the Office of Local Government has recently engaged in an extensive advertising campaign that talks about 'sorting out' NSW councils so that they can deliver better services. Mayor Peter Abelson has asked the Minister for Local Government for evidence that supports this campaign, however at the time of going to press this has not been provided. It is expected that the State Government will actively respond to the recommendations brought before it prior to the end of this year. Meanwhile, Mosman Council will continue to advocate for Mosman residents and an independent future.
Sophie Cape and Ann Cape, Studio, July 2015 by Tim Connolly.
for the latest events in Mosman visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
New Deputy Mayor
Protecting Mosman's foreshore slopes
Councillor Carolyn Corrigan has been elected as Mosman Council's Deputy Mayor for 2015–2016. The election of Deputy Mayor took place at Council's meeting on 8 September. Mayor Peter Abelson congratulated Cr Corrigan on her appointment and thanked Cr Roy Bendall for his excellent support as Deputy Mayor over the past three years.
Community groups rewarded Mosman Council has recognised and rewarded 20 community groups for their initiative through the presentation of community grants by Mayor Peter Abelson. Grants totalling more than $38,000, and generally up to $2,000 each, were provided as part of Council's 2015/16 Community Grants program that supports non-profit community groups deliver projects that meet identified community needs. Projects ranged from training local services in better responding to cultural diversity through the Lower North Shore Multicultural Network to delivery of Life Education NSW programs in local schools. Cr Abelson acknowledged the invaluable role of nonprofit community-based groups in assisting Mosman residents and the wider community by working together with the Council for the benefit of residents.
Article
2015 Festival of Mosman
New two storey houses could be built without development consent on land around the foreshores of Mosman, such as the Balmoral slopes, which could overshadow homes, block neighbour's views and adversely affect the foreshores' scenic significance, from 30 November this year. In 2010 the State government granted an exclusion, for a five year period, of the foreshore slopes from certain types of development that doesn't require development consent. Without this exclusion, from 30 November, provided certain requirements are met, development, including new two storey houses and alterations or additions can be undertaken as complying development without: § Neighbour notification inviting submissions prior to determination or § Assessment of overshadowing, public or private view loss, loss of privacy or visual impact of development on the land when viewed from the harbour and submissions from neighbours. There will also be reduced requirements for minimum landscaped area and swimming pool setbacks and assessment/certification will be solely by a private certifier, not council. An alternative strategy was reported to Council on 8 September which, if successful in gaining State Government approval, would protect the foreshore slopes permanently. Council is continuing to meet with the Department of Planning and Environment to resolve the matter.
Mosman youth act on mental health The 10-day long biennial Festival of Mosman has wrapped up with more than 50 events taking place at various sites throughout Mosman. Thousands of people attended the events, which included two Moonlight Movies, an ancient Whale Dreaming Ceremony, Concert in the Park headlined by former Australian Idol winner Wes Carr (pictured), Mosman's ever-popular markets, the much-loved Pet's Day Out and a wide range of cultural and public art programs. Mosman Council worked closely with local schools, community groups and businesses to ensure the Festival involved and benefitted the local community. Key supporters included Festival sponsor Kimbriki Environmental Enterprises and Council's media partner Mosman Daily.
Mosman youth, with support from Council's Youth Services team, have been working hard to tackle mental health, which was a key issue raised by young people in the annual youth report. Nearly 200 youth attended the live music event planned by Vocal Rewind youth volunteers, Groovin' the Mind, which aimed to de-stigmatise mental health and raise awareness. Another youth volunteer group, View Finders, is partnering with the Mosman Men's Shed to create a 'green wall' inside the Youth Centre on which positive messages and tips on de-stressing will feature next to green plants. Meanwhile, Mospress volunteer youth media campaigners are encouraging young people to share their views on the topic on social media through the #myvoice campaign. For updates and videos on projects go to www.mosmanyouth.com.au
mosman.nsw.gov.au Do you have a pool or spa?
Young writers shine
From 29 April 2016 all properties with a pool that are to be sold or leased must have a valid Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate. By now you may be aware that initial changes to the NSW swimming pool legislation have commenced, with all pool owners required to register their pool or spa with the Office of Local Government (OLG) at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au You can apply to Council for this certificate which is valid for three years. Council will first organise an inspection of the pool, then advise if it complies with the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 (the Act) and let you know if any work is needed to comply. Upon completion of works, Council will issue a certificate stating that the swimming pool or spa complies with the requirements of the Act. Please note that a Swimming Pool Compliance Certificate application incurs a cost of $150. Should a re-inspection be required an additional $100 fee will be charged. You can download an application form from Council's website www.mosman.nsw.gov.au or call the Compliance Team on 9978 4000.
The 2015 Mosman Youth Awards in Literature have again attracted strong interest from budding local and regional authors. Kiri Mitchell from Pymble Ladies College won prizes in two categories including her prose entry, The Land Down Under, which told the story of an early settler's first night in Australia as well as her senior secondary poetry entry Where are you Poetry, which creatively told the story of the persona's unsuccessful search for poetry, and their decision to sit back and let poetry find them. The judges commented on the very high standard of entries and the variety of topics covered in this 23rd year of the competition. Visit Council’s website for a full list of winners.
Have your say on parking time limits
Spring Break offerings for teens have proved popular these school holidays with many activities being solidly booked. Stand up paddle boarding, horse riding, a screening of the movie Pan, a Luna Park visit and bowling, karaoke and bubble soccer are among the highlights, with some activities still available for bookings at short notice.
P Council is seeking the community’s views on new or changed on-street parking time restrictions in and around Mosman’s main commercial areas to help ensure a fair distribution of available parking spaces. The proposal is part of the Mosman Parking Strategy, adopted by Council earlier this year, which recommended new or changed parking time restrictions. The strategy proposes different time restrictions, depending on how close the on-street parking space is to Military Road and or Spit Road. The areas that need the highest turnover of cars would have the shortest time limits for parking. During last year’s community consultation on parking issues in Mosman, many people told Council they often just want a short-stay parking space so they can quickly visit a local shop or business. In many cases, they end up driving around for an extended period, adding to traffic congestion. The proposal consists of reviewing parking time restrictions in Military Road and streets surrounding Military and Spit Roads, including: 1. Restricting parking in Military Road to half an hour, seven days a week, from 8.30am to 6pm (existing 15-minute or five-minute zones would not change). 2. Introducing one or two-hour parking restrictions in streets up to 300 metres from Military Road and Spit Road between 8.30am and 6pm on weekdays and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. 3. Consideration of Resident Parking Schemes in residential streets, in conjunction with new or changed parking restrictions. To have a say on the proposed time limit changes visit mosman.nsw.gov.au before Friday 25 September. Council is expected to make a decision on the parking time limits later this year.
Teen fun these holidays
Citizen of the Year nominations now open Council is seeking nominations for the Mosman Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year. The aim is to recognise local citizens and school-aged people for their special contribution to the Mosman community in 2015. Nominations can be made via the council website or in writing to the General Manager accompanied by a full resume for the nominee. The closing date for nominations is Friday 27 November 2015.
Changes to 10/50 Scheme The entitlement area for the Mosman Local Government Area has been reduced from the original 56% of residential lots affected to 6% of residential lots now affected following a significant amendment to the 10/50 Clearing Entitlement Scheme which came into effect last month. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure all works under the scheme comply with the recent changes. Given the significant reduction of the areas covered under the scheme, Council urges any property owner wishing to use this scheme to remove trees to check if their property is still covered by visiting the NSW Rural Fire Service site www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or calling 8741 5555. This will assist residents in determining whether their property is within a clearing entitlement area and works are in accordance with the RFS code of practice. Council will continue to investigate breaches of the entitlement scheme and prosecute though the courts when necessary.
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©2015 Mosman Municipal Council This publication is written by Council staff and authorised for distribution by Veronica Lee – General Manager
mosman.nsw.gov.au Spit Junction NSW 2088 9978 4000 fax 9978 4132 council@mosman.nsw.gov.au
What’s On
Connect with us
Don't miss out on the many interesting events taking place in Mosman over the next few months. Here is a sample of what's on offer – visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au for more.
Garage Sale Trail Mosman households are being encouraged to join others around Australia by holding garage sales on Saturday 24 October. The free national event, Garage Sale Trail, now in its fifth year, promotes sustainability, meeting the neighbours, having fun and making money. Sellers can hold a sale as a household, street, community group, school, charity or even as a local business, making money for individuals or fundraising for a cause. Each year there's more than three million items for sale, with items in last year's sale ranging from designer shoes to a hovercraft to a house. To find out more about the Garage Sale Trail visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au.
Library celebrations Mosman Library Service is celebrating its 70th birthday this year. In 1945 Mosman Council was the first to adopt the new Library Act and the second council to provide a library service under the Act. ‘Party like its 1945' Photo Display 30 November – 6 December Barry O’Keefe Library We want to know what 70 years of birthdays in Mosman look like. We are looking for photographs of birthday parties that you have attended or hosted in Mosman since 1945. The photographs will then form part of a display during our 70th birthday week. Send your images in by 29 October. Call 9978 4101 for information. Mosman Library Service's 70th birthday party Thursday 3 December, 4pm–5pm Barry O’Keefe Library Children between 5–12 years old are invited to come to the Library and celebrate our birthday. There will be lots of fun games, great prizes to be won and a special birthday cake.
At the Gallery Dream Merchant Until Sunday 25 October Dream Merchant takes the legacy of Norman Lindsay into a new domain: the streets and suburbs of Springwood, Parramatta, Emu Plains and Penrith. Aiming to recreate the intensity of a Norman Lindsay etching or painting the artists have carried this flamboyance to a more unusual backdrop – the Australian bush and suburbs. Safe from the City's Haste: Mosman Vistas 1880–1955 Saturday 10 October – Sunday 29 November As a whaling station, pleasure ground and burgeoning suburb, Mosman was aptly described by Henry Lawson in the early 1900s as 'safe from the city's haste'. This exhibition which takes its name from Lawson's poem Mosman Bay, presents selected works from the Mosman Art Gallery collection from the period 1880–1955.
events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Getting around Mosman The Mosman Rider community bus is for everyone! Whether shopping, eating out, sightseeing or simply getting around, the Rider provides a great way to enjoy all Mosman has to offer. Hailing the bus is easy, simply signal the driver anywhere along the route and hop onboard. From 1 October the Mosman Rider summer timetable will commence and the bus will operate daily between 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm, 7 days a week. The Rider apps have also been updated. Visit the Apple App or Google Play Stores and download to your smart phone. Users can also track the Rider online by visiting mosmanrider.net
Welcoming updates to Council foyer Mosman Council's Civic Centre foyer has been enhanced to provide visitors with a more efficient and inviting environment. The changes include more comfortable seating and furnishings as well as an automated ticketing system that will direct customers according to their reason for attending and assist Council to track customer service requests.
Download Mosman’s new events app Keep up to date with the latest Mosman Council and local community events with the new Mosman Events app – now available to download via the Google Play and Apple App stores. The new app makes it easy to view or search all Mosman events, share events with friends and add those you want to attend to your calendar as well as view all Council venues which can be booked for events.
Coming soon to Windows 10