The Hunters Hill Trust

Hunters Hill Trust AGM & Information Evening 2021

Hunters Hill Trust Logo

When: Thursday 24 June 2021 6.30pm for 7pm

Where: RSL Hall, corner Ady and Alexandra Streets, Hunters Hill

RSVP: members@huntershilltrust.org.au

We invite members to come along at 6.30pm for a long overdue get-together over drinks and nibbles! After a short AGM at 7pm and a break to refresh our glasses, at 7.30pm, our guest speaker Mayor Ross Williams will talk to us about the latest proposals and consultation regarding Council’s Property Strategy and newly released plans for Figtree Park. These plans are in the Agenda for Council’s meeting on 21 June under Item 6 Public Spaces Legacy Project at Figtree Park

admin2021-06-21T09:31:30+11:00June 21, 2021|

GOING…….. GOING…….. GONE?

Under the current Property Strategy – this would be the result if the proposed ‘Village Hub’ at Figtree Park went ahead – the low rise leafy entrance to the village replaced by a multi-storey development. A large development of this nature including residential, offices, commercial space, retail etc would inevitably encroach on precious green space and add even more traffic and congestion to the area.

Now that the Property Strategy is to be subject to further community engagement before it is formally accepted (see our recent flyer Do you know what’s happening in Hunters Hill) we await Council’s needs analysis, fully-costed business case and justification for taking this drastic course of action.

GOING…..

GOING…….

GONE…….?

admin2021-05-23T11:50:13+11:00May 15, 2021|

Some good news at last!

Our thanks go to Mayor Ross Williams and Councillors Sanderson, Krassoi and McLaughlin who voted at Council’s meeting on 26th April for Agenda Item 4.3 Property Strategy (formerly the Draft Community Infrastructure Plan) to be subject to further community engagement before it is formally accepted.

A huge thank you also to those Trust members who took the trouble to write in with their own submissions or to attend the meeting to address Council. There were some powerful and erudite presentations and we commend those residents who spoke so passionately.

Here are the outcomes of the main Agenda items:

4.1 Draft Hunters Hill Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Outcome of Public Exhibition

Despite the best efforts of Councillor Sanderson to achieve better outcomes, the LHS was adopted without substantial amendment, with the support of Councillors Miles, Collins, Krassoi and McLaughlin. Regrettably, there was little regard for the 37 submissions received, nearly 90% of which expressed concern about the impact on heritage and the environment and strong opposition to development over and above State targets.

4.2 Boronia Park sports and community facility

The Heritage Grandstand will not be restored even though the State Government Grant was given for that specific purpose plus the upgrade of sporting facilities. The Rugby Club […]

admin2021-05-15T12:33:09+11:00May 8, 2021|

In case you missed it….!

Our President’s piece in the TWT this week on the vexed question of Hunters Hill Council’s push for ‘additional‘ development over and above dwelling targets set by State bodies.

admin2021-03-11T17:29:19+11:00March 11, 2021|

HHT Submission to Council on the Draft Local Housing Strategy

Summary

Behind the analysis and proposals of the Draft Local Housing Strategy (dLHS) is an assumption that Hunters Hill housing density must increase. Certainly, Government has imposed a modest increase, and undoubtedly those who profit from development would support a greater increase, but this Strategy should satisfy the ‘needs and aspirations‘ of the residents. This draft Strategy fails to establish whether the residents of Hunters Hill seek more than the current continuing increase which alone will satisfy Government’s requests.

As observed in the Executive Summary of the dLHS, ‘Development in Hunter’s Hill will remain highly constrained and land/property is set to become increasingly unaffordable. A capacity assessment under existing planning controls reveals very limited ability to support new development across the majority of the LGA. These factors, combined with slow population growth and a relatively small population, mean that implied dwelling demand as assessed by NSW DPIE capacity experts remains low.’

In recognition of the predictions of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and the recommendations of the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC), the dwelling targets for Hunters Hill are modest relative to much of Sydney, and most […]

admin2021-02-28T06:51:16+11:00February 27, 2021|

Another Year, Another Plan!

You may not be aware that HH Council has prepared a draft Local Housing Strategy (LHS) for community comment, for future dwelling targets up to 2041 – as required by the State Government.

The Trust is concerned that behind the analysis and proposals of the LHS, is an assumption that Hunters Hill housing density must increase. Certainly, Government has imposed a modest increase, and undoubtedly those who profit from development would support a greater increase, but the Strategy’s stated first Housing Priority is to ‘meet community needs and aspirations’ (p46). The LHS fails to establish whether the residents of Hunters Hill in fact wish for more than the gradual dwelling increase imposed by Government or to justify why Council is seeking additional development opportunities.

So we are asking why:

1. Council is seeking development opportunities in excess of the dwellings required by the Department of Planning and the Greater Sydney Commission’s North District Plan. The LHS appears to align with the development proposals contained in the recent Community Infrastructure Plan (CIP) with its particular focus on Figtree/Hunters Hill Village.

2. Council has not updated the community on the responses to the CIP. We do […]

admin2021-02-17T19:04:41+11:00February 16, 2021|

Our chance to protect our trees!

You may have already seen the good news that, for the first time since 2015, Council has opened the Significant Tree Register (STR). You can now nominate your favourite tree/s or even a whole street or group of significant trees for assessment! This is such an important tool to protect our green canopy as, now more than ever, we are losing so many of our mature specimens. For example during just one month in November last year, Council approved individual DAs that in total allowed the removal of around 20 trees!

Access to the form is only open until 26 February so we would urge you to nominate your favourite trees ASAP. Here is the link to click through to the Nomination Form and where you can view the current list https://www.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/development/plans-policies-and-controls/significant-tree-register/

Email your form to council@huntershill.nsw.gov.au with ‘New Nomination for STR’ in the subject line and include your contact details or post to: General Manager, Hunters Hill Council, 22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110.

This is our chance to help protect our irreplaceable green heritage which is continually under threat!

admin2021-05-15T15:09:03+11:00February 13, 2021|

Hunters Hill Trust Journal, December 2020

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 59, No 2, December 2020 is available here.

As it is such an important new proposal, we have devoted this month’s Journal to providing information for members and the local community about the Draft Community Infrastructure Plan 2020 proposed by Council, which contains their ‘blueprint’ for our municipality for the next 10 years.

This edition includes:

From the President’s Desk – with a summary of the major issues
The developments planned for the following locations:
- Gladesville Road/Figtree Park
- Town Hall, Council Administration Centre and Works Depot
- Henley Precinct
- Gladesville Commercial Centre
- Special/Sole Purpose Facilities/Remnant Land
Our members’ views on the above proposals
The question of the $250m Public Spaces Legacy Program

admin2020-12-12T13:05:37+11:00December 12, 2020|

HHT SUBMISSION TO DRAFT COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN 2020

A big thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. We were delighted with the response and level of engagement and our Submission to Council, including a Position Statement of key messages drawn from your feedback is here.

If you haven’t yet done a submission on the major changes proposed for our municipality, we would encourage you to do so, by the closing date of 9th November, to ensure your views are heard. Email the General Manager, Mayor and Councillors at the following addresses: rosswilliams@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; bencollins@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; elizabethkrassoi@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; jimsanderson@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; justinemclaughlin@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; zacmiles@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; miscamblel@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

admin2021-05-09T13:33:50+11:00October 27, 2020|

DRAFT COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

We would like to bring your attention to Hunters Hill Council’s Draft Community Infrastructure Plan now on public exhibition and here is the link: https://www.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/participate/cip/

The Plan has a 10-year horizon, with short term actions and longer term projects built around “three key community hubs – The Village Green, Heritage and Cultural Facilities Hub and Lifestyle and Wellbeing Hub”. At this stage we are being asked for our views on various proposals that will potentially change significant areas of our municipality. For instance – in the absence of firm detail as to how the stated intentions for the Village Green (Figtree Park) Hub are going to be realised – the extent and number of facilities to be housed (including Council Admin moved from the Town Hall) plus an extra 1 or 2 new developments and associated parking will obviously have a considerable impact on the area with potential loss of trees and existing green space.

However to ensure your views are heard, email your feedback (subject Draft Community Infrastructure Plan 2020) to the General Manager and Councillors at: rosswilliams@huntershill.nsw.gov.au; […]

admin2020-10-28T08:17:02+11:00October 7, 2020|

Preserving Our Heritage since 1968

The Hunters Hill Trust

The Hunters Hill Trust

Preserving Our Heritage since 1968