DRAFT COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

By admin2 | Published: October 7, 2020

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/community-participation-plan

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.

We encourage you to take action by completing Council’s feedback form and, even though it’s mainly about usage of spaces, you can add your specific comments/concerns in the free text question at the end:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYBNHEo51c4SCDWiWQcaCRhD6-_npF2ve8IwnUyC1lpJJv2g/viewform

It appears that Council is only seeking community feedback via the above form but we can also express our opinions by emailing customerservice@huntershill.nsw.gov.au reference the ‘Exhibition of the Community Infrastructure Plan’.

We feel it’s important to engage with the process and, as this 51 page document is rather difficult to read, a text-only version is here which, at just 20 pages, may be easier to digest.  Changes are being proposed for our beautiful Municipality and it is critical that our voices are heard so that we can all help shape its future.

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, June 2020

By admin2 | Published: July 13, 2020

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 58, No 1, June 202 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • Boronia Park Plan of Management
    • Revised Plan of Management for Riverglade Reserve
    • Council Matters
    • Oversight of Development Applications
  • Final Plan of Management for Boronia Park
  • The 1919 Influenza Epidemic in Sydney
  • DA Updates
    • The Lost & Found Department – 39 Alexandria St
    • ‘Windemere’ – 25 Ernest St
    • 61 Downing Place
    • Loss of Sandstone Kerbs
  • Vale Jack Mundey
  • AGM Report
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Loss of Heritage Sandstone kerbs

By admin | Published: May 19, 2020

The Trust were shocked to discover the removal of a large section of heritage sandstone kerbing in Gladesville Road, alongside St Josephs College.  Astonishingly, this work has resulted in the replacement of the sandstone kerb stones with concrete and it is not known what has happened to the large blocks of hand hewn sandstone which have been removed.  This has drastically diminished the streetscape and setting for this landmark building.  Here is our letter to Council and please write to the General Manager Lisa Miscamble at miscamblel@huntershill.nsw.gov.au if you would also like to comment.

We now have an update from the General Manager at Hunters Hill Council who wrote that ‘the works were discussed with our Heritage Adviser at the time who advised that the sand stone gutter was not heritage listed, therefore appropriate infrastructure works could be undertaken.’   
However this does not explain what work necessitated their removal in the first place and ignores the fact that the kerbstones are ‘heritage’ items even if they are not ‘listed’.  In fact their removal goes against the Local Environmental Plan 2012 which states that one of the ‘particular aims’ is ‘to conserve Aboriginal heritage and European heritage that influence the character and identity of the municipality’.

Fortunately since the original travesty of the removal of the sandstone kerbs in Gladesville Road, it now appears the Council have reverted to putting them back in place once the road has been repaired thus maintaining our irreplaceable heritage streetscape.

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Dismantling The Powerhouse Museum

By admin | Published: May 19, 2020

2 July 2020

What a win for the community! 

Finally some commonsense.  The Berejiklian government has done a backflip and the unique Powerhouse Museum, home to some 400,000 artefacts, will not be bulldozed and will remain in Ultimo!   As many of us have argued, the obvious and most cost effective option is for a new venue at Parramatta which is an opportunity to provide a second cultural centre to display more of the institution’s huge collections.  However the proposed building appears to be more of an ‘entertainment centre’ and the site is completely inappropriate, being on a flood plain. The government is also still apparently determined to demolish important heritage items to make way for it and dismissive of the green ban that the Union has placed on their demolition!  The Trust’s letter to Anthony Roberts is here.

Previous update:

There have been some very important news reports recently criticising the proposed relocation of the Powerhouse Museum eg last weekend’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Continuing issues include:

  • the destruction of the site in Ultimo, so suited to the collection;
  • inadequacy of the design of the new space;
  • the perception that it will be a local entertainment space rather than a state museum;
  • concerns about the future safety of rare and precious objects, large and small;
  • blowout costs that cannot be tolerated when so many other community needs must be met;
  • continuing concerns about destroying heritage buildings in both locations.

If you would like to add your voice we encourage you to:


1.  Write to the Premier and your local MP – addresses at: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members/Pages/all-members.aspx


2.  Make a short submission to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment here. https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/26576 objecting to the ‘new powerhouse’ design plan and the demolition of heritage in Parramatta. 

More details here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YgnQWkgn0BF7tjM8JH1a2oEfQbBzhbnS/view

—

March 2020

A fresh parliamentary inquiry has been launched into NSW Government’s $1.5 billion plan to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to an inappropriate flood prone site in Parramatta,  Overwhelmingly the voices of the community have advocated to preserve the current site, build a new locally influenced cultural institution at Parramatta and use the funding saved from moving the Powerhouse Museum to create regional museums and galleries.  Given the project in Parramatta has now been declared a ‘State Significant Project’ we are concerned that the use of this legislation has only been enacted to enable the Government to override and ignore all reasonable opposition or community input and permit the destruction of local heritage.  Here is a link to The Trust’s submission to the Premier and political representatives to which so far we have had an acknowledgement but no detailed response.

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Boronia Park Plan of Management

By admin | Published: May 19, 2020

The Trust remains committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing our heritage-listed Boronia Park.  Green space is so precious, especially in light of our current situation where parks have become a lifeline.  

The final consultant’s report on the Draft Plan of Management will be reviewed by Council on Monday 27 April and we will report back on the outcome.  Here is a link to the Trust’s submission to the 2019 Draft Plan and a Letter to Residents from the Hunters Hill Trust and Ryde-Hunters Hill Flora & Fauna Preservation Society.

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The F3 & F8 ferry routes to remain unchanged!

By admin | Published: March 9, 2020

We’re delighted to learn that the Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the proposed changes to the above ferry routes will not now be going ahead and our ferries will continue to take us to Circular Quay! This is a direct result of our collective power to ensure that those making decisions are called to account when they ignore the needs of the community. It’s a great example of what we can achieve together and encouraging to know that people power can still sometimes trump commercial interests!

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Have your Say on the Proposed Changes to Woolwich and Huntleys Point Ferry Routes

By admin | Published: February 7, 2020

As you will no doubt be aware there are major changes proposed for the above routes which will have an adverse effect on the suburb’s commuters in terms of lengthened journeys and will mean considerable inconvenience particularly for the elderly and those travelling with children or luggage.

Transport for NSW and Sydney Ferries operator Transdev are currently consulting with communities along the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour to review the frequency and routes of the F3 and F8 ferry services from Woolwich and Huntleys Point and many residents have already communicated with Transdev. There is currently a petition with over 800 signatures. 

The changes are as follows:

Woolwich Ferry (F8)
Woolwich, Greenwich Point and Birchgrove – to and from Barangaroo. The ferry will no longer stop at Balmain wharf or provide direct travel to Circular Quay. Change at Barangaroo “for other enhanced ferry services, including the F4 City Connector”

Huntleys Point Ferry (F3)
Abbotsford to Barangaroo – all stops including Cockatoo Island, Balmain and Balmain East. This route will increase the current commute time. Change at Balmain East to continue to Circular Quay

While it is recognised that there are problems of overcrowding at Circular Quay and that some travellers will benefit from embarking at Barangaroo the following solutions must also be considered:

  1. Create more space for ferries at Circular Quay by transferring commercial boat operators to Barangaroo
  2. Use the Opera side of Circular Quay for ferries
  3. Allow the F3 and F8 ferry routes to call at Barangaroo BUT to then continue on to Circular Quay.

There are several opportunities for you to provide feedback but time is running out and this must be received by Friday 14th February 

  1. Access the Transdev site which will provide you with further information on what is being proposed. Feedback and suggestions are invited here: https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/2021-proposed-service-changes
  2. Attend the community meeting being held by Hunters Hill Council with TRANSDEV on Thursday 13 February 6-7pm at Hunters Hill Town Hall. There will be an opportunity to sign a petition prior to the meeting.

Further information via this link https://huntershill.com.au/events/community-meeting-drastic-ferry-timetable-changes-proposal/

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, December 2019

By admin | Published: January 15, 2020

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 2, December 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • The updated ‘Green Book’
    • New Plans of Management
    • An update on the Plan of Management
  • DA Updates
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
    • The Lost & Found Department – 39 Alexandria St
    • The Sorry Saga of ‘Windemere’ – 25 Ernest St
  • Every picture tells a story
  • Christmas Party & Book Launch
  • “St Malo Trees for Mousetraps”

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“The Heritage of Hunters Hill” is here!

By admin | Published: January 12, 2020

Following on from the launch at the Hunters Hill Trust Christmas party “The Heritage of Hunters Hill” book is now available. It has been printed in full colour and features almost 500 homes. 

Price $55 each

Available from the following local outlets:

Hunters Hill Post Office, 32 Alexandra Street

Hunters Hill Museum, 22 Alexandra Street

The Lost & Found Department, 39 Alexandra Street (opposite Garibaldi Inn)

or email 

members@huntershilltrust.org.au

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St Peter Chanel Church – Development Update

By admin | Published: June 9, 2019

A Win for Heritage in the Land and Environment Court!

Following the formal onsite meeting of the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on 28 May, the Hunters Hill Trust is pleased to report that the LEC has refused the DA but encourages members to maintain a watching brief in case the decision is appealed. Council’s solicitors wrote to residents setting out the reasons for the judgement as follows:

The Commissioner’s ‘reasons for refusal chiefly related to the proposal’s detrimental impact on the heritage significance of the site, including impacting on views to and from the Church, the impact on the setting and curtilage of the Church as well as the uncertainty regarding contamination of the site.’

The Trust supported Hunters Hill Council in believing the sub-division would have been entirely unsuitable for the site. Apart from detracting from the character of the Church’s setting within the heritage of Crescent Street and compromising a significant landmark visible from the water, the location would have been difficult to build on and would have resulted in the destruction of the sandstone rock shelf and mature trees.

We congratulate all residents and objectors who presented such a strong case and stood up in defence of heritage.

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