Public land at 16C Vernon Street

As reported in our webpost of 10 December, at Council’s 25 November meeting, the 3 parcels of land including the significant foreshore site at 16C Vernon Street (opposite) were deemed ‘surplus to the needs of Council and the community’ and the motion to sell was carried 5 votes to 2.
 
The attempt to characterise this site as accessible only by the adjoining owner is incorrect.   Access is possible but has never been enabled by Council, and this site, which could become part of the Great North Walk, has been allowed to sit idle without any infrastructure or signage to encourage public use.
 
At Council’s last meeting of the year on 16 December, the resolution was put forward to authorise the sale and specify a ‘selective’ tendering method.
 
Objections were raised by community speakers that, apart from the controversial act of selling a valuable piece of public foreshore, this sale did not fit within legislative framework.  In addition, no Aboriginal heritage consultation has been carried out despite documented occupation along the Lane Cove River.
 
It was also argued by the Trust and others that the method of disposal should be by ‘open’ tender to encourage any interested parties to bid which would give the best possible outcome for the community. However Council insisted that in their view the adjoining neighbour/s were likely be the only interested bidder/s and an invitation to submit a bid in a ‘selective’ process was the best option.
 
The Vernon Street site already owes the ratepayers of Hunters Hill a huge return, given that Council had to compulsorily acquire it in 2005 for $2,515,000 after a lengthy legal battle with the adjoining neighbour, who may now be the purchaser.
 
If retained, this valuable asset will only grow in monetary value. So if the logic, as stated by Council, is to raise operational revenue in order to provide “intergenerational equity”, this action is inexplicable and contrary to the intention.
 
Detailed objections were put forward by Cllrs Williams and Lane, who argued that the disposal of the Vernon Street foreshore would be to the detriment of the public, and recommended pausing the process until Council at least had an accurate survey of the site and other important information on which to base a meaningful decision.      Regrettably this course of action was rejected and the motion was carried by the votes of Cllrs Prieston, Virgara, Tannous-Sleiman, Kassab and Mayor Miles.
 
Privatising a spectacular asset that will yield income only once, and depriving future generations of precious Sydney foreshore, is a tragic loss of public space and patently poor fiscal management.

As reported in our 4 November post below, a Public Hearing conducted by an Independent Chairperson was held on 13 November regarding Council’s application to reclassify the Fairland Hall site from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’ land.
 
This site was originally gifted to the people of Hunters Hill and Council’s proposal to keep the Hall for the foreseeable future gives no reassurance because, with reclassification, the land becomes a saleable asset.
 
At the Hearing and in submissions, residents stressed the need to retain the existing ‘Community’ classification of the land on which Hall and the Playground stand.   There was general agreement that there is good reason to sell the two northern blocks adjoining properties below the 10m cliff, which would release funds to repair and maintain the Hall.
 
So we were optimistic on reading the recommendations made to Council in the Report dated 9 December 2024 which included the following:
 
“Subject to legal advice and Council resolution to subdivide the site ….

“Retain the southern portion comprising Fairland Hall and the playground as community land
Use funds from sale of the northern portions to renovate Fairland Hall “

“If legal advice precludes the process above:

“Seek legal advice about retaining the community land classification across the whole site and leasing/licensing access to the adjoining property owners which is authorised in an adopted Plan of Management…..”

Council’s further legal advice confirmed that:

“It is possible to reclassify only part of a lot (provided that the relevant part to be reclassified is specifically and accurately identified)….and to have that part discharged from any trusts, estates….affecting the land.”

 
This course of action would be a win-win for all by facilitating the sale/lease of the two northern blocks while retaining the community land even if it involved a survey of the boundaries, which we were surprised to learn does not currently exist.  However we were even more astonished at Council’s response that:

“Despite the recommendations in the Report and the public submissions expressing preference for reclassification of only part of the site, it is considered that reclassification of the whole of the site from community to operational should proceed…..”

Council argued that it needed ‘flexibility’ and ‘reclassification would facilitate the practical and orderly future stages of the proposed management of the site’.   But if there is no plan for the land on which the Hall and playground stand, what are these ‘future stages’ that have to be facilitated?
 
At Council’s last meeting of the year on 16 December 2024, Cllr Williams seconded by Cllr Lane, put forward an amendment to not proceed with the Planning Proposal to reclassify the whole site, arguing that Council should be following the Independent advice it has been given, particularly as this provided a workable solution to give residents certainty of the future of community land and allow for the sale of the northern part of the site.
 
The counter argument was made that no sale of the Hall was imminent and any future proposal would be subject to a full DA process and dependent on a suitable replacement being made available for the community.
 
Regrettably, the option to honour the original generous donation of land for community use was rejected in favour of an uncertain future and potential sale. The motion was carried by the votes of Cllrs Prieston, Virgara, Tannous-Sleiman, Kassab and Mayor Miles.

“Wyralla’

We were delighted to be invited to yet another fabulous Jeanneret-built house for our 2024 Christmas Party!
 
‘Wyralla’ is said to have been a wedding present for Jeanneret’s daughter Florence, and we were very grateful to our hosts Elizabeth and David who generously opened their historic sandstone home to Trust members so we could enjoy a very special Christmas get-together. The house also held fond memories for some members who had previously lived in the neighbourhood. Interestingly, our local historian Beverley Sherry surprised us with the fact that this was the very last sandstone house built in Hunters Hill!
 
All agreed it was a wonderful evening full of good food and wine, excellent music and lots of great conversations!

At Council’s 25 November meeting regarding the proposal to sell 4 parcels of public land, including the significant foreshore site at 16C Vernon St (see our webpost of 2 October),  we regret to report that the Resolution that 3 of the sites (excluding a small parcel on the corner of Church Street and Reiby Road) are “surplus to the current or future needs of the Council and the local community and have potential for disposal”, was carried by the votes of Cllrs Prieston, Virgara, Tannous-Sleiman, Kassab and Mayor Miles.
 
This was despite strong opposition with 59 written submissions received against the proposal, 5 speakers presenting against it, and a large turnout of concerned residents to Council’s meeting.   
 
Amongst the arguments for retention of 16C Vernon Street in particular are:

• • This foreshore land is accessible to the public and access “should be increased, maintained and improved” in accordance with The Sydney Harbour Foreshores and Waterways Area Development Control Plan. It is noted as being included in the Great North Walk.
  • Contrary to Council policy, there has been no consultation as to its potential Indigenous significance.
  • In 2005 Council spent $2,515,000 in a compensation payment following a legal battle with the adjoining owner, who they now look poised to sell back to.

The value of this site to future generations, especially foreshore land in the Sydney Catchment area is immeasurable, and once sold it will never be available again.
 
The letters below on this subject were published in The Weekly Times of 27 November:

If you want to get involved in the fight to save our community lands and waterways, please look to the activities of the ‘Save our Shores’ community group at www.sos saveourshores.com.au

Council is proposing to reclassify the site at 14 Church Street, on which Fairland Hall and the playground currently stand, from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’ use.   This land was originally gifted to the Hunters Hill community and reclassification would allow the whole area to be divided and potentially sold.
 
Although Council’s stated intention is that the site fronting Church St containing the playground and the Hall will be retained “for the foreseeable future”, this term is not further defined, which provides little assurance of its continued community use.
 
Nor has Council given any reason for re-classifying the entire site rather than just the two northern parts bordering homes in The Avenue, which it intends to sell. Once community land is lost it will never be returned.

 
Here is the Trust’s submission HHT Submission to NSW Planning re C A Fairland Hall, 14 Church St, Hunters Hiill.docx and for more information please see our web post of 23 August 2024 below.
 
This public hearing on Wednesday 13 November at 6pm in the Town Hall is intended to give the community an opportunity to expand on our written submissions and discuss issues with an independent chairperson. 
 
Register here to attend or request to address the public hearing

Below are the Trust’s submissions to two recent proposals from Hunters Hill Council:

Planning Proposal, 4 Pittwater Road, Gladesville

This site, owned by Hunters Hill Council, is located next to the Gladesville Library and is occupied by Gladesville Occasional Child Care Centre, a not-for-profit community-based child care centre.  The property falls within Ryde Council who recently sought feedback on Hunters Hill Council’s proposal to reclassify the site from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’ land to enable future development or sale.  The Trust does not support the reclassification and our submission to Ryde Council is HERE.  Our main objections are:
 
a)   The proposal is not the result of Hunters Hill Council’s Property Strategy as indicated. This Strategy was not endorsed and Council papers from July 2021 state that that the Property Strategy was no longer being progressed.
 
b)   The land is currently being used for a valuable community service, Gladesville Occasional Care Service, which provides an affordable type of care, has been operating since 1983 and is only one of three childcare services providing this type of care in Gladesville.
 
c)   The loss of this service would impact families, particularly low-income families in the decades to come.  Extensive research has shown the value of early education in child development and Hunters Hill Council has recognised the value of this service by awarding community grants to the service over each of the last four years.  Yet it appears that Council has not provided any assurances that the service would be relocated.  Their Proposal now envisages that the best use of this site would be for residential and commercial outcomes, which is not consistent with maintaining a community based service.
 
The Trust believes that Ryde Council should not support this proposal at Gateway Determination and instead retain the Gladesville Occasional Care Service in its current location.
 

Disposal of Council Land Policy: Proposal

Hunters Hill Council is proposing to pass a resolution stating that the following 4 parcels of land are surplus to the current or future needs of the Council and the local community and have potential for disposal:

• 24 Gale Street and 527sqm at 16C Vernon Street
• 16C Vernon Street, Hunters Hill – Lot 31 DP 1040602
• Church Street (Cnr Reiby Road), Hunters Hill – adjoining 12 Church Street, Hunters Hill
• Land between 22 and 24 Gale Street, Woolwich – waterfront

Our submission regarding this policy is HERE and our main objections are:
 
a)   The Trust takes the view that the disposal of any Council land must be assessed on an individual basis. There has been no explanation as to why these particular four parcels of land are being grouped together, given the disparity in size of 14sqm at 22-24 Gale Street and 527sqm at 16C Vernon Street.
 
b)   We are particularly concerned about the sale of 16C Vernon Street located on the Lane Cove River waterfront.  Council’s 29 July 2024 Report incorrectly describes it as ‘accessible only by the adjoining owner‘.  An on-site visit clearly demonstrates that this tract of land between the neighbouring property and Serpentine Road Reserve is accessible via the Serpentine Rd Road Reserve.  Unfortunately, the access has never been improved by Council even though nearby signs point to the Great North Walk and Mornington Reserve further along the shoreline.
 
c)   When assessing whether the land is currently used or required for use in the future for community or public recreation purposes, Council’s Report states ‘The land is deemed to be cost prohibitive to become an active or passive recreational space‘. The Trust asks, how has this been assessed and is the estimate of cost available to the community?
 

 
The waterfront site (pictured opposite) at 16c Vernon Street is a significant parcel of land that cannot be classed as “remnant”. 
  
The Trust believes the potential disposal of this land is short-sighted and strongly advocates keeping foreshore land in public hands so that future generations of Australians can continue to have access to enjoy and explore their natural history and inheritance.

The role of elected representatives in our democracy is to represent people not parties, lobbyists or external influences

This quote inspired by Ted Mack, Mayor of North Sydney & Parliamentarian who introduced open government policies in the 1980’s is as relevant today as it was then.
 
Over the term of this Council, the Trust has been following many issues, some listed below, which will remain critical over the next four years as pressure on development remains high.
 

The Trust will always work with those who share our concerns and look to the voting records and values of those standing for election to guide us.  Who we appoint as our decision makers is, as ever, vital to the outcome.

Lack of transparency

Transparency and accountability to the community in all decision making is critical but this has been lacking with many decisions of importance to the community being made at Council meetings in ‘closed session’ with ‘commercial in confidence’ being used broadly to justify decisions that we believe could have been dealt with more openly for community input:
 
Relocation of Works Depot – discussion regarding the long term strategy and next steps was held in a closed session at Council’s meeting of 27 November 2023.   The relocation site has not been disclosed, but Council’s website reveals a request for tenders for a new Works Depot and Office Upgrade plus storage spaces, located on environmentally sensitive Crown land at Boronia Park.  The original decision to move the depot facilities to Lane Cove has already resulted in a financial impost on ratepayers of $200,000+ in addition to the hundreds of lost hours in staff travel.
 
Sale of Remnant Public Land at Joubert Street South/Euthella Avenue – the decision to progress the sale of this incredibly valuable piece of foreshore for a “minimum consideration” was made in a closed session at Council Meeting on 27 November 2023.   The Trust has advocated for the retention of this important remnant piece of foreshore for future generations.   Letters were sent and representation made to Council but as yet no reply has been received.
 
Figtree Park – a request for a breakdown of spending of the $4.75m Grant, made by a councillor on behalf of the community at Council’s meeting of 25 March 2024, resulted in the public gallery being cleared and discussions continuing behind closed doors.
 
Statement of fiscal responsibility – the claim of fiscal responsibility of a $1.9 million surplus, made in election material HERE is misleading.  This projection of a surplus for the current year has not been achieved and relies on asset sales not yet realised.  The 2023/24 projected operational budget deficit is $2.9m, as reported in May 2024 Council papers.

Sale of Public ‘Remnant’ Land 

There is increased pressure to sell public land and the Trust has raised concerns over:
 
Land at 16C Vernon St – the Trust made representation at Council’s 29 July meeting.  We are calling for this unspoilt natural area on the Lane Cove River, which is accessible to the public and has heritage value, to be saved as public space.
 
Proposed reclassification of the Fairland Hall land – this land was a gift to the people of Hunters Hill and the Hall has been in continuous use since 1915 and must remain as Community Use classification.

The Loss of Trees and Streetscape

Sadly, as featured in our journals, we have been losing some of the character and charm of our streetscapes with established gardens and mature trees being lost to complying development projects.  The Trust is not opposed to sensible infill development but we strongly advocate for adaptive re-use and the retention of our layers of heritage.

While Council has developed an effective Street Tree strategy, they are less able to limit tree loss under NSW planning regulations so, with the pressure to increase density, it is critical that we have strong Local Planning instruments (LEP & DCP) to preserve existing canopy trees, provide sufficient deep soil areas and limit excessive excavations.Reducing the minimum landscape area for residential development in conservation areas, as currently proposed in Council’s revised LEP, does not bode well.
 
While the above issues have been ongoing major concerns, the community has also been fighting to limit the scale of development, as in the case of the Montefiore proposal.  We and other community groups, have recently joined with Council to fight against the Woolwich Marina extension and are hopeful of a positive outcome but long term commitment from Council will be vital.
 
As always at Council elections, we have our chance to choose those candidates who we trust will share our concerns and values and will best protect our suburbs’ unique heritage and green environment, to ensure we can leave a legacy as intact as possible for the next generation.
 
Check out Candidates’ websites here:

Independents South Ward: https://www.ourhuntershill.org/

Independents North Ward: https://teamross2110.wixsite.com/huntershill

Liberals South and North Ward: https://www.zacmiles.com.au/about-us  
 
Electoral Commission Links are here:

Mayoral

North Ward Group A

North Ward Group B

South Ward Group A

South Ward Group B

As you will see from our post of 25 August 2023 – one year ago today – we detailed the considerable heritage, environmental and safety concerns of Development Application DA2023-0094 for alterations and additions to the existing Woolwich Marina.
 
This DA posed serious threats to the visual enjoyment of vistas between the significant heritage listed items of Kelly’s Bush and Cockatoo Island, as well as very real safety concerns for adult and youth sailing, obstructions to water traffic and ferries and the adverse effects on sensitive bushlands, parklands and waterways.
 
Subsequently the DA was refused by Hunters Hill Council and our post of 3 March 2024 celebrated the fact that the Sydney North Planning Panel also agreed and refused the proposal.
 
Following this judgement, the proponent appealed to the Land and Environment Court and an onsite ‘Conciliation Conference’ will now be held on 19 September when Council, together with objectors including the Trust and the Friends of Kelly’s Bush, will make oral presentations to the Commissioner.   If the matter is not resolved at this time, it will proceed to a hearing, likely in 2025.

Hunters Hill locals, councillors and community groups have mobilised against a proposal to expand Woolwich Marina. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Sydney Morning Herald

Hunters Hill Council has recently released a Planning Proposal which seeks to re-classify the land at 14 Church Street on which the C.A. Fairland Hall and Playground stand.

Their Proposal is to change the zoning from ‘Community’ to ‘Operational’ which would allow the area to be divided and some (or all of it) to be sold.
 
Council has given no reason as to why they wish to re-classify the entire site rather than just the two northern parcels which it intends to sell, that border homes in The Avenue.
 
The existing land fronting Church Street must remain Community zoned as this site was originally gifted to the Hunters Hill community. The well-used Hall, partly funded by the community, has been in continuous use since 1915 as a social hub and meeting place for residents.
 
It must be assured of long term future and not just ‘for the foreseeable future’ as stated by Council. This would be a betrayal of the original intention of this gift and would risk the site being sold to developers and lost to the community forever.
 
As housing density increases, community land like this will become even more important.
 
Our detailed submission to NSW Planning (the consent authority) is HHT Submission to NSW Planning re C A Fairland Hall, 14 Church St, Hunters Hiill.docx and we’d encourage you to also have your say, however brief. Click on this link NSW Planning Portal Fairland Hall Planning Proposal and Make a Submission. The closing date is Tuesday 27 August 2024.