Greater Sydney Commission denies community input

The bill for the proposed Greater Sydney Commission massively reduces community input into rezoning and changes to Sydney suburbs. The bill is designed to facilitate the rezoning of large parts of Sydney and regional cities to meet the state government’s high growth targets.

We support a coordinated and strategic approach to planning but this legislation in its present form:

gives broad discretion for the Minister
makes no mention of social infrastructure

Get more info about the proposed bill from the Better Planning Network.

Voice your concern here.

admin2017-09-03T11:51:15+10:00November 12, 2015|

Forced Council amalgamations

Save Hunters Hill Municipality

The Hunters Hill Trust is fundamentally opposed to forced council amalgamations.

While we have been critical of Hunters Hill Council’s performance in a number of areas, most recently in its handling of the Gladesville Shopping Village development (no doubt members will have their own lists of Council’s shortcomings) there is no evidence that we will be better off with a bigger council and there is no doubt that our current level of representation and access to council will be severely reduced as a result of amalgamation with other local government areas.

We encourage Trust members to keep the pressure on the government by contacting our local State member, Anthony Roberts, to reinforce the fact that the Liberal Party’s determined push for amalgamation is not supported by the people he represents.

Let Anthony Roberts know what you think:

Email lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au or office@roberts.minister.nsw.gov.au Phone 9817 4757 PO Box 524, Gladesville NSW 1675

For updates from Save Hunters Hill: https://www.facebook.com/savehuntershill/

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admin2015-11-06T08:54:43+11:00November 5, 2015|

Demolishing the demolishers

the Sydney Morning Herald published HHT President Tony Coote’s letter responding to Michael Pascoe’s article Heritage laws should be demolished.

‘Self appointed heritage expert, Michael Pascoe, is clearly an avatar of that old-time religion of the 1950s – Progress.

Progress is the religion of property developers, miners, laissez-faire capitalists, billionaires and, until recently, our government, under Tony Abbott and his Team of anachronistic fundamentalists.

Progress, in a jihad against society, urges its adherents to pay no heed to environmental law (e.g. Heritage legislation) and to bulldoze their way through the world to make a quid. They are encouraged to destroy the character of existing suburbs and are praised for digging up prime agricultural land and depleting ground water reserves. They keep their eyes tight shut the negative impacts of their endeavours. Blind also to hypocrisy, the high priests of Progress live in mega mansions with harbour views, swimming pools, multi-car garages and air-conditioning in every room.

The favourite TV show of Progressives is The Block. In this “reality” game-show, teams compete to spend money on renovating houses and units for resale. The winner is the team that makes the most profit on the sale. This nicely reinforces a basic tenet of Progress, that a person’s home is nothing more than a commodity to be sold for profit when the market is right.

As well, by imposing a kitsch, fashion-magazine orthodoxy on what is considered “taste”, The Block works to destroy the heretical idea that a dwelling might be inhabited by people with a world view that bears no relation to fashion or the market value of the things they choose to surround themselves with.

These people are the enemies of Progress‘s caliphate. They are heretics or, as branded by Michael Pascoe, NIMBYs.’

SMH November 4, 2015

admin2015-11-05T23:04:53+11:00November 5, 2015|

RMS backs away

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has withdrawn its application for legal costs from members of the Community Action for Windsor Bridge committee. RMS knows it could not have won costs as a judge has to consider if:

1. The litigation raises one or more novel issues of general importance

2. The litigation has contributed, in a material way, to the proper understanding, development or administration of the law

3. Where the litigation is brought to protect the environment or some component of it, the environment or component is of significant value and importance

4. The litigation affects a significant section of the public

5. There was no financial gain for the applicant in bringing the proceedings.

The 24 hr/day protective occupation of Thompson Square, Australia’s oldest square, is now in its third year. The struggle continues. More info: CAWB on Facebook

admin2015-11-04T12:46:53+11:00November 3, 2015|

Huge fine for demolition of heritage listed house

what they left. Photo Joe Armao

The Block winners face a massive fine and will have to ‘rebuild’ (?) the heritage-listed Melbourne home they demolished without a permit. They also cut down all the trees See details in SMH.

Some of us hate ‘The Block’. It completely commodifies places where people live.

The winner is the one who makes the most dough on the resale and imposes a kitsch, fashion-magazine orthodoxy on what is considered ‘good taste’.

The concept that a house or a unit will be inhabited by people who have their own idiosyncrasies and will make the house their own unique place does not exist in the mind of The Block.

admin2015-11-05T22:51:39+11:00November 3, 2015|

Government threatens people trying to save Australia’s oldest public square

Heritage-listed Windsor Bridge, constructed 1874. Photo: State Library of NSW

Individual members of Community Action for Windsor Bridge (CAWB) may face financial ruin if NSW Department of Planning seeks costs following a recent case in the Land and Environment Court.

CAWB has has been fighting the State Government’s plan to bulldoze historic Windsor bridge and send massive trucks into Australia’s oldest public square.

This precinct of State Significant Heritage dates back to 1795 and has numerous items of built, cultural and natural significance.

Houses of Thompson square, National Library, ca 1935

A permanent conservation order was declared over the entire Thompson Square Heritage Precinct in 1982. BUT ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ legislation introduced by the current State Government lets the government ignore the advice of countless heritage, planning, traffic, architectural and engineering experts and protests from every heritage and historical organisation in the country.

admin2015-11-03T22:15:27+11:00November 2, 2015|

Who is the tree vandal at Huntleys Cove?

These trees belong to the community

Someone has poisoned 20 trees near the ferry wharf at Huntley’s Cove.

someone drilled holes so they could pour in poison

Drill holes clearly visible

This tiny pocket of waterfront remnant bushland has been devastated.

Hunters Hill Council has left the dead trees, closed the reserve & put banners up.

3 houses above the site will gain harbour views.

If you know something, contact phone 9879 9400 or go to www.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/treevandalism.

admin2017-09-03T11:52:47+10:00October 30, 2015|

Bev’s new book

Long time Hunters Hill Trust member, author and historian, Dr Beverley Sherry’s recent publication ‘Our Stories Our Lives: 1955 Seniors of Brisbane State High School’ is now available to download.

This important social history opens a window on the years 1955-2015, through illustrated life stories of former students of Brisbane State High School.

admin2015-10-30T14:53:24+11:00October 30, 2015|

Inspector of Nuisances

Thomas Stubbs, Inspector of Nuisances City Council (Sydney) July 1847

Thomas Stubbs must have been a multi-talented individual. Apart from being Inspector of Nuisances he was a composer, concert performer, persuasive auctioneer, journalist and farmer.

In 1836 he bought 18 acres at the southern end of Tarban Creek. The Surveyor General at the time noted ‘nobody but a madman would want to buy’ this land. Stubbs built a stone house and along with his family, established a vineyard, gardens and an orchard with ‘40 kinds of fruit’.

William Weaver (kneeling centre) with George Turner, Didier Joubert, Charles Moore and Mr Pennington, circa 1860

William Weaver (kneeling centre) George Turner, Didier Joubert, Charles Moore, Mr Pennington and members of the Blaxland family, circa 1860

The Marist Fathers bought Stubbs’ farm in 1847 and renamed it Villa Maria. They commissioned the architect William Weaver to design a Georgian mansion in 1857. A new wing with Gothic details was added in 1876. We know it now as The Priory.

HHT luminaries Roslyn Maguire and Diana Drake wrote a detailed history of the building and its site. This is now available as a FREE download.

Hunters Hill Council is currently considering options to ensure the long term survival of The Priory.

admin2017-09-03T11:53:40+10:00September 16, 2015|

Did you speak up for Boronia Park?

Parkland or carpark-land

Send your comments on the future plans for Boronia Park. Check the post below for full details of the issues. If you hate writing letters, you can download, sign and send our Form letter instead.

You have until 4:00pm Wednesday 16th September to speak up.

admin2015-09-14T18:54:16+10:00September 14, 2015|

Preserving Our Heritage since 1968

The Hunters Hill Trust

The Hunters Hill Trust

Preserving Our Heritage since 1968