The Hunters Hill Trust

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.

To mark National Tree Day on 28 June, the Trust hosted a guided walk for members in the streets surrounding Garibaldi, looking at some of the most outstanding specimens in that area listed on the Significant Tree Register.
 
Our guide for the morning was Andrew Morton of Earthscape Horticultural Services, a consulting arborist with a passionate interest in the connection between trees, history and heritage.  The group were fascinated to hear Andrew discuss the specific specimens – their probable age, botanical characteristics and condition – but also the stories behind why certain trees were fashionable in the past and planted when and where they were.
 
Araucaria of different persuasions – the Norfolk Pine, Bunya and Hoop pines – were a particular focus of the walk. The weather was mostly on our side and the event much enjoyed by all participants.
 
This inaugural walk was very poplar and oversubscribed, so the Trust will look to run similar walks in the future. We are most grateful to Andrew, who generously donated his time, expertise and enthusiasm in the service of encouraging people to stop, look and appreciate the trees that contribute so much to our character of our historic streetscapes and gardens in Hunters Hill.

One of our important ‘contributory’ items of 1920s, 30s and 40s architecture that the Trust has requested are recorded and catalogued by Council.

Our Hunters Hill Trust June 2024 Journal is now published and covers the contentious  housing reforms and updates on trees and the latest news.   Pages 3-6 are a special supplement featuring another two modernist mid-century homes built by notable architects, to add to the ‘register’ of these important local houses.

• From the President’s Desktop
• How is ‘Heritage’ assessed?
• NSW Housing Reforms
• Hunters Hill Modern
  • 30 Woolwich Road
  • 12 Ellesmere Avenue
• Update on Trees:
  • HHC Urban Forest Strategy
  • Significant Tree Register
  • Goat Paddock
• News Update
  • Figtree Park
  • Henley Precinct Plan Submission for Draft Henley Precinct Masterplan 010624.doc
  • Woolwich Marina Expansion
  • The Long Running Saga of Boronia Park
  • Remnant Land at Joubert Street Road Reserve

Our AGM and Members’ Evening was held last Thursday 27 June and our speaker, Tim Ross, treated us to a very entertaining presentation and a potted history of his love affair with mid-century modern architecture!
 
Members were full of appreciation for his riveting and informative talk and we were delighted that he was able to be with us this year.
 
Added to this was plenty of delicious food, good wine and lots of interesting conversation and an excellent evening was had by all. Tim finished his presentation with the very pertinent comment which sadly says it all and is absolutely relevant to our housing story today:

“What we build tells the story of us.  

But what we value and fight to save, defines who we are”

We’re pleased to report that finally, after 12 months, the Park is open, although minus the toilet block still to be installed. Locals are relieved to get their park back.
 
We’re delighted that the Trust’s involvement in preventing the cutting down of 37 trees, has been hugely beneficial to the final result (see our previous posts).    The independent Local Planning Panel agreed with the community and twice rejected Council’s DAs to remove trees.  In their final ruling on 17 March 2023, they were unanimous in their decision that this was not in the public interest.
 
The outcome is a win for all.    The trees will now provide some very welcome areas of shade in summer especially necessary in light of the increased paving and expansive concrete at the entry.
 
The Trust has always strongly advocated for a playground and we’re delighted that this has finally been realised.  
 
The $4.75m of public money which originally included $2.25m for the purchase of 2 Ryde Road (not permitted under the Public Spaces Legacy Grant) has potentially given rise to a surplus, but questions regarding delays and costings at Council’s 25th March meeting, resulted in the public gallery being cleared and discussions held behind closed doors.
 
Residents are entitled to know how public money has been spent and the Trust will be requesting Council’s full transparency in this.