The Hunters Hill Trust

Strong reactions for and against Hunters Hill High School’s security fence reflect our shared concern … we all want to be part of a safe community, but disagree about how this is achieved.  The Trust believes security comes from strong community connections, sharing responsibilities and values – not from high fences.

FENCE FACTS

Approval  Generally fences in Hunters Hill need development approval, so that Council  can assess their impact on the character of the area.  This is particularly the case for Hunters Hill High, which is in Conservation Area No 1 and on a very prominent site with a very wide frontage to the Lane Cove River.

The Department of Education did not submit a development application to Council for the fence.  In December 2010 the Government Architects Office simply sent an Impact Assessment Report, which supported the fence.  Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel advised Council that the proposed fence would have an unacceptable visual impact and alternatives should be considered.

When Council expressed concerns with the Government Architect’s Assessment Report they were advised that the fencing works would proceed under SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007, which prevails over SREP (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005.  In other words – we’ll go ahead with this whether you like it or not.

In February 2011, four days after Councillors were briefed about the issue, construction of the fence commenced.  There was no consultation with neighbours who would be affected by the fence and the concerns expressed by Council were ignored.

Other approaches  Other local institutions, like the Marist Fathers in Mary Street, and Riverview across the river allow people freely into their grounds because they understand that this creates in the community a sense of inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness.

Hunters Hill Public School was offered a standard 2100mm high fence but, recognising its place in the Conservation Area, opted to retain its existing 1000mm high timber picket fence along Alexandra Street.

The original fence along the 3 Patriots Walk was negotiated by Council with the Department to be 1200mm high, recognising its need to be low key.  For 53 years since the school opened in 1958 it has informally allowed the community access to the oval and until recently did not even have the no-trespassing signs on the fence.

Community reactions  Many people are dismayed by the high-handedness of the Department and the school in their dealings with the community. Many people are appalled by the eyesore that the fence has created, particularly along the waterfront.  These people include those who worked in close consultation with the school and the Department to have the 3 Patriots Walk opened for public access as well as those who joined in the fight to save Hunters Hill High from closure.

The views expressed in the various submissions objecting to the fence submitted by The Trust and in The Trust’s letter to the P and C are not just the views of one person, they are the views of The Trust, which represents around 400 members who are mostly residents of Hunters Hill.  Five members of The Trust’s executive committee of nine are the parents of former Hunters Hill High students and one member is a recent past secretary of the P and C.

The community that worked long and hard to save Hunters Hill High school from closure is shocked by the high handed approach that the High School has taken towards its local community.

The Department has built 2100mm fencing around most its site, including the shoreline and the Three Patriot’s walk in the apparent belief that this will make the school and students more secure, when security will actually come from building connectedness, respect and community engagement.

This eysore divides the school from the community that supports it and also contravenes Council’s standards and guidelines as well as the Sydney Regional Environment Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005, which is supposed to ensure the protection of the harbour: “as an outstanding natural asset, and as a public asset of national and heritage significance for existing and future generations.”

The school’s P & C President is lobbying parents to write to our State MP Anthony Roberts in defence of the fence.  Please support the HH Trust and HH Council in their efforts to have the fence replaced with one that conforms with Council’s fencing policy.  Tell Anthony Roberts, MP  your views about the value of the HH riverfront: 

Hunters Hill Council has won its case at the Land & Environment Court which supported Council’s rejection of the 4 storey  ‘shop-top housing development’ planned on the old bank sites at 58-60 Gladesville Road at the overpass.

It found that the proposed building didnt comply with the LEP & DCP, was too high, had insufficient setbacks and overshadowed neighbouring heritage buildings.

“When read together, the Village LEP and DCP clearly envisage buildings up to three storeys on Gladesville Road” and “The Hunters Hill Hotel does not exemplify the form of building sought by the planning controls”.

The judgment can be found here: http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/action/PJUDG?jgmtid=153901

Bravehearts versus the bulldozers.     Do the big guys always win? 

Hunters Hill Trust will be screening Dennis Grosvenor’s outstanding documentary State of Siege which shows how people with passion in the community protected us from the bulldozers in the past, and how we need to engage to get the right direction to State planning in the future.

7:30pm September 15th,  RSL Hall, Alexandra Street Hunters Hill.  FREE.  Complimentary popcorn

There will also be a brief Special General Meeting before the screening when we will be putting a motion to adopt the minutes of the June meeting.

Friends of the Environment of Riverglade Reserve are concerned about the Council’s failure to follow the current Plan of Management and collaborate with the local community to sustainably manage the reserve.  A public meeting will be held at 11:00 am on August 14th on the Footbridge over Tarban Creek to discuss concerns about changes that are happening.

Further information:  9817.4542 or FERR@y7mail.com

Hunters Hill Trust is developing a booklet that will explore a range of issues that affect the character of Hunters Hill.  These will be presented as a series of case studes and will include topics such as new houses, alterations, first floor additions, front gardens and fences.

Click here to download our first case study: Garden & fence case study

At our recent AGM, the members of the Trust gave Tony Coote a rousing cheer in gratitude for his fantastic work as President over 7 years.  Few people would be aware of the enormous hours Tony spends working to protect and improve our natural and built heritage.  It is an uphill battle, against unfavourable odds.

Tony has brought his professionalism, thoroughness, good humour and staggering persistence to the task. We thank you!  Tony will continue making a contribution as Vice President.  Here is his  President’s Report 2011. 

Residents are dismayed at the deterioration of the living conditions in Bonnefin Road and the degradation of the local environment caused by ongoing over development, poor management of the street traffic and parking, neglect of the roads and footpaths and lack of consideration of the needs of the residents.

Click here if you would like to share the increasingly common sound of sandstone becoming rubble in Hunters Hill !! (more…)

Kirsty Ruddock gave a thought provoking presentation to the 2011 AGM.  Kirsty is Principal Solicitor with the Environmental Defenders Office, a not-for-profit community legal centre.

She described how the EDO takes on legal cases that can be used to set precedents to improve environmental outcomes.  She also explained how EDO can assist community groups to protect the public interest in the natural and built environment, including our precious heritage buildings.

She alerted us to the new directions in planning legislation in NSW and urged us to get together with other community groups to state what we believe needs to change.

Over the summer Hunters Hill Council has expanded the number of marked soccer fields at Riverglade Reserve from two to six.  With an assortment of sizes, the marked soccer fields now cover the greater part of the open area below the ponds, and extend to within meters of the waterside path.  It’s proposed they be in use at least three afternoons/evenings each week, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays.  Does this matter? 

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