On 4 July 2017, Council adopted the Street Tree Master Plan 2017. The 2017 version is an update and will replace the previous master plan. It will reduce long-term maintenance costs and nuisance through more appropriate tree species selection. Maintaining existing view lines (from private and public land) has also been one of the major considerations when drafting the amendments.

In addition, streets have had species changed to increase the use of current high performing species. The considerations for species selection was:

• Size of tree in relation to view corridors
• Plant species history and success in the Mosman area
• Overhead power lines and the ability for chosen species to be practically managed
• Available space
• 10/50 canopy loss on adjoining private properties
• Size of tree relative to soil availability
• Tolerance to soil type
• Ability to be managed as per current management practices
• Underground services
• Growth rate
• Seed/flower fall
• Drought tolerance
• Reduction in management costs
• Retention of existing Biodiversity Corridor and Habitat Link changes as per 2012 LEP amendments

The Street Tree Master Plan is used for street tree planting works by both Council and residents. It provides surety in species selection for each street in Mosman and is used in the development application process and when residents request for Council or themselves to plant a tree on public land in front of their property. A copy of the plan can be found on the Urban Forest page.

As part of its annual weed control program, Council will be undertaking broad scale spraying of selective herbicides on its sporting ovals, parks and reserves to control broad leaf weeds in turf areas during the following periods:

• Parks & Reserves – 31st July – 4th August and 7th – 11th August
• Sporting Ovals – 31st July – 4th August and 7th – 11th August

• Parks & Reserves – 9th-13th October
• Sporting Ovals – 9th-13th October

Council‘s Pesticide Use Notification Plan requires Council advertise broad scale spraying of herbicide to allow members of the public the opportunity to avoid contact with herbicide application. Council will ensure the herbicides are applied to public places in a safe, responsible manner, minimising harm to the community and the environment.

Council will also ensure that all legislative requirements are met and followed. Council will have relevant safety data sheets on hand to respond to enquiries.

For more information contact Mosman Council on 9978 4000 or view Council‘s Pesticide Use Notification Plan.

Residents and ratepayers are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to Council’s draft Urban Forest Management Policy.

The Urban Forest includes the totality of trees and shrubs on all public and private land in and around urban areas (including bushland, parkland, gardens and street trees). It can be measured as a canopy cover percentage of the total area and is recognised as a primary component of the urban ecosystem.

Currently there are seven policies that deal with the management of trees in Mosman. It is considered that these can be rationalised into one policy: the draft Urban Forest Management Policy. This policy consolidates seven existing policies adopted or amended by Council between 1992 and 2012.

The draft policy can be viewed and comments made here before 19 July 2017.

The Traffic Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 28 June 2017 has been cancelled. The date of the next meeting will be advised once confirmed.

For further information contact Council’s traffic section on 9978 4085.

The NSW Government has announced it will defer the introduction of the Fire and Emergency Services Levy (FESL) which was due to be included in July rates notices to ratepayers.

Instead the levy will continue to be collected via insurance policies until the Government has completed its review of the policy.

The State Government said the delay would ensure small to medium businesses do not face an unreasonable burden in their contribution to the state’s fire and emergency services.

More information will be provided in coming days via the NSW Government’s website: fesl.nsw.gov.au

Mosman North Sydney Willoughby Bushfire Management Committee (MNSWBFMC) is currently seeking public comment on its draft Bushfire Risk Management Plan. The proposed plan is for five years and covers the Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby Local Government Areas.

The plan identifies assets that have the potential to be exposed to bushfire, assigns specific mitigation strategies to reduce their vulnerability and specifies who is responsible for carrying out the mitigation treatments within specific timeframes.

Mosman Council manages 39 hectares of bushland and has significant bushland interface areas with National Parks, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Taronga Zoo and Department of Defence lands. All land managers develop annual work programs to strategically address the risk of bushfire in conjunction with Fire and Rescue NSW in a process coordinated by the MNSWBFMC.

Comments can be made until Friday 30 June 2017 and addressed to Executive Officer of the MNSWBFMC 99 Shirley Road Crows Nest NSW 2165, emailed to bushfire.FRNSW@fire.nsw.gov.au or can be made online on Council’s website.

The local government election for Mosman Council, originally scheduled for September 2016, has now been gazetted by the Minister for Local Government to be held on Saturday 9 September 2017.

This date may still be impacted by further decisions regarding the merger proposal for Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby City Councils, however the 9 September election will proceed in Mosman unless otherwise advised.

For more information about NSW local government elections as well as details on the registration process for prospective candidates visit votensw.info/nsw_local_council_elections_2017.

Renovating or concerned about asbestos?

A free Asbestos Awareness session has been specifically designed and tailored for the home owner to improve awareness in the community of the risks of asbestos when undertaking home maintenance and/or home renovations.

The session will be held at Mosman Seniors Centre, Mosman Square on Wednesday 12 April 2017 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

These asbestos awareness sessions are being held pursuant to an enforceable undertaking between Northern Sydney Local Health District ABN: 60 834 171 987 and SafeWork NSW dated 28 June 2016.

Motorists are advised a new “No Left Turn, 6am-10am, Monday-Friday” restriction for southbound vehicles on Spit Road at Warringah Road was put in place on Monday, 3 April 2017.

The new “No Left Turn, 6am-10am, Monday-Friday” sign was installed on Friday 31 March 2017.

Mosman Council has expressed extreme dismay over the NSW Premier’s recent merger announcement and remains set to continue its two-pronged legal battle to remain independent.

Mosman Mayor Peter Abelson said he was most disappointed by the announcement that the NSW Government still intends to proceed with current merger proposals in Sydney, including the proposal for Mosman to merge with North Sydney and Willoughby, subject to the results of current court proceedings.

He said Mosman Council has a proud 123-year history of being a strong and efficient council and, while this decision means ongoing uncertainty during the coming months, Mosman will be continuing its fight for independence through the courts.

Mosman Council’s legal action in relation to the merger proposal for Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby will continue in both the Land and Environment Court and the NSW Court of Appeal.

The action in relation to the Delegate’s revised report on the merger proposal is scheduled to be heard in the Land and Environment Court on 23 March, while Mosman’s appeal regarding the Land and Environment Court judgment of 20 September 2016 is due to be heard in the Court of Appeal on 3 and 4 April 2017.