Council Decided - 7 February 2017

Mosman Australia Day Celebrations

Mayor Peter Abelson reported on the recent Australia Day celebrations at Drill Hall Common, which were attended by around 200 people and during which 57 Mosman residents received their Australian citizenship. The Mayor thanked all involved in the event including the Lions Club of Mosman, the Mayor’s Own Scout Troop, 3rd Mosman Scouts, and Mosman’s Australia Day Ambassador, Nadine Blayney. Congratulations were also extended to Mosman’s Citizen of the Year, Steve Morato and Young Citizen of the Year, Nicola Hughson.

Local Government Reform

Council approved a submission to the Minister for Local Government on the revised Council Boundary Review Report on the Merger Proposal for Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby Council. This follows the NSW Government’s appointed Delegate issuing revisions to his previous report on this proposal shortly after a judgment handed down in the Land and Environment Court on 20 September 2016. The final submission will be made available on Council’s website once it is submitted to the Minister.

Membership of Local Government NSW

Council considered a report on its membership of Local Government NSW and resolved that this matter be revisited in June 2017.

2017 Festival of Mosman

A draft program of events was approved by Council for the next Festival of Mosman, which is scheduled to be held from Friday 13 October to Sunday 22 October this year. The festival will feature open-air film and concert events, a public art program, Pets Day Out, poetry on Sydney ferries, a whale dreaming ceremony, a youth event on Mosman Village Green, Children’s Fair and a wide array of other events delivered by community groups in Mosman. Council reaffirmed its support for the Festival to continue on a biennial basis, with a Spring ‘Out and About’ event series in alternate years. Pet’s Day Out and the Children’s Fair will continue to be held annually.

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Following exhibition of its draft plan and consideration of community feedback, Council resolved to adopt its first Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which will take effect from 1 July 2017. The plan contains a range of actions and initiatives that will support and promote disability inclusion in Mosman over the next four years.

Northern Beaches B-Line Bus Program – Proposed works in Mosman

An update was provided on the progress of the NSW Government’s B-Line Bus Program between Mona Vale and the city, including proposed works in Mosman impacting Military and Spit Roads as well as adjacent streets. Numerous issues were identified with the proposed works and local residents spoke of their concerns. It was resolved by Council that a submission be made to Transport for NSW and the Roads and Maritime Services addressing a range of issues and concerns regarding:

• Proposed removal of car parking spaces in Military Road east of Civic Lane. The proposal to use Military Rd as a layover for the M30 service is considered unacceptable and Council supports maximising the use of the old cinema site with a double layover for M30 buses on Spit Road
• Appropriate design of the pedestrian plaza arising from the closure of Clifford Street at Spit Road
• Planning and parking issues relating specifically to proposed redevelopment of the former cinema site at 7 Spit Road
• Plans for accommodation of displaced parking on side streets
• Options for an alternate location to commence the Route 236 bus service
• Replacement tree planting
• The proposed installation of a left-turn lane at Awaba Street and its impact on the amenity of residents
• The M30 travelling along Awaba Street, when Punch Street would be a better option
• The safety of commuter cyclists sharing the T3 lane with buses during the morning peak

Council also noted that a road tunnel based solution is preferred to the fine tuning of an existing public transport system and resolved that the Mayor write to the new Premier seeking an update on the Northern Beaches Tunnel Project and the east-west corridor.

Further, Council registered its strong support for retention of the no left turn into Stanton Road in the morning peak and cessation of the am peak right hand turn at Pearl Bay Avenue.

Parks and Recreation

Following discussion on Motions brought forward by Councillors, a report will be prepared on possible locations, budget and design including noise attenuation options for installation of a basketball hoop at Balmoral Oval. Works to renew current playground equipment and install soft fall at the Memorial Park Playground will also be fast-tracked to the second half of 2017.

Marine Erosion – Spit East

Having discussed concerns over erosion at Spit East and the need to address this erosion and ancillary works as a matter of priority, Council resolved that its officers seek a commitment from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to fund and resolve the erosion problem, bearing in mind that much of the necessary works occur on RMS land and around the buildings and structures approved by the RMS.

Centenary Circle Upgrades

Following consideration by the Traffic Committee of a proposed program of upgrades around Centenary Circle, Council resolved to proceed with the program which will include:

• New pedestrian crossings in Middle Head Road, Prince Albert Street and Bradleys Head Road
• Closure of the slip lane between Middle Head Road and Bradleys Head Road
• Conversion of the area adjacent to the Centenary Circle roundabout to footpath
• (Subject to no significant objection from residents) installation of angle parking on the eastern side of Prince Albert Street between the roundabout and no. 61.

Shorelink Library Network

Disappointment was expressed at the decision by Willoughby Council to withdraw from the Shorelink Library Network, which has delivered collaborative and cost effective outcomes for libraries in northern Sydney for more than 30 years. Council will request that Willoughby reconsider its decision in the interests of the wider community.