| Announcements
April | May | July | August
April 2008 Ashfield Council opposes privatisation of NSW Electricity Industry
Ashfield Council has stated its strong and formal opposition to the State Government's proposal to privatise the State's publicly owned electricity retailers and enter into long term leases of the state's generators.
Council had resolved the motion on Tuesday 25 March due to concerns that privatisation would result in a number of negative impacts for the people of NSW and the natural environment.
“Council believes this move will weaken the ability of the people of NSW to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and urgently respond to climate change,” said Ashfield Mayor Ted Cassidy.
“This proposal is likely to result in job losses and reduced working conditions in the electricity industry, and increase financial hardship for consumers, particularly low income households and pensioners.”
“Council also believes that privatisation would impact severely on local government as a major electricity consumer.”
Bottled Water at Ashfield Council
Ashfield Council has resolved to end its use of bottled water for civic and corporate functions and events, with the exception of community events where tap water is limited. Through this initiative, Council's goal is to help reduce the amount of bottled water consumed in Australia . Bottled water presents significant consequences for the environment, including excessive oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its production, as well as litter. Council's indoor and outdoor staff are still able to purchase and/or bring their own supplies of bottled water to the workplace.
Council votes to proceed with Civic Centre Redevelopment
Ashfield Council resolved on Tuesday 8 April to proceed with the redevelopment of its Civic Centre at 260 Liverpool Road .
The redevelopment will bring about significant benefits for the community and Council including:
- A new, modern and accessible building fronting Liverpool Road
- A landscaped civic plaza fronting Liverpool Road
- New community meeting rooms on the Ground Floor
- New and accessible Customer Service Centre
- New library, twice the size of existing facility
- Refurbishment of Council's office space
- Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) 3.5
At this stage, the redevelopment will not include relocation of the Early Childhood Health Centre or the development of a new Youth Resource Centre.
Ashfield Council applied a Special Rate Variation in 2007 to fund the redevelopment. No further rate increases will be applied to fund the project. A Development Application for the redevelopment will be lodged to Council within the next month.
Closure of Holden Street Car Park
Ashfield Council wishes to advise that the Holden Street Car Park will be closed permanently from Sunday 27 April 2008 due to the owners terminating Council’s lease of this site as at 30 April 2008.
Council has held a lease over the Holden Street site at least since 1987 and has used this to provide a 90 space car park. The most recent lease agreement over this site was effective to 31 May 2002 and Council has since been on a month by month agreement. Council is unable to negotiate an extension to the lease or extension to the period of notice to terminate.
To meet the termination requirements the Holden Street Car Park will be closed to the public as at 27 April 2008, allowing two working days to strip signage and fixtures.
Council is notifying car park users and parking permit holders will be reimbursed where necessary.
The closure is highly regrettable and was not Council’s decision. Council apologises for the inconvenience caused to users of the Holden Street Car Park.
Should you require further information, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on Tel: (02) 9716 1800.
May 2008
Notice of Panel Hearing - Currawong
The Hon Frank Sartor, Minister for Planning, has appointed a Ministerial Review Panel to provide advice on a recommendation by the Heritage Council for the listing of the site known as Currawong.
The Hearing will commence on Wednesday, 4 June 2008 and continue if required at the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, Mona Vale Beach. It will be open to the public.
Please contact Paul Poon, Panel Secretariat, on 9228 6516 for further information about the panel process.
Closure of Outdoor and Indoor Pools Ashfield Aquatic Centre will close the outdoor and indoor pools for essential maintenance work this winter.
Outdoor pools: Closed from Monday 30 June - Sunday 27 July 2008 (inclusive). The outdoor pools will re-open on Monday 28 July 2008.
Indoor pool: Closed from Monday 4 August – Sunday 17 August 2008 (inclusive). The indoor pools will re-open on Monday 18 August 2008. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused during this time. Please contact the Aquatic Centre on 9797 8420 for more information.
July 2008
New Gateway at Ramsay Street , Haberfield
Ashfield Council is establishing a new visual gateway to the Haberfield Shopping Area at the intersection of Ramsay and Empire Streets, Haberfield. The works will include kerb re-alignment and the planting of two palm trees. This will compliment the existing gateway at the intersection of Ramsay Street and St David's Road.
Palm trees will be planted in late July, with the kerb re-alignment and further works to commence from Tuesday 5 August 2008 for a period of 3 to 4 weeks, weather permitting.
Traffic in Ramsay Street will not be affected during peak periods and traffic management strategies will be in place for the duration of the project. A plan showing the work and changes required for parking are available at the Haberfield Library and on Council's website. Council apologises for any inconvenience during the progress of these works. Please contact Council's Engineering Section on 9716 1800 for further information.
New Council Website
Ashfield Council is developing a new website to provide our community with better access to important Council information and services. If you have any feedback you would like considered by Council in the development of the new website, please email ashcncl@ashfield.nsw.gov.au with "New Website" in the subject heading.
Submissions on this topic will close Friday 25 July 2008.
August 2008
Tree Removal and Replacement in Summer Hill
As part of Ashfield Council's footpath and paving works in the Summer Hill Village , Council recently removed four young London Plane Trees from the Summer Hill Plaza . The trees were removed unexpectedly and in response to expert advice in relation to public safety.
The trees developed a shallow root system and the roots had travelled horizontally under the pavers. When the old pavers were removed, the root system of the trees were exposed, which made the trees unstable. Advice from Council's arborist and an independent consultant was that Council should remove the trees immediately. The trees have been replaced by five semi-advanced species of Ornamental Pear Trees (about two metres high). Specimens of these trees are already located in the footpaths in the Summer Hill Village .
Council apologises for any inconvenience the works have caused. We are confident that once completed, the revitalised Summer Hill Plaza will continue to be an aesthetically-pleasing focal point and community meeting place.
Should you require further information please contact Council on 9716 1800.
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