Naremburn Matters \ July 2024 Volume 22 No. 2 Page 2 In the light of the proposed density changes I recently took a walk around our beautiful neighbourhood to look at it through a different lens. I often appreciate the green spaces, the bushland of Flat Rock, the heritage nooks and crannies but I haven’t really paid attention to just how well we have developed the suburb over the years with almost every street subtly accommodating a significant diversity of housing. Did you know that Naremburn already has the highest proportion of medium density in the whole of Willoughby? We have been working closely with Willoughby Council regarding the proposed density reforms. We expressed our disappointment when the potential concentrated impact on Naremburn, our unique diversity of housing and our specific infrastructure gaps were not pointed out in Council’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) submission (See April Council Meeting Minutes/ recording).We have since been assured that Naremburn’s unique attributes and constraints are being strongly represented in councils’ dealings with the State Government. Given the warnings that our water infrastructure cannot support the planned density, any underrepresentation of our specific needs would be concerning. Keep an eye out for consultation on the TOD to be released soon – where you can have your say about Naremburn’s ability to accommodate more density. I attended the Crows Nest Metro Open Day alongside 9499 other visitors and spoke to the team. This was a record attendance at a station opening - if that is any indication of just how popular the new Metro will be I think we are looking at a public transport game changer. We have written to council requesting a review of the active transport links to the Metro – with many broken and unsafe links needing attention in Naremburn. In this issue we cover the importance of our tree canopy. You might have noticed that the Warringah Freeway “Upgrade” has now moved into Naremburn with hundreds of additional trees removed. Having reported distressed wildlife during the removal the clearing appears to have stopped and we are in correspondence with the project team. We have also been in correspondence with decision makers about the sudden death of a substantial neighbourhood tree on Brook St and have questioned how safety risks can be addressed sooner. An enormous win for the community has come in the form of the Donnelly Rd proposal to heritage list passing council 6:4. This was not without some angst however as despite over 70% of submitters supporting the proposal not all councillors were in support. Thankfully through advocacy - the clear facts around the heritage importance of this site (and notably the school buildings) prevailed. An amended DA is before the L&E Court which continues to propose the demolition of the school buildings. Council will also shortly go to consultation around a Heritage Review – whilst NPA have made representations over the past few years ie Henry Lawson’s Cave the inclusions are currently unknown to us/ confidential.Watch out for the “Have Your Say” process. We have put much energy into the Love Your Locals Campaign to ensure that our shops continue to be supported – please pick up a loyalty card from participating shops and keep Loving Your Locals. The committee has taken the decision not to run a full Tastes of Naremburn this year due to grant funding falling short of costs, a constrained ability to plan ahead during the works and an understandable drop in our advertising revenue from the shops. Instead, we are planning to run regular activations of the new public space once open via Mini Tastes events. These events will help focus attention on the local shops who are recovering from a downturn. I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting and invite you to join and support the important work of our association. LARISSA PENN, President The opinions expressed in Naremburn Matters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NPA or its officers. The opinions of the authors are their own. NAREMBURN MATTERS NEWSLETTER OF THE NAREMBURN PROGRESS ASSOCIATION (NPA) Naremburn Progress Association Founded 1901, incorporated 2004 PO Box 393 St Leonards 2004 www.naremburnprogress.org.au President Larissa Penn president@naremburnprogress.org.au Vice President Roger Promnitz Secretary Vacant Treasurer Pete Kasby Committee Members Karl Riseborough and Phillip Biggs Naremburn Matters: Editor Pete Kasby Advertising Coordinator Pete Kasby Design GF Creative / gfcreative.com.au Next issue deadline: 4 October 2024 We welcome ideas regarding topics of interest to the community and letters. Please email naremburn.matters@naremburnprogress.org.au. We do not publish anonymous letters, and we will contact you should we need to edit your contributions. Although all possible care is taken to be accurate, no responsibility whatsoever will be taken by the NPA, typesetters, or printers for articles, letters, or advertising. OUR PURPOSE “The Naremburn Progress Association is a not-for-profit community organisation. The objectives of the Association are to promote the welfare and advancement of the Naremburn community, to preserve and improve the amenity and environment of the Naremburn District and nearby areas, to encourage a spirit of community and mutual help among all residents and to co-operate with other groups in pursuit of these objects. Matters of business will always be pursued on a non-political and non-sectarian basis.” Support the work of the NPA by becoming a member of the association. Please visit www.naremburnprogress.org.au/membership. THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT WHAT’S HAPPENING - ALERTS Imminent – Check our Website/ Media Transport Oriented Density (TOD) Reforms for Accelerated Precincts via State Government Heritage Review via Willoughby Council Currently Open via Willoughby Council’s Have your Say Generic Parks General Plan of Management – until 29th July 2024 Councils’ Social Media Policy – until 25th July Our Future Willoughby 2036 until 4th August Major DA’s DA-2024/106 Northbridge Pub, Strathallen Ave, NORTHBRIDGE. Proposal to demolish the pub in favour of shop top housing. Open for comment via Council’s DA Tracker until 15/7/2024 Council Elections 2024 – check NSW Electoral Commission website for details Pre-Polling Open: 7th Sept Postal Vote Applications Close: 9th Sept Election Date: 14th Sept 2024
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