Jul 26, 2011

Your City - Winter Edition

Council’s winter edition of Your City will shortly be distributed to residents.  It is available for download at http://tinyurl.com/3jlrngc.

Jul 22, 2011

New Jellicoe Park Playground

Within the first several weeks of its opening, the new playground at Jellicoe Park, in Park Parade, Pagewood is a hive of junior activity – as local kids enjoy the challenges of the new equipment.  For the little kids there are swings, the climbing hut, slipper dip and the see-saw.  For those a bit older there is a separate space for multi-play equipment and the bus Springer, while a flying pole will be in another area. The playground has soft fall throughout as well as shaded areas, trees and shrubs and seats for parents and carers.  

If the popularity of the playgrounds down in Booralee Park and Sir Joseph Banks Park are anything to go by then the new playground at Jellicoe Park will be very popular indeed. What we’ve done at Jellicoe Park is meet the needs of a growing number of children with proper playground facilities. Go down and have a look and you’ll see exactly how much the local kids enjoy the new playground.

Jul 21, 2011

Anti-Social Behaviour

I’ve had a number of calls and emails recently regarding anti-social behaviour in a few spots within the City. Youths congregating in parks, lighting fires, generally misbehaving and causing both concern and inconvenience to nearby residents, especially those near parks.  I also get queries regarding the illegal dumping of rubbish, which certainly doesn’t add to the attractiveness of our City.  

As far as local young people are concerned, Council provides an extensive range of activities through our Youth Centres, located at both Eastlakes and Hillsdale. Every Tuesday at the Alf Kay Eastlakes Community Centre, Florence Avenue, Eastlakes and every Thursday at Hillsdale Community Hall, 236 Bunnerong Road, Hillsdale, the Youth Centres operate between 4.00pm to 7.00pm. If anyone wants more details of our Youth Centres and the activities that are organised, please call Patrick or Yasemin on 9366 3889. I’ve also asked our Local Area Commander for NSW Police if we could have some extra police patrols around known trouble spots to counter the anti-social behaviour.  

As far as illegal dumping of rubbish is concerned, this is an almost never-ending problem. Our rangers keep up their patrols and local residents also keep an eye out for illegal rubbish dumping but, unfortunately, we can’t stop people who don’t care or who have no community responsibility whatsoever.  If we find the culprits we fine them heavily but we have to both find them and then prove they were responsible for the illegal dumping.  Countering both anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping of rubbish is something we do all the time – and something we’ll continue to do.

Jul 19, 2011

Local Netballer in World Win

Well done to Chelsea Pitman from Botany, who was part of the Australian Diamonds netball team that has taken out the World Championship. In a thrilling final, the Australian Diamonds eclipsed arch rivals New Zealand to take a 58-57 win at the World Championships in Singapore.  The game, fitting for a final, was tied 46-46 at full time after the Diamonds clawed their way back. In a seven minute each way tussle in extra time, the Diamonds came through to avenge a Commonwealth Games loss to the Kiwis.  

For Chelsea, who has graced Eastern Suburbs netball courts for some time, it was a great result, as her parents let me know.  Well done Chelsea and all your Aussie teammates.

Jul 18, 2011

Alcohol Free Zones Extended

Council has resolved to extend the alcohol free zones in specific locations at Botany and Eastlakes for another four years. The decision is supported by both community support and requests from local police officers.  
 
The first of the two zones is in Botany – along both sides of Botany Road between Hickson and Hale streets, both sides of all of Chegwyn Street, both sides of Bay Street between Chegwyn Street and Ivy Street, including both sides of Ivy and Rose Streets, Banksia Street between Botany Road and James Bourke Place, in Hale Street from the northern side of Chegwyn Street to Botany Road and in the Botany car park.  
 
The second zone in Eastlakes begins with the block bounded by Maloney Street, Gardeners Road, Want Street and Macquarie Street; the far side of Macquarie Street, Gardeners Road between Macquarie Street and the south side of Berry Street and the far side of Maloney Street between Gardeners Road and Evans Avenue.  
 
We’re not trying to be wowsers, but we have to ensure a better environment for our residents around pubs.
In the past the alcohol free zones could only be established for three years but following changes in legislation we can now extend them for four years, which is what will happen in the Botany and Eastlakes zones.
 
Alcohol free zones help reduce public disorder and make life better for those who live near hotels. The extension of the zones is also supported, as I’ve said, by local police.  By having the zones, the police can take proactive action to control disorderly behaviour – again a win for the local community.

Better Parenting

In conjunction with the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, Council helps to organise parenting courses and workshops. The organisation, Triple P, has a range of courses and workshops that help with parenting. The Positive Parenting Program, which runs over four weeks, is held every few months at the Central Library in Eastgardens.  Apart from the Triple P program there are also, from time to time, special workshops on self esteem, tantrums and challenging behaviours.  Whoever does the courses develops skills and experiences that make family life a bit better.  The next triple P begins on Wednesday July 27 and runs through August 3, 10 and 17.  To be part of this course, contact Gordana on 9382 0926.

English Classes

I mentioned it a few weeks ago and last week in my column in the Southern Courier – and I thought I would give the English classes run by Sydney Multicultural Community Services another airing.  The classes are free and they help new arrivals gain confidence, expand independence, make new friends … and a whole lot more.  Living in a country where you can’t speak the language makes life very difficult and these classes can help bridge any language gap.  Every week there are classes for beginners and other ones for English conversation.  There are also some special classes for seniors from a few language groups. The classes are held at 3 General Bridges Crescent, Daceyville and to enrol of get more information, you’ll need to call 9663 3922.

Jul 14, 2011

Immunisation

Keeping all our kids free from preventable diseases, our next free immunisation clinics will be held on Thursday, August 4.  The clinics provide immunisation for a range of childhood diseases and Council is a strong voice for the immunisation program.  

The clinics are held at Mascot Early Childhood Centre, 51 Coward Street, Mascot between 9.00am and 10.00 on Thursday, August 4.  Later that day there are two clinics at the Central Library at Eastgardens – between 2.00pm and 3.00pm and later between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.  By staging the clincics over the full day, we ensure that the largest number of parents and carers can attend – and remember the ckinics are free.  For information, please contact our Immunisation Coordinator, Norma, on 9366 3540.

Jul 12, 2011

Trees, trees and more trees

A late autumn means that the trees shedding leaves this year has been a little later.  It has also meant more than a few people coming into my office asking can we cut down trees so the leaves won’t make a mess or clog drains and gutters. Council’s long-standing policy is that if a tree is not diseased or is a potential danger to people or property then it stays where it is.  We do trim them from time to time but that’s about all.

Our City’s trees are part of our way of life and they make our streets and suburbs look better. We’re not going to chop them down. What we do, however, is make sure our outdoor staff keep the streets, footpaths and drains free of leaves. But we can’t do every street every day so there will be some leaves around until we clean them up.  I think the overwhelming majority of our residents endorse our policy on trees – and we’ll continue to plant more of them.

Jul 11, 2011

Fun for the 4 to 7¹s

There are still a few places left for this Friday’s school holiday fun and games for those aged between 4 and 7 at the Central Library at Eastgardens.  Rangers on the Run will be at the library for an hour from 10.30am for the “Wild Homes” workshop.  This is a show that focuses on the incredible building skills of wild animals when they need shelter.  Think about it and the idea is fascinating.  The show has giant animal home costumes, which allow the children to get “inside” and experience exactly what it feels like to live in different animal homes.  It’s a lot of fun and expands the thinking of every child who takes part. You’ll need to book and there is a fee of $5 per child (with one parent or guardian per family for free). To book simply call Candy at the library on 9366 3888 – and remember don’t wait too long or your child will miss out.

Metrobus Route 20

Over the last month or so, I’ve received a number of complaints from people down near Botany Town Hall about where and for how long the Metrobus parks between journeys. The service, which runs between Botany and Gore Hill via North now the question of where the buses go has been referred to the Department of Transport for resolution.  

A couple of options have been put forward and we’ll wait for the Department to come back to us. This is a service that is used and one we want to continue to support – in line with Council’s overall commitment to a better and more efficient public transport system. But apart from this service, what I would like to see is a bus feeder service to the Mascot railway station.  In this way our residents could have the opportunity of using the rail system, rather than cars, to get to and from both work and social events.  

If we did have a great public transport system then some of the pressure on our roads and streets would be eased.  Public transport is also the most environmentally sound way of moving large numbers of people. It’s over to the State Government and the Department of Transport to work with local government to get a better public transport system, not just for our City but across all of Sydney. Metronud Touyr 20 terminates in Botany Road at Botany Town Hall but begins its return journey via Edward, Daniel and Banksia streets. The buses park in the side streets, which causes problems for local residents.  We’ve taken it up with State Transit and offered solutions. I will keep residents informed.

Musical Workshop at Mascot Library today

Our Library is very proud to have Captain Bandanna visit our library this morning. Captain Bandanna & Co is an interactive children's entertainment group that takes children on an interactive adventure through music, movement, teamwork and storytelling. The group is suitable for children aged 2 and over and will be in the Mascot Library (2 Hatfield Street Mascot) this morning between 10:30 am and 11:15 am.  There is a fee of $5 per child, with one parent or guardian per family free. You just need to call Candy on 9366 3888.

Jul 6, 2011

Mobility Scooter Safety

Mobility scooters, “gophers” and buggies have changed the lives of people who find it hard to walk long distances.  They are a great way for people to maintain their independence and to get out and about – or so I thought. I must confess I was shocked to hear recently that hundreds of older people are hospitalised each year, suffering serious injury after losing control their mobility scooter or falling from their scooter.

Driving a mobility scooter requires good eyesight, strength, coordination, balance and concentration. It’s also very important that people choose the right type of scooter to meet their needs and to only deal with reputable and authorised suppliers who provide pre-sales advice, basic training and after sales service and support. If you’re thinking about buying a mobility scooter, or you are currently using one, I’d encourage you to call into my office and pick up a brochure entitled “Help Cut Mobility Scooter Accidents”.  

If you’d like a brochure mailed out to you, please telephone our staff from Aged Services on 9669 4640 and they will be happy to pop a copy in the post to you. If you’re interest in attending an information session on mobility scooters, just let my staff or the Aged Services know and, depending on the level of interest, we will look into arranging some sessions.

Jul 5, 2011

Musical Workshop in the Library

Our Library is very proud to have Captain Bandanna visit our library these school holidays. Captain Bandanna & Co is an interactive children's entertainment group that takes children on an interactive adventure through music, movement, teamwork and storytelling. The group is suitable for children aged 2 and over and will be in the Mascot Library (2 Hatfield Street Mascot) on Monday, July 11 between 10:30 am and 11:15 am.  There is a fee of $5 per child, with one parent or guardian per family free. You’ll need to book in person by calling Candy on 9366 3888.  Places are limited so get in quick and you won’t miss out.

Jul 4, 2011

The Mental Magic Show and Workshop

Patrick and Yasemin from our youth centres have organised a special magic event in July and have asked me to give it a preview.  The Mental Magic Show and Workshop will be for 12 to 25 year olds and will be held in the Alf Kay Community Hall in Florence Avenue, Eastlakes on Tuesday, July 26 between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. The show features David Dodgen who has astounded audiences with his unique style of mentalism and magic and he’s bringing it to our City.  There is a cost of $5 and bookings will be essential as this will be a popular event.  To book call Youth Services on 9366 3889.

Jul 1, 2011

Our Youth Centers in Eastlakes and Hillsdale

It’s not just in school holidays that our youth centres operate – they are on the go all through the year at Eastlakes or Hillsdale. People often say to me that there isn’t enough for local kids to do or keep them occupied out of school hours.

Well from a recording studio where you can make your own music to soccer tables, air hockey, arts and craft, pool tables, table tennis, Nintendo and Playstation (2 and 3) it’s all there between 4.00pm and 7.00pm – Tuesdays at Eastlakes in the Alf Kay Community Hall in Florence Avenue, Eastlakes and on Thursdays at Hillsdale Community Hall, 236 Bunnerong Road.  

We also have the young mums groups and parenting and driving workshops for some special events.  Contact Yasemin or Patrick on 9366 3889 for more information or call in to the Central Library at Eastgardens and talk to either of them.