Eastlakes Town Centre

I was intrigued, as many of my neighbours were, to receive a coloured brochure from the developers of the proposed Eastlakes Town Centre Project.  This is a project for the redevelopment of the Eastlakes shopping centre and it is a project Council has some serious reservations about.  Unfortunately, both the former and current state governments have decided in their wisdom that this project will be assessed (and potentially approved) by the Department of Planning and Council can only be an interested bystander.   

What did intrigue me with the brochure were the colour photographs of people relaxing, meeting, eating, enjoying life and wandering around laneways. A closer look showed all the photographs were of locations in Europe, mostly Italy and the life they depict is so far from local reality that it’s almost a joke. 

What this project needs is Council scrutiny not assessment by the State Department of Planning.

The Council has made it clear to the developers that it supports the redevelopment of the Eastlakes Shopping Centre. What the developers want is to make a quid not just from a new Shopping Centre they want to build high rise flats over the top.

I don't know about you, but as a kid who lived in Eastlakes and watched the developers build the flats that currently exist there, I do not want to see more high rise at the expense of  the quality of life of our residents just so developers can make a quid.

If it was not for the "Green Bans" by Jack Mundy and the BLF in the 1970's Eastlakes Reserve would not exist, it would have had flats instead.

Council has for a number of years given guidance to the developers to undertake a Master Plan for the orderly redevelopment of Eastlakes. A Master Plan allows our residents to have input so we make rectify the errors of the past.  Unfortunately it is not about rectification of planning disasters of the past, it is about making a quid. In my view people come first.

Schools Back … Increased Ranger and Police patrols

The beginning of the 2012 school year means the resumption of our patrols around our local schools to ensure that motorists obey the law, especially speeding.  Around every local school, our rangers will be visible during the morning and afternoon drop-offs and pick-ups, checking parking. While the overwhelming majority of parents and carers follow the rules, there is the odd person who, for whatever reason doesn’t and this puts our children at risk. We’re joined by the local police who keep an eye on speeding in designated school zones.  Remember, in school zones keep to 40kph and park only where you should.  Council makes no apology for issuing tickets if people park illegally. As well, our thoughts go to two special groups of school students – those who are in their first year of school and those in their last. For the kindy kids it is the beginning of a whole new life and for those entering Year 12, we wish you all the best for success in your last year of schooling.

Rain Rain Go Away

While we love all the rain for our parks and gardens it is playing havoc on two areas of our operations – mowing of nature strips and household waste collections.  The rain makes the nature strips unable to be mowed, and also boosts the rate in which the grass grows.  We’re battling but we are a bit behind.  Rain also impacts on safe working conditions for the refuse collections (not the garbage services) so, again, we might be running a little behind schedule.  It is an inconvenience, and it detracts from normally good-looking streets, but bear with us as we catch up.

Some Brazilian Fitness

Council’s Youth Workers are always on the look out for new programs to get local youth involved and entertained.  They’ve come up with a new fitness program which will be run in conjunction with Zumba Fitness.  Mothers and daughters are invited to join the Latin-inspired, easy to follow, calorie burning, dance fitness party.  Brazilian fitness kicked off this week at 7.00pm at the Hillsdale Community Centre at 236 Bunnerong Road, Hillsdale.  It will be on each Tuesday between 7.00 and 8.00 pm. Participants will be required to pay a small fee. For further information on how to get fit and lose the calories Brazilian style, contact either Patrick from our Youth Workers on 9366 3889 or Celi on 0410 732 391.

Lionel Bowen Scholarship

There’s still a little time to get in an application for the 2012 Lionel Bowen Scholarship.  The scholarship is for local students planning to undertake first year tertiary studies or special research in 2012.  The lucky recipient can receive up to $3000 as reimbursement for items such as books, study equipment including desk, computer or an ipod to podcast lectures. It does not cover HECS fees. You can get an application either by calling my office on 9366 3600 or on line at www.botanybay.nsw.gov.au. If you want to make an application then don’t delay!

A note of warning in Daceyville

Some Daceyville residents have been on to me concerned at about a couple of large dogs roaming around the streets and on Rowland Park at night. What concerns the residents is that, with the schools back, the large dogs may pose a threat to children. We’ve got the rangers increasing their patrols in the area to see if they can track down the dogs – and their owners – in a bid for more responsible pet ownership.  But, unfortunately, the rangers cannot be everywhere at all times and where these dogs will be when let out off leash is not predictable. 

If anyone in the Daceyville area has better information on the dogs and when and where they roam, please call my office on 9366 3600 and let us know.  More than a few local parents will be grateful.  This also serves as a reminder to all dog owners that it is an offence to have your dog off leash in a public place.  So, when walking your dog please consider others.  If you want your dogs to run off leash there is plenty of space in Astrolabe Park and a fenced area in Sir Joseph Banks Park designated to this purpose.  Council is also looking at two other locations which will be notified to residents shortly for their comments.

Randwick-Botany Little Athletics 40th win on the trot

It may be some sort of sporting record – and more than a few national, state and local teams would love to have it in the win column – but our Little A’s have taken out the 2012 Little Athletics Zone Shield for the 40th consecutive time. The Zone shield is a competition among six little athletics groups from Sydney’s inner zone. Our Randwick-Botany Little Athletics, led by their indomitable President Tony Vecellio, went to the Zone Shield at ES Marks Athletics Field and showed why they are the best – yet again. The local Little A’s blitzed the competition and came out 1,500 points ahead of their nearest rivals. Tony was over the moon on behalf of the Little A’s (and with total justification). With their home at the revamped Hensley Athletics Field, the local Little A’s are growing and this season begins to wind down, Tony and the gang have already got their next season firmly in the minds and, although they won’t say it, maybe another Zone Shield.  40 wins on the trot in sport is perhaps almost unheard of and our congratulations go out to all the competitors from our Little A’s. Next competitions are the Regional Comp and then the State comp – where the local Little A’s are looking for more success.