Bus Shelters getting the once over

Residents have been commenting on our new suburb signs, which feature a three dimensional Banksia.  All the new signs are almost in and the next job on our house keeping list is to give our trade mark bus shelters a new coat of paint to brighten up the streetscape.

Garnet Jackson Park at Botany

Residents could be forgiven for thinking nothing was happening with the upgrade of Garnet Jackson Reserve, but I can assure you it is progressing … slowly.  We have had a hard task getting enough clean land fill (it has to be a specific PH level) for the northern end, but this is now almost complete and it will then be left to settle for a few weeks before the landscape architects move in to work their magic.  There was also more rubbish to remove than we first anticipated.  Rumour has it there is a car buried there.  We have cleaned out a lot of rubbish and dug down deep and didn’t find one, so it is there then our staff say it must be buried VERY DEEP!   I am assured the advertised plan will be completed in the New Year.

January School Holiday Program

The school holidays aren’t too far away and it’s time to begin thinking about places in the January 2012 Holiday Program for 12 to 18 year olds, organised by Council’s youth workers. There’s a wide range of activities planned, some based at Hillsdale Community Hall while others are excursions. The program kicks off on Tuesday, January 11, 2012. To find out more, or get a full list of activities, contact Patrick on 93663888. We also have a January Holiday Program for the younger children aged 5 and above and we’ve got two events for those aged 2 and above.  For all three you’ll have to book in person with Candy, who you can find at the Central Library on the ground floor at Eastgardens, or phone 93663888.

Parking around Booralee Park, Botany

The Botany Aquatic Centre is now open for summer and with the hot weather we are enjoying it is a popular weekend venue. Council asks all patrons using the pool to be mindful of residents when parking in the surrounding streets, or dropping off and picking up children.  We had a few complaints about people blocking driveways and double parking.  Our Rangers patrol the area frequently and infringement notices will be issued if you do the wrong thing. The Pool is open daily from 6am to 7pm.

Dates for the Diary

Carols in the Park tomorrow Sunday, December 11, Mascot Memorial Park, 6.30pm.  Face painting is available for the early arrivals from 5.30pm.

Inflatable Days at the Pool: Two family fun days are planned for Sunday January 15, 2012 and Australia Day, Sunday January 26.  Watch your letter box for more information in January

Nature Strip SOS

It is that time of year when I send out an SOS to our residents to assist us with the maintenance of our nature strips.  With the hot weather and intermittent rain the grass, and unfortunately weeds, are growing like wild fire.  In the last week alone it looks like all our nature strips are filled with dandelions (those yellow flowers which turn to fluffy balls the kids love to pick and blow everywhere!).  Please, if you are mowing your own lawns on the weekend it would be appreciated if you could run the mower over the nature strip to keep our City looking good.  Council mows the nature strips on a block system, which means each street is done every eight to 10 weeks.  We try and get around more frequently in summer but it is difficult.  So if you can lend a hand it would be very much appreciated by both council and your fellow residents.

Update on Mascot Shops

Work is continuing on the Mascot Shops refurbishment and will do so until around December 16^th.  The men are currently putting in the paver bands on either side, and across the centre at various intervals.  This has taken a little longer than anticipated and I do apologise for the delay.  The men have, and continue, to work throughout the night so that there is minimal disruption during the day.  Once the paving works are completed, the next task will be to give the area a good clean and top sealing coat.  The finished effect will look smart and fresh.  This will be complemented with new street furniture – seats, bins and colourful planter boxes.  I thank the shop owners, their staff and most importantly their patrons, our residents for their ongoing patience and support for this project.