New Working Hours in the Mowbray Precinct

Council voted unanimously to reduce the Saturday working hours in the Mowbray Precinct at their meeting on 18 March.

There was a very strong message given to the Councillors by the community about the impact of the construction noise and the limited respite (1 day) for residents living in the area and around the Mowbray Precinct developments.

The Saturday building working hours for any new development approvals are now 8am to 12 noon on Saturday, in line with Willoughby Council’s Saturday working hours.

Unfortunately this is not retrospective and only applies to new developments that are yet to be approved.

Had the previous Council had the same empathy to the situation when we requested the same reduction last year, some of the newer approvals would have come under the ruling.

It could be a few years before we have our peaceful Saturday afternoons back. But better to get this now as we have a lot more developments still go!

Read North Shore Times article on this matter http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/an-hour-more-shut-eye-for-lane-cove-resdidents-but-contruction-could-last-for-years/story-fngr8h9d-1226606956992

AGM Thurs Oct 18

This year’s AGM is at Lane Cove Library at 7pm  on 18th Oct.Light refreshments ( Cheese + Wine, Coffee and Biscuits) will be available.  All members are encouraged to attend. If you have not yet renewed your membership, either pay online see membership form or pay on the night.

As well as normal AGM business There will be a Special Presentation
A video show of Batten Reserve  Photographs by Matthew Syres
Video editor SBCRA Member Danielle Akayan

If you have some spare time please consider being involved in Bushcare or other activities.

Council Elections – West Ward meeting the candidates session

Lane Cove Council elections are scheduled for Saturday 8th September 2012.

The Lane Cove West Residents Association is organising a forum to meet the West Ward Candidates on Tuesday 21 August at 7.30pm, Blackman Park Scout Hall, Lane Cove West.

Candidates will present their policies followed by a Q&A session.

All local residents are welcome.

Voting is compulsary. For further informatoion on Council elections and polling booth information go to http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ and click on 2012 Council elections.

Have you heard the Powerful Owl?

The SBCRA is participating again in Birdlife Australia’s Powerful Owl breeding study.

We know that the Batten Reserve had evidence of roosting of the Powerful Owl last year.  We want to know if the owls are back again this year, and ideally if they are breeding in our area.

Breeding for the owls generally takes place from May-October.

The Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest species of owl which are also listed as vulnerable in NSW. It is about 55cm tall and characterised by its large yellow eyes, massive talons, white and grey-brown plumage and its distinctive deep ‘whoo-hoo’ call.

For more information and an image of the Powerful Owl check out: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/powerful-owl-wbc.html

If you have recently  heard the Powerful Owl, please contact us on contact@sbcra.org.au and let us know the location.

Excavation time reduced but not working hours

Lane Cove Councillors considered a report by Council staff on Saturday building and construction hours in the Mowbray Precinct at their May Council meeting.

This report was produced as a request by some Councillors concerned about the the extensive development potential of the Precinct, and the impact of demolition and excavation works to date.

Even though surrounding Councils have reduced working hours on a Saturday and many residents spoke at the Council meeting highlighting the impact of the noise from the development sites, Lane Cove Councillors voted to retain the extended Saturday working hours in the Mowbray Precinct, but restrict excavation, haulage truck movements, rock picking, jack-hammering and pile driving.

The North Shore Times 2 June edition includes a report on resident pleas and concerns regarding this issue  http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hyecorp-property-group-lane-cove-council-mowbray-rd-gordon-crescent-megan-agnew/

It also invites residents to comment on the article outlining their experiences.

Say high to Lane Cove Council’s backflip

The North Shore Times has reported on Lane Cove Council’s 16 April Council meeting where the majority of the Councillors voted to endorse the zoning of the Mowbray Precinct as high density, with a few minor exceptions.

Read more. http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/say-high-to-lane-cove-councils-backflip/