Successful Clean up Australia Day

All the recyclables found on Clean Up Australia Day

SBCRA and Lane Cove West Residents Association joined forces for Clean up Australia Day on 3 March.

We had 32 enthusiastic volunteers who helped clean up in the bushland areas surrounding Stringy Bark Creek, Batten Reserve, Moore St, Hands Quarry and along the bushland corridor as far as the old Shell Petrol Station on Epping Rd.

The amount of rubbish collected was extensive including takeaway coffee cups, hundreds of plastic bags, items of clothing and shoes, snack wrappers, cigarette packets and lighters, a television set,  car wheel rims, shopping trolleys and kids toys.

This year we concentrated on counting the recyclables which included 278 plastic bottles, 265 aluminimum cans, 163 glass containers – a total of 706 recyclables.  Have a look at what we collected in these photos.

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Mowbray Precinct Development Control Plan

The Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Mowbray Precinct also came into effect early 2013.

This is an important document as it complements the Local Environment Plan (LEP) and has new conditions including maximum number of storeys that may be accommodated with the height limits, a minimum 40% deep soil landscaping area, and revised setback conditions.

This DCP is entitled Locality Plan 6 and can be found in Part C – Residential Locailities of the Lane Cove Development Control Plan http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/Council%20Services/Development%20Control/Development%20Controls/LEPandDCP/LEPandDevelopmentControlPlans.htm

Mowbray Precinct LEP Gazetted

The Amended Mowbray Precinct LEP was finally gazetted in early 2013.

The maps showing the zoning, floor space ratios, heights of buildings and lot sizes can be accessed on the following weblinks.

Land zoning map: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/map/4700_COM_LZN_001_010_20121213.pdf?id=0904014d-69df-68bb-f7f5-aae1951bd89a

Floor Space Ratio map: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/map/4700_COM_FSR_001_010_20121205.pdf?id=7cd7f126-70c0-4594-d4db-d32e51c8fbb3

Height of Buildings map: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/map/4700_COM_HOB_001_010_20121205.pdf?id=90d854ed-eb58-60ab-d958-d6a9e5693194

Lot size map: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/map/4700_COM_LSZ_001_010_20121205.pdf?id=e76e0159-3bca-424f-aec3-bc587d3c5f8c

The outcome is in accordance with the Council resolution of 15 October 2012 http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/bps/Open/2012/CNL_15102012_MIN.HTM#PDF2_ReportName_8881

http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/map/4700_COM_LZN_001_010_20121213.pdf?id=0904014d-69df-68bb-f7f5-aae1951bd89a

Council considering Mowbray DCP on 3 Dec meeting

Lane Cove Council will be considering amendments to Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Mowbray Precinct with a view to finalise the DCP at 3 December Council meeting.

The proposed amendments result from the recent public exhibition of the Mowbray Precinct DCP and include

• Additional objectives to deal with protection of the natural environment and the Batten Reserve from development impacts
• Additional provision relating to building design for development applications that are on the interface between high and low density residential zones
• Additional provision relating to building specifications in bushfire prone areas

To see the Council’s recommendation that will be considered at the 3 December meeting http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/bps/Open/2012/CNL_03122012_AGN_WEB.HTM

Have your say on Lane Cove Plaza

Council is inviting residents to participate in a survey about the next stage of the Lane Cove Plaza upgrade (Stage 2).

Your feedback will help inform Council on how to improve public amenity from outdoor seating areas to the Plaza’s overall look and feel.

You can complete the survey online http://survey.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/survey/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=m80M8m6&Preview=true

Submissions close 28 November, 2012

Department of Planning’s response re: LEP Finalisation

• To re-zone 46-60 Gordon Crescent from single dwelling to R4 high density
• To re-zone 15 Centennial Ave from single dwelling to R4 high density
• To re-zone 8-14 Mindarie St from R4 high density to single dwelling

2012 AGM meeting & new SBCRA Committee

The SBCRA AGM was held on 18 October and members were treated to a moving video and slide show of the Batten Reserve presented by Danielle Akayan.

The photography of the Batten Reserve and its stunning flora and fauna by Matthew Syres is amazing and reinforced the unique beauty of this special bushland area.

The complete collection of Matthew’s Batten Reserve photograph, including the Batten Reserve collection,  can be found on his website   http://matthewsyres.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Stock-Photography/C0000SwqH_PGkosg

Frances Vissel did a presentation of the year in review and the year ahead. Much of this focussed on issues arising from the Mowbray Precinct, but also included other comunity work that the SBCRA is involved in including twice monthly bush generation in the Batten Reserve, addressing traffic and safety issues with Council, engaging with the NSW Government’s Planning Review and organising community events such as Clean Up Australia Day.

Elections for the Committee for 2012/13 were held and the roles and Committee members for the year ahead will be held by

• President – Frances Vissel
• Vice President – Kylie Bryden-Smith
• Treasurer & Memberships – Jack Winning
• Minute Secretary – Alasdair Stuart
• Committee – Guy Hallowes, Win Chandler, Leah Bangma

For further information on the AGM or to contact the Committee members email us on contact@sbcra.org.au or for membership inquiries membership@sbcra.org.au

Mowbray Precinct DCP – Have your say

The Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Mowbray Precinct is currently on display and Lane Cove Council is inviting residents to make comments and submissions.

The DCP is important as it acknowledges the special landscape character of the area including the proximity of the developments of the area to the Batten Reserve Bushland. It also recognises specific issues relating to amenity of residents and the need to provide appropriate transition between adjoining high and low density residential areas.

The draft development controls includes:

• the maximums number of residental storeys relating to the LEP height level, 14.5m  – 4 storeys, 17.5m – 5 storeys (subject to the point below)
• a recommended minimum deep soil area  of 40% of the site to be provided for residential flat buildings to enable planting and growth of mature trees
• tree retention of the site to be encouraged
• development applications at the interface between high and low density residential zone to demonstrate that the amenity of adjacent houses has been a design considereration eg. by stepping-down of buildings, inclusion of upper level setbacks, increased setbacks etc.
• development applications are to be in character with the materials, finishes and design elements that are in harmony with the natural landscape and complementary to the bushland setting.

To review the full Council report and the Council Resolution  http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/Living%20in%20the%20Area/Current%20Issues/CurrentIssues.htm#DCPMowbray

To have your say you can make a submission to the General Manager by:-  Post – Lane Cove Council, PO Box 20, Lane Cove NSW 1595;  Fax – 02 9911 3600; or Email: lccouncil@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

Written submissions need to be received by Council until 6pm Wednesday 10 October 2012.  Please ensure you quote the reference “DCP Draft Amendment 4 – VA – SU4861” in your submission.

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.

NSW Govt Planning Review: Need help with your submission?

The NSW Government’s Planning Review Green Paper is out for public consultation with comments, feedback and submissions due by 14 September 2012.

There are significant changes being proposed for our NSW planning system, some if they become law, may mean you may not find out about the development next door until the bulldozers arrives!

It is important that you make yourself aware of the proposed changes, and if you have concerns or suggestions to let the NSW Government know.

You can down load the Green Paper, make a submission, provide feedback or be involved in an online forum by going to http://haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/newplanningsystem.

Helpful websites and links to background information and guides relating to public response to the  Green Paper include:

• Nature Conservation Council of NSW http://nccnsw.org.au/content/take-action-make-submission-response-green-paper
• Environmental Defenders Office of NSW Green Paper Submission Guide which can be accessed on the EDO home page under ‘What’s Hot’ www.edonsw.org.au

If you would like assistance in writing a submission follow the link below for a sample letter that you can use.  Make sure your response is in by 14 September. Read the rest of this entry »