The
Progress
Committee
would like to wish
all the members, volunteers
and community a peaceful
and
joyous
Christmas Season.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Dates for the Diary
- Wednesday Dec. 14th 7pm Community Gardeners and Vegetable growers meeting at Progress Hall
- Saturday February 18th 2012, 4-7pm Community Garden Picnic at the Pony Club.
- Saturday 3rd March 2012, 5-8pm at Progress Hall. The Songs of Henry Lawson & Tunes of Waltzing Matilda
- Monday 5th March, 7pm at Progress Hall. Annual General Meeting of the Coal Point Progress Association. The Progress Association provides a vehicle for community contributions and manages the maintenance and upkeep of Progress Hall. If you would like to be involved talk to Suzanne on 4959 6741 about what is involved.
- Local Landcaring each Thursday Ring Robyn for details 4959 1507
Art & Craft Show
There are conversations commencing about the Art & Craft Show 2012. Planning for this exciting and inspiring event is underway and interested people are sought to join the group.
We are seeking donations for the major raffle. If you would like to discuss any contributions or involvement please contact Barbara on 4959 1259.
The Songs of Henry Lawson & Tunes of Waltzing Matilda.
On Saturday March 3rd 2012, from 5pm the Progress Association will be hosting a community social event.
Australian traditional music researcher Roger Walter will be presenting a unique audio-visual presentation that looks at a selection of songs by Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson. It’s a fresh insight into Lawson’s poetry and emphasizes the depth of mood of his writing and a new perspective on Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda.
A share-a-plate supper and community camaraderie will be available. Advanced bookings are $10/person. Tickets are $12 at the door on the day. Table bookings encouraged.
Call Barbara on 4959 1259 or Jean 4959 4019.
Australian traditional music researcher Roger Walter will be presenting a unique audio-visual presentation that looks at a selection of songs by Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson. It’s a fresh insight into Lawson’s poetry and emphasizes the depth of mood of his writing and a new perspective on Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda.
A share-a-plate supper and community camaraderie will be available. Advanced bookings are $10/person. Tickets are $12 at the door on the day. Table bookings encouraged.
Call Barbara on 4959 1259 or Jean 4959 4019.
Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG)
The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG), covering Carey Bay, Coal Point, Kilaben Bay and Toronto, is in the process of developing a local action plan around the themes of Foreshore Protection, Community Garden, Landcare, Children’s Parks and Playgrounds, Footpaths & Cycleways and Reducing Computer Components in Landfill. Each of these project areas has a team leader coordinating the group’s input into the local area action plan.
The coordinating group of TASNG meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Toronto library meeting room. Kelly Wood, the Sustainability Engagement Officer supporting the group, can be contacted for more information or getting involved. Ph 4921 0089, kwood@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
The coordinating group of TASNG meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Toronto library meeting room. Kelly Wood, the Sustainability Engagement Officer supporting the group, can be contacted for more information or getting involved. Ph 4921 0089, kwood@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Abandoned Catamaran for the taking.
There is a catamaran that has been abandoned for several years at Wippi reserve.
The Progress Association has made an effort to contact the owner. They have left the country and have no objection to CPPA making it known that if someone would like the catamaran they are most welcome to take it away.
The CPPA will be pursuing the removal of this abandoned craft in early 2012. If unclaimed it will be reported as illegally dumped rubbish.
Catamarans and watercraft over 4m are not all allowed to be stored on reserves according to Councils Dinghy policy.
Landcaring
There is always Landcare activity happening around Coal Point, weeding, mulching and planting in various places.
This month will see a milestone reached in Burnage Reserve. Five years ago the local landcare crew set out to remove a mass of Lantana in “Lilipilly Gully” by mosaic weeding and planting so that we kept shelter for birds and possibly other critters as well and could replace what was removed to “head off” weeds as much as possible.
The last patch of Lantana and some of Colonel Burnage’s orchard of exotic fruits will be replaced and with a planting of the Australian Fingerlime, Microcitrus australasica – a rainforest species that will hopefully be happy in the sheltered gully replacing the old and very decrepit fruit trees. The Fingerlimes were donated to the group by Sue Herd who was a horticulturalist with our Hunter Region Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae, Raymond Terrace.
Congratulations to the local landcarers who received recognition for their contribution to the local environment at the recent Annual Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards.
The Bushcare In Threlkeld on Thursday group received a Long-Standing Landcare Group award, Jean Austen received the award behalf of the group and was then duly presented with a personal Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition for her inspiring and ongoing commitment to maintain the unique bushland of Threlkeld reserve.
Thursday Landcare ladies Lois Simpson and Judy Hughes were awarded Local Legend Awards for their continued regular and enthusiastic work in our local reserves over several years.
This month will see a milestone reached in Burnage Reserve. Five years ago the local landcare crew set out to remove a mass of Lantana in “Lilipilly Gully” by mosaic weeding and planting so that we kept shelter for birds and possibly other critters as well and could replace what was removed to “head off” weeds as much as possible.
The last patch of Lantana and some of Colonel Burnage’s orchard of exotic fruits will be replaced and with a planting of the Australian Fingerlime, Microcitrus australasica – a rainforest species that will hopefully be happy in the sheltered gully replacing the old and very decrepit fruit trees. The Fingerlimes were donated to the group by Sue Herd who was a horticulturalist with our Hunter Region Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae, Raymond Terrace.
Congratulations to the local landcarers who received recognition for their contribution to the local environment at the recent Annual Environmental Excellence in Landcare Awards.
The Bushcare In Threlkeld on Thursday group received a Long-Standing Landcare Group award, Jean Austen received the award behalf of the group and was then duly presented with a personal Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition for her inspiring and ongoing commitment to maintain the unique bushland of Threlkeld reserve.
Thursday Landcare ladies Lois Simpson and Judy Hughes were awarded Local Legend Awards for their continued regular and enthusiastic work in our local reserves over several years.
Footpath Strategy
A separate footpath strategy is being developed in the next 12 months, which will provide detailed information on where footpath will be installed in the Council area.
Whilst there may not be a lot of footpath in our area there are quite a few access points that link road to lake or road to road that many people may not know about.
The Progress Association has been investigating what access ways may still be viable within our community to increase walking options. The hope is to increase awareness and get better signage so their existence is obvious and passable.
Local maps have been scrutinized for pathways and access points, the locations identified and photographed. A community meeting was held and the access options discussed and prioritised.
The aim is to provide the location information in a community brochure. If you would like to further discuss any of these locations please contact Suzanne on 4959 6741 or by email coalpointprogress@gmail.com
The CPPA is keen to talk to anyone who knows any of the history or information about the ‘lines on the map’ that we have identified.
First priority is to address the Operational land zoning on 83-85 Skye Point Rd as this is seen as a vital access point into the publicly owned lands on the West Ridge, a great walking spot through local bushland with spectacular views.
A note on the links to the locations: The links will take you to the approximate location we are trying to explain. The photo is of what is visible from the road.
The next priority is to pursue signage at the following locations:
40A Ambrose St, next to the service station and where access to the lake is possible beside the caravan park.
Angela Close (12-14) to highlight the path to the Pony Club
Angela Close (32-19) providing access to the Carey Bay shops
Watkins Way, a track linking Coal Point (236-238 CPR) and Skye Point Road (221-223)
Grant Road between 11 and 13- a grassy path to the Lake
The next priority is improved identification and working towards improving the access is proposed for the following locations:
The obscured access between 26-28 Coal Point Road that provides a link to the Quarterdeck (14-16) through public reserve.
Killara Close (11-13) Improve the access that was impacted by the building of the ‘new’ house
Skye Point Rd (263-261) to 259 Coal Point Rd & Threlkeld Reserve, an unmarked and unobvious easement.
Two other areas needing more information are
142A-144 Skye Point Rd
44A Skye Point Rd
Whilst there may not be a lot of footpath in our area there are quite a few access points that link road to lake or road to road that many people may not know about.
The Progress Association has been investigating what access ways may still be viable within our community to increase walking options. The hope is to increase awareness and get better signage so their existence is obvious and passable.
Local maps have been scrutinized for pathways and access points, the locations identified and photographed. A community meeting was held and the access options discussed and prioritised.
The aim is to provide the location information in a community brochure. If you would like to further discuss any of these locations please contact Suzanne on 4959 6741 or by email coalpointprogress@gmail.com
The CPPA is keen to talk to anyone who knows any of the history or information about the ‘lines on the map’ that we have identified.
First priority is to address the Operational land zoning on 83-85 Skye Point Rd as this is seen as a vital access point into the publicly owned lands on the West Ridge, a great walking spot through local bushland with spectacular views.
A note on the links to the locations: The links will take you to the approximate location we are trying to explain. The photo is of what is visible from the road.
40A Ambrose St, next to the service station and where access to the lake is possible beside the caravan park.
Angela Close (12-14) to highlight the path to the Pony Club
Angela Close (32-19) providing access to the Carey Bay shops
Watkins Way, a track linking Coal Point (236-238 CPR) and Skye Point Road (221-223)
Grant Road between 11 and 13- a grassy path to the Lake
The obscured access between 26-28 Coal Point Road that provides a link to the Quarterdeck (14-16) through public reserve.
Killara Close (11-13) Improve the access that was impacted by the building of the ‘new’ house
Two other areas needing more information are
142A-144 Skye Point Rd
44A Skye Point Rd
Draft Cycling Strategy 2011-12
On exhibition at the moment is the Draft Cycling Strategy 2011-12
Correspondence from LMCC has stated that consideration will be given to a shared pathway connection between Coal Point/Carey Bay and the Toronto CBD in the development of Council's Cycleway Strategy.
The Strategy is out now, there will be an information stall in Toronto Town Square on Thursday 19th January and the local Sustainable Neighbourhood Footpaths and Cycleways group will also be considering the draft.
Submissions are due by Friday February 24th, 5pm.
If you would like to see a shared pathway in our community consider lodging a submission, which is as easy as writing a letter.
Correspondence from LMCC has stated that consideration will be given to a shared pathway connection between Coal Point/Carey Bay and the Toronto CBD in the development of Council's Cycleway Strategy.
The Strategy is out now, there will be an information stall in Toronto Town Square on Thursday 19th January and the local Sustainable Neighbourhood Footpaths and Cycleways group will also be considering the draft.
Submissions are due by Friday February 24th, 5pm.
If you would like to see a shared pathway in our community consider lodging a submission, which is as easy as writing a letter.
LMCC Plans and Planning
There’s always something happening at Lake Mac Council, sometimes it seems to happen quickly and other times it seems to take a while.
A review of the Flood Plain Management Strategy has been promised since the Pasha storm of 2007. The draft was released for comment in October with submissions closing on 28 November. Sometimes Council will accept late submissions so you may still have opportunity for feedback.
There is a very informative brochure on Council’s website outlining the findings and recommendations.
It states that :-
The Local Environment Plan 2011, the draft Lifestyle Strategy 2030 and the Development Control Plan 2011 will all go on exhibition together in the first half of 2012, a trifecta of planning instruments to ponder.
Until then there are lots of interesting maps already prepared to have a look at including zone maps, flood maps, acquisition maps, urban release maps, heritage maps, minimum lot size maps, biodiversity maps, building heights maps, foreshore building line & coastal risk maps and a few others. Here is a link that will get you to them.
A review of the Flood Plain Management Strategy has been promised since the Pasha storm of 2007. The draft was released for comment in October with submissions closing on 28 November. Sometimes Council will accept late submissions so you may still have opportunity for feedback.
There is a very informative brochure on Council’s website outlining the findings and recommendations.
It states that :-
- The average water level in the lake will rise to 1m Australian Height Datum (AHD) by 2100. The lake rose to about 1.10m AHD in the June 2007 storm.
- The worst floods are caused by heavy rain at the same time as high tides and storm surges.
- The risks from rising lake levels to 1m AHD due to sea level rise will permanently cover some low-lying area around the lake foreshore. At least some portion of 3300 residential properties may be affected by permanent inundation by 2100.
The Local Environment Plan 2011, the draft Lifestyle Strategy 2030 and the Development Control Plan 2011 will all go on exhibition together in the first half of 2012, a trifecta of planning instruments to ponder.
Until then there are lots of interesting maps already prepared to have a look at including zone maps, flood maps, acquisition maps, urban release maps, heritage maps, minimum lot size maps, biodiversity maps, building heights maps, foreshore building line & coastal risk maps and a few others. Here is a link that will get you to them.
Stinking out the Neighbours -a Squealy Bin Campaign
A relatively common practice in several of our local reserves is for people to place their domestic ‘smelly’ rubbish into the public rubbish bins in reserves. Birriban, Gurranaba and Wippi Reserves seem to a particular favourites.
Whilst this may remove the offensive odours from one person’s place, the combined effort of several rogue rubbishers means that people who live with a wind’s waft of the bins get to experience overwhelming odours for an extended period of time, as the bins in the reserves do not get emptied as regularly as the domestic bins.
If you see someone dumping rubbish please take their details or a photo and we will lodge an official complaint as we undertake our Squealy Bin campaign. There is a fine that can be issued to illegal dumping of domestic waste in public bins, we are hoping to discourage this practice.
The Progress Association was recently advised that lodging a service request to LMCC will get the bin emptied the next day. To keep everyone happy if you're going to fill the bin you could also make the call to LMCC 4921 0333 and get it emptied.
Lost spectacles.
A CPPA volunteer, whilst delivering the October Chronicle, has lost her spectacles somewhere between Rofe St and Killara Close. If you have seen or picked up a pair of glasses in that vicinity can you please contact Barbara on 4959 1259, a reward is offered for their return.
Vegetable Growers & Community Gardeners
Over the past 12 months a group of local vegetable growers have regularly gathered to discuss how, in the short term, to best to support the community in growing food in their own backyard and in the long term pursue a community garden project on public land.
Monthly meetings continue to be held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Progress Hall from 7pm. The next meeting is Wednesday 14th December.
A proposal to convert the front yard of Progress Hall into a demonstration vegetable garden will be discussed and interest gathered to determine if it is a viable project.
Also for your diaries, if you’re interested in having a Community Garden in the area, there will be a social picnic held on Saturday 18th February 2012, 4pm - 7pm at the Pony Club
For further information on or to RSVP for these events, please contact Michelle on 0402924819 or email bellbirdfe@gmail.com
Monthly meetings continue to be held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Progress Hall from 7pm. The next meeting is Wednesday 14th December.
A proposal to convert the front yard of Progress Hall into a demonstration vegetable garden will be discussed and interest gathered to determine if it is a viable project.
Also for your diaries, if you’re interested in having a Community Garden in the area, there will be a social picnic held on Saturday 18th February 2012, 4pm - 7pm at the Pony Club
For further information on or to RSVP for these events, please contact Michelle on 0402924819 or email bellbirdfe@gmail.com
Arts & Craft Show 2012
Christmas decorations may be starting emerge however thoughts of next years Arts & Craft show are starting to take up space in the cranial cavities of the organising committee. If you would like to be involved in helping to organise an amazing community event contact Barbara on 49591259 and she’ll keep in contact with you as plans to plan the event begin.
More Sustainable Neighbourhood Workshop Outcomes
You may be wondering what sort of people attended the workshop. You can find out at http://www.hackdays.com/knowwhereyoulive/ .
Know Where You Live is the prototype of a data mashup that displays a range of Australian Government data based on your geographic location along with a Google satellite map.
The initial prototype was created in under 24 hours as part of the inaugural Govhack event in Canberra in October, 2009
Living on the Edge
The results of the Sustainable Neighbourhood survey of Toronto, Carey Bay, Coal Point and Kilaben Bay showed that the most highly rated considerations was the need to “protect and improve the natural environment” followed closely by the need for access to parks, beaches, bushland and other natural areas”.
With this Chronicle is a copy of our council's LIVING ON THE EDGE brochure.
While this appears to be aimed mainly at lake foreshore homes it's good to remember that several of our reserves are not on foreshore eg Burnage, the Ridge Reserves and Carey Bay Wetlans with its catchment creeks.
The suggestions in the brochure about ways to protect reserves apply to all homes in our area as seeds from very invasive plants in gardens fly through the air and flow with drainage. This causes big problems in reserves which local landcarers struggle to manage especially in the bushland areas we so much appreciate.
With this Chronicle is a copy of our council's LIVING ON THE EDGE brochure.
While this appears to be aimed mainly at lake foreshore homes it's good to remember that several of our reserves are not on foreshore eg Burnage, the Ridge Reserves and Carey Bay Wetlans with its catchment creeks.
The suggestions in the brochure about ways to protect reserves apply to all homes in our area as seeds from very invasive plants in gardens fly through the air and flow with drainage. This causes big problems in reserves which local landcarers struggle to manage especially in the bushland areas we so much appreciate.
There has been action in the area of Footpaths and Cycleways too.
Feedback from Council over requests for pedestrian options around the point was received. “Consideration will be given to a shared pathway connection between Coal Point/Carey Bay and the Toronto CBD in the development of Council's Cycleway Strategy. It is anticipated that the draft strategy will be placed on exhibition sometime in November/December 2011. This will give the community further opportunity to comment on the proposed shared path links in the Coal Point/Carey Bay area, it will not however provide a detailed analysis on footpath location. A separate footpath strategy is being developed of the next 12 months, which will provide detailed information on where footpath will be installed in the Council area.”
The Progress Association at its August meeting has also been investigating various lines on maps which could possibly provide access to foreshore and bushland areas. Clarification of what constitutes public access will be sought, signage will be pursued where possible and investigations undertaken to open up obscured access ways to promote community usage. This information will be distributed throughout the community on a map in the not-to-distant future.
In the vegie patch
Spring is here and the time has come to get out your tools and get busy planting out your vegie garden. During August hopefully you dug your plot over and gave it a good does of lime, compost and manure. You would have removed all the weeds and it would be brimming with life just beneath the surface awaiting the summer crop.
Salad vegies are probably the first that spring to mind and a variety of small sowings would be suitable now. It’s better to sow a little at a time every few weeks to give a continuous and varied supply throughout the season, especially if you’re only feeding a few.
Plants to grow include: cabbage, capsicum, silverbeet, lettuce, spring onion, tomato.
Seeds to sow include: beetroot, carrot, cucumber, marrow, parsnip, pea, radish, sweetcorn, zucchini and pumpkin.
A few tips:
Plants to grow include: cabbage, capsicum, silverbeet, lettuce, spring onion, tomato.
Seeds to sow include: beetroot, carrot, cucumber, marrow, parsnip, pea, radish, sweetcorn, zucchini and pumpkin.
A few tips:
- Cabbage: Sprinkle the outer leaves with Derris Dust to scare off white butterfly-one dusting usually does the trick.
- Sweetcorn: Plant 2-3 rows or in a group as it is wind pollinated. Pick when the tassle is brown.
- Carrot: Don’t manure prior to sowing as it causes deformed root growth.
- Pumpkin: When the flowers are formed pinch off the leading shoots to promote clumping growth.
- Cucumber: Sow amongst the Sweetcorn. They will use the spent corn stalks as a climbing frame.
Community Garden Goss
Since the workshop in August there has been activity in various areas.
The Community Gardening crew meet regularly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month All are welcome. The group will discuss how to go about getting a great crop in your own backyard and progress gathering interest in a community garden.
LMCC has a Community Garden Policy. It is well worth reading as it clearly describes the process that has to be undertaken for planning a community garden, approvals etc:
Some great community gardening websites:
Sustainable Neighbourhood Workshop Outcomes
The Sustainable Neighbourhood project is gathering momentum throughout the community. At the August 16th workshop several areas of community interest emerged.
Project teams were formed around the topics of:
Participants undertook a planning exercise from these interest areas and developed a prioritised action plan.
A Toronto, Coal Point, Carey Bay & Kilaben Bay Sustainable Neighbourhood Board has been elected comprised of
Chair: Steven Slott
Assistant Chair: Janice Bendeich
Secretary: John Gill
Assistant Secretary: Hellen Slott
Treasurer: Era Wellsmore
If you’d like to be put on the contact list for any of these groups Sarah Jordan, Sustainability Engagement Officer is the go to person. Phone 4921 0333, Email kwood@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Project teams were formed around the topics of:
- Community Garden
- Foreshore Protection
- Landcare
- Children's Parks and Playgrounds
- Footpaths and Cycleways
- Reduce Computer Components in Landfill
Participants undertook a planning exercise from these interest areas and developed a prioritised action plan.
A Toronto, Coal Point, Carey Bay & Kilaben Bay Sustainable Neighbourhood Board has been elected comprised of
Chair: Steven Slott
Assistant Chair: Janice Bendeich
Secretary: John Gill
Assistant Secretary: Hellen Slott
Treasurer: Era Wellsmore
If you’d like to be put on the contact list for any of these groups Sarah Jordan, Sustainability Engagement Officer is the go to person. Phone 4921 0333, Email kwood@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
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