Talking with TASNG

Land & Environment Court Hearing - 2 Brighton Ave/133 Excelsior Pde

Following a false start in October 2017, the L&E Court Hearing between Council and SNL Building was held in Sydney on 27-28 February under the direction of Commissioner Dickson. Barristers for both sides presented arguments and expert witnesses (including arborists) who were cross examined. In essence, the Council's thrust was to elevate the importance of the scenic quality and likely severe visual impact within this coastal planning zone with the LEP R3 zoning subordinate to this. In contrast, SNL Building highlighted the importance of being able to build multi dwellings in this zone with other considerations less important and more subjective. Council strongly argued for much less development on the ridge-line portion of the block. Commissioner Dickson will consider all arguments and all previously lodged submissions and other information tabled. A decision should be forthcoming in about 6 weeks. Everyone who made submissions and helped galvanise community resolve should feel some pride in getting this landmark case so far. 

Community Picnic

The second Community picnic organised by the Community Friendship Group (including Toronto Area and LT Creek Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups, Council and Disability Links) was held on Friday evening 23rd February at the Toronto Foreshore. Though windy, around 150 people - including many families with young children - turned up and enjoyed the musical entertainment and games. The Toronto Men's Shed provided BBQ food. Further events will be organised this year. 

The first meeting to organise a 'Repair Café ' in Lake Macquarie was held on 27 February. Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things (together). We throw away vast amounts of stuff. Even things with almost nothing wrong, which could get a new lease on life after a simple repair. The trouble is, lots of people have forgotten that they can repair things themselves or they no longer know how. Knowing how to make repairs is a skill quickly lost and easily learnt. The Repair Café shares valuable practical knowledge on how to repair your things that then get used for longer and don’t have to be thrown away...reducing waste and the resources needed to make things.
Groups involved are: Toronto Area and Warner's Bay Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups, Women's Shed Woodrising, the Hub-Toronto and Toronto Men's Shed. Various repair Café models exist internationally and in Australia, staffed by volunteers with specialist skills. Transition Newcastle already run an Upcycling program. We hope to run the first repair Café at the HUB in May, probably focussing on clothing-related and tool sharpening/fixing. More information to come. 

Improving and Enhancing the Western Entrance to Toronto

The western entrance to Toronto along Awaba Road is unkempt, unappealing and uninviting. A project is being formulated to build an attractive, low maintenance native garden along Awaba Road, near Hy-Mix, in order to substantially improve visual appeal. Organisations involved are: Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group, The Lions and Lioness's Clubs of Toronto. Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise, the Toronto Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Toronto District and Garden Club. We hope to complete the project by July 2018.