Best wishes from us all

 

TASNG, CPPA, local landcare and the TAG team are all having a well earned break over summer.

2022 Back to Business

17 Jan CPPA Meeting

3:30-5:30 Progress Hall-197 Skye Pt Rd. All Welcome

9 Feb TASNG meeting

5-6:30 The Hub, 97 The Boulevarde

Tools & techniques supplied.

Morning tea at 10am with plant ID advisory session

• 6/1 Hampton St Link (near Carey Bay Cellars)
• 13/1 West Ridge
• 20/1 Hampton St Link
• 27/1 West Ridge
• 3/2 Yarul
• 10/2 Threlkeld
• 17/2 Burnage
• 24/2 Killibinbin

Want to join Us?

If you would like to receive weekly emails about where we are landcaring and what we will be doing contact Lois cppalandcare@gmail.com

There's more information about the local Landcare program here.

HOME – NEIGHBOURHOOD – COMMUNITY (2021)

What a roller-coaster of a year! At least we have reached the year’s end almost 95% vaxed, so some peace of mind for Xmas and no more lockdowns in 2022.

There was some other good news. Council finally relented in its determination to build a 6-storey apartment tower on the Toronto Foreshore and the long-awaited masterplan was finalized, albeit with the unwanted removal and rebuild of the rotunda and closure through the summer of what planners have decided should be known, English-fashion, as the ‘Town Green’.

The delayed Council elections were eventually held on Saturday 4 December and did not result in much change. Mayor Kay Fraser was returned for another term, as were three of the West Ward councillors, David Belcher, Jason Pauling and Luke Cubis. Hard-working Independent Wendy Harrison retired and was replaced by Labor’s Madeleine Bishop. Cr Harrison was always available to meet with, listen to and act for the community. We hope Cr Bishop will be as accessible and community-minded as her predecessor and look forward to meeting with her.

One thing we learned from the last term of Council is the importance of having a strong community voice and engaging respectfully with councillors and staff. The ad hoc Toronto Foreshore Protection Group has provided a voice with representatives of Toronto Sunrise Rotary, the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Coal Point Progress Association, and the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group(TASNG) as well as local residents. This single-issue group has now morphed into the Toronto Action Group (TAG) and will continue to represent community concerns to councillors and staff. Ongoing issues will be the zoning of and access to foreshore land and the lake; pedestrian safety, parking and cycling; care of the wetlands; and protection of the tree canopy from aggressive development.

Another lesson from the previous Council is the importance of networking with community groups in Toronto and adjacent suburbs. The pre-election Candidates’ Forum for West Ward candidates was organised by TAG in conjunction with the Rathmines and the Five Bays Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups. We look forward to working together through Council’s next term.

One of the big challenges is how residents can find out what is happening in the community. Thanks to Covid, we no longer have the weekly Lakes Mail. ‘The Herald’ doesn’t give much attention to Lake Macquarie. Council has expanded its own media ‘spin’ machine but only tells us what it wants us to know and when.

To help fill the gap, the letter-boxed ‘Chronicle’ will continue to update residents each month on local news, including ‘Development Applications near You’, but the extra distribution beyond Coal Point and Carey Bay costs money.

To support a local voice, consider joining the sponsoring neighbourhood group (TASNG), especially if you live in Kilaben Bay (where there are currently no members) or please consider a small donation. We require $550/year to cover the expanded distribution. https://www.givenow.com.au/toronto-foreshore-protection

TAG reports its activities in the monthly Chronicle and also has a (moderated) Facebook page where residents can post comments or queries on local issues https://www.facebook.com/TorontoActionGroup

The more of us who get involved, even in small ways, the stronger our neighbourhoods and community will be and the more Council will listen first instead of deciding for us.

Community Quirks

Welcome to all the new residents in our area celebrating your first Christmas in our community. We all think our community is great, here are some of the reasons why we love to live where we do.

Seaworthy Santa

For several generations there’s been a tradition of Santa cruising the western Lake foreshores on Christmas Eve, heralding in the festive season, singing carols, and spreading cheer, in the form of lolly bags, to children who flock to the foreshore reserves to give the big guy a wave and a yo-ho-ho.

Back in the day the Wangi Queen was Santa’s boat-de-jour, but with ‘The Queen’ retiring a few years ago the Toronto Sunrise Rotary Club took up the Santa sack and have continued the local tradition with local boats.

If you feel like joining in the festivities you can join the flotilla from Bolton Point at 4.30 pm or bring the family to one of the local jetties listed below to enjoy this wonderful community tradition. This year will be a little different, alas no lollies, spreading cheer not COVID was the priority.

• Bolton Point- 4:30 pm
• Toronto 5:00 pm
• Kilaben Bay 6:15 pm
• Rathmines 6:45 pm
• Wangi Workers Club 7:15 pm

Waterfront Walking

Another long-time and strong tradition in our community has been the ability for locals to walk along the foreshore as a mode of recreation. Without safe pedestrian paths in our community, the relatively flat foreshore has always been a walking option. Whilst acknowledging that there are absolute waterfront properties in our community with boundaries extending to the high water mark, the neighbourly notion that it was OK to walk past was greatly appreciated and part of keeping the community connected.

Backyard Buddies

Enjoying our bigger bushland backyard and the abundant bird and wildlife is another peculiarity of the Coal Point Peninsula. The sunrise cacophony and sunset chorus of the kookaburra is something special that our suburbs still have. We have large remnant trees with the capacity for kookaburras to make their nests in. The midnight meditative hoots of the migratory koels can be heard above the bark-a-lot dogs, punctuating the day and night, a sound to treasure. Our bushland provides not only a corridor for birds to move through but food and shelter for the wildlife. Responsible pet ownership is key to keeping these places safe for our community-pets-without-borders, our ‘backyard buddies’. https://backyardbuddies.org.au

The Chronicle

The Chronicle has been gracing the letterboxes of the CPPA community since January 1980, with 317 editions circulated to date. The newsletter is wholly produced and distributed by volunteers with sponsorship of spaces covering the printing costs. It takes 3-4 days each month to write, collate and edit the content, lay it out for printing, put it online and distribute into 2300 letter boxes in Coal Point, Carey Bay, Kilaben Bay and Toronto areas.

The demise of the local newspapers in the past year has meant that The Chronicle was one of the few hard copy information sources available with a perspective on the local issues of importance. The protection of the Toronto Foreshore, local sustainability initiatives, development applications, a multitude of Council’s plans and strategies as well neighbours noticing nature, landcare activities and insights on our local flora and fauna regularly grace the space on the yellow pages.

You can also view the Chronicle online - https://coalpointprogress.blogspot.com
or subscribe to receive an email each month with The Chronicle articles, coalpointprogress@gmail.com.

Heaven Can Wait (HCW) Charity Regatta (5-6 Feb)

The HCW Charity Regatta was conceived and inaugurated by Lake Macquarie resident, keen sailor and cancer survivor Shaun Lewicki as a major annual sailing event on the lake to promote sailing and to raise funds for cancer research – particularly men’s cancers. As the survival rates from cancer have improved, so have the needs of the Hunter Branch of Cancer Council NSW, and the funds raised from this regatta are now directed to the Home Help Program. This program provides domestic assistance to both recovering and terminal cancer patients who, because of their illness, are unable to perform many of the domestic duties they would normally do.

In the 15 years that this event has been run, it has raised some $470,000 in support of the charities and it’s expected to be well over the $500,000 after the 2022 event.

The 16th HCW Charity Sailing Regatta will be run over the weekend of February 5 and 6.

The Charity Dinner will again be held on the preceding Friday - February 4th, at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto.

Race Entry and information can be found on the RMYC website - https://www.rmyctoronto.com.au/heaven-can-wait

CPPA Membership Renewal is underway

Membership to the Coal Point Progress Association aligns with the calendar year. Shortly all existing members will be given an update about their membership status, whether they need to renew or how long their multi-year membership has left to run.

If you’re not a member and would like to join, a membership form is available on the website or by emailing cppa.membership@gmail.com.

Seniors Computer Help close at hand

For those Seniors who are having troubles with their technology, whether it is a laptop, a desktop, phone, tablet, PC, Mac, Apple or Android, help is available. For several years now, we have been volunteering at the Toronto Centenary Hub, assisting people with their various computer worries or those who would simply enjoy learning more. For example, in recent months, there have been plenty of us who have battled with showing Covid vaccination proof or even using a mobile phone for the QR code. These are the sort of issues with which we help.

The cost for this service is minimal, involving becoming a member of The Hub, $10 a year which entitles you to become involved in many other classes that operate there, plus a gold coin donation for each lesson. We operate on Tuesdays only, from a small room which holds several computers. Each session lasts for one and a half hours with usually four people being assisted at each time slot. The times are: 9-10.30, 10.30-12, 1-2.30 and 2.30-4.

At present, we are looking at restarting in early February 2022 unless there are further Covid developments. If you are at all interested, or know someone who might benefit, please contact either of us so that you can be added to a waiting list.

Please leave a message if we are unable to answer the phone.

Keith Harvey
m: 0407106230, e: harvey45@gmail.com

Brian Coogan
m: 0432646264 e: 123456kruger@gmail.com

Sustainable Neighbourhoods in Lake Macquarie

Sustainable Neighbourhoods is a unique, Council-supported but independent community network which has been operating since 2010. Council provides Secretariat and funding support.

The Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance provides governance and supports local Sustainable Neighbourhood groups (SNGs) across the City. This includes:

• supporting the network and mentoring new groups;
• communicating between groups and sharing information, tools, case studies, connections, project plans etc; and
• providing advice and advocacy on sustainability-related issues and making submissions on strategies and plans to all three levels of government.

A key initiative of the Alliance has been to foster City-wide projects. One of these is ‘ReLeaf Lake Mac’ which aims to promote urban greening for mitigating climate change and to educate the public on the multiple benefits of trees. Another is ‘Repair cafes’ which aim to teach residents how to reuse goods and recycle materials (clothing etc.). A third is the promotion of alternatives to the use of plastics, especially single-use bags.

There are 12 active SNGs across the City. They take actions to:

• reduce our resource consumption (energy, water and waste);
• increase community involvement in protecting and caring for environment and place;
• increase our capacity to respond effectively to environmental threats, and;
• increase community wellbeing and pride in our local areas.

Our local group is the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG). The TASNG has a close working relationship with the CPPA, the Five Bays SNG and the community garden at the HUB, Toronto. The Chronicle regularly features TASNG updates.

Current projects include: promotion of bamboo take away cups for cafes and coffee vans, maintenance of the small native garden on Awaba Road, phasing out single-use plastics in Toronto, rehabilitation of the foreshore near Fennel Bay bridge, advocacy for better cycling and walking infrastructure and monitoring improvements to Toronto’s foreshore.

More information can be found at
http://www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/

We invite you to consider becoming a member of TASNG. We are always looking for new ideas. If you would like more information please email torontoareasng@gmail.com or phone 0418 967 158 or http://www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/toronto-area.html

Nico Marcar- Alliance Chairperson and TASNG Secretary.

Neighbours Noticing Nature - Enclosing cats

“I was disappointed to read the article in the Chronicle regarding cats and wildlife. Same tired article outlining how “bad” cats are. Why is it that the real problem is never or rarely addressed, pet owners?

People are 100% responsible for their pets and have the power to control the interactions of their cats with wildlife. Why not be part of the solution and do an article on the many enclosures, cat runs etc that are available and start to educate the real problem - people.

Unfortunately focusing on the “cat problem” just encourages haters and can, and has, resulted in “people” trapping, killing or poisoning neighbour’s pets.

Be part of the solution and educate rather than stir up the anti-cat brigade.

The benefits of enclosing a cat are many. Cats fighting can result in abscesses, feline AIDS and many other health complications which can cost a considerable amount of money to rectify if indeed they can be treated. Some like feline AIDS cannot be cured and will impact the cat for the rest of its life.

To the woman whose garden is a hunting ground for the neighbour’s cat, I would suggest hosing the cat at every opportunity to discourage it. I would also have a conversation with the owners suggesting an enclosure. Who knows, they might not be aware of the many options available for the “responsible cat owner”.

There are numerous enclosures available including portable enclosures suitable for travel or permanent relocation and prices are varied, but all are preferable to free range cats causing destruction and as a result of this reinforcing the negative views of the anti-cat brigade. https://www.sydneycatenclosures.com.au”

See also: 

Do you know where your cat is?

How to build a cat enclosure

Climate Action on Our Doorstep

Just 14 km away is Eraring Power Station (EPS), owned and operated by Origin Energy. EPS has four 720 megawatt (MW) coal fired units, and one 42MW diesel fuelled gas turbine.

Eraring is Australia’s largest power station with a generating capacity of 2922MW, and accounts for approximately 25 percent of New South Wales’ power requirements.

In January 2021, Origin announced plans to progress the development of a major grid scale battery at Eraring.

This battery has a potential peak generation output of 700 MW. If it goes ahead it will be one of the largest battery projects (in terms of both peak power output and energy duration) in NSW and Australia.

Large-scale batteries can in theory be placed anywhere along the electricity grid. However, to take advantage of the infrastructure already in place and reduce the cost of the energy produced, Origin is looking at installing large-scale battery technology at many of their existing power stations, including the a 700MW battery project at the Eraring Power station.

Interestingly, a large-scale battery located next to a power station is not powered by the power station. Large-scale batteries operate independently, are connected to the grid and can continue to operate when the power station is not running or even after it may have been retired from service. Origin has committed to exiting coal-fired generation by 2032 and we anticipate that the capacity at Eraring will be replaced by a combination of renewables, battery storage and gas peaking power stations.

This was an excerpt from https://www.originenergy.com.au/blog/how-large-scale-batteries-support-renewables/

DAs In Play 9/11/21-20/12/21

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-and-development-services/Application-Enquiry.

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate
• CDC = Complying Development Certificate
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

Of note is this selection of DAs is the commencement of public works for the 20 Laycock Street development, addressing access to the stormwater system on Laycock Street.Interestingly there is also a scoping project to develop a 50 Megawatt AC (MWAC) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land adjacent to the Ausgrid Awaba substation.

CANDIDATES’ FORUM, Tuesday 23rd November, 7pm to 8.30pm

Local Government Elections
4th December, 2021

 Additional questions that weren't answered at the Forum have been posted to the TAG Facebook page for candidates to comment

The change of date for the forum was made to accommodate the attendance of incumbent councillors.

The Toronto Action Group and the Rathmines, Toronto and Five Islands Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups have organised a West Ward candidates’ Forum to be held online as a Webinar on Tuesday 23rd November from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.

This Candidates’ Forum will precede the Lake Macquarie Local Government elections being held on 4th December. The Forum will give both Mayoral and West Ward candidates an opportunity to answer a range of questions submitted by members of the community.

Residents are invited to submit issues and questions by:
• Email - toronto.action.group.info@gmail.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TorontoActionGroup
• Drop a note in to the CPPA letterbox (197 Skye Point Rd)
• Post it to PO Box 329, Toronto.

One concern already raised is that many Councillors seem reluctant to engage with residents and lack an understanding of what the community needs and wants. At the same time, there is seen to be a lot of ‘spin’ that promotes Council in the media but largely ignores community feedback.

Council’s profit-making operations appear to be interfering with its primary responsibilities to the community at a time when our rapidly expanding population needs more parkland for recreation. The failure to reclassify the ‘Operational’ land at Bath Street on Toronto’s foreshore as ‘Community’ (Park) Land highlights this concern.

Others have questioned whether some Councillors consider that the development controls are only a ‘guideline’ and therefore are too willing to allow extra height and bulk to large developments. The LEP allows Council to grant exemptions under certain conditions when in the ‘public interest’, but are outcomes more in the ‘developer’s interest’?

Other issues relate to lack of car parking and the need for more and better maintained shared pathways.

There is also a general concern over the apparent reluctance of Councillors to direct the Council staff on implementing important decisions.

It is pity that a majority of candidates have failed to complete the optional section (part 2) of the nomination form, which gives the opportunity to provide some detail on the candidate’s beliefs and policies – sadly in most cases we are left in the dark!

Mayoral candidates are:

• Kay Fraser (Labor)
• Rosmairi Dawson (Independent)
• Luke Cubis (Lake Mac Independents)
• Jason Pauling (Liberal)

Councillor Candidates are:

The first two listed candidates for the West Ward Councillors from the nominated parties are:

• Group A: Jason Pauling, Lindsay Paterson (Liberal)
• Group B: Luke Cubis, David Gibson (Lake Mac Independents)
• Group C: Ingrid Schraner, Kim Grierson (The Greens)
• Group D: David Belcher, Madeline Bishop (Labor)

Ungrouped:

• Rosmairi Dawson (Independent)

For the 2021 Local Government elections, you will only be able to vote in person in your council area.

Local Polling Places are:

• Coal Point Public School, Rofe Street, Coal Point.
• Kilaben Bay Community Hall- Kilaben Rd, Kilaben Bay.
• Toronto Multi-Purpose Centre – 9 Thorne Street.
• Biraban, Blackalls Park, Fassifern and Fennell Bay Public Schools.

There will be additional COVID safety measures in place this election

Early voting or pre-poll is available from Monday 22 November to Friday 3 December 2021. Any person enrolled to vote may vote by pre-poll at the Meeting Rooms, Toronto Library, 7 Pemell Street.

• Postal voting is available if you are self-isolating or believe you pose a risk to those around you

Voting on the day at a polling place you’ll be required to

• check-in with QR code
• 1.5m physical distancing at all times
• BYO pen if possible
• Hand sanitise at entry and exit

Another measure mandated under the Local Government Act to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19 is that handing out ‘How to Vote’ electoral material will not be permitted within 100 metres of a polling place or pre-polling office.

Candidates' Forum

This is a good reason to join us on 23rd November to get to know the candidates before voting to ensure the best prospects for the future of our area.

Register now to attend this online forum in the comfort of your home at https://west-ward-and-mayoral-candidates-online-forum.eventbrite.com.au. You will then be sent a Zoom link the week before the Forum.

The Town Green

Many locals were surprised with the rapidity at which the fence was erected on the Toronto foreshore, and many have been frustrated at not knowing what is happening behind the screens, with the QR code on the fence not providing an informative link.

Below is the extract from the Feb 2021 ’Toronto Foreshore Masterplan’.

The Town Green is a generous civic arrival space, celebrating the termination of The Boulevarde at the foreshore.

The current shared Greenway will be extended along the eastern edge of Victory Parade to improve the pedestrian environment and allowing a generous consistent public edge - forming part of the larger shared-way network connecting to Fassifern and in the future, Coal Point.

It is proposed that the existing bus stop is moved slightly south to better integrate the stop and shelter on gentler topography and closer to the Town Green and upgraded crossing points.

More open than other areas of the foreshore, the Town Green links the activity at the Sailing Club with the attractions of the pool, cafe and playground of the Wharf Road Precinct. It is grassed and broad, allowing flexibility for major cultural events, regattas, ball games or simple every-day occupation.

The Town Green is subtly sculpted to create a shallow amphitheatre which addresses the water with a new stage and shade canopy. This canopy is a keenly located upgrade to the existing rotunda, and makes for a dramatic stage for weddings, performances and social gatherings right on the water’s edge.

Access to the Sailing Club and the quality of the ground plane surrounding it are both enhanced - forming a water square which can accommodate drop off and parking for 12 cars but at key moments can be transformed for markets, performances, or spill-over space for rigging during sailing events.

A more generous and upgraded edge to the water allows clear movement along the foreshore as well as improved relationships between visitors and Sailing Club activities.

The potential expansion of the Sailing Club is considered, with a potential expanded footprint shown dotted.

DA's in Play 9/10/21 to 9/11/21

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table below.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: 

https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-and-development-services/Application-Enquiry.

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate,
• CDC = Complying Development Certificate,
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

Two very different DA's on our doorstep, provides some local commentary on the various styles of development we are seeing. 

On notice for comment is 163-167 Excelsior Pde, a development that is including open space and tree retention.

Progress People Projects

Where have you wandered?

During COVID many of us were able to explore our neighbourhood on foot and by bike and you may have discovered some hidden gems. Perhaps it was a trek on a track that linked to an unexpected place, a sneaky shortcut, or a trot that got the heart rate up and had an inspiring view at the end. Did you tour on your bike somewhere that surprised you?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could share these travelling treasures? Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we can. The CPPA has set up a Strava account where we can share our pedestrian and cycling activity. Strava allows you to generate maps of where you’ve been using a mobile device and upload comments and pictures. You can follow the Coal Point Progress Association to upload your travels. 

If there are any avid Strava users who would like to lend a hand at keeping up the CPPA account get in touch.

Gaming Session for members

The Underground Arcade is a new age Virtual Reality gaming Arcade located in Toronto. (67-73 The Boulevard Toronto). The owners have invited the CPPA to a free 2-hour session at the arcade and share in the experiences it has to offer, such as
• Three full size green screen room scale VR rooms,
• Motion simulators for both racing and flight,
• Squad gaming and internet café area,
• Two Kat Walk VR multidirectional treadmills and
• A high-quality sound system with phone connectivity.

With current restrictions the arcade can accommodate a maximum of 20 people at a time.

If you’re a gamer and a member of the CPPA and would like to come along, get in touch and we can organise a date. Members under 13 will require adult supervision for content control.

Join Up and Join In

If you’d like to join the CPPA here’s a membership form or get in touch with one of the Committee members (see the back page of The Chronicle). If you join now, you get a couple of bonus months as renewals run to the calendar year.

The CPPA members own a hall, and we want to put it to good use in 2022 with social events. If you like the idea of creating fun functions, groovy gatherings, or pleasurable parties we are looking for a gregarious group to lend a hand, choose the talent and assist with the hosting of these community extravaganzas. If you can help with one or several events, get in touch.

One event we would like to host is the Lake Macquarie Winds Concert Band. They have been in touch and are keen to entertain us. They are performing at the Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba (means ‘canoe place’), on 21st November between 4 and 6 pm. This is a free, COVID-safe concert hosted by LMCC.

We’re on the lookout for an assistant hall-coordinator to learn the ropes for keeping the hall in tip-top condition. Our current hall deputy will be leaving the area and we would like to share the knowledge gained of the various processes that have been put in place to make caring for our hall a seamless and satisfying experience. Please get in touch.

More local Muso’s wanted to Muse with.

A group of musically ambitious locals have started to gather at the hall, on the 1st and 4th Thursday of the month, 3-4:30pm, for musical fellowship. So far, the group consists of clarinet, bass, guitar, drum players and one potential voice. It would be great if there were more musos or singers involved. Whilst we are not asking musos to be highly competent, we are a playing group, not a group for learners to be taught a musical instrument. We are currently learning a repertoire of Let it Be, Moonglow, All of Me, What a Wonderful World and Moon River. 

Enquiries to Rob 0408 429 870, rob2roam@bigpond.com

Neighbours Noticing Nature

The Neighbour

"I’ve been creating a backyard habitat for the local wildlife for 30 years, I have quite a jungle now so possums frequent, Brush-tailed and ring-tailed, birds have regular stop overs, the King Parrots were feasting on my Lilly-pilly, the Kookaburra’s that wake me in the morning and announce night-time perch in my trees to cack their chorus. The wild animals are ‘my pets’ frequent visitors that I welcome.

One animal that is not welcome is a neighbour’s cat that now stalks in my yard, climbs on my veranda, and lays in wait. Whilst I have tried to discourage it with hissing and chasing, it erupts from my garden and skitters home…and now it has killed a kookaburra. The sanctuary that I have created has become a killing field for someone else’s ‘pet’."

The Research

Many cat owners don’t believe their cat kills, but research has shown “pet cats kill 30-50 times more animals per km2 around towns than feral cats do in the bush”.

A 2020 article from ‘The Conversation’ - ‘One cat, one year, 110 native animals: lock up your pet, it’s a killing machine’ elaborates on these findings, and what can be done to reduce the cat attack impact and concludes “Keeping your cat securely contained 24 hours a day is the only way to prevent it from killing wildlife.”

The Poem

Killer Kitties by Suzanne Pritchard

I have a killer kitty and it looks so very cute
It likes to kill most anything that moves or tweets or hoots
I saw it with a blue tongue just the other day
It patted and it petted it to try and make it play.

But the Bluey’s lungs were punctured, and its head was kind of mauled,
So off into the compost bin the lifeless lump was hauled.
Then kitty found a lorikeet, a tawny frogmouth too
But the birds no longer twittered, only feathers left, half chewed.

We haven’t lived here very long my killer cat and I,
And I wonder why the birds no longer chirp when I go by?
There used to be such wildlife, it’s why we got this place
But now the eerie silence is my killer cat’s disgrace.

Perhaps I’ll get a bell and keep kitty in at night,
We’ll cuddle up together and stop the murderous blight
It’s such a shame the birds have gone, not just for us, but all
I guess the time has come at last to be cat responsible.

The Christmas COVID cash grab is in full flight!

The number crunchers are expecting a big pre-Christmas spend, followed by a Christmas lavish, then a Boxing Day fork-out, which might roll into Australia Day cough-up, Valentines Day dish-out and Easter expend…so many dollars in circulation but are they also doing good?

Whilst some local businesses have thrived over the pandemic period, many are hanging in there, hoping local pockets and purses will be emptying their contents at their registers.

Many of our local shops offer vouchers for goods or services. These are the gifts that give and keep on giving. What good will your giving generate this year to support a community coming out of COVID?

How about coffee or lunch vouchers, haircut vouchers (we all know how much they were missed), supporting charity op shops, local clothes, shoes, and gift establishments, local online businesses via the Toronto & Westlakes’ Community Notice Board (Facebook). Looking for Australian made? Take the time to have a wander, you’ll find it.

The other issue is with shelves in the big stores looking to empty due to import impediments, finding a local gift on a shelf may turn out to be a relaxing way to spend a daytrip to Toronto.

Is Munibung on your mind?

Have you enjoyed meandering around Munibung Hill over the years? 

There is finally a Management Plan proposal on exhibition for this prominent landmark. However, there are competing ideas about how it should be ‘managed’, some of which include building roads to the top and having structures built. Many people, however, would prefer it to stay much as it is, a pleasant place to go for a quiet walk with quite spectacular views.

The Management and Concept Plans will be on public exhibition from 8 November to 20 December and can be viewed on the Shape Lake Mac page. More information is in the Munibung Musings Newsletter

TASNG Tips

Annual General Meeting

You're invited to the online Annual General Meeting of Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group on Wednesday 13 October, 5pm, via Zoom

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting:

The AGM Agenda will be

1. Welcome – Acknowledgement of Country
2. Attendance & Apologies
3. To confirm the Minutes of the AGM held on 11 November 2020.
4. Reports
5. Election of Office bearers - To elect an executive committee
Nominations for each of these positions should reach the Secretary at least ONE week prior to the meeting date. Please email torontoareasng@gmail.com.
6. To determine an annual membership fee.
7. To conduct any other business as required.

The October monthly meeting will follow the AGM

Looking after Locals after lockdown

As we emerge from our health hiatus and tentatively step forth along the road to recovery, spare a thought, and some cash, to support our local business that have done it tough over the past months. If you can buy local, you’ll be keeping our community humming along and providing the goods and services we need.

Transitioning to plastic free

The NSW Plastics Action Plan sets out several actions to better manage plastics and reduce their environmental impact, including phasing out some of the most littered plastic items through new legislation.

The Action Plan targets are to work towards national waste targets including:
• phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025
• ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, starting in 2021
• reduce the total waste generated in Australia by 10% per person by 2030
• recover an average 80% of resources from all waste streams by 2030
• significantly increase the use of recycled content by government and industry.

TASNG are starting to plan for the next phase of our Plastic Free Lake Mac campaign, with a focus on supporting our local businesses to make the transition away from plastic items such as "reusable" thick plastic bags, veggie bags, coffee cups, plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws.

What are your ideas about ways to help local businesses, and how would you like to be involved? Please let TASNG know. If there are businesses we can support in Toronto to transition through writing grants and providing information we’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime you can recycle a whole range of soft scrunchable plastics through the REDcycle program at Woolworths and Coles

Candidates Forum 23/11/21 and Council Elections 4/12/21

This event has been rescheduled for the 23rd November.

West Ward residents will be asked to cast their vote for

Mayor and four West Ward councillors on Saturday December 4th.

The Toronto Action Group (TAG) has combined with other Westlakes community and Sustainability Neighbourhood Groups from Toronto, Five Bays and Rathmines, to host a Candidates’ Forum to get to know the councillor and mayoral candidates.

Due to COVID concerns, only candidates and event coordinators will be present at the venue however the audience will be able to view the discussions online and get responses to the questions they have submitted to the candidates.

What are the issues they'll be championing? What is their community background and how will they represent the community?

The past few years have highlighted how much and how little some councillors do for the local community. Do we want invisible placeholders or active champions?

This forum is the beginning of our 3-year relationship with our reps. and this is our get to know you speed date.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask the candidates or an issue you’d like to hear their thoughts on?
• Email - toronto.action.group.info@gmail.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TorontoActionGroup
• Drop a note in to the CPPA letterbox (197 Skye Point Rd)
• Post it to PO Box 329, Toronto.

The TAG team will be collecting and collating questions to pose to the candidates on the night.

Register to attend the online forum here.

The July Chronicle Article below provided more background to why the Forum is being held.

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The postponed Council elections of last year will now be held on Saturday 4th September this year. Westlakes residents will be asked to cast their vote for Mayor and four West Ward Councillors.

The Toronto Action Group has combined with other Westlakes community/sustainability groups to host a West Ward and Mayoral Candidates’ Forum online. 

We won’t know until November 4th who the candidates will be. But we already know the issues that affect us. Some are very local (e.g. kerbs and footpaths) whilst others affect most of Westlakes (e.g. traffic, parking, lake access and loss of trees).

Council has made progress on environmental, social and economic health. The Toronto Foreshore Masterplan, the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the draft Lake Activation Strategy hold out hope of further improvements.

Nevertheless, there have been some huge frustrations. Not least were the wasted two years arguing over the proposed multi-storey apartment block on Toronto’s foreshore that the community was not asked about and never wanted. Increased building density is being poorly planned with more and more traffic clogging roads and chasing less parking space.

Behind all of this is an often fractured and strained relationship with the present Council and Councillors. Some ward Councillors have been reluctant to consult with their community. Wendy Harrison (retiring) has done so but with little support from her fellow Councillors.

It’s not just politics. The new organisational structure and attitude of senior Council staff have made community engagement much more difficult. Under the new structure, staff work in project teams across departments, many of which have been renamed and reinvented. Some staff appear to be happy with this arrangement, others not.

For residents it is now hard to find out who is responsible for what. Council has become opaque. For example, the Toronto Foreshore Masterplan was managed not by Planning or Parks but by Property & Business Development, while Rathmines Park masterplan was managed by Asset Management.

Residents are ‘consulted’ on a plethora of strategies and plans through the ‘shape.lakemac’ website. Their representations and submissions are ‘summarised’ in engagement reports, but it is usually hard to spot any changes made. Staff recommendations are put to Councillors, a few questions are asked, not necessarily answered, then the report is endorsed.

Is this ‘good governance’? Is the community being treated with respect? Are Councillors being treated with respect? Should ward Councillors actually support their communities on things that matter? Or should we just put up with the status quo?

Candid questions for the Candidates

The Candidates Forum will be an opportunity for community members to find out a little bit more about the people who want to represent us, their interests and their reasons for being our local representatives.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask them or an issue you’d like to hear their thoughts on?

The TAG team will be collecting and collating questions to pose to the candidates.

Send an email to toronto.action.group.info@gmail.com with your question, or use the TAG facebook group to pose a thought-provoker or drop a note in to CPPA letterbox or post it to PO Box 329, Toronto.

Register to attend the Candidates Forum via Eventbrite. Both online and in-person attendees will need to register.

Did you know? The Bath Street site is NOT part of Toronto’s Foreshore Park.

The Council resolutions of September 2019 specified that Council was to ‘consider’ reclassifying part or all of the Bath Street site to community land.

Council documents state that a Park is a parcel of community land that Council manages and maintains as parkland for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Because the Bath Street site (4 Bath Street and 1B Victory Row) is classified operational land, Council has now confirmed that it is not part of Toronto’s Foreshore Park, even though it is part of the Foreshore Master Plan (FMP) area.

Council officers are insisting that keeping the Bath Street site as operational is consistent with the resolution, but has given no formal reasons.

It seems that the ‘consideration’ of reclassification by Council officers has been superficial and they are trying to avoid public scrutiny.

This is not good enough. As long as the status of the land remains ‘operational’, it is possible for Council to revive a high-rise development or sell off this waterfront land.

And there are still some Victory Row lots that have yet to be reclassified, although Council has agreed to do so, so they also lie outside the boundary of the Foreshore Park.

With the delayed Council elections now to be held in December, it is time that the Mayor and West Ward Councillors tell us their position on the boundaries of the Foreshore Park. This is particularly important given that Council’s own planning documents identify that, given the rapid population growth, Toronto is in need of additional parkland.

This Council has wasted a ridiculous amount of time and resources trying to foist an unwanted high-rise development onto our precious strip of foreshore. The Master Plan offers a way forward but it won’t integrate all of the foreshore into a park whilst the Bath Street site remains operational land.

As they say, it’s a loophole big enough to drive a tank through it.

Will Council act in good faith or not?

Our Big Bushland Backyard

Almost a decade of Bird Surveys comes to an end

Since 2012 the CPPA has been fortunate to have had the support of enthusiastic bird surveyors recording the presence and noting the absence of our fine-feathered friends along the Coal Point peninsula. Between 2012-2018 Tom Clarke (left) undertook quarterly surveys. He handed the baton to Rob Palazzi (right) and Michael Paver (centre) who upped the ante with monthly surveys until the recent COVID lockdown. The sightings and pictures have been a regular part of the Chronicle.

The dynamic duo is now moving on and we offer our sincere thanks to them for their enormous contribution to our understanding of the local birdlife. The CPPA has been provided with a fantastic record of our local birdlife. Knowing what we have in such detail means we can also try to protect it. To have bird surveys covering almost a decade is a rare gift. Sincere thanks to Rob and Michael for providing your expertise and insights.

If you like looking at birds October 18-24 is the Aussie Backyard Bird Count hosted by Birdlife Australia.

If you’d like to be involved in regular bird surveys please get in touch with Suzanne at coalpointprogress@gmail.com.

Neighbours noticing nature

Local wildlife carer Catherine recently mentioned there are some Painted Button-quail about in Coal Point and she had a quail in care that had been caught by a cat; luckily there were no major injuries and it was released a few days later. Catherine mentioned there always have been quail here, but they are declining in numbers.

Rob Palazzi commented “our bird surveys have no records of the Button-quail, but that is sort of to be expected given that we walk through for a very brief check each month, and it is unusual to flush them when we stick to the tracks mostly.

The Painted Button-quail are known to forage using a curious twirling behaviour that results in a saucer sized flattening of the grass - if you find these it's a good diagnostic for their presence - almost as good as hearing a whipbird and calling that a definite presence! Good that the cat did no serious damage (this time) to the bird you found.”

The other wildlife that flitted through our bushland forest recently was a small wallaby/pademelon/kangaroo. It was sighted bounding about Burnage, gambolling at Gurranba and caught on dashcam at Oakhampton Court. As with the July sighting of the quoll, it is so good to know that we still have the capacity to receive wildlife through the connectivity of our bushland.

A note of neighbourly distress. 

"Two large, seemingly healthy gum trees were

removed from the front yards of adjoining properties last week - by separate contractors. It was very distressing considering these trees were so majestic, providing homes for nesting magpies as well as a safety net for possums and other local wildlife.

In the 37 years we’ve lived here we’ve watched maggies nesting in these trees - so sad to see the huge gap that remains. And so sad to hear the chain saws and munchers so regularly in Coal Point now."

Landcare Longings

National Tree Day was Tree-mendous

On the last Saturday before lockdown (31/7/21) 23 locals, visitors and Mayor Kay Fraser, spent a glorious morning planting for National Tree Day and the sharing BBQ lunch on the grass at Gurranba Reserve.

The month-long preparations to get the 2m strip bordering the path relatively weed free meant the 200 Lomandras and Dianellas could be planted and watered with a tender touch. The aim of this planting was to provide a protective edge to the unique foreshore vegetation, to hopefully stop the encroachment of the exotic grasses into the native vegetation and reduce the need for mowing.

It was a very happy day for one and all thanks to the wonderful organisation and collaboration between CPPA and TASNG as we celebrated Our Tree City status and wallowed in the spectacular outlook from Gurranba in the company of like-minded mortals.

(Lois sharing her landcaring wisdom with the Tree Day crew)

Beating about the Bush- Lois Simpson

Has Australia ever been so physically fit!?! So many people out and about walking!

And then you realise just how lucky we are, living in our bushland suburb, where, even unconsciously, our souls are soothed, our well-being is enhanced and we are armed to return to our more isolated existences.

Take opportunities to move slowly through the bush in our reserves. Nearby, a couple of grey butcherbirds are nesting (photo John Sharples). Their song begins early and finishes at sunset. How can you not admire their musical talents? Next, a flash of emerald as a king parrot swoops by. For them, habitat hollow real estate is at a premium.

Did you know that 75% of Australian birds need hollows to nest in...and that trees take decades, or even centuries to form those hollows? Every tree is precious, even a dead one, for our feathered friends and meandering marsupials.

After fire, flood and drought, nature has given us its best this spring. The vegetation is lush and alive as each species takes its turn to parade its colours - and when the vegetation is healthy, it underpins the health of the whole web of life.

Now is the time to breathe in the bush, to listen to its music and to admire its display. Covid has wreaked havoc, and yet has provided us with this one good chance.

Mother-of-millions on the March

Whilst the community effort at Gurranba has greatly reduced the number of Mother-of-millions, this prolific spreader is increasing in abundance outside of reserves, along the verges and footpaths in our community.

It has been growing prolifically over this last year because of the rain but can thrive in the harshest of environments. It is a constant battle, as every tiny branchlet will grow into a new plant...and the little branchlets will fall to the ground unnoticed and colonise immediately. It is spreading from yards and roadsides faster than we can spread the word, but fight on we must, as this poisonous plant has no known enemies in our country.

It is high on the government weed list and it is illegal to sell it in many parts of Australia.If you clean some up from your yard or verge, please bag it and place in your landfill bin. Every little bit helps...and our city's natural places will be ever so grateful, along with the landcaring locals who spend many an hour mindfully removing Mother-of-millions so that our local plants can continue to thrive.

Photo by John Sharples with landcarer Rod and a mega Mother-of-millions, (Bryophyllum delagoense) 

Hansard Hero from 8th June 2021

Recognition of a community champion went into Hansards earlier this year. Whilst Lois' (left in above pic) kept it quiet, CPPA and TASNG felt a bit of local recognition was merited.

From Hansards

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie)—Lois Simpson from Toronto has worked tirelessly to protect flora and fauna throughout Lake Macquarie for more than two decades. She has volunteered with numerous environmental projects and organisations over that time, and her dedication to bush regeneration has been relentless.

Lois says she always feels comfortable in the bush and has long recognised that looking after our bushland is not about aesthetics but about maintaining a stable web of life.

As Lake Macquarie Landcare Volunteer Network's deputy chairperson, she worked hard to make sure Landcare continued to operate during COVID-19 and personally replanted much of Toronto Lions Park.

She is passionate about educating the next generation on delicate ecosystems and has worked with Fire and Rescue NSW to build a model fire retardant garden at their Toronto station.

Lois has also been involved with the Coal Point Endangered Species Project where she worked to save valuable habitat. She is also secretary of Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group, a member of Toronto Lions Auxiliary and spent nearly 20 years volunteering with Toronto Scouts as a cub leader.

I congratulate Lois and thank her for all she has done for our local community.