TASNG active in Toronto

The Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group (TASNG) is one of 12 such active groups in the City of Lake Macquarie under the Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance (www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/) which is a Council supported community organisation. TASNG includes the areas of Coal Point, Carey Bay, Kilaben Bay and Toronto. This year marks our 10th anniversary. We work closely with the Coal Point Progress Association.

TASNG members are all volunteers and committed to reducing resource consumption and increasing community involvement in protecting and caring for the environment and place, the community’s capacity to respond effectively to environmental threats and citizen involvement in public life and decision-making. 

Our interests include waste and recycling (e.g. plastic free cafes and publicising single use plastic bans), improving walking and cycling infrastructure, community assistance and events (e.g. planned car boot sale/community get-together), urban revegetation and beautification (e.g. west entry to Toronto) and landcare.

We warmly welcome new members, including from outside the TASNG area, and gratefully accept donations. New members will need to complete a once off membership form and pay an annual fee of $5. Please contact the Secretary at torontoareasng@gmail.com or on 0418 967 158 for further information or submit an enquiry at www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/toronto-area.html. TASNG meets monthly at The Hub, 97 The Boulevarde or online if required.

TASNG will join in the Plastic Free Cafes/Coffee Vans campaign over April/May to provide over 600 more bamboo reusable coffee cups to cut down on the huge number of non-reusable coffee cups going to landfill. Keep an eye out for them at selected cafes/coffee vans…only $2 donation. In June when the single-use plastic ban comes into effect in NSW, we will operate a shopping centre booth to help businesses and the public move away from these types of plastics! We are also endeavouring to get more signage around Toronto about the rich heritage of Toronto’s history. We have other projects to make Toronto a better town! http://www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/plastic-free-cafes.html

Toronto's Plastic free coffee shops

• Bellunos
• The Boulevarde Coffee Hub
• Casa-Nova Italian Restaurant & Bar
• Greg and Audreys
• Tinto Espresso Bar & Infuzion Cafe
• King and Co

Neighbour Day not far away…27 March

Neighbour Day has been running for 20 years with its aim to connect neighbours in an annual celebration of respectful relationships and strong communities.

One thing that’s become glaringly obvious over the past few years is that social connection counts. It’s a part of who we are as a social animal and as a caring community.

This year it’s possible to actually get out and meet your neighbours, with COVID safety in mind, and from all the ‘For Sale’ and ‘Sold’ signs that have been in abundance there’s probably a lot of new neighbours to meet.

We have so many wonderful spaces that lend themselves to community meeting places, fantastic foreshore reserves dotted around the community for catching up and connecting with neighbours, wide grassy verges and dead-end streets. A map is on the website

It’s easy to organise a meet-up, grab a pen or printer and send out an invitation to your neighbours to have a cuppa by the kerb (bring your own cuppa and snack - and meet in your street!), maybe a morning tea, afternoon tea or shared plate/ potluck event, or maybe a wellness walk in one of our local parks or around the neighbourhood.

There’s lots of ideas at https://neighbourday.org/get-involved/individuals-and-hosts/

And lots of local places to explore at https://coalpointprogress.blogspot.com/p/map-of.html

Climate Action Now – Treating Trees with Respect

The next contribution from the Sixth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is due to be released in April and will focus on methods for reducing emissions or removing them from the atmosphere. Council will soon release its draft Urban Heat and Urban Greening Strategies for public comment.

Trees are increasingly being recognised internationally and locally as critical infrastructure in a climate changing future. We need strategies, plans, resources and community action to protect them.

One way we can all do a little bit is by keeping our City’s trees intact and healthy where we can. This is becoming increasingly challenging because Council’s Ranger resources required to protect trees from illegal removal have been reduced.

Whilst there are Council rules about the process of removing native trees, recently the CPPA was contacted by distressed locals trying to address illegal tree removal on Australia Day , a majestic gum (pic). When locals rang Council they were advised “it’s after hours and Council can’t do anything about it”. Similarly an early Sunday morning call, another concerned neighbour, another magnificent gum, Council’s reply, ”someone will be out tomorrow”. These trees have framed the community and whilst on private land they are a part of the larger community, and as a silent majority are in desperate need of a loud voice.

A quick email alerting our local Councillors to the issue may provide an avenue to increase the Ranger budget to support tree retention in our community. Whilst Council is busy formulating plans to support trees on public land without efforts to protect those on private land, the majority of the land in the City, the battle for urban greening will be hard fought.

A positive development is that the Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance is highlighting the value of trees through the ReLeaf Lake Mac initiative. This initiative aims to increase tree canopy cover and green spaces across Lake Macquarie to address climate change and urban heating, which is identified as a concern around Toronto and Carey Bay. During the summer of 2015-16 some areas of Toronto were 9 0C above baseline data for the City.

ReLeaf Lake Mac envisions a vital network of grassroots groups working in partnership with each other, businesses, and Council across Lake Macquarie. Through these efforts, our community will value the urban forest as being integral to the quality of life, economic well-being, and a sustainable global environment.

The target is to increase tree canopy and native vegetation coverage to 50% in residential zones and 70% across the city. The Releaf LakeMac website has information about the benefits of green spaces, and how everyone can help to enhance the liveability of our city and protect the environment.

What are your favourite trees and green spaces in Lake Mac and what do you value most about them? It might be a bushland reserve, a special tree, a local park, your backyard or balcony. Who are our local bush champions, working to care for and enhance our green spaces? Please email ReLeafLakeMac@gmail.com with your story, photos or video so that it can be included on the website for others to enjoy. Visit releaflakemac.org.au to find out more, and to submit your stories or join the conversation on facebook https://www.facebook.com/releaflakemac

Climate Action Now Bin stickers and signs available at Progress Hall and https://www.climateaction.org.au/

Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association

The Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association is a not-for-profit group that was formed by past serving personnel to honour and reflect on the activities that occurred at RAAF Base Rathmines during WWII. Our volunteer activities include the maintenance of the memorial gardens, the placement of memorial plaques and the organisation and coordination of the annual Anzac Day service. Heritage Base Tours are also available for small groups.

The main task at hand is the restoration of the Catalina PBY-5A WWII flying boat to a static display standard, and it is progressing well. “Our Girl” was built for the US Navy in 1943 and post war was converted for civilian use but spent her last years unloved at San Juan Airport in Puerto Rico, from where it was purchased. Association volunteers attended the aircraft in 2013 to disassemble as much as practicable and make it ready for shipping to Australia. (Watch the video on the web site for a taste of the effort.)

Rathmines Air Force Base was home to 168 Catalinas during the war period as well as other flying boats and sea-planes and over 3000 personnel at its peak, so the aircraft represents a lot of history for our area.

Of the 3300 Catalinas built in the US most have been scrapped as war surplus. There are a few left in Australia, either as displays in museums or projects for future displays. Felix, The Black Cat, seen flying on special occasions is based at Albion Park, was a Chilean water bomber in civilian life. Refer to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society website for her full story.

Most of our aircraft is on private land in Ridge Road and is being restored on site. The years of neglect and the hot humid climate meant much of the aluminium skin and some of the stringers were badly corroded and in need of replacement. Removing fittings, their cataloguing and storage was a major activity to be reversed in due course. Hull re-skinning is moving ahead rapidly and inside the rear of the fuselage is being prepared for painting. We recently purchased from the US a second hand bow gun turret to convert our civilianised plane back into a war bird.

The original plan to relocate the finished aircraft as a static display within the ex-Rathmines Air Force Base precinct has been abandoned in favour of joining The RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre, ‘Fighter World’. Plans for the move and associated logistics are underway with a probable interim structure whilst the Heritage Centre embarks on its own expansion plans. The prospective move has hurried restoration work as it is expected in the next year or so. It is expected that the displayed aircraft will incorporate the memorabilia and relevance to the Rathmines Air Force Base.

Most of the volunteers are local to this area and not everyone is an aircraft specialist.

You can get in touch via 

• the website    https://rathmines-catalina.com 
• Facebook.      https://www.facebook.com/RathminesCatalina/ or 
• email             info@rathmines-catalina.com 

for any further information including by arrangement visits to the aircraft and a look at the on-line shop.

Rod Mellor, RCMPA Volunteer

Toronto Action Group Update - March 2022

The Toronto Action Group (TAG) has reconvened for 2022. The TAG will continue to identify greater Toronto area issues, seek solutions and advocate on behalf of our community for action by Council.

Current issues include:

• Parking concerns in Toronto, especially around event management and foreshore access
• Inadequate management of garden beds on the southside of The Boulevarde
• Need for more parkland to meet the projected increase in population
• Diminishing tree canopy
• Need to improve the condition of the Toronto Wetland as a valuable community asset
• The potential for eco-tourism to thrive in the area

If you have any thoughts on what issues you’d like the TAG team to address email toronto.action.group.info@gmail.com

What will Lake Mac look like in 10 years?

The results from LMCC’s Engagement Summary, “Create Our Future Now” show that across the City the aspects of local living that we enjoy and issues we have been advocating for resonate widely. The following excerpts are from the Engagement summary available at https://shape.lakemac.com.au/lakemac2032

WHAT YOU LOVE (p.7)

The top four responses were:

• access to the lake and recreational activities

• beaches

• diverse landscape

• our city’s lifestyle

MAKING LAKE MAC BETTER (p.7)

The top four responses were:

• increased pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

• continued environmental focus

• appropriate levels of development across the city

• increased public infrastructure

YOUR PRIORITIES (p.7)

• Residential development that complements our unique character • Protecting our natural playground • Building lively town centres • Health care access • More outdoor spaces • Events spread around the city • Improved public transport • More connected shared pathways • A city accessible to all • Attracting and supporting the right industries • Supporting population growth • Tourism opportunities • Recognising Aboriginal culture • Celebrating our heritage • Public art and cultural events • Cultural and creative spaces • Transparency in council decision making • Engaging with council • Securing strategic partners

Interestingly on p.13, in relation to outdoor spaces, people identified they would like to see an increase of public space and infrastructure, particularly as the population continues to grow. People would like to see more parks and open space and supporting amenities as well as infrastructure such as exercise equipment in key locations.

In relation to residential development, (p11) people identified a concern about the type and amount of residential development taking place across the city. Concern was expressed that mixed-use residential development is changing the character of some town centres and placing increased pressure on current infrastructure. There were also concerns with urban sprawl and the effect this is having on bushland.

One of the themes that emerged around Shared Decision Making (p22) was transparency in decision making; people want to know that there is transparency in the decision-making process and that the views of the community have been taken into account prior to forming a decision. People also wanted to know more about how and why decisions are made.

The next stage of the Community Engagement process will see LMCC consult with the community during the formal exhibition of the draft Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032. LMCC will check back in with our community to ensure they’ve captured our input and that they’re heading in the right direction to achieve the values and aspirations of the community.

This plan will be developed at a critical time in our lives when the window of opportunity to limit global warming is closing. Your input into local government decision making is vital to ensure best possible social, environmental, and economic outcomes for our community. Councillors are our local representatives and sharing your thoughts with them is one way of Shaping Lake Mac into the future.

Our West Ward Councillors are

Clr Jason Pauling (LIB)- Deputy Mayor

M: 0417 416 577 jpauling@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr David Belcher (ALP)

M: 0429 914 623 dbelcher@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr Madeline Bishop (ALP)

M: 0407 157 901 mbishop@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr Luke Cubis (LMIND)

M: 0429 939 475 lcubis@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Progress Hall Working Bee & Bulk Wastes Changes

Progress Hall Working Bee
- Saturday 2/4/22 @9am - noon

We like to have a bit of a working bee at our community owned hall twice a year to align with council clean ups, and we haven’t had one for quite a while due to COVID, so we’re very excited to be back on track for Saturday 2nd April, 9 till noon. If you use the hall or like the concept of a community owned-hall we’d love to have your helping hands.

One of the activities we’ll be considering as we clean is can we donate any of the items that are additional to our needs to those in need in flood-affected areas.

There’ll be lots of activities to keep busy hands active as we clean anything that isn’t tied down, and active minds busy as we arrange our possessions into the most efficient space possible.

Whilst there’ll be committee members at the hall it’s also a chance to drop in and join the CPPA and have a cuppa with the crew at 10:30.

Membership forms and people to talk to will both be present.

If you’re considering coming along please RSVP to coalpointprogress@gmail.com so we can plan the productivity of the session.

Bulk Waste Service about to Change

Council is planning changes to its bulk waste service. There’s an opportunity to join an information session with Council staff to talk about future changes to the bulk waste service on Tuesday 22 March, 5pm, Online via MS Teams. The session will cover:

• What prompted a review of Lake Mac’s bulk waste service
• What we learned in our investigations
• What we’re proposing for the future
• Answering your questions
• Your feedback on the planned changes

To receive the meeting link please rsvp via email to admin@sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au

DAs in Play 7/2/22- 13/3/22

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: 

• 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