Wanted - Walkers and Hall Maintenance Coordinator

Hall Maintenance Coordinator

The Coal Point Progress Association is a volunteer organisation that owns its own hall.

The Hall, like any building, requires a bit of maintenance every now and then. For the past decade Ian Dennison had kept an eye on what needed to be done and organised working bees to do it.

Since Ian's retirement the CPPA has been looking for a new Hall maintenance coordinator to fulfil this role. 

In consultation with the Hall hire coordinator and the CPPA committee any maintenance tasks are identified and then a process and to address them is considered.

If you are interested please email cppasecretary@gmail.com or talk with Suzanne.

Newsletter deliverers

The Chronicle is a local newsletter, produced and delivered by volunteers, with the printing supported by sponsors.

It is hand delivered to 2370 letterboxes in the Coal Point, Carey Bay, Kilaben Bay and Toronto areas.

Walkers are wanted to deliver the almost monthly Chronicle. You will be assigned an area to letterbox. The newsletters are delivered in bulk to your door where you get to fold them and deliver them.

The runs take about an hour to deliver.

Contact Nico if you'd like to lend a hand.

Local's landcaring

More information about the local landcare program is here

Tools & techniques provided

Morning tea at 10am

Coal Point & Carey Bay Landcaring 8am-noon

• 28/8 West Ridge
• 5/10 Yarul
• 12/10 Puntei Creek Reserve
• 19/10 Burnage
• 26/10 Killibinbin
• 2/11 Burnage

Crocodile Point

1st &3rd Wednesday
8:30-10am. Meet under the Fennel Bay bridge

Want to join Us?

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

https://coalpointprogress.blogspot.com/p/guardian-group-information.htm

Annual TASNG Report 2023

Chair's Report 2023 - Steve Dewer

The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group was held on 13th September and the elected committee bore a striking resemblance to last year’s dedicated crew.

Steve Dewar - Chairperson, Lois Simpson - Deputy Chairperson, Nico Marcar - Secretary, Trish Eldridge -Treasurer, Joanne Rees - Assistant Secretary

After a big change in the leadership, it was a hard act to follow Nico, Lois and Trisha.

TASNG’s efforts to improve our natural environment are crucial after COVID. Led by Lois, major improvements are happening to sustain and maintain the Toronto West Welcome garden and to clear out invasive plants from the wetlands opposite Toronto Lions Park, called “Crocodile Point” by our group.

We have supported Boomerang Bag making through Toronto library’s Make and Mend program. Trish and Lois have supported our campaign to reuse material and avoid plastics.

Nico and Steve attempted to change the habits of McDonalds Toronto customers about recycling on Clean Up Australia Day. We will continue to advocate to avoid plastics and promote recycling.

Lois continued to advocate for our community’s safety to get the painting of the parking bollards in the Boulevarde attended to after many accidents, and it looks like success is on its way.

Joanna has brilliantly led our anti-graffiti campaign and congratulated Toronto businesses via the award letter prepared by Suzanne. We have put in a grant application to the Eraring Community Grant for Awabakal painting prints on the Toronto Dentist’s wall and High School mural extension in Cook St. The Awabakal link is so important as Biraban Land Council supported our call for a Biraban & Threlkeld memorial on our Toronto foreshore reserve.

Helle will be working with Nico on getting more shared pathways in Westlakes and it looks like Toronto to Teralba is a priority, while we wait for a Kilaben Bay to Rathmines link.

Our partnership with Coal Point Progress Association is so important, especially through the Chronicle, thank you Suzanne. We had a wonderful carboot sale at Carey Bay last October, supported by the community, although we would have liked many more people. We will have a Trash and Treasure Reuse/Recycling stall at Lions Market in October!

Chris has kept us up to date with the amazing Hub Community Garden and we thank the Hub for allowing us to use the Hub for our meetings. We did have a Repair Cafe there in March. A moderate success but we would have liked more repairers.

Finally, we continue to support the wonderful work of Robyn at Pamper Care, so important during the Cost of Living crisis.

Thank you everyone…Steve

Boomerang Bags - Sew Sustainable

Are you interested in joining a new Boomerang Bags community?

Can you sew a straight line or use an iron? Do you have fabric you can donate? Do you want to help prevent used fabric going to landfill and be part of the circular economy?

Join the volunteers of Toronto Sustainable Neighbourhood Group for a free social sewing morning at the Toronto Library “Make and Mend Space”. Making bags from rescued fabric to share with others.

2023 Dates and Times

• Saturday 14 October 2023 9:15am - 11:30am
• Saturday 11 November 2023 9:15am - 11:30am
• Saturday 9 December 2023 9:15am - 11:30am

Location: Toronto Library, Brighton Avenue, Toronto

Teralba to Toronto (T2T) Climate Resilience

LMCC’s Climate Resilience Crew are inviting interested locals to learn more about risk management in the context of their climate resilience work from Teralba to Toronto.

Join Steve O’Keefe for an interactive introduction to risk management, with a focus on climate change and disaster risk.

This session will explore the practical applications of risk management in strengthening climate resilience between the lakeside suburbs of Teralba and Toronto.

Steve is a logistics and project management specialist with a passion for implementing realistic risk mitigation strategies. He has previously lectured in Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development at the University of Newcastle.

• Date: Thursday 28 September 2023
• Time: Please arrive at 4.45pm for a 5pm start
• Venue: Committee Room: Lake Macquarie City Council Administration Building, 126-138 Main Road, Speers Point, NSW, 2284 (or online by MS Teams – RSVP)
• RSVP by emailing nfarmer@lakemac.nsw.gov.au For further information on Teralba to Toronto Climate Resilience Planning visit: shape.lakemac.com.au/Teralba-to-Toronto

Are you ready for a long hot summer?

Attendees at a recent T2T Climate Resilience meeting had a strong focus on emergency management and disaster risk reduction – particularly with the summer bushfire and heatwave season approaching. Please see the following links and resources to assist:

o   See Emergency services | NSW Government for NSW emergency links including access to key NSW agencies and the Hazards Near Me App

o   See NSW RFS Get Ready site: Plan and prepare - NSW Rural Fire Service

o   NSW Health is a lead agency in response to extreme heat (heatwave) events. For further information see: Beat the heat (nsw.gov.au)

o   Visit NSW SES site for flood and storm preparedness and response: NSW State Emergency Service.  SES also has a local flood emergency sub-plan Local Flood Emergency Sub Plan

o   See Council’s Emergencies page to access key links and information: Emergencies - Lake Macquarie City Council,  especially:  Preparing for an emergency - Lake Macquarie City Council

o   Council’s Senior Bushfire Officer advised that the next Council EcoAdvocate Newsletter will include a story on preparing for summer bushfires.  If not already subscribed, visit: Get the latest environmental news from Council (confirmsubscription.com)

Bayira - Catching songs, stories and dreams

On Thursday 21 September, the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Auckland Street is hosting a special free event, Bayira.

Bayira brings together local Elders, students and the community and features performances by the Newcastle People’s Chorus and young people from the Big Picture school, as well as creative workshops, storytelling and more.

It opens at 5.30pm with performances from the People’s Chorus of Newcastle of some favourite songs such as “Weevils in the Flour”. Next will be “Catching Dreams”, a segment of music, storytelling and drama presentations by Indigenous and non-Indigenous high school students.

A local Indigenous youth perspective on the Voice follows and a presentation on language by Angelina Joshua.

At 7pm there will be a break during which light refreshments will be served.

After the break, you can choose to participate in an Indigenous arts workshop or a session, “Catching Stories- Newcastle Stories”.

The event will conclude at 8.30pm after a yarning circle. 

Feel free to pop in for a while or attend all. The event is free but we would like you to register.

TAFE students survey two Coal Point Reserves

During the first half of the year a class of TAFE students, under the guidance of Trisha Barker conducted biological surveys at two local reserves, West Ridge- Tiirabeynba and Stansfield- Nikinba

A student report from Jacqueline Brown is available to read in its entirety online and some of the findings and recommendations from her report follow, providing a glimpse of the local biodiversity and steps we can take to retain and enhance it.

4.4 Threatened animal species at West Ridge Reserve

Our animal surveys and observations at West Ridge confirmed the likely and potential presence of two threatened animal species.

Our second spotlighting survey recorded the sighting of one squirrel glider. This validated the two squirrel glider sightings recorded for this location in BIONET Atlas NSW.

The discovery of a regurgitated pellet (with small mammal skeleton inside) at Stansfield Reserve suggested the potential presence of a Powerful Owl hunting at this locality. BIONET Atlas NSW species sightings records and visual sightings from members of CPPA confirmed Powerful owl sightings at West Ridge.

Our spotlighting surveys also recorded the presence of numerous ringtail possums which are a common food source for the Powerful owl.

Section 5- Survey recommendations

Based on our site survey findings and conclusions, suggested remedial actions and recommendations are as follows:

REMEDIAL ACTION 1

Enhance nesting sites for squirrel gliders.

CPPA as part of the Threatened Species – Last Stand on Coal Point Peninsula Project designed and completed a mass installation of nesting boxes for squirrel gliders across the Coal Point bushland reserves. Squirrel gliders are hollow-dependent and require natural tree hollows or nesting boxes to survive.

It was evident during our site surveys that some of these nesting boxes are being occupied by rainbow lorikeets, which are numerous in number across Stansfield and West Ridge reserves.

REMEDIAL ACTION 2

Address the ‘edge effect‘ issues at Stansfield Reserve

Stansfield Reserve is particularly subject to the ’edge effect’ due to the following factors:

Small, fragmented core of native bushland with extended, disturbed edges,

Asset Protection Zone on north-western edge exposes reserve to weeds and garden escapees,

Walking tracks dissect the reserve creating additional ’edges’ and encourage spread of weeds especially weed grasses and

Residential development on edges of reserve is encouraging erosion, stormwater run-off, and the spread of exotic and invasive species.

RECOMMENDATION 1

Conduct a survey of squirrel gliders at Stansfield and West Ridge Reserve including their use of tree hollows and nesting boxes.

Consider modifying existing nesting boxes and hollows to enhance use by squirrel gliders and to discourage use by other species.

This may require augmentation of hollows using Hollow Hog designs and adaptations https://www.hollowhog.com.au/

RECOMMENDATION 2

Expand Stansfield Reserve with native species planting and connection of bushland corridors

The planting of endemic native species on the residential edges of the reserve will assist in providing a buffer to the exposed edges and protect habitat and remnant vegetation. The planting of native tree, shrub and groundcover species by private property owners should be encouraged along with targeted planting of understorey species in adjacent streets and public areas.

The aim should be to connect existing reserves to create an extended vegetation corridor to enhance wildlife movement and minimise edge effects.

Kitty Cat Containment Kits (KCCK)

Do you have a companion cat? Would you like to be able to let it outside for some fresh air in the knowledge that it is safe from harm and won’t roam to hunt or kill our precious native wildlife?

The CPPA is exploring a project to assist cat owners with responsibly caring for their cats and in the process protecting our local population of threatened species, such as the Squirrel and Sugar Gliders, along with our diverse birds and abundant skinks and small reptiles.

The idea that we’d like to explore is subsidising the installation of enclosures by

• getting a list of interested locals who would like some sort of containment structure at their place, attached or free standing,
• organising a bulk buy of materials,
• organising a contractor to install at a bulk installation rate,
• establishing an ongoing raffle where the prize is the installation of a Kitty Cat Containment structure, and
• growing a group of locals with instalment expertise to support locals with DIY installation.

There are lots of interesting ways to incorporate a cat enclosure at your place. Here are some links to some ideas about DIY structures and installing pre-made options.

Some standard constructions quotes have been obtained:

• Balcony enclosed area ($1250): Netting from ground to ceiling approx. 2.5m High x 4m long. Aluminium frame.
• Side of House area ($2250) Netting from top of fence to eaves approx. 2m wide x 10m long. Aluminium frame on house side of netting. Gate installed at one end for access.

One option to kickstart the project is to seek grant funding. The more local interest we can gain and include in the funding application the more favourably the application will be viewed.

If you are interested in participating please provide the information outlined below or complete the online form , and post or deliver to 197 Skye Point Rd or email cppasecretary@gmail.com

KCCK EOI

• What suburb do you live in?
• What is the item you would like to consider?
• Free standing enclosure ($400-$1000)
• Side of house enclosure ($2250)
• Balcony enclosure ($1250)
• Other…
• What percentage of the cost would you be prepared to contribute?
• Name
• Preferred contact details phone/email

A paw pledge to progress wildlife protection

The Invasive Species Council is currently lobbying governments for more conclusive cat containment, encouraging people to take the Paw Pledge so that governments can see what their constituents want. On the pledge you can mention if you are a cat owner (past or present) or if you simply support better protection for wildlife from cats. 

Aussie Bird Count

The Aussie Bird count is looming, 16-22 October, a great citizen science project that gets you out and about for 20 minutes, contemplating the beautiful bushland suburb we live and counting the birds we share it with. There’s time to download the app and start getting your ID eye fine-tuned.

The Aussie Bird count website has a handy bird finder tool and a webform, or there’s the app if you want to venture into one our beautiful reserves and do your count there.

Last year’s national survey showed that many of the top 10 NSW birds were also common locally.

• Rainbow Lorikeet
• Noisy Miner
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
• Australian Magpie
• Galah
• Welcome Swallow
• Common Myna
• Little Corella
• Silver Gull
• Crested Pigeon

DAs In Play - 28/7/23 to 19/9/23

DA/1503/2023- 2 Brighton Av- 133 Excelsior Pde is back

Comments are due by 5 October for the 10 two-storey multi-dwelling housing units. There are currently 93 trees present within the site; a total of 55 trees are to be removed with 38 trees to be retained. The images below have been taken from the Statement of Environmental Effects. Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing.

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

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

TinKat Alley Art Studio & Gallery

Tinkat Alley Art Studio is a hub for local Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Artists that come together for creative inspiration and motivation and is run by Kate Belton for the enjoyment and advancement of all that share a creative spirit!

Kate purchased the Station Master’s Cottage at Fassifern in 2015 and runs Art Classes and Workshops and also boasts a quirky Art Gallery for Original Local Art Sales. The gallery is run on a co-operative basis with artists from the Lake Macquarie area, including Sue Van Oosterom from our very own Coal Point area.

From Beginners to Accomplished Artists, Tinkat Alley not only offers a place to create it offers a venue to sell their art and a very special place to make new friends! Tinkat Alley Art Studio is open for Lessons/Mentoring Tuesday – Friday and the Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm (other times by appointment).

Whether you are looking for a Masterpiece for that blank wall or just want to push some paint around the canvas, Tinkat Alley Art Studio has it all!

Tinkat Alley Art Studio |4 Wallsend Road Fassifern | phone 0400 494490|www.tinkat.com