Have your say on Helensburgh Park Crown Land Plan of Management
Council is seeking feedback on the Draft Helensburgh Park Crown Reserves Plan of Management (PoM). The Crown land under this PoM includes Charles Harper Park, Rex Jackson Park and Helensburgh Memorial Pool. The PoM proposes that land near the pool would be the potential new site for the Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. Page 27 of the 84-page document gives a plan view of Council’s site for the new centre which may indicate that Council has preliminary plans – it would be good if Council was transparent with the community Have your say on the Plan of Management now as after 30 August, when submissions close, it will be too late. Drop in sessions at Helensburgh Library on 5 August from 10.30am-12.30pm. More info: our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/draft-helensburgh-park-crown-reserves-plan-of-management
Old Helensburgh Community Centre
It’s still there. Last advised reschedule for demolition was July this year.
Helensburgh Town Centre Plan – Phase 3 works Western Terrace
Glenn Whittaker, WCC Project Delivery Manager, gave a response to questions about why the ramp directly across from the supermarket was replaced with stairs. The stairs were part of the consulted plan to replace the ramp at the crossing as it was non-compliant with Australian Standards for access, due to the steep grade. Heritage trees on either side of where the stairs were built meant that it was not possible to rebuild the ramp in the same spot but there will be a new ramp built, providing access to the upper footway and terrace levels as part of stage 3 works set for Sept. Meanwhile, the lane from Walker St near the newsagents will be retained to provide a ramped access to the upper level footway.
You’ll have seen Council workers working on the Western Terrace but at the rate of one day of work a week (as occurred in the week of 17-21 July) completion is a long way out. The original schedule went down the drain (and not down the drain outside the supermarket as that always floods) years ago. Project updates at our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Pedestrian Crossing in Walker St
A forum member has measured the pedestrian crossing and pointed out that it does not meet Council’s standards, or Australian Standards. Council has not acknowledged this discrepancy, but it used the “has to meet standards” excuse in removing the ramp up from the pedestrian crossing near Coles and replacing it with steps “meeting standard”. Council: it’s not acceptable to have standards only when you meet them.
HORCC asbestos – update
Fill suspected of containing asbestos that was dumped in the National Park has been removed; Council is working with the club. Report any fencing down to Council on 4227 7111.
Have your say via Council’s website
Comment on the Draft Strategy for Wollongong Libraries by August 6 and the Draft WCC Heritage Strategy 2023-27 by August 4. The Draft Wollongong Industrial Lands Review 2023 (Draft Review) closes for comment on 11 Sept. Pages 99 to 101 of the document refer to the “industrial lands” in Helensburgh. Parkes St and Cemetery Rd and 159 to 169 Walker St (the area that drains to C2 Environmental Conservation land and into the Hacking River – rezoned in 2015 on the floor of Council against recommendations from Council staff). Comment now – draft report recommends no change. Bus depot is not in the area and exists under existing use rights.
Curb, Gutters & Footpaths at Developments
Linda Davis, WCC Director Planning & Environment, gave a response re: concerns raised by Cr Richard Martin on behalf of NF1 about the inconsistent requirements. There is no current policy or standard that requires kerb and gutter to be installed for new developments, so it is assessed on a case by case basis. Council does have a “Paved Footpath Construction Policy” with the key policy statement noting: “Where new footpaths are required to be constructed as a result of development, full costs of construction of the footpaths are to be borne by the developer.”
Factors in forming kerb and guttering rules range from pedestrian risk to street trees.
In General Business
Call police if you see or hear any anti-social activity in the car park below Coles and report it so police can respond and statistics are recorded.
When will the footpath on The Ridge be done?
Helensburgh Station staff concerned about destination boards being replaced with electronic boards on a heritage station. Could old boards be displayed in the waiting room?
Subsidence on Southview Ave, Stanwell Tops. Council says Sydney Water issue due to sewer.
Grass clippings from mowing are blowing onto Cemetery Rd and blocking drains when it rains.
Roadwork signs are being placed at the top end of Parkes St when there are no road works being carried out. Council to be asked to remove them.
Beaumont Road, Otford to the station has been cleared, leaving holes, making it dangerous.
Cemetery portico still needs repairing.
New speedhumps in Walker Street too steep.
Otford Causeway
Works on replacement causeway to start in early August. Read more here.
Next meeting: 9 August, 7pm at Otford Hall
