NF1 February Meeting Report

Thanks to Warwick Erwin, convenor of Neighbour Hood Forum 1

New Helensburgh Community Centre and Library

No update from Council provided but it appears there is some issues over the naming of Rex Jackson Oval with Council claiming the ovals are named Helensburgh Park.

Items to Councillors for 23/24 Budget

Helensburgh Community Centre and Library is top of the list with a high-level crossing (bridge) of the Hacking River at Otford climbing the list after the total washing away of the causeway on 9 February, the day after the NF1 meeting.

Residents have been asking for a higher level crossing for many years. Other items submitted include the completion of projects started but never finished by Council, such as the footpath reconstruction of the east footpath of Walker St from Coles to Witty Rd with restoration of the stone curb. The project started with business informed of disruptions but the just stopped despite being fully budgeted for.

The missing footpath from High St to Fletcher St along the eastern side of Junction St (beside Primary School oval) was promised by Council in the project to complete a footpath from Parkes St to the Primary School along Junction St but Council never completed the project and that section beside the over just did not happen. This now causes the only path for any wheelchair users travelling from the closest disabled parking at the Old Mine Surgery to the Primary School to have to travel up the roadway in traffic.

During discussions on items to submit to Councillors for the budget, it was raised about the inconsistency in Council’s development approvals in some developments not having curb and gutter when others in the same blocks have required curb and gutters and Council has enforced this.

Streets without Curb and Gutter

NF1 is preparing a list of Streets without Curb and Gutter to submit to Council asking for a schedule for future installation.

Other items of general business included pedestrian ramps in Walker St not to standard, Historical Society looking for the signs for Rex Jackson Ovals, request for street sweepers to return to 2508 and lack of Council to keep promises made to residents about Helensburgh Cemetery.

NF1 next meets on Wednesday, 8 March at Otford Community Hall – travel via Stanwell Tops as there is no causeway.