After a longish campaign, 2023 saw Willoughby Council agree to reinstate seven Advisory Committees. These Committees are common in other Councils and were an established form of community participation in previous Willoughby Councils, generally being accepted as ‘a good thing’. These committees must be disbanded before the local government elections in September this year, so, as the prospect of losing them looms, we thought you might be interested in what’s been going on.  Should these committees resume after the September election, WEPA encourages members with relevant skills or expertise in any of these subjects to apply. We will keep our members informed of the outcome and application procedure.

Many thanks to our friends at Willoughby South Progress Association for sharing this overview with WEPA – and to the committee members who agreed to tell of their experiences.

 

The Bicentennial Reserve and Flat Rock Gully Advisory Committee

We have almost 100 years of experience between us and therefore are well placed to be a sounding board and source of advice for Willoughby City Council in their stewardship of this site. We come together every two months to discuss the site and give feedback, get updates and share our insights. In less than a year we have canvassed many issues and put together a Bicentennial Reserve Place Making Plan that was unanimously agreed to by the members. Of particular concern is the contamination that is contained under deteriorating clay capping; the health of Flat Rock Creek leading into Middle Harbour, compromised by construction run off and leaching; the Willoughby Leisure Centre upgrade and reasons for delay; maximising greenspace behind the Incinerator for community use; 1080 poison for fox baiting; cat containment; active transport; the condition of the mural under Flat Rock Drive; damaged fencing; native plantings; shared sport and community space, and more.

We thank Willoughby Council for reinstating these very important Advisory Committees and look forward to our continued partnership to improve the area that services so many – including the feathered and furred! Stay tuned for updates.

Active and Integrated Transport Advisory Committee

The AITAC convenes six times annually, typically with an attendance of around six Committee members and an equal number of Council Officers. The meetings primarily consist of reports from council officers on ongoing projects within the LGA. Due to time constraints, there’s usually limited opportunity for members’ input or discussion. In response, members have requested that these reports be either submitted in writing before meetings or summarised by a designated staff member.

Most of the work of the committee is done outside these meetings. A working party is exploring the feasibility of introducing reduced speeds within the LGA. Members have participated in workshops with consultants on projects such as the WCC Cycling Strategy and Action Plan. They’ve also been asked for feedback on preliminary designs of new cycleways such as Smith Street and Pacific Highway North of Mowbray Road. Additionally, they’ve taken part in promotional activities such as the opening of the Frank Channon Walk. These activities provide valuable opportunities for providing advice and feedback, which Council Officers really appreciate.

Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee

The A&IAC meets six times annually, usually with at least nine members present although there have been two resignations recently. Council officers also attend, both Governance officers and the Community Venues and Services Team Leader. The chair of each meeting is selected each meeting to enable all those who would like to take the role to have a turn.

The Committee is particularly concerned to find ways to assist the vulnerable, such as the elderly and the disabled members of the community. It has had informal workshop meetings with the aim of arranging seminars for these members of our community. It has also had presentations from diverse council officers who have been preparing reports or policies for consideration by councillors. Our members make comment to enhance inclusivity. Members of the committee are also encouraged to use WCC’s Have Your Say. The Mayor and Cl Samuel have attended, Cr Greco attends regularly.

The Sustainability Advisory Committee

The SAC has six members and would welcome more participants. Their expertise includes sustainable architecture, regenerative agriculture, communications, natural area management and more. All are committed to driving more sustainable outcomes to the benefit of community and the environment of Willoughby. There have been six meetings of the SAC. Councillors Anna Greco and John Moratelli are regular attendees. The SAC is serviced by the Sustainability team leader and a Governance Officer. Other council officers have given briefings on Urban Tree Canopy, Resilience, Waste and Wildlife so that we have a better understanding of council operations. These briefings have included the greening of Edward Street, Willoughby to encourage active transport; the urban heat study being carried out by Prof Sebastian Pfautsch of UWS; the review of carbon reduction emissions (new government regulation makes WCC’s 2025 net zero goal impossible); and the use of pesticides and herbicides in council operations.

Recommendations have included education of residents about the benefits of green canopy and an increase of WCC’s 2032 target beyond Sydney’s target of 40%. The vandalism in Willowie Road notwithstanding, most tree loss is occurring on private property. We have advocated for public education about the use of rodenticides and their impact on wildlife and advised against their use by contractors. An Artificial Turf Working Party is exploring the use of artificial turf on sports fields on the grounds that it is harmful and unsustainable. We have recommended mulch testing, the small amount of imported mulch used here has tested negative. A sea level rise indicator has been proposed for installation near waterways. An education campaign has been proposed on the use of sustainable Halloween decorations rather than materials which are harmful to birds and insects and will end up in landfill. We are investigating council’s recommendation of the use of certain composting materials as unsustainable.

The Bushland and Natural Heritage Advisory Committee

The BANHAC has nine community members, Councillors are not allowed to be members, they can attend as “guests”. There were many delays, a cumbersome process and lots of governance rules in getting established.  Meetings are attended by officers from the Bushland and Governance sections of Council. Two Working Parties have been formed: the Griffin Reserves Castlecrag Plan of Management Working Party, and the Bushcare Working Party which is reviewing ways to increase community participation in Bushcare. Briefings from the WCC Bushland team and Advisory Committee discussions have included the Council’s Natural Heritage Register, Chatswood’s urban tree canopy, ecological connectivity, the planting palette for Artarmon Streetscape, management of cats, Crown Lands Aboriginal claims, Reserve Action Plans, the Urban Bushland Plan of Management, weeds, risks and potential impacts of Red Imported Fire Ants, tree vandalism in Willowie Road, and tree removal notifications.

Cultural & Creative Arts Advisory Committee

This Committee consists of 10 community members connected to the Arts in some capacity and four council staff.  The Mayor and Councillor Robert Samuel attended the first couple of meetings impressing the value of the committee.  We agreed to meet for the maximum number of six meetings and these are held either face-to-face or online, depending on availability.  These meetings are mostly held after hours.  Council staff spend many hours in preparation by researching and providing material for review prior to our meetings for discussion.  (It is not just about typing up an agenda.)  As do Committee members. The staff regularly follow through and liaise with other Councils with similar or better material and ideas.

Our brief was to provide input into the 10-year strategic plan for Culture & Creative Arts in Willoughby Council.  This covers everything from the making of creative art through to its presentation and marketing. Our current focus is on the Grants process, including ease of application, approval, conditions and value. The experience has been insightful and an excellent opportunity for Council and Community to connect.  The time has gone very quickly and there is still much more to achieve.

Built & Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee 

This committee is comprised of nine members with a broad range of experience who are involved in local historical societies and other progress associations or are local architects.

To date, this committee has been involved in reviewing, discussing and providing input to the Council on the following matters:

• The Draft Heritage review, including the suggestion of potential items to be listed and potential modifications to the current Heritage Conservation Areas.
• An updated survey of Exotic Species documentation of cultural and historic value.
• A proposed “Display Boards” audit for historical and cultural accuracy.
• Thoughts on how Council could better promote and educate our schools and local community on “heritage and local culture.
• A review of the History and Willoughby webpage.