Hi everyone,
Thanks so much to all of you who attended our AGM on 18th
November. We are also grateful to those members who could not attend, but sent
messages of support. It was terrific to welcome a number of new members.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review WBA progress and to
more accurately define key areas of concern to the Watsons Bay community.
Minutes of the AGM are posted separately. I have, however,
summarised a number of issues:
Our membership is now 55 households and we expect to welcome more.
Our finances are fairly healthy, with our bank balance now $6,633.70. Many
members continue to provide valuable services in kind, which is highly
appreciated.
A major achievement was to define the principal areas of
concentration for the WBA for 2012-13 and to identify members willing to
participate in action groups.
The key areas and the action group members are:
Communications,
Sponsorship and Events
Camilla Strang has established an enthusiastic group and the WBA website is up and
running at www.watsonsbayassociation.org. We are fortunate that so many
talented WBA members have donated their time to create a site we can be proud
of.
The first edition of the WBA newsletter, ‘Bay News’ was produced before the AGM.
If you don’t have a copy, we can send you one. The publication has
been well-received and ongoing contributions will be welcomed, both for the
newsletter as well as the website.
Camilla is also interested in hearing from members who can provide
support to her group.
Transport management and parking
The following members have indicated their willingness to form this
action group and will be meeting soon, thanks to Catherine Boardman.
Catherine Boardman, Robin Derricourt, Bob
Morecroft, Mans Carlsson and Pip Conlon.
Mans Carlsson has
initiated a Facebook page to promote the introduction of a commuter ferry for
Watsons Bay. Check it out at: http://tinyurl.com/bwuoz9y
Retail precinct development and improvement
Stuart Fereday offered to
be part of a working group on this issue. We would appreciate hearing from
members who wish to be involved in supporting activities in the Watsons Bay
retail area.
Community Garden
A number of members expressed interest in developing a community garden.
Ron Berkelmans noted that the
‘lawnie’ was considered unsuitable for this activity in view of the high levels
of shade.
The group will need to contact Council for an outline of what is needed,
discussion of potential sites (reserve on Pacific St, reserve behind
Dunbar House), available council grants.
The following members indicated their willingness to pursue this
initiative:
Mary Thill-Turke, Carina Randall, Darryl
Sloshberg.
Divers in Cliff St and Watsons Bay baths
Several members will check with Council on permissible activities on local streets and footpaths,
noting that large diving groups assembling equipment etc. often presented an
inconvenience, and possibly safety hazard, to residents.
Input to Council Development Plans
Louise McElvogue, Ron Berkelmans and Andrew Wiesner agreed
to discuss how to approach potential Council changes to the planning process,
as outlined in a recent NSW Green Paper. A copy of Woollahra Council’s response to the
Green paper appears separately on the blog.
David Sheedy is
interested in the redevelopment of the Watsons Bay Pilot Station (NSW Transport
+ Maritime), as well as providing ongoing efforts to restore the last Watsons
Bay lifeboat, the ‘Alice Rawson.’
Members who would like to be involved in developments at the Pilot
Station, please let us know. There is also an active group of Gibsons Beach
residents who have made a number of representations to authorities about
community use of the property. We can work with them to ensure there is a
strong community component in the redevelopment.
Please let us know if you would like to be involved in any of
these groups - or indeed in any other area of concern and relevance.
Moran
Retirement Village
This major development will take place on the former site of the
Vaucluse High School on Old South Head Road. Ericka van Aalst of the Christison Park Action Group (SCPAG)
has been co-ordinating submissions to Council from nearby residents. There may
be overflow parking issues for Watsons Bay. If you are interested in developments with
this DA, please let us know and we can possibly add the WBA’s views to other
submissions.
Flooding in Camp Cove Reserve
Members will be aware of the flooding of the ‘lawnie’ and surrounding
areas during June. Council’s response to our submission on the flooding is
provided separately on the blog.
Getting to
know Woollahra Councillors
The Local Government elections in September resulted in a number
of new councillors being elected to Woollahra Council. WBA directors and
members will meet with Councillors to establish relationships and outline the objectives
of the WBA. If you know any Councillors or can help in this area, let us know.
Election of WBA
President - 2013
As I noted at the AGM, I would like to step down as President of
the WBA in March 2013. I plan to continue my contribution to the WBA but feel
that after nearly two years in our establishment period, it is appropriate for
someone else to take over as President.
An extract from our Constitution follows:
S6 (1) Nominations
of candidates for election as office-bearers of the association or as ordinary
committee members:
(a) must be made in writing,
signed by 2 members of the association and accompanied by the written consent
of the candidate (which may be endorsed on the form of the nomination).
A simple letter of nomination, with signed consent,
is all that is required.
Membership
For members who could not attend the AGM, or who
may not have renewed their membership, a membership renewal form is provided on
the blog. It includes our bank details for EFT deposits. The subscription fee
remains unchanged at $30 per household.
A membership application form is also provided on
the WBA website: Click on: http://watsonsbayassociation.org/join
We have no activities planned during the holiday period. Some of
the action groups are planning to meet before Christmas to make some progress
before the festive season.
But we will be in touch again before Christmas.
And once again, we really appreciate and value your ongoing
support for the Watsons Bay community.
Roger Bayliss
- President
Louise McElvogue
– Vice President
Ron Berkelmans
– Vice President
Watsons Bay Association Incorporated
4 Victoria Street
Watsons Bay NSW 2030
