Pittwater Life March 2017 Issue

Comment
Comment
‘Food For Thought’ will
help shape local vision
The new Northern
Beaches Council is
not yet a year old,
but already we have made
significant inroads building
major infrastructure projects
whilst continuing to deliver
the same, if not better levels
of service the community
has come to expect.
One of the most significant
projects moving forward is
the Connecting Communities
program, which includes
connecting the various
and isolated stretches of
walkway and cycle paths
along our coastline to form
a continuous iconic walkway
from Palm Beach to Manly,
with links to other centres
and key transport hubs.
An important part of the
program is our focus on
all-abilities playgrounds
and connecting our children
in play. Two new regional
all-abilities playgrounds
will be built at Lionel Watts
Reserve in Frenchs Forest
and another at Manly Dam.
Fifty Northern Beaches
playgrounds will have
accessibilities upgrades
and a new pilot local
neighbourhood playground
program that will see the
introduction of various
accessibility elements. The
new Council is also funding
improvements to our Surf
Life Saving Clubs and
sporting facilities. All of the
Connecting Communities
improvements will provide
opportunities to get active,
stay fit and healthy and
create a more connected and
inclusive community.
This April the Northern
Beaches Council opens the
next round of applications
for $500,000 Stronger
Community Grants. The
first round saw 25 not-forprofit
community groups
receive funds up to $50,000
each that will help deliver
projects that will make our
community more inclusive,
vibrant and sustainable.
The grants are part of the
Stronger Communities Fund
established by the NSW
Government under the Fit for
the Future program. I hope,
like me, you are pleased to
see the Northern Beaches
community is receiving
direct benefits from the
funds made available by
the State Government to
assist the formation of a
new Council with additional
funds available from cost
savings as a result of the
amalgamation.
Some of the other major
projects underway include
the Church Point Carpark,
which will complete stage
one works around the
middle of this year. During
construction Council was
able to find a more costeffective
seawall and is
using the money saved
to improve the stage two
works and modify the actual
structure of the carpark to
be more recessive. Staff
have continued to work
with the Aesthetic Advisory
Committee, comprising
architects and designers
from the community, to
ensure the carpark will
both be functional and fits
in with surrounding local
environment.
There is of course also the
long-awaited Macpherson
Street upgrade. These works
are due to be completed
at the end of the year and
are essential in helping
to reduce flooding in the
Warriewood Valley as well
as providing an evacuation
route during extended
rainfall. In addition, the
works will improve traffic
flow, provide new walkways
and improve the general
amenity of the area.
I have continued to consult
with many community groups
across the Northern Beaches.
During my first month, I
met with the Palm Beach
and Whale Beach Residents
Association, and I am pleased
that these discussions
By Dick Persson
Administrator, Northern Beaches Council
have led to several planned
improvements for that
area. These improvements
will include a safe walkway
between the ferry wharf and
Governor Phillip Park, South
Palm Beach landscape plan
and reserve restoration, and
improved parking at the ferry
wharf.
Two-way communications
is an important part of
Council’s policy development
process. Council is holding
‘Food For Thought’ sessions
throughout March and
April where members of
the community sit down
for a light meal and help us
shape the vision, goals and
strategies for our area over
the next 10 years. The Food
For Thought discussions
will help inform the Draft
Community Strategic Plan
and I encourage everyone
to register their interest
for a seat at the table and
provide any other thoughts
at yoursay.northernbeaches.
nsw.gov.au.
Northern Beaches Council
believes in continuous
improvement for the benefit
of the entire community,
particularly when it comes
to communication and
consultation, so I encourage
everyone to visit our website
for news, project updates and
opportunities to get involved.
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MARCH 2017