HUNTERS HILL HAPPENINGS
with
Mayor SUE HOOPMANN

New team aims to retain character of municipality

AT THE beginning of this new Council term, I welcome the new team of councillors who I know will work together for the benefit of Hunters Hill.

It is a serious commitment to put one’s hand up for office in any area of Government, but in standing for Local Government where one is closest to residents, I believe the relationship between the two is of the utmost importance.

Therefore, it is a serious commitment to put up one’s hand for a four-year term in local government and even more so in Hunters Hill where an enormous percentage of residents are interested in what is going on and enjoy being consulted.

I value this relationship and I am sure the councillors do, too. Once the term begins there will be a Council newsletter sent to residents as happened during the last Council term.

Council is thinking of increasing the production of the newsletter to six times a year (from four) as there have been requests for it to appear more frequently.

So, with an invigorated team ready to be up and running, we look forward to exciting, though measured, progress to always retain the character of Hunters Hill, the very reason that we love to live here.

* * *

HAVING FINALISED the Hunters Hill Village Plan, the Gladesville Master Plan is next and the Department of Planning (State Government) has released it for both councils, Hunters Hill and Ryde, to exhibit. Council is now preparing its consultation plan for residents to view.

There will be many opportunities for viewing and feedback before the plan finally comes to Council. It will be wonderful to enhance the Gladesville Shopping Centre at last and improve the quality of urban design in the Gladesville area.

The footpath program, operated by consultants, will continue to be put in place throughout the whole Municipality, and hopefully will provide a higher standard overall by the time it is completed. The time frame is one year and feedback would be valuable during that time.

Knowing that we value trees in Hunters Hill and that tree roots are mainly responsible for the unstable footpaths, the battle to begin the undergrounding of cables to save the trees being hacked will begin immediately.

* * *

THE NEW home for sporting teams (soccer, rugby, cricket, swimming) will also be treated as high priority and progressed as quickly as practicable. A lot of money needs to be raised to assist this project.

This is also the case with The Priory although already more than $50, 000 has been raised this year from the event at Cockatoo Island in April and the funds from the Food and Wine Festival in May.

The conservation management plan is being done and is due to be finished in October. The cost of this plan is covered by some of these funds.

Once completed, plans can be put in place. It will be wonderful to be able to include The Priory as an asset for the community and have the history of this magnificent building intact for ever.

* * *

THERE IS so much work ahead, it makes me determined to push forward. One must have dreams to progress and these dreams must be implemented sensitively to achieve the result that we all want and for the community to benefit.

The new Council will face many challenges and I am sure we will achieve the best for Hunters Hill.

| TOP |