Where is Berowra Pool? in Berowra, New South Wales | Government organisation

Where is Berowra Pool?

Locality: Berowra, New South Wales

Address: Berowra Waters Road 2082 Berowra, NSW, Australia

Website: www.bdca.berowra.info/htmls/Issues/AquaticCentre.html

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24.01.2022 There's a Berowra Community Have Your Say Meeting this Tuesday April 29th at Berowra Community Centre 7pm ... come along and have your say about the POOL and any other Local issues.. what should Council spend OUR money on???

20.01.2022 A PUBLIC pool in Berowra has been on the wishlist of residents for more than 30 years, but they will have to wait a while longer after Hornsby Council rejected a bid to investigate options for the new facility. Do you support council’s decision?

17.01.2022 Is it time for Berowra Pool? We welcome your feedback, collected through a survey via the below link

15.01.2022 Council Updates from Within, & Out & About to January 31/1/20 Mick Marr HSC Councillor, ALP and B&DCA member Ph: 94563934 & 0401003934 Email: [email protected] Facebook: Mick Marr A Ward Councillor Hornsby Council Email: [email protected] Gday Friends Well, troubled times with the drought, fires and storms. What a great job the emergency services workers are doing. What would we do with out them? It was great to get some rain in these very dry times however some people still have leaking roof issues after the storms over a year ago damaged peoples’ houses. Shameful. There was also the unfortunate drowning deaths of two people at Crosslands, and another Hornsby man while snorkeling. Although there has been no official Council stuff over Xmas and New Year there has been lots of issues as usual. They include: footpaths blocked especially along Pennant Hills Road Wahroonga, trees falling on play Equipment at Berowra, proposed developments in Hornsby and the rural areas, noise and construction issues at Beecroft, Mountain Bike trails (below), trees with some for and against planting and removal, bush fires and high fuel loads, combustible materials at Mt Ku-ring-gai (below), curb and gutters and footpaths needing attention and visited local Men’s and Women’s Sheds (below) heritage paths, new community facilities and so on. Opening of Storey Park Community Centre and Playground: Our first official Council duty this year was the Citizenship ceremonies and Australia Day functions held at the new Asquith Community Hall and Playground at Storey Park. I tried to have a look before the official opening and take a photo from the driveway when the gates were open (one blocking the footpath) but they would not let me step inside on the driveway to take one. I must appear a little ‘ dodgy’ being an old man riding a scooter. Anyway had a look when we attended the official opening and Citizenship ceremonies of the $6 million project. Very nice place with several much needed meeting halls and some very stimulating play equipment. However it was pointed out that Hornsby needs more, including a large hall like Berowra Community Centre (which Berowra Residents paid a levy for) as the floor space available to the public has decreased despite population increases. Below on the oval there were all sorts of interesting activities for the whole family. Steps between the hall and oval was a challenge for some. Women’s and Men’s Sheds: The Mayor, Joseph, and I attended the Women’s Shed morning tea at the Waitara PCYC. What a diverse group of people from many ethnic backgrounds and age groups. They tried to get us into some of their dance routines but they had no chance with me or the Mayor but Joe did and good on him. Great people. No dancing at the Mt Ku-ring-gai Men’s Shed but lots of stacking and sorting materials for the shed when it’s built. They have just finished the concrete slab and are ready to start building the rest. Good on them. My recollection of this matter seems to go back many years and all sort of legalities relating to the positioning of the building. So it’s great to see the slab down and the project started. These community engagement programs have been shown to have enormous benefits for the community and individuals. Mountain Bike Tracks: There has been some lobbying of council members relating to the Quarry and Westleigh mountain bike tracks and a track connecting the two. Both for and against. It started off with local environmentalists being concerned that the mountain bike track extension from the Quarry to the Westleigh Mountain bike track may require the removal and damage to the endangered Blue Gum High Forest (BGHF). On the other side, the Mountain Bike Enthusiasts’ (MBE) are concerned that the connection won’t be built despite $3.5million provided by the NSW Government to build the connection track with some suggesting some tracks may be closed. I reckon part of the problem is people/stakeholders have different views of what mountain bike riding is. Bit like people using public swimming pools for different reasons and outcomes. To some mountain biking is a social, family outing with a bit of exercise enjoying the natural environment and sharing the wider paths with others, including pedestrians. Others see it as a strenuous work out requiring high skill levels, competing with other riders and undertaking difficult tasks on a challenging, narrow track as fast as they can. And anywhere in between. Maybe this needs to be sorted out first. I am in favor of mountain bikes and cycle/walking paths especially if they link suburbs and communities and are an alternative for driving and are safe and can be used by everyone young and old and people obey the rules. However I am not in favor of race, elite riders or thrill seekers tracks due to safety issues and the history of incidents on the Hornsby tracks. Especially if it means harming endangered plant communities such as the Diatreme Blue Gum High Forest around the Quarry that's reported to be some of the last remaining hectares in the world. Let’s leave something for our children and make sure we go around it. So checked out the Mountain Bike trails in Westleigh and Old Mans Valley. As reported in past out and about’s the trails are great and an improvement on the early ones but most of them are very narrow and not suitable for many families and children. Some near Hornsby Pool, cress, crossing the Heritage Steps and trails (discussed below) making it difficult for walkers. There have been several areas between the Westleigh and the Quarry where someone or group have started making other trails in the Blue Gum Forest Bio Bank areas and HSC staff have fenced them off and signage. Some groups have taken photos and suggested HSC is blocking all the Mountain bike tracks. False Fact. Anyway we did have a good look and there are several options of connecting the two areas that should keep everyone, at least a bit happy. *see photo Hornsby Park and Heritage Trail and Steps (HPHTS): Had quite a few people discuss with me problems using the HPHTS so I had a look while I was there. The Steps from Dural Rd to Rosemead Rd Park have been renovated and look great and most of the surrounding area is beautiful with its Blue Gum High Forest. Going up the stairs is a great work out. Maybe we should have some sort of a physical event involving these historical stairs from another era. However the rest between the Quarry crushing plant and the Pool is crisscrossed with Mountain bike tracks and a road, and needs some attention. Surprises: While inspecting the various trails especially around the creeks some new Sewer Relief Valves (Pop tops) and holding tanks were spotted. I’m sure they have made an improvement to the water quality in Berowra Creek. When I started on Council, despite many years of drought, Crosslands and Berowra Creek were safe for swimming only 10% of the time over the year. Now it’s safe about 90% of the time. So maybe these works as well as the Sewer plants up grades helped. *see photo While checking out of the Westleigh Mountain bike tracks, that was a former tip, we noticed that as well as a few riders, there was a team of Sydney Water Contractors picking up Asbestos that became exposed on the cycle trails that somehow got into the bush. Am awaiting a response relating to risk. Mt Ku-ring-gai, Fire Hazard of a smoldering, combustible, Mulch Heap: The saga (as reported last Out and About) goes on for over a month and the last time I looked on 29/1/20 the huge mulch pile was gone except for some scraps and so was the other pile of old fencing material. However Council is still awaiting on an analyst from the EPA as to contaminates due to its constant soaking with fire retardant as well as timber preservative. I’ve talked to the owner who seems like a nice person. He admits he may have not made great decisions about storage when the party who used to buy his mulched fences stopped buying it and he stored it while finding another buyer of the product. There was also the issue of management of the pile when it spontaneously combusted and set the surrounding bush on fire. So it is gone and no longer a risk or danger. Again great work emergency services and Firies. Hornsby Shire Council Environmental Sustainable Committee (ESC): HSC is in the process of establishing the ESC ASAP. The committee will advise Council on environmental Sustainability issues and consist of experts, Councillors and staff and representatives of the community. Council is accepting nominations for community representatives. However be quick as the closing date for nominations for community representatives is 7 February. Nomination forms and information is available on the Council’s website For more information please contact Julie Ryland, Strategy Manager, on 9847 6773 or 0466 008 374. *see photo Some of many issues to be discussed by the ESC will be active transport issues such as footpaths, cycle ways and reducing plastic waste by providing more bubblers and ‘bring your own Container’ water filling station. Education, providing appropriate facilities and setting a good example is the key. Council meeting coming up: Our first meeting of the year will be on Wednesday 12 Feb. Items Item Lots of interesting topics including: Owner Initiated Compulsory Acquisition of Land in Hornsby Car Share Parking Policy Draft Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations on Public Land Policy Performance Report December 2019 - Delivery Program 2019-21 Investments and Borrowings for 2019/20 Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy - Reporting Required by Section 15 of the Policy Waste Matters Strategy Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement Berowra Recreation Needs Analysis which found residents need a swimming/water facility and improved park and recreation facilities Goods and Services Tax (GST) - Class Action HSC to vote on supporting a Price on Carbon, which I expect will be a very lively topic More items may be added and hope to see you there. Allthebest. Mick

11.01.2022 Council Updates from Within, & Out & About to February 18/2/20 Mick Marr HSC Councillor, ALP and B&DCA member Ph: 94563934 & 0401003934 Email: [email protected] Facebook: Mick Marr A Ward Councillor Hornsby Council: Email: [email protected] & Phone: 9847 6666 Gday Friends Troubled times with the drought, fires and the storms that left many houses again, damaged and without electricity or communication. Attended several community and site meetings including a new Climate Action group in Berowra. There was some positive discussion about need for community gardens, improvements to communities and dwelling, design, linking with men’s/women’s sheds to repair and reuse products, re cycling especially bottles as they do in other countries. Also discussed Bush Regeneration in Berowra and how important it is for the local ecology and where they could join up. Storms: The storms hit the northern areas of Sydney and were very destructive to many areas in Hornsby Shire. Particularly along the ridgetop areas. The emergency services workers are doing a great job. What would we do without them? However as I checked out the areas, especially those around Berowra there were few Energy Providers or their contractors despite many people having no power. A week after the event I have noticed an increase in their numbers and people are getting their power back including the Berowra Community Center that had power for a day or so where people without power could go to charge up their batteries and stuff. Then the power went off for a few days and came back on, on Friday afternoon. There had been numerous statements relating to electricity providers dramatically down sizing the front line staff to reduce costs but the price of electricity seems to continue to rise as does the various energy providers profits. Many people in Berowra still have leaking roof issues after the hail storms over a year ago and this recent monsoon like storms was devastating for some. If you have any questions, need a hand or know people who need a hand contact: Hornsby Shire Council 9847 6666 Disaster Welfare Assistance: 1800 018 444 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Life Line 13 11 14 Visit: https://www.lifeline.org.au Ask your neighbours Are you ok ? Council Meeting Our first meeting of the year was on Wednesday 12 Feb Some lively discussions on several topics including, Hornsby Local Strategic Planning statement, Berowra Recreation Needs Analysis/Berowra Pool investigation and Pricing on Carbon. Some were passed and some didn’t. The Motions below were passed Hornsby Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS): There was some lively discussion and amendments to several elements revolving around trees and re zoning. This was made more difficult because this document that has be funded by the State Government has to be presented to the State Government by March and the amendments had to be done that night. I can tell you I had trouble deciding which amended amendment I was voting for. Other motions that were passed include: Car Share Parking Policy Draft Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations on Public Land Policy Performance Report December 2019 - Delivery Program 2019-21 Investments and Borrowings for 2019/20 Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy - Reporting Required by Section 15 of the Policy Waste Matters Strategy Motions that were rejected were The Berowra Recreation Needs Analysis (BRNA): The motion to table the BRNA and investigation of Berowra Pool elements of parking, bushfires, and cost as identified by the Capital Insight (CI) Report. The tabling of the BRNA was put and passed but an amendment to not investigate the CI elements was also put and passed. This action blocked the original motion element which was rejected. The BRNA identified that residents top priority was the need a swimming/water facility 50% and improved park and recreation facilities 19% outdoor sports 11%, cycling 8%. The motion included an item to investigate elements of the HSC CI report that recommended investigating elements of the proposed Berowra Pool. Items were parking, bush fires, cost. The HSC 2017 CI Berowra Pool was a response to the 2016 BDCA report that recommended the pool be built. The CI report was not tabled until 2019 and it pointed out the Berowra Pool if managed well will attract 3 times the patronages that Galston pool will. Galston pool incidentally has recently had a new Learn to Swim Pool built and an upgrade funded by S94 funds but needs a multi million dollar repair to the roof and walls. Some are surprised that they did not notice the defects before or during the upgrade or its investigations. Those for the Motion identified it needs to be on the projects list to get funding and has strong community support for it and Hornsby pool is full. Berowra residents paid more for facilities than others in the Shire, few projects done or proposed for those in the north east compared to other areas, will reduce car usage and thus reduce parking, congestion, pollution, will provide a place for improved fitness and health and many social benefits for people of all ages and areas. Those against the Motion argued that despite the various surveys outcomes no-one wanted it and highlighted there was no one from the community to speak in its favor. The silent majority were silent. Others said it would cost too much money and we were broke after the failed council amalgamations. Others said it would interfere with other private learn to swim schools and cost money to maintain and run. Comment: The only Council facility or service I know of that makes a profit is the Hornsby Pool and Thornleigh indoor sports cente Councils don’t make money from most things and that’s why we pay rates for roads, garbage collection, footpaths, libraries, environmental remediation, parks, sporting ovals, education, community engagement and activities and so on. The BRNA was tabled however the investigation of the CI report elements of bush fires, cost and parking was not successful. Councillors Nicita, McIntosh and Marr voted for it, but the other Councillors including those from A Ward voted for the amendment to not investigate the CI report elements. So some of the motion lost and some amended and passed. Complicated. HSC to vote on supporting a Price on Carbon: The motion to inform State and Federal Governments of Hornsby Council’s support, and attend a work shop to investigate methods of pricing was put and lost. Several speakers from the public spoke on the subject. It was a very lively topic. Those for pointed out that the vast majority of science and economical experts believe in global warming and the need for a price on carbon to address the issue at the source and not the consequence. It was suggested some groups including political leaders and large multinational companies manipulate the variables and play one group against the other for their own advantage. Profit, prestige and power are strong motivational factors for some to infuse fear of cost rises and need fulfillment losses into people’s heads. It was pointed out history shows change always takes place and for some it’s difficult. Australian car production factories closed, mines that run out of stuff of value to sell, drought, water shortages, changes in consumer behavior, automation, mechanization, robots, technology advances and so on change the way people live. Remediating the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions costs huge amounts of money. For example, Trillions of tax payers dollars spent on carbon capture and storage and where are they? None have been successful or viable and the large multi national companies that get very attractive subsidies and tax exemptions are doing very well and are very profitable. It was stated that if people think they are not already paying a price for Carbon they are dreaming. Those for a price on carbon suggested that with a price on Carbon other minerals such as steel, copper, precious metals and so on will be required to build the clean energy systems that will also require workers to build and maintain them. So more mining, building and jobs. There were those against the motion stating it was not council business and there was no evidence that a price on carbon would improve the situation. Others stated that Hornsby Council is already doing more to address the issue than other councils and there may be costs involve. Councillors Marr, McIntosh, Nicta and Heyde for and the rest against and the Motion was lost. The Local Council Elections are coming up which will give everyone including the Silent Majority an opportunity to become more vocal and lobby for local facilities and services from their representatives and vote according to these representatives based on their past performance. Q&A: This question and answer section is where I will ask the Staff various questions that I have been asked.. 1 question this time. A: in round figures. What major facilities and services are planned for the North East Section of Hornsby Shire and what percentage is this of the total expenditure shire wide? Lets get into it. Allthebest Mick

05.01.2022 Please Support Berowra getting our long awaited POOL! Just click on this survey to complete. Thanks everyone.

05.01.2022 Berowra & District Community Association (BDCA) THANKS everyone who has completed the Berowra Pool Survey so far! It will be closing very soon, so if you or your friends haven't filled it out yet, you can still do it... but be quick. Results will be published soon in the Bush Telegraph and BDCA website.

03.01.2022 Gday everyone. The Berowra and District Community Association wish to thank those 500 + people who contributed to the Berowra Pool survey. We are going to meet with the Mayor on Thursday 26th May, 4pm at the Council Chambers.