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25.01.2022 Looks like community consultation is a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic! The NSW Government has just granted the construction industry permission to operate... every day including public holidays. It will also remove hurdles to allow councils to accelerate approval for local and regionally significant development. "Changes to be announced under the so-called planning system acceleration program would also give the Minister more scope to make more decisions to allow projects to go ahead. The state government will appoint two more acting commissioners to the Land & Environment Court, a superior court that deals with planning and other matters, to clear the current backlog of cases. The program will also help councils and planning panels to fast-track local and regionally significant development applications and introduce a "one-stop shop" for industry to progress projects that may be stuck in the system."

24.01.2022 YET ANOTHER ONE. The COVID-19 Planning Amendments just keep on coming. Another couple buried within a Circular to Councils. This time its an excuse for counci...ls to no longer have to publish development application notices in newspapers, only on their websites. How is that equitable? According to Household Use of Information Technology (HUIT) data 23% of rural households dont have internet access at home and nor do 12% of households in major cities. Thats 1 in 8 households in Sydney that wont hear about development applications. The elderly, the poor, the vulnerable are most likely to be impacted. Even more disturbing this is a PERMANENT measure that wont be repealed. Believe it or not the reason the NSW Government says this is being done is "to alleviate the red tape burden on councils and to reduce their costs". Of newspaper advertisements? Additionally councils will no longer be required to make certain documents available for physical inspection at their offices. Too bad if you dont have a computer at home. That is thankfully theoretically only temporary. Lets see councils turn themselves into knots when developers cry foul and wont let certain councils publish their floor plans on councils websites because of so-called "copyright issues". Full Council Circular https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads//04/20-12.pdf

23.01.2022 Is there no respect for history now? Does not bode well for our icon...

23.01.2022 THE MINISTERS BABY Its not sports rorts. Its something called the Underwriting New Generation Investment (UNGI) program and its the baby of the federal E...nergy minister, Angus Taylor. And in recent weeks, as the attention of the nations media and populace has been focused on the Covid-19 crisis, it moved a couple of steps forward. Mike Seccombe in The Saturday Paper The Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments. However, buried in the attachments to the agreement are measures designed to prop up coal-fired electricity generators and weaken environmental protections. This includes the very dirty Vales Point coal power station at Lake Macquarie, where emissions have reportedly soared by 3000 percent in the last six years: https://bit.ly/3ccfRVR Owned by Delta Energy, whose chairman is Trevor St Baker, one of the countrys most generous political donors, mostly to the Liberals and Nationals, this article in the Saturday Paper is a recommended read: https://bit.ly/3cdf1bn :

23.01.2022 Heritage matters.... a Morpeth battle on now Stoush Over Apartment Block MORPETH residents say they are now fighting two development proposals in the historic town at once, with plans for an apartment building in the main street clearing another hurdle. ... Maitland council has put GHT Holdings' vision for 24 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments over three storeys, including one in the roof space, on public exhibition until October 5. It will be built between the former post office and former courthouse buildings on a parcel of land that had a former life as a petrol station. Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group says it was already unhappy about Hilton Grugeon's proposal for 130 prefabricated homes at the back of the town, off Little James Street, and its members were equally fired up about this proposal. The main problem is the absence of a heritage facade, along with the height and scale of the building. "We are very disappointed the developer has come back with the same design that is out of place with the heritage theme of the town," group president Norm Bruhn said. The developer has now submitted four building designs , and updated archaeological and contamination reports. The design has been created to reflect a series of large and small buildings which nod to the use of the site as a foundry. "In the heritage precinct you are not allowed to replicate , so we couldn't have built a sandstone building there to copy or replicate what is existing within the Swan Street commercial precinct," project manager Chris Unicomb said. BELINDA-JANE DAVIS Copyright 2020 the Newcastle Herald

22.01.2022 Hear, hear! ... and Dick is a supporter of the Sustainable Australia political party. Raking Coals Of Population...Continue reading

19.01.2022 Hooray... respecting history..

18.01.2022 Not on our coast.... impacts dolphins, whales, fish... Plea For Barilaro To Halt Offshore Gas Plan OPPONENTS to gas drilling off Newcastle have implored state and federal governments to block a request they fear could lead to industrial-scale drilling. ... The Environmental Defenders Office has sent a legal letter on behalf of Save Our Coast. The letter pertains to Advent Energy's bid to vary its PEP-11 petroleum exploraton permit. If changed, Save Our Coast argues the new permit would allow them to drill within a 4547-square-kilometre site that spans from the Hunter to Sydney. In January BPH Energy, Advent's parent company, announced PEP-11 was "supremely located to potentially supply gas into the east coast gas market" and was "one of the most significant untested gas plays in Australia" . Save Our Coast argues the area is a world-renowned route for migrating whales and a dolphin habitat, and that the works put the marine ecosystem at risk. "We are heartbroken at the very idea of further stress, uncertainty and risk of catastrophic harm that PEP-11 will inflict on us, the climate, and our beloved coast that we depend on for wellbeing and livelihoods," Save Our Coast director Dr Natasha Deen said. "This is an opportunity for Ministers Pitt and Barilaro to hear the concerns of the community, to save our way of life and save our coast that we all love." News of the letter comes a day after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said new sources of gas would be required assure energy supply in years to come. Seismic testing proposals that preceded the drilling have met with protests in recent years. Environmental Defenders Office director of legal strategy Elaine Johnson said the strength of opposition to the project had been clear and it was not the time to be expanding fossil fuel operations. "Tens of thousands of people have spoken out about this project, citing impacts on the ecosystem, risk of petroleum spills, marine pollution , the risk of catastrophic damage to the coast, and risk to the mental health of community members," she said. "Our client believes this backlash gives a clear indication that the public interest is best-served by the joint authority rejecting any application that would enable drilling within PEP-11 ." BARILARO SURVIVES: P9 Copyright 2020 the Newcastle Herald

14.01.2022 Heritage going...

13.01.2022 Bravo! Shane spoke at SOS rally in Hyde Park years ago to stop Part 3A development approvals going directly thru parliament like Beaches did.

13.01.2022 DEVELOPERS WINDFALL UNDER COVID A must-read. The lucky group enjoying fewer constraints under COVID: developers Elizabeth Farrelly in the SMH: https://bit.ly.../2zuZS7d Just when you thought our cities had been thoroughly trashed by a decade-long onslaught of towers and motorways, its set to get worse. Just when you thought NSWs new building commissioner would surely respond to tower buildings that crack and burn without warning by re-regulating construction, the government tips the board the other way. For government, cheered on one might even say led by the development lobby, has removed virtually all planning constraint during the crisis. IMAGE: Meritons contentious proposal for Little Bay. One of a list of 70 projects industry lobby group Urban Taskforce sent to the NSW Treasury following their request for shovel ready projects" . To view the list: https://bit.ly/3bBrg1B In the case of the LIttle Bay Planning Proposal Meriton is seeking to rezone the 12 ha site from 8 to 22 storeys (73 metres) having bought the site from Malaysias TA Global in 2017 after the Master Planning process was completed. Looking to have the land upzoned to accommodate 1909 dwellings, which is 1500 dwellings more than allowed under the Master Plan Meriton is offering to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement that would provide 76 affordable units, open space and a monetary contribution towards local infrastructure and services To find out more - https://bit.ly/2VySKiH

11.01.2022 Still happening...

11.01.2022 Although data states that 2/3 of Black Saturday fatalities died while sheltering in or near their house, research by bushfire scientists revealed that they did ...not die BECAUSE they were sheltering. They died because they did not know how to shelter safely. SO WHEN THE BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY MESSAGE IS It I s too Late to Leave, You Should Take Shelter and Stay Indoors - WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY DO? IF YOU CANNOT SHELTER IN A BUILDING * Shelter behind a wall; beside a large fire resistant tree (that has no flammable undergrowth); in nor beside a car; in a dam (if no vegetation is near either), in a ditch, (cover yourself with earth or blanket); crouch beneath a blankets (must be PURE WOOL and DRY) on bare ground or an already burnt area. - Dry pure wool has the quality of extinguishing sparks and embers. IF YOU CAN SHELTER IN A BUILDING Before you go inside: * Shut off gas and electricity at the mains. * Put pets inside: dogs on leash, cats in covered cages. * Take in outdoor furniture, doormats, hanging baskets, plastic pot plants. When you are inside: * Make sure all doors and windows are securely shut. * Turn off air conditioners; cover their internal vents. * If windows are unshuttered, cover with blankets (must be PURE WOOL), heavy quality quilts, foil or wet towels. *Move flammable furniture away from windows. * Close internal doors to limit fire spread if embers enter and ignite inside. * Put on protective clothing and nose mask and drink often. * Keep blankets (must be PURE WOOL and DRY) handy. * Cool off when possible. * Watch the conditions outside if possible through a small window or peephole. Do not open a door or window to look outside. * When you are sure flaring shrubs have blackened, its safe to go out again. (Burning tree trunks do not generally emit killing radiant heat.) PASSIVE SHELTERERS * DO NOT SHELTER IN AN INNER ROOM. Not in the hallway. Not in the bath. If you shelter in ANY kind of inner room no matter how many doors it has you could be trapped. Embers may have ignited sub-floor or wall cavities or rafters in the ceiling space,. Flaming walls or ceiling could collapse on you. Toxic fumes from smouldering furnishings, synthetic furniture or wall linings could overcome you. * STAY BY A DOOR THAT EXITS TO OUTSIDE in protective clothing and with blankets (must be PURE WOOL and DRY). * It is vital for passive shelterers to exit as soon as the potentially killing radiant heat from fames has died down. ACTIVE SHELTERERS * Take hose, sprayers and ladder inside with you. * Fill bath & troughs with water, immerse towels, roll up and place at door gaps and window ledges. Plug keyholes with play dough, blue-tack or soap. * Fill containers (e.g. garden sprayers) with water; put these, with dippers, mops etc, in each room. * Watch for invading embers. Particularly in the ceiling space, through windows, gaps under doors. Spray or hit with wet mop any sparks, embers or smouldering furnishings. * If any ignition cannot be extinguished, close the door of that room. * Maintain easy access to an exit door. * Never go outside during a flame front to douse an outside ignition. EXITING * Exit with great care, preferably from a door that is sheltered from the wind. * Wear protective clothing & nose cover, cover yourself with your blanket (must be PURE WOOL and DRY), crouch, lower your eyelids and open the door gradually. The quintessential bushfire survival resource is a HEAVY DUTY DRY PURE WOOL BLANKET. Covered with such a blanket and with a flask of water people have survived the most catastrophic conditions. Extracted from my Essential Bushfire Safety Tips (CSIRO 2012), www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6969.htm (If you cant afford to buy - most libraries have it.) See more

11.01.2022 Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

08.01.2022 Show us your favourite Catho photo!Show us your favourite Catho photo!

07.01.2022 From the Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association: CHBPA General Meeting 5:00pm Saturday January 18th, 2020 at the CHB Surf Club... Presentation by Nick Hanrahan, Swansea-CHB SES (in the former RFS building, 5 Flowers Dr.) Then the meeting, and items include: Bowling Club, homes near the cemetery, the proposed coastal walkway, the jetty, access to Moonee Beach Everyone is welcome. Nicks talk is first for people who just wish to hear this and the Q&A. There will forms to become members or friends of CHB PA. To go on the Catho Chronicle Mailing List, please email [email protected]. For more information, check out their website: www.catherinehillbay.org.au

06.01.2022 I note that you have contacted Yasmin in the past about the need for new/ updated community facilities in the Catherine Hill Bay area. You may be interested to ...know that Lake Macquarie City Council has its draft Operational Plan on exhibition. I note that the plan includes funding to undertake feasibility and planning for the Catherine Hill Bay Sportsground and Surf Life Saving Club sites. Please visit https://shape.lakemac.com.au/lets-bring-it-to-life to view the plan and have your say.

06.01.2022 ...in case you see these marked trees...

04.01.2022 ... TAFE to the rescue?

04.01.2022 NEXT This must be making the developers jump for joy and set pockets a-jingling. A re-write of Planning Agreements so that Planning agreements should not be ...used explicitly for value capture in connection with the making of planning decisions. For example, they SHOULD NOT BE USED TO CAPTURE LAND VALUE UPLIFT resulting from rezoning or variations to planning controls. In laymans terms this means the developer & land owner get to share 100% of any land value increase from up-zoning. For example if a councils maximum Floor Space Ratio of 2:1 is increased by a spot residential rezoning to FSR 4:1 that could double the land value from say $10m to $20m. The public/Council share would be zilch for the extra community infrastructure needed to provide for the doubling of the number of people in the building. Developers must be loving this pandemic. Or as Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said when announcing this "great opportunity to undertake reform" was coming, "We are facing unprecedented health and economic challenges at the moment, and we need to ensure we best (sic) position NSW to rebound. This is a great opportunity to undertake reform which will help boost investment and create jobs and enhance prosperity for the State" Mr Perrottet said. Prosperity for the State from the pandemic? https://shared-drupal-s3fs.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ Make your submission count. Exhibition closes Friday 12 June 2020. Details at - https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au//draft-planning-agre

02.01.2022 Helpful tips for the orange dot drops. Firstly what a wonderful thing! Some fruit and veg to avoid: Avocados, citrus fruits, cabbage, potatoes, pineapple, to...matoes, onions, and apple seeds. These can potentially be detrimental the the health of the animals and in desperate times they may consume them out if desperation and become worse off. For up in the trees: Flying foxes will eat softer sweeter fruits such as melons, bananas, paw paw, grapes, mangoes, red apples. Possums will eat some of these but tend to eat more veggies like broccoli, leafy greens, sweet potato, beans, corn, carrot. The birds will feed on a mixture but opt more for the fruit side of things. If you have Lilly pilly trees, collect the fruit and put those out too. For the ground: Macropod pellets are a great option, as well as some apple, carrot and sweet potato. If you find your getting donations with foods that arent suitable for wildlife Im sure there are groups out there who would take those items for food for people who have lost their homes or to make food for the amazing fire fighters. Edit: a few people have mentioned carrots have been used for baiting, so best to avoid these where possible to prevent wildlife from choosing this as a food source in the future. And thankyou, you are doing a truly wonderful thing for our wildlife in the desperate times

02.01.2022 Shame, shame. Historical area destroyed against advice...

01.01.2022 We lost our 3 historic houses. Lets hope they keep theirs.

01.01.2022 We were proud to have Jack Mundey as our patron when fighting the overdevelopment at Catho. He came to a beach protest and spoke. RIP