Councillor Romola Hollywood | Politician
Councillor Romola Hollywood
Phone: +61 414 195 983
Reviews
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25.01.2022 I know many people are interested in how we manage and support our local economy to promote sustainability and protect the unique qualities of the Blue Mountains as a City in a World Heritage Area. You can click on the link to the survey to have your say. There is more info in the media release. Surveys close on 20 November. And of course, always keen to know your views too. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EDTS-EcoDev
25.01.2022 Pretty extraordinary! Worth watching the video from Budget Estimates. And let’s not forget Badgery’s Creek was ruled out as unsuitable by successive governments. And then all of a sudden Abbott announced it. Who was this airport to benefit? Certainly not our community in the Blue Mountains. It seems a full inquiry is needed to get to bottom of this.
24.01.2022 Thank you to Mayor Mark Greenhill and Trish Doyle MP and our Councils Director of Planning for explaining to the Minister the significant adverse impacts that this new medium density code will have on the Blue Mountains. The code means that medium density houses can be built without reference or oversight by Council - neighbours and local communities will also not have a say. This code will intensify development leading to flow-on effects for our environment as a City in a World Heritage area. Thanks for standing up for the Blue Mountains!
24.01.2022 Thank you Trish Doyle MP for giving notice of your motion to Parliament to stop the NSW Government from removing the Woodford Footbridge, which is vital infrastructure for our community.
24.01.2022 As Facebook followers will be aware on Friday, the Council advised that the swings, monkey bars and trolley ride on the Senior Play Equipment at Wentworth Falls Lake were removed due to safety concerns with the softfall. Council Officers also told us that there were no plans to replace or repair the softfall or the equipment as this playground is due to be fully upgraded in 6-12 months time. I am concerned that this is too long for this equipment at a District Park to be out ...of action. And so, after taking a quick first-hand look on my morning walk in the rain, I am seeking to bring forward this urgency motion: 1. That the Council notes: - Wentworth Falls Lake is one of four district parks in the Blue Mountains, which is heavily used by children and families from our local government area as well as visitors from Sydney and beyond - Council received a safety audit in the week beginning 20 July, that revealed the rubberised softfall for the Senior Play Equipment at Wentworth Falls Lake is not-compliant for certain impact falls - in response Council removed the swings, monkey bars and track-ride/trolley ride on Friday 24 July to manage the risk of injury to children - because the play equipment is due to be upgraded in 12 months time, the current advice from officers is there are no plans to replace softfall which will leave key elements of the play equipment out of action in a popular District Park for a year or more. 2. That the Council receives an urgent briefing on options to replace/repair the softfall and reinstall the swings, monkey bars and track-ride/trolley ride so that children can continue to use of the Senior Play Equipment at Wentworth Falls Lake, until such time as the Council is ready to fully upgrade the play equipment in a years time.
24.01.2022 Reading this article reminds me of earlier phases of the COVID-19 pandemic when our Council was also calling on the NSW Government to issue clearer instructions to tourists and day trippers visiting the Blue Mountains to stop the spread of the corona virus. It seems the safest thing we can all do is watch the fireworks on the tele if we really do want 2121 to be a happier New Year.
24.01.2022 I know many people are deeply concerned about the activation of a decades-old (zombie) DA to build a Crocodile Park (now called a flora and fauna park) at the bottom of Boddington Hill at Wentworth Falls. Our media release highlights that Council Officers are currently investigating compliance issues with the recent clearing of bushland to make way for this development. Added to this, Council has received notification that the landowner is seeking to propose that their Flora ...and Fauna Park is a State Significant Development. This would mean, if approved, that the State Government would become the decision-maker - not Council or even the Local Planning Panel which is of great concern to us. If you stop and think about it for a minute, if the developers are proposing that their development is a State Significant Development - how big is this development going to be? Is this the right spot for a large Flora and Fauna Park at the bottom of Bodington Hill? What would the impact on our environment be? Keen to know what you think, noting that the State Government removed the powers of Councillors in Metropolitan Councils, including the Blue Mountains, to be involved in Development Assessment processes. I am just keen to have a sense of your views from a strategic planning point of view.
23.01.2022 We should not forget that this big insurer dropping its support for the raising the Warragamba Dam Wall, didn’t just happen! It has been due extraordinary advocacy from many people who Give A Dam. Proud as a Councillor to support this ongoing campaign. And I pay tribute to the traditional owners who are at the centre of this fight to protect the significant Aboriginal heritage of the Burragorang Valley.
23.01.2022 Our State Government needs to urgently address and put an end to zombie DAs. Its deeply troubling that developers can leave DAs dormant for years and in the process by-pass contemporary local planning rules and processes. I encourage you to read carefully the quotes in this article from the NSW Governments planning department. They are concerning.
23.01.2022 As the rain comes tumbling down, its timely to read this weeks Gazette article covering my Notice of Motion from the June Council meeting calling for a comprehensive infrastructure plan to address identified stormwater and easement issues. During the February floods, I visited a number of residents who had experienced storm water damage due water flowing across their property from overflowing easements in the heavy rain. Some residents had issues dating back many years and while Council has done some maintenance and repair work to the easements and drains, it was clear that we needed a plan to deliver more than band-aid solutions. You can read more here. And I am happy to answer any questions.
23.01.2022 Lots of smiles as I take a screenshot of the AGM of Blue Mountains Together For Timor which is celebrating its five-year anniversary. Amazing to hear the fantastic achievements of Together for Timor which is supporting a range of community and educational projects in Hatobuilico including a really successful scholarship program, with a contribution from Blue Mountains City Council, for students to undertake tertiary studies. As the Returning Officer, it was lovely to thank the outgoing committee and to welcome in the new committee. Thank you for all your work, including the massive fundraising efforts for Trek for Timor. And thanks to Jenny Shepherd for representing the Luciano Romano NSW Consul-General.
23.01.2022 Here’s a message from Mayor Mark Greenhill on the apology that the NSW Government has issued today to our Council in the light of the Ombudman’s findings of the unlawful and inappropriate actions of SafeWork NSW.
22.01.2022 Its time to step up the fight to save the Woodford Footbridge! The NSW Government has just released its Review of Environmental Factors and is now seeking feedback on its five options. I am deeply concerned that the REFs preferred option is to decommission the bridge. This ignores the fact that the bridge provides a vital link between south Woodford and north Woodford. The footbridge is an integral part of the heritage, design and function of the Memorial Park and links to... the Wilson Glen Reserve. I will be preparing an urgency motion to take to the next Council meeting calling on our Council to make a submission to the consultations. Our Council already has resolutions calling on the State Government to maintain and restore the bridge. This is not the time to be ripping out vital infrastructure when it is possible to restore it. You can find out more on the consultations here: https://woodford.consultation.ia See more
22.01.2022 That's a wrap of the #LGNSW online conference. Congratulations to President Linda Scott and the team for an extraordinarily well-run first online conference with over 400 Councillors delegates across NSW. It was a little scary getting the hang of moving motions and online voting but it all worked well. And great to share the experience with fellow BMCC Councillor delegates @Don McGregor, Chris Van Der Kley, Brent Hoare - Blue Mountains Ward 2 Councillor. We took four motions... to the conference. Three of our motions on Active Transport, Fixing the Broken Ratings system and more funding for management of Crown Lands were fully supported and passed without debate. Our final motion on calling on the State Government to review its criteria for speed zones wasn't debated because we ran out of time. This motion will now be considered by the LGNSW Board and I think it will be supported too. Motions that are passed at the Local Government NSW conference become part of LGNSW policy platform where all Councils can advocate together for change. It was lovely to hear President Linda Scott mention in her opening speech the campaign for Renew Our Libraries which began from a motion that I drafted back in 2017 and led through the collective support of so many Councils for increases in funding from the State Government for local libraries. See more
22.01.2022 At last night’s Council meeting, we received a report (Item 16) off the back off my notice of motion about strengthening sustainability and resilience activities in the Blue Mountains. I acknowledge the work and advocacy of many community members, including @Resilient Blue Mountains, who have been calling for ways to strengthen engagement with living more sustainably and protecting our environment. I especially want to acknowledge @Shirley Lewis Radio ASAP - As Sustainably As... Possible who started the conversations with me a few years back and encouraged me with my obsession about the challenges of recycling lids. I look forward to continuing to support our community’s collective work including the establishment of a Hub on the Council’s website. And here’s what I moved for Item 16, with an additional point 5 about the Festival of Sustainability which would be fantastic if we can gain the funding. 1. That the Council notes the range of sustainability and resilience activities facilitated by Council that community members can engage with; 2. That the Council endorses development of a sustainability and resilience hub on the BMCC website that would provide a space for sharing of ideas and initiatives, information and resources that can be accessed to support sustainability and resilience initiatives, projects, programs and activities in the Blue Mountains and that the Council is engaged and partnering with - this hub would also provide a means of sharing information and connecting with Resilient Blue Mountains; 3. That the Council notes the launch of Resilient Blue Mountains and the opportunities emerging to partner with Resilient Blue Mountains on community resilience projects; 4. That the Council notes that the Resilient Blue Mountains anchor group has the Director of Cultural and Community Services as member, this group will act as a hub to capture community suggestions and identify joint opportunities; and 5. That the Council notes our grant application for $30,000 for seed funding for Resilient Blue Mountains to host a Festival of Resilience in the Blue Mountains, and that, if this application is not successful, the Council continues to work with Resilient Blue Mountains to seek funding opportunities to support such a festival in the Blue Mountains.
22.01.2022 Yet another disturbing report that shows how deeply flawed the plans for Western Sydney Airport are. Basically, this report says you can’t have a ‘green’ (cooler) city next to an airport! And so it seems that plans for trees and birds in the aerotropolis will have to be cut back. And yet this time last year, Penrith was the hottest place on earth, and that was before an airport and massively increased development is built nearby. Maybe melting planes and fried landing tyres will also be a safety hazard? https://www.sbs.com.au//sydney-s-penrith-the-hottest-place
21.01.2022 Just home from a socially distanced Sports Council meeting at Springwood - the first since February. While the challenges due to COVID-19 for sporting clubs across the codes was acknowledged, it was wonderful to hear the deep appreciation from Sports Council reps for Councils decision to waive sporting fees. As some reps said, while other Councils have indicated that they would help, our Council has done it!!
20.01.2022 There’s so much to reflect on as 2020 draws to a close and we head into 2021 wondering if it will be a better year. There’s no doubt 2020 has been a year like no other: heaps of challenges, heaps of curve balls and yet, our community has come together and shown incredible strength, resilience, care and compassion! Like you, I hope 2021 will be a better year. I wish you all a happy New Year and look forward to working with you again in 2021!
20.01.2022 Perfect morning for a site visit of the new walks, meeting places and viewing areas of the upgrade of Echo Point which will open later this month. The amphitheatre has been developed with the local Aboriginal Elders. It is so important to have ways to recognise the deep cultural significance and heritage of this remarkable place. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project. I know many people are looking forward to visiting when it opens.
20.01.2022 Lovely appreciation from @Lawson Amateur Swimming Club. Dont forget Councillors have a small fund of $2000 each financial year to support the Minor Local Projects. This fund allows us to assist local not-for-profit community organisations with activities and events. All your NFP organisation needs to do is approach me outlining your organisations project for which you would like some financial support. I then put in an application which goes to the next Council meeting for approval. Since being a Councillor, its been wonderful to support many local community organisations. Sometimes even a small donation can make a big difference.
20.01.2022 So many things we love about the Blue Mountains - our landscape, heritage and history come together in David Brazils exhibition Re-Take Blue Mountains. This exhibition was made possible by Blue Mountains City of the Arts trust grant and it deepens our understanding of the history of photography and the representation of treasured places in the Blue Mountains. Congratulations David.
20.01.2022 I am really pleased to report back on my previous post that Council Officers have removed the sand, which had nearly buried the memorial seat overlooking Cataract Falls at South Lawson Park. My thanks to Nettie Mach and June Bragg, who are the relatives of Maisie and Robert to whom this seat was dedicated, for raising this with me. Its great that officers have been able to fix the problem. The seat is now useable and the safety fence is doing its job again. I also took the c...hance to do the Water Fall Circuit which is an increasingly popular walk with locals and Sydneysiders. It was great to see so many people out and about. I probably did more talking with people along the track than running. And from these discussions and other feedback from community members, its clear that the review of the Plan of Management coming up in about 12 months will be absolutely critical for our local community. See more
20.01.2022 At our Council meeting on 29 September, there will be ballots for the roles of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Alternate Deputy Mayor. I look forward to voting to re-elect Mayor Mark Greenhill to lead our Council and community. Its such a privilege to work with Mayor Mark Greenhill, my Council colleagues and most importantly to work with you to enable our community to be the best it can be. I hope that I will have support from my fellow Councillors to serve again as the alternate Deputy Mayor.
20.01.2022 Last week, I spoke with University of Sydney student Emma Koch who is doing a research project as part of her honours year on the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall and its potential impact on the Great Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. With the Warragamba Dam Wall back in the news, you might want to participate in Emmas survey. The attached flier has a link to the survey which is open to 22 September. And congratulations to Emma Koch for taking on this important research interviewing a range of stakeholders on their perspectives on the NSW Governments proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall.
19.01.2022 Congratulations to everyone (more than 50 people) involved in the first meeting for the newly established Resilient Blue Mountains. It was wonderful to be invited to speak about my motion on strengthening community engagement on resilience and sustainability, which was passed unanimously at our Council meeting on Tuesday evening. I pay tribute, in particular, to Shirley Lewis who first brought the question to me in the midst of tight COVID-19 restrictions on how we could bui...ld on the great strengths of our community and our Council to show how we are resilient and making strong steps toward sustainability in the face of significant challenges - bushfires, floods, the pandemic and climate change. At the same time, the group Resilient Blue Mountains was forming. The big takeaway from tonight is it seems the planets are aligning with fantastic support from Mayor Mark Greenhill, Trish Doyle MP and Susan Templeman MP. I look forward to supporting this great community initiative. And look forward to the Council report from my motion at the November Council meeting which will explore how our Council as a whole can engage with our community on sustainability and resilience initiatives.
19.01.2022 As you will see from Councils corporate post, some of the play equipment at Wentworth Falls Lake, was removed yesterday following a routine safety audit. In the process yesterday, I have also learnt there are no plans to fix the safety issues in the short-term as the equipment is due to fully upgraded as part of the City Deals project next year. This is not acceptable. Wentworth Falls Lake is a heavily used park by children and families. We cant have this play equipment, due to problems with the softfall as far as I can see, out of action for all this time. Therefore, I will be bringing forward an urgency motion at the Council meeting on Tuesday calling for Council to fix the equipment and softfall. Six months plus is too long to wait for such a popular play area and park for children and families.
19.01.2022 Our motion to the Local Government NSW conference calling on the NSW Government to fix the unfair rating system in NSW was passed without amendment or debate. This motion went to the LGNSW conference following my urgency motion at a recent Council meeting. Great to have the support from Councils across NSW to improve our ratings system. You can read why here. Our advocacy continues.
19.01.2022 Today is National Threatened Species Day and, as a City in a World Heritage Area, its really important that we recognise this day. Heres a link to our Councils release. It was a relief to hear the report on ABC news last night that some glow worm colonies living deep inside caves survived the devastating Gospers Mountain fires. However, we know that loss of wildlife has been enormous. I also look forward to being part of the Wildlife Recovery Mayoral Reference Group which will work with a range of community groups and local agencies on how we can assist with efforts to support the recovery of wildlife. I know how we support and protect our wildlife and threatened ecological communities is really important to people in the Blue Mountains.
17.01.2022 You might have heard on the ABC Radio News this morning, a person who visited the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre on Friday 4 September was COVID-19. We only found out about this late yesterday from NSW Health, and since then Council has been working with NSW Health who is the agency responsible for the Public Heath Orders and managing the COVID-19 response. You can read more here in the message from Mayor Mark Greenhill.
16.01.2022 Wonderful to catch up with some of my terrific Labor colleagues last night.
15.01.2022 Great to attend the Hazelbrook Association’s physically distanced and COVID-safe in-person AGM. It was lovely to see everyone after such a tough year with bushfires, floods and now COVID-19. And also to hear that so many of the Association’s activities - gardening bees around the village and Memory Park, return and earn and the Graffiti Removal program - are back up and running since the public health restrictions have been eased. A key topic of discussion was the urgent need for a storage space of the graffiti team’s graffiti removal trailer. I have attached the notice of motion that I brought forward in the September Council meeting. With my fellow Ward 2 Councillors, we will be following up on this matter. Congratulation to all the volunteers at the Hazelbrook Association and the committee who were all re-elected unopposed!
15.01.2022 Did you know that rates notices are due out soon and some people will see an increase while others will see a decrease? Did you also know that any change in your rates was decided by the State Government and not Council? If you have an increase in rates this year, it relates to recent land valuations that are determined by the NSW Government, through the Valuer Generals office. In other words, this is a State Government imposed increase to your rates and not a Council decisi...on. Council has had no say in this matter and Council does not receive any extra revenue from it. Mayor Mark Greenhill has previously written to the State Government and asked that the Govt subsidise those households faced with an increase, given the difficult year it has been following summer bush fires, flooding in February and now the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise that this is an exceptionally challenging time for many households. However, Council is legally required to levy ratepayers (under the Local Government Act 1993) and unfortunately we are not legally able to waive rates. Where ratepayers are unable to pay rates, you can call 4780 5000 to get some assistance.
15.01.2022 Blue Mountains City Council has had an enduring friendship with the community in Hatobuilico in East Timor which began soon after Timor-Leste gained its independence. This friendship has been strengthened by community organisations, such as Blue Mountains Trek For Timor, Together for Timor, Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters and the Springwood East Timor Support Group. When I was privileged to visit Hatobuilico in 2015 on behalf of Council (I paid for my own trip) for the ope...ning of school built by funds raised by previous Treks, I saw the enormous challenges the people of Hatobuilico faced gaining access to education, health and building their developing economy. I also saw the enormous hope that families had for their childrens future and how education was key to this. As Mayor Mark Greenhills delegate for the Chair of the Blue Mountains Hatobuilico Friendship Committee, I have decided to take up the challenge for the Virtual Trek for Timor. I signed up to walk 100km through October to raise funds for community projects in Hatobuilico. I have chosen 100kms because Hatobuilico is 100kms from Dili and I will never forget the dirt road from Dili to Hatobuilico and how isolated Hatobuilico was. I hope you will support this important cause. Registrations are still open and there are a variety of different distances to choose from. You find out more here: https://trekfortimorbm.org.au/ And if you would like to sponsor me or other participants, click here: https://virtual-trek.herokuapp.com/donate.
14.01.2022 Late this afternoon, I met with local residents about concerns with pedestrian access to and from the station on the northside of Bullaburra along Railway Parade. There are similar issues at the other stations too. Thats why at our Council meeting on Tuesday night, I called for a briefing on the review of the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP). I also think the State Government should provide targeted funding to improve access to their train stations. After all, on the north side of Bullaburra, there is no real parking area and so many people will choose to walk from their home to the station.
14.01.2022 Don’t forget feedback on the options for the new playground at Wentworth Falls Lake closes today. Here is the link http://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/wentworthfallslake to have your say. And you can find out more in this Gazette article.
14.01.2022 Congratulations to all the artists, writers, organisers of the fabulous COVID-safe Blue Fringe Arts Awards presentations today. This year the organisers have risen to the challenge of moving the whole event online. It has been a massive undertaking but has also enabled the fantastic work of our artists and writers to be shared not just here in the Blue Mountains but across the world. It was a huge honour to present the textiles award with highly commended to Karen Stephenson... and the winner to Livonne Larkins. Please take time to look at these and all the other inspiring works here https://www.bluefringe.org.au And I have a special pic with Lee Mitchell as I know my mum who had bipolar 1 would have loved Lee’s work! From my perspective, the Blue Fringe Art Awards really deserves an award itself for this fabulous and important art event. And it was wonderful to hear that @Blue Mountains City Council helped with funding for this event which made the whole thing possible in this challenging year. Congratulations to all.
13.01.2022 I am so sad this has happened. I am so sorry that our veterans and our current service men and service women have to face this on the first day of 2021. As the Mayor Mark Greenhill says this important memorial will be repaired.
13.01.2022 As we are hurrying about this morning, spare a thought for the children, families and staff at Wentworth Falls Preschool Kindergarten back in late November 2017, whose lives were suddenly disrupted by SafeWorks orders to close their preschool. An historic independent inquiry by the NSW Ombudsman has found that Safework issued unlawful notices to close the preschool, which operates in a Council-owned building, and that Safeworks requirements for repeated testing over about t...he agreed standards was unreasonable. The NSW Ombudsman says these unlawful notices were brought about by intense pressure from the NSW Government Ministers and the media. I have know the impact on children and families was significant. SafeWorks requirement to apologise to the Council should be extended to the children, families and staff at Wentworth Falls Preschool. You can read more here, including how one family @Sarah Elliott was affected. I thank the other families who shared their stories but didnt want to be part of the story. And I thank the Mayor Mark Greenhill for his support. See more
13.01.2022 Last weekend I was looking at the bushwalking trails in Red Gum Park Bullaburra. The weekend before last, I was in Lawson following up on concerns raised by Nettie Mach and her family about the memorial seat on the way to the Cataract Falls, which has been mysteriously buried in sand. This seat is in memory of Netties grandparents Maisie and Robert who loved these mountains and overlooks one of the beautiful waterfalls along the Lawson Waterfall Circuit. I am seeking advic...e from Council officers on what has caused this massive sand erosion and what can be done to fix the issue. I really hope we can find a solution, not only for safety reasons as the fence opposite doesnt provide much of a barrier anymore, but also so we can use the seat and pay tribute to the memory of Maisie and Robert, who like so many of us, love our beautiful Blue Mountains. See more
12.01.2022 Here’s a message from Mayor Mark Greenhill regarding the report from public health staff at Nepean of a COVID matter relating to Greenwell and Thomas Pharmacy on Katoomba Street, Katoomba. Please stay safe this holiday season. Read on for full details
12.01.2022 Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback on the impact of removing the swings and flying fox from the play equipment at Wentworth Falls Lake due to the safety issues with the softfall. Council Officers have provided the Councillors with a briefing as promised and the officers are looking at ways to solve the issue potentially by doing the planned playground upgrade sooner. However, the way forward is not yet finalised. Please rest assured your concerns have been heard and officers are working hard to find a solution. And thanks to Alison Biar, Sky, Jack, Lucy and Dahlia for being part of the Gazette story last week.
12.01.2022 Big thanks to my fellow Councillors for supporting the next phase of the @Renew Our Libraries campaign. The COVID-19 restrictions have shown, not only how important libraries are within our community, but also how adaptable they are too. We look forward to meeting with Trish Doyle MP to talk about the value of public libraries and why it is important to have secure funding from the State Government.
12.01.2022 Important message - stay safe everyone.
11.01.2022 Just in case you missed my post earlier this week and posts from other Councillors as well, most home and property owners will have received their rates notices this week. Due to changes in the State Governments land valuations, some peoples rates have gone up, while other peoples rates have gone down and some peoples rates have stayed the same. This is entirely due to the State Governments decision-making. It is not a decision of Council. I know that many people find th...is strange, confusing, counter-intuitive that the overall amount of revenue that Council receives through rates to deliver all the services across our community remains the same. We called on the State Government not to implement this change to the rates across the mountains this year. The Mayor Mark Greenhill wrote to the Minister to say that it wasnt the right time due to the economic impacts of the bushfires and COVID-19. But the State Government went ahead and imposed these new land valuations anyway. It is time for NSW Government to fix the old and broken ratings system but, until they do, we are legally required to apply the rates in the way the State Government says we must. Where someone may be experiencing hardship or difficulty in paying their rates, you can call 4780 500 for help, including working out a payment plan or other measures under our hardship policy.
09.01.2022 Moving to see our Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans recognising Vietnam Veteranss Day today at Springwood. Lest we forget.
09.01.2022 I am very proud to be taking part in the Virtual Trek. Blue Mountains City Council has had a friendship relationship with the people of Hatobuilico for nearly two decades. The strength and endurance of this friendship relationship has been realised through community fundraising events such as Blue Mountains Trek For Timor. You can find out more here including how to sponsor trek participants: https://virtual-trek.herokuapp.com/donate
09.01.2022 Masking up and staying COVID-19 safe for a briefing.
09.01.2022 An honour to lay wreaths on behalf of Blue Mountains City Council and Susan Templeman MP at the COVID-safe, smaller-than-usual but no-less-moving Remembrance Day Service at Coronation Park at Wentworth Falls this morning. Susan Elfert laid the wreath on behalf of Trish Doyle MP. My deepest thanks to the members of Wentworth Falls Chamber of Commerce and Community including the gardening team, Jon Guyer and members from the Holy Trinity Church Wentworth Falls, Norm Fraser and members of the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans Association, Probus, Wentworth Falls NSW Fire and Rescue and Wentworth Falls Rural Fire Service Brigade, Wentworth Falls Public School and Blue Mountains Grammar School for being part of the service to remember 102 years since Armistice. Lest We Forget.
09.01.2022 Great to support Idahobit Blue Mountains and our rainbow youth in the Blue Mountains with Wear it Purple Day today! I promise I did sit at my desk working from home with my purple coat on!! Hope you all had a great day and managed to wear a bit of purple too.
09.01.2022 Wonderful to see the beautiful works by local artists @Anita White and @Caren Berzins at the Everglades Historic House + Gardens - National Trust of Australia.The exhibition Scandinavian Summer features landscapes - natural and urban - with a stunning array of colours, light and textures. The exhibition is on for another week including next weekend (to 27 November). And thank you to Anita and Caren for extending an invitation to open the show. It would have been an honour but we understand COVID-safety and restricted numbers meant it wasn’t possible. Maybe next time as I have a feeling there will be more fabulous artworks and exhibitions from both Anita and Caren.
08.01.2022 As Chair of our Council’s Blue Mountains Hatobuilico Friendship Committee, it’s been wonderful to participate in the Virtual Blue Mountains Trek For Timor. And a huge thanks to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to create this virtual trek which looks like, as a fundraiser, it may be as successful of previous treks! And, of course, my deepest thanks to all the participants and their fabulous sponsors too for supporting this great cause. And it’s not too late to make a donation.
07.01.2022 Thanks to Lou Pravdacichs family and their neighbours for taking me down to the picnic area at Red Gum Park in Bullaburra. I hadnt had a chance to go down to this beautiful area before, even though, over the years, I have put in multiple requests for updates on when a hazard reduction might take place in the park. (I can confirm it is identified for a prescribed burn, however, the RFS has responsibility for the timing and there are lots of factors to be considered with this...). Today we walked through Red Gum Park, so I could see the bridge that has washed away on the track up to Boronia Road. However, I couldnt see the bridge as the area has been closed. I will be seeking an update from Council officers on plans to repair the bridge. Also, I was advised earlier this year that Red Gum Parks Plan of Management will be reviewed in the next two years. I know many community members will be interested in contributing to this review.
07.01.2022 My deepest thanks to the NSW Police for taking such swift action to resolve this matter. I know how deeply upsetting it has been to our veterans and servicemen and servicewomen. And rest assured, as our Mayor Mark Greenhill has indicated, the memorial will be repaired.
07.01.2022 Children and families at Wentworth Falls Preschool in 2017 deserve an apology from the State Government. As you may be aware the Ombudsman has just released a scathing report, Investigation into actions taken by SafeWork NSW Inspectors in relation to Blue Mountains City Council workplaces. These events in 2017-2018 had a direct impact on children and families in our community. In late 2017, families of Wentworth Falls Preschool (which located in a Council building) were t...old by the State Government that the preschool was riddled with asbestos. At the time, this caused understandable panic and alarm. However, the Ombudsman has now revealed that the claims were not true. To those children, especially the 4-year-olds who were heading off to big school and who missed out on their planned Christmas party and farewells in their preschool that year; and to the families and staff who were caused stress and anxiety as a result of the unnecessary closure of the preschool and the fears of expose to asbestos, I sincerely hope that the State Government apologises to you because you deserve it. And I thank Mayor Mark Greenhill for your leadership and for calling on those NSW politicians involved in this extraordinary political interference and abuse of their public office to consider their positions carefully. I am deeply sorry that children and families in our community were caught up in the political interference by the State Government in the work of its own health and safety regulator SafeWork. (My children attended Wentworth Falls Preschool many years ago and so your experiences and the disappointment that I am sure you all felt is very real to me.) And if you are in any doubt about the unlawful issuing of safety notices, here is what the Ombudsman has to say: The Wentworth Falls Preschool notices: The Wentworth Falls Preschool Prohibition and Improvement notices were issued contrary to law because the Inspector who issued them did not have a reasonable belief (as required by s 195 of the WHS Act) that they were warranted. In the absence of such belief, the Inspector had no power to issue the notices. He issued them because he was told to by his Director. The Inspector had no power to issue the notices, and the Director had no power to direct him to do so. (page 3 of the report) Wentworth Falls Preschool was closed due to a discovery of asbestos containing material (ACM) in a weathered piece of asbestos board on the fascia of the gazebo at one of the entrances. Even though initial air monitoring results were below all the asbestos exposure standards, SafeWork required BMCC to undertake additional tests and keep the Preschool closed for another two weeks. The tests were in excess of those recommended by legislated guidelines and industry standards and there was no evident justification for carrying them out. (page 5 of the report) Heres the article from 2017. https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au//wentworth/poltica
06.01.2022 Breaking news: Remember all the stories on asbestos? Over the last two years, the Ombudsman has been conducting a full investigation into the activities of SafeWork. Yesterday the Ombudsman released his damning report into the way that SafeWork had been subject to political interference when conducting its investigations into asbestos management at Blue Mountains City Council. This report confirms what many people in our community told me: that the SafeWork requirements for t...esting and retesting of some Council sites were politically motivated. The Ombudsman has said that SafeWorks notices were unlawful and unreasonable. The Ombudsman has confirmed, what many of you told me you suspected, that our Council was no different to any other Council and SafeWorks actions were due to political pressure from the State Government and the attacks on our Council by radio shock jocks. The Ombudsman says SafeWork should apologise to our council and pay money for the expenses we incurred in meeting their unreasonable demands. This is an extraordinary finding. People who called for our Council to be sacked should be considering their positions. In sharing this news, I pay tribute to the leadership of Mayor Mark Greenhill who charted a course to respond to the allegations made by radio shock jocks and a state government which wanted to see our Council suspended. I pay tribute to all the community members who supported us to keep our local democracy in place. This Ombudsmans report would mean nothing if we werent still in office to receive it. The Mayor will be bringing forward a Mayoral Minute at our Council meeting on Tuesday night. I encourage everyone to join the live stream to hear the Mayor and Councillors speak on this issue. Again, I say thank you for your ongoing support. And please read on ...
06.01.2022 Wonderful to welcome and thank the team who are walking a leg of their Virtual Blue Mountains Trek for Timor from Wentworth Falls to Blackheath today. There were people not only from the mountains but also from Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands. All raising money for our neighbours in Hatobuilico in Timor-Leste. And thank you Aunty Carol for your welcome and support too. And here’s a beautiful message for Frater Acacio from Hatobuilico: Beautiful Mary (Waterford...). I hope everything is going well and thank you very much for all specially maun John Tweedie because today is his last bush walking. Good by maun John. Thank you mana Romola Hollywood. And don’t forgot you can sponsor Virtual Trek for Timor participants here: https://trekfortimorbm.org.au I will be doing another 15km leg tomorrow got my 100kms. I have 66kms to go! Now off the citizenship ceremony.
05.01.2022 Wishing this fabulous team all the very best on their 100km walk which they are doing as a continuous trek for Blue Mountains Trek For Timor. From me, I am doing it in chunks and batches across the month. Looking forward to more walking tomorrow on some trails in the mid mountains. Open to suggestions
05.01.2022 What great news! Congratulations Mayor Mark Greenhill and thank you for your leadership on the need to take urgent action to address climate change.
05.01.2022 Great news! Now you can love our libraries even more. Thanks to the funding secured through the state-wide @Renew our Libraries campaign, which I know so many of you supported, Blue Mountains City Council is abolishing library fines and making our libraries even more user-friendly. Studies have revealed that libraries fines dont necessarily encourage people to return overdue books, they are expensive to administer and discourage people from continuing to use their library. I am really pleased that the Renew Our Libraries campaign, which I have been actively involved through my role as Vice-President of the NSWPLA, has delivered such a great result.
04.01.2022 Today, if it werent for the COVID-19 pandemic, we would have been coming together for Vietnam Veterans Day and the annual march and memorial service at Springwood. Understandably, the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans Association has decided to cancel this years event but they assure us they will be back in 2021. Today, in recognition of Vietnam Veterans Day on Tuesday 18 August, I am sharing the video of last years fundraising event of the screening of The Odd Angry Shot t...o raise funds for BM Vietnam Veterans Association and Soldier On. The video shows David Strattons interview with Bryan Brown and Tom Jeffrey who was the Director of the film and also my dad. It was an honour to play a small role in this event which was supported by BMCC Theatre and Community Hub. In sharing this video, I recognise the enormous sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans. And thanks to Luke McKay for a really great record of the event.
04.01.2022 Awful news about this accident at Hazelbrook - this is what I posted on the @Hazelbrook Happenings Facebook Group: Hi everyone it’s Councillor Romola Hollywood awful news about this accident and my heart goes out to everyone affected. However, thankfully I understand that no one has been injured. I know a few people have asked about the car park upgrade to the main area of the car park. I can confirm that the work on the upgrade on the top cark will begin in January after ...extensive consultations with the community and shopkeepers. Shopkeepers asked for the work to be delayed till after Christmas to avoid impacts on Christmas trade. Take care. Here’s is my further post in response to another question: yes January 2021 and yes it has been going on for years. And I have moved several motions calling for safety improvements to the Hazelbrook car park. It has taken longer due a few factors including the need for effective and detailed consultations with our community and especially the shopkeepers. However, the designs are now complete and it has gone to tender. So the long wait will soon be over barring some unforeseen circumstances.
04.01.2022 Today my AppleWatch set the National Parks Challenge and I did something I have been wanting to do for ages: head down the Kedumba Pass to the Jamison Creek a...nd all the way back up again. Along the way were stark reminders of the summer fires and the work of RFS members doing the backburns to slow the fires, stunningly tall trees, clear still water and a little lookout over the Jamison Valley that I hadnt seen before. Such a privilege to live in the Blue Mountains. We need to do all we can to protect our World Heritage area. Thats why our citys Local Environment Plan and standing up against over-development is so important. See more
04.01.2022 During our rainy days last week, a community member raised concerns on a local Facebook Group about the water quality at Woodford Creek. This photo was taken by the community member at Woodford Weir upstream from the Woodford Dam. (Hoping it’s ok to share here.) The person was concerned about how dirty the water was in Woodford Creek compared to the other local creeks. I said that I would follow up. I know many people are interested in the water quality of our creeks and wate...rways. I am sharing this story and Council Officers response here too. The Officers have advised of the following: Council's Healthy Waterways Team samples annually for water quality and macroinvertebrates within the WaterNSW area - Woodford Dam. The sampling site is a few hundred metres upstream of Lake Woodford. Council also samples the two adjacent waterways - Hazelbrook Creek and Bulls Creek. 10 years of scientific data shows that this creek system has always been ranked as being in good to excellent waterway health. Of course, it is possible that with all the rain we've been having, there may be instream erosion occurring, which has resulted in sediment-laden stormwater flowing into the creeks as discussed in the post. Over the Christmas New Year period, several intense storm cells have mobilised significant amounts of sediments in individual streams in the western Blue Mountains, which may also be a contributory factor. I will ask the team to visit this particular location and investigate further. It’s great to know that we have such a strong focus on monitoring the health of our local creeks and waterways. #waterquality #bluemountains #woodfordcreek #bluemountainsbushwalks
03.01.2022 Its just over six months since the damaging February deluge destroyed so much of the historic Charles Darwin Walk which follows the Jamison Creek from Wilson Park down to Wentworth Falls. Many people have asked me what are Councils plans to repair the Charles Darwin Walk which is crown land managed by Council. I am pleased to report back, after lodging quite a few requests for information over the last several months, Council has now assessed the damage in full, including a...ssessment by insurers. Worryingly, most of the damage will not be covered by insurance and the repair bill will be over $1 million because the damage to the tracks and the creek line is so extensive. I welcome the Mayor Mark Greenhills calls on the State and Federal government to contribute funds to repair the Charles Darwin Walk as well as other trails that were similarly affected by the floods. This includes the bridge at Red Gum Park in Bullaburra. Its surprising walking trails that are used by locals and tourists alike are not defined as essential infrastructure. This needs to change. You can read more here and I am interested in your thoughts too. https://www.bluemts.com.au//call-for-funding-to-repair-flo
03.01.2022 Very excited that the motion I drafted and our Council supported to take to the Local Government NSW Conference was supported without debate or amendment. Not only that, because this conference is occurring online right now, two other Councils got in faster than me on the online chat to move and second indicating they were very supportive of this motion too!! Good to know there is widespread support from other Councils for better funding from the Statement Government for our Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plans (aka footpaths and cycleways).
03.01.2022 Here is a further update from the Mayor Mark Greenhill on the reports of COVID-19 cases. It is good to hear the Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre is able to reopen tomorrow following the deep clean. Remember social distancing, good hand washing and hygiene and wearing a mask, if you cant physically distance, is the way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Stay safe.
02.01.2022 When the Prime Minister replaced COAG with the National Cabinet, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Local Government lost its seat at the table. As this article from Councillor Linda Scott, who is President of the Australian Local Government Association and Local Government NSW, points out local government should be included in the National Cabinet as we can have a strong role to play in supporting responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was proud to bring forward a motion to Council last year calling on the Federal Government to include Local Government in the National Cabinet. This article is from the Canberra Times today.
02.01.2022 Great news to help protect our wildlife.
02.01.2022 Congratulations to the ten local residents who became Australian citizens at our COVID-safe citizenship ceremony today. Since Australia Day ceremonies have been online only. So it was lovely to be able hold an in-person ceremony to swear in our new citizens. And afterwards Trish Doyle MP popped into the Braemar Gallery next door to see some beautiful art works from local artists including @Martin Roberts.
02.01.2022 Really pleased that after many years of advocacy from community members and Councillors alike, the upgrade of the Hazelbrook car park to address the ongoing safety concerns is starting. The designs have been created after extensive consultation with the community, shopkeepers and the RMS/Transport for NSW. Here’s a link to one of the many stories calling for this work to happen https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au//fix-hazo-parking/
01.01.2022 As the Chair of Council’s Blue Mountains Hatobuilico Friendship Committee, I am very proud to be actively supporting this fundraiser Blue Mountains Trek For Timor led by the community-based organisation Blue Mountains Together for Timor.
01.01.2022 Here is a message from Mayor Mark Greenhill seeking clarification from the NSW Government on the wearing of masks which at this stage is not compulsory in NSW. However, today NSW Health is encouraging people in our state to avoid non-essential travel and social gatherings and to consider wearing masks if social distancing is not possible.
