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About the Glebe Society
Action Groups |
Environment
The Glebe Society has a commitment for the ongoing care, preservation and quality of life for the community and its visitors. In order for this to happen The Society looks for support, information and vigilance on the part of its members. It is essential to bring to The Society's notice issues of unauthorised and/ or inappropriate development, park management and public amenity. Other areas of concern may include street safety, foreshore development, street lighting and waste management.
Issues raised with The Glebe Society can then be discussed and referred to the appropriate authority for action. Your support is encouraged in order to maintain active community participation and assist with The Society's charter of working for the retention of the village character and the diversity of the community. A typical and important issue follows:
Mayor
Clover Moore has today (March 7, 2005) described this poisoning as "a
disgrace and [she] will ensure that the City does everything in its power
to discourage such selfish vandalism. The
"City officers will be conducting a thorough investigation and the responsible persons will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if they are caught. Tree poisoning is a serious offence which carries a maximum penalty of $110,000 in the Local Court and $1.1 million in the Land and Environment Court."
Poisoning of waterfront trees in order to enhance water views has occurred in many waterfront suburbs, including Mosman and Balmain, as well as in coastal towns. In each case the local Council has taken prompt measures to discourage such events occurring again. These have included placing large "sails" in the dead trees or mooring shipping containers at the sites so that residents cannot benefit from the altered water view. Further, some Councils will plant two trees to replace each one that is poisoned. Mosman council has an explicit policy on poisoned trees, and we encourage the City of Sydney to also adopt a policy.
It is distressing that for the first time the poisoning of trees in water front parks has now apparently occurred in Glebe. In response, the Society needs to have a policy regarding the poisoning of trees. A call for objections and suggestions regarding tree poisonings was made on 17 February 2005 and, in line with the Constitution of the Society, at the Management Committee meeting of 16 March 2005, this matter [#10] was duly incorporated within the following Environment Policy Statement, having been voted in the affirmative and adopted on the same date, 16 March 2005.
Environment Policy Statement (revised and adopted 17 March 2005)
The environment has a primary influence on the current and future amenity of Glebe. The Glebe Society Inc will act to ensure that our local environment is protected, sustained and enhanced.
The Environment Sub-Committee will initiate action in response to environmental issues arising in, but not limited to, the following areas: 1. The removal of litter and rubbish (including abandoned cars and supermarket trolleys) from streets, parks and waterways. The Society supports a reduction in waste, recycling, restrictions on the distribution of advertising material (junk mail), and the out of sight storage of garbage and recycling bins. 2. The removal of graffiti and illegal posters from private and public buildings. The Society supports the use of anti-graffiti measures including the supervised painting of appropriate murals under Council's supervision and the growth of plants over walls. 3. A reduction in acts of vandalism and other crime. The Society believes people should be safe in the streets and in their homes. 4. Improvements in air quality and the control of global warming. The Society supports a reduction in air pollution, the promotion of energy conservation, the increased use of renewable energy sources, and a reduction in the use of motor vehicles. 5. Enhancing the appearance of Glebe by reducing visual pollution. The Society supports the planting of street trees, the burying of utility cables, the elimination of billboards and other commercial street advertising, the proper maintenance of public buildings, the rationalisation of street signs, and the inconspicuous location of communication towers. 6. The responsible ownership of companion animals. The Society supports the minimisation of the affects of companion animals on the environment. 7. The return of native flora and fauna. The Society supports measures designed to promote the return of native flora and fauna to our suburb. The planting of traditional exotic flora that do not threaten native species is also supported. 8. A reduction in noise pollution. The Society supports a reduction in extraneous noise, specially that arising from aircraft, traffic and mechanical plants such as air conditioners. 9. Improving the water quality in our Bays. The Society supports the improvement of the water quality in our Bays, including the implementation of stormwater management plans aimed at reducing the volume of water runoff and the entry of pollutants. 10. The poisoning of trees, including those in water front parks. A tree that has died as a result of illegal poisoning should be left in place. Depending upon the density of its original foliage a biodegradable "sail" or strips of biodegradable material should be suspended in the dead tree. As an alternative, images of trees should be painted on a billboard or flags and placed adjacent to the dead tree. The City of Sydney should attach a notice to the dead tree stating that it has been illegally poisoned and that residents should report acts of tree vandalism (the notice should include details of the fine applicable for such vandalism and a contact telephone number for the City of Sydney). As soon as practical a new tree should be planted close to the dead tree and consideration should be given to planting two replacement trees for each poisoned tree. 11.
Other environment groups. When appropriate, the Society will provide support
for the work of other community, non-government, government and international
environment groups.
-- AKWW
The City of Sydney is encouraged to also adopt such a policy!
A
letter to the Editor of The Glebe Society Bulletin
Dear
Edwina,
If the term "redneck" sounds harsh, try "revenge", the fuel that sustains the endless violence in the Middle East and Ireland. It doesn't work there and we certainly don't need to try it in Glebe.
With every good wish,
Visual
Pollution -- Do Shopping Trolleys Breed?
The Managers of the major Supermarkets tell us that they confine shopping trolleys mosteffectively and rapidly collect any trolleys that escape the confines of their shopping centres. It is therefore difficult to understand why there are so many Shopping Trolleys littering the streets of Glebe. The major hypothesis to be tested is that, "Shopping Trolleys, once liberated from Broadway, breed prolifically".
How can we test this hypothesis? We are talking here about an important
social phenomenon so we can apply no less stringent a criterion than Popper's
falsifiability test. And whilst old Karl may be dismayed to see his work
used in social science he never experienced Shopping Trolleys in his lifetime
and there are none in Hell where he shares a cell with Tom Kuhn. Let's
play with some ideas. We could do comparative studies on matched fields.
For example in Council areas where there is a fine of $75 for liberated
trolleys they don't seem to breed. Is this significant? We might ask,
"Do they breed or decline in captivity?" Evidence is that their
numbers strangely lessen, whilst in captivity, so we cannot assume they
are prolific breeders in any circumstances. We could conduct a controlled
experiment whereby we captured all the liberated trolleys and their progeny
and observed them in laboratory conditions. The laboratory would need
to replicate conditions of the wild and we would need to defend against
observer bias but with careful management we could do it.
Jenny Underwood thanks all Glebe Society members involved in the proposed strategies to assist with Glebe's shopping trolley problems. Jenny tells us that the City of Sydney's Project Officer Rebecca Raap is working on a draft policy to get the matter under control.
Meantime the City has sourced an alternative pick up service which seems to be very responsive - Pacific Services - which can be contacted on 0500 847 000 or at trolleys@pacificservices.com.au. Please provide Jenny with feedback on this service directly on 9298 3101 or at junderwood@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
and more Visual Pollution .....
As this photograph by Bobbie Burke demonstrates, visual pollution is an environmental problem in Glebe. This signage is confusing as well as unsightly
From
Bulletin 9/2002:
An Adopt-a-Park scheme was endorsed with Leichhardt Municipal Council on Wednesday 16 October 2002. Similar arrangements operate elsewhere in the municipality and involve park neighbours establishing a partnership with Council for the care and improvement of parks. Tasks can range from odd jobs to working with Council to achieve significant projects.
The same Adopt-a-Park scheme has continued since our transfer to the City of Sydney Council. Initial
sites were selected and adoptive "par[k]ents" are:
Photo by Bruce Davis Kirsova Playground has been completely transformed under our Adopt-a-Park programme and David & Fay Mander Jones are to be congratulated. All of the par[k]ents would appreciate offers of help of any kind, so please get in touch with the Society.
We are aware of other members who have "adopted" their own local patch of greenspace.. These folks regularly collect litter, weed, and report graffiti and/ or damage to Council. A notable example can be seen in front of the Lombard Estate apartments, a prime example of how individuals can and do make a difference.
The Foley Park Working Group has been successful in influencing the City Council to prepare a Draft Plan of Management for Foley Park.
Background: A Community Open Day was held in June 2004 on site to discuss interests and concerns with the study team and representives from the City of Sydney Council and there was a Community Workshop in later that month to discuss preliminary concepts for the future enhancement and management of the Park. The Study Team engaged by Council was 'Environmental Partnership', email: belinda.g@epnsw.com.au --the City of Sydney contact is Kathleen Ng, email: kng@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
The Glebe Society's original 'vision' for Foley Park is that it become a source of civic pride for Glebe residents and The Society is actively encouraging its upgrading. As an urban park of some significance, central to Glebe, and strategically located at the crossroads of our two major thoroughfares, we feel it has a far more important role to play than the present level of care and maintenance would suggest. It could be more clearly connected to Glebe Point Road and welcoming to the residents, shoppers and tourists who frequent this area on foot. Already used on occasions for some community events, an upgraded and maintained Foley Park could serve as Glebe's "town square" or meeting place, as well as providing a safe and pleasant children's playground and early childhood centre and an interesting and inviting retreat.
The Foley Park Working Group advises that its response to the Draft Plan of Management was submitted to Council on Monday 2 May, 2005.
Eradicate
Asthma Weed
History
Identification
Control
Rubber gloves could be worn to prevent any allergic reaction in people predisposed to allergies, and it is recommended that weeding be done before flowering to avoid contact with the pollen. Do not use chemicals as they are not necessary. After the plant has been controlled the ground should be mulched and planted with a desirable plant to compete with Asthma Weed and prevent regrowth. Cracks in paving and walls should be repaired with a suitable material.
Asthma weed is a W3 classified plant under the Noxious Weeds Act. This means that it should be prevented from spreading (3).
- Christine Whittemore (reprinted from Bulletin 8/99, p4)
1 NSW Agriculture & Fisheries,
agnote, ISSN 1034-6848.
Queries? mail to: environment@glebesociety.org.au
City
of Sydney adopts Urban Tree Blueprint
For the first time the City of Sydney has a world class blueprint for managing the city's 85,000 street and park trees, after the Council gave its unanimous support to the Urban Tree Management Policy and Street Tree Master Plan.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said these documents are a long term plan to enhance the character of the various city precincts for generations to come.
"Such a well researched and comprehensive approach to urban tree management has never been undertaken in Australia and this is an important first step in introducing a sustainable urban forest approach to street trees such as that of some cities overseas which recognise the value of street trees beyond the ornamental," Ms Moore said.
"For example in Sacramento County in California it is recognised that street trees act to reduce wind speed and intercept up to 90 per cent of the summer sun, with a five per cent increase in tree canopy reducing summer temperatures by up to 2 degrees celcius."
The Urban Tree Management Policy will improve the quality of the City's tree canopy providing a consistent approach to the management of street and park trees in addition to the preservation and protection of trees on private land and development sites.
The Street Tree Master Plan maps out tree varieties for every street in the local government area and will also be valuable in helping educate the community, developers and City of Sydney staff about the value of street trees.
Ms Moore said these initiatives would help provide healthy street trees which will beautify and improve the urban environment today and become a legacy for future generations.
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An
important reminder for New Members who may be renovating in Glebe It was only 40 years ago that lead was finally removed from paint. So it is likely that many Glebe houses have high lead levels - in old paint flakes, in the dust, in the roof spaces and even in the ground around the house.
Young children are particularly at risk from exposure to lead because : ·
They are ground dwellers
Babies
and young children are good at absorbing any lead to which they are exposed.
The relationship between lead in paint and neurological problems in children was first recognised in the 1890s. It can cause lowered IQ, reduce learning abilities and abnormal behaviour and can even be fatal. In Australia, 10-15% of preschoolers have higher than desirable lead levels. If you think your child might have been exposed to lead, talk to your GP who can organise a blood test.
Ideally children (particularly babies and preschoolers) and pregnant women should move out during the course of renovations at home or in nearby houses.
Further information is available from the Lead Advisory Service on 9716 0132.
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Gerard Dupal of Pyrmont is involved in developing the group 'Sydneysiders Against Polluting Stacks' or SAPS. He said: "Half a million people live, work and play around the tunnel portals and unfiltered emission stack located beside 'Imax' in Darling Harbour. The stack will commence operation in October this year, emitting daily 'stored' pollution during the night. When Sydney has its winter heat inversions, we will be smothered in the stuff". He went on to say that scientific and medical information questions the soundness and robustness of the scientific data and methodology about filtering that advisors to the Roads and Traffic Authority have adopted thus far. The argument is that if pollution is 'captured' in tunnels and stacks, the opportunity to treat it has been presented.
Night-time pollution practice has happened before this. In the late 1960's and early 70's, Glebe Society life member Albert Mispel and his wife Kathy lived in Cardigan Street, Glebe. From that high elevation they saw Pyrmont industries 'getting to work' at the end of the day. Industrial air pollution continued in to the night when it couldn't be seen. On the other hand industry can have a good record of environmental responsibility. A man present at the Lyndhurst gathering was disturbed to hear of the cross-city tunnel pollution problem. He spoke of a company that included adequate pollution measures into its industrial design, operation and costs several years ago. He said Sydney road tunnels must be properly fitted with the latest filtering equipment now.
Glebe is close to the pollution stack and we would be foolish to ignore it. The estimated cost of tunnel filtering would add about 10 cents per vehicle trip. It is affordable and equitable to collect and use the 10 cents for this job and we want the NSW Government to get on with it.
You can contact Gerard Dupal and SAPS at gmdupal@bigpond.net.au or phone: 9660 0661.
-- Alison McKeown
Escalating
Tolls Threaten Benefits
I was astonished this week to learn of the proposed escalating Cross City Tunnel toll, which puts at risk the promises of city streets freed up from through traffic. The toll was initially flagged at $2.50 one-way, but has escalated to $3.49 with an additional $1.60 administrative charge for occasional users. Such high fees make the road affordable only for the well-off, putting question marks around the RTA's traffic predictions and potentially leaving many drivers on residential and CBD streets
Taking advantage of the predicted reduction in traffic, the Oxford Street and William Street upgrades are designed to revitalise these areas for businesses and the local community by providing for bicycles, transit lanes, wider footpaths, more trees and new street furniture. These benefits must extend throughout the inner city. The time is right for a light rail system that provides a real alternative to more cars. Investment in light rail will keep traffic flows down, allow designated cycleways and create wider, more pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and public places.
The RTA must also deliver on publicly available air quality monitoring data to assess the impact of the cross city tunnel. It must commit to in-tunnel filtration to achieve real long term benefit.
A
Breath of Fresh Air .....
I met this week with Jennifer Westacott, Director-General of the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), to seek outcomes about air quality. I sought this meeting to address concerns about public access to air quality information, especially with the Cross City Tunnel due to open in June.
DIPNR agreed to provide timely and online air quality information from the four Cross City Tunnel monitoring sites. I will work with DIPNR and the Cross City Tunnel Air Quality Community Consultative Committee so that this information is presented in an accessible format for interested members of the community to compare air quality before and after the tunnel opens.
At the meeting, it was also agreed to immediately inform the community about portal emissions from the Cross City Tunnel, if and when they occur.
Portal emissions are a regular occurrence with the M5 East, as highlighted in the recent Auditor-General report, although it is not permitted in the conditions of consent. Nearby residents and workers have a right to know if portal emissions similarly occur with the Cross City Tunnel.
The
Director General also agreed to convene a meeting with the Department
of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to consider re-establishing a CBD
monitoring site as a critical site as part of
Lord
Mayor Secures Commitments for Public Cross City Tunnel Emissions Information
The NSW Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Director-General, Jennifer Westacott, agreed to make the information available during a meeting with the Lord Mayor earlier today.
Ms Moore said the Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIPNR) would work with her office and the Cross City Tunnel Air Quality Community Consultative Committee to determine the best way to present the information.
"The information will be readily available online so the community can easily compare the before and after impact of the Cross City Tunnel," Ms Moore said.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP also secured a commitment from DIPNR to immediately inform the community when portal (entrance and exit) emissions occur.
The Conditions of Approval for the Cross City Tunnel do not permit portal emissions except in emergencies. Similar conditions were imposed on the M5 East, yet portal emissions from that tunnel have been a relatively common occurrence, according to DIPNR's Draft Compliance Audit Report and the recent Auditor General's report.
"This has caused legitimate community concern that portal emissions could occur with the Cross City Tunnel. Residents in the densely populated areas near the Tunnel portals have a right to know when portal emissions occur," Ms Moore said.
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City
gets on its bike for World Environment Day
As part of World Environment Day activities the City of Sydney today completed a pilot program to promote and support people cycling to work in the Sydney CBD. During the past seven months the City of Sydney, Lend Lease and Macquarie Bank have participated in the Cycling in the City project involving 31 new cyclists who rode to work at least once a week for 12 weeks.
Over
the course of the 12 weeks, the 'Ride2Workers' :
"The City is keen to achieve a change in the modal share of transport in the City," Cr McInerney said. "The Cycling in the City program is the type of initiative we will be continuing as we develop and build the bicycle plan across the local government area."
The program has resulted in a real change for many of the participants with almost one quarter now regarding cycling as their usual mode of travel to work. The City is currently installing more than 200 bike parking rails and rings throughout the CBD. A dedicated cycle lane will be built from Elizabeth Street to New South Head Road as part of the William St upgrade and the current Oxford St upgrade will result in a widened bus lane for shared use by cyclists and buses.
The City is also giving away free native plants and 5,000 energy efficient light globes to the community (while stocks last) in the CBD and at City of Sydney One Stop Shops, Neighbourhood Service Centres and select Community Centres.
The efficient 15 watt compact fluorescent light globes (equivalent to the light emitted by a 75 watt incandescent) will provide a direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Once used, the globes will save 2,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, which is roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 555 cars.
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