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Calls for an investigation into why the State Government granted the lease of an inner west park to a private operator have ramped up, with City of Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson and two MPs joining the fight.
Inner West Courier July 1, 2020 2:15pm
Anton Rose
Residents in Sydney’s inner west are up in arms over a lease which has allowed a marina operator use of a popular public park. Picture: AAP Image/Monique Harmer
Calls for an investigation into why the State Government granted the lease of an inner west park to a private operator have ramped up, with a councillor and two MPs joining the fight.
Drummoyne’s Howley Park East has recently become the site of controversy among local residents after it emerged the Gladesville Marina was granted a lease by the NSW Crown Lands department in 2018 to use the land as part of its day-to-day operation.
City of Canada Bay councillor Andrew Ferguson said the decision to grant the lease contradicts council’s zoning which classes it as an area for “public recreation”.
The marina will be able to use the land for a number of reasons under the government lease, including for waste storage and parking.
“This is the first step to in a long battle to end the alienation many decades ago of a magnificent foreshore park on the Parramatta River at Drummoyne to the community,” Cr Ferguson said.
“There should be a parliamentary inquiry into how this scandalous alienation of our parkland ever occurred to ensure this never happens again.”
Canada Bay Councillors earlier this month voted in favour of a motion to have the land returned back to the community for public use.
Greens MP David Shoebridge is understood to be taking the issue up with planning minister Rob Stokes while Labor’s planning spokeswoman Tara Moriarty is also forming part of the residents’ line of defence.
“Howley Park East belongs to all of us not to a gated mega marina,” local resident Graeme MacLaren said.
Councillor Ferguson Demands Clean Up Blitz in Strathfield Triangle
Resident Anne-Marie Choi on Clarence Street North Strathfield with Rubbish Strewn Behind Her.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
12 Feb 2019, Kate Bastians
Is this the most neglected part of the inner west? Known as the Strathfield Triangle, this small and forgotten parcel of land is “overwhelmingly below standard”. Finally, City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has called on staff to clean it up.
Is this the most neglected part of the inner west?
There were once promising plans for the Strathfield Triangle, a small and forgotten parcel of land bounded by Parramatta Rd, Cooper St, Everton Rd and Leicester Ave.
Cracked and raised footpaths teeming with overgrown weeds, abandoned houses, dumped rubbish, trolleys, graffiti and collapsed fencing were evident almost everywhere the Courier walked during a visit on Tuesday.
Resident Anne Marie Choi said children cramped up in apartments were in desperate need of a playground as the nearest open space is “too far away” at Burwood Park.
“I moved here in 2003 thinking, ‘Great, I’m five minutes from Strathfield station, but the area has just been neglected,” she said.
“We did get a notification saying we were going to get a park but it never eventuated.
“Having a park is a symbol of having a space for the community rather than people seeing the area as a place to dump rubbish.”
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson described street cleaning and the state of footpaths as “overwhelmingly below standard”.
Straddling the southern edge of the LGA, Cr Ferguson said the area was “out of sight, out of mind”.
“Residents who bought in good faith here are in no man’s land,” he said.
“There’s spectacular plans for the area which have been on the drawing board for 10 years. We need this community infrastructure delivered so residents don’t have to face another decade of deadlock.”
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said plans prepared in 2012 proposed a new park, new roads, laneways and public domain upgrades.
“As only a limited amount of development has proceeded in the Strathfield Triangle following the adoption of the plan, insufficient development contributions have been received to fund the new infrastructure,” he said.
“This is a complex issue with many stakeholders including land owners, strata managers, RMS and local residents.”
Cr Tsirekas has requested an action list to improve the area in the short term that could include ramping up monitoring of illegal dumping, mowing, street sweeping and maintenance.
“Our staff has been investigating the matters and have determined to proceed with action to place orders on a number of premises that are not in a safe and healthy condition,” he said.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson at Black Creek , Concord West.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
11 Dec 2018, Kate Bastians
Sewage is overflowing into waterways near recreational areas at Sydney Olympic Park and residents have had enough. The overflows take place during periods of heavy rain.
Sewage is being discharged into waterways near a major walking trail and popular picnic areas in Sydney Olympic Park.
Joggers and cyclists have long complained about a “rank” smell in the area surrounding the Sydney Water pump station on Victoria Ave in Concord West.
When Sydney’s wastewater system is overloaded, stormwater and sewage overflows into Black Creek which links into mangroves, Powells Creek and the Parramatta River.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson has raised public health concerns for families and visitors who flock to the park’s picnic and BBQ areas.
“This raises serious issues of hygiene with insects and birds possibly feeding in the sewage and or water and then landing on picnic facilities,” he said.
“Sydney Water is the lead agency in the work that’s been done to clean up the Parramatta River but here they are acting in defiance of that objective.”
Mr Ferguson also has environmental concerns for the “unique marine ecosystem” and migratory birds. He and a resident told the
Courier a sign warning of a potential “sewage overflow” was recently removed and replaced with new signs changing the word “sewage” to “wastewater” after Strathfield MP Jodi McKay raised the issue with the State Government.
Mr Ferguson felt the move was “misleading and disturbing”.
By the weekend the signs had been removed.
Resident Amy Chieng said she was shocked to learn sewage was being discharged so near to the area’s most popular bike riding and walking trails connecting from Rhodes to Sydney Olympic Park.
She said her five-year-old daughter could have easily put her hand in the dirty water and then stuck her hand in her mouth.
Runner Eireann Cameron likened the smell to a “really bad public toilet”.
“The smell always seems to be there,” she said.
But a Sydney Water spokesman said overflows only happen when there is intense rain, causing the station to “discharge a combination of mainly stormwater and some wastewater”.
“This is so excess flows are directed away from areas where they could impact on public health or the environment like customer’s properties,” he said.
“The use of the term wastewater more accurately reflects an overflow incident as it acknowledges that the water in our sewage treatment systems includes waters other than domestic sewage, including the presence of stormwater.”
An inspection of the station, following reports of odour on November 24, found no operational issues that would result in an overflow. He said the signs, put up as a “precaution”, were taken down because the “job is complete”.
‘‘ It’s one of the area’s most popular bike riding and walking trails connecting from Rhodes to Sydney Olympic Park, Amy Chieng
Residents Claim Their Homes Are Cracking Under the Stress of WestConnex Construction.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
23 Oct 2018, Laura Sullivan
Inner West resident Umberto Galasso, 56 has lived in the area for over 35 years.
To top off sleepless nights, dust and parking chaos, he has discovered cracks in his home, which he believes are a result of the WestConnex tunnelling.
Mr Galasso was told it was not a WestConnex problem, but the result of a dry winter.
“I’d like to be compensated for all the stress that we are going through and compensated for the damage on the house,” he said.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson and Member for Strathfield Jodi McKay have spoken with around 30 residents combined who have identified cracks in their homes.
The Inner West Courier understands residents concerns are being dealt with by the contractor in the short term.
An RMS spokesman said property damage as a result of tunneling or other construction activities is extremely unlikely. He said property condition surveys are carried out by an independant building inspector at no cost to the property owner.
“This process is ongoing because post-construction assessments are carried out at the completion of work.”
Ms McKay has called on the Minister to set up an independent review process “that ensures a fairer system for residents”, she said.
“I believe there should be a complaint handling process and the contractor should not be assessing the damage at all. I have not heard of one resident who has been compensated.”
“There is clearly damage occurring to homes around the Homebush, Strathfield and Haberfield areas,” she said.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson raised his concerns and said “the NSW Government needs to ensure these grievances and claims are dealt with in a fair and equitable fashion,” Cr Ferguson said.
RMS said they recognise the impact of WestConnex construction on local communities.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson With Discarded Trolleys in Rhodes.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
25 Sep 2018, Laura Sullivan
CANADA BAY Councillor Andrew Ferguson is tired of seeing trolleys dumped on the streets in Rhodes.
He is now urging for zero tolerance and a sustained council blitz on abandoned trolleys across the LGA.
Cr Ferguson said wheel locking devices on shopping trolleys did not work, as residents dragged the trolleys until the locks broke.
“Once broken and not repaired, the trolleys end up as a never ending eyesore in our streets,” he said. “We need coin-operated trolleys fitted with wheel locking devices that are systematically repaired when broken.”
Cr Ferguson wants future DA’s for new shopping centres to contain tough requirements on trolleys.
Liberty Grove resident Michael Horne, 64, said the issue of abandoned trolleys had become worse in the past two years.
He regularly walks his double stroller, with twins Siya and Amara inside, and the abundance of trolleys at the entrance of Liberty Grove estate, he estimates up to 30 trolleys are dumped here each day, represents a real safety issue, he said.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas agreed shopping trolleys littering our streets were an eyesore.
He said council enforced penalties of up to $250 for those who abandon trolleys.
Council also impounds stray trolleys at the retailer’s cost.
A Mirvac spokeswoman said retailers at Rhodes Waterside had been encouraged to implement a coin operated system.
They recently trialled a security guard to prevent shoppers from leaving with trolleys. You can report abandoned trolley by calling 1800 876 553
Pedal Power
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
18 Sep 2018, Laura Sullivan
THE City of Canada Bay has joined Parramatta Council in supporting a proposal to allow cyclists to use the road on Bennelong Bridge.
The 300m bridge, that connects Wentworth Point and Rhodes, has a shared cyclist and pedestrian path but the popularity of cycling had created a flashpoint between riders and walkers, Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson said.
This congestion has forced the councils to renew their call to the State Government for more options for cyclists.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has written to the RMS “advocating for access for cyclists on the Bennelong Bridge”.
Breakfast Point Residents Petitioning For an Off-leash Dog Park .
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
28 Aug 2018, Laura Sullivan
AS THE population and a high density lifestyle increases, Canada Bay residents are calling on the council to address the shortage of off-leash areas.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson said the increase in population put pressure on open spaces.
He said there was a shortage of off-leash areas in Cabarita, Breakfast Point, Morlake and Concord.
“The increased number of residents living in units who have dogs who need to exercise has added to this pressure,” Cr Ferguson said. “There is clearly a need for more dog parks including off-leash areas.”
Canada Bay Council has designated unrestricted offleash areas in Abbotsford, Five Dock, Drummoyne, Chiswick and North Strathfield.
Last week Tracey Sullivan, of Mortlake, started a petition for an off-leash area and has collected more than 300 signatures.
She said she had to drive her cavoodle Nelly to an offleash park in Five Dock.
She would like to see a designated fenced off leash area at Village Green Oval at Breakfast Point.
“Mortlake is such a high density area and Breakfast Point sells as being pet friendly but there is nowhere for pets to run freely in the area,” she said.
Karlee Hirakis, of Breakfast Point, works at Enfield Vet Hospital and has joined the campaign for improved off-leash areas.
She said off-leash parks are good for dogs and also help build a community.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said he had asked the Breakfast Point Community Association to consider turning some of their open green space into an off leash dog park.
Councillor Ferguson Opposes High Rise Tower in Rhodes
Shadows Cast Doubt on Tower
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
21 Aug 2018, David Barwell
IT WAS the sky high tower proposal that was set to become the centrepiece of the growing Rhodes skyline.
But after two years in development, the 117m skyscraper at the corner of Marquet and Mary Sts could be headed back to the drawing board after the building’s height, bulk and scale drew a mixed report card from Canada Bay Council’s independent Design Review Panel.
The panel was introduced last year in a move to improve the architectural merit of major developments in the council area.
In a report released last week, Canada Bay’s panel said the planned tower on former low density land “represented an overdevelopment” of the site.
It found there was insufficient evidence it would not create overshadowing on Union Square and homes including the 39-storey tower less than 10m away at 6-14 Walker St.
The panel also raised concerns with the bulk of the building, describing it as “more commercial than residential in character”.
There was criticism about the impact on public transport and traffic from the 350 units planned within the 35storey building.
The panel had been asked to consider the proposal as part of ongoing assessments of the proposal by Canada Bay Council.
It remains to be seen, however, what weight the panel’s assessment will be given in the final determination of the site.
The council will refer the proposal to the State Government’s Planning Department, which will then decide whether it has “sufficient merit” to proceed to public exhibition.
A council spokesman said the developers of the site may then “choose to amend the proposal … to respond to (the panel’s) advice”.
Burwood Council, which has a similar panel in place, said lack of powers in state planning laws often resulted in developers “ignoring” recommendations put forward by panels. Mayor John Faker said: “Occasionally a developer will take our advice on board … but there is nothing in the legislation for us to refuse an application based on design”.
A majority of Canada Bay Councillors have supported progressing the proposal to the Department of Planning.
Kendall Reserve Playground Upgrade in Cabarita Demanded.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
21 Aug 2018, Laura Sullivan
With more families living in apartments in the inner west, Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson said more needed to be done to improve parks and playgrounds.
In the lead-up to summer, Mr Ferguson is calling on Canada Bay Council to look at implementing shade structures at Kendall Reserve Playground in Cabarita and all parks in the area without shade.
“Public playgrounds are becoming increasingly important as more and more residents including families move into apartments with no backyards,” Mr Ferguson said,
“It is essential that playgrounds in our council area as a matter of urgency are
‘‘ You want to take your kids to the park but if there’s no protection, what do you do” Mother-of-three Amy Chieng made safe for children to play in.”
Concord West mother of three Amy Chieng often brings her children, Leo, 10, Cassius, 7, and Alexia, 5, to Kendall Park. She relies heavily on public spaces, such as Kendall Park, as an outlet for her children and she would like to see in time for summer.
“We spend a lot of time at the playgrounds so, as a mother, you want your kids to be protected,” she said.
She said she wouldn’t come to the park at all on a hot day.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said the City of Canada Bay had budgeted $150,000 across the next three years for a shade program that will increase natural shade through plants as well as introducing shade structures such as shade sails where suitable.
Cr Tsirekas said the shade installation at Kendall Park will take place before the end of summer.
“Canada Bay’s open green spaces are the heartbeat of our community,” he said.
“We want our youngest residents and visitors to be able to enjoy playing outside over summer, and ensure peace of mind for their parents.”
Canada Bay's Access Committee Secretary Jack Nolan, Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson and Tessa Riley at Prince Edward Park.
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
14 Aug 2018, Laura Sullivan
Jack Nolan’s dedication to his community has paid off once again.
The 83-year-old has lived in Five Dock since 1973 and has been a member of the access and inclusion committee for Canada Bay Council for 37 years.
He was alerted to the lack of disability access at Prince Edward Park in Cabarita by resident Tessa Riley who had contacted Councillor Andrew Ferguson.
Ms Riley, 44, sometimes relies on a scooter to get around, but she doesn’t let her disability stop her from going on walks with her labradoodle Jasper.
When Jasper led her to the pathway towards the foreshore at the end of Phillips St she was forced to turn back as fencing blocked her path.
A champion for residents with a disability for many years as he has been wheelchair-bound since he was 15, Mr Nolan contacted Canada Bay Council about the issue and the fencing was promptly removed.
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said he treated access issues very seriously.
“Central to our future planning is the need to build an inclusive future for all of our residents,” he said. “… our Access Committee came to us asking for action and we have responded … to ensure the best possible access for our residents.”
The changes marked Jasper‘s second birthday and to celebrate, he and Ms Riley strolled along the foreshore, a path the pair had never been able to take.
“There was no way of getting down to the foreshore at all, but this is great, now we can,” Ms Riley said.
“Jasper is the one that led me to it really, he got here and was trying to pull me and I said, we’re not going any further, but now I can.”
Councillor Ferguson Leads Protest to Save Trees
Mortlake Residents Oppose Removal of Paperbark Trees. Picture: Craig Wilson
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
31 Jul 2018, Laura Sullivan
Residents came out in force last week to oppose the removal of eight paperbark trees on Tennyson Rd, Mortlake. As a result Canada Bay Council has put a temporary halt on the tree chop plans.
Pressure from the residents has forced Canada Bay Council to put a temporary halt on the tree chop plans.
The tree stand-off came after council announced plans for a new pedestrian path on Tennyson Rd and Hilly St as part of new footpath upgrade works.
Residents have been calling on Canada Bay Council to build a pedestrian path for years. However, they never imagined their much-loved paperbark trees would be destroyed in the process.
In a letter to residents, the council said it was proposing to extend the pedestrian pathway along the eastern side of Tennyson Rd and the eastern side of Hilly St. The works, with an estimated value of $280,000, were expected to be started at the start of August. The eight trees were marked and ready for the chainsaw.
However, after the Inner West Courier visited Tennyson Road Mortlake and spoke with concerned residents, the council issued a new letter to residents on Friday.
“Over recent days I have been contacted by many residents about the removal of eight paperbark trees as part of the footpath upgrade works along the eastern side of Tennyson Road between Peninsula Drive and 23 Tennyson Rd,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
“For many residents the preservation of the trees is an important and understandable concern.
“However, doing so will likely result in the loss of seven existing on-street car spaces on the eastern side of Tennyson Rd.”
Council is asking residents to provide their preferred option and they are invited to share their views and speak with council staff outside 23 Tennyson Rd at 4.30pm on August 1.
Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson calls for Action on Rubbish Dumping in Rhodes
Picture: Angelo Velardo
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
16 Jan 2018, Laura Sullivan
This is how some inner west residents are treating their suburbs — as a rubbish dump.
Fed-up resident Annette Ngan Abbi-Arrage, 58, said the dumping of rubbish in Rhodes was significantly worse this year.
“It has always been untidy, something we just accepted as part of living in a dense urban area,” Mrs AbiArrage said.
“But this time it’s very bad and has covered lengths and lengths of streets.”
She said people were not just throwing out bulky items but clothes, paper and bags of rubbish.
“People that live here don’t understand you can’t just throw anything you want out on the street,” she said.
“You can’t even walk on the footpath, mothers have to push their prams on the roads.”
She has enlisted the help of newly-elected Canada Bay Councillor Andrew Ferguson to help bring an end to the mountains of garbage lining the streets.
Cr Ferguson said Rhodes was fast becoming an eye sore as residents turned streets into rubbish dumps.
Cr Ferguson, who has lived in Rhodes for three years, raised the issue with the Inner West Courier.
Cr Ferguson said with the growing population, the issue would only worsen.
“We have got significant trip hazards that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Cr Ferguson said.
He said the current approach to waste collection in the inner west was inappropriate and required more thought from council.
He is calling for a proper review of the services and a long-term solution to the management of waste in the area.
He said the council needed to consult with the local community and building managers to come up with solutions on how to solve the dumping problem.
He also wants all large unit complexes across Rhodes to include clothing recycling bins.
Another Rhodes resident, Trevor, who asked for his last name to be withheld, said the issue had become a tipping point. He said you couldn’t walk from your home to the station without seeing at least a dozen stinky garbage bins.
He said despite a council clean-up crew visiting just last week, residents had continued to dump rubbish, with a washing machine now added to the pile.
“People don’t know when to stop, it becomes a bit of a habit,” he said.
Any individual or corporation found to have illegally dumped waste, on public land or outside of scheduled pick-up times, faces fines ranging from $2000 to $8000.
The state government is also spending $65 million to tackle the issue, including special grants to councils swamped by the garbage.
Canada Bay Council acting general manager Tony McNamara said the council would investigate options to clean up the spate of illegal dumpings.
“Council provides an excellent collection service, however, these kinds of issues arising from areas of high density may need to be reviewed with a focus on educating residents about recycling and discussions with our contractors,” Mr McNamara said.
Canada Bay Council offers two free annual bulk household clean-ups. The dates of the collections and the materials they will collect are published on their website.
Call for work site blitz
Inner West Courier - Inner West Edition
Dec 2017, Nigel Gladstone
