Editor.
Dear Editor
I would like to clarify some information presented in the last edition of Helensbuurgh News regarding the extension of the CWA Hall at Stanwell Park.
The Stanwell Park Branch of the CWA commenced in l947. The dominant reason was to obtain a Baby Health Centre for the mothers and babies of Stanwell Park. In those days not every family had a car and very few had a second car for Mothers. They had to catch as bus to Coledale at about 9am and could not return until after 12 noon.
In l956 we managed to persuade the Health Department to send a Sister here every fortnight and premises were rented by the CWA in the back section of the Catholic Hall (as it was then) until the CWA Hall was built.
In l964 the then President of CWA, Mrs. Monica Bailey finally obtained a lease of suitable land, where the hall is today. The hall was officially opened in l965 and we still pay an annual lease to the Lands Department in Sydney. The hall was planned with a high ceiling in the hope that a stage and dressing room could be added on to when finance was available.
In l974 the then President approached Mr. Jim Hayes, the Managing Director of Coal Cliff Mine on this subject and he was very encouraging. He arranged for Kembla Coal & Coke (who owned the Mine at that time) to donate $1,000 towards the extension and suggested that we also approach the Joint Coal Board for assistance and they also donated $1,000. Stanwell Park Garage was then connected to the Shell Oil company, so we wrote to them also and they sent $100.
Local builder Michael Blanche offered to take charge of the project for us. The Stanwell Park Arts Theatre (SPAT) had not long come into being and about five of their young men volunteered to give some hours of a Saturday morning to labour for Mike. I remember the members of the CWA going around with morning tea for them. However this did not work out so Mike decided he would have to take over with his own labourers. This of course was going to cost more, so CWA office bearers took our account books and all plan details up to CWA Head Office in Sydney where our General Secretary Mrs. Pat Keill decided we would be more than capable of paying back a loan from the CWA Building Fund (which loaned money to branches at a low nterest rate if they wished to expand).
We borrowed $9,500 and the extensions were finished and have been functioning ever since. We were very proud of the fact that we paid off the loan in two years. The CWA keep all records and account books and I feel sure that SPAT would also have records.
We will have to instigate a search and possibly find some more interesting history for the Helensburgh and District News!
E. Pugh
President, CWA Stanwell Park
Dear Editor,
My mum, Mary Eileen Lerway passed away on the 4 January 2010.
I would like to thank the Neighbour Aid who has for many years taken my mum to all their activities, everyone was so gentle and kind to her, her quality of life in Helensburgh would have gone down if it was not for all the volunteers who loved her and looked after her.
Dr Annette Beaufils was wonderful to her for many years. In the last three months no one could have cared more for her or taken better care of her.
My mum ended up at Kennett Homes just before she passed away and I would also like to mention the care and support they gave to her and my family, especially me.
All who knew her will miss her and I am very thankful that she lived in Helensburgh and that there were so many caring people around her.
J. Collins
Helensburgh
Dear Editor,
The recent accident in Walker Street, in which a teenage girl was hit by a car was, as some would say, an accident waiting to happen. What is not simple is the question of responsibility. The mother states her daughter did not double check to see if there was a car coming. The fact that she did look, but still was hit by a car suggests that perhaps the speed of traffic is incompatible with what the public space requires.
Walker Street is a public space, predominantly for people but also a place for cars. The best way for cars and people to negotiate their movement in public spaces is when everyone behaves in a considerate manner, drivers slow down and even negotiate the right of way with pedestrians by eye contact. This is all possible if the traffic speed does not exceed 30 km/h. Hans Monderman, the Dutch pioneer of the Shared Space concept once said: 'drivers travelling through public space are guests and should behave in a manner respectful to the space and its residents'.
Many drivers in Walker Street already take care and foresee what might happen if the pedestrian mistakenly walks into their path, with many knowing how it feels to cross a busy street with both children and shopping bags. Other drivers choose to drive at maximum allowed speed and don’t stop for pedestrians if there are no enforceable signs. They treat the area as a 'traffic' space or ‘highway’ rather than a shared public space.
When shared space doesn’t look like a ‘highway’ and is enhanced with quality paving, landscaping and water features, the better it influences driver's behaviour. Signs and speed limits make people obey the rules, but stop them thinking.
The apparent paradox of making the space safer by removing the signs and regulations is explained by the fact that when people perceive there is a risk, they knowingly modify their behaviour to suit the situation.
In some countries, the legal responsibility for the accident does not fall on the one who was at fault but on the one who did not consider risks. In case of collision between a car and a pedestrian it would almost always fall on the driver, because they did not consider the risk of injuring people while driving a 2 tonne machine made of steel. Simply driving at the legal speed limit would not replace the duty of care.
As a society we are failing to create a safe environment in our main public areas. As much as residents should be congratulated for their successful campaign in obtaining a crossing in Walker Street this solution could be a pseudo-safe measure that gives people a false sense of safety and cause them to assume that they will be safe on a 'safe crossing'. Accidents on crossings do happen quite often. Neither is it going to stop people crossing in other parts of the street.
People in public place do not like to be channeled into one regulated crossing, they want to move freely. It is also likely to irritate drivers and traffic is likely to back up when a slow stream of pedestrians happen to cross one after another. Rushing into one type of solution can satisfy the need to do something to prevent tragedy, but have we really considered other solutions? Maybe the answer is in lowering the speed limit, or exploring how we can improve the design of public space and turn it into pedestrian friendly, low speed environment that everyone will enjoy and respect.
R. Dabrowski
Helensburgh
Dear Editor
Two 3-storey mixed-use development applications were submitted to Wollongong Council a few weeks prior to Christmas last year.
These two applications will have a significant impact on the character and amenity of Stanwell Park. They are both situated at the gateway to Stanwell Park on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, one being the site of Ruby’s café – to be replaced with a 3 storey development that will comprise two residential units, commercial tenancy and a car park (all on a site that is approximately 6 metres wide), while the second development application for 105 Lawrence Hargrave Drive proposes a 3/2 storey development comprising 4 residential units, 2 levels of commercial tenancy and basement car park for 10 cars.
Residents are concerned about the impact these developments will have on the character of Stanwell Park given the size and design of the proposed developments in context with the surrounding buildings and issues regarding traffic, parking and pedestrian safety. This is particularly relevant since the bus stop, which services Stanwell Park Public School, is situated between these 2 developments and also given the current lack of parking during holiday periods and weekends.
These two development proposals will impact upon all who live, visit and work at Stanwell Park and also those whose children attend Stanwell Park Public School.
Local residents believe that insufficient time has been given to inform people of these proposals since they were submitted close to Christmas and school holidays, with the closing date for submissions being 23 December 2009.
Nonetheless it is not too late to contact Wollongong Council (council@ wollongong.nsw.gov.au or phone 4227 7111) to find out more/voice your concerns about DA-2009/1481 (105 Lawrence Hargrave Drive) and DA-2009/1482 (site of Ruby’s café, 91A Lawrence Hargrave Drive).
M. and V Randev
Stanwell Park
Dear Editor
“Cheers” to the volunteers of this great little newsletter for helping to keep present/past residents informed of current issues and news that is relevant to your beautiful area.
It is such a delight for me to read back issues of HDN whenever I return to Stanwell Tops, where I grew up.
Your History column has special significance to me as I can recall happenings in the late 1950's onwards, such as swimming at the Stanwell Tops Mineral Pool and Kiosk (now Tumbling Waters Retreat).
It was a very popular picnic spot for locals and visitors. Gypsy families with their big cars and caravans would come and stay for a while on the vacant land near the pool. I look forward to reading more of your newsletters.
Lorraine (Lyn) Lewington (Burn)
Tathra via Bega
Dear Editor
I am a long time resident of Helensburgh and can remember when the local tip (or waste disposal depot) used to be free to locals. I was recently shocked beyond belief at the local Council tip fees now in place.
I took a ton of clean fill to their site in Helensburgh for disposal in the back of my ute. Only at completion of the disposal process was I then informed at the weight bridge that it would cost me $150 dollars.
These fees are absurd when considering the fees are twice the price of the purchase of garden soil from a distributor at around $70 a ton.
Anybody considering disposal of an old TV be warned it is $30 surcharge for each television. At least Ned Kelly wore a mask when he held up people!
L. Christie
Helensburgh
Dear Editor,
Ratepayers would be interested to know that in regards to reporting suspected illegal land clearing that under the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) you can report such information to them as well as any Council.
They require type of activity, location, time, date, description, estimated size of cleared area and encourage all relevant information. DECCW will record all information and investigate with any information provided by the public.
Reporting to the DECCW instead of Council may be the way for a lot of people to go particularly if you are not satisfied with any Council’s action.
Regardless of whether the action is legal or illegal, the land clearer has no right to find out who put in the query, even under the Freedom of Information Act.
However it would be wise to ensure when you do a report that you request your identity be suppressed for fear of retribution. That is in the Freedom of Information Act, Section 4, Exempt Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety. Even Wollongong Council stresses this confidentiality in the Development Proposals information in the media.
So if some land clearer tries to find out who reported the incident to the authorities regardless of whether they are guilty or not, they have no legal right whatsoever to find out who reported the matter if confidentiality has been assured.
If they try to sue anyone by producing a witness after they have found out a name that becomes compromised testimony. That named person would have the right to ask why they weren’t challenged by the witness at the time of the matter.
The named person would be entitled to counter sue including any authority who disclosed the confidential information. If more than one person has been identified in providing information about the same land clearer, a class action can then be taken.
So don’t be fooled and don’t be bullied. Know your rights!
A. Bond, Helensburgh
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