The Mayor's Column
Mosman is a green suburb. We treasure our flora and fauna and do all we can to protect them. Mosman has approximately 39 hectares of valuable bushland sites in unmade roads which form green corridors, in areas of remnant indigenous bushland and in reclaimed and rehabilitated areas. In conjunction with areas managed by National Parks and the Sydney Harbour Federation trust, there are 143 hectares of bushland in Mosman which combine to significantly contribute to the area’s picturesque quality and the setting of Sydney and Middle Harbours We really appreciate and care for it well.
Much of our bushland is zoned 7 Environment Protection (Bushland), the most protective zoning, which has tight controls to protect the integrity and future of these areas. Councils are presently required to review their Local Environment Plans. We are also advised that under state planning controls, zonings in our municipalities are to be re-named and some changed. The most protective bushland zoning of 7 now becomes E2 Environmental Conservation, and of course Mosman has sought to keep this protective zoning.
After a process of community consultation and conversations, Councillor workshops and meetings, and input from the various departments of council, our draft LEP has been sent to the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, for the necessary permission to put the document on public exhibition for comment from our community before adoption.
Therefore, we were very concerned on reading a letter in the Mosman Daily from Sam Haddad, representing Mr Sartor, that our 7 bushland could be zoned RE1 Public Recreation, a zoning which includes allowing the land to be used for public open space and recreational facilities and purposes. I have written to Mr. Sartor putting a strong case to him for the retention of the strongest protective zoning of our bushland and asking for a meeting.
Another zoning issue must be addressed in our new LEP, that of unmade roads, many of which have become small yet valuable green spaces and parks. They must be protected by zoning as parkland because as “unmade road” they can be lost.
Energy Australia has recently informed Council of its intention to relocate an electricity substation, which has been housed for many years in a purpose built building, to the pocket park in Wolger Road, which is well loved and used by the community, with a seat, grass and a magnificent tree.
The substation will be an eyesore and attract graffiti. We would implore Energy Australia to keep it where it is.
Council will pass your messages on to Energy Australia.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
