The Mayor's Column
Farewell 2007! Some of the highlights for Mosman, in no particular order, were:
- The dumping of plans to put extra lanes on the Spit bridge following the defeat of Manly’s David Barr in the State Elections. Hopefully 2008 will see a regional, practical approach to our traffic problems. The projected Dee Why Chatswood rail link would help a lot.
- Council completed a major review of Mosman’s Develop Control Plans. We now await the agreement of the Minister for Planning to allow public exhibition of the LEP/DCP documents for your consideration and comments. We hope that he listens to our local communities in these matters which shape our future built environment and open spaces.
- We welcomed Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Chair of the Alola Foundation; and Timor Leste Goodwill Ambassador for Education, to Mosman to launch our friendship relationship with Maubara in Timor Leste. The community has shown great interest in supporting this area, including the orphanage, which has seen so much suffering.
- Approval of an infrastructure levy which enables Council to repair roads, footpaths and pipes.
- Environmental action has been high on our agenda, including
- Environmental Expo with 42 stalls, speakers and events;
- setting up a Sustainability Advisory Group to advise on policy and initiatives we can implement;
- a public meeting which brought together the community and local groups Clean Energy for Eternity and WFCA to commit to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 50/50 by 2020.
- We celebrated the Mosman Festival including the street parade and Freedom of Entry ceremony by HMAS Penguin and we all had a fantastic time!
Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
