Hi all,
The Cessnock LEP 2010 will be put on exhibition for 28 days from (I'm told - to be confirmed) 7 July 2010. See news story here.
Councillor Graham Smith tried to have the Significant Lands overlay map removed from Wollombi and Mulbring (quite a surprise to everyone) but failed to gather support. Some of the Heritage items were removed. I'll be getting a list of exactly which of these affected items were and I'll publish it when I get it but I believe at least one of our churches may be involved.
Following a long discussion with Bo Moshage (along with Paul and Priscilla who will report to Progress tomorrow), I believe that this will simply mean a process of having any Heritage Items that have been dropped (for the sake of some unwanted items) re-included by submission in the exhibition period. I don't have a problem with this approach as some listed items in the schedules that were excluded were inappropriate to the owners. This was a simple way to get it through to re-exhibition - in a very complex environment of councillors having to leave the room repeatedly during discussion and voting on a document that was split into 24 parts to allow it to pass in this way. Otherwise it would never have been able to pass.
Bo said that there will be two meetings held in Wollombi, one with the Wollombi Working Party and one public meeting, so these and any other issues can be discussed.
Overall, this is all good and we can look forward to having this period of stress and bitterness put behind us. Some of the Wollombi BANANAS (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) will still bleat like the pre-historic goats they emulate - but you can't please everyone!
Now there is a proposal from the "Traffic Committee" about making the Great North Road at Ramsay's Leap Bucketty a single lane (with a Stop Sign etc.) to apparently make way for parking for tourists and koalas who want to gaze over the edge. I asked the Director of Infrastructure (Acting General Manager - David Pavey) about this and he said that it had been sent back to the Traffic Committee for further discussion and has not been approved. A recommendation from the Traffic Committee is not automatically adopted by Council - it will still have to go through the process, so take a look at the proposal and have your say to your Ward Councillors. See below (after the events list) for some details.
I'm not going to comment much further on this as I really don't care that much. I rarely go to Sydney any more and I have far more interesting things to do. I DO care greatly about the speed of bikes (and cars) down that hill and along that road generally, and the need for RFS volunteers to have to cope with the aftermath. Some say this will be a head-on collision waiting to happen... Yep, if you go through a Stop Sign while another vehicle is approaching with the right of way, you will likely come to grief!
If you don't like it, feel free to write up what you want about it and post it on the Wollombi Community Website, send it to me and I'll post it on your behalf, or get your ass into action, write to the Councillors, get into a Progress meeting and do something about it for yourself.
Progress is the appropriate local body to deal with this and I'm sure it will be discussed fervently tommorrow morning.
The proposed destruction of the (Endangered Ecological Community) Warkworth Sands Woodland, the wiping of Wallaby Gully Road (c 1830 - a Sir Thomas Mitchell-surveyed GNR carraigeway) from the map and the very likely total loss of the village of Bulga - all for the sake of an extended Open Cut Coal Mine are far more important! Singleton Council have unanymously opposed this (calling it a watershed moment on mining in the shire) but the rats in Macquarie Street still have Part 3A at their disposal - "If there is a resource there, we will harvest it". 274 days to go!
Sorry, I'm putting this up front, even though (or because) I'm involved :)
David Williamson's Money and Friends
Date: 2-4, 7-10 July 2010
A revealing clash between materialism and ideals, it is David Williamson at his best demonstrating as always his acute observation of the Australian character.
Peter, a mathematician who is niceness itself, is in financial trouble because of his brother's bankruptcy. His neighbour Margaret, decides that he needs help from his friends, who are all wealthy. What happens is funny and confronting.
First performed in 1991 this play is found to be every bit as relevant to us in 2010. Great characters and superb comedy - Don't miss it!
All performances at 8pm (and Laguna Hall will be heated!)
Tickets available now from Wollombi and Laguna Stores
TONIGHT
The Cutaways, The Untidy Sideys and The Camel Tones @ Laguna
Date: Friday 25-Jun-10 at 8:00 pm
The Cutaways, The Untidy Sideys and The Camel Tones will be appearing at the Laguna Wine Bar for a bon-voyage/birthday band bonanza! All welcome!
TOMORROW
Wollombi Valley Progress Association Meeting
Date: Saturday 26-Jun-10 at 10:00 am
Wollombi Valley Progress Association meets at 10am on the last Saturday of the month at Wollombi Hall (excluding December)
Olive long table luncheon at Whispering Brook
Date: 26 June 2010
Susan Frazier & Adam Bell at Whispering Brook in Rodd Street Broke will be hosting an olive long table luncheon at Whispering Brook on the 26th June 2010.
Artist Talk: Kristin Wright @ CRAG
Date: Saturday 26-Jun-10 at 2:30 pm
Please join us at the Gallery for a talk by Kristin Wright who will be discussing the making of her photographic series titled Looking for Love... In all the wrong places currently on exhibition in Love from Beijing at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery.
NEXT WEEK
ADFAS: Darwin in Australia - Mr Paul Brunton
Date: Monday 28-Jun-10 at 7:00 pm
Mr Paul Brunton is the Senior Curator of the State Library of NSW and the talk centres on Charles Darwin. At Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, corner of Aberdare Rd and Vincent St, Cessnock. Evening Lectures start promptly at 7 pm, followed by wine and sandwiches.
Organic Viticulture, Is it for you?
Date: Tuesday 29-Jun-10 at 9:00 am
By Tim Marshall and TMOrganics. This is a FarmReady approved course and is therefore 100% refundable for eligible producers and managers.
'Until Now' - Janelle McCloy Exhibition at Wollombi Cultural Centre
Date: 3 to 11 July 2010
'Until Now' brings together her works on various subjects and uses various mediums - oil on canvas, acrylics on canvas and board, pastels on paper, charcoal on paper and different printing processes, including collagraphs and screen printing finished with acrylic paint. Her subjects include portraits, landscapes and still life. 'Until Now' opens on Friday July 2 at 5:30pm, with drinks and finger food, at the WCC.
Jazz at Catherine Vale Wines
Date: Sunday 04-Jul-10 at 12:00 pm
Enjoy Jazz with the Newcastle based Presevation Jazz Band Old Style Dixieland/New Orleans 12:00pm - 3:00pm Bring a picnic or enjoy a steak & sausage sizzle. No BYO - Catherine Vale Wines 656 Milbrodale Rd Bulga
OTHER STUFF
Love From Beijing @ CRAG
Date: 5 June to 18 July 2010
Recent work by photographers Johanna Trainor who has recently returned from a residency in Beijing, and Kristin Wright whose series 'Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places, explores the issues of identity a young woman can encounter - and not just in a country town.
The Wedding Singer
Date: 11 to 26 June 2010
Singleton Theatrical Society is producing The Wedding Singer. Based on the Adam Sandler film with original 80's style music.
Mangrove Mountain Markets
Date: Sunday 27 June 2010
Attention - Belinda Neal MP for Robinson will be making a speech regarding Solar Panel for the Community Hall! - she will be at the markets from 10am - 12.00pm
Cessnock Regional Art Gallery School Holiday Programs
Date: 5 to 14 July 2010
All programs are held at 27 Vincent Street, Cessnock. For bookings please contact the Education and Public Programs Manager Robina Booth at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery.
...and interestingly, the same play - twice!
The Witches - Maitland Repertory Society
Date: 18 June to 4 July 2010
"The Witches" by Roald Dahl and David Wood, Directed by Lesley Coombes.
The Witches - Hunter Region Drama School @ CPAC
Date: Friday 09-Jul-10 at 10:00 am
Come and see one of Dahl's best loved classics live on stage at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.
ITEM NO: 10/037 GREAT NORTH ROAD BUCKETTY - PERMANENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT RAMSAYS LEAP REFERENCE: ID 09/10/:5060
Traffic Committee approval of proposed signposting and pavement markings associated with proposed one lane carriageway conditions at Ramsays Leap, to provide additional clearance between the proposed raised concrete barrier and the rear edge of the existing sandstone retaining wall.
The proposed design plan incorporates a proposal to narrow the carriageway at Ramsays Leap, to permit a proposed concrete barrier to be located at a greater distance from the top of the sandstone retaining wall.
The proposed treatment incorporates similar measures to those at narrow bridges, including:-
Implementation of the proposed signage and pavement markings will require the removal of the "Give Way", "Give Way To Heavy Vehicles On Curve" and "Prepare To Stop" signs on the southbound approach (measures which were considered by the Traffic Committee on 16 November 2009 and implemented recently).
At the Traffic Committee meeting, the Committee was advised that the restoration of the sandstone wall and culvert is being funded from Federal Government Grants and that the project is scheduled for completion in the current financial year.
See page 30 of the attachments for the 9 June 2010 Council Meeting for a plan (5.42MB PDF).
Ward A Councillors
Clr Cordelia Burcham (Lib)
Mobile: 0413 912 650
Email: cordeliaburcham@gmail.com
Clr James Hawkins (ALP)
Phone: 02 4990 3647
Mobile: 0428 414 724
Email: james.hawkins@bigpond.com
Clr Rachel Main (Ind)
Phone: 02 4991 5850
Mobile: 0408 222 826
Email: rachelmain@live.com.au
P
Hi All,
Comments at the end relating to Cessnock Planning powers. This post also available online here where you can comment.
Short Dance Films and talk at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
Date: Friday 28-May-10 at 5:00 pm
Category: Film
In conjunction with the exhibition Reading The Body (closing this weekend), Cessnock Regional Art Gallery and Cessnock Performing Arts Centre present a screening of a selection of recent short dance films by the award-winning artist and choreographer Sue Healey, followed by a talk by the artist in which she discusses her development from choreographer to film-maker to installation artist.
The Wizard of Oz at Maitland Town Hall
Date: Continues Friday and Saturday at 8pm - closing Sunday May 30 at 2pm
DIRECTOR - Jeanette Massey
MUSICAL DIRECTOR - Daniel Dow
Maitland Gilbert & Sullivan & Musical Society Inc.
Cupcakes for Cancer
Date: Saturday 29-May-10 at 8:00 am
Come down to Wollombi Village between 8am and 1pm on Saturday (on your way to the Wollombi Valley Progress Association Meeting at 10am) and buy a decorated cup cake or three or a dozen to have with your coffee and tea, as part of The Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea in the valley. They will be set up in the Museum grounds, or if raining, in the Cultural Centre. Can't make it? Please go to Wollombi Cupcakes for Cancer on the Cancer Council website & donate.
Wood Chop and End of Days at Ellalong Hotel
Date: Saturday 29-May-10 at 11:00 am
Category: Sport/Music
Some of the best woodchoppers in NSW will feature at the Ellalong Hotel Wood Chop on Saturday 29 May.Along with the competition there will be a sponsors contest, face painting, a jumping castle and a BBQ lunch in the grounds of the hotel, along with lunch and dinner at the Fork 'n' View Restaurant. In the evening, live entertainment from young rockers - End of Days
Biodynamics - an introduction to regenerative farm and environment practices
Date: 29 and 30 May 2010
Biodynamics is a cost effective method of producing high quality plants, food and fibre with regenerative ecological outcomes.
This two-day workshop at Krinklewood Vineyard in Broke will explain how biodynamic preparations contribute to the soil food web, creating fertility and balance in soils.
Next week
The Dennis Boys Band ALBUM LAUNCH! @ Laguna
Date: Friday 04-Jun-10 at 7:30 pm
Category: Music
They play country music the way it's meant to be played - gritty and aggressive with tight arrangements, great chops and beautiful singing. The result owes as much to Led Zeppelin as it does to Hank Williams and Elvis, its unmistakable country twang tempered by vicious guitars and a solid groove that's flipped wigs in city venues as righteously as in the Laguna Wine Bar.
Love From Beijing at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery
Date: Opens 5 June to 11 July 2010
Category: Exhibitions
Recent work by photographers Johanna Trainor - who has recently returned from a residency in Beijing, and Kristin Wright - whose series 'Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places, explores the issues of identity a young woman can encounter - and not just in a country town.
And tomorrow...
65 Roses Day
Date: Friday 28 May 2010
65 Roses Day is the annual national awareness day for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in Australia. This special day was named after the folklore story of a little boy who could not pronounce his sister's condition, Cystic Fibrosis, and instead called it "65 Roses".
It seems very likely that the Planning Minister Tony Kelly WILL remove planning powers from Cessnock Council (the elected Councillors, not the arguably incompetent Council Planners).
Tony Kelly has demanded a response from Council (due tomorrow) as to why he shouldn't appoint a regional planning panel, yet refuses to tell the Council what the issues are and what they are responding to - or anything in fact - not answering emails and letters nor phone calls. He has said more to The Herald (letter to the editor) than he has to Council! The only mechanism he needs is to give 21 days notice. That's democracy? We vote for a Council that we (as a wider community) trust so we can have input on development and the Sydney Government takes them away and cuts us out of the process without showing cause!
The meeting (rally) on Monday chaired by Deputy Mayor, Clr Ian Olsen, was not attended by ANY of the Labor councillors (nor Kerry Hicky), and Mayor Alison Davey and her (very pregnant) Ward A side-kick Clr Rachael Main were also conspicuously absent (though Clr Main made it to last night's Council meeting ok so I'm taking pregnancy out of the equation).
Clr Cordelia Burcham (Liberal) is proving to be the star of Ward A as far as democracy and transparency is concerned, and (as she's on this list) I thank her openly. Clr Neil Gorman (Nationals) and James Ryan (Greens) also spoke along with Imants Magrics, Roger Lewis and Lance Beckett from the community and Sylvia Hale MLC, the Greens spokesperson on Planning in the NSW Upper House.
The Upper House has given the Minister 14 days to produce the complaints in relation to this (which funnily enough seem to date back to the last Labor-dominated council term), but that deadline falls after this one, so he can do it before responding. It is assumed that he will take the powers from the council on Monday - leaving the Cessnock Community with no access to comment on planning issues. Huge NSW Labor Party contributors will again have a clearer path to planning approval without local scrutiny, even though the council has a Labor minority.
The Opposition Leader will be asked if they will return the planning powers to Cessnock Council when elected in March.
More here: http://tinyurl.com/save-cessnock-2
303 days to go until NSW frees itself from tyranny
For the record, I am a member of Cessnock-Kurri Greens. Have a great weekend!
Peter Firminger
Hi folks,
Lots of stuff happening around the place (and Wollombi Valley Online has 349 members! Thanks for your support).
One of the big things facing us is the Planning Minister Tony Kelly proposing replacing the Council with an independant Planning Panel. This does not mean the planners are sacked (as desirable as that may be), they remain. It means that the elected Councillors don't get to approve or question Development Applications. Representatives of the Sydney (State) Government take this role with NO local knowledge and this takes away your access to discuss and lobby your elected councillors on these matters. It means the Sydney Government gets what it wants in the Cessnock LGA and you - as a rate payer - have no say.
It's bad - very bad.
So, on Monday evening there is a meeting at CPAC at which Sylvia Hale MLC (among others and not just the Greens) will speak. I urge you to attend:
Cessnock Planning Threat Rally
Date: Monday 24-May-10 at 6:30 pm
Members of the Cessnock community along with Coalition and Greens representatives will rally at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on Monday evening to oppose the NSW Planning Minister - Tony Kelly's proposal to strip planning powers from Cessnock City Council.
There is a lot more going on with the Sydney Government taking away the rights of landholders. Some of you may remember the Caroona (Liverpool Plains) victory in the Supreme Court a while back. Well the State Labor Party and the Coalition passed a bill in the upper house that overturns that decision so they can keep raping the land for coal and methane against the wishes of the owners of the land. See story here
An example of this is beautifully illustrated in a documentary about Gloucester. We have embedded the 4 parts of the 17 minute video together here. Please take a look. I don't have a clue how we can help... writing to the Sydney Government is a waste of time.
Also, please support our brothers and sisters in Queensland by reading the story and taking the poll on this Toowoomba Chronical story about Coal Seam Gas calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and production in the area.
It is coming up to that time of year when the Laguna Public School Art Show committee send out entry forms to all of the Wollombi Valley's talented artists. Details here
If you have always wanted to dabble in filmmaking then Valley Artists can help you! Valley Artists are holding a film making workshop on 16, 17, 18th July, 2010. Details here
It you're on FaceBook (and you're not getting caught up in all the rubbish about FaceBook safety - don't get me started on stupid people... shut up Peter no-one cares), please consider joining the following groups and pages.
DrumMUSTER End of Season Cleanup
Date: Until 25 May 2010
Bring All Clean and Dry containers with lids removed to Cessnock Landfill (Waste and Reuse Centre). Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 02 4993 4307.
The DrumMUSTER program was initiated in 1998 to reduce the amount of chemical containers and associated risk of contamination going into landfill or being dumped on private properties.
Council has been involved in the collection of suitable containers since the inception of the program, with the first collection being run in 1999. A compound has been established at Council's waste facility where containers suitable for recycling can be dropped off. The containers are then transported to a recycling facility.
Musos Jam Night @ Laguna - TONIGHT
Date: Friday 21-May-10 at 7:30 pm
Come along and rock to all your local favourites hangin' out with friends at Laguna Wine Bar. Dinner available so make a night of it!
Cessnock Country Music Festival
Date: 21 to 23 May 2010
The 2010 Festival, our forth, will run over the weekend of May 21st, 22nd and 23rd at East Cessnock Bowling Club.
Friday 8pm 21st - Paul Costa & Band with support from Victoria Baillie
Saturday 8pm 22nd -The Wolverines
The Wizard of Oz at Maitland Town Hall
Date: 21 to 30 May 2010
DIRECTOR - Jeanette Massey
MUSICAL DIRECTOR - Daniel Dow
Maitland Gilbert & Sullivan & Musical Society Inc.
Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.
Performing at Maitland Town Hall
May 21, 22, 26, 28, 29 at 8pm
May 23, 30 at 2pm
Bizet's CARMEN @ Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
Date: 21 to 23 May 2010
Presented by Opera Hunter in association with the Lake Maquarie Orchestra
The Antipodean Mandolin Ensemble at Putty Hall
Date: Sunday 23-May-10 at 2:00 pm
The Antipodean Mandolin Ensemble (AME) will perform at the Putty Hall on Sunday 23 May at 2pm. Tickets cost $20 and include a glass of wine or beer and nibbles at interval.
The Wedding Singer
Date: 11 to 26 June 2010
Singleton Theatrical Society is producing The Wedding Singer. Based on the Adam Sandler film with original 80's style music.
It's 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. He's the life of the party - until his own fiancé leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of the decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.
Mega Book Sale at Cessnock Library
Date: 24th - 28th May 2010
Ex library books, magazines, and jigsaws for sale at low low prices! In the front foyer of Cessnock Library during normal opening hours. Lots of great buys. Bring a shopping bag and fill it up for $5.00!!!
Cessnock Security and Safety Expo
Date: Wednesday 26-May-10 at 1:00 pm
Cessnock City Council as part of its Crime Prevention Plan is hosting a Security and Safety Expo. The aim of the day is to highlight Crime Prevention strategies and to promote to residents and the community that we all have a role in the prevention of crime.
Cessnock Council Ordinary Meeting
Date: Moved to 26 May 2010
This meeting to be held on 26 May due to the Mayor and General Manager attending a conference.
Council meetings are held from 6.30pm the first and third Wednesday of the month in the Council Chambers, 62-78 Vincent Street, Cessnock. Agendas generally posted the Monday before the meeting.
National Sorry Day
Date: Tuesday 26 May 2010
The Bringing them home report (BTH Report) recommended (Recommendation No 7.a) that a National Sorry Day be held each year on 26 May "to commemorate the history of forcible removals and its effects."
Cupcakes for Cancer
Date: Saturday 29-May-10 at 8:00 am
Get out your diaries, mark off Saturday 29 May 2010, come down to Wollombi Village between 8am and 1pm and buy a decorated cup cake or three or a dozen to have with your coffee and tea, as part of The Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea in the valley.
Biodynamics - an introduction to regenerative farm and environment practices
Date: 29 and 30 May 2010
Biodynamics is a cost effective method of producing high quality plants, food and fibre with regenerative ecological outcomes.
This two-day workshop at Krinklewood Vineyard in Broke will explain how biodynamic preparations contribute to the soil food web, creating fertility and balance in soils.
Personal note: If you wonder why I refer to the Sydney Government... look here. Off my soapbox for now.
Have a great National Mathematics Day!
Peter Firminger
Copyright © Peter Firminger 2010
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