Blue Mountains Have Your Say | Latest Forum Topics/News Articles

Backyard Swimming Pool Survey

bmccadmin — 2013-05-16 10:03:17 +1000

Recent changes to the NSW Swimming Pools Act 1992 include new responsibilities for both pool owners and Blue Mountains City Council. One of the requirements is for Council to develop and implement a swimming pool inspection program in consultation with the local community.

In line with the requirements of the new Act, Council is commencing a review of its swimming pool inspection program. Council is seeking community comment on this important issue through our online survey.

5. If Council changed the way it supported the community conservation program what would you be most concerned about?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 17:03:16 +1000

What other features (including features of other models in the discussion paper) would you like to see included in your preferred model as indicated in Question 3 above?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 17:01:54 +1000

When answering this question you may like to consider ………

Whether additional features could improve volunteer satisfaction, recruitment and retention?
Whether additional features could improve on the environmental results of the work we do?

What is your preferred model and why?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 17:00:57 +1000

When answering this question you may like to consider ………

What features you consider essential for your continued successful participation as a conservation volunteer?
What features you consider to be most important to maintain the quality of the environmental work we do?

What do you least like about Council’s Conservation Program?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 16:59:09 +1000

What do you most like about Council’s Conservation Program?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 16:58:29 +1000

What has happened in the CCP Review so far?

bmccadmin — 2013-05-09 16:20:29 +1000

The community consultation on Council's Community Conservation Program will occur in three stages.

Stage 1: Community Conservation Program Survey (March 2013 on 'Have Your Say')

Stage 1 was completed on 31 March. The survey provided the first step for Council to receive feedback from stakeholders on how well the current programs are working and responses to possible alternative models for Community Conservation program.

Thank you to survey respondents. The results of the Stage 1 consultation is currently being used to inform Stage 2 and will contribute tot eh development of the final draft Strategy, which will also be placed on public exhibition in late 2013.

Have Your Say on the proposed action plans for the future of our City of Blue Mountains.

admin — 2013-04-26 07:17:14 +1000

Our City, Our Future Sustainable Blue Mountains - Planning for the next 4 to 10 years. Council has prepared a number of draft plans for the future of our City, and wishes to invite the views of the community on these plans.

The draft plans are on public exhibition from 26 April to 23 May 2013 and we seek your advice and Feedback.

Our City, Our Future.......your advice and feedback will help ensure a Sustainable Blue Mountains.

Blue Mountains......have your say today.

Application for the Continuation of a Special Variation

bmccteam1 — 2013-04-17 11:38:06 +1000

After a public exhibition period from 12 November to 16 December 2012, the Council has applied to IPART to renew an expiring special variation to rates for infrastructure on an ongoing basis. Continuing this variation will ensure the Council has the funds to replace the annual borrowings for asset works in order to reduce the projected deterioration of the condition of priority infrastructure (that is roads, stormwater and recreation facilities).

If approved by IPART, revenue raised will be expended in accordance with the ten year Asset Works Program with $18.5 million being directed to renewal works and $4.5 million being directed to regular maintenance programs for parks, town centres and roads. A detailed program of renewal works for the next four years is provided in the Asset Works Program of the Delivery Program Incorporating the Operational Plan.

Further information of the continuation of the special variation can be accessed at www.bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au/ourcityourfuture

Delivery Program 2013-2017 Incorporating Operational Plan 2013-2014

bmccteam1 — 2013-04-17 11:36:25 +1000

What actions and projects should the Council focus on over the next 4 years? The Delivery Program 2013-2017 Incorporating the Operational Plan 2013-2014 outlines what the Council will do – within available resources – in response to SBM 2025. It includes:

The Council’s 35 Top Priority Actions
Detailed actions and focus for each service area
Proposed new, upgrade and renewal asset works
Detailed financial information
Fees and Charges 2013-2014 (supplementary document)

Resourcing Strategy 2013-2023

bmccteam1 — 2013-04-17 11:35:49 +1000

How will we fund and resource Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025? How can the Council provide a level of service that meets community needs and is affordable? The Resourcing Strategy 2013-2023 sets out the Council’s financial capability over the next 10 years to resource implementation of SBM 2025. It outlines the Six Key Strategies for strengthening the financial position of the Council and the City. This plan includes:

The Long-Term Financial Plan 2013-2023
The Workforce Management Strategy 2013-2023
The Asset Management Strategy & Policy 2013-2023
Summary Dashboards: Service & Asset Management Plans 2013-2023 (companion document)

Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 - the Community Strategic Plan

bmccteam1 — 2013-04-17 11:35:16 +1000

What do you want the Blue Mountains to be like in 10 years? Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 (SBM 2025) is the City’s over arching strategic plan. It identifies the priorities and aspirations of the community for our local area over the next 10 years. SBM 2025 presents a shared plan for all stakeholders – Council, community, business sector and other levels of Government – to work together to achieve. It outlines the Vision, Objectives and Strategies for the achievement of a sustainable Blue Mountains by 2025 through Six Key Directions for our City:

Key Direction 1 Looking After Environment – AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CITY
Key Direction 2 Using land – A LIVEABLE CITY
Key Direction 3 Moving Around – AN ACCESSIBLE CITY
Key Direction 4 Looking After People – AN INCLUSIVE, HEALTHY & VIBRANT CITY
Key Direction 5 Sustainable Economy – AN ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE CITY
Key Direction 6 Civic Leadership – INSPIRING LEADERSHIP

Schools competition update

bmccadmin — 2013-04-16 15:59:27 +1000

The Weigh in on Waste schools competition was won by a student from Blaxland Public School.

Council congratulates the winning student and all other students for Weighing in on Waste in the Blue Mountains.

Many insightful, caring and creative entries were received, and the winner was drawn by lot.

Council thanks all students who entered the competition, and their parents and teachers for supporting the competition.

Conservation Management Plan

bmccadmin — 2013-04-04 16:51:36 +1100

To help guide the development of the draft Plan of Managment,a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was prepared for Kingsford Smith Memorial Park. This CMP provides direction for, (1) Items of heritage value, including the stonework and pathways, sound shell and 'log cabin' toilet block, and (2) The landscape of KSMP, including vegetation management, cool climate planting theme and the layout.

The CMP is a guiding document which provides a framework to inform the draft Plan of Management, including the policies and actions. The CMP, and its Appendices, can be downloaded from the 'library' on the right hand side of this web page.

Pool Safety Information

bmccadmin — 2013-04-03 13:11:24 +1100

Home pool safety information for pool owners and occupiers is available by clicking on the the documents listed in the library on the right hand side of this page.

Other useful informtion may be obtained from the following websites:

Children's Hospital at Westmead - provides a Protect your Pool, Protect your Kids video produced by the Children's Hospital at Westmead which visually demonstrates the basic pool fencing requirements in the Swimming Pools Act and provides other key water safety messages. This website also contains other resources on pool safety.
http://www.chw.edu.au/kidshealth/pool_fencing/

Safewaters - provides further information on fencing backyard pools, frequently asked questions, information in community languages, and a checklist for pool owners.
http://www.safewaters.nsw.gov.au/fencepools.htm

Swimsafe - Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation information regarding the availability of swimming lessons.
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/swimsafe/index.asp
Keep Watch – Royal Life Saving Society information including a checklist, fact sheets and other resources
http://www.homepoolsafety.com.au

Importance of supervision, pool barrier maintenance and CPR

bmccadmin — 2013-04-03 12:55:16 +1100

It is important to remember that while fencing may assist in reducing drownings in backyard pools, the most effective way to prevent drownings is for children to be adequately supervised by a parent or other responsible adult.

Research on child drownings in backyard swimming pools indicates that the most common contributing factors are inadequately fenced pools and human error (for example, people leaving the gate open, or fences not being maintained in good condition).

People choosing to have a pool have a responsibility to ensure that pool safety barrier(s) and gate(s) are installed, operated and maintained to the Australian Standard referred to in the Regulation.

It is also important that parents and others responsible for supervising children know how to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The Royal Life Saving Society of NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW conduct CPR courses. All supervising adults are encouraged to undertake CPR training.

What are the responsibilities of Council under the new legislation?

bmccadmin — 2013-03-28 15:25:07 +1100

Councils are required to:

develop and implement a swimming pool barrier inspection program in consultation with their communities
report annually on the number of pool inspections undertaken and the level of compliance with the requirements
inspect pools associated with tourist and visitor accommodation and multi-occupancy developments at three year intervals
at the request of a pool owner, inspect pools prior to sale or lease
issue compliance certificates after an inspection which finds a pool barrier compliant with the requirements of the legislation. Compliance certificates are valid for three years.

A swimming pool subject to an occupation certificate is exempt from an inspection program for three years from the date of issue of the occupation certificate.
Councils may inspect any swimming pool that is the subject of a complaint to the council.
Council powers of entry will be consistent with the Local Government Act 1993.
Councils may charge a fee for each inspection undertaken (up to a maximum of $150 for the first inspection and $100 for one re-inspection resulting from the first inspection).

What are the responsibilities of pool owners under the new legislation?

bmccadmin — 2013-03-28 15:23:56 +1100

Swimming pool owners are required to register their swimming pools on an online register to be provided by the NSW State Government. Registration needs to take place between 29 April and 29 October 2013.
Swimming Pool owners will be required to self-assess, and state in the register that, to the best of their knowledge, their swimming pool complies with the applicable standard when registering their pool.
There is a penalty for owners who fail to register a swimming pool (penalty notice amount of $220).
Swimming pool owners will be required to provide a valid swimming pool compliance certificate before being able to sell or lease a property with a pool.
Accredited certifiers under the Building Professional Act 2005 may conduct swimming pool inspections initiated by the pool owner.

PoM study area and background

bmccadmin — 2013-03-19 17:43:21 +1100

Blue Mountains City Council has prepared a Draft Plan of Management (dPoM) for Kingsford Smith Memorial Park (KSMP), 17 Gang Gang Street, Katoomba. KSMP Composed of 2.14ha of cool climate gardens and open lawns in a deep amphitheatre setting, the main part of KSMP consists of Crown Reserve managed by Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) as Trust Managers (Crown Reserve 65643). Established in 1936, this park is valued for its

Heritage Items
Unique cool climate amphitheatre landscape
Passive recreation
Outdoor venue

The study area for KSMP includes the following parcels of land, and is depicted on the attached map in the library,

Crown Reserve No. 65643, 17 Gang Gang Street Katoomba, Lot 7-13 DP 10800. Trust Name – Kingsford Smith Park, Trust Manager – BMCC. 1.213ha.
Council Community Land. 19 Gang Gang Street Katoomba. Lot 11 DP 4824. 0.045ha
William Street, Formed Road. 0.127ha
Gang Gang Street, part of Road Reserve. 0.29ha
Part of unformed Road Reserves of William St 0.3ha

This dPoM provides direction for the heritage, landscape and uses of this Pa

Further background on the Plan of Management

bmccadmin — 2013-03-19 17:40:25 +1100

The parkland forming KSMP was initially established in 1931 from land that once belonged to the Hudson family, this land also including the historical Wadi Shaifa house located on Lurline Street. Located in close proximity to the Katoomba town centre, KSMP was a once a popular venue for events, the historical Sound Shell being a well known feature of the park. Being situated in a naturally formed hollow, the unique landscape of the Park includes a network of stone pathways and cool climate gardens developed into an ampitheatre. The Park’s first name, in 1935, was Jubilee Park to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. This was however changed in the following year to Kingsford Smith Memorial Park and Playground in honour of pioneer Austrailan aviator, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (1897-1935). The heritage and landscape values are significant features of KSMP.

Some of the values considered important for KSMP include,

Close proximity to Katoomba town centre
History
Unique amphitheatre landscape design
Ornamental landscape plantings
Heritage items including the Entry Pavillion, Sound Shell, Toilet Block and stone work.
Venue function of the Sound Shell & amphitheatre
Native bushland remnants
Weed management for the Leura Creek catchment
Lawn space
Secluded setting
Memorial to aviation pioneer, Kingsford Smith.

Community Liaison Group

bmccadmin — 2013-03-19 17:12:38 +1100

Community Liaison Group

Council has formed a Community Liaison Group (CLG) to help guide the preparation of the PoM. The CLG is composed of representatives from a range of relevant stakeholders including user groups, organisation and residents. The CLG provided guidance and advice in the development of the draft PoM document. The CLG will assist with the review of the comments from the public exhibition, and should an issues arise, provide further advice for the draft PoM at the end of the exhibition period.

Community Liaison Group Contacts Kingsford Smith Memorial Park - Plan of Management
NAME	GROUP BEING REPRESENTED	EMAIL	PHONE
Aunty Val Aurisch	Aboriginal		(02)4782 4607
Steve Willcockson	Aboriginal and Residents	Steven.w@live.com.au
Jenny Hill	Bushcare - Leura Creek Sub Catchment	plai09@hotmail.com	0408 268 879
Mark Jarvis	Katoomba Chamber of Commerce	gm@thecarrington.com.au
Jan Cosgrove	Metropole Guesthouse/Tourism	metropol@pnc.com.au	(02)4782 2417
Aviad Panta	Metropole Guesthouse/Tourism	metropol@pnc.com.au	(02)4782 2417
Volker Schoeler	Musicians - Blue Mountains City Band	bmcband@hotmail.com	(02)4782 7246
Steve Maconachie	Resdients	smmaconachie@gmail.com	0414 348 274
Jed Walker	Residents	jadajama@gmail.com	0410 101 397
Cr Robert Stock	Councillor	rstock@bmcc.nsw.gov.au	0414 195 980

Further Background on the Plan of Management

bmccadmin — 2013-03-19 16:56:56 +1100

Some of the values considered important for KSMP include,

Close proximity to Katoomba town centre
History
Unique amphitheatre landscape design
Ornamental landscape plantings
Heritage items including the Entry Pavillion, Sound Shell, Toilet Block and stone work.
Venue function of the Sound Shell & amphitheatre
Native bushland remnants
Weed management for the Leura Creek catchment
Lawn space
Secluded setting
Memorial to aviation pioneer, Kingsford Smith.

PoM study area and background

bmccadmin — 2013-03-19 16:55:28 +1100

Heritage Items
Unique cool climate amphitheatre landscape
Passive recreation
Outdoor venue

The study area for KSMP includes the following parcels of land, and is depicted on the attached map in the library,

Crown Reserve No. 65643, 17 Gang Gang Street Katoomba, Lot 7-13 DP 10800. Trust Name – Kingsford Smith Park, Trust Manager – BMCC. 1.213ha.
Council Community Land. 19 Gang Gang Street Katoomba. Lot 11 DP 4824. 0.045ha
William Street, Formed Road. 0.127ha
Gang Gang Street, part of Road Reserve. 0.29ha
Part of unformed Road Reserves of William St 0.3ha

This dPoM provides direction for the heritage, landscape and uses of this Park

MEDIA RELEASE: COUNCIL INVITES COMMUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON WASTE

Kelly Ponsford — 2013-03-13 09:33:21 +1100

Blue Mountains City Council is asking primary school students and their families to Weigh in on Waste. Schools and local families are invited to help set the direction of what we do with our waste in the future, and have a chance to win a prize at the same time.

Mayor, Cr Daniel Myles, said, "Waste affects us all, the environment and it costs us all money.”

At the rate we're going our local landfill may be full in less than 20 years. The critical question Council and the Blue Mountains community need to answer is, where will our waste go after that?”

Council is introducing the Weigh in on Waste campaign to inform and involve its community on waste issues. Council is currently developing a Waste Strategy and everyone is invited to have their say at www.bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au

All Blue Mountains primary schools have been invited to participate in the weigh in on waste campaign.

"We want Blue Mountains students and their families to consider why it's time to weigh in on waste.

By participating, schools have a chance to win a $200 voucher to a local hardware store and the winning family receives a family movie pass to The Edge or Glenbrook Cinema", said the Mayor.

Schools can get involved by simply requesting Weigh in on Waste postcard entry forms from Council. Entries need to be returned by 22 March 2013. Winners will be announced in April and schools notified directly.

For more information, contact Council’s Sustainable Waste and Resources Coordinator, Melissa White, on weighinonwaste@bmcc.gov.nsw.au or: 4780 5566.

Media inquiries: Adrienne Murphy, Communications Officer (02) 4780 5744 Mob: 0414 195 533

Knapsack Park Downhill Bike Track: Update

bmccadmin — 2013-03-04 17:12:39 +1100

Blue Mountains City Council is advising the community that construction of the Knapsack Park Downhill Bike Track is due to commence on Wednesday 7^th March 2013 by consultants, DirtArt.

Please note that the community consultation on this project concluded in August 2011. This update is for information purposes only.