Letters

The Kings Cross rescue plan

The 2011 Residents Association would be pleased to assist Council develop a “rescue plan” for Kings Cross, as has been recently suggested by Clr Doutney. We wrote to Council, making the following suggestions:

1. Councillors could call all DAs and section 96 applications for licensed premises in Kings Cross (and the neighbourhood) before the Council Committee instead of being decided under delegated authority.

2. The range for notifying DAs for licensed premises in Kings Cross could be increased from 25m to 100m, because impacts of many licensed premises can extend beyond 25m.

3. Council could review its complaints management processes to streamlining the processes to make, record and acknowledge complaints. This would also reassure Council that it has access to more complete information to inform its assessment of DAs and section 96 applications.

Regards,

Dr Sacha Blumen, President 2011 Residents’ Association Inc

A great getaway

It has taken six months for me to take up my weekend away prize that I won in your newspaper competition about the Wollombi Valley and Yango Bend.

We loved the secluded setting at Yango Bend Cottage. The wide valley and the boulders, and the lichen-covered rock wall as a backdrop was beautiful. It was just so peaceful sitting outside and watching the rain – it refreshed everything including us.

The Wollombi Valley is bordered by the Watagan State Forest/National Park and Yengo National Park. Even if you don’t take advantage of the many bushwalks, the valleys around the local roads attract wallabies in the evenings, and water birds congregate around the many dams and water holes. This time we were happy to explore the historical village of Wollombi about 15 minutes away and chat with the owners of the village winery, who explained some history of the area.

All in all, whether you choose to bush walk, follow the wineries trail, or seek out the local aboriginal history and art, at the end of the day you can return home and enjoy an intimate meal for two on the veranda with a bottle of wine, listen to nature, and even get to read that book you brought with you. You may even get a visit from a friendly family of kangaroos who graze in the garden at dawn and dusk.

Thank you Linda and City News

M. Evans, Pyrmont

Claims in Jenner sunk

The article”Sink or swim for historic Jenner House [sic]”, March 26, requires immediate clarification.

The harbour-facing individually heritage-listed gardens are part of the original 19th century design. They aren’t 1930s remnants.

Councillor John McInerney’s claim the house is being neglected or is in poor shape belies the fact it’s been a perfectly habitable home since 1871. Jenner doesn’t need urgent restoration, as the National Trust’s report confirms.

A further claim the amended DA confirms to recommendations of a ‘Heritage Advisory Committee’ is erroneous, perhaps even a lie.

No such committee was established to examine the amended DA. Clover Moore admitted this when she stated such a committee wasn’t required under planning rules. Its first and only report was completely scathing and refused to support the proposal.

The only committee which re-evaluated the amended DA was a dubious Urban Design Review Panel, whose report wasn’t seen by all its members. This panel only gave qualified approval subject to a number of conditions which were not met, e.g. a water management plan. It did not give the DA the full tick of approval.

‘If accuracy is attained, fairness will follow’ is a maxim this heritage society strives for. Can The City News and Clover Moore’s political party please do the same?

Yours sincerely

Andrew Woodhouse, President Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society