MORTDALE MASTERPLAN REJECTED AS COUNCIL LOOKS TO NEW OPTIONS

Georges River Residents & Ratepayers campaigned on a platform to stop the Mortdale Masterplan and its proposed overdevelopment of Mortdale. We have instead advocated for Council to develop a community-appropriate Mortdale Masterplan that guides development in the area and protects the community.

At the Council meeting on 26 September 2022, we took the first step in rejecting the exhibited Masterplan and endorsing 2 options to go on public exhibition for 60 days. This will allow time for the community to have in-face consultation on the Masterplan and to provide feedback on both options.

GLENLEE HERITAGE LISTING UDPATE

GRRRP was very disappointed to learn that the Heritage Council of NSW does not recommend the listing of Glenlee on the State Heritage Register (SHR) at this point in time, however they did say they would reconsider the nomination at a later date.

Following this advice, at the Sept 26 Council meeting, GRRRP Councillor Peter Mahoney asked that the council write to the Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffin requesting that he consider an extension of the interim heritage order for a further 12 months.

RAMSGATE TOWN CENTRE PROPOSAL REFUSED

The Ramsgate Town Centre Planning Proposal, which sought to rezone and build a new retail and residential town centre comprising 170 apartments in three towers of six, eight and nine-storeys, along with a Woolworths supermarket, 20 speciality shops and eating outlets, a community plaza and parking for 300 cars, has been refused by South Sydney Planning Panel.

GRRRP thanks the Georges River Council Strategic Planning staff who prepared a comprehensive submission for the South Sydney Planning Panel that identified deficiencies in the Ramsgate Woolworths Planning Proposal and outlined recommendations for amending the proposal.

The Council’s submission and presentation to the Panel greatly assisted them in understanding the proposal and its range of issues affecting the local area.

The area certainly needs revitalisation, but GRRRP are pleased the panel believes that any future development should be in line with the height and floor space ratio controls that were only made in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

DANGEROUS LOCATION PROMPTS TRAFFIC STUDY

GRRRP Councillor Natalie Mort has called on council’s Traffic Engineers to conduct a review of the traffic and pedestrian safety surrounding Mater Dei Catholic Primary School, Blakehurst to identify further safety improvements.

“The key issue for this particular school, unlike most others in our LGA, is that it is located in between two major arterial roads, King Georges Road and Princes Highway," said Clr Mort.

"Parents are faced with an absolute nightmare trying to navigate the challenge of coordinating a safe and somewhat orderly drop off/pick up while not getting booked by police for blocking a clearway or intersection, get their children safely to the school gate while being confronted by the general abuse of other drivers trying to go about their business.”

DEPUTY MAYORAL ELECTION & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Congratulations to Councillor Kathryn Landsberry who was re-elected unopposed to the position of Deputy Mayor at the September Council Meeting.

GRRRP Councillor Elise Borg was re-elected as the Chair of the Finance and Governance Committee and Councillor Peter Mahoney was again appointed Council’s representative on the Georges River Combined Councils Committee Advisory Committee (GRCCC).

CHANGES AT GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL

At the August 2022 Council Meeting, Mortdale Ward Councillor Warren Tegg announced he was resigning from Council. One month later at the September 2022 Council meeting, former Mayor Kevin Greene followed suit, announcing he also would retire from Council before the end of the year.

At the first meeting of the new term of Council, Georges River Council passed a motion that if a Councillor resigned they could be replaced by a Countback Election, instead of a by-election. New Councillor Ashvini Ambihaipahar was elected to replace Warren Tegg and represent Mortdale Ward and was sworn in at the September 26 Council Meeting. We congratulate and welcome Ashvini and look forward to working with her on Georges River Council.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK COUNCILLOR NATALIE MORT

GRRRP are beyond proud of Councillor Natalie Mort: Blakehurst Ward - Georges River Council who this week travels to Kona in Hawaii to compete in the IRONMAN World Championships.

The big race is on Thursday 6th October. Mayor Nick Katris moved a Mayoral Minute congratulating Natalie and wishing her the best of luck when she competes in Hawaii.

“To qualify for the World Championships in Hawaii just means so much to me and has been the dream of my lifetime," said Councillor Natalie Mort.

CARSS PARK POOL - COMING IN OCTOBER

IN THE NEWS

• Review of Parking Permits costs - Councillor Elise Borg moved a motion to review the parking permit costs for residents and visitors in the St George Hospital precinct.

• Call for more lighting at Charles Pirie Reserve - Councillor Elise Borg moved a motion to investigate the best solution and cost to upgrade lighting to Charles Pirie Reserve at Kogarah Bay.

EVENTS

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

31 October 2022 | 28 November 2022

Your community councillors for a better Georges River Council. 🏡🌳 #TeamGRRRP. Sign up for updates