The recent council decision at the October Council meeting on the Mortdale Master Plan has left TeamGRRRP deeply disappointed. Nine councillors (Smerdely, Elmir, Konjarski, Liu, Stratikopoulos, Katris, Symington, Ficarra and Landsberry) voted for Option 1A, permitting 6-storey developments along Pitt Street (to the Strand), Morts Road (from the Uniting Church to the station), and the Cook Street car park, as well as 4-storey developments in the block bound by Cook Street and Victoria Ave.

However, our Georges River Residents & Ratepayers Councillors Christina Jamieson, Natalie Mort, Elise Borg and Peter Mahoney, along with the support of Councillor Ash Ambihaipahar and Ben Wang, were outvoted! This was despite us advocating tirelessly for option 2A (no more than four storeys) with an amendment to rezone the street block bound by Newman Street, Cook Street, Victoria Avenue, and Cook Lane. This change would have allowed for more family housing with a height of 9m (equivalent to 2.5 storeys).

At GRRRP, we ran for election to Georges River Council to give the community a strong and unwavering voice. Councillor Jamieson truly stood up for her beloved Mortdale community during the October council meeting. She's been Mortdale’s courageous advocate in Georges River Council highlighting the critical issues unique to Mortdale that the community voiced loud and clear through 525 submissions, all echoing the desire to preserve the character of Mortdale. No more than four storeys - that's what the community wanted, and that's what Councillor Jamieson fought for!

As elected representatives we always remember that we are here to serve the interests of the community and we will continue to fight to be the community’s voice. 

With just 10 months left until the next local government election, we invite you to join us and help shape the future of Georges River. If you want more community voices on Council, so we are not outvoted by the major parties in the future, sign up to assist Georges River Residents & Ratepayers at the next election. Sign up and we’ll be in touch. Together, we can make a difference!

At the October Council meeting Mayor Sam Elmir provided a Mayoral Minute report on the current status of the Carss Park Pool project. Read the report in full (page 5). The Leader wrote this article summarising the Mayoral Minute.

There are currently 3 components to the project as outlined below:-

1. Pool Demolition

   Council expects to award the contract for the demolition, remediation and landscaping of the current site in November 2023. There were delays in Council awarding a contract as initially Council sought tenders for the project in seperate components, however there was little response from the market. As such the whole project was put to tender which has proven more successful. Due to the timing, so close to Christmas, with Council hosting 3 major events at Carss Bush Park over the summer months, Council’s Executive Team has decided the demolition works will commence after the Greek Summer Festival in early February 2024, to minimise distruption of these events.

2. Updated Plan of Management for Carss Bush Park and Todd Park

   Council must update the Master Plan and Plan of Management for the whole of Carss Bush Park and Todd Park to reflect the new aquatic facility. Council has engaged a consultant to undertake this significant planning document. Before Christmas, Council will be seeking community feedback on the future vision of the Carss Park site via Council’s Your Say page. We will update you when this is live.

3. NSW Treasury Detailed Business Case 

   In order to seek funding for the construction of the aquatic facility, Council must develop a NSW Treasury Detailed Business Case which will need to outline the level of community utilisation for a new aquatic facility, as well as expected social, economic and environmental benefits and costs. This detailed business case will take some months to produce. While this detailed business case is under development, Council officers are preparing a business paper to provide information to relevant NSW Government representatives in order to seek funding required to undertake the full aquatic facility design and complete the development application process through to approval of the aquatic facility.

GRRRP were excited to announce that in the September Mayoral elections, Councillor Elise Borg was elected as Deputy Mayor — a pivotal role in our council's leadership.

Congratulations to Councillor Sam Elmir on being elected as the new Mayor of Georges River Council. GRRRP look forward to collaborating with Mayor Elmir to serve our community with integrity, passion, and a strong sense of responsibility.

As a local government registered political party, TeamGRRRP are independent of the major political parties and are committed to working with all sides of politics to achieve community-driven outcomes that enhance the well-being of our residents, the vitality of our businesses whilst preserving and protecting our natural environment.

We're thrilled to announce the following roles within our GRRRP team:

• Environment & Planning Chairperson: Councillor Peter Mahoney

• Finance & Governance Chairperson: Councillor Christina Jamieson

• Councillor delegate to Georges Riverkeeper - Georges River Combined Councils Committee (GRCCC): Councillor Peter Mahoney

• Councillor delegate to NSW Public Libraries Association: Councillor Natalie Mort

• Councillor delegate to Canterbury-Bankstown/Georges River Bushfire Management Committee: Councillor Peter Mahoney

With your support, TeamGRRRP will continue working tirelessly to create a brighter future for the residents and ratepayers of Georges River. We remain dedicated to serving you with transparency and commitment.

LOBBYING FOR CHANGE AT LGNSW

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) provides advocacy, representation and support for councils across NSW.

In November, your GRRRP councillors will attend the LGNSW Annual Conference, where a range of issues will be discussed with representatives from other LGA's, and if resolutions are approved at the conference, the state government will be asked to consider changes to the law.

GRRRP Councillors have submitted Notices of Motions to the conference on the issues outlined below.

IN THE NEWS

• New Team Chosen at Georges River Council - Councillor Elise Borg was elected Deputy Mayor at the September Council elections.

• Council to seek funds for business case for future options for Glenlee - Councillor Peter Mahoney submitted a Notice of Motion calling on council to seek funding from the Minister for the preparation of a business case for Glenlee’s future uses.

• Approval for six-room boarding house on former council car park site at Kogarah - Councillor Elise Borg spoke at the the Local Planning Panel meeting on behalf of neighbouring residents of the proposed 6-room boarding house at 2 Shaw Street, Kogarah.

• Celebrating a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth II - GRRRP Councillors attending the official unveiling of a memorial plaque, hosted by the Kogarah Bay Progress Association to mark the completion of the tree planting ceremonies in commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee of the late Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

• Georges River and Bayside Councillors say 'Stand with us against domestic violence' - GRRRP Councillors attended a community-led vigil for St George domestic violence victims, Lilie James, Dannielle Finlay-Jones and Amira Mognieh and invite residents to join Georges River Council’s NO Domestic Violence Walk on Friday, November 24 at 10am, with schools, community organisations and residents gathering at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton to walk as a group to Kogarah Town Square.

• Illegal signs reaching epidemic proportions, councillor says - Councillor Natalie Mort wants Council to crack down on illegal signs that can be found on telegraph poles, billboards, trees and various other public spaces.

EVENTS & COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

There has been many events that that our GRRRP Councillors have attended in the past few months, including;

• St George Business Chamber Cyber Security Event

• Kingsway Care Gala Dinner

• Sydney Water Community Open Day at Parkside Drive

• Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Awards

• St George Leagues Club Photographic Society 60th Anniversary Celebrations

• Lugarno Progress Association Community Bushfire Seminar

• 7 Bridges Walk in memory of distinguished local environmental campaigner, Sharyn Cullis

• St George Business Chamber Meet the Executive Event

Don't forget, the next local government elections are less than 12 months away, scheduled for September 2024! Stay engaged and be part of shaping the future of our community. Sign Up to be a Volunteer!

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

MON 13 NOV (COMMITTEES) | MON 27 NOV (COUNCIL)

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