Mayor's Column

Mayor John WakefieldWaverley Mayor John Wakefield


2012- Weekly Columns in the Wentworth Courier


Wednesday 16 May 2012
Ausgrid are currently laying underground electricity cables from the City, through Bondi Junction, the new Anglesea Street substation to the recently completed William Street substation at Rose Bay. The work being carried out by contractors on behalf of Ausgrid has caused concern to residents, as roads and footpaths are dug up and left in an unsatisfactory condition. Council is working closely with Ausgrid to identify problem areas and in getting our roads and footpaths repaired and made safe for traffic and pedestrian use as quickly as practicable. 


Wednesday 9 May 2012
The other week Council officers and I met with senior staff from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) about traffic access into and out of Bondi Junction. It was a very productive meeting and I hope to be announcing some important initiatives which will see priority being given to buses travelling along Oxford Street onto Old South Head Road and Bondi Road. This will mean residents will have an even better bus service, reducing the need to use their own vehicles. 


Wednesday 2 May 2012
Around 1,200 people will pass away from brain cancer in Australia each year, and it is the leading cause of cancer death in young people under the age of 39. To help raise awareness Council is supporting the Cancer Council event, ‘Bubbles at Bondi’, at Bondi Park this Saturday 5 May. As part of Brain Cancer Action Week, we’re looking at fi lling the sky with bubbles to symbolise hope and bring people’s attention to this devastating disease. Your support will help change people’s lives. The more people attending, the more impact we will have in raising awareness. For information visit www.braincanceraction.com. 


Wednesday 25 April 2012
Firstly, I’d like to extend Council’s gratitude and well wishes to all those current and former servicemen and women partaking in services around Sydney today. We also remember all those who have sacrificed their lives, and hope for a speedy and safe return for all those serving overseas. Lest we forget. 


Wednesday 18 April 2012
Thursday 19 April is your last chance to catch our special Jitter animation exhibition, where local animator Todd Fuller is holding an exceptional exhibition of contemporary Australian animators. The exhibition features the work of Academy Award winning animators Shaun Tan and Adam Elliot, as well as Stephen Bird, Sophie Cape, Jonathan Chong, Sarah Catherine Firth, Steven Nuttall and, of course, Todd Fuller. While cartoon production has largely moved to computer generated imagery, the artists in this exhibition still create work in a somewhat low tech manner, reinventing the methods of the past. Don’t miss this special event at the Bondi Pavilion, tomorrow, 4pm to 6pm. 


Wednesday 11 April 2012
Waverley Council recently received high praise for its financial plans and asset management when the Director Corporate and Technical Services was invited to talk at the International Property Tax Institute conference. Dry stuff I know, but important in recognition of Council’s long-term management of public assets. 


Wednesday 4 April 2012
As you would have read in last week’s Courier, Council issued fines against the owner of 405 Old South Head Road, found to be operating illegally as a short-stay ‘backpacker’ accommodation. 


Wednesday 28 March 2012
The other Saturday it bucketed down putting a dampener on Meet the Mayor in the Mall, but I did get to hear from those residents who braved the weather. Despite the rain it proved to be a productive morning in Bondi Junction. Meet the Mayor at the Mall is your opportunity to voice your concerns or give me your ideas on how to improve our wonderful area, face-to-face. 


Wednesday 21 March 2012
Recently Waverley Council settled on the purchase of land at the rear of 362 Birrell Street in Tamarama gully. Having acquired the land outright Council will rehabilitate the area and integrate the land into Tamarama Park. This was a great victory driven by residents’ persistent determination to see the land, gully and waterfall protected. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of a number of councillors, particularly Cr Ingrid Strewe, and the Bronte Beach precinct group in getting this great end result. 


Wednesday 14 March 2012
Tomorrow (15 March) is the start of Seniors Week, and Waverley Council has a packed program of music, theatre, dance, history and literature. For more information on Seniors Week activities see here or call 9386 7999 for a free program. 


Wednesday 7 March 2012
Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending Women by the Waves, a special breakfast to mark International Women’s Day. Human Rights lawyer, Suzanne Leal, led a vibrant and captivating discussion panel of prominent Waverley women. With Suzanne at the helm, the room was abuzz with motivational and practical ideas to help support future generations of women. The breakfast was an inspiration to all there and a credit to the organisers. 


Wednesday 29 February 2012
I attended a site inspection for the new Mill Hill Early Education Centre with senior Council officers to view how work is progressing. To date, nearly 80 per cent of the works have been completed. 


Wednesday 22 February 2012
Council has received funding from the Roads and Maritime Services under its Blackspot Program for right turn green arrows to be installed at the traffic lights at the intersection of Bronte Road and Birrell Street, Bondi Junction. 


Wednesday 15 February 2012
Waverley Council has completed the Plan of Management for Thomas Hogan Reserve. The Plan of Management communicates a vision for the management of the reserve for the next ten years. 


Wednesday 8 February
Council is about to commence its next survey of residents' opinions on services and lifestyle quality in Waverley. This survey is conducted once every three to four years to ensure that we're delivering the services that are most important to our community and in a way that actually improves living standards. 


Wednesday 1 February
On Australia Day, I was pleased to formally accept a framed SACRED (Sydney-Newcastle Aboriginal Culture Rights and Economic Development) document from the Chief Executive of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Lands Council. The document signifies Council’s commitment to work in joint cooperation with the regional strategy of SACRED especially in land management, development and environmental planning. This exchange is significant as it marks a reconciliatory point in the relationship between Local Government in Waverley and the Aboriginal Community. 


Wednesday 25 January 2012
Over the years, Council has invested heavily in a variety of activities to combat illegal dumping in the Waverley LGA but the problem still persists. I have requested Council officers investigate the costs incurred by Council of illegal dumping activities including waste disposal, staff time and administrative costs. This will be followed by a service review to identify alternate or more optimal services to better manage illegal dumping. The aim is to eliminate the “tape and investigate” process and reduce the time the rubbish is left on the streets. 


Wednesday 18 January 2012
Welcome to 2012. I hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday season. During the holidays I attended a great event where well-known, local boardmaker Mango and Bondi’s Hurricanes Grill donated boards to each of the local surf clubs for their nipper groups. Good on everyone involved.