Pittwater Council Annual Report - Pittwater Council - NSW ...

Enhancing our Working and LearningFree wireless internet accessIn February 2009 free public access to the internet was made available inMona Vale’s shopping precinct. This followed a similar scheme introduced in2008 in Newport where Council partnered with wi-fi provider MyKP. Visitorsand shoppers can tap into the free broadband wireless connection by usingtheir mobile phones or laptops.Aerosol art workshopsIn October 2008 Council offered young people an art project with professionalartists. The Xhibit art project is being used to encourage young people totake pride in their local area. Students developed murals that were paintedon a canteen at North Narrabeen under the direction of the artists.Pittwater Business LimitedThe Council continued to provide financial and operational support forPittwater Business Limited, a network for local businesses instigated by theCouncil in 2006. A series of business breakfasts were held during 2008-2009, including speakers such as Marcus Blackmore, CEO of Blackmores.Redevelopment of Coastal Environment CentreIn 2008 North Narrabeen’s Coastal Environment Centre was retrofittedwith solar panels and other energy efficient features, with weekly tours formembers of the public wishing to learn more about sustainability. BetweenMay and June 2009 the Centre was extensively upgraded to include an‘eco-cinema’ with theatre-style seating and surround-sound, a shop anda library. A draft masterplan for the Centre and the adjoining Lakeside Holiday Park wasprepared in 2009, which ultimately will set parameters to transform the 13-hectare site intoan eco-tourism destination.Learner driver workshopsTogether with the RTA, the Council runs the “Helping Learner DriversBecome Safer Drivers”. The workshop runs twice yearly and educatesdrivers and their parents about the rules for L and P plate drivers, using thelearner driver log book and planning driving sessions.‘Weaving Words with Wisdom’ eventLed by indigenous women, this unique event combined environmentaland cultural education. Participants learnt about the local plants aroundNarrabeen Lagoon used for weaving and dyeing in the Guringai culture.They also listened to stories told by Aboriginal women. The event was heldin July 2009 as part of the annual Guringai Festival, which celebratesnorthern Sydney’s indigenous culture.Newport Community CentreNewport Community Centre was completed in April 2009. It combinesexhibition space, a meeting room, tennis courts, a park and a playground.The centre is also home to Northern Beaches Family Day Care. The centreincorporates environmentally-friendly features to help reduce its carbonfootprint and make it cheaper to run. These include solar panels, rainwatertanks, waterless urinals and sensor taps. The centre’s activities include arts & crafts, health& fitness, dance, martial arts, personal development and tennis coaching and since opening,has been operating at 90% utilisation.Climate change policy and community workshopsThe Council adopted its Climate Change Policy in April 2009. The policy’smain aim is a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Aseries of community workshops attended by around 150 local residentswere held in 2008 to brainstorm ways to combat climate change. TheCouncil also supports the community group Climate Change Pittwater.63