Pittwater Life March 2018 Issue

News
SEEN…
It will sadden many foodies across the peninsula to learn that popular
café owner Cassie Starr is selling up her gluten-free establishment
at Newport and heading north – “to eat wheat”. Effervescent Cassie,
who opened her Kalinya Rd café more than three years ago, has taken
to advertising her business on a blackboard with typical tongue-incheek
humour. She also has a bottle of French champagne ready to
hand over to the new buyer. Cassie told Pittwater Life she’s enjoyed
her time at Newport where she’s made many lifelong friends but is
looking forward to a move to Queensland. Anyone interested in continuing
Cassie’s gluten-free legacy should contact her at GFC Cafe.
HEARD…
Wondering what happened to the $3 million boost to
the Pittwater arts scene trumpeted by administrator
Dick Persson in May 2017? Seems there’s been a lot of
discussion by working groups who are investigating
sites for a dedicated art space in the former Pittwater
and the plan for a Public Art Trail (PAT), featuring pieces
like the Sea Nymphs at Manly (pictured). We tried to
get any of the nine members on the PAT to talk about
progress but confidentiality agreements with Council
prevented them. Ditto the advisory group investigating
the art space, which has a budget of $1 million. We did
hear from Council’s General Manger Planning Place
and Community David Kerr, who said: “The projects are substantially underway and both groups
have been working with community stakeholders, progressively planning the delivery of both
projects. As there are complexities to the projects, once the plans are developed they will then go
to Council for approval. It is hoped that this will occur in the second half of this year.” It should
be remembered there’s been a push for a dedicated art space for ages. We hear it’s not the $1
million budget causing delay, but rather a dearth of sites. Prior to Council amalgamation creative
types were eyeing space at the Avalon Golf Club. Could it still be in the mix?
We also hear our local wildlife volunteers and enivronmentalists have had a win with the
redevelopment of Mona Vale Rd, with the State Government approving a fauna crossing for
the eastern section. It’s being heralded as a win-win for the area, with improved connectivity
between bushland for animals and by association improved safety conditions for motorists.
ABSURD…
Flustered and worried locals are concerned that developers are bypassing Northern Beaches
Council and opting for Private Certifiers to approve DAs and carry out critical stage inspections
during construction, which are a requirement to ensure the building work is in accordance
with the development consent and legislative requirements. The owners of a certain
building in Newport are caught in the middle of a battle between the developer and Council
via the Land and Environment Court regarding non-compliance issues with a building development
consent. We’ve been told Council have requested several discrepancies be rectified,
which could potentially cost the owners thousands of dollars and jeopardise the safety and
security of the many retirees who have called it home for the past 18 months. The owners
and rate payers ask: “Where is Council during the building stage? Why isn’t Council ensuring
that developers are held accountable through construction stage?”
16 MARCH 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991