Tag Archives
Is our democracy a dodo?
Opinion by ANDREW WOODHOUSE There can be no greater threat to democracy than when voters lack confidence in their own political system. Yet this is exactly what has occurred in December's NSW local council elections. On election day the New South Wales Electoral Commission’s (NSWEC) new iVote-counting computer crashed. Thousands of votes vanished. The NSWEC’s […]
Liberals retain majority on Woollahra Council, Residents First Woollahra sees biggest positive swing
By EVA BAXTER The results of the 2021 local government elections have been finalised and there has been no change in the representation of parties sitting on Woollahra Municipal Council, and 11 of the 15 elected councillors were councillors on the previous term. The Liberal party has won eight seats, Residents First Woollahra (RFW) won […]
Woollahra: Dixie Coulton runs in controversial Cooper Ward
Opinion by ANDREW WOODHOUSE The Machiavellian machinations inside Woollahra Council tickle my fancy. The controversial six-year-long imbroglio over the concrete skateboard structure in heritage-listed Rushcutters Bay Park has taken its first scalp. Woollahra Council's Cooper Ward representative, Anthony Marano its original proponent, has now been disendorsed by his own Liberal Party. He will not be […]
Skatepark hits heritage hurdles
Opinion by ANDREW WOODHOUSE Woollahra Council’s long running and controversial proposal for skateboard facilities in Rushcutters Bay Park has hit a major speed hump. The NSW Heritage Office’s Recommendation Committee has recommended the park be state heritage listed, its highest protective listing. This means no development can occur without the Heritage Office’s approval. Its listing […]
Bad behaviour gets plenty of air
By JOHN MOYLE A week in politics is a long time and for Woollahra Council last week must have seemed like eternity as Councillor Anthony Marano’s comments about objectors to the Rushcutters Bay skateboard park being “old people with nothing else to do with their time... who will be dead in ten years’ time,” continues […]
Skate park roller ride
Opinion: By ANDREW WOODHOUSE After six years Woollahra Council is still no closer to finding a location for its $1.1 million skateboard structure for youngsters aged 5-12. The NSW Heritage Office intervened to impose an Interim Heritage Order over the proposed Rushcutters Bay site, effective from 25th January this year. The Order lasts twelve months and […]
Woollahra’s arrogant councillors
BY IRINA DUNN Former City of Sydney Councillor and barrister Dixie Coulton is among many people appalled by the behaviour of some Woollahra councillors towards constituents opposing the proposed skatepark on the eastern side of Rushcutters Bay Park. The proposed skatepark is larger than an Olympic-sized swimming pool at 1,225 square metres. Coulton is a […]
Skateboard issue hots up
By Andrew Woodhouse The epic saga over Woollahra Council’s proposed skateboard structure in Rushcutters Bay Park continues. The Council’s original decision to refuse it at a full council meeting in 2017 – 14 votes to 1 – was applauded. But after the September 2018 local council elections, council changed its political complexion. This $1.2 million, […]
Locals see red over green space plans
BY JADE MORELLINI Residents are furious at Woollahra Council for revisiting the proposal of a Youth Recreation Facility at Rushcutters Bay Park. Woollahra Council identified three possible locations for the youth facilities and have decided on a location beside the noisy New South Head Road and, according to Woollahra Mayor Peter Cavanagh, “won’t stand out […]
Woollahra Council does 180 on skatepark
BY ANITA SENARATNA Woollahra Council is reconsidering a controversial proposal for youth recreational facilities in Rushcutters Bay Park. Crs Anthony Marano (Liberal) and Matthew Robertson (Greens) put the issue back on the agenda at a recent council meeting, with support from the Residents First party who has councillors in all five wards. The proposal, in […]
