Warringah Council: Difference between revisions
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On the recommendation of the Minister, the NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC, approved the appointment of Emeritus Professor Maurice Daly BA PhD MIMC as Commissioner to undertake the Inquiry. |
On the recommendation of the Minister, the NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC, approved the appointment of Emeritus Professor Maurice Daly BA PhD MIMC as Commissioner to undertake the Inquiry. |
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Warringah Municipal Council was subsequently dismissed on 23rd July 2003 |
Warringah Municipal Council was subsequently dismissed on 23rd July 2003, initially for a two year period until July 2005, where an election was to take place in August. |
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The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the Inquiry on July 24, 2003. |
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the Inquiry on July 24, 2003. It found the council was so dysfunctional it could not be salvaged, and recommended the dismissal of the elected representatives. |
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The report found a deep division between councillors, and an atmosphere "so poisonous that little hope can be placed in the ability of the body to manage their affairs in a rational fashion". |
The report found a deep division between councillors, and an atmosphere "so poisonous that little hope can be placed in the ability of the body to manage their affairs in a rational fashion". |
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Revision as of 12:15, 7 August 2008
| Warringah New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Population | 139,626 | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 918/km2 (2,380/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1906 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 150 km2 (57.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Mayor | Under Administration - Dick Persson AM | ||||||||||||||
| Council seat | Dee Why | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Metropolitan Sydney | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Davidson, Manly, Pittwater, Wakehurst, Willoughby | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Mackellar, Warringah | ||||||||||||||
| File:Warringah.jpeg | |||||||||||||||
| Website | Warringah | ||||||||||||||
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Warringah is a local council area in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, Australia. Warringah Council overlaps with a number of suburbs from the Manly Council area to the south and the Pittwater Council area to the north. It includes a number of popular beaches (which are also suburb names) for swimming and surfing such as Narrabeen, Collaroy and Dee Why.
History
Early days
There are various meanings put forward for the name Warringah, including "sign of rain", "across the waves" and "sea". It was once the home of the Guringai (or Ku-ring-gai) language group of the Garigal clan, who owned the land between Port Jackson and Broken Bay, extending to the Lane Cove River in the west.
Warringah was explored early on in the settlement of Sydney, only a few weeks after the arrival of the First Fleet. However, it remained a rural area for most of the 1800s, with only small settlements in the valleys between headlands. While it was geographically close to the city centre, to reach the area over land from Sydney via Mona Vale Road was a trip of more than 100 kilometres.
Warringah Shire Council
On Tuesday, March 7 1906, the Warringah Shire was proclaimed by the NSW Government Gazette, along with 132 other new Shires. It ran roughly from Broken Bay in the north to Manly Lagoon to the south, and by Middle Harbour Creek and Cowan Creek in the west. It covered 264 km2 and had a population of around 2800, with 700 dwellings. Under the then Shires Act, ratepayers with properties worth at least five pounds could vote for up to nine Councillors for a three-year term. The first Council was temporarily installed until offical elections on November 24, 1906. The Council first met in Narrabeen Progress Hall on June 14, 1906, moving meetings from 1912 for the next 60 years to the Shire Hall in Brookvale.
A tramline was established through the south-eastern area of the shire, running along Pittwater Road from Manly Lagoon eventually stretching all the way to the tramshed at Narrabeen in 1934, with an additional terminating line through Harbord to Freshwater Beach. This, coupled with the opening of the Spit and Roseville bridges in 1924 led to increased interest and travel to the area, which increased even further with the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932. Early subdivisions were usually given over for weekenders and holiday homes, and at the same time the surf clubs and rock pools on the beaches began to be developed. After World War II, urbanisation began to occur, with family homes beginning to be built in the area, espeically near the beaches. Retail, light industry and improved public amenity soon followed. It was also around this time that the tram lines were progressively closed across Sydney, to give way to more lanes for motor vehicles. [1]
The council was dismissed for the first time in 1967 against allegations of corruption. Two councillors were imprisoned (see 'Dismissals').
Work began on a new Dee Why civic centre in 1971, inspired by Sulman Prize-winning architect Edwards, Madigan & Torzillo. The building was completed in 1972 and the Council has remained there since 1973.
In November 1979, Warringah Council opened the Warringah Aquatic Centre at Frenchs Forest. Prior to the opening of the Olympic Park at Homebush, the Aquatic Centre hosted the NSW and Australian Swimming Titles, as well as the 1992 Olympic trials.ref>"WAC". Warringah Council. Retrieved 2008-07-19.</ref>
The Glen Street Theatre, the only theatre on the Northern Beaches, was officially opened in July 1985 as part of the Forest Community Centre, and has since become the pride of Warringah cultural circles.[2]
The Council was summarily dismissed again in late 1985. Two Inquiries into the dismissal followed (see 'Dismissals').
Division - Warringah and Pittwater
The original council area was divided into A, B, C and D Ridings. The people of A Riding, the largest and most northern of the Ridings, had felt increasingly ignored and subject to what they considered inappropriate development and policies for their area. This culminated in 1991 when a non-compulsory postal poll of the residents of A Riding was taken over the question of a possible secession. This resulted in a 73.5% vote in favour of secession, however only 48.18% of residents took part in this vote. This vote was, however, 600 short of the total majority required.
The Minister for Local Government at the time, Gerry Peacocke, nevertheless announced the secession of A Riding from Warringah Council, considering that those who did not vote did not have any particular inclination to how they were governed, and thus Pittwater Council was created, officially coming into being May 1, 1992.[3]
Warringah Council
Soon after the secession of Pittwater, the Local Government Act 1993 was passed, causing Warringah to drop the term 'Shire' from its title, and the renaming of the Shire Clerk to General Manager and Shire President to Mayor. The remaining B, C and D Ridings were renamed the A, B and C Wards.
Dismissals
Warringah Councils have been dismissed three times since the 1960s.
Warringah Shire Council was first dismissed in April 1967 by the Askin Government during the tenure of Shire President Gordon Jones. Whilst all Councillors were dismissed, charges were laid against only two Councillors Knight and Thomas, both of whom received custodial gaol sentences.
Mr C.J.Barnett, Department of Local Government, acted as Administrator April to May 1967. Mr R.H.Cornish, Department of Local Government, acted as Administrator from November 1967 to December 1968.
The Shire Council was summarily dismissed again in December 1985 by the Wran Government. Following repeated articles and editorials in the Manly Daily over following weeks demanding "proof" of alleged "corruption" and "serious breaches" relating to a six story development at Mona Vale, the Government was forced into an Inquiry. It appointed Mr Murray Tobias QC (later Justice Tobias of the NSW Supreme Court). Tobias' findings completely cleared all councillors, staff and the developer. He also found against the Local Government Inspector’s Report which led to the sacking, describing so called “serious breaches” alleged in both the design of the Mona Vale building and Council’s handling of the development application to be “in all respects technical breaches of the Act committed without appreciation thereof by either the [elected] Council [or it’s officers] as well as the developer and solely due to an oversight…” Tobias penned a resolution which was adopted by Council to correct the technical impediment. Taken by objectors on appeal to the Land & Environment Court, Council's decision to approve the development was upheld.
A second Inquiry into the dismissal, which had been demanded by the NSW Local Government & Shires Association, was conducted by the NSW Ombudsman. The Wran Government refused access to the files. Following a succesful legal challenge by the Ombudsman, he subsequently found that there was no evidence of corruption to support the dismissal, and that “the elected councillors were denied natural justice and were both unfairly and unlawfully dismissed.”
Mr Daniel Kelly from the Department of Local Government acted as Administrator from December 1985 until April 1986. Mr Richard Connolly, former Chairman of the Metropolitan Waste Disposal authority acted as Administrator from June 1986 to March 1987.
On 15 January 2003 the then Minister for Local Government, the Hon Harry Woods MP, announced a formal public inquiry into Warringah Municipal Council. The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were:
“To inquire, report and provide recommendations to the Minister for Local Government on the efficiency and effectiveness of the governance of Warringah Council. The Inquiry will have particular regard to:
1. the conduct of elected representatives of Council (whether individually or collectively as the governing body of Council); and 2. whether the elected representatives command the community’s confidence and support as to their capability, and whether the elected representatives have been and will continue to be in a position, to direct and control the affairs of Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, so that Council may fulfil the charter, provisions and intent of the Local Government Act 1993 and otherwise fulfil its statutory functions.
The Commissioner may make other recommendations as he sees fit, including whether all civic offices in relation to Council should be declared vacant so as to ensure that an appropriate structure can be put in place to provide optimum community leadership.”
On the recommendation of the Minister, the NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir AC, approved the appointment of Emeritus Professor Maurice Daly BA PhD MIMC as Commissioner to undertake the Inquiry.
Warringah Municipal Council was subsequently dismissed on 23rd July 2003, initially for a two year period until July 2005, where an election was to take place in August.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the Inquiry on July 24, 2003. It found the council was so dysfunctional it could not be salvaged, and recommended the dismissal of the elected representatives.
The report found a deep division between councillors, and an atmosphere "so poisonous that little hope can be placed in the ability of the body to manage their affairs in a rational fashion".
The behaviour of the group of majority councillors displayed arrogance "fuelled by a strong self-conviction that their policies were right".
The minority group "reacted in frustration at not being able to get their voices heard". "At times their behaviour has been obstructive and disruptive," the report said.
Majority councillors were primarily responsible for acts of belligerence and intimidation, and these acts towards colleagues, the public and council staff were a major factor in a loss of community confidence in the council.
Mr. Dick Persson AM was appointed Administrator for this two year period. His term was extended by the Minister for Local government in October 2004 until September 2008. Mr.Persson has held a wide range of senior executive public sector positions over the last 20 years. He had worked in the NSW and Queensland State Governments as well as the Federal Government previously.
Geography
Warringah Council currently administers 152 km2 of land, including 9 beaches over 14 kilometres of coastline. It contains 6000 hectares of natural bushland and open space, and is graced by four lagoons, Narrabeen Lagoon marks Warringah's northern boundary, Manly Lagoon marking the southern boundary, with Dee Why and Curl Curl Lagoons located in between. It also contains Manly Dam, a popular place for recreation.
Suburbs
Beaches
See relevant suburb for information.
- Collaroy Beach
- Curl Curl Beach
- Dee Why Beach
- Fishermans Beach (Collaroy)
- Freshwater Beach
- Long Reef Beach (Collaroy)
- Narrabeen Beach
- North Curl Curl Beach (North Curl Curl)
- North Narrabeen Beach (Narrabeen)
Urban places
The Geographical Names Board of New South Wales has identified a number of 'urban places' within Warringah - these are placenames which are not specified by boundaries nor have the officality of suburbs, but are local names for these places.
- Akuna Bay - area around a bay located within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
- Allambie - area located within Allambie Heights, on the border with North Manly
- Bantry Bay - area around a bay located in the southern section of Forestville, the eastern section of Killarney Heights and a section of Garigal National Park
- Bungaroo - area located near the limit of tidal influence on Middle Harbour Creek, in Davidson
- Collaroy Beach - area overlooking Collaroy Beach, in Collaroy
- Collaroy Plateau - area on a plateau located within Collaroy
- Cromer Heights - high ground located in south-west of Cromer
- Dee Why Beach - area overlooking Dee Why Beach, south of Dee Why Lagoon, in Dee Why
- Fishermans Beach - area located between Fishermans Beach and Pittwater Road
- Gooseberry Flat - area located north of the eastern side of the Roseville Bridge, in Forestville
- Long Reef - headland and surrounding area located within Collaroy
- Narrabeen Peninsula - area located on a peninsula within Narrabeen, separating Narrabeen Lagoon from the Tasman Sea
- Peach Trees - area within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, south and east of Cowan Creek and west of Smiths Creek.
- Sorlie - area located west of Forest Way within Frenchs Forest
- Wheeler Heights - area within Collaroy, south of Pipeclay Point on Narrabeen Lagoon.
- Wingala - area located on the southern slopes of Wingala Hill within North Curl Curl
Schools
Public Schools
Primary
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Secondary
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Special Needs
- Arranoubai School
- The Beach School
- Fisher Road School
- Stewart House
Demographics
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics [4], there:
- were 141,133 people as at 30 June 2006, the 17th largest Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to 2.1% of the New South Wales population of 6,827,694
- was an increase of 1,443 people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 10th largest population growth in a Local Government Area in New South Wales. It was equal to 2.5% of the 58,753 increase in the population of New South Wales
- was, in percentage terms, an increase of 1.0% in the number of people over the year to 30 June 2006, the 46th fastest growth in population of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 0.9%
- was an increase in population over the 10 years to 30 June 2006 of 10,024 people or 7.6% (0.7% in annual average terms), the 55th highest rate of a Local Government Area in New South Wales. In New South Wales the population grew by 622,966 or 10% (1.0% in annual average terms) over the same period.
References
- ^ "Local Studies". Warringah Council. Retrieved 2006-02-10.
- ^ "About Us [Glen Street Theatre]". Warringah Council. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- ^ "Pittwater Library - Pittwater Secession". Pittwater Council. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
- ^ "Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2005-06 (catalogue no.: 3218.0)". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
External links
- Warringah Online (Council website)
- 2001 Census Information