Fairgo Flyer

18 May 2009 Dear Resident,

A FAIR GO FOR ALL We are taking the unusual step of writing this open letter to all residents to put clearly our reasons for supporting paid parking at foreshore areas around Mosman. Presenting yourself for election at any level of government is open to all. We are as one in acknowledging the great privilege it is to represent our area at the local level and to be your civic leaders. Importantly, we are all strongly of the view that we were elected to represent the views of ALL OF MOSMAN. The introduction of pay and display street parking in foreshore areas and at the Zoo has not been an easy decision. Detailed and well researched reports have been publicly available and our consultation process open and transparent. All the cards have been laid on the table and for some to say we that we have not 'listened' is wrong. Rational and constructive input resulted in many changes particularly with residential parking schemes - from what was first proposed and on the reverse side of this letter are the facts in relation to the issue and how it will operate. The main mode of transport in our society is obviously the car - a car is convenient, quick and easy, but there are too many of them. The demands for car parking at foreshore areas in Mosman are unsustainable and particularly during peak periods the streets become carparks as residents and visitors circulate to find that ever decreasing resource - a car parking space. We are firmly of the belief that the introduction of pay and display parking and the associated residential parking schemes will not only provide demand management, but will make it far easier for residents to find a parking space. In addition, there is the obvious 'user pays' principle and all funds will be re-invested into worthwhile and much needed infrastructure while the Mosman Rider bus service will circulate through the whole of our area and will be of benefit to the less mobile, and car owners alike. We live in a democracy and all are entitled to their own view on this, or any other, issue. In exercising our leadership role in the community we know we are accountable for our decisions. The 'populist' democracy view would have been the easy way out, and we respect the right of others in that regard. Over the years the paid parking issue - particularly at Balmoral - has been very emotive. Some in our community have sought to denigrate those with an opposing view. Bullying, intimidation, verbal attack and e-mail innuendo are tactics that have been used to divide both the community and Council. As Councillors we have a duty to act honestly and in the best interest of the community we all so proudly serve. We have and will continue to do so. The time has now come for us to move on and as a community to invest our energy to improve Mosman - something that we are committed to do for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

Councillor D J Lopez OAM Mayor

Councillor Anne Connon Deputy Mayor

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Councillor Simon Menzies

Councillor Denise Wilton

Councillor Warren Yates

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Councillor Belinda Halloran [email protected]

(The signatories paid for and distributed this letter)

THE KEY FACTS:

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FREE PARKING FOR RESIDENTS with existing 'foreshore reserve stickers'. First sticker free to property owners; 2nd & subsequent stickers and tenants $42 p.a.

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 3 hours free in the new on-street pay and display (P&D) areas, eg The Esplanade.

BALMORAL 2-HOUR RPS ONLY ON WEEKENDS for majority of the year.  Peak times in Dec and Jan will operate 7 days a week (excluding McLean Cres), otherwise only on weekends.  Businesses and schools are not affected Mon-Fri.

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As a resident with a foreshore sticker you can go to Balmoral after 5pm, park on The Esplanade or in any other on-street P&D space, and stay for dinner until late in the evening without having to pay. Similarly, you can come for a swim at 7am, park on The Esplanade, and then enjoy breakfast until 11am without having to pay. Stays of over 3 hours after 8am in an on-street space will require payment.

 All day free at Balmoral Oval, Spit East & West, Rosherville Reserve and Clifton Gardens reserve car parks.

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P&D ONLY FROM 8AM TO 8PM

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REGULAR NON-RESIDENT VISITORS HAVE OPTIONS

BALMORAL RPS RESIDENTS FREE ALL DAY EVERY DAY Each property within the Balmoral RPS is entitled to purchase 2 RPS permits and have 2 visitor permits at one time. If you are a resident in the Balmoral RPS and have a permit you can park in the RPS and P&D areas for free all day, every day of the year.

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Regular Balmoral visitors from outside Mosman can buy a foreshore parking sticker for $265 p.a. which gives the same rights as a resident sticker to all foreshore reserves. For people who use Balmoral a lot, but don’t pay Mosman rates, then this is a small price to pay to up-keep the foreshore they love.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Council has a number of on-going works, such as public reserve toilet improvements, which we simply do not have the funds for, and rates are pegged by State Government. Cutting essential services across wider Mosman is not the answer to the problem. We are facing a reality we cannot escape.

DID YOU KNOW?  The beach and reserve cleaning contract costs $550,633 per annum.  Maintenance of marine structures costs $70,000 p.a.  Toilet and public amenities cleaning costs $90,000 p.a.  $629,260 was expended on refurbishing the Balmoral Baths and jetty in 2008.  $517,677 has recently been voted to refurbish the Clifton Gardens jetty and baths in 2009.  $520,000 is required to provide watering services to the Balmoral foreshore - and Council is working to get a $ for $ grant from the Federal Government.  The stormwater re-use project presently under construction at the bottom of Botanic Road will cost $1.2M but the investment will provide a water capacity equivalent to seven Olympic swimming pools p.a. to irrigate the whole of the Balmoral foreshore and the oval.  Council has a program to improve public amenities/toilets in all foreshore areas - but does not have the funds!  Millions of dollars have been spent in the last few years on seawalls and that 90% of Mosman's boundaries are washed by the waters of Sydney/Middle Harbours.  The promenade at Balmoral is ageing and a condition assessment will be undertaken over the next 12 months - will involve further millions of dollars.  Council has been very successful in obtaining Commonwealth/State Government grant funds recently obtained $2M from the Federal Government stimulus package to assist with the building of a new indoor sports facility at Drill Hall Common, to be completed by 30 June 2010.