I hope we all remember this at the next council elections. I can see no reason for this demolition being so quick if they are not going to sell this land.

Typical hasty decision by the council. Why wasn't repairing the Community Hall given more thought? Is the broad intention to force an aged care centre on Oatley in lieu of a community centre on the bowling club site? Will the residents now be told a brand new Community Centre will be built for "everyone" at Peakhurst as discussed by HCC on 24/6/09?

Request for submissions from Council was distributed to 200 nearby residents. Twenty (20) submissions received. One (1) 'Yes' to demolition; nineteen (19) 'No' to demolition. Also a petition with approx two hundred (200) signatures stating opposition to the demolition was issued to the Council. The Leader conducted a Poll over this period. Two hundred & two (202) postings received. Response:12.9% (26 persons) 'Yes' to demolition; 87.15% (176 persons) 'No' to demolition. This poll wasn't mentioned in the Leader's own article. Why wasn't it ?

At the Council meeting of 24/06/09, I asked as to whether those submitters opposing the demolition would have the avenue of recourse to appeal in the Land & Environment Court [within a 'standardised' period of twenty eight (28) days]. The demolition commenced during the early hours of 30/06/09. Why does the Council run its own secret agenda; instead of noting what the ratepayers say and acting in accordance of what the majority want to be enacted; being the principle of Democracy. Seems as if the supposed 'powers that be' have a complete disregard for the wants of the public of which (they insist) that the are serving ! Yeah, pigs might fly !

At the time that Council evicted the users of Sth Peakhurst Community Hall; it was divulged that renovation and repairs required to meet OH&S requirements amounted to $32K; to be expended by any associations willing to take on the management of that amount of responsibility and debt. Many declined such an onerous offer. One would have thought that in community interests, the Council itself would have made such a grant to facilitate the upkeep of the community hall for the benefit of those community groups wishing to utilize such a benefitial facility and asset. Many years later of further neglect, the Council was required to undertake the appropriate regulations for assessment of the future viability of retaining the existing structure. The outcome being the need for the urgent demolition of the hall that was originally constructed during the mid-sixties and now currently surrounded and exiled by a cyclone wire safety fence. How much did the assessment process cost Ratepayers ? How much did the demolition cost ratepayers ? Did these two (2) cost expenditure tally to $32K. I wonder if the Council has heard of the adage "a stitch in time saves nine (9)" ? I think not ! Maybe voters should nominate a few engineers for future elections.

HCC “Plans & Projects for the 2006-2007 Year” “An overview of Hurstville City Council’s 2006-2007 Management Plan” Community Life $12,463,118 including $532,250 Infrastructure Plus projects. Goal: A diverse and harmonious city with a strong sense of community; providing a range of social, cultural, education and leisure opportunities. Highlights for 2006/07 include: • Plan for Golf Course and Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre. • Enhance public access technology services at libraries. • Audit major bus routes for disability access. • Community Grants Program. • Childcare investigation for 0-2 years and children with disabilities. • Sportsfields and playground upgrades. • Upgrade and renewal of community facilities. Corporate Governance $8,652,523. Goal: A highly effective and efficient organisation providing responsive and relevant service which is open and accountable encouraging community members to participate, exchange views and influence policy and decision-making. Highlights for 2006/07 include: • Undertaking a program of civic events and presentations. • Completion of a Customer Service Standards and Complaint Policy. • Preparation and implementation of a Strategic Financial Plan including Asset Management Plan. • Implementation of an Information and Communications Technology Plan. • On-going implementation of the Organisational Development Strategy and program of Business Process Reviews. HCC “The Year Ahead 2007 - 2008” “An overview of Hurstville City Council’s 2007-2010 Management Plan” Asset Renewal Asset maintenance and renewal is a fundamental aspect of responsible government. It reflects our commitment to provide quality services and facilities in line with the expectations of our community and financial sustainability over the medium to long term. YOU BE THE JUDGE. HOW DO YOU RATE HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL’S COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCE (on a scale from 1 - 10) ? SEVEN (7) OF THE ‘THEN’ TWELVE COUNCILLOR’S ARE STILL ‘CURRENT’ OFFICE BEARERS ! Three (3) in the Hurstville Ward. Three (3) in the Penshurst Ward. Two (2) in the Peakhurst Ward. For how much longer ???

In 1994: the Council re-appropriated the dedicated “Public Open Space” of Penshurst Park and built the ‘white elephant’ Hurstville Aquatic Centre, thereupon such hallowed ground; dispossessing the existing and longly established users. One Councillor of whom is still a ‘current’ Office Bearer (and as a juvenile resided in Penshurst until his re-location to more leafy environs) stated to me in yr 1998/99; quote: “I [he] wasn’t aware that Baseball was played there [upon Penshurst Park] before the [Hurstville] Aquatic Centre was built”. Oh, come on ! Strike 1 Fast forward to yr 2007/08. Narwee Boys High School (the alma mater) of the then Labor Premier of NSW) was comprehensively demolished to sell-off such for “high density” Residential Development. Why wasn’t the established High School simply ‘transferred’ to the NSW TAFE to facilitate the then publicised necessity for further colleges to assist the education of the more mature students in our community? Other TAFE Colleges are located at Kogarah, Bankstown, Padstow , Gymea and Loftus. Why didn’t we have one ‘developed’ in the Penshurst/ Peakhurst Wards?

(I suppose the geriatrics with poor hearing and olfactories won’t notice the heavy train noise and smell/ dust emanations as much as others); contrary to the responses that the community has so definitively dispelled the logistics of such a ‘proposal’ at this environmentally sensitive locale. ‘Their’ Track Record is extremely precarious. What remnant credibility have ‘they’ got left? What defence will the Councillors offer the Voters, next time? People might question my judgement of becoming an on-going target (either personally or politically) for Council’s further ‘Special Treatment’; but at some stage, it becomes a matter of enough is enough ! Fair shake of the sauce bottle. Strewth. How much can a Koala Bear !!!

The Mayor was not interested in getting any quotes on how much it would cost to repair the community centre. How much will it cost to build a brand new one? We were advised at the council meeting that they would have the build a new one, but when?? This land was donated to the council by the Lamberts I believe. The Peakhurst Heights community clearly objected to the demolishment, but the council’s decision was final. Peakhurst Heights is a close knit community with a lot of young families. A Community Centre would be greatly beneficial to us. When will the council talk of rebuilding if they ever do?? I am a very angry Hurstville Council Rate Payer & just to make matters worse, I have received my rates for this financial year & they are nearly $20 extra a quarter from last year's Rates.

Reprehensible !!! Yes, I was absolutely correct. "They' laid the weedy 'el cheapo' Kykuyu turf. I wonder how long before the Council erects a sign declaring "No playing with balls; or loitering in this area". The Council in its "Courage & Wisdom" [their motto- check the front wall of the building] hasn't solved the problem of the possibility of unruly behaviour or the safety issue. 'Blind Freddie' could see that, in fact, 'they' have created a bigger nuisance for the adjoining neighbours. Well done Councillors !!!