Sunday, May 27, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Artist's Haven?
The latest idea to emerge to save the sites is to create an artist's haven. There is a house on the properties that could make a fantastic art gallery.
The basic idea is to advertise internationally for subscriptions. When enough money was raised the properties could be purchased. Then the properties could be donated to a public body - maybe the Art Gallery of NSW?
What do people think of this idea?
Friday, May 18, 2007
Henry may have got it wrong!
Chattie’s Woods
Terry Fogarty
3 Valerie Avenue, Chatswood West
10th February 1996
Terry Fogarty
3 Valerie Avenue, Chatswood West
10th February 1996
Most people seem to agree that Chattie’s Wood was the name given to the woods that Charlotte (Chattie) Harnett wandered in. The question is, where were these woods located ?
Charlotte Harnett[i] was the second wife of Richard Hayes Harnett a prominent North Shore landowner who, circa 1860’s, appears to have resided on one of his properties in Willoughby he later named Chatswood Estate. Harnett moved to Mosman sometime before 1893.[ii] Harnett had: “purchased most of the Isaac Nichols Estate. He acquired 1,200 acres of land in Willoughby which he subdivided and sold” [iii]
The original Nichol’s Land extended from Blue Gum Creek to Burns Bay on the Lane Cove River and straddled the Pacific Highway.[iv] The 1840 Manuscript map of the Parish of Willoughby[v] shows two of Nichol’s estates.
1. Nichol’s 200 acre “King’s Plains” estate which was bisected north south by what is now the Pacific Highway and in the west by the Fullers Road. The land on the corner of Edgar and Fullers road was part of this estate.[vi] Later this land became part of the Fullers Estate.
2. An estate of 330 acres extending from about Greville Street as a triangle towards the Pacific Highway plus a portion that straddled the Pacific Highway.
In 1876 Harnett: “opened up the area with a subdivision which he called Chatswood Estate”[vii].
Chatswood Estate, owned by Richard Harnett was “later purchased by the Department of Railways for the construction of the station, railway line and goods yard”[viii]
This means that Harnett then at some stage must have purchased that part of Isaac Nichol’s “King’s Plains” Estate east of the Pacific Highway.
It is reported that Charlotte Harnett used to “wander in the nearby woods”[ix]
The words used indicate that Charlotte wandered in woods not necessarily on Chatswood Estate itself but rather in the nearby woods of Isaac Nichol’s “King’s Plains” estate. Note, it is only Henry Lawson’s poem Chatswood that claimed that these woods were actually on the Chatswood Estate. We will examine Lawson’s claim in detail later.
Kylie Murphy[x] records that Lawson’s poem spoke of a young wife nicknamed “Chattie, ...wandered and daydreamed in the local woods. Thus the wood was known as Chatties’ wood”
Note the words “the local woods”, not “her woods” or the woods on her husband’s lands but “local” woods. Woods nearby.
Local residents have always believed that “Chattie’s Wood” referred to the woods on that part of Nichol’s “King’s Plains” estate to the west of the Highway. This is supported by a recently recorded oral history:
“Enid Cambridge (deceased) of 26 James Street, Chatswood was a descendent (niece) of Charlotte Harnett. When she was alive Enid recounted to Jocelyn of 30 James Street, Chatswood that Charlotte had told her she used to take her afternoon walks through woods down the Fullers Road near James, Jenkins and Edgar Streets”[xi]
There is further evidence that there was a very early walking track through woods near Fullers and Edgar Roads.
“we moved to our War Service home in the gully at the foot of Eddy Road, Chatswood West. Fifteen minutes uphill walk took us to Chatswood Station, past many vacant building blocks covered with native shrubs and gum trees”.[xii]
“when I first came to Chatswood I lived in Edgar Street and walked through the bush to Gordon Road, now the Pacific Highway” [xiii]
Chatswood Estate
So how did Harnett’s Chatswood Estate get its name ?
It can be surmised that Harnett may have named the his estate after his wife’s eccentric behavior of walking in the nearby woods. Council’s heritage report records that a portion of Harnett’s property was:
“known as “Chattie’s Wood” until the railway was about to go through”[xiv]
Harnett owned many properties on the North Shore, Chatswood Estate was the one near the woods where Chattie used to wander - Chatswood Estate near Chattie’s Woods had a portion of it named “Chattie’s Wood”.
What were Chattie’s woods ?
“The higher ridges and main plateau (of Chatswood) is covered by a Wianamatta Shale mantle that weathers to a clay-rich, relatively fertile soil and once had magnificent Blue Gum High Forest, with its tall trees of Sydney Blue Gum, Eucalyptus salinga, and Blackbutt, Eucalyptus pilularis.”[xv]
The woods where Chattie used to wander were the woods of the Blue Gum High Forest.
What is the likelihood that there were still woods on the eastern portion of the “King’s Plains” Estate after 1860 ?
“Farming developed in central Willoughby in the mid-nineteenth century, after the Blue Gum High Forest had been logged”[xvi]
In the 1860s when Harnett moved to Willoughby the district was a small community (with a population around 400) made up of farms and orchards of up to five to ten acres. Development had proceeded at such a pace and to such an extent that in 1865, sixty-seven householders petitioned the Governor of the day for the district to be declared a Municipality. In 1871, Richard Harnett became the fourth Mayor of Willoughby. It is said of Harnett “he quietly drove visitors around to see the viewpoints - many of which he had opened out by clearing away patches of forests which obstructed the view” [xvii]
In 1876 when Harnett opened up the Chatswood Estate the population had grown to over 500.
Unlike Harnett, Isaac Nichols may not have been as active on his properties such as “King’s Plains”. Nichols variously held positions as postmaster to the Colony and later became Overseer of Government Works, shipbuilder, trader, innkeeper and trusted friend of Governor Macquarie. He lands were grants (Harnett purchased his holdings from Nichols). Nichols then was very likely an “absentee landlord” for most of the time.
Initially most of the district was bush. In the early 1800s there were many busy sawpits active in the area. Most of the bush was cleared by the early timber-getters. By 1865 it is reported: “most of the countryside in this part of the North Shore was still in its native state; it was covered in sections by thick bush, undergrowth, scrub, trees, stumps of trees left by the timbergetters, rocks, gullies, creeks, waterholes and other natural obstacles to make traveling difficult”[xviii]
In 1866 Council started the construction of roads including Victoria Avenue within the original “King’s Plains”. The area at the time was being used for orchards and vegetable gardens.
The likelihood is that most of the original Blue Gum High Forests along the ridge near Chatswood would have been cleared by the 1860s. Fortunately patches of the forest survived on the slope down the Fullers Road.
Henry Lawson & Chatswood
Henry Lawson’s poem titled Chatswood suggest that Harnett named his estate after a little wood that was on it: “And a little wood was on it, and the trees were tall and good,
And his young wife used to dream there, so they called it “Chatties Wood”[xix]
Lawson goes on in his poem Chatswood: “Chattie’s Wood” has long since gone, and shops are standing in a row, Where the young wife went a dreaming in the days of long ago”
I suggest that Henry Lawson as a poet may have taken some poetic license in the poem. His poem Chatswood was written and published in a small journal called “Lone Hand” in 1919. Richard Hayes Harnett had died in 1902 (nearly twenty years earlier). There are further apparent inconsistencies in Lawson’s poem. Lawson suggests that Hayes went to his small place in the country to be “carefree”. All other evidence points to Harnett being exceptionably energetic and industrious.
Unfortunately Henry was right about one thing. The eucalyptus have certainly gone from the heart of Chatswood. Fortunately we have been able to preserve portions of our heritage in patches throughout Chatswood West in our “Chattie’s Woods”.
CHATSWOOD
So, how did Chatswood get its name
In 1879, following a request from Willoughby Municipal Council: “A post office was established in the area and given the name Chatswood after the Chatswood Estate”[xx]
“that (Chatswood Estate) being the name of the property on which the greatest amount of improvements are being made in the immediate vicinity”[xxi]
“It is quite possible that Richard (Harnett) named is property (Chatswood Estate) after her (his wife Charlotte known as Chattie) and later the suburb (Chatswood) was named after the property (Chatswood Estate).”[xxii]
Thus a third solution to the puzzle posed by Murphy of the derivation of the name Chatswood emerges.
Chatswood was actually named after the trees of the original Blue Gum High Forest being the “Chattie’s woods” of Chatswood West Ward that Charlotte Harnett used to wander and dream in.
Chatswood or Chatsworth
There is an interesting aside about the naming of Chatswood: “The Department of Lands in printing a set of Rate Books requested by Willoughby Municpal Council following the establishment of a new west ward in error used the name Chatsworth instead of Chatswood. These books were used from 1889 to 1895. The next set was given the correct title”.[xxiii]
“The higher ridges and main plateau (of Chatswood) is covered by a Wianamatta Shale mantle that weathers to a clay-rich, relatively fertile soil and once had magnificent Blue Gum High Forest, with its tall trees of Sydney Blue Gum, Eucalyptus salinga, and Blackbutt, Eucalyptus pilularis.”[xv]
The woods where Chattie used to wander were the woods of the Blue Gum High Forest.
What is the likelihood that there were still woods on the eastern portion of the “King’s Plains” Estate after 1860 ?
“Farming developed in central Willoughby in the mid-nineteenth century, after the Blue Gum High Forest had been logged”[xvi]
In the 1860s when Harnett moved to Willoughby the district was a small community (with a population around 400) made up of farms and orchards of up to five to ten acres. Development had proceeded at such a pace and to such an extent that in 1865, sixty-seven householders petitioned the Governor of the day for the district to be declared a Municipality. In 1871, Richard Harnett became the fourth Mayor of Willoughby. It is said of Harnett “he quietly drove visitors around to see the viewpoints - many of which he had opened out by clearing away patches of forests which obstructed the view” [xvii]
In 1876 when Harnett opened up the Chatswood Estate the population had grown to over 500.
Unlike Harnett, Isaac Nichols may not have been as active on his properties such as “King’s Plains”. Nichols variously held positions as postmaster to the Colony and later became Overseer of Government Works, shipbuilder, trader, innkeeper and trusted friend of Governor Macquarie. He lands were grants (Harnett purchased his holdings from Nichols). Nichols then was very likely an “absentee landlord” for most of the time.
Initially most of the district was bush. In the early 1800s there were many busy sawpits active in the area. Most of the bush was cleared by the early timber-getters. By 1865 it is reported: “most of the countryside in this part of the North Shore was still in its native state; it was covered in sections by thick bush, undergrowth, scrub, trees, stumps of trees left by the timbergetters, rocks, gullies, creeks, waterholes and other natural obstacles to make traveling difficult”[xviii]
In 1866 Council started the construction of roads including Victoria Avenue within the original “King’s Plains”. The area at the time was being used for orchards and vegetable gardens.
The likelihood is that most of the original Blue Gum High Forests along the ridge near Chatswood would have been cleared by the 1860s. Fortunately patches of the forest survived on the slope down the Fullers Road.
Henry Lawson & Chatswood
Henry Lawson’s poem titled Chatswood suggest that Harnett named his estate after a little wood that was on it: “And a little wood was on it, and the trees were tall and good,
And his young wife used to dream there, so they called it “Chatties Wood”[xix]
Lawson goes on in his poem Chatswood: “Chattie’s Wood” has long since gone, and shops are standing in a row, Where the young wife went a dreaming in the days of long ago”
I suggest that Henry Lawson as a poet may have taken some poetic license in the poem. His poem Chatswood was written and published in a small journal called “Lone Hand” in 1919. Richard Hayes Harnett had died in 1902 (nearly twenty years earlier). There are further apparent inconsistencies in Lawson’s poem. Lawson suggests that Hayes went to his small place in the country to be “carefree”. All other evidence points to Harnett being exceptionably energetic and industrious.
Unfortunately Henry was right about one thing. The eucalyptus have certainly gone from the heart of Chatswood. Fortunately we have been able to preserve portions of our heritage in patches throughout Chatswood West in our “Chattie’s Woods”.
CHATSWOOD
So, how did Chatswood get its name
In 1879, following a request from Willoughby Municipal Council: “A post office was established in the area and given the name Chatswood after the Chatswood Estate”[xx]
“that (Chatswood Estate) being the name of the property on which the greatest amount of improvements are being made in the immediate vicinity”[xxi]
“It is quite possible that Richard (Harnett) named is property (Chatswood Estate) after her (his wife Charlotte known as Chattie) and later the suburb (Chatswood) was named after the property (Chatswood Estate).”[xxii]
Thus a third solution to the puzzle posed by Murphy of the derivation of the name Chatswood emerges.
Chatswood was actually named after the trees of the original Blue Gum High Forest being the “Chattie’s woods” of Chatswood West Ward that Charlotte Harnett used to wander and dream in.
Chatswood or Chatsworth
There is an interesting aside about the naming of Chatswood: “The Department of Lands in printing a set of Rate Books requested by Willoughby Municpal Council following the establishment of a new west ward in error used the name Chatsworth instead of Chatswood. These books were used from 1889 to 1895. The next set was given the correct title”.[xxiii]
References
[i] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[ii] Heritage Report, Willoughby City Council, February 1996 re DA 1994/0927.
[iii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[iv] Doyle C, A Respected Colonist, William henry of Lane Cove, The William and Jane Henry Association, 1987 p17 (Map of Lane Cove)
[v] Russell E, Willoughby, A Centenary History of the Municipality from Earliest Times, The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby, 1966 p.17
[vi] Heritage Report, Willoughby City Council, February 1996 re DA 1994/0927.
[vii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[viii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[ix] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[x] Murphy K, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986.
[xi] Leslie, L. 33 Jenkins Street, Chatswood, 9th February 1996.
[xii] McDonald M, “Sixty years holds a place in memory, in Phillips, V. The good old days, The Council of the City of Willoughby, 1983 p.17
[xiii] Howe H. The Fuller’s Road Story in Phillips, V. The good old days, The Council of the City of Willoughby, 1983 p.49
[xiv] Willoughby City Council papers, Item 18, 12th February 1996
[xv] Benson D & Howell J. Taken for Granted, The Bushland of Sydney and its suburbs, Kangaroo Press and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 1990 p.134
[xvi] ibid p135
[xvii] Leplastrier C. Willoughby’s Fifty Years, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1915. 1988 edition p26
[xviii] Russell E, Willoughby, A Centenary History of the Municipality from Earliest Times, The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby, 1966 p.21
[xix] Lawson, H. An Illustrated Treasury - poem entitled Chatswood.
[xx] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[xxi] Murphy Kylie, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986
[xxii] Murphy Kylie, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986 quoting local historians Nick Manfield and Deidre Newton.
[xxiii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4
[i] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[ii] Heritage Report, Willoughby City Council, February 1996 re DA 1994/0927.
[iii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[iv] Doyle C, A Respected Colonist, William henry of Lane Cove, The William and Jane Henry Association, 1987 p17 (Map of Lane Cove)
[v] Russell E, Willoughby, A Centenary History of the Municipality from Earliest Times, The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby, 1966 p.17
[vi] Heritage Report, Willoughby City Council, February 1996 re DA 1994/0927.
[vii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[viii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[ix] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4.
[x] Murphy K, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986.
[xi] Leslie, L. 33 Jenkins Street, Chatswood, 9th February 1996.
[xii] McDonald M, “Sixty years holds a place in memory, in Phillips, V. The good old days, The Council of the City of Willoughby, 1983 p.17
[xiii] Howe H. The Fuller’s Road Story in Phillips, V. The good old days, The Council of the City of Willoughby, 1983 p.49
[xiv] Willoughby City Council papers, Item 18, 12th February 1996
[xv] Benson D & Howell J. Taken for Granted, The Bushland of Sydney and its suburbs, Kangaroo Press and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 1990 p.134
[xvi] ibid p135
[xvii] Leplastrier C. Willoughby’s Fifty Years, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1915. 1988 edition p26
[xviii] Russell E, Willoughby, A Centenary History of the Municipality from Earliest Times, The Council of the Municipality of Willoughby, 1966 p.21
[xix] Lawson, H. An Illustrated Treasury - poem entitled Chatswood.
[xx] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p24
[xxi] Murphy Kylie, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986
[xxii] Murphy Kylie, Lawson poem may have wood on suburb’s naming, Advocate, 15th January 1986 quoting local historians Nick Manfield and Deidre Newton.
[xxiii] Booker N & Bennett I, The West Ward, Willoughby Municipal Council, 1988 p4
Chatswood
Chatswood
By
Henry Lawson
‘Twas an old respected settler, in the unrespected days,
Who had land along the North Shore, and - we'll say his name was Hayes;
And he came there as a young man, when there was great work to do.
And his young wife's name was "Chattie" (and no doubt, she chatted, too).
'Twas a "small place in the country" - where he went to be care-free _
Out beyond the pleasant suburb that they now call Willoughby;
And a little wood was on it, and the trees were tall and good,
And his young wife used to dream there, so he called it "Chattie's Wood".
"Chattie's Wood" has long since gone, and shops are standing in a row
Where the young wife went a-dreaming in the days of long ago;
How the pretty name was altered doesn't matter, anyhow;
But the wife is stilI remembered, as they call it "Chatswood" now.
By
Henry Lawson
‘Twas an old respected settler, in the unrespected days,
Who had land along the North Shore, and - we'll say his name was Hayes;
And he came there as a young man, when there was great work to do.
And his young wife's name was "Chattie" (and no doubt, she chatted, too).
'Twas a "small place in the country" - where he went to be care-free _
Out beyond the pleasant suburb that they now call Willoughby;
And a little wood was on it, and the trees were tall and good,
And his young wife used to dream there, so he called it "Chattie's Wood".
"Chattie's Wood" has long since gone, and shops are standing in a row
Where the young wife went a-dreaming in the days of long ago;
How the pretty name was altered doesn't matter, anyhow;
But the wife is stilI remembered, as they call it "Chatswood" now.
Lone Hand - 1919
Chat's Wood
Chat’s Wood
by
Terry Fogarty
Where in the woods where Chatswood stands
Did settlers leave some trees ?
They’d come, all keen and industrious
To drive about the lands they’d seen.
Upon the ridge they laid the tracks
To Sydney and to wealth
But bit by bit, tree by tree
They took our wealth by stealth.
Upon the scene did come a lass
A lover of birds and land
Her husband Hayes, a dour old chap
Thought her kind of grand.
Day after day, week after week
Chat draws and peers and dreams
Of stands long gone, amid the trees
On King’s Plains and her loved ravines.
When such time comes as to sell the land
Where upon Chatswood is seen
A name is sought to tell the world
All about Chattie’s magical dream.
“Chat’s Wood it’ll be, that’ll get them in”
Proclaims Hayes, wringing hands with glee
“They’ll flock here in droves and who knows
You might sell a painting or three”.
“What do you mean”, the lass quietly asks
As she sets off to wander her woods
“I’ve named it for you and those trees where you go
Everyday down in Chattie’s Woods”.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Natalie's address to Council
So why am I here tonight.
You have heard previously from Christopher Stenhouse, who is overseas, and Karl Sternecker last Monday night about the local community’s resolve to conserve these properties. Residents were outraged when we read the sales promotion for the sites that exhorts potential purchasers to “Bring their architect” and “Bring their bulldozer”. Not hearing anything from Council after Christopher lodged our initial petition, back in February, we took it upon ourselves to attempt to save the trees on the properties. Unfortunately, our negotiations with the owner failed. However, we now have $300 -$500,000 in pledges from 40-50 people and extensive press coverage in North Shore Times, Northern Courier and the ABC.
We are here tonight to ask for Council assistance for a conservation strategy for the properties.
Basically, we intend to establish a ‘not-for-profit’ company that will purchase the properties using the community pledges as a deposit with a mortgage over the properties. We then propose to consolidate, then reconfigure, the lots and on-sell them to some of the adjoining owners and sell the existing house lot. We also propose to create a second house allotment somewhere on #39 that we finally plan to sell with an approved DA to recover our costs.
However, we still have a snag to overcome. We look like we are around $200,000 short to make this plan work. We are asking Council to join with us by investing $200,000 as a loan into our planned ‘not-for-profit’ company.
What is in this for Council?
There is extensive local cultural, environmental and natural heritage value on the sites including trees listed on Council’s Natural Heritage Register. It would be our intention to provide positive covenants (in Council’s favour) over the land that contains these valuable community assets (predominately along the upper terrace fronting the street). We are also looking at how we might include some reflective seating at the front of the property for passer-bys to stop, sit and reflect on the gullies and forests that Charlotte (Chattie) Harnett is purported to have contemplated and painted on her daily wanderings, back when.
We see our initiative as being aligned with the concept of a ‘Conserve Society’ – a most appropriate community response to Global Warming and Climate Change. We believe that what we are proposing is one type of community initiative to address Greenhouse Gas Emissions as discussed in the recent Council brochures we received with our rates notices.
We are prepared to provide two seats on the Board of our proposed company for Council nominees.
Once again, we estimate that we need a $200,000 loan from Council for twelve months to make this all work. We ask that you support the motion we understand that Councillor Fogarty will be moving.
You have heard previously from Christopher Stenhouse, who is overseas, and Karl Sternecker last Monday night about the local community’s resolve to conserve these properties. Residents were outraged when we read the sales promotion for the sites that exhorts potential purchasers to “Bring their architect” and “Bring their bulldozer”. Not hearing anything from Council after Christopher lodged our initial petition, back in February, we took it upon ourselves to attempt to save the trees on the properties. Unfortunately, our negotiations with the owner failed. However, we now have $300 -$500,000 in pledges from 40-50 people and extensive press coverage in North Shore Times, Northern Courier and the ABC.
We are here tonight to ask for Council assistance for a conservation strategy for the properties.
Basically, we intend to establish a ‘not-for-profit’ company that will purchase the properties using the community pledges as a deposit with a mortgage over the properties. We then propose to consolidate, then reconfigure, the lots and on-sell them to some of the adjoining owners and sell the existing house lot. We also propose to create a second house allotment somewhere on #39 that we finally plan to sell with an approved DA to recover our costs.
However, we still have a snag to overcome. We look like we are around $200,000 short to make this plan work. We are asking Council to join with us by investing $200,000 as a loan into our planned ‘not-for-profit’ company.
What is in this for Council?
There is extensive local cultural, environmental and natural heritage value on the sites including trees listed on Council’s Natural Heritage Register. It would be our intention to provide positive covenants (in Council’s favour) over the land that contains these valuable community assets (predominately along the upper terrace fronting the street). We are also looking at how we might include some reflective seating at the front of the property for passer-bys to stop, sit and reflect on the gullies and forests that Charlotte (Chattie) Harnett is purported to have contemplated and painted on her daily wanderings, back when.
We see our initiative as being aligned with the concept of a ‘Conserve Society’ – a most appropriate community response to Global Warming and Climate Change. We believe that what we are proposing is one type of community initiative to address Greenhouse Gas Emissions as discussed in the recent Council brochures we received with our rates notices.
We are prepared to provide two seats on the Board of our proposed company for Council nominees.
Once again, we estimate that we need a $200,000 loan from Council for twelve months to make this all work. We ask that you support the motion we understand that Councillor Fogarty will be moving.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
State Press Release
7th May 2007: For immediate release
Climate Change: Government policy fails residents
According to Clr. Terry Fogarty of Willoughby Council, NSW State Government policies on Climate Change are failing local communities. “I am working with a local community in Chatswood. They have raised pledges for $500,000 in attempt to preserve 0.3 hectare of old growth forest. They were hoping that the land could become part of the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme. Imagine their disappointment, disbelief and frustration when they hear that the land, at best, might only be worth $100.00 per hectare per annum for use as a ‘carbon sink’. That is less than $1,000 for a 99-year lease. The owner of the land wants $650,000.” Said Clr. Fogarty. “No wonder NSW farmers are doing it so hard, they are being paid a pittance by energy companies to grow trees whilst the energy companies are charging the consumer and ‘arm and a leg’ for Greenpower” said Fogarty
Christopher Stenhouse who motivated the neighbours of the land to consider purchasing it says “We read a lot about Climate Change and Global Warming and the harm that humans are doing to the planet. When this land was promoted by sale by the owner with the exhortation to prospective purchases to ‘bring your bulldozer’, we thought, why not save the trees and help fight global warming. We attempted to work with the owner. When that failed we decided to attempt to buy the property ourselves. We hoped Willoughby Council might be able to assist”.
Stenhouse contacted Councillor Fogarty who lodged a motion with Council to consider how it could assist the local residents. Council Officers considered the situation and recommended that Council not assist with the purchase of the property. “To tell you the truth, I was quite amazed” said Councillor Fogarty, “Trees have numerous intrinsic values, many of them directly related to the major issues that face the planet. To hear that the land was worth so little as part of the 2003 NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme simply puzzles me”. Councillor Fogarty did some research and was astounded to discover that the NSW Government Policy is predicated on a penalty of $11.00/t CO2-eq. greenhouse gas emissions. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change (4th May 2007) has identified that carbon penalties need to be set in the order to US$155.00/t CO2-eq (A$190.00/t CO2-eq ). This is some seventeen times higher than NSW current rates. “Is it any wonder that our bureaucrats undervalue the intrinsic value of bush land?” said Councillor Fogarty. “This State needs to take this issue seriously. It looks to me that the GGE agenda is being driven by companies who are creating the problem. How come Premier Iemma has not been across to sign an agreement with California Governor Schwarzenegger, like Premier Bracks from Victoria?” said Fogarty.
Climate Change: Government policy fails residents
According to Clr. Terry Fogarty of Willoughby Council, NSW State Government policies on Climate Change are failing local communities. “I am working with a local community in Chatswood. They have raised pledges for $500,000 in attempt to preserve 0.3 hectare of old growth forest. They were hoping that the land could become part of the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme. Imagine their disappointment, disbelief and frustration when they hear that the land, at best, might only be worth $100.00 per hectare per annum for use as a ‘carbon sink’. That is less than $1,000 for a 99-year lease. The owner of the land wants $650,000.” Said Clr. Fogarty. “No wonder NSW farmers are doing it so hard, they are being paid a pittance by energy companies to grow trees whilst the energy companies are charging the consumer and ‘arm and a leg’ for Greenpower” said Fogarty
Christopher Stenhouse who motivated the neighbours of the land to consider purchasing it says “We read a lot about Climate Change and Global Warming and the harm that humans are doing to the planet. When this land was promoted by sale by the owner with the exhortation to prospective purchases to ‘bring your bulldozer’, we thought, why not save the trees and help fight global warming. We attempted to work with the owner. When that failed we decided to attempt to buy the property ourselves. We hoped Willoughby Council might be able to assist”.
Stenhouse contacted Councillor Fogarty who lodged a motion with Council to consider how it could assist the local residents. Council Officers considered the situation and recommended that Council not assist with the purchase of the property. “To tell you the truth, I was quite amazed” said Councillor Fogarty, “Trees have numerous intrinsic values, many of them directly related to the major issues that face the planet. To hear that the land was worth so little as part of the 2003 NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme simply puzzles me”. Councillor Fogarty did some research and was astounded to discover that the NSW Government Policy is predicated on a penalty of $11.00/t CO2-eq. greenhouse gas emissions. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change (4th May 2007) has identified that carbon penalties need to be set in the order to US$155.00/t CO2-eq (A$190.00/t CO2-eq ). This is some seventeen times higher than NSW current rates. “Is it any wonder that our bureaucrats undervalue the intrinsic value of bush land?” said Councillor Fogarty. “This State needs to take this issue seriously. It looks to me that the GGE agenda is being driven by companies who are creating the problem. How come Premier Iemma has not been across to sign an agreement with California Governor Schwarzenegger, like Premier Bracks from Victoria?” said Fogarty.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Background paper
Three separate land titles comprising approximately 3,000 sq.m, mainly of old growth forest in good condition, has recently been offered for sale for $3.1M.
The properties consist of:
39 Wilfred Avenue: 883 sq.m - $800,000
41 Wilfred Avenue: 1,425 sq.m - $1,600,000
43 Wilfred Avenue: 625 sq.m - $700,000
The owner of the properties is promoting the residential development potential or the land with exhortations to prospective purchasers that they ‘bring your bulldozer”.
Local residents are outraged that such high quality, old growth forest could be so lowly valued given the state of our planet and the threat of Global Warming and Climate Change.
When the properties were first advertised for sale a few months ago, over 100 the local residents petitioned Willoughby City Council “to protect and preserve this bushland, currently under threat of development”.
Like so many petitions received by Council, the wheels turned slowly. Nothing was forthcoming from Council – so the residents took the matter in hand. They decided to try and purchase, at least one of the properties. Two neighbours embarked on a process of negotiation with the owner to purchase a two-third share of 43 Wilfred Avenue for $420,000 to preserve the bushland on the block. Unfortunately, negotiations with the owner failed when he decided that he was not prepared to proceed.
After speaking with Willoughby Council, West Ward Councillor Terry Fogarty, the residents realised that they would need to be able to demonstrate wide community support if they were to seek financial and other assistance from Council. They embarked on a process of collecting financial pledges from Chatswood and Chatswood West residents with a view to purchasing 43 Wilfred Avenue to preserve and protect the bushland on the site.
Clr. Fogarty lodged a Notice of Motion with Council: “That Council consider how it can support a local community in the acquisition of properties 39-43 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood to preserve the existing natural heritage and the ecologically significant intrinsic values of the properties”
After a short door-knock campaign the local residents have raised $500,000 in financial pledges toward the purchase of 43 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood.
The pledges the residents have raised come from other residents in nearby streets who consider the intrinsic value of bushland something worth fighting for. Additional pledges, from around thirty people, range from $50 to $1,000 each, including one pledge from a pensioner for $500. Pledges have been received from residents as far away as Bellevue Street(?).
Based on the pledges received, the residents made a revised offer to the owner of 42 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood to purchase the property outright for $650,000. This offer is acceptable to the owner.
The residents are hoping that their Council will see fit to pledge the remaining $150,000 and any associated fees.
The residents would also like their Council to consider pooling with them to secure all three properties into a Climate Change Trust for a defined period (say one to three years) until there is a better understanding of the value of bushland for mitigating the impacts of Global Warming.
After considering the local resident’s petitions and Clr.Fogarty’s proposed motion, the Council Officers have recommended that:
No further action be taken to purchase any portion of the property and Council Officers work with any potential developer of the site to ensure that significant natural features of the site are retained through a negotiated planning and design process.
A copy of the Council Officer’s Report can be viewed here.
The value of bushland
Urban bushland has a number of intrinsic values including:
· maintaining biodiversity
· producing oxygen
· as a carbon sink (carbon storage and sequestration)
· timber (at some point in its life-cycle)
· fauna habitat
· micro-climate influence
· therapeutic and social value
· reduction of water table/salinity control
· soil erosion control
· soil decontamination
· prevention of heat absorption
· stormwater management
· pollutant ‘scrubbing’
· shading, resulting in the reduction in energy consumption for adjacent properties
· increasing rainfall
· spiritual and other intrinsic value
· aesthetic and amenity to landowner
· public amenity
· private amenity
Some of the intrinsic values of bushland benefit the landowner, other benefit adjacent neighbors and other benefit the local and wider community to varying degree,
The ‘economic’ value of trees and bushland
A number of studies have assessed the economic value of bushland.
One study assessed the value of street trees in Colorado, US to be of the order of US$111.00 per tree per annum. This study only considered shading, pollution ‘scrubbing’, run-off control and carbon storage and sequestration)
This study values land for street trees at approximately $669.00 per sq.m. ($418,000 for #43).
Another study assessed the value of trees in an 800 hectare forest. The study considered values such as climate stabilisation, amenity to landowners, therapeutic and social value, biodiversity, increased rainfall, spiritual and other intrinsic value.
A couple of studies have looked at the economic value of trees for the production of oxygen. One study found a tree with a canopy of 80 sq.m would have produced over $12M value of oxygen in its lifetime. A more conservative study (USDA Forest Service Pamphlet #R1-92-100) valued oxygen production of trees at US$3,125 per sq.m of tree cover ($2,378,125 for #43).
In reality, the economic value of bushland is probably best valued by its opportunity cost. In the case of the properties in Wilfred Avenue this is around $3M or $650,000 for 43 Wilfred Avenue.
The value of bushland as a ‘carbon sink’
In considering the value of bushland as a ‘carbon sink’, Council Officer’s have reported on the current value of the land for carbon sequestration to be of the order of $100.00 per hectare per annum. For a 99-year lease this would value carbon sequestration on 43 Wilfred Avenue at a miserly $618.75.
The NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme is predicated on a penalty of $11.00 per tonne of carbon. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change (4th May 2007) has identified that carbon penalties need to be set in the order to US$155.00/tCO2-eq (A$190.00). This is some seventeen times higher than current rates.
The Council Officers also failed to consider the value if carbon stored in trees (as distinct from the carbon sequestered by the trees). Trees store carbon at a approximately three times the rate that they sequester CO2.
This only serves to highlight the fact that the value of bushland to mitigate the impact of Global Warming is an evolving science. Hence the call by the local community for a Precautionary Approach or a ‘moratorium’ on the sale of this land until more is known.
Addressing other aspects of the Officer’s Report
Inter alia, the Council Officer’s report responding to Clr. Fogarty’s proposed motion considers the three properties in the context of Council’s ‘Acquisition of Land for Open Space’ policy.
The report fails to mention that Council has constructed a walking track (part of the planned ‘Rail to River Walk’) at the rear of the properties. Whilst, the track is currently located on land owned by Chatswood Golf Club, the report fails to mention that Council is in the process of negotiating a lease for this land from the Club to complete the ‘Rail to River Walk’. When these negotiations are concluded the site would meet points 1 to 5 of Council’s policy and hence worthy of acquisition in its own right (apart from any additional benefits that could be demonstrated in relation to mitigating the impacts of Global Warming).
Proposed Motion
In light of the special circumstances relating to the proposed acquisition by the community and Council of properties 39-43 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood being:
the unprecedented commitment exhibited by the local community in pledging $500,000 towards the acquisition of 43 Wilfred Avenue
the evolving knowledge of the value of bushland to mitigate the impacts of Global Warming, and
the anticipated lease by Council of the portion of the ‘Rail to River Walk’ on Chatswood Golf Club land adjacent to the site
that Council
- Resolve to join with the local community to purchase 39-43 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood into an appropriate Trust. The land to be held by the Trust for at least one year with a view to identify alternative uses and sources of funding, or
- Resolve to join with the local community to purchase 43 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood into an appropriate Trust. The land to be held by the Trust for at least one year with a view to identifying alternative uses and sources of funding.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Local Press Release
5th May 2007: For immediate release
Climate Change: Government policy lags resident expectations
According to Christopher Stenhouse, local residents in Chatswood have found that when it comes to taking action to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change, the administration side of Council (charged with implementing current policy) is out of step with the residents’ and Councillors' current thinking. Christopher, acting on behalf of his parents and other residents of Wilfred Avenue Chatswood, has been asking Willoughby Council to acquire at least some old growth forest on properties at 39-43 Wilfred Avenue. In the process, Christopher has secured pledges from local residents for $500,000. They need at least $650,000 to secure one property and $3M to acquire all three. Pledges have been given from residents as far away as Bellevue Street. According to Stenhouse, “Even pensioners are making $500.00 pledges”.
“In my view, this level of community interest and participation is unprecedented” says Willoughby West Ward Councillor Terry Fogarty. “Christopher and his team approached me seeking support to purchase 43 Wilfred Avenue. I pointed out to them that whilst Willoughby Council does purchase vacant land from time to time, there is no current budget provision for such an acquisition”. Stenhouse replied that “Council needs to listen to its residents. Trees on the properties are listed on Council’s own Natural Heritage Register. Residents are concerned about Global Warming and Climate Change and feel Council should be doing more at a local level to address these issues”. Subsequently Clr. Fogarty proposed a draft motion that Council consider how it could assist the local residents acquire the property.
The residents were astounded to read the recommendation from Council Administration Officers (Nick Tobin, Corporate Affairs Director) to Council that “No further action be taken to purchase any portion of the property and Council Officers work with any potential developer of the site to ensure that significant natural features of the site are retained through a negotiated planning and design process”.
According to Stenhouse, “We know the Council is developing innovative approaches to Climate Change; in fact, they met recently to consider their Sustainability initiatives in light of recent evidence regarding Global Warming. For example, Council is looking at some innovative partnering with the corporate sector to protect and restore bushland. So we are disappointed and dismayed to see such a recommendation from the Council’s administrative team. We know that Council is still formulating its exact response to Climate Change, so we are hoping that until that time, Councillors will see their way clear to adopt a Precautionary Approach and assist in the purchase of this old growth reserve until more is known about the intrinsic value of bushland. And with $500,000 already pledged by the local community, Council can be assured that it has the community’s support”
“I was astounded to discover during my research on this project that the NSW Government has adopted such a low penalty ($11.00 /tCO2-eq) for CO2 emissions. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change (4th May 2007) has identified that carbon penalties need to be set in the order to US$155.00/t CO2-eq (A$190.00/t CO2-eq ). This is some seventeen times higher than NSW current rates. Is it any wonder that our bureaucrats undervalue the intrinsic value of bush land?” said Clr. Fogarty.
Clr. Fogarty’s motion will discussed by Council at its Corporate and Transport Committee Meeting, 6PM, Banksia Room, Level 6, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood on Monday 7 May 2007. It has also been ‘called’ to the full Council Meeting, 7PM, Council Chambers, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood on Monday 14 May 2007.
Climate Change: Government policy lags resident expectations
According to Christopher Stenhouse, local residents in Chatswood have found that when it comes to taking action to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change, the administration side of Council (charged with implementing current policy) is out of step with the residents’ and Councillors' current thinking. Christopher, acting on behalf of his parents and other residents of Wilfred Avenue Chatswood, has been asking Willoughby Council to acquire at least some old growth forest on properties at 39-43 Wilfred Avenue. In the process, Christopher has secured pledges from local residents for $500,000. They need at least $650,000 to secure one property and $3M to acquire all three. Pledges have been given from residents as far away as Bellevue Street. According to Stenhouse, “Even pensioners are making $500.00 pledges”.
“In my view, this level of community interest and participation is unprecedented” says Willoughby West Ward Councillor Terry Fogarty. “Christopher and his team approached me seeking support to purchase 43 Wilfred Avenue. I pointed out to them that whilst Willoughby Council does purchase vacant land from time to time, there is no current budget provision for such an acquisition”. Stenhouse replied that “Council needs to listen to its residents. Trees on the properties are listed on Council’s own Natural Heritage Register. Residents are concerned about Global Warming and Climate Change and feel Council should be doing more at a local level to address these issues”. Subsequently Clr. Fogarty proposed a draft motion that Council consider how it could assist the local residents acquire the property.
The residents were astounded to read the recommendation from Council Administration Officers (Nick Tobin, Corporate Affairs Director) to Council that “No further action be taken to purchase any portion of the property and Council Officers work with any potential developer of the site to ensure that significant natural features of the site are retained through a negotiated planning and design process”.
According to Stenhouse, “We know the Council is developing innovative approaches to Climate Change; in fact, they met recently to consider their Sustainability initiatives in light of recent evidence regarding Global Warming. For example, Council is looking at some innovative partnering with the corporate sector to protect and restore bushland. So we are disappointed and dismayed to see such a recommendation from the Council’s administrative team. We know that Council is still formulating its exact response to Climate Change, so we are hoping that until that time, Councillors will see their way clear to adopt a Precautionary Approach and assist in the purchase of this old growth reserve until more is known about the intrinsic value of bushland. And with $500,000 already pledged by the local community, Council can be assured that it has the community’s support”
“I was astounded to discover during my research on this project that the NSW Government has adopted such a low penalty ($11.00 /tCO2-eq) for CO2 emissions. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, Working Group III – Mitigation of Climate Change (4th May 2007) has identified that carbon penalties need to be set in the order to US$155.00/t CO2-eq (A$190.00/t CO2-eq ). This is some seventeen times higher than NSW current rates. Is it any wonder that our bureaucrats undervalue the intrinsic value of bush land?” said Clr. Fogarty.
Clr. Fogarty’s motion will discussed by Council at its Corporate and Transport Committee Meeting, 6PM, Banksia Room, Level 6, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood on Monday 7 May 2007. It has also been ‘called’ to the full Council Meeting, 7PM, Council Chambers, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood on Monday 14 May 2007.
Friday, May 4, 2007
DRAFT Officer's Report
Copy of DRAFT of Council Officers Report to Council 7 May.
Note: This is different to the final report presented to Council.
Access the report via the Guest login and Resources
Note: This is different to the final report presented to Council.
Access the report via the Guest login and Resources
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
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