12 September 2015

Hobart Council to seek reports on safer roads

It's been a month since our last update on our campaign to make our local roads safer for old and young, for pedestrians and bike riders.  You'll be pleased to know that your fellow residents and neighbours have been working hard to make some progress on this.  

The six monthly West Hobart Local Area Traffic Committee held in August had a very large turnout, with a strong contingent of residents including reps from Lawrenny Court, Lansdowne Crescent Primary School, WHEN, and Island Tyres.  Three Aldermen (Reynolds, Ruzicka, Thomas) attended to hear our concerns.  A strong resolution was agreed, to be put to the City Infrastructure Committee meeting the following week.

The City Infrastructure Committee received a strong deputation from West Hobart:
 - Margaret Steadman (West Hobart Environment Network)
- Michelle Cunningham (Lansdowne Crescent Primary School Community Association)
- Cynthia Archer and Bill Dalton (Lawrenny Court).
Additional Aldermen also attended this meeting to hear the issues and to contribute their views.

The Committee's primary agenda item concerned traffic issues around the intersection of Hill St and Arthur St, following the opening of the new Hill St Grocer.  Aldermen Reynolds and Ruzicka moved an amendment on behalf of the residents to propose, as part of the solution for this traffic problem, our proposal for a safer West Hobart (with a blanket speed limit reduction to 40kph and installation of a number of pedestrian crossings which would give pedestrians real priority).  
After a long debate, a recommendation was drafted to put to the full Council meeting of the following week.

On 7 September, Hobart Council passed the following motion:


1. A review of the traffic issues identified in the report attached to
Supplementary item 13 of the City Infrastructure Committee agenda
of 26 August 2015, in relation to the new ‘Hill Street Grocer’ store in
Hill Street, West Hobart, be conducted in six months time.

2. A report be prepared on options for safer pedestrian crossings in Hill
Street, West Hobart.


3. The Council investigate a 40 km per hour speed limit for all
residential areas within the Hobart municipal area.


4. The following notes of discussion arising from the West Hobart
Residents’ Traffic Committee, meeting conducted on 19 August 2015
be received and noted:-


(i) Recognising that pedestrian safety is the priority, the West
Hobart Local Area Traffic Committee (LATC) ask Council, as a
matter of urgency, to develop a safe traffic plan for West Hobart
based on the “West Hobart safe traffic zone” map produced by
the West Hobart Environment Network, as tabled at the LATC
meeting, including:
      (a) A suite of traffic calming measures that include defined and
safe pedestrian crossings (such as wombat and zebra
designs); and
      (b) A reduction in speeds to 40 km per hour for Lansdowne
Crescent, Hill Street and Arthur Street.


(ii) The LATC also requests that such a plan be developed in
consultation with relevant community groups, including on-site
consultation with residents at Lawrenny Court. The LATC also
recognises that the development and implementation of such a
plan within a reasonable timeframe, will require additional
Council resourcing.


5. That the report on these issues also consider a traffic roundabout or
traffic signals at the  Hill St /Arthur St intersection and other alternatives
including bike lanes.


As WHEN, the Lansdowne Cres School and Lawrenny Court have been presenting these issues to Council for several years now, and not (in our opinion) having our views respected and acted upon, we are not now sitting back to wait for these studies to be done and reports to be compiled and presented back to a committee meeting.  Reps of these groups are seeking to meet with the General Manager of the City of Hobart next week to discuss how the Council's resolutions can be implemented efficiently and effectively.

10 September 2015

Live & Learn Workshops


Live & Learn Educational Workshop 
 
Sustainable Living Tasmania is running a course over 7 workshops that cover each of SLT’s themes: building (and the built environment), energy, food (and growing), living, transport, waste, and water. 
 
Live & Learn is targeted at people who are already motivated to create change in their own lives and community and who are looking for knowledge, skills, motivation and support to help achieve an environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

The course dates are: every Wednesday night from the 14th of October until the 25th of November, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. The cost is discounted to $125 (closing soon, then the full fee of $139 is applicable). For more information call 6234 5566 or visit www.slt.org.au/live_learn.

08 September 2015

Sustainable House Day - this Sunday 13 Sept!


Great news!  There are seven houses available to visit this Sunday in the south of the State, and two in the north.  This is a great opportunity to learn from other proud homeowners about ways you could improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of your current (or your next) home. Or just admire what they have achieved :)

Check out the summaries  on the Sustainable House Day homepage, and decide which lovely homes you'd like to find out more about. There's a drop down list of the features of each house, so you can select those homes which demonstrate what you're thinking of doing next at your place.

What time is Sustainable House Day open?
Sustainable House Day 2015 runs between the hours of 10am to 4pm on Sunday 13 September 2015.  However, some homes may specify different opening times on their profile pages, so please check.


How do I obtain the addresses for the homes opening for Sustainable House Day?
To have access to the house addresses you will need to officially register as a visitor online.  Once you login to your user profile you will be able to see the addresses listed on each house profile. You can officially register here.

Do I need to book at each individual property before attending?
Generally no, but a homeowner may have specified differently on their individual property profile. So it is best to check the individual profile.


Does it cost to attend Sustainable House Day?
This is a free to gold coin donation event. Some homes may charge a small fee (gold coin donation) with funds put towards costs of preparing for the house open or for a nominated not for profit group or charity.  You can see on each individual profile whether a home has nominated to request a gold coin donation.

Are there any conditions of entry as a visitor for Sustainable House Day?
As a participant in Sustainable House Day, we ask you to respect each of the homes you visit and act as per the following conditions of entry:

  • Please officially sign in as a visitor to the home providing your full name, telephone number and email address
  • Please act in a respectful manner towards the homeowner, all volunteers and other SHD attendees
  • Please do NOT touch any property including furniture, objects, electrical items on the property, or personal items of others
  • Please ensure all children are monitored at all times onsite
  • Please remain in the allocated tour area of the home. You are NOT permitted to enter any areas that have been signed as private.
  • Please do NOT consume alcohol or food during the tour.
  • Smoking is NOT permitted
  • Please turn off/silence your mobile and refrain from answering or speaking on your phone during tours
  • Please make every conceivable effort to ensure your own personal safety whilst onsite.
  • Please ask permission before taking any photographs
  • You agree to any inspections of bags at the request of homeowners or volunteers.
  • In the garden please do not touch the plants.