Katoomba Leura Online

Liquor industry news site, The Shout, is reporting Jack Thompson has put the Gearin Hotel in Katoomba up for sale.

The listing reveals the auction is due 23 June, and the pub is turning over about $330,000 a week. The iconic actor has owned the hotel since 2006, when it is reported he paid about $4million.

Down the hill a little from the regular beat here, but an opportunity to hear one of the founders of the permaculture movement (with Bill Mollison) speak.

David Holmgren is the co-originator of Permaculture and ecological design pioneer. Through the spread of Permaculture around the world, his environmental principles have exerted a global influence. He is the author of The Fly wire House: a case study in design against bush fire and Future Scenarios

WHERE       Lawson Public School Hall, Wilson St entrance
WHEN          7-9.30pm, Tuesday May 31
COST           $20 ($15 for PBM members)

Transition Blue Mountains will host a screening of Our Generation, which documents the lives of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory – the impact of the controversial intervention, being forced off traditional lands into townships crippled by social dysfunction, the removal of traditional languages from school education and unfair mining deals. Film makers Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis examine the issues of underlying disadvantage through the eyes of the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem and canvass solutions that respect Aboriginal culture and dignity. Music is by John Butler Trio, Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Gurrumul, and Goanna.

For more information, visit http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

WHERE        Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Station Street, Katoomba

WHEN          7.15pm for 7.30pm start, Friday April 15

Work has been accelerating on the new Woolworths building in Leura.  The Goodies supermarket has closed, leaving locals without a nearby grocery option until the new store opens.

Current plans are for the new supermarket to open on the 14th of April.

The two Goodies premises are being refitted, and the other new Mall facing shops are also well into shop fitting. All shops are let.

Combined with renovations to the Old Post Office to accommodate a relocated newsagent, the eastern side of the Mall is a hive of building work, but completion will be here soon.

For all Katoomba and Leura dog lovers, we’re celebrating our move to the Blue Mountains with a $50 session special. Previously based in Sydney, we’re proud to finally call the mountains home and so we’d like you to help us celebrate! If you have a pampered pooch or cat that you regard as a special member of your family, give us a call today.

All details and pet galleries are on our website:  www.redbirdphotography.com.au

All creatures great and small are welcome! We are also available for [human] family sessions, contact us to see a sample session. Be quick, book early to avoid disappointment!

The Food Co-op in Katoomba is celebrating its 30th birthday, making it probably the oldest in NSW (Afalfa House in Enmore is the other co-op in the running) and on  of the oldest in Australia (Maple St Co-op in Maleny QLD was founded in 1979). Founded in a garage in 1980, the co-op has thrived in its current location in Ha’penny Lane since 1998.

To celebrate 30 years, a Community Fair at Philip Hall Blackheath is planned for Saturday 12th March with entertainment and events from 10am to 10pm.  Entry is free.

If the results of the BMG poll for the state election are to be believed, it could be a very interesting race indeed.

The online poll has had over 500 responses, and places Independent Janet Mays in first place, with 32.2%, leading Libs Rosa Sage on 29% and Labor’s Trish Doyle at 26.2%. If such a result translates to the polling booth, preferences will prove vital to deciding who will represent us in Macquarie Street. The election will be held on 26th March.

Blue Mountains Tourism is running a “Roaring Twenties” promotion in the upper mountains and central west in February. It’s a nice idea with dinners, dances, accommodation specials and other activities all themed around the the 1920s era.
One activity that looks particularly interesting is the historical walking tours of Katoomba and Leura offered on the Thursday 10th – Saturday 12th in February. Recounting stories of the time and giving insight into the buildings left behind it looks to be educational and fun. Details on the Carrington Website.

A flattering write up of Josophan’s chocolates and Ikou day spa in the Fairfax press.

Link here.

The electronic magazine The Whistler has had a big win with the restoration of the Leura Spires clock tower.

The photo below was taken at about 4:07 – nice work. The second issue of the Whistler has been released, so head over and take a look.

As part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, Western Sydney Institute (TAFE) Blue Mountains College’s fine dining training restaurant provides commercial cookery, food and beverage and events students with training to be high quality hospitality professionals.

The 100 Mile Dinner – six course degustation menu – include bream from the Hawkesbury River, truffles from Borrodell on the Mount in Orange, Bilpin chestnuts, Jannei goat’s cheese from Lithgow and Megalong Valley beef. Local wines will be matched and sold separately.

The meal is one of four 100 Mile Dinner events hosted by TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute across western Sydney and the Blue Mountains which will demonstrate the calibre of hospitality students whilst supporting local producers.

See what these talented students can come up with and support local producers.

Bookings essential.

When: October 29, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Cost: $80

Where: Elevation 867, Blue Mountains College – TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Mitchell Street, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782

Phone: 02 4753 2138

100 Mile Meal chef Simon Bestley.

Victorian Darley’s embraces the Orient. In conjunction with the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, for one night only on October 19, Darley’s is offering an exclusive six course degustation experience, with all with a taste of Asia.

Discover subtle Asian flavours, while dining in one of the most romantic settings in the Blue Mountains. Carl Middleton, the Executive Chef has prepared a unique menu to satisfy all food lovers.

Darley's Restaurant

What: Hats Off Dinner – Darley’s goes oriental

Where: Darley’s Restaurant, 3 Lilianfels Avenue, Katoomba NSW 2780

When: October 19, 6.30pm-11pm

Cost: $160.00

Bookings: Reservations are essential so for more information, contact reservations@lilianfels.com.au or call 02 4780 1200.

Tuesday night’s council meeting reversed its previous decision (or deferral of a decision) on the Dan Murphy’s development in Katoomba, and the shop will now go ahead.

This attracted media coverage on ABC 702 (it’s not 2BL anymore!) with Mayor Myles interviewd on Deborah Cameron’s show. You can listen here.

The Gazette reports here.

Good quality books, CDs & DVDs required now. Turn your unwanted books, CDs and DVDs into cash for East Timor. Deliver them to 8 Westbourne Street, Wentworth Falls or call Ruth on 4757 1953.

You might have read about the competition to let a family live rent free for a year in a “Smart House” in Newington in Inner Western Sydney, designed to showcase energy efficiency and low water use. The contest is over and the winners have moved in, and they have recently been trying out an electric car, the new Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Unfortunately, a trip to Blackheath proved too taxing for the batteries, and the car ran out of puff (buzz?) in Wenty.

Happily, the rain held off as the driver and passenger hoofed it into town for a bite, but the car had to be towed home.

Electric transport of one sort or another (we already have those shiny electric passenger devices over there on the rails) will most likely be key in the future, so lets hope the car makers can improve the range and a practical recharge network is developed.

Read the whole adventure and more from the Smart Home family here.

The AEC has finalised results for Macquarie (despite 115 ballots going missing).

Louise Markus won by a final margin of 2135 votes with a swing of 1.49% on preferences. Interestingly, both the Labor and Liberal experienced swings against them on first preferences.

Cohousing is a type of intentional community where a group of people have
organised to create a neighbourhood, an alternative way of living for ordinary
people which is based on mutual respect for each other & the environment.
Cohousing residents are consciously committed to living as a community without
scarifying the privacy of the individual households as such the physical design
encourages both social contact & individual space. The private homes contain all
the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive
common facilities such as open space, courtyards, a playground , workshops and a
common house.

The beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains, affordable
land and a sense of community which already exists
provides a great platform for establishing a Cohousing Community.

There is an introductory talk to which all are invited to be held in Lawson.

Introduction to cohousing talk
Saturday the 25th of September 2-4pm
Mavis Wood Hall, Mid mountains community centre
7 New st. Lawson

More info on our blog:
http://sydneycohousing.blogspot.com/

I am standing as the Liberal Democrats candidate for the seat of Macquarie, in the August 21st federal election.
I am a farmer, businessman, investor, family man, with qualifications in electrical engineering and hold a private pilot’s licence.
I am an active sporting shooter, fox, rabbit and deer hunter and enjoy playing golf every week.
I am 66 years old, married with 6 granddaughters.
I live in Glenorie and am Treasurer of Glenorie RSL Club. (drop in and see us sometime, at the friendly little club in the bush!)
I am National President of the Liberal Democratic Party.
I strongly believe in the principles of free enterprise, individual responsibility, small government and low taxes.
The Liberal Democrats are opposed to the three “old” parties, Liberals,
Labor and The Greens, who all want to tax us to the hilt, then decide how they will spend OUR money.
We believe that taxpayers want to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Taxpayers can best decide how they will spend it, or invest it, or save it, or whatever. Bureaucrats in Canberra do not know how best to spend our money, or how we should run our lives.
We could get rid of tens of thousands of unproductive Government employees, reduce middle-class welfare rorts, return power to local communities and be far better off.
For example, the Liberal Democrats would push for all State firearms registries to be closed (as has been done in Canada) and the money thus saved, put into improving mental health and dental services.

Terry Tremethick is a devoted husband and father of 3 children the eldest of whom has quadriplegia, so disability is the lived experience of Terry and his loving family.

Terry has live in the outer western suburbs of Sydney all of his is life. He currently works in IT and had lent his hand to many charities and organisations as a volunteer over the years.

Terry knows from personal experience that political outcomes can be influenced by direct action. Terry’s wife and son appeared on Channel 10 to argue that carer-families in NSW should be exempted from the increase in registration for heavy vehicles. Their direct action influenced the NSW government to exempt carer-families from the increase from 1 July, this year.

Carers Alliance is proud to have Terry as a candidate in Macquarie. Terry has a strong track-record in advocating for people with disabilities and carer-families. His desire is to change the face of government so people with disabilities and carer-families are tangibly recognised in Australian politics.

Policies – The first is the major one supported by many not just us. All are taken from Carers.org.au

National Disability Insurance Scheme (see http://www.ndis.org.au/)

It’s time to change the way services for people with disabilities are funded and structured in Australia.

It’s time to make services for people with disabilities and their families effective, equitable and efficient.

Almost every Australian has cared, or is caring, for a family member with a disability, or knows of a family doing so. Many of these families fall through a huge gap in Australia’s social services network.

Those who acquire a disability through a workplace or a motor vehicle accident generally receive financial support. However, for those who acquire permanent disabilities in other accidents, are born with a permanent disability, acquire a permanent disability through a medical condition or have a permanent mental illness, there is no automatic support to meet their needs.

Other policies here –

Protecting the rights of children

Carers Alliance believes society owes the Child the best it has to give. Accordingly children must be given the support requisite for their normal development, materially, physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

A National priority

All children with special or additional needs must have a legislated right to service.

All children deserve the right to the supports that will maximise their potential whatever that may be.

The health system is the first point of entry for all children: There must be:

• National global assessments of developmental, emotional and physical ability at prescribed stages of infant and early early childhood
• Full assessment of physical (including vision, hearing and dental), emotional and psychological health of the child at prescribed developmental milestones up to the age of 16 years.

Special Needs Health

Developmental Disability Health

Many adults with intellectual disabilities do not need special medical attention. It is important for primary care physicians to recognize that, in general, adults and older persons with an intellectual disability have the same needs for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment as the general population.

Having said this those who do need medical attention discover that Australia’s hospitals are ill equipped to deal with people with moderate and severe cognitive disability with limited communication who are often unable to express pain and discomfort and often serious illness is left undiagnosed.

For this reason Carers Alliance believes there is a place for specialist developmental disability clinics in all major teaching hospitals to provide educational and clinical practice supports for primary care physicians caring for people with intellectual disabilities. These clinics would enable medical practitioners to gain experience in clinical conditions  or other discomforts which are often expressed through challenging behaviour and often result in the patient being sedated without pain relief with the primary condition left undiagnosed.

Aged Care

Individualised Funding of Aged Care Services
Most people as they age would prefer to remain living in their homes, surrounded by those they know and the comforts of familiarity.

Carers Alliance will fight in the Senate for individualised funding for in home services and community support services.

Mental Health

Carers Alliance is deeply concerned with the narrow scope of mental health policy from the major parties.

Carers Alliance will work towards ensuring that 15% of the health budget is for mental health services

Person Centred Funding

Macquarie’s only Independent candidate,Amy Bell,  is a 31 year old mother of three from Katoomba.
With a Bachelor of Nursing from UWS and a history of grassroots environmental activism,  moving into Birth activism after witnessing a medical monopoly over womens autonomy in pregnancy and birth.

Amy cites the passing of key legislation by a determination signed the night before the election was called as the catalyst to her candidacy .

In the last year consumers have despaired at the control the medical lobby has exerted over both major parties regarding health reform.  We are now facing a situation where long awaited Medicare reforms are completely controlled by the medical lobby.  Doctors will have to physically agree to all care that a midwife, with a Medicare provider number – a registered health practitioner in their own right – provides before the mother is eligible for a rebate.

This reform could have given women in the Blue Mountains greater safety through a local midwifery service, instead they will continue to face uncertainty and danger. The Blue Mountains Hospital maternity service is not sustainable in its current form.

Amy has a strong sense of community, having volunteered with Australian Breastfeeding Association, represented consumers on the maternity consumer consultation board at Katoomba Hospital, performed with Ruby Bloomers Womens circus and co-hosts the Birth Hour on BluFM.

Amy knows the concerns of the community, because she is part of the community, and will represent the voices from Macquarie.
www.macquarie2010.com.au

With nine official candidates in the forthcoming federal election, Macquarie residents will have one of the broader choices of representative.  Katoomba Leura Online has emailed each of them to ask why they should be elected. We’ll post the responses over the next few days.

The request below was sent to:

WHELAN, Peter         Liberal Democrats (LDP)
BELL, Amy             Independent
McCALLUM, Carmel      The Greens
TREMETHICK, Terry     Carers Alliance
TEMPLEMAN, Susan      Labor
BATES, John           Australia First Party
PORTELLI, Luke        Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
CORNELIUS, Jason      Family First
MARKUS, Louise        Liberal

Weary mountains commuters got a pleasant surprise Tuesday evening when the 5:08 to Mt Vic was littered with novels on every second seat.

“MX will destroy your brain. Read this book instead” and “Check me out I’m Free” were samples of the notes stuck to the front covers.  A note inside reminds readers that MX is part of News Limited, Rupert Murdoch’s global news and information empire, and urges readers to consider what such a strong concentration of media ownership (13 papers in Australia alone) does for the quality of impartial reporting. The benefactors remained anonymous.

More guerrilla book distribution in future is encouraged!

Film premiere and eyewitness report from the NT intervention

A new short film about the controversial “NT intervention” – launched by John Howard’s government and extended by Rudd/Gillard Labor government – will premiere on Saturday, July 24, 2.30pm, at the Family Hotel bistro, 15 Parke Street, Katoomba.

The film reveals how the intervention has taken back rights won by the Indigenous people over the past 50 years. The NT’s Alyawarr people are fighting back. The Ampilatwatja community has established a protest camp. The film chronicles this important struggle and the solidarity it is receiving from trade unions and other activists.

Also attending will be Will Williams and Jess Moore, just returned from the NT, who will report on the NT Indigenous rights convergence in Alice Springs and the protest camp.

Phone Terry on 4787 7859 for further information.  Organised by Green Left Weekly and the Blue Mountains Socialist Alliance

Reported today is news that asbestos remediation work was carried out at North Katoomba primary by an incorrectly licensed contractor. It is claimed that demolition work began on a covered walkway that had previously been identified as containing asbestos. Proper handling measures were not initially taken to deal with the possibility of asbestos contamination.

Inhalation of asbestos fibres can potentially cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, fatal diseases.  NSW Health publishes a fact sheet on asbestos risks that notes prolonged exposure is typical of those who eventually contract the diseases, which can take decades to appear following the exposure.

The incident at North Katoomba saw the demolition work halted when the risk became known, but local parents are concerned they were not notified until 5 weeks after the incident.

Following the incident, work to remove the material was conducted outside school hours. Concerned parents have been advised to consult their doctor should they be worried about medical issues.

Brookfield Partnership has released a brochure advertising shops for lease in the yet to be completed Woolworths development on Leura Mall at the old Colless site. It includes and artists impression and plan view for those of us having difficulty envisioning just what is in store.

With Wenty and Katoomba both boasting public clocks that keep pretty accurate time, why is Leura bereft?
A new electronic magazine – the Whistler – based in the Blue Mountains, launches with an investigation of just why the clock on the Spires has never worked.
Other stories are of local interest too.
Katoomba Leura Online supports the Whistler in its quest to get the Spires clock working.

North Katoomba, NSW: 05 Jun 2010 – Fruit and nut tree network workshop

The Blue Mountains’ Fruit and Nut Tree Network will host a workshop on the maintenance and care of raspberries and other berry fruits.

Event details * Date: Sat 05 Jun 2010 * Time: 10:00am start * Location: Blue Mountains’ Organic Community Gardens, Victoria Street, North Katoomba NSW * Fee: free event *

Information: http://bmfruitandnuttreenetwork.blogspot.com/

What with a Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s and a Woolworths Petrol Station in development, Upper Mountains residents have enough to think about when it comes to new commercial ventures. A sign promising McDonalds is coming soon set up in the vacant field next to the Leura-GWH roundabout was certain to get locals to react.

It spurred a Facebook group in opposition and gathered many a second look, but by Sunday it was gone.

Our own thoughts are the 1st of May might have been a month to late for the organised pranksters.

Following on from our earlier post on the debacle where BMCC had at least $11m invested with failed investment house Grange Securities, part of the bankrupt Lehman Brothers bank that was one of the biggest casualties of the global financial crisis.

The SMH reports that a class action of councils has been successful in a legal attempt to apply to Lehman Brothers administrators for recognition of their claims. In short, instead of being paid as little as 5c in the dollar, BMCC may realise a little more. Katoomba Leura Online understands the large anticipated loss has yet to be fully recognised in BMCC financial results, so future rate rises may be on the way.

The Western Regional Planning Panel met yesterday to discuss the Woolworths development on the old Colless site in Leura Mall.

The business paper presented gives the latest info on the proposal for a 1400sqm super market plus speciality shops (by comparison, Katoomba ALDI is about 1200sqm).

The key message from council is the revised development is head and shoulders over the previously approved retail/residential multi-story development on which building work has now ceased. The revised Woolworths proposal retains the two historic shops (currently Goodies supermarket) and adds three new shops on the Mall in keeping with the surrounding premises.

Entry to the supermarket will be from a corridor running from the Mall to the car park, or via a ramp up from the proposed below ground parking. There appear still to be some issues around signage, traffic and trolleys, which should be scrutinised based on the experience of previous developments where “nothing could be done” once building was complete.

Whether a major supermarket open 7am to 10pm will be a benefit to Leura is highly questionable, but at least the new proposal looks a little more in keeping with the township.

View from The Mall

This article popped up in a search, and even though it is a couple of years old, I thought I would post it as it is quite a nice overview on the Cittaslow movement in the mountains (link is to WA Today as I can’t find it on SMH). It has several interviews and references to locals like Hominy Bakery, Logan Brae Orchard and the Co-Op at Katoomba. Read it here.

Tutoring/coaching in academic essay writing/study skills, English, and contemporary cultural theory available from local award-winning university lecturer with 10 years teaching experience.

Cost: $40 per one hour session

Phone: 0402671300

The premier has announced a new rail fare structure that is set to benefit upper mountains residents substantially.

The new ticket types includes the MyMulti unlimited rail/travel/ferry pass for $57 a week for mountains locals. If you just need the train component you can save a dollar. This compares to a Leura-City weekly price currently of $66. Occasional users can buy a one day MyMulti ticket for $20.

Also cut are single ticket prices with Katoomba to the City at $7.80 compared to the current $12.20. Off-peak return tickets also drop substantially from $16.80 to $10.80.

New rates will be available from April 18 2010, and full details are at the MyZone website.

MyZone Map

The RFS has added the Council Chambers and car park at Katoomba, Pioneer Place at Katoomba and Mt Victoria Park to its list of safer places shoud residents seek a last minute refuge in case of catastrophic fire.

Still no sites between Leura (the golf course) and Glenbrook (Whitton Park), which remains concerning.

Full list at the RFS Website.

The press release newswires are reporting Orient-Express Hotels group has agreed to a sale of the 85 room iconic property for $21m.

It describes the sale figure as 23 times its 2008 earnings, which if you do the maths works out at $32 a night profit if the hotel was 100% occupied. Considering rack rates are circa. $400 a night and up, and even on special rooms are around $200 it seems a pretty modest return, or perhaps costs are too high?

On of the outcomes of the Victorian fires earlier this year was the adoption of a plan to designate local refuges, to be called Neighbourhood Safer Places, where residents could seek emergency shelter should their evacuation be thwarted, or they reconsider their stay and defend decision at the last moment.

The following text and table is from the RFS site, I’m not sure if I’m terribly impressed with the nominated sites.

See the below table for the designated NSP locations in your local government area. These NSP locations have been subject to a validation process and have been deemed acceptable as a place of last resort.

Please note that the NSW Rural Fire Service has not yet received NSP locations for all local government areas of NSW. In addition, some recommended NSP locations will require further investigation to confirm that they are suitable as place of shelter to be used as a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.

The NSW Rural Fire Service will continue to update the NSP locations as new data is received and validated. You should return to this site regularly for updates on the progress of the NSP program and to find a NSP close to you.

Despite a number of protest letters, and backing from the local school newsletter, the 3G tower has been installed on top of the Spires. The photo below shows the crew preparing it for activation.

Although protesters suggest any level of electromagnetic radiation is unsafe, at least siting the tower in a high location, in an area generally commercial, rather than residential, and several hundred metres from the school, takes advantage of the inverse square law to give broad coverage at lower power levels. And compared to some towers it doesn’t look that bad.

Vodafone also responded to objections to the tower on health and safety grounds, citing evidence the power levels at which it would be operated are below accepted standards. The reply is unlikely to mollify protesters, however, as it basically says there is nothing to worry about according to science, rather than addressing the protesters non-scientific concerns that in the future there may be evidence that mobile towers are health hazards.

Leura's new mobile tower approaches commisssioning

Locals might be surprised to see how centrally Katoomba features in this week’s 4 Corners documentary about families facing accommodation crisis in Western Sydney.

The documentary, The Last Chance Motel,  features interviews with a number of families in housing stress, many who pass through Katoomba in the search for a permanent home. Unflatteringly, a local  landlord is also portrayed as exploiting these people.

The video and transcript can be found here.

The annual village fair is due to start on the 10th of October.  It provides the culmination to the Leura Gardens Festival that begins a week earlier on 3rd October.

The Garden Festival will showcase 9 private gardens, open for visitors to raise money for Katoomba Hospital. The separate Village Fair will see Leura Mall closed off to allow local shop keepers and others to setup stalls in the main block between Railway Parade and Megalong St.

More in fo at http://www.leuravillage.com.au/ and http://www.leuragardensfestival.com.au/

The Sydney Morning Herald, in an article about declining pub valuations, reveals the Alex is expected to sell for $2.3million. This is substantially lower than the $4.9m for which it last changed hands. No mention of who the new owners may be.