8 October 2021

Like you, me and my team love Hornsby Shire. Our priority is to look after where we live: the leafy neighbourhoods, the small businesses, the libraries and playgrounds, the bushland and waterways.

We all want our kids and grandkids to enjoy everything that makes our area so special.

As your councillor, I've made it my priority to be accountable, available and responsive to your ideas and requests. But most importantly, I've thrown open the doors of Council so you know what's going on and how to have a say.

I've worked hard to share information publicly in these newsletters, via email and on social media. I'm proud to have made sure every resident can have a voice in decisions, not just a few 'council insiders'.

Because I'm in touch with my community, the same tired old political players have not been able to dominate decisions. I've been able to implement much of my plan to make our area even better to live and work in, to look after those most vulnerable, and secure a brighter future for everyone.

With your help, I can do even more. 

Hornsby Shire needs a mayor who is accountable, committed and in touch.

In the coming election, please vote Greens above the line and Emma for Mayor so me and my team can continue to look after you and your family, and this beautiful place where we all live.  

• To find out more about me and my team, click here. 
• To volunteer, email or text me: emma.heyde@gmail.com  |  0403 589 722
• To donate to my campaign, click here. 

https://greens.org.au/nsw/auth

October Council meeting: what's on the agenda? 

Like many locals, I'm tired of waiting for traffic lights at Kirkham St and Beecroft Road. There have been 27 crashes since 2010 with 16 injuries. This month I'm pushing the state government to fix this dangerous intersection. 

Email all councillors to support my Motion to get traffic lights at Kirkham St, Beecroft: councillors@hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Here's my summary of what else is on the Business Papers for the 13 October meeting;

Should Council: 

• plan for the increasingly demands on Fagan Park?
•  Endorse the Hornsby Thematic History produced by consultants in consultation with residents and the Heritage Committee? 
•  Note housekeeping amendments to the Development Control Plan? 
•  Note pecuniary interests disclosures by councillors and senior staff? 
•  Note investments and borrowings?
•  Endorse a Memorandum of understanding with the Hornsby Chamber of Commerce? 

 Please refer to the Council website for the full Business Papers. You can find them here. 
 Find out how to speak at the 13 October meeting here. 

SunSpot: will solar panels save you money? 

Council has partnered with SunSpot, an independent tool that can help you assess where solar panels would sit on your roof, how many you could fit, and how much money you might save.

They're running a free information session: 7.30pm Tuesday 19 October (Zoom)

Register for the information session here: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/events/sustainability/Introduction-to-SunSpot

Information about SunSpot: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/environment/sustainability/Thinking-of-Going-Solar

Share your vision for our area 

 Vandalism at Ahimsa

I took a look this week at the extensive damage that mountain bike riders have done at this beautiful property in Cheltenham. I could see that jumps had been constructed, trenches dug, up to one hundred trees cut down with axes or hatchets. Everywhere were grasses, flowering bushes, orchids and natural rocks that had been smashed. 

I have no words for those who felt entitled to damage our community‘s heritage.

Ahimsa is pristine bushland. It was left to the people of NSW by the brilliant radical feminist, environmentalist, writer, mountain climber, peace activist and Buddhist, Marie Byles. She was also this state’s first female solicitor.

Marie named her property after Ghandi’s core principle, ‘Ahimsa’. This is what she wrote about the name. “Literally it means non-killing, but Ghandi said that it took him into realms infinitely higher, that it means that you may not injure anyone even in thought. … And, of course, it covers non-injury to bushland as well as to people.”

The damage done at Ahimsa is especially shocking given its history and heritage as a place of peace, non-violence and meditative retreat. Even more shocking are the attempts to defend and justify it from some in the mountain bike community. 

I know that the vast majority of people I see riding MTB in the national parks around us love the sport and the bush. But there has been an explosion across northern Sydney of people hacking through good quality, intact bush to create new tracks, trails and tricks for mountain bikers to enjoy.  

If I am re-elected to Council, I will be very keen to make sure strong protections are put in place at Westleigh where mountain bikers have pushed through 10km of tracks and trails through Critically Endangered Ecological Communities (beautiful bush, basically!) -- again on public land. 

To see what's planned at Westleigh and where the unsanctioned MTB tracks and trails are, go here.  

 Community Connexions 

Beecroft Pennant Hills Uniting church have some news to share. They are introducing “Connexions”, comprising 2 projects:

1) The Senior’s Infoline - a one-stop phone service to assist over 65s gain access to help they need. Local trained volunteers will listen to you and recommend professionals who have been thoroughly reviewed by our volunteer researchers.
2) The Workshop - connecting people (newly retired, refugees, unemployed) who are seeking paid work to local individuals/businesses who need work done.

Everyone needs help sometime, we all feel good if we can help others and it’s ideal if it happens within our own community. So please consider what this new initiative could do for you - or a friend or neighbour. 

The Uniting church in Beecroft & Pennant Hills is currently looking for volunteers with a view to launching CONNEXIONS in early November. Contact Marion at BPHUC on 9875-3436.

 Award an environmental leader 

Every year, the Nature Conservation Council hosts the NSW Environment Awards which celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievement of campaigners, grassroots environmentalists and conservation groups across the state. 

Very much hoping to see you as lockdown lifts. Keep safe & well.  

Emma  🌞