As advised last year, the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) ordered the closure of the illegally built and unsafe car park used by Brindabella Christian College (BCC). Your can read more about the ACAT hearing and the December residents meeting on our dedicated web page.
All parties (including BCC, ACTPLA and TCCS) agreed the car park was illegally built, without a Development Application, or Traffic Impact Assessment, and contrary to its open space zoning in the Territory Plan and the conditions of the sub-lease on that block.
BCC in the last week applied for leave from the ACT Supreme Court to appeal the ACAT decision (the reasons for which are yet to be published), and has applied for an injunction on the ACAT orders (to defer those orders) until the appeal is heard. BCC is not contesting that the carpark was illegally built but want the carpark to stay open until all the required approvals are obtained.
BCC claim that it will be too difficult for teachers and parents to get to the school without using the carpark, but in the meantime TCCS has developed a travel plan to the school which BCC has sent to parents (see image below). In the last few days TCCS also has been working on the small car park on Brigalow St converting some of the parking places for disabled parking.
The injunction hearing is at 10am on Tuesday 30 January in the Supreme Court where a decision will be made on whether or not the carpark re-opens for the start of the BCC school term the next day. We will keep you posted on the result!
Clean Up Australia Day – Lyneham Wetlands
The LCA will be holding a clean up of the open space around the Lyneham Wetlands on Sunday 3 March as part of Clean Up Australia Day. We will have a registration table between 9 am and 11 am in the park next to Goodwin Street, near the intersection with Fox Place. Gloves and rubbish bags are provided by Clean Up Australia, or BYO. You will need to register for the event to be covered for insurance purposes, either on the day or beforehand at Clean Up Australia. Bring your family and friends and help keep our parks clean!
Help regenerate our local parks
The Magpie Hill rejuvenation project continues, with the Friends of Magpie Hill now holding working bees generally on the last Sunday of each month.
Most of the work is focussed on weeding and regenerating the no-mow area between the basketball court and Earle Street to create a haven for indigenous native plants. We would also like to revitalise the picnic table area and do more erosion control around the park.
Anyone is welcome to join our working bees. For more information and to be added to our mailing list please email magpiehill@lyneham.org.au.
North Lyneham park regeneration project
We are also looking for more volunteers to help implement our tree planting project in three neighbourhood parks in North Lyneham for which we received an ACT Government grant. If you are interested pleaseemail the committee.
Lyneham Commons
Working Bees are held at Lyneham Commons on the first Sunday of the month. Tasks may include: weeding and clearing, planting some ground cover type plants, mulching paths, pruning wattles and other trees. For more information emaillyneham.commons@gmail.com
Gazebo and table for loan
If you’re holding a social or community event and need an 3m x 3m portable gazebo or 2m long folding table, LCA now have them for short-term loan to members.
Just send an email tocontact@lyneham.org.au with your dates a week or two in advance. There is no charge but a refundable bond of $50 will be required.
New members
We love new members, and want even more! Please encourage your local friends and neighbours to join. The more members we have, the more support we can provide each other and the more attention we can get from our politicians.
Joining is free and open to everyone over 16 years of age, living in Lyneham or north O’Connor. Join online atlyneham.org.au/join.
