Civic Advocacy 1994 2014
FOKE Organisation Commenced 1994 20 year anniversary Incorporated Association Non profit organisation memberships and donations fund FOKE Elected committee of 10 Membership and friends 6-12 committee meetings a year AGM and General Meeting annually with a guest speaker
FOKE S AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To work - on behalf of residents and friends - for the maintenance of Ku-ring-gai s heritage and the enhancement of the existing traditional character and amenity of its environment, both built and natural. To lobby for maintenance and/or adoption of appropriate policies and their consistent application by Ku-ring-gai Council and to encourage open government. To encourage Ku-ring-gai Council to consult with and involve Ku-ring-gai residents in policy formation and to lobby for policy changes at local, State and Federal levels, where appropriate, including commenting on and responding to policy initiatives and drafts relevant to the functions and objectives of FOKE. To provide a support network for Ku-ring-gai residents and friends to take action on issues affecting them, within the framework of the aims and objectives of FOKE. To promote public awareness of issues and policies affecting the traditional character and environment of Ku-ring-gai. To support and encourage the election to Ku-ring-gai Council of persons who are supportive of the aims and objectives of FOKE. To co-operate and exchange information with other groups dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
Affiliations Better Planning Network 470 groups RAID network Nature Conservation Council - Member Ku-ring-gai community groups e.g. STEP Inc. Ku-ring-gai Preservation Trust, St Ives Progress Association, Friends of Lindfield, Friends of Turramurra, NTAG Save Our Suburbs Inc.
Professional Bodies & Experts The National Trust NSW Environmental Defenders Office Australian Institute of Architects Late Professor Keith Billings Ms Jane McMillan Consultant Town Planner Mr James Colman Consultant Town Planner Emeritus Prof Gareth Roberts AM Jack Mundey AO
You have something special here in Kuring-gai. Fight for it! Tom Uren, AO, Former Federal Minister of Urban and Regional Development 2002
Map of Ku-ring-gai
Ku-ring-gai s Built Heritage Ku-ring-gai is a local government area with an outstanding collection of fine domestic architecture, intact precincts and remnant natural areas of considerable significance. Examples of the work of many of the most outstanding 20 th Century practitioners of domestic architecture in Australia can be found in its tree lined streets. Indeed the area is a living historical gallery of some of Australia s finest domestic architecture Australian Institute of Architects, NSW Chapter 28 October 2009
Ku-ring-gai s Architecture
Architects Victorian, Queen Anne Revival - grand homes and estates Highlands John Horbury Hunt ; Pibrac Herbert Wardell Federation Arts and Crafts James Peddle ; Stockbroker s Tudor Style - John R Brogan ; English Cottage Style - Leith McCredie Classic Revivalism (Australia s Colonial Georgian and Regency architecture) William Hardy Wilson e.g. Eryldene Art Deco and Spanish Mission and Mediterranian Styles Prof Leslie Wilkinson, John D Moore, F Glynn Gilling, Augustus Alley, Sir Walter Burley Griffin Modern Sydney Ancher, Harry Seidler, Russell Jack, Ian McKay, Ken Woolley (Petit and Sevit) Contemporary Australian Glen Murcutt
Wivenhoe
Eryldene
Audley
Ku-ring-gai s Environment Ku-ring-gai exhibits environmental splendour of such a scale it is of National significance. Unique features include: Most of the last remnants in the Sydney bioregion of the toweringly tall Blue Gum High Forest (the bioregion extends from Nelson Bay to Batemans Bay and from the coast to the mountains). The largest number of threatened species (plants and animals) in the bioregion for a local government area. It is noteworthy that Ku-ring-gai has similar numbers of bird and plant species as the entire British Isles. 4 National Parks in and around Ku-ring-gai Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Lane Cove National Park Garigal National Park Dalrymple Hay Forest National Park (Nature Reserve) Michael Harrison for Travis McKewan Group, Draft Residential Strategy 2000
Sheldon Forest Blue Gum High Forest
Beginnings FOKE s establishment came about in response to concerns raised by residents about the proliferation of McMansions and the disappearance of the local character and environment e.g. DCP 64 objectives were not being met We responded by proposing changes to the DCP From this response came a subsequent expansion of its focus to promote and defend the natural and cultural heritage of Ku-ring-gai from government policies and plans which threatened Ku-ring-gai s cultural heritage Greatly concerned by the adverse effects of development in 2000 FOKE nominated Ku-ring-gai as an endangered place when the Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT) called for nominations. The ACNT listed the 28 Ku-ring-gai conservation areas listed by the National Trust of Australia ( NSW), studied and classified in 1997. In 2007 with the increasing vulnerability of the proposed conservation areas in Kuring-gai the National Trust of Australia (NSW) nominated Ku-ring-gai s Conservation Areas within the Context of the Blue Gum High Forest for inclusion in the Top Ten Heritage @ Risk Places in Australia
Ku-ring-gai Planning Saga 1999 - State Government Planning Policies urban consolidation policies- one size fits all Planning Legislation weakened and eroded to give developers more rights e.g. Part 3A Continual moving of the goal posts Succession of 8 Ministers for Planning in the last decade Planning promises broken by Liberal government to hand back planning powers to local communities New planning legislation in limbo
Why Advocacy?
Approaches to Advocacy Writing submissions/collecting petitions/ surveys Addressing Council Lobbying councillors and politicians Meetings with Ministers and bureaucrats Newsletters Media releases Street stalls Attending workshops, forums, community consultations Social media
Newsletter
Political action Pick battles Best to combine action on campaigns Be factual and well informed Get help and advice from experts Engage the media Media then contacts regular commentators for views e.g. Stateline, SMH, Alan Jones, Peter FitzSimons, David Marr, Mike Carlton Be prepared to adapt and change your strategy Be prepared for a long fight!
Destruction of heritage
Forbes.com Dense Urban Thinking Down Under The assault on Cowley s neighbourhood reflects a particular density ideology that, although present in the United States, is far more powerful in New Zealand, Great Britain and Australia.. What is happening to lovely Ku-ring-gai and the Great Australian Dream should stand as a warning of what happens if planners,and their big developer allies, gain total sway. It is one of the worst examples of bad planning I have seen Urban Futures expert Prof Joel Kotkin, Forbes.com 18 Oct 2011
Campaigns Petitions e.g. Objecting to Minister Refshauge s 6 Targeted SEPP 53 sites for 5-7 storey development 2002, 10,000 signatures Rallies, protests and demonstrations e.g. Fight the Height Rally, Hazzard Tape campaign, outside MPs offices Projects e.g. Photographic Project, Stage 1 of Residential Development Strategy, homes and streetscapes impacted by high density development (2d3 zones) along the Pacific Hwy and rail corridor Proposals e.g. Turramurra Heritage Precinct Walk Taking Legal Advice & Action e.g. Reclassification of public land, Friends of Turramurra vs Minister for Planning
Wins! Saved from demolition!
FOKE Project 2008
Why the Record? to create a permanent record of sites and streetscapes impacted by the Plan to highlight the direct threat to many of Ku-ring-gai s heritage listed items, proposed items and contributory items to illustrate the lack of appropriate interface provided by KLEP s between sites rezoned for multi storey developments and adjacent single dwellings to expose the direct threat of destruction and loss of Ku-ring-gai s character and heritage under the KLEPs, and provide a visual evidentiary platform to support - community protest against and resistance to this threat - community advocacy and agitation for - the immediate gazettal of Ku-ring-gai s conservation areas, and - the adoption, enactment and enforcement, by government at all levels, of policies and laws which protect the natural and cultural heritage, not only in Ku-ring-gai, but across Australia
Before!
After!
Awards 2009 NATIONAL TRUST HERITAGE AWARDS HIGHLY COMMENDED 2008 NSW GOVERNMENT HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS AWARD 2000 WINNER NSW HERITAGE OFFICE HERITAGE WATCH OVER OUR PLACE OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE KU-RING- GAI, KEEP AUSTRALIA BEAUTIFUL COUNCIL (NSW) METRO PRIDE AWARDS
Campaigning Tools Emails elists of members and friends Newsletters Targeted letter campaigns Petitions Banners Letters to Editor/Media Releases/Talk back radio Website, You Tube & Facebook Collaboration with other groups and bodies e.g. rallies/protests, street stalls
Banner campaign
Rally Ku-ring-gai Fight the Height Rally Nov 2002
RAID Campaign Residents Against Inappropriate Development 19 Oct 2008
Ku-ring-gai s Residents Alliance Not So High Campaign Death of Democracy Rally 27 Sept 2009
Better Planning Network Hazzard Tape campaign BPN banner campaign 2012/13
Better Planning Network The Better Planning Network (BPN) is a volunteer-based organisation founded in August 2012 by community groups concerned about the NSW Government's planning reforms. The BPN is campaigning for a visionary planning system that fosters environmental and social sustainability with best planning design outcomes.
BPN s success Committed focused leadership group Driven & passionate leader/convenor Strategy - developed with member groups Consults experts Media releases on key issues Regular emails to membership groups Focussed campaigns e.g. hazzard tape, surveys Attending Industry forums and seminars Building relationships with politicians Social media Facebook,Twitter,petitions
BPN campaign
Win! Friends of Turramurra vs Minister Tony Kelly Formed a committee from Ku-ring-gai community group leaders Gathered all the facts & evidence Consulted EDO EDO consulted barristers & experts Case prepared for L&E Court Evidence presented Planning Panel Town Centres LEP invalidated 28 July 2011by Justice Craig L& E Court
Current Issues in Ku-ring-gai NSW Metrostrategy Planning amendments thro SEPPs 10/50 Clearing Code NorthConnex Epping to Wahroonga tunnel Reclassification and sale of public land Developer donations Principal LEP and gazettal of UCA s
Thank You For Your Time This Evening FOKE: PO Box 403, Killara NSW 2071 info@foke.org.au www.facebook.com/friendsofkuringgai