Mayor's Column

Gladesville Masterplan Update 

Council has now approved the Planning Proposal for the Gladesville Shopping Village as part of the Gladesville Town Centre Masterplan review, marking an important milestone in the future planning of the town centre. The proposal will now be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to review and finalise. 

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to have their say during the consultation process. The feedback we received from residents, businesses and stakeholders has been invaluable in shaping the final proposal and will continue to guide the next stages of the project. 

Council looks forward to working with stakeholders to bring this vision to life and deliver lasting benefits for the Gladesville community. 

National Tree Day at Boronia Park 

National Tree Day is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on our local environment while connecting with the community. I encourage residents to join us on Sunday 26 July from 9.30am at Boronia Park, where we will plant 300 trees, shrubs, native grasses and groundcovers to strengthen an important biodiversity corridor along the Lane Cove River. 

These new plantings will help provide vital habitat and food sources for local birdlife, including Fairy-wrens, Silvereyes and Red-browed Finches, while enhancing the area's natural beauty for future generations. 

People of all ages are welcome and no experience is necessary. 

Registrations are essential and can be made by emailing shilmanm@huntershill.nsw.gov.au.  

Screen & Brains Webinar 

Parents and carers of children and young people aged 5–16 years are invited to attend a free online webinar on Tuesday 11 August at 7pm exploring the impact of screen use on young people. 

Presented by neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams, the webinar will examine how screen use can influence brain development, learning, behaviour, wellbeing and social connection. Participants will also gain practical strategies to help support healthy development and positive digital habits in an increasingly connected world. 

This informative session is hosted by the Northern Sydney Local Health District in partnership with council across Northern Sydney. 

For more information and to register, visit Council’s Events page. 

Biennial Quilt Show 

Hunters Hill Quilters will host their biennial Quilt Show at Hunters Hill Town Hall from 14–16 August, between 10am and 4pm. 

The exhibition will showcase approximately 60 quilts and feature a café, handmade items for sale, quilt raffles and a stall by local fabric retailer Material Obsessions. 

Proceeds from the event will support the group’s charitable quilting projects, as well as a donation to the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre. This popular community event is a wonderful opportunity to admire local craftsmanship while supporting important charitable causes. 

For more information, visit Council’s Events page. 

Get involved in the 2026 Moocooboola Festival

Preparation is well underway for the 2026 Moocooboola Festival, and Council is inviting stallholders and performers to be part of this much-loved community event on Sunday 27 September at Boronia Park Ovals.

Moocooboola Festival is a decades-long tradition in Hunters Hill that brings community members together each year, with its wide range of attractions including live performances, amusement rides and games, market bazaar, show bags, displays, and my personal favourite, the Dog Show.

This year, we look forward to bringing the community together once again for a vibrant day filled with entertainment, local talent and family fun.

If you are interested in being part of the fun at the festival as a performer or stallholder, make sure to submit an expression of interest at huntershill.nsw.gov.au/moocooboola. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

Expressions of interest to become a sponsor of the Moocooboola Festival are also open and will be accepted until Tuesday, 1 September 2026.

Have Your Say: Clarke’s Point Plan of Management

Council is now seeking feedback from the community on the updated draft Plan of Management for Clarke’s Point Reserve and Morts Reserve. The Plan will guide the long-term use, management and improvement of these significant foreshore reserves. Have your say now, until Monday 10 August. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust will also exhibit the draft Woolwich Dock and Parklands Management Plan at the same time.

For more information and to have your say, visit connect.huntershill.nsw.gov.au

FOGO Waste Webinar

Our new Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) waste service has commenced, with green bins now collected weekly alongside your red general waste bins. 

I encourage residents who have questions about the new service to join our online webinar on Wednesday, 15 July at 6pm. I will be joined by Council staff to provide practical guidance and useful tips to help households make the most of their FOGO bin.

For details on how to join the webinar, visit Council’s website.

NAIDOC Week activities

Join us this Friday as we continue our NAIDOC Week events.

Children can get creative at our NAIDOC Week Craft Session from 11am at The Yarn, while community members can learn about traditional uses of native bush medicine plants at the Djirrawarra – Bush Remedy Workshop from 1.30pm at the Hunters Hill Town Hall.

Both events are free but registrations are required. For more information and to register, visit www.huntershill.nsw.gov.au/events.

Welcome, Le Vésinet students!

It was a pleasure to welcome the 2026 French exchange students from Le Vésinet as part of the Hunters Hill–Le Vésinet Friendship Committee’s long-running student exchange program.

The 12 students joined us for afternoon tea last Tuesday to officially kick off their cultural exchange experience with some iconic Aussie snacks. It is always great to meet the students and hear about their excitement for the weeks ahead.

For more than 30 years, the Friendship Committee’s exchange program has provided students from Hunters Hill and Le Vésinet with the opportunity to experience the culture, lifestyle and community of their sister city, helping to build lasting friendships and international connections.

If you are interested in learning more about the exchange program or applying for next year’s intake, visit www.huntershill-levesinet.au.

Refugee Week Citizenship Ceremony

As Mayor, it is a privilege to preside over citizenship ceremonies and witness members of our community take their final step towards becoming Australian citizens.

Last week, Council’s citizenship ceremony coincided with Refugee Week, a time to recognise refugees and the valuable contributions they make to our society. We welcomed 15 new citizens from 10 countries in the Hunters Hill Town Hall.

Our community has a proud history of welcoming people from around the world. United by our shared values and citizenship, we continue to build and grow our wonderful community.

I extend my sincere congratulations to our newest citizens and wish them every success in this next chapter.

Gladesville Masterplan Update

The outcomes of the community consultation will be presented to Council at an Extraordinary Meeting on Monday 6 July from 6pm. The report will outline recommended next steps to support Council in making an informed determination to the NSW Department of Planning.

We encourage residents to attend the meeting in person or tune in to the live broadcast via Council’s YouTube channel.

Early Learning Programs at The Yarn

The Yarn is a valued community facility, offering weekly programs that support early childhood development in engaging and accessible ways.

Baby Bounce, held each Friday from 11am, provides a fun and interactive experience for children aged 0–3 years and their carers through stories, songs and rhymes.

Storytime, held every Wednesday from 11am, is a popular program that supports early learning and encourages a lifelong love of reading through stories and activities.

Hunters Hill locals recognised in the King's Birthday 2026 Honours List

I am pleased to share that a Hunters Hill resident and two members of our extended community have been honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List.

Congratulations to local resident Professor Elizabeth Elliott AO, for distinguished service to paediatric medicine, to women's health, and to medical and social understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. A Distinguished Professor at the University of Sydney and Consultant Paediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Professor Elliott has devoted her career to improving outcomes for vulnerable children through clinical care, research and advocacy. Her leadership and commitment to equity in health are widely respected, and we are proud to call her a member of our community.

I also acknowledge two recipients connected to St Joseph’s College: Mr Geoffrey Joy OAM, former Headmaster, recognised for his service to education, and Dr Kenneth James Facer OAM, honoured for his service to medicine, including more than two decades as the College doctor.

Congratulations to all recipients, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to our community and beyond.

To view the full Honours List, visit: https://www.gg.gov.au/kings-birthday-2026-honours-list

Fresh New Look for Boronia Park

Boronia Park ovals are set for a transformation, with a brand-new white picket fence now being installed around the perimeter of Oval 1 as part of Council’s Capital Works Program.

The project includes the installation of a long-life aluminium picket fence to replace the old cyclone fencing, along with new access gates, helping to improve safety and the character of one of Hunters Hill’s premier community and sporting spaces.

Boronia Park continues to play a central role in the wellbeing of our community, providing incredible amenity, sporting infrastructure and recreational space. I am pleased to see this upgrade taking shape and look forward to seeing the finished result enjoyed by the whole community.

New FOGO Bins Arriving Across Hunters Hill

The rollout of our new 240L FOGO bins is now underway, replacing your current green garden waste bin. Many residents have already received their new bins, delivered by our waste contractor.

After all the bins have been delivered, kitchen caddies will follow with a 6-month supply of compostable bin lines from Council.

This new service will allow both food scraps and garden waste to be recycled into valuable compost, reducing what goes to landfill.

From 1 June to 5 July 2026, please use your new FOGO bin for garden waste only. During this transition period, it will be collected fortnightly on your usual garden waste collection day.

The Food Organic and Garden Organic (FOGO) waste collection service will commence on Monday, 6 July 2026, with weekly collections on the same day as your red general waste bin.

I thank the community for your support as we introduce this important initiative and encourage everyone to get ready to make the most of the new service.

Expanding EV Charging Across Hunters Hill

Council has approved several locations for new electric vehicle charging stations across the Hunters Hill LGA, in partnership with ChargePost.

These locations are:

• 10 Park Road, Hunters Hill (Boronia Park side of the street)
• Huntleys Point Road, Huntleys Point
• 18 Joubert Street, Hunters Hill
• Everard Street opposite the intersection with Blaxland Street, Hunters Hill

These EV charging stations will support the growing uptake of electric vehicles, with rollout expected to commence in four weeks. The installations are fully funded by our partners and the NSW Government’s EV grants program.

King’s Birthday Public Holiday 

As the King’s Birthday long weekend approaches, I would like to remind everyone to keep safe on our local roads.  

Double demerit points will be in effect across New South Wales throughout this period. I encourage all residents and visitors in our local area to drive carefully, stay alert, and respect the road rules. We wish you all the very best for a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones over the King’s Birthday Weekend.

Money Skills IRL Webinar

Council is supporting opportunities that help young people build important life skills, including financial wellbeing.

Presented by Northern Beaches Council, the free ‘Money Skills IRL: Get Your Money Right’ webinar will be held on Wednesday 28 June from 7pm for young people aged 18–24. The session will cover practical tips on budgeting, smarter spending and managing money with confidence.

For more information and to register, visit Council’s website.

Share Your Event with the Hunters Hill Community

Community service groups and local clubs can promote their events free of charge on Council’s website. This is a valuable opportunity to gain greater exposure while reaching the Hunters Hill community directly.

Simply create an account through My Hunters Hill and submit your event details for review. Once approved, events will be published on Council’s online events calendar.

This initiative is designed to make it easier for residents to discover and participate in local activities, while strengthening community connections and encouraging greater engagement across our area.

The Hunters Hill Art Exhibition is now well underway, showcasing the exceptional creativity of our local artistic community. I’m pleased to announce and congratulate this year’s talented winners:

• Hunters Hill Art Prize – Helen Oram for “The Life Guard Chair”
• Regional Art Prize – Daniel Dominguez for "Churchill in His Garter Robes"
• Tracey Dixon, McGrath Watercolour Prize – Brian Stratton for "The Granites Coastline"
• Hunters Hill Hotel Sculpture Prize – Leasha Craig for "We All Have Wings"
• Nora Heysen Award – Karen Presland for "Boathouse and Stairs Hunters Hill"
• Small Works Prize – Ania Zmijewska for "Evening Sky from Balls Head"

It’s truly something not to be missed, there is still time to experience this year’s exhibition firsthand. If you haven’t seen the exhibition yet, I encourage you to visit the Hunters Hill Town Hall this weekend to view these remarkable works and many other outstanding pieces.

The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 4pm until Sunday 31 May, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore a thoughtfully curated collection. It’s also a chance to support our local creative community by purchasing an art piece from the exhibition to add to your own collection.

Voting remains open for both the Kids’ Choice Award and the Hunters Hill Medical Practice People’s Choice Award for the duration of the exhibition, so be sure to cast your vote.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our generous sponsors whose support made this event possible: Tracey Dixon of McGrath Real Estate Hunters Hill, Hunters Hill Hotel, Hunters Hill Medical Practice, and Taylors Wines.

Hunters Hill Art Exhibition

The Hunters Hill Art Exhibition opens to the public this weekend, featuring 280 artworks from talented local and regional artists. I encourage residents and visitors to explore this year’s exhibition and enjoy the creativity and artistic talent on display within our community.

For those wanting early access or the opportunity to purchase artworks ahead of the public opening, Buyers’ Preview and Opening Night tickets are available.

Purchase your ticket at: https://tinyurl.com/wc875d6x

National Volunteer Week

This week is National Volunteer Week, and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our dedicated volunteers. Whether through Bushcare, local arts programs or community events such as Moocooboola, your time and commitment make a real difference and helps strengthen our community.

Jetty Closure

Council has engaged contractors to undertake repair, and upgrade works to the jetty at Timbrell Reserve as part of broader improvements to the reserve.

The project includes a new footpath, handrails, restoration of the sandstone stairs, and additional upgrade works to the jetty to improve safety and accessibility.

Works are scheduled to commence during the week beginning 25 May 2026, weather permitting, and are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. These improvements will enhance the amenity and usability of this valued community space.

Le Vésinet Student French Exchange

Applications are now open for the Hunters Hill–Le Vésinet Student French Exchange Program 2026/27 for secondary school students interested in travelling to France in December 2026. The long-running exchange program offers students studying French with the opportunity to experience life with a host family, attend school in Le Vésinet and immerse themselves in French culture while building lifelong friendships.

For more information and to apply, visit www.huntershill-levesinet.au