From the Mayor - 24 May 2023

Mosman is so very fortunate to be home to a substantial amount of bushland and as the size and density of Sydney’s population grows, public land, open space and bushland becomes ever more essential and important.

Last weekend I attended a workshop on bush regeneration and came away with a genuine appreciation of the scientific principles used by our committed and experienced bushcare volunteers. If protecting and preserving our bushlands is of interest to you, you can find out more about volunteering for Mosman Parks & Bushland by visiting mosmanparksandbushland.org or contact council’s Bushcare volunteer program by emailing bushcare@mosman.nsw.gov.au

We are reaching the half-way point of the year and our community winter sports programs are underway. Last year Council was successful in obtaining a NSW Government grant for $1 million to upgrade Balmoral Oval with works due to start this June.  At our May meeting, Council unanimously endorsed the use of Clifton Gardens Reserve for essential junior sport training from 3.45pm to 7.45pm for the period 1 June to 31 August 2023.

Two other major community fun runs that are quintessentially Mosman are almost upon us.  Awaba Street will be closed on Sunday 28 May for the 21st Balmoral Burn and Sunday 18 June will see the local streets around Mosman closed for the Mosman Public School Mini Mos fun run and fair.  Council continues to support both events and, in advance, I thank residents and local businesses for their understanding and generosity during these special community events. 

I am delighted to report that Council received positive feedback from residents who attended the Community Forum on our long-term vision to progress plans for building a new library.  The Barry O’Keefe Library, including the Creation Space, continues to be our most visited community service, lending over a million books a year and delivering a wide variety of activities for all ages.  To all our young residents, be quick, as entries in the 31st annual Mosman Youth Awards in Literature remain open only until 31 May.

In closing, I thank all residents who give their time to participate in the upcoming biennial Community Survey.  The data provided will assist Council’s next major iteration of our guiding document, MOSPLAN.