So if you haven’t renewed your 1999 membership or haven’t belonged to the Progress Association before please fill in the membership form on the back of the newsletter.  Please be assured that by joining you do not have to regularly attend meetings or participate in activities (although we will be more than happy if you do).  Membership is $5 for families and $2 for individuals and is open to all Lugarno residents. 

We’d also like to thank Creswell Engineering of Peakhurst (associated with LPA Vice President & Treasurer, Graham & Kim Steed) very much for contributing to the cost of our new LPA banner which was made in time to hang at the Shopping Centre for our April meeting - their contribution is very much appreciated.

Rob Clarsen - 9153 5158

50km Speed Limit Update

Hurstville Council has advised that they are awaiting a determination by the RTA regarding increasing the speed limit to 60kph on Roberts Avenue, Isaac Street and Belmore Road, between Isaac Street and Henry Lawson Drive.  These roads have to be reclassified from local to regional roads to allow the RTA to increase the speed limit to 60kph.

Street Lighting – Blackbutt Ave

We have received advice from Hurstville Council that following resident request the street lighting at the top of Blackbutt Avenue is to be upgraded.  Four 20w lights are to be replaced with 2x125w (closest to Forest Road) and 2x80w lights.  A 80w light on a 2m pole is also to be erected on the first pole in Boyd Avenue to eliminate a dark area.

Hurstville Police have again reminded us of their home security checklist.  This includes:

• is your street number clearly visible?

• are your fences and gates able to restrict access to your property?

• is your landscaping free from potential hiding places for thieves?

• do you have security lights outside your home?

• are all outside doors of solid construction?

• are all external windows secured to restrict unwanted entry?

• have you recorded serial numbers of valuables?

• when you leave your car to you take all valuables with you?

• do you lock your garage/garden shed when you’re away from home?

• if you see suspicious activity do you immediately call police?

Crime statistics for March were:

There have also been a number of break-ins at the Chivers Hill Shopping Centre and it would be appreciated if all residents who live nearby could keep a close eye on the centre outside of trading hours.

May Meeting

Mary Moodie and Jim Powell of Peakhurst Garden Centre for giving a very informative talk on camellias at our April meeting.  It was one of the most enlightening talks on gardens that we have had for some time and the “green thumb” members who attended kept Jim talking well over time!

Hurstville City Council for upgrading the pedestrian refuge on Forest Road at the Chivers Hill Shopping Centre.  The refuge is now bigger and more suitable for its location.

The LPA has been informed that mobile skateboard ramps for kids to ride their skateboards on, over and through will be in Lugarno and Peakhurst soon.  6 mobile skateboard ramps have been put together by the Riverwood  Community Centre and will be able to be put into action in the near future once the public liability insurance is processed.  The skateboard ramps will be accompanied by professional teachers and knee and ankle protections along with helmets can be hired if children do not have their own.  For more information contact Lugarno Lion and LPA Committee member Bryce Turner on 9153 9536.

Evatt Park Cricket Wicket

The synthetic turf covered cricket wicket at Evatt Park was installed some 15 years ago and whilst it has a good consistent surface, it is very narrow.  When it was originally installed, it was obviously felt that the cost savings of laying the narrower than normal wicket were justified.  However the result is that slightly wide deliveries from  bowlers often strike the edge of the pitch and deflect in a dangerous manner.  At the last Council meeting, $7500 was voted to replace the existing pitch with a suitable dimensioned one.

Camellias a specialty at Peakhurst Garden Centre

Did you know that Peakhurst Garden Centre has an extensive range of camellias and that Jim Powell is available for consulting on camellias at the Garden Centre 6 days a week?

Also from Easter to August, Peakhurst Garden Centre has a large range of camellias on display and  available for purchase.  Jim Powell advised the April meeting that camellias:

• were originally brought into Australia from Europe in the 1830’s and were hard to grow in the Australian conditions but have now been extensively bred in NZ and the US and are now suitable for Australia;

•  blend well with natives as they like the same acid soil;

• can be grown in pots and against walls, particularly a new variety called Margaret Miller;

• a Paradise Jennifer camellia can be used for hedging and grow to 2 metres;

• don’t require a lot of attention and like well drained, organic fertilizer containing blood and bone.

   »  St Stephen's Church Hall (Opposite Allwood Crescent)
   »  Councillor Philip Sansom will be attending to provide a Council update
   »  Tea & coffee available after the meeting
   »  Oatley Flora and Fauna – next meeting Monday May 22 at 7.45 pm - Uniting Church Hall, Cnr Frederick & Letitia Street Oatley