THERE HAS BEEN SOME PROGRESS IN TWO MATTERS WE HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO. FIRSTLY, RESIDENTS would have seen City of Joondalup boards at the entrances to the Connolly Shopping Centre explaining that it had received a planning application to convert the supermarket into three tenancies: a childcare Centre, consulting room for medical practitioners and a shop. The childcare would operate from 7am to 6pm and have a maximum capacity of 100 children and 17 staff. The City requested feedback on the proposal by 19 July. It is a positive move that something is happening at the shopping Centre so we will monitor progress on what transpires. SECONDLY, THE “CONNOLLY” ENTRY STATEMENT AT THE CORNER of Shenton Avenue and Fairway Circle, being the intersection closer to the freeway, at the time of writing, is nearing completion. Thanks to the City for acknowledging our request for it to be done. Residents would have received their City of Joondalup Rate Notices for the 2019/2020 financial year. General rates for Residential Improved have increased by 2.25%, Emergency Services (Levied by the State Government) by 2.44% and Refuse charges have remained static. With other control measures it has taken, the City explains that the operating budget for the year is a small surplus.

The increases are above current inflation, although the City envisages inflation increasing during the next financial period. Major projects highlighted in the budget documents specific to Connolly, are $350 000 for Princeville Tor pollutant traps and $70 000 for Huntingdale Park irrigation renewals. We will monitor progress on the minor works projects put forward to the City which were noted in the previous Links issue. It is interesting to note that a Performing Arts project is back on the drawing board, generating public comments in the local news on the feasibility of such a project, given that the one put forward in 2016 was declined by the City to go to the next level. Comparing the models, projected financial outcomes and planned sources of finance will be a useful exercise. We are progressing well with setting up the Connolly website. Committee member Phil Farrugia has done an excellent job in pursuing with it and it is planned to be up and running soon.