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Coffee Capsule Recycling Program Now Runs In Willoughby

Thousands of households in Willouhgby and Mosman have joined ‘Curby,’ a recycling program launched by Australian recyclers iQ Renew and CurbCycle to help prevent aluminum coffee capsules from going into landfill.

Read: 3 Important Facts to Keep In Mind About the Clean-up Collection in Willoughby

The program initially rolled out to Sydney northern suburbs. Participants receive an orange bag where they can put the capsules they have collected. The bag can then be placed in recycling bins for collection.

iQ Renew said placing them in a bag will allow them to be separated easily in their facility. Although aluminium coffee capsules can already be collected for recycling through store drop-off and bulk recycling boxes, their small size makes it difficult to recycle them in traditional kerbside recycling systems.

Once collected, the capsules are separated from other recycling at iQ Renew’s facility and transferred to the Nespresso recycling system in NSW for separating into coffee grounds and aluminium. The grounds are then sent to an industrial composting facility to be transformed into compost, while the aluminium is recycled and sent back to the aluminium industry to produce new aluminium products.

The trial is part of a coffee capsule recycling scheme led by Planet Ark. in December 2020, the Australian Government showed support to the scheme by providing funds to Planet Ark.

According to Planet Ark, the project is critical to raising recycling rates, reducing organic material in landfill, and increasing access to collection points for a rapidly growing waste stream and already has the support of industry leaders including Vittoria, Kruger ANZ and Grinders Coffee.

The trial, which will run until December 2021, was launched in partnership with Mosman Council and Willoughby City Council. If you still want to join the Curby trial, download the app via iOS or Android and register your interest in the program.

Club Willoughby Redevelopment with Senior Living Complex Approved

After a decade of planning and discussions with concerned groups and officials, Club Willoughby, one of the largest RSL clubs in Sydney, has been approved for redevelopment as a club with a senior living complex and memorial gardens.

Hyecorp Property Group plans to do a massive overhaul of the community site, utilising sustainable but modern designs that will deliver a wonderful experience for both visitors and patrons. The transformation is expected to cost around $95-million.

But the ambitious plan will entail the demolition of the 52-year-old clubhouse, which will be replaced with a three-storey facility boasting of a gaming and sports area, a dance floor and rows of restaurants. The development will also include 125 dwelling units for seniors and an aged care facility with 72 beds.

This building, to be called Heart of Willoughby, will at least five-storeys tall with underground parking, a concierge, swimming and gym facilities, as well as consultation rooms for doctors and therapists.

The plans, lodged in 2019 (DA-2019/247) and approved in March 2021, received over 150 submissions from both residents and businesses who have concerns over traffic, privacy and over-development in a low-density zone. However, Club Willoughby director Jack Seatter said that this is a much-needed renewal as the club could, otherwise, be sold to developers who could propose a different plan.

Meanwhile, club president Matt Vertzonis said that the revamp will remain true to the legacy of the founders of the RSL club who established Club Willoughby in the 1940s as a community hub.

A spokesperson for Hyecorp Property Group also said that they are looking forward to the project’s fruition as it will be a site for the community to come together and for the seniors to have a high-quality living option in their beloved neighbourhood.

Construction of the new Club Willoughby is expected to begin in late 2021 and will be completed in three years.

3 Important Facts to Keep In Mind About the Clean-up Collection in Willoughby

Apart from the weekly garbage collection, hauling bulky household waste happens pretty regularly in Willoughby. This service provided by the Council follows a set schedule every year but residents may also make special requests if they follow certain conditions.

Here are three important facts you should know about the clean-up collection if you live in Willoughby:

1. Residents are accorded one free pre-book clean-up collection.

Under Willoughby Council, the scheduled large household waste collection takes place three times a year. To know your schedule, simply visit the Council’s official site and enter your house number and street name.

However, you may arrange for a different collection by pre-booking the service if you missed the scheduled dates. Each household in Willoughby can only make one free pre-booked clean-up collection within the financial year. Should you need more collection schedule, corresponding fees will apply.

2. Wastes for collection must be properly labeled.

The Council requires residents to properly put a label on their bins during clean-up collections. It should either have the Scheduled Collection or the Pre-Booked Collection label.

These labels may be downloaded on the Council’s website. However, if you cannot print one, you can put your own label with proper identifications like the collection date, booking reference number (for pre-booked) and your address.

Labels are necessary to avoid being cited for illegal dumping.

3. Take note of the inclusions and exclusions during the Scheduled Clean-Up collection.

INCLUDED	EXCLUDED
Household furniture Small appliances Soft furnishings Carpet and linoleum (must be cut into 1 metre lengths and bundled. Maximum 0.5m3) Other non-recyclable household items Whitegoods and metal items, e.g. Fridge/freezer, washing machine. TVs and Computers	General household garbage Small household items Vegetation, dirt, stones and sand Mattresses/foam Car batteries and car parts Tyres Building materials, including bricks, concrete and tiles Liquids, including paint, chemicals and oil Fibro/asbestos Gas bottles Hazardous materials, including volatile liquids, medical waste and explosives Mirrors and sheets of glass

*Photo Credit: Kevin H/Creative Commons*

However, vegetation wastes that comply with the conditions may be included in the Pre-Booked Clean-Up collection, while mattresses and foam pick-up may be booked via Soft Landing. The other wastes may be brought to recycling facilities or disposed of during CleanOut events within the community.

For questions about this service, email the Council at email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or phone +61 (2) 9777 1000.

Experience the ‘Galuwa Inyun Bulga’ Trail at Flat Rock Gully Reserve in Willoughby

Have you ever taken the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track in Willoughby? A special part of this trail is called the Gulawa Injun Bulgan, which includes the retracing of the lives of an aboriginal group that lived in the lower North Shore area before the arrival of the Europeans.

The Camaraigal clan, also known as the Cammeraygal people, thrived in the Willoughby region because it had the best fishing grounds. Thousands of years ago, the elder men of this tribe would wake up every day to go down the Flat Rock Gully and hunt for food for their family using a stone hatchet.

“Galuwa Inyun Bulga” actually means “climb downhill” in the aboriginal language. The children of the tribe, however, also go down the hill to play and swim in the shallow waters of the Flat Rock Gully. Their mothers, on the other, also go down this path to collect cockle shells to be used to cook and store food.

Today, there’s plenty of evidence of this kind of life at the Flat Rock Gully, such as the presence of cockle shells and the groove on the stones that depicted how the aboriginal elders sharpened their tools for hunting.

There are also rock engravings and some ancient artwork within the caves of this reserve if you know where to look. Apparently, the aboriginal people created these works of art using ochre mixed with water and spit.

*Photo Credit:* *Wendy Greenan/Facebook*

According to Flat Rock Gully Reserve Action Plan this aboriginal evidence dates back to 5,850 years. The last known encampment was believed to have been in existence near the Long Gully Bridge in the 1880s.

Former Nine Network Willoughby Headquarters for Redevelopment as a 460-Apartment Site

Photo Credit: NSW Planning & Environment

The former Nine Network Willoughby headquarters on Artarmon Road will be redeveloped as a 460-apartment site following the approval of the project lodged by developer LEPC9 and architect CHROFI with the NSW Independent Planning & Environment Commission.

The residential and commercial property, which spans 2.9-hectare, will include nine nine-storey apartment buildings, sets of public lounging areas, footpaths, and plenty of accessible parks or green spaces.

The site will also include a childcare facility and other important amenities useful for the community.

The original plan submitted with the Commission included at least two 12-storey buildings to accommodate 495 homes. The residents, including members of the Willoughby Council, initially objected against the scale of the project.

After a series of consultations with concerned residents, the Commission requested the developer to submit a modification, as well as a detailed plan for parking and traffic management.

In March, the Commission confirmed that the project has been approved for the second stage.

Construction of the residential complex, however, will not begin until 2020, when Nine Network vacates the site to establish its new office at Denison Street in North Sydney. The Willoughby headquarters was the media giant’s home for the last 60 years.

The planned residential site on Artarmon Road will be named Parkside Willoughby.

What to See at the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track in Willoughby

Photo Credit: J Bar/Wikimedia Commons

Escape the concrete jungle of Sydney and go for a nature walk at Willoughby’s Flat Rock Gully. Less than 10 kilometres from the inner cities, this bush track is accessible by bus, car, bike or foot.

The Flat Rock Gully in Willoughby covers 10 hectares of land but the walking trail covers four kilometres of rugged bush track. The walk itself might be short for some outdoor enthusiasts but there are sections with steep and wet terrains that could be challenging for others.

Most people begin their Flat Rock Gully walking track at the Willoughby Leisure Centre at Flat Rock Drive. Walk a few meters down this road and you’ll get a glimpse of the Flat Rock Creek’s waterfall that flows under the Long Gully Bridge, also known as the Suspension Bridge.

*Photo Credit:* *Sydney Bushwalking Dogs/Facebook*

Built in 1892 to help with the residential developments of the suburbs Northbridge, Cammeray, and Willoughby, this bridge has distinctive and grand sandstone turreted towers. Succeeding constructions and reinforcements to the structure were completed in 1939.

As a historical landmark and a tourist attraction, the Long Gully Bridge became a heritage structure in 2003.

*Photo Credit:* *Australian National Maritime Museum*

Take note, however, that if the rain is particularly strong, you might not be able to pass the bush tracks by the creek since it could be flooded or slippery. Instead, stay on the footpath or bike path that will take you towards Tunks Park and playground, which marks the end of your walk.

But if you’re visiting the Flat Rock Gully walking track on a fine day, you may take a short side-track and find some notable historical points of interests as well, such as:

Fatty Dawson’s Ruins – This is the former residence of a pig farmer named Mr Fatty Dawson from the 1860s. Parts of his house and garden are still accessible through the bush track although most of it is now covered by the sandstone walls that around the area.

Privet Forest – This is the home to many species of birds that are protected by the government. Hence, if you’re going through this bush track with a dog, it’s important to have your pet leashed and well-behaved so as not to disturb the wildlife.

However, take care and mind the side tracks you follow to prevent soil erosion and avoid disturbing the wildflowers and plants in the area. Visitors of the Flat Rock Gully walking track are also encouraged to clean up after themselves and their pets to keep rubbish off the reserves.

For questions about this bush trail, you may also verify and call the Open Space Branch of the Willougby City Council at 9777 7755.

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Photo credit: www.hoyts.com.au
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Photo credit: www.bridgeviewhotel.com.au
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