Willoughby City Council Archives

Willoughby Locals Invited to Help Guide Arts and Culture Board

Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council/Facebook

In a move that could impact Willoughby’s cultural life for years to come, the City Council is inviting applications for two key positions on its arts trust board.

Willoughby Calls For Community Voices To Help Shape Local Arts Future

Willoughby residents are being called on to help shape the future of the city’s arts and culture scene, with expressions of interest now open for two positions on the Civic Place Trust Board.

*Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council/Facebook*

Applications close 5:00 pm Friday, 10 May 2024. Willoughby Council is calling for locals with experience in arts, fundraising, law or finance to join the board, which meets a few times a year to support the city’s cultural growth.

Supporting Local Arts in Willoughby

Established in 2004, the Civic Place Trust supports cultural projects in Willoughby, including fundraising for The Concourse in Chatswood and backing groups like the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

*Photo Credit: Willoughby Symphony/Facebook*

Willoughby City Council says the board helps guide donations and sponsorships that support the arts in the local area. It ensures that the money raised goes toward improving facilities, events, and opportunities for local residents to experience and take part in cultural life.

Who the Council is Looking For

The Council is seeking two new trustees, one with experience in arts, fundraising or philanthropy, and another with a background in law, governance or finance. Applicants don’t need to be professionals but should have relevant knowledge and a strong commitment to the local community.

People selected to join the board will be asked to attend a few meetings a year and contribute their ideas and guidance. Their role will be to help keep Willoughby’s arts scene active and accessible, especially as the city continues to grow.

How to Get Involved

Locals who are interested can apply by sending a cover letter and CV to: civicplacetrust@gmail.com

More information about the Trust and what it does is available on the Willoughby City Council website, under the Civic Place Trust section.

Council officials said they hope to hear from people of all backgrounds who are passionate about helping their city thrive through culture and creativity.

Published 22-April-2025

Willoughby Mayor Demands Stronger Powers to Combat Tree Vandalism

Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council

Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor is calling for the NSW State Government to implement stronger enforcement tools following the conclusion of an investigation into one of the area’s largest tree vandalism cases.

The investigation into the deliberate destruction of 256 trees at H.D. Robb Reserve in Castle Cove has ended without sufficient evidence to prosecute those responsible, according to a Council statement. Among the destroyed vegetation was an iconic 21-metre Sydney angophora that had stood for over 80 years.

**Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor**
Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council

Mayor Taylor described the destruction as “simply heartless in its disregard for our cherished flora and fauna” and presented her concerns directly to state officials. She met with NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, Minister for Climate Change & Energy Penny Sharpe, Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, and mayors from neighbouring councils to discuss three key points and seven recommendations from Willoughby Council.

“This case was unprecedented in its scale and will go down in Willougby’s history as a low point for our community,” Mayor Taylor said. “Council’s officers have worked tirelessly to identify those responsible, however we’ve been unable to unearth the necessary evidence that might lead to the prosecution of those behind this act.”

The Mayor noted this isn’t an isolated incident, with Willoughby experiencing an increasing number of tree vandalism cases in recent years, reflecting a troubling trend across Sydney’s North Shore.

Willoughby Council has already implemented multiple strategies to address tree vandalism, including educational initiatives, hiring additional compliance staff, and participating in a Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) working group focused on regulatory frameworks and enforcement.

Mayor Taylor emphasised that current resources are inadequate: “We simply need more support in our efforts to investigate tree vandalism to ensure that this doesn’t become an even larger issue.” She added that these incidents undermine Council’s work to balance housing requirements with the NSW Government’s urban tree canopy targets.

Published 20-February-2025