Council: religion didn’t impact eruv decision
KU-RING-GAI Council rejected the development applications needed to complete the North Shore eruv because of the impact it would have on trees and views in the area, according to council documents.
KU-RING-GAI Council rejected the development applications needed to complete the North Shore eruv because of the impact it would have on trees and views in the area, according to council documents.
A motion was put forward by Councillor Elise Keays, and passed six to three, to officially refuse the development applications at a council meeting last Tuesday night. The motion stated that council rejected the proposal because of the visual impact, public interest and impacts on trees and vegetation.
It also indicated that council did not consider the religious ramifications of the eruv when making a decision.
“The cumulative impact of the proposed poles and wiring on the entire area that would be enclosed by the eruv had not been considered,” the motion stated.
Council staffers had recommended that council approve the erection of 27 poles on private land to form part of the eruv, but the councillors voted against the proposal on August 23. However, they had not yet voted to reject the related development applications.
The Northern Eruv Inc initially lodged an appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court after the manner was not dealt with in a timely matter by Ku-ring-gai Council, meaning it was deemed a refusal before it was even voted on.
For this reason, Councillor Keays said it was important to note that it has now been officially refused by councillors.
According to the councillor, an official refusal was an important factor for the appeal in the Land and Environment Court because the appeal process would take into consideration the reasons stated for refusal, which may ultimately assist the council’s defence.
Northern Eruv spokesperson David Guth said a timeline has now been set for the appeals process and he hoped the issue would be resolved in less than four months.
“We will continue to work to try and get the best outcome for the Jewish community in St Ives and on the North Shore,” Guth said. “The process is ongoing.”
JOSHUA LEVI
The boundary of the proposed eruv
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