WHEN WARRIMOO UNITED TO STOP A BIG DEVELOPER

A Sudden Threat: The Mall Development and      'WRAG'--1999-2008

In early 1999 some residents of Warrimoo became aware that a 'Mr. Oliveri'--high profile bus company owner from Liverpool district--had purchased 'Lot 25 The Mall' and in the name of 'Bendent Pty Ltd' was proposing a 72 lot residential development on the 9 hectares of land for 'Lot 25' bounded by the Great Western Highway, The Boulevarde and Florabella Street as well Arthur Street. The Mall itself would be extended into it. Essentially, the land was the gully behind Warrimoo shops.

The proposed development was to be in 'the heart' of Warrimoo.

The news hit Warrimoo residents like a bomb. The Citizens Association was prevailed upon to call an urgent meeting prior to BMCC's consideration of the matter in June. A letter-box drop called a General Meeting for the 19th April 1999 at the Citizens Hall. The response was overwhelming--some 110 residents attended, shocked, concerned, and ready for a fight. The list of attendees shows many of Warrimoo's most renowned and finest, heeding the call:

List of attendees at the WCA General Meeting for 19th April, 1999, held in the Citizens Hall--there was a further meeting a week later in the School Hall.

The huge WCA meeting was attended by three Councillors: Colleen Kime, Duncan Berriman and Angelique Henson, who also happened to be a great friend/admirer of Warrimoo and Deputy Mayor at the time. A 'Fighting Fund' was set up and specially committed activist volunteers formed the 'Warrimoo Residents Action Group' (WRAG) to research and promote the campaign to stop 'Bendent's' well funded development machine. They compiled a magnificent case, based upon the following main points:

• pollution--the gully was the source of three 'run off' watercourses flowing into Florabella Creek and thence Glenbrook Creek. Development would interrupt, deform and siltify downstream watercourse functions; noise and air factors also.
• social impact--quiet village atmosphere would be submerged in 72 extra families.
• traffic--roads were too narrow and dangerous (no footpaths!) to carry the extra traffic--400 to 600 extra movements a day
• too much stress on water, electricity and phone services
• threat of bushfires engulfing this confined and steeply sloping gully
• threat to at least three gully species: the Red Crowned Toadlet, Squirrel Gliders and Yellow Bellied Gliders
• there were at least three identified Aboriginal sites on the subject land

 

The 'Red Crowned Toadlet' (much smaller in real life--about the size of a 5 cent piece)--one of the rare species endangered by the The Mall development proposal.

Inspired by the leadership of 'WRAG', Leslie Jennings, Jack Marland, Ruth Hoye, Jan Welland and Alison Kniha, the rationale for these objections was of course researched in depth and far more detailed. When she moved as Deputy Mayor to block the proposal on Council, Angelique Henson was well armed and thoroughly informed. The development was rejected overwhelmingly.

Deputy Mayor and staunch ally of 'WRAG' and the WCA, Angelique Henson.

But 'Bendent Pty Ltd' was not done yet. They appealed to the Land and Environment Court, but after a protracted case the judgement, made in 2002, came down in favour of Council, who were awarded costs. Basically, the Court ruling found the proposal was 'too much, too unprepared' for the land in question.

Undeterred, Oliveri tried again, in 2005, by reducing the number of Lots to be developed to 43. In response BMCC remained firm and knocked it back on the basis of the now 'beefed up' provisions in its 1991 Local Environment Provisions ('LEP'). Bendent Pty Ltd then resubmitted an 'amended' application on the basis that the previous Council objections had been addressed. They had not, and site meetings subsequently occurred between Fire Brigade officers and Council staff, with the Developer, to clarify what needed to be done.

A more detailed map of the proposed development. This is the lighter, '43 Lot' version, adopted after the '72 Lot' submission was rejected some years earlier.

Throughout this agonising, drawn out process, the people of Warrimoo continued 'on edge'. Many thought the threat was over after Council's earlier refusal, or after the Court judgement, but it was not. 'WRAG' appears to have 'withered on the vine'--meeting attendances shrank, and correspondence seems to have waned. In a sense, their job was done: the many reasons why this development was unpopular with Warrimooians had been articulated, over and again.

So it was the doughty officers of the WCA--Allan Bewley, Barry and Jan Welland, Tony Montgomery, Trish Mungoven et al who carried on their meetings, their correspondence with Council, and their supervision of negotiations, who received the 'final letter'. It was addressed to 'Warrimoo Citizens Association' and its Secretary, Patricia Mungoven, and was signed by the Executive Principal, Development Engineering of BMCC, Paul Koen, and was dated 23rd July 2008. It read:

"This letter is forwarded in response to your submission to Council in connection with the land use application for a two lot into forty three lot subdivision on the above property (25 The Mall). I wish to advise that the application has been refused.

 It should be noted however, that the applicant has the right to lodge an application for a review of the decision and the right of appeal to the Land and Environment Court...."[footnote supplied]

In the event, the appeal did not happen this time. The developer had given up. Warrimoo had managed to avoid the creeping suburbanisation happening all about, but mainly down on 'the Plain'. 

The Life of Lorraine Bewley

 

Lorraine Bewley Biography (1927-2017)*

 

Early Life

 Lorraine Bewley was born 'Lorraine Heggie' on the 16th July 1927, first daughter of Charles and Amy Heggie, and elder sister to Beryl, who arrived 3 years later. 

Lorraine Heggie as toddler

In the early 1920's Lorraine's father worked intermittently on a property in Wallerawang, so he rode his horse from Punchbowl (where he lived), camping overnight in Warrimoo next to the angophora tree and horse trough, before riding on to Wallerawang the next day. Hence began a connection with Warrimoo.

Lorraine Heggie as budding horsewoman.

The family lived at Punchbowl and Lorraine enjoyed her schooling at Lakemba Public and Bankstown High, where she developed a love of reading and playing tennis barefoot.

Lorraine as a student at Lakemba Public in 1934 (note the class size)--she is top row, second from the right. 

During her youth Lorraine developed a close relationship with her father who shared his eclectic love of nature, animals and history with her: it was he who provided her with lizards, snakes and a dingo puppy, 'Jekyll', as pets, and taught her how to cook potatoes in their jackets on an open fire (long before alfoil).

 In 1943 Lorraine studied Art at East Sydney Technical College. She studied there for 6 years, life drawing, silver jewellery design, print making and weaving, majoring in Textile Design. One of her fellow students during this formative period was one Margaret Olley.

Lorraine as a youthful Art student attending East Sydney Technical College--one of her classmates was Margaret Olley

At the end of WWII Lorraine's father enlisted in the 'British and Commonwealth Occupation Force', which was given responsibility for overseeing the occupation of defeated Japan. They were to maintain military control in the country and to supervise the demilitarisation and disposal of the remnants of Japan's war-making capacity.

Holidaying with friends on the Gold Coast--before Allan. Lorraine is at the centre, back row.

It was during this time that the 'Officer Commanding', Charlie Heggie, met 'enlisted soldier' Allan Bewley, who was returning to Australia for his 'Rest and Recreation' Leave. Charlie invited Allan to visit his family and this led to the first meeting between Allan and Lorraine, in 1948. Allan returned to duty in Japan and Korea, while Lorraine graduated and took up teaching Art at Canberra Girls Grammar School--yet they remembered each other...

 After she had returned to Sydney to work in Mark Foy's Cosmetic Department Lorraine was soon confronted by a returning Allan. Romance blossomed, and when Allan achieved promotion as a 'Commissioned Officer' in the Army, in 1954, Lorraine proudly sewed his pips to his uniform.

While working at Mark Foy's, Lorraine was chosen to wear the 1951 'Dress of the Year'...

Married to the Army?

On 24th September 1954, Lorraine and Allan were married at Ashfield Presbyterian Church. Subsequently, when Allan was stationed in Tasmania for 4 years Lorraine followed him there, but when she became pregnant she was prevailed upon to go back to Sydney where both families lived, to have her first baby, 'Lex', in 1956.

During the time of her wooing by Allan Bewley, the couple took road trips and walks whenever possible, wherever they were

 In 1958, the young family moved to 'Puckapunyal', an Australian Army training facility in central Victoria, but again Lorraine travelled back to Sydney to have her second child and first daughter, 'Andree'. Then Allan was posted to Singapore for a two year assignment in 1960, and yet again, Lorraine fell pregnant. This time, however, she determined to have this next birth with her husband, and keep it secret from those at home. Thus, when they arrived back in Sydney with 'Lisa', the new arrival, Lorraine asked her father to go onboard ship as she had forgotten a package in her cabin. When Charlie arrived, to his total surprise and delight, he found his 6 month old grand daughter sitting propped up on the cabin floor!

Further postings occurred until Allan gained an Army/Air Force role at Richmond, with his family able to live nearby in a home of their own. In 1965 Allan and Lorraine chose an 8.5 acre block at Warrimoo upon which to build the house that was to become their life-long family home. Being an avid bush-lover, Lorraine had a big hand in situating the house away from Railway Parade and nestled in native surrounds, where Allan could pursue his Nursery interests and she could walk and explore the many caves and secluded settings in the valley below.

 Lorraine Bewley and Warrimoo

Lorraine almost instantly fell in love with Warrimoo's environment and her community. She remembered in those early years how almost everyone had chooks in their back yard, yet water was always scarce--she had to brush the potatoes clean, rinse them in a tiny amount of water and cook them in just an inch of water in the pot. She used a 'Push Mower' to mow the lawn, and recalled it as being great exercise for all her muscles.

As the children, Lex, Andree and Lisa, grew and entered Warrimoo Public School, she became highly involved in the P&C and Canteen roster. Experienced in teaching, she was exceptional with children and became expert in helping younger students with remedial reading. She also took part in the 'learning how to swim' programme as a volunteer instructor--one of the great achievements of Public Schools in Australia in the 50's and 60's was that the vast majority of children learned the basics of survival in the water. She volunteered her time and effort to the school so much that she was awarded Life Membership of the Warrimoo Public School P&C.

Helping out again at the Warrimoo PS School Fair

Adoring children of all ages, Lorraine loved her own children, her grandchildren, and any other children she could acquaint herself with. Consequently she devoted much of her life to the local Girl Guides, being Secretary and President of the local Warrimoo/Springwood branch and rising to 'Badge Secretary' at District level. Her commitment ultimately led to the construction of the local Girl Guides Hall off Rickard Road. It is still there.

To say Lorraine Bewley was determined to stand up for the betterment of her community would be a serious understatement. She was an active member of the Warrimoo Citizens Association and a regular attendee at Council meetings: she knew every Councillor and their interests and weak points, so she could voice her opinions and stand her ground on all the issues affecting her community, without fear or favour.

Atop the bridge that bears her husband's name, on the day the Olympic Torch came through Warrimoo.

She was a 'forward thinker' when it came to redesigning ideas to preserve the beauty of her neighbourhood: she worked tirelessly in getting the old, decrepit and outmoded Highway tennis courts rebuilt at the end of Rickard Road. She and her stalwarts Trish Mungovern and Joan Milroy would attend every Council meeting and grill every Councillor until they achieved their goal. Once this was gained, she ensured that a clubhouse and toilet block adjoined the courts. She then demanded bollards, seats and planted trees be placed between the road and the courts to maintain the necessary 'bushland ambience' of the new playing area. 

Once built, she remained on the 'Tennis Court Committee' which oversaw the bookings, running and maintenance of the 'Warrimoo Courts' until her death in 2017. 'Mrs Bewley' was renowned as the 'Keeper of the Keys' throughout the 60's till the end, and in 2016, a year before her passing, her dedication was recognised when Blue Mountains' Mayor, Mark Greenhill, presented her with a special certificate for Citizenship from Blue Mountains City Council...

'Mrs Bewley' in later life--'The Keeper of the Keys'

 Lorraine Bewley--a true Warrimoo 'Character'

When it came to 'Warrimoo Events': school Presentation Nights, Fire Brigade fund-raisers, Spring Fairs, Election Days, 'Footsteps in Time' unveilings, the Olympic Flame transit, 'Santa Days', the opening of the Warrimoo Footbridge or the Highway Widening event, Lorraine was a presence too vibrant to ignore.

Hosting yet another Fire Brigade fundraiser in her own back yard.

Despite her somewhat 'feisty and opinionated' reputation she was generous with her time and support, and she proved to be a true friend to fellow Warrimooians, underdogs and wayward teenagers--always ready to defend their rights and interests. At one time the 'milk money' was being stolen from the 'Delivery Boxes' at the front of peoples' houses, but 'Mrs Bewley's money', whether it was through fear or respect, was never touched. And she possessed a truly quirky, ironic, off-beat sense of humour.

She adored her surrounding bush environment and filled her back yard with native plants and flowers, and enjoyed regular treks 'out-back' into her valley to reconnect with the 'Aboriginal Caves' there. In taking such walks she ignored the advice of her caring husband who warned her to wear 'sensible shoes' instead of the rubber thongs that were her hallmark, so when, on one of these sojourns, she slipped down the rocky path and broke her ankle, she was obliged to slide, scramble and crawl the whole distance up the incline and back to the house before being taken to the hospital.

Budgerigars were another passion. She loved them and bred them and sold them or gave them away (depending on her mood), for the whole duration of her 50 years at Warrimoo. If you looked into the budgie cage, watch out! You could be taking one home.

Always inquiring, learning, reading, discovering, Lorraine became more than literate in Australian, English and Scottish history as well as Aboriginal culture and folklore. All this led to an abiding interest in her family's genealogy, which commenced in the late 1980's. She took 7 trips to Scotland to discover, confirm and record her own family roots, and then drew Allan and his ancestry into her web by sending him to Salt Lake City to research the Mormon Family History Library!

Receiving her well-deserved Award for Services to the Warrimoo Tennis Courts and Community, from BMCC Mayor Mark Greenhill. She also received a beautiful silver cup from the Warrimoo Citizens Association for her life-long commitment.

Towards the end her home grew even more cluttered with books, magazines, random pieces of paper with 'good ideas' and newsworthy items, as well as a multitude of kitchen magnets--her daughters Andree and Lisa both agreed a metal coffin covered in magnets would be a fitting send-off. And at that time their mum's sense of humour never deserted her. When she rang her old friend, Trish Mungovern, to ask if she still had that 'little black dress' in the wardrobe reserved for funerals, Trish replied, 'Oh dear, no black, but will a red one do?'

 'Perfect,' said Lorraine.

Two weeks later, on the 9th May 2017, Lorraine Bewley passed away in her own bed. She was almost 90 years of age.

*Sources for this biography were: (most primarily), Andree Bewley's Eulogy

                                                   'Warrimoo History Project' Interview by Evelyn Richardson and Kate Matthew

                                                    and  (author) Bob Treasure