St Ives seat saga: Mariana Close residents jostle over plans for nature strip bench

An all out neighbourly stoush has broken out over plans to install a new bench on the nature strip of a north shore street in a furore which has drawn involvement from politicians and the wider community.

An all out neighbourly stoush has broken out over plans to install a wooden bench on the nature strip of an upper north shore street.

Residents in St Ives are divided over a proposal to allow a new seat to be permanently installed on the nature strip of Mariana Close in a furore that has drawn involvement of local politicians and the wider community.

The saga – dubbed by locals as ‘benchgate’ – began during the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic when the seat was installed by resident Andy Bloom on the nature strip outside her home, without seeking council approval.

Ms Bloom – a staunch defender of the bench – said the seat was designed to bring the community together at a time of social isolation.

But opponents argue the seat is incongruous with the residential area, presents a safety and public liability hazard and has encouraged noise and disturbances including street parties, social gatherings and yoga classes.

Resident Andy Bloom (right) pictured outside her home alongside a fellow resident.

The seat was ultimately removed following a tense community meeting between neighbours which had to be convened by a mediator.

Ms Bloom went on to seek formal approval from Ku-ring-gai Council to make the seat permanent by submitting a park bench application form which included an agreement for her to cover the $3000 installation cost.

The bench was installed on the small cul-de-sac during Covid lockdowns.

A report by the council had recommended approving the seat, however when the decision came before councillors a majority rejected the application following a 40 minute debate.

The application is now heading for a second vote at a council meeting next week after three councillors submitted a rescission motion in a bid designed to have the seat approved.

Ms Bloom said the seat had been intended to “foster communication connections” and encourage social interaction between neighbours.

“When the lockdown happened more people were spending time at home and there were residents from other streets that would stop to sit on the bench and chat with each other,” she said.

A photo of tyre marks at the location taken by objectors to the bench.

“It became a community meeting place and it’s also a very good vantage point to see the kids when they’re riding bikes on the street.

“There’ve been objections that the seat is encouraging noise and kids to play on the street and also attracting people from outside the area.

“I’ve been accused of colonising the nature strip, and taking over the street.

“All I was trying to do was install a bench – especially in these times when children have become more and more isolated and connecting only online – it brought a sense of community and belonging.”

A photo of tyre marks on the nature strip, taken by opponents of the bench.

Neighbours opposed to the bench have submitted letters to Ku-ring-gai Council raising concerns over what they say was inadequate consultation, the absence of an independent safety assessment along with safety objections due to previous accidents occurring where the bench is proposed to be permanently located.

Neighbour Betty Hall – who is opposed to the installation – said safety and noise impacts were her primary concern.

“The nature strip is at the bottom of a steep hill with blind spots and I’ve witnessed cars lose control and end up on the footpath where the bench is to be installed,” she said.

“You can’t go around putting benches on council land without approval and for me, this is purely about protecting the community.

“There have been parties there, exercise classes and our quality of life has been impacted. If it’s approved, who is going to have ongoing responsibility for it?

“We never wanted it to go this far and it’s escalated way beyond anything we’d imagined but we just want the council to pay attention to the serious safety aspects.”

Ku-ring-gai Councillor Martin Smith is a supporter of the bench.

Neighbour John Hall – who is also opposed to the bench – believes the seat is out of character with the residential area.

“There’s constant noise during the day and people also use the site to drop off rubbish and pizza boxes and household goods thinking it’s hard rubbish,” he said.

“The street’s been peaceful for 18 years but it’s turned the area into a trailer park.

“We’ve had people from outside the street commenting on it and it’s become a funny story people can jump on, but we’re the ones who have to live with it.”

A council spokeswoman told the North Shore Times: “There is no requirement for the applicant to submit a safety assessment report and council staff do not consider the location to be high risk.”

Ku-ring-ai councillor Alec Taylor – speaking at a council meeting where the bench dominated debate last month – said he wasn’t convinced there was “genuine demand” for the structure. 

Councillor Christine Kay added: “If people are congregating at a permanently fixed bench it’s inevitable there would be an accident at some point.”

Ku-ring-gai councillor Christine Kay has spoken against the bench.

Ku-ring-gai mayor Jeff Pettett has previously voted for the bench.

“There are nearby playgrounds people can go to. When it comes to community and safety this is not a difficult decision,” she said.

Councillor Martin Smith told the same meeting he had been “taken aback” by the response to the bench and believed allowing it would have community benefits.

“At the end of the day it’s a park bench in a quiet location – I visited the site and it was proposed to be put in front of the person who will fund this bench and it will bring a benefit to the community,” he said.

“There are councillors proposing to turn certain locations (of our local government area) into sports ovals but we’re not prepared to put a bench on a back street. Are we serious?”

A rescission motion has been tabled for the next council meeting.

The bench will be discussed at a council-convened public forum this week where residents for and against the installation will be able to put their arguments before councillors before the final vote.

Ms Bloom – who will speak at the meeting – said she was hopeful the bench would be approved.

“I’m quite embarrassed it’s taken up so much time and the resources it has but also angry because the bench should have gone in by now,” she said.

“Even if it’s approved, it won’t feel like a win because it was supposed to make the community feel more connected and come together. It shouldn’t have gotten this far.”