About HEBRA

Mr Graham Gersbach brought the neighbourhood together for the first HEBRA meeting at Hurlyvale Primary School, with the goal of making the area safer for everyone.

Mr R Walton served as Chairman while the committee canvassed the neighbourhood to secure a two-thirds majority in support of the Council application.

Mr J Olckers was elected Chairman. Bank accounts were opened and the formal application was lodged with the EMM.

Principle approval was received.

Public notices were posted for two months after a Council administrative error.

A Tribunal was held to resolve 3–4 official objections to the application.

The application was approved with more than two-thirds community support, and final approval followed.

A two-year contract was signed with the Council and approved on 13 June 2007.

Set-up began, and the closure became staffed with guards from SSG.

A re-application to continue the road enclosure was submitted to Council, still awaited at the time.

An initial start-up discount fell away. With only around 30% of residents contributing, HEBRA funds went into decline.

After prolonged underpayment, SSG withdrew their guards from the closure due to lack of funds.

Concerned residents met in the park to air their views. The committee, then around 6 people, grew by roughly 10 more volunteers as a result.

The work of keeping our road closure running continues today — thanks to every resident who contributes and volunteers.