Federal and State Governments

Castlecrag is represented at Federal level by the Member for North Sydney and at the State level by the Member for Willoughby. For up to date contact information and election details call the AEC or the NSW State Electoral Office on 1800 043 188 or seo.nsw.gov.au Comprehensive guides to government services are in the front pages of the White Pages telephone book.

Willoughby City Council

The local council comprises the mayor and twelve councillors, three from each of four wards. Castlecrag is part of Sailors Bay Ward. Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays each month at 7pm in the Chambers on level 6, 31 Victor Street, Chatswood. Residents are welcome. It is possible, if request is made in writing, both to address the meeting and to raise issues not on the agenda. For information contact the Council's Help and Service Centre on 9777 1000 or www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Council Services

Willoughby City Council provides a vast array of community, cultural and sporting facilities and services - mostly free to residents. The council's free "Information for New Residents" pack lists some 50 direct contact telephone numbers for these services and provides details on their activities. Residents might be particularly interested in the following:

Garbage and recycling:
Every Monday morning council collects three separate wheelie bins - one for household waste; one for recyclable materials (the recycle bin is for glass, plastic bottles and cans, newspapers, cardboard and paper; and one bin for vegetation. You will receive notices about council's quarterly clean-up of bulkier material.

Ethnic Services:
Over thirty percent of Willoughby's population comes from non-English speaking backgrounds and council runs a multicultural One Stop Assistance and Information Service (MOSAIC). This runs ethnic support groups, English classes and training seminars. MOSAIC can be contacted on 9777 7951.

Community Groups

Castlecrag's residents have a strong tradition of grouping together, dating back to the Griffins' emphasis on communal involvement in local affairs, the arts and recreation.

Active community groups are:

• Castlecrag Progress Association
• Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. Promotes the life and works of Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin who designed Castlecrag and lived here from the early 1920s until shortly before Walter's death in India in 1937.
• Castlecrag Conservation Society. Promotes the preservation, conservation and proper enhancement of the suburb's fauna, flora and significant natural features.
• The Haven Amphitheatre Committee manages the historic amphiteatre, established by Walter and Marion Griffin in the 1920s, on behalf of Willoughby City Council. Email: info@thehaven.com.au
• Castlecrag Community Centre (corner of The Postern and The Rampart). Volunteers manage the centre that houses a library and a kindergarten.
• Castlecrag Community Library (at the Community Center). Volunteers manage the library in the Community Centre as part of the Willoughby Public Library Network. Open Tuesdays 3.30-4.30, Thursdays 2-5, and Saturdays 10-12 - Phone: 9958 8395
• CragSitters has been set up to give families an opportunity to network with each other and also to provide contact with available babysitters in the Castlecrag area. Another objective is to provide a network to share information about local events and for children to form friendships with each other in the area. To find out more about the group or if you are interested in providing babysitting services, please email: cragsitter@yahoo.com.au. 
• Neighbourhood Watch. Works with the NSW Police Force on community safety and crime deterrence.
• Sailors Bay Sea Scouts (Eastern Valley Way. Northbridge). Runs a Sea Scout troop for boys and girls.