Lane Cove Council April 2024 Meeting

The Lane Cove Council February 2024 Meeting will be held on Thursday, 22nd February 2024.  This is the first meeting of the year.

Have Your Say – Be Part of the Process

Residents can write to Councillors on any agenda item or issue. If you use the email address – [email protected], your email will go to all councillors.

Listed below are the agenda items for the meeting.

Mayoral Minutes

Notice of Motion – Lane Cove Cenotaph relocation Recommendation

The Lane Cove Cenotaph is a rectangular altar, made of dark grey granite. On its front face, it is engraved with a gold wreath, which is inscribed across the middle with the words ‘Lest we forget’.

The memorial was unveiled on 20 December 1953 by the Governor of NSW, Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott. It is located at the corner of Longueville Road and Austin Street. This location is next to the Lane Cove Library.

For many years, the ANZAC and Remembrance Day services were held on the footpath in front of the Cenotaph.

With Longueville Road temporarily closed, the Returned Service Men and Women would march down Longueville Road and form up in front of the Cenotaph, often having to “compete” with traffic noise to be heard.

The building that is currently the Lane Cove Library was formerly the Lane Cove Council chambers, and the main entrance was onto Longueville Road.

Later, this building became the Lane Cove Public Library, also with the main entrance on Longueville Road. This meant the Cenotaph was a few metres from the building’s main entrance and the Cenotaph was in a visible and well trafficked location.

As part of the Market Square development, Lane Cove Library underwent a major renovation, which included a massive extension and a new main entrance off Library Walk, the other side of the building from the Cenotaph.

Due to the popularity of the Services, they were initially moved to the Lane Cove Plaza and then to The Canopy, although Remembrance Day remains in the Plaza as it, not being a public holiday, does not attract the same number of attendees as Anzac Day.

To accommodate wreath laying, a temporary Cenotaph is erected in the Plaza or at the foot of the Canopy stage – the wreaths/tributes are subsequently relocated to the Cenotaph, which, as mentioned earlier, is located next to the Library.

The Cenotaph went from a prominent and well trafficked position to a largely unknown and out of the way location.

Mayoral Minute – Amendments to waste tendering requirements under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (NSW) Recommendation  

The Mayor is asking Councillors to support representations to the NSW Government in response to recent amendments to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 made by the Local Government (General) Amendment (Tendering) Regulation (No 2) 2023 (NSW) on 15 December 2023.

The amendments introduce new requirements in relation to the tendering of domestic or other waste management services by councils, which are likely to have detrimental effects on NSW councils.

A Legal Opinion from Arthur Moses (Senior Counsel) highlights many problems with the amended Regulations.  Senior Counsel’s opinion is that “the amended Regulations are ambiguous, unworkable and apt to produce adverse consequences for councils, tenderers, employees, ratepayers, and the general public… ”

Notices of Motion

Notice of Motion – Implementation of ‘Chatty Chairs’ in our LGA to help combat loneliness Recommendation    

Councillor Kennedy has tabled a notice of motion to install chatty chairs in Lane Cove Council.

Social isolation and loneliness can be harmful to both mental and physical health. They are considered substantial health and wellbeing issues in Australia because of the impact they have on peoples’ lives. Loneliness has been linked to premature death, poor physical and mental health, greater psychological distress and general dissatisfaction with life.

Loneliness among Australians was already a concerning issue prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, described both as an ‘epidemic’ and as one of the most pressing public health concerns in Australia (Ending Loneliness Together 2022). Data from the longitudinal Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey shows that, consistently from 2001 to 2021, about 1 in 5 Australians agreed with the statement ‘I often feel very lonely’.

An increasing number of people aged under 24, especially females, have reported experiencing loneliness since 2015. According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), more than 1 in 4 women aged 18–24 agreed with the statement ‘I often feel very lonely’ in 2021, an increase from less than 1 in 5 in 2015.

Chattycafeaustralia.org.au provides a toolkit to allow councils and local businesses to implement Chatty Tables and chatty chairs for people who are happy to sit and chat with others in a safe and welcoming way

Chatting is such a simple concept but so important for mental and physical health. Loneliness can seriously impact a person’s sense of wellbeing and cause a range of disorders including anxiety and depression.

Notice of Motion – Submission on Draft Synthetic Turf in Public Open Space Guidelines for Decision Makers Recommendation

This notice of motion is for council to resolve that should Council make a submission in respect of the Draft Synthetic Turf in Public Open Space Guidelines for Decision Makers a copy of the submission be made available to the Council and the community.

Notice of Motion – Ways to deal with unauthorised destruction of trees on private and public property Recommendation  

Councillors Kennedy and Bryla have asked councillors to resolve that:

1. Update the Council website to place the Notices of Impending Approved Tree Works higher up the navigational hierarchy so that our residents have easy access to information of what is and isn’t approved tree removal,
2. Implement an educational program of where this information can be found; and
3. Investigate the legality of banning businesses that have cut down or trimmed trees on public or private property, without proper authorisation, from conducting business in the Lane Cove LGA and if this is possible, maintain a register on the council website of businesses that have incurred fines and been banned.

Notice of Motion – Crisis Fund supporting local families with early childhood education costs Recommendation    

Councillor Rochelle Flood has tabled a notice of motion to commence work on establishing a crisis relief fund to assist local residents/families with children experiencing financial stress and help them access and maintain enrolment in early childhood education.

Officers Report for Information

• Draft 2024-25 Budget
• Draft 2024-25 Delivery Program and Operational Plan
• Draft Resourcing Strategy
• Draft Long Term Financial Plan
• Draft Asset Management Plan
• Draft Workforce Management Plan

Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to approve the release of the Lane Cove Council’s Delivery Program, Operational Plans, Budget and Draft Fees (the Budget Papers) for public comment. Read our article on the projects being undertaken by council and the increase in rates (4.9% increase with The minimum amount for the Residential Rate will be $1,032.95.). – Read more here.

Finalisation of Bob Oval Campbell Upgrade Contract Recommendation

This officer’s report updates councillors on the contract to upgrade Bob Campbell Oval.  The Officer report notes:

“Council has successfully negotiated with Landscape Solutions P/L to reduce the construction budget for the project to $4,849,328. The program provides for construction throughout the remainder of 2024 and a period to allow turf establishment of the playing field through to late 2025. The contractor will provide a staged release of the other facilities as they deem appropriate.”

Children and Families Policy Recommendation

This officer’s report responds to a Lane Cove Council resolution to create an Early Childhood Education Policy. It considers the importance of access to education for young children and how Council resources can be effectively deployed to support the best outcomes for local children and families.

The development of a Children and Families Policy offers an opportunity for Council to take a broader approach to addressing the needs of children and families in the community.

By establishing a policy framework specifically focused on children and families, Council can outline its commitment to promoting their well-being and fostering a supportive environment. It will enable a more holistic approach to family engagement to identify and prioritise children and family needs, not just education for children 0-5 years.

It will strengthen support for sector improvement through enhanced early learning networking to improve sector partnerships and advocacy.

Council plays a unique role in delivering other educational services, such as library and children’s programs; outsourcing new Early Childhood Education Centres to specialist providers can ensure a focus on excellence in early childhood development through quality care, while adding value to programs for children across the local government area.

The policy will go out for public comment.

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety Recommendation    

• • Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

The Statement of Commitment to Child Safety (NSW) responds to Council’s obligation to implement Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Scheme and the NSW Child Safe Standards. It outlines the Council’s position to prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This Statement will be used as the central principle for our Child Safe Action Plan and the review of all Council’s policies and procedures to improve child safety.

Bus Industry Submission and Peninsular StudyRecommendation

• • Submission to NSW Governments Bus Industry Taskforce

In February 2024, Councillor Zbik mentioned that the Lane Cove Council had made recommendations to the Bus Taskforce on changes that needed to be made in the Lane Cove Council Area.  Since that time ITC has been requesting a copy of the Lane Cove Council Recommendation Report.  The Report is included in the agenda papers.

In the Cove has been asking for a copy of the Bus Recommendations as we have been following the Bus issues for a considerable period of time, including meeting with Busways and the representatives from Transport for NSW.   A submission was made on 27 March 2024 by Lane Cove Council and it includes some good points on how buses routes can be changed to manage the issues on the Longueville Peninsula.  However, the report does not make any reference to the numerous issues on Mowbray Road and how many buses that were to originate from Lane Cove West Business Park are being cancelled.

Code of Meeting Practice – Proposed Amendments Recommendation

The Code of Meeting Practice is to be amended to provide for the following:

In summary, the proposed amendments of the Draft Code of Meeting Practice (2024) are;

Section 4. Public Forums:

• Amendment to Item 4.1 – The current Code of Meeting Practice does not contain a specific provision to allow the Council to determine to have a Public forum prior to or during a Council Meeting. The current Code states “The council may hold a public forum prior to each ordinary meeting of the council for the…” It is proposed to change the clause to “The council may determine by resolution to hold a public forum either prior to or as part of each meeting of the of the council for the…”
• Note under Section 4.1 – The current Code of Meeting Practice states “The general order of business for an ordinary meeting of the council includes a public forum conducted during the meeting.” It is proposed to change the note to “The general order of business for an ordinary meeting of the council includes the agenda sequence if a public forum is conducted during the meeting.”
• Amendment to Item 4.5 – Amendment to the registration time to align with actual current practice, The current Code of Meeting Practice states “To speak at a public forum, a person wishing to address the council during a public forum must register their details with Council by 5:00pm on the day of the Council meeting…”. It is proposed to change the clause to “To speak at a public forum, a person wishing to address the council during a public forum must register their details with Council by 11.59pm of the day prior to the Public Forum …”
• Additional wording to Item 4.8 – “A person cannot speak on a matter they have previously addressed Council on, unless the matter is listed on the Council Agenda”.

Section 7: Modes of Address:        

• Additional item included:

“7.5 – Councillors and Council Officers are required to stand and use their microphone when speaking during a Council Meeting”.

Section 8 – Order of Business for Ordinary Council Meetings

• Amendment to Item 8.1 to align to the Model Code – “The general order of business for an ordinary meeting of the Council shall be as outlined below or as otherwise resolved by Council”.

Lane Cove Council is currently trialling holding their Public Forum on Monday evenings during the week of a scheduled Ordinary Council Meeting to allow councillors sufficient time to transact business in the business papers.

The first Public Forum was held on Monday, March 18, 2024. It started at 7.00 pm and finished at 7.25 pm. Five people were in the public gallery, and only four speakers spoke.

The Public Forum is where members of the public can address the Council for a time limit of three (3) minutes per person (in person or virtually) on matters that are in the agenda papers or any other local matter.

It is not a forum for debate or response from Councillors.  However, Councillors can ask questions if they would like a point clarified.

Before March 2024, the Public Forum was held as part of the Monthly Ordinary Council Meeting, usually on a Thursday.

In 2022, When LCC resolved to move the ordinary general meeting (which by virtue of clause 8 of the Lane Cove Council Code of Meeting Procedure, includes the public forum) to a Thursday night instead of a Monday night –  37 submissions were received in favour of the Ordinary Council Meetings being moved to a Thursday, 2 were opposed and 13 provided no comment.

If you review the public comment submissions statistics this is a large response.  Some submissions particularly noted that by moving to a Thursday it gave the public time to review the agenda items to make an informed comments at council meetings.

Read more here:

14 Gay Street – Update Recommendation

Due to the large number of projects being undertaken by Council’s Open Space and Infrastructure Department for the 2023/24 Financial Year, Lane Cove Council has been unable to progress the consultation of the three options for 14 Gay Street. This has meant that Council was unable to meet the 12 month deadline as resolved in the May 2023 Council meeting for the reclassification of the rear portion of the lot.

It is proposed to commence developing the consultation material, undertake the consultation, and report back to the July 2024 Council meeting on the results of the consultation. The reclassification of the land will be undertaken following this meeting.

Council Policies Review – Part 4 Recommendation

The purpose of this report is for Council to review and consider the re-adoption of the following policies as part of the ongoing policy review for the Council Term, which will extend throughout the remainder of this term:

• Use of Public Spaces by Commercial Fitness Groups and Personal Trainers Policy,
• Use of Public Open Space by Commercial Dog Walking Businesses Policy,
• Landscaping, Street Trees and Tree Preservation Policy,
• Notification of Development Applications Policy,
• Waterfront Structures Policy; and
• Car Share Parking Policy.

Draft Voluntary Planning Agreement for 524 – 542 Pacific Highway, St Leonards Recommendation

The officer’s reports notes:

“The proposed VPA will benefit the community and future residents of the proposed development of the Telstra Exchange site at 524-542 Pacific Highway, St Leonards. The payment of a monetary contribution of $3.6m towards local infrastructure prior to issuance of the first Construction Certificate will ensure that the necessary infrastructure is completed prior to occupation. Further, the provision of Affordable Housing Units supports Council’s previous and future support for key worker housing in the Lane Cove Local Government Area. No amendments to these development standards are provided by this proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement and s7.11 Developer Contributions remain payable at Construction Certificate Stage.

It is therefore recommended that Council proceed with the proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement for the Telstra Exchange site at 524-542 Pacific Highway, St Leonards and its proponent, GFM Investment Group in its capacity as trustee of GFM HOME Trust Subtrust No.2 (HOME).”

Blackman Park Skate Park Recommendation

The Blackman Park Skate Park will be officially opened on 24 April 2024 – read more here.

March 2024 – Traffic Committee Recommendation

• • Agenda – March 2024 Traffic Committee
  • Minutes – March 2024 Traffic Committee

Items considered at the March 2024 Traffic Committee were as follows:

• Dunois, Kenneth, William Edward and Stuart Streets, Longueville – Installation of ‘No Parking’ Motor Vehicles Excepted;

  

• Eloora Lane between Cullen Street and Currawong Avenue, Lane Cove West – Installation of ‘No Stopping’ Zone;
• 221 Longueville Road, Lane Cove – Installation of 2P; 8:30am-6pm; M-F;

• Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal;The Lane Cove North Speed Reduction proposal to be implemented following detailed design,
  subject to the following amendments:
  • Investigate the set back or removal of the crossing on Girraween Avenue;
  • Investigate the conversion of the speed hump near 67-71 Helen Street to a pedestrian
  crossing;
  • Investigate continuous bike path and crossing on Elizabeth Parade, Arding Street and
  Canberra Avenue;
  • Install pedestrian refuge on Burley Street at Pacific Highway intersection;
  • Remove pedestrian refuge and install raised pedestrian crossing on Karilla Avenue at
  Centennial Avenue;
  • Install 2 metre parking lane and 3 metre travel lanes on Karilla Avenue between Centennial
  Avenue and Kurri Street;
  • Delete proposed speed hump near 16 Karilla Avenue;
  • Install ‘No Stopping’ sign on Kurri Street to be relocated 6 metres south.

General Business Items

• Disability Parking In Front Of St Michaels School, Longueville Road, Lane Cove
• Birriwa Place, Northwood – Temporary Road Closure For Street Party
• Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West – Installation Of A Raised Pedestrian Crossing And Bike Path
• New Years Eve Update for Greenwich, Longueville And Linley Point

Councillor Course Attendance Request – Business Excellence in Local Government Recommendation

Councillor Kathy Bryla has expressed an interest in attending the ‘Business Excellence in Local Government’ course provided by Local Government NSW (LGNSW) on the 23 May 2024.

This report seeks Council’s endorsement for Councillor Bryla to attend this course and determine whether other Councillors might be interested in attending this course provided by LGNSW.

Council Snapshot – March 2024 Recommendation    Minute

Lane Cove Council publishes a monthly snapshot, which sets out what has been happening over the month, from development applications, parking fines, waste and landfill reduction reports, and reports on upcoming footpath maintenance.