Lane Cove Council April 2025 Meeting

The Lane Cove Council March 2025 Meeting will be held on Thursday, 24th April 2025, at 7.00 pm.

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

Public members can address the councillors for a time limit of three minutes per person (in-person or virtually) during the public forum segment of the Ordinary Council Meeting. Register by using the online form no later than midnight, on the day prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting.

The public forum provides an opportunity to address only. It is not a forum for debate or response from Councillors.

This agenda is a packed agenda and in particular the draft budget papers have been released revealing that a significant rate rise could be coming next year as Lane Cove Council struggles to balance the budget.

Notices of Motion

 Review of traffic management concerns in the St Leonards Precinct Recommendation 

The St Leonards Precinct is undergoing a major transformation with numerous high rise buildings constructed, being constructed, approved or development applications submitted.  This type of high rise construction has not been seen before in the Lane Cove Council Area.

Upcoming developments in the precinct include the construction of:

• a 43 storey build to rent development (280 dwellings) on the corner of Pacific Highway and Christie Street
• a 37 storey build to rent development (271 dwellings) at the corner of Christie Street and Nicholson Street
• a 40 storey residential development at the corner of Pacific Highway and Oxley Street

This is not an exhaustive list.

Councilllors Taylor and Southwood have tabled a motion describing concerns related to increasing traffic movements in the developing St Leonards precinct, calling for the Transport for NSW, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and the St Leonards Crows Nest Working Group to be informed of these concerns, and that action be taken to address these concerns.

They have noted the following issues reported by residents

• no right-hand turn from Pacific Highway into either Christie Street or Oxley Street, resulting in vehicles having to access these roads via a left hand turn off the highway and returning back to cross the highway at Christie or Oxley Streets. Congestion at the Christie/Chandos roundabout at both morning and evening peaks can lead to wait times through 3-4 traffic light cycles and dangerous manoeuvres by frustrated drivers including right hand turns into Christie Street from Pacific Highway,
• no access to Pacific Highway from Christie Street thereby forcing all who wish to exit the precinct to use Oxley Street, with regular reports of drivers undertaking illegal left hand and right hand turns from Christie Street on to Pacific Highway,
• illegal parking and dangerous driver behaviour in and around the Christie Street and Nicholson Street intersection posing risk to other drivers and pedestrians including the students of Reddam ELS St Leonards, 80 Christie Street (400 families),
• long queues to turn right and left from Oxley Street on to Pacific Highway, being the only exit point from the precinct and made more complex by the location of pedestrian crossings adjacent to both corners of the intersection of Oxley Street and the highway. These queues extend into Nicholson Street, blocking exits from below ground resident parking in the developments that front the highway,
• risks of collision as vehicles turn left from Pacific Highway into Oxley Street due to parking of cars on Oxley Street,
• risk to pedestrians seeking to cross Nicholson Street near the intersection with Oxley Street,
• failure of drivers exiting Nicholson Street to observe the Give Way sign at the intersection with Oxley Street,
• failure of vehicles to keep to the correct side of the road in Oxley Street due to unclear line markings, and
• dangerous and presumably sometimes illegal behaviour of cyclists, including delivery cyclists, on roads and footpaths in the impacted area, including the accumulation of abandoned Lime bikes without regard to pedestrian safety.

Councillors are being asked to vote on the following resolution:

RECOMMENDATION   That: 1.       Council seeks an urgent meeting with appropriate officers in Transport for NSW and the Department of Planning, Housing and infrastructure to outline concerns about safety and traffic congestion in the area bounded by Oxley Street, Pacific Highway, Christie Street, Christie Lane and Lithgow Street, St Leonards (the precinct), such concerns including but not limited to the detailed concerns below, and to seek input as to how these concerns can be addressed: a)    no right hand turn access to the precinct from Pacific Highway from the southbound direction, b)    wait time to enter the precinct from an easterly direction via Christie Street and consequent poor driver behaviour, c)    illegal right hand turns into Christie Street by drivers travelling in a southerly direction on the highway, d)    illegal left hand turns from Christie Street on to the highway, e)    driver behaviour in the vicinity of the Christie Street and Nicholson Street intersection, posing risk to drivers and pedestrians including children attending early learning and day care centres in the vicinity, f)     risk of narrowing of entry to Oxley Street for vehicles entering from a southerly direction from Pacific Highway due to parking of vehicles in Oxley Street, g)    delays in exiting the precinct at the intersection of Oxley Street and Pacific Highway, h)    queuing of traffic in Nicholson Street waiting to enter Oxley Street and consequent risk to pedestrians seeking to cross at the Nicholson Street/Oxley Street intersection, i)     failure of drivers to give way to vehicles on Oxley Street when entering from Nicholson Street, j)     failure of drivers in Oxley Street to stay on the correct side of the road, k)    behaviour of cyclists and e-bike riders, including delivery cyclists, on roads and footpaths in the impacted area, including the abandonment of bicycles such as Lime bikes, and l)     other areas of concern identified by Council.   2.       the above concerns be submitted as an item for consideration at the next meeting of the St Leonards Crows Nest Working Group with a view to working collaboratively with the North Sydney and Willoughby LGAs in respect of the impacts shared jointly by the three LGAs in the St Leonards Crows Nest area 3.       a report be presented to Council no later than the August 2025 meeting of Council, that outlines: a)    the outcome of meetings with Transport for NSW and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and with the St Leonards Crows Nest Working Group, b)    actions that have been taken by Council to address the above concerns, c)    recommended further actions that can be undertaken by Council in its own right to address the above concerns, d)    recommended actions that will require approval(s) or consent(s) from other authorities and the processes involved in seeking such approval(s) or consent(s), and e)    proposed engagement strategies with residents of the precinct in relation to proposed changes to address the concerns detailed in 1 above and in relation to construction traffic management plans for future development of the sites in the precinct.

 

Protecting bushland and local infrastructure during the development of Data Centres Recommendation

The Lane Cove Council area and adjoining suburbs are attractive areas for Data Centre to be built.   Recently, the Lane Cove residents have seen the impact of having a data centre in their LGA with works to install cabling and water pipes being undertaken throughout the Lane Cove Council area. Read more here about the latest pipe and roadworks being undertaken in Lane Cove West.

In the Cove recently published an article advising that two more data centres are planned in or near Lane Cove.

In April 2025, some Lane Cove residents received community newsletters about the two new data centres.  One will be located at 12 Mars Road Lane Cove (being called Project Mars), and one at 6 – 8 Julius Avenue North Ryde.  The North Ryde data centre is not far from the Lane Cove River and close to the Lane Cove/North Ryde Council borders.  Read more here.

The question is, will these data centres need more cabling and water pipes installed, meaning more loud and noisy work in residential areas.

Lane Cove Councillors Mayor Merri Southwood and Councillor Rochelle Flood have tabled a notice of motion at the 24^th April 2025 meeting.

The notice of motion notes:

“Under current State government laws, data centres are considered State Significant Developments and Councils are therefore cut out of the planning approval process. This makes it hard for us to ensure we get good outcomes for our community.

It’s important that Councils are not sidelined in the planning process.

As such, we need to investigate what options are available to Council to protect local infrastructure and to mitigate the risk of harm to adjacent residential areas, C2 bushland and waterways.”

Lane Cove Councillors have been asked to vote on the following resolution:

 

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       write to the NSW Minister of Planning and Public Spaces advising of the increasing impacts of proposed Data Centres in the LGA and recommend that the NSW Government remove the requirement that they be State Significant Development Applications and require the submission of Development Applications to the Local Council. 2.       include in the letter referenced in point 1, the request that the following requirements be addressed by any applicant for a Data Centre; a)    that applicants be required to engage with the Local Council when they are developing their design and that prior to the submission of the development application it is to be considered by the Council’s Design Review Panel, b)    that the applicant carry out a formal community engagement process including a public meeting in consultation with the Local Council prior to the submission of any Development Application, the results of which should be reflected in the design of the centre and documented in the Statement of Environmental Effects, c)    mandate that the applicant provide an element of Public Benefit to be negotiated and agreed with the Local Council prior to any determination of the development application, d)    require applicants to address the issue of the loss of employment lands due to the location of any Centre that reduces the potential for employment, e)    require any application for a data centre to address the resource use in particular water and electricity, f)     the storage of large amounts of fuel {diesel} be declared and the potential hazards identified and procedures to protect the local community from any such hazards, g)    that all local environmental factors being adequately addressed by the applicant – tree loss, bushland, view impacts, stormwater and noise. 3.       write to the appropriate Minister in relation to the telecommunication / cabling contractors who install the cabling.  That they be required to engage with the local Council, consider the impacts on street trees, public infrastructure and work within acceptable hours. 4.       write to the appropriate Minister requesting updated information on the effects of Data Centres on human health in particular the electromagnetic emissions. 5.       Table the issue of resource use by data centres for discussion at NSROC to see what impact the growth in data centres in the North Shore area is having on the supply of electricity to residential properties.

 

Retain ownership of 4B Herbert Street St Leonards as Public Land Recommendation   

The NSW Government has launched an Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaign seeking parties interested in buying and developing a 3,301-square-metre parcel next to the Royal North Shore Hospital. Developers will be required to deliver up to 448 new apartments, including 67 affordable housing apartments targeting key workers at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

The Key Highlights listed on the State Government’s tender page include:

“The property is located at 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards (to be known as Lot 4B Herbert Street, St Leonards following a current subdivision process).

Lot 4B Herbert Street is a commanding and iconic Transport Oriented Development (TOD) opportunity on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

Located adjacent to the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Campus, the site is central to the medical precinct and key transport interchanges, providing fast and efficient connections to key employment and entertainment precincts. The location is perfectly positioned to provide high-quality housing and key worker housing in a high-amenity area and with excellent public transport connections.”  Read more here.

In March 2025 the Willoughby City Council position on the redevelopment of this area was noted in their council agenda papers as:

“Council is actively seeking opportunities for greater consultation and collaboration and will continue to advocate for the precinct to remain health and education focused.”

Although the Royal North Shore Hospital is located in the Willoughby City Council area, the RNSH is Lane Cove’s closest public hospital.

Councillors Flood and Southwood have tabled a notice of motion asking councillors to support the land remaining in public hands for health purposes.

They are asking councillors to vote on the following:

RECOMMENDATION 1.       That Council writes to the NSW Department of Planning to: a)    support Willoughby Council’s request for modelling on the future demands for the RNSH catchment area, to determine whether Lot 4B will be required to meet future hospital services demand as our population grows, or if it is in fact surplus to requirements, and b)    ask that no commercial or residential development take place on this site until such time as modelling is available to evaluate future demand for hospital services. 2.       In the event that modelling reveals that Lot 4B is surplus to hospital services requirements and won’t be required for future hospital expansions OR if the Department of Planning declines to obtain modelling and insists on developing residential dwellings on the site, Lane Cove Council: a)    notes that we are in a housing crisis, with many key workers priced out of our suburbs, b)    notes that Lot 4B is prime government owned land, right near fundamental services including public transport links, RNSH, schools and the local TAFE, and c)    writes to the Department of Planning and the Minister for Housing to express disappointment that Lot 4B is slated for just 15% affordable housing and asks that in the event that the site is developed for residential, that it should be used to deliver 100% public and affordable housing for key workers including nurses and teachers, as well as local families in need.

 

Officers’ Report for Determination

Proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement for 2-10 Finlayson St – Post Consultation report Recommendation    

In the Cove recently published an article about the redevelopment of St Andrews Church (corner of Finlayson Street and Rosenthal Avenue Lane Cove) from a stand-alone church and hall into a mixed-use 8-story building. The development will include a new church, a 418-seat auditorium, 47 residential apartments, and retail space. You can read the article here.

The 47 residential apartments and two levels of basement parking and servicing areas will be accessed from Finlayson Street. The Auditorium will have a ground floor (274 seats) and a Mezzanine (144 seats).

The development will be higher than the Lane Cove Council planning regulations permit.

However, by a proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement, Lane Cove Council will offset 599 square meters of the auditorium space with an equivalent amount of additional residential floor space, which will necessitate a breach of the building height limits (information obtained from the Lane Cove Council August 2024 Agenda Papers).

Once a VPA has been negotiated, it may be publicly exhibited for at least 28 days.  While councils are only required to publicly notify draft VPAs, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is of the view that best practice is to treat this notification period as a formal exhibition and accept and consider public submissions.

On Saturday, 22 March 2025, a group of Finlayson Street residents met with Lane Cove Mayor Merri Southwood and three Central Ward councillors, Deputy Mayor Bridget Kennedy, Councillors Caleb Taylor, and Kathy Bryla, to discuss their concerns with the development.  Read more here.

The Offiicers Report details the following in relation to the submissions received:

“The Voluntary Planning Agreement comment period has closed and the VPA is now before council to approve.

Council received a total of 56 submissions specifically regarding the exhibited VPA, with 47 opposed and 9 in favour. Councillors have been provided with a copy of all submissions in a Confidential and Internal Memorandum for their review. Below is a selection of submissions, reflecting key themes, received in direct response to the VPA:

• a new and larger auditorium would not provide a significant additional community benefit as there are already a number of high-quality performance venues that meet the needs of the community in the Lane Cove area;
• the enforceability of the terms of the VPA when the Church, as a key stakeholder, is not a party to the VPA;
• the lack of certainty and clarity about the terms of the licence and management agreement under which the Church would manage the auditorium, including providing for public use;
• the waiver of the developer contributions of a material amount is not for the benefit of the broader community;
• the developer is not offering any additional benefits to the community and using this mechanism to gain additional building height and get payment from council.
• the members, families, volunteers and professional artists working with Lane Cove Youth Orchestra (LCYO) consider that the spaces proposed are a much-needed resource in this community and welcome the opportunity to use/rent them as designed; and
• as a Lane Cove resident these past 60 years I have much enjoyment in hearing the proposed renovation of Lane Cove Mowbray Anglican Church site will include a church/community auditorium plus parking spaces. Such a venue locally is long overdue.

An additional 176 submissions (received by Council in direct response to the exhibited DA) were also reviewed by Staff to ensure that any reference made to the VPA, was captured accordingly. Consequently, a further 20 submissions objected to the VPA versus 41 in support.”

The Officer’s Report concludes:

The proposed VPA will benefit the community and LGA more broadly, including current and future residents via the construction of a 599sqm auditorium / hall (plus circulation, amenities and break out spaces including access to public parking) totalling circa 1,616sqm of community space. Delivery of the Facility is valued at $11.356m which is being delivered in return for Council waiving $1.144m that would ordinarily be payable by the development. There are no funds being withdrawn from the s7.11 funds Reserve.

Community access of approximately 70% is assured in perpetuity under a Licence Agreement supported by the Deed of Guarantee and caveats registered on the subject land titles that reflect the caveatable interests arising.

Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to vote on the following recommendation:

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       Receive and note the report; 2.       Delegate authority to the Acting General Manager to negotiate and finalise the Licence and Deed of Agreement with the Parish to assure Community access to the Facility in perpetuity; and 3.       Enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Developer in respect of the development at 2-10 Finlayson Street, Lane Cove.

 

 Planning Proposal 41 – 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich Recommendation   

• • Local Planning Panel – ADVICE
  • Applicant’s additional responses

Developers of 177 – 183 Greenwich Road Greenwich are seeking to build a residential flat building of 5 storeys fronting Greenwich Road and potentially 8 storeys at the rear of the site.

 

The land being developed is made up of nine parcels of land which are zoned part R4 High Density Residential and part C2 Environmental Conservation and which have a total combined area of 4,325 square metres (m2).  This land has frontage of approximately 65m to Greenwich Road and a secondary frontage to the Lane Cove River of approximately 65m.

 

The Officer’s report notes:

“The Planning Proposal does not seek any amendments to the zoning or applicable controls of the C2 zoned land.

The site does not contain any heritage items or conservation areas.

The proponent-led Planning Proposal seeks the following amendments to Lane Cove LEP 2009 for the subject site:-

• Retain the existing split zoning on the site (i.e. R4 High Density Residential/C2 Environmental Conservation zone),
• Increase the height of buildings (on the R4 zoned portion) from 12 metres to 21 metres, and
• Increase the floor space ratio (on the R4 zoned portion) from 0.8:1 to 1.7:1.”

 

The planning proposal was sent to the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel for their review and advice.

The Officers’ Report further notes:

“It is recommended that Council support the Planning Proposal with the amendments suggested by the Local Planning Panel.

The built form is not considered excessive given the site’s current zoning and surrounding developments. The original height control envisaged 4 storeys but the low floor space ratio prevented this from being achieved – indicating a mismatch between the original controls. Most of the proposed 5th storey will be recessed and will be used for either communal open space or a lift overrun.

Any potential hazards have been addressed by the applicant at this stage and further studies are not recommended for the rezoning stage. However, further more detailed studies would be required if it progressed to the future Development Application stage.

On balance as the proposed development has achieved both strategic and site-specific merit, it is therefore recommended for approval (subject to amendments).”

Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to vote on the following resolution:

 

RECOMMENDATION That having considered the advice of the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel meeting of 25 March 2025, Council: 1.       Receive, note and endorse the advice provided by the Local Planning Panel. 2.       Based on the advice, support the Planning Proposal only with the following amendments: a)    Reduce the height control from 21 metres to RL 48.85m, and b)    Reduce the floor space ratio from 1.7:1 to 1.68:1. 3.       Forward the revised Proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a Gateway Determination. 4.       Delegate authority to the General Manager for the Planning Proposal to finalise the amendments.

 

Status of the Dog Strategy 2021 Actions Recommendation    

Dog Signage Extract – Dogs on Sportsfields Presentation May 2024

At the February 2025 Meeting, Lane Cove Council asked for a report to be provided regarding companion animals in the community and how Council is working towards responsible pet ownership.

A report has been prepared on communication around responsible pet ownership and there is a recommendation to expand education to cat owners.

An audit of signage at council parks and playground was undertaken and you can read the audit here.

The officer’s report notes that Lane Cove Council is continuing to work with the community on practising responsible pet ownership, particularly in their interface with the public spaces in the LGA. Methods of education and communication will be informed by the existing Dog Strategy 2021, consultation with the Companion Animal Advisory Committee and through the development of a consultant-supported communications plan.  In the 2025/2026 proposed budget $12,000 has been requested to fund the development of future events and educational activities and the development of a communications plan.

Planning Proposal 40 – 2 Marshall Avenue, St Leonards Recommendation    
Local Planning Panel – ADVICE

A planning proposal was submitted for 2 Marshall Avenue, St Leonards, which, if approved, would result in  a co-living development of 19 storeys on a 680 m2 site.  The site seeking to be redeveloped is a single-storey house with vehicle access from Canberra Avenue to a detached garage.

The planning proposal was sent to the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel for review.

The Lane Cove Council  Officer’s report notes:

“Overall, the Panel recommended that:

2. The Planning Proposal should not proceed to Gateway as it lacks both strategic and site specific merit.
3. The Council resolve to include the subject site in the current LEP review.

Conclusion

It is recommended that Council not support the Planning Proposal as suggested by the Local Planning Panel.

Further, it is recommended that Council consider the future use of this site and others in the precinct.as part of its upcoming LEP review.”

Lane Cove councillors are being asked to vote on the following recommendation:

 

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       receives, notes and endorses the advice of the Local Planning Panel, 2.       not support Planning Proposal 40 as it lacks strategic and site-specific merit, and 3.       includes this site and others, indicated in Council’s planning documents, for the upcoming LEP review.

 

Revised Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035 Recommendation      

Draft Revised Community Strategic Plan – April 2025

Have you ever wondered how Lane Cove Council identifies the community’s main priorities and aspirations for the future …the answer is a Community Strategic Plan (CSP). Lane Cove’s CSP is called Liveable Lane Cove 2035.

A CSP is a community’s 10-year roadmap. It’s a big-picture document that directs efforts and resources toward a clearly defined vision. The CSP outlines the community’s objectives on a broader scale. It does not include individual actions and projects required to achieve those objectives. Those steps are set out in a four-year delivery program and annual operations plans.

Every council in NSW is required to develop a CSP.

Lane Cove Council’s role is to develop the plan on behalf of the community.

Lane Cove council prepared a draft CSP and undertook community consultation via phone polls, online polls, workshops and activation at events.

A a result of that feedback a revised draft CSP has now been prepared.

The officer’s report notes:

“Results from the phone survey and online survey revealed the following as the main priority issues for Lane Cove over the next 10 years:

• More and improved public transport;
• Managing overdevelopment;
• Traffic control / congestion; and
• Housing affordability / availability.”

Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to vote on exhibiting the revised CSP so that resident can make comments and the final plan is presented to Lane Cove Council for adoption.  The revised draft CSP will be displayed from late April to June 2025.

After public consultation, the draft CSP will be tabled for adoption at the June 2025 Council Meeting.

The CSP determines priorities until the next council election, when the plan will be reviewed again.  If a project is not in the CSP it will not happen in this council’s term – it is an important document and worth reading.

2025/26 Draft Budget, Fees and Charges, Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Resourcing Strategy and associated Resource Plans Recommendation    

The Local Government Act 1993 requires Council to adopt its annual Operational Plan and Budget by 30 June, outlining the activities to be undertaken in the next financial year (i.e., from 1 July), as part of a Delivery Program. The Local Government Regulation 2005 requires the Operational Plan and Budget to include an annual Revenue Policy.

This report summarises the Draft Delivery Program and the Operational Plan 2025/26, Draft 2025/26 Budget, Draft 2025/26 Schedule of Fees and Charges as part of the Draft Revenue Policy, and the Draft Resourcing Strategy including associated Resource Plans. The budget establishes the anticipated operating result for 2025/26 and provides information on key income and expenditure. The officer’s report recommends that the Draft Budget papers be endorsed for public exhibition purposes.

Lane Cove Council will have a deifict budget in 2025/2026. There will be a 3.9% rate rise in 2025/2026 but there could be a significant rate rise in 2026/2027 read our article here.

The following draft documents are the complete set of budget papers.

Draft 2025-26 Budget Overview – April 2025
Draft 2025-26 Delivery Program & Operational Plan – April 2025
Draft Resourcing Strategy – April 2025
Draft Long Term Financial Plan – April 2025
Draft Strategic Asset Management Plan – April 2025
Draft Workforce Management Plan – April 2025

Community Assistance Grants 2025-2026 Recommendation   

• • Guidelines and Information for Applicants
  • Recurrent Payments

Each year, the Lane Cove Council provides financial assistance to local community organisations.  Under Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, a council may grant financial assistance to community organisations.

Each year Council calls for applications for financial assistance from community groups either based in the Lane Cove local government area (LGA) or those whose assistance addresses the identified needs of people within the LGA.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Community Assistance Grants program opened 16 December 2024 and closed 3 March 2025.  The funding program was promoted through Council’s website, eNewletters, and social media. Lane Cove Council received a total of 18 applications requesting funds to the value of $557,941.50.

The 2025-2026 budget includes funding for Community Assistance Grants, the Venue Hire Subsidy Grant Program and recurring commitments. This report covers all the allocations under this budget.  The officer report recommends recipients to be funded to the total value of $579,635.

The funding recommendations were made with a focus on several areas including:

• support to longstanding and established organisations within the community, namely Sydney Community Services and Centrehouse.
• support to projects that can be successfully completed within the 2025-2026 financial year.
• support to new projects that have been identified as a need in the Lane Cove community, namely The Lane Cove Toy Library. [ITC Disclosure Note – Jacky Barker founder of the In the Cove is the set up co-ordinator for The Lane Cove Toy Library]

Lane Cove councillors are being asked to vote on the following resolution.

In the 2025-2026 financial year it is proposed that 16 organisations will receive a total of $579,365 in funding.

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       Approve the recommended Community Assistance Grants and Cultural Venue Performance Hire Subsidy Funds to Community Groups for 2025-2026. 2.      Approve the recurring commitments to community organisations for 2025-2026. 3.      Host the Community Assistance Grants presentation ceremony in August 2025.

 Draft Social Inclusion Strategy Recommendation    

For the first time, Lane Cove Council has developed a Social Inclusion Plan.  The purpose of this plan is to ensure that all people have opportunities to be engaged in the Lane Cove community.

“The Officer’s report notes:

Council recognises the value of social inclusion in creating a thriving community. Council understands the important role social inclusion has in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that responds to the diverse needs of all community members.

Social inclusion means that all people have the best opportunities to enjoy life and do well in society, building trust, connections, access and a sense of belonging – making sure no one is left out or excluded.

This Social Inclusion Strategy (the strategy) has been developed to guide Council’s work in raising the bar for a more social just, resilient, connected, inclusive, liveable and engaged community where everyone can thrive.

This Strategy is the first of its kind for Lane Cove. It was developed in collaboration with a wide range of community partners including residents and service providers. The Social Inclusion Strategy is now recommended for public exhibition for six weeks.”

You can view the draft Social Inclusion Policy here.

Lane Cove Councillors will be voting on the following resolution:

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       adopt, for the purpose of public exhibition, the Draft Social Inclusion Strategy; 2.       undertake a community consultation between late April and early June 2025 as per the consultation plan outlined in the report; and 3.      following public exhibition, the Draft Social Inclusion Strategy, together with a report on any submissions received, be considered at the June Ordinary Council Meeting.

 

 Traffic Committee – 18 March 2025 Recommendation    

• • Agenda of Traffic Committee – Tuesday, 18 March 2025
  • Minutes of Traffic Committee – Tuesday, 18 March 2025

The Agenda Items Included the following:

1. Dorritt Street Between Longueville Road and Phoenix Street, Lane Cove – Installation Of Speed Cushions
2. Wardrop Street at Greenwich Road, Greenwich – Installation Of Marked Pedestrian Crossing
3. Regulatory Signposting and Linemarking
4. Christie Street – Installation of ‘No Stopping Council Vehicles Excepted’
5. Mindarie Street – Extension of ‘No Stopping’ zone
6. Mowbray Road Bend (Ralston St – Roslyn St)– Safety Improvements

The Traffic Committee minutes noted the following about the Mowbray Road Bend:

“Following a recent head-on collision which resulted a fatality on Mowbray Road, between Ralston Street and Roslyn Street, and similar crashes in previous years, safety concerns have been raised regarding vehicle speeds around the bend. Council is currently in discussions with Willoughby Council and TfNSW to explore longterm traffic calming solutions for this location. In the interim, we propose installing a new LED Warning Sign and installing additional warning signs on the approach to the bend in the Lane Cove westbound direction to improve driver awareness and enhance road safety.”

The following resolution is to be voted on by Lane Cove Councilllors

That Council:-

• Approves the installation of additional Electronic Warning Sign and the installation of warning signs on the approach to the bend on Mowbray Road (Lane Cove westbound)
• Undertakes a review after six months to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measures and consider further enhancements if required.
• Liaise with Willoughby Council for the installation of signs on the Willoughby side of Mowbray Road.

Competitive Neutrality and Early Childhood Education in St Leonards Recommendation    

Lane Cove Council has the opportunity to establish an Early Childhood Centre at 13 – 19 Canberra Avenue St Leonards.

At a previous council meeting, the question was raised whether Lane Cove Council could operate the facility.

There are restraints on governments operating for-profit businesses that compete with other service providers.  The Commonwealth Government Treasury has developed the Competitive Neutrality Principles.   These principles aim to ensure that government-owned businesses don’t have an unfair advantage in the market simply because of their public ownership. This means they should compete on a level playing field with private sector businesses.

The Officer’s report noted:

“Council resolved to seek independent advice on the relevance of competitive neutrality principles to the operation of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services within the Local Government Area (LGA). The objective was to clarify whether Council is constrained by these principles or retains discretion to operate facilities with broader social intent. An opinion was received from Clayton Utz Partners Bruce Lloyd and Sian Ooi who have expertise and practice in this field.

In summary they concluded that:

“In our opinion, for the reasons explained below, competitive neutrality principles apply to the provision of ECE services within the Lane Cove LGA as the turnover from those activities exceeds $2m per annum. We recommend the Council resolves to adhere to the obligations imposed by the competitive neutrality principles in its provision and operation of ECE services. We expect that this will include establishing the competitively neutral price by identifying the costs of undertaking the activity and identifying and adjusting for any net advantages that arise from government ownership.”

Further, point three of the October 2024 resolution requested that the advice be tabled at a dedicated workshop for internal discussion which took place on 14 April 2025 and subsequently presented at a full Council meeting. The full legal opinion can be found in Attachment 1.

Three service delivery models were considered for the new facilities in St Leonards:

1. Tender to a Private Provider – This option would engage a commercial operator under lease, offering Council limited involvement in day-to-day operations.
2. Tender to a Not-for-Profit Organisation – This model allows for socially driven service provision, with potential access to additional grants and community programs.
3. Council-Operated Service – This would require direct management, additional staffing, and increased resourcing from Council. While offering the greatest control, it also presents the highest financial and operational risks.”

The Officer’s report concluded with the following:

“The development of two Early Childhood Education and Care facilities at St Leonards offers significant community value. However, for the initiative to be successful and sustainable, it is essential that Council choose a delivery model aligned with its capabilities and strategic priorities.

Leasing the facility to an experienced operator represents the most effective path forward—ensuring quality education, prudent financial management, and broad community benefit.”

Lane Cove Councillors are being asked to vote on the following:

 

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       Commence the tender process for the operation of the Early Childhood Centre at 13-19 Canberra Ave, St Leonards; 2.       Receive a report on the outcomes of the tender process at the appropriate time; 3.       Prepare a tender for the operation of the Early Childhood Education and Care Facility  once this facility nears completion and report back to Council.

Councillor Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Policy Recommendation  

In June 2024 Lane Cove Council resolved to develop a policy on meeting with registered lobbyists and property developers.

Lane Cove Council has prepared a draft Councillor Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Policy  in accordance with the above resolution. This policy includes detailed procedures that outline general conduct, meeting documentation, training requirements, compliance obligations, roles and responsibilities, and the consultation process with the governing body and relevant staff.

A Councillor Record of Meeting Request with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Disclosure Form  and a Councillor Quarterly Disclosure Report of Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Form  have also been developed to support the policy’s reporting obligations

Whilst this policy does not apply to meetings organised by Council staff, disclosures of such meetings will also be published on Council’s website on a quarterly basis utilising the Quarterly Disclosure Report of Councillor attended Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers arranged by Council Staff form.

The draft policy is here.

Lane Cove Councillors are voting on the following resolution:

RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1.       endorses the Draft Policy for the purposes of public exhibition; 2.      undertakes community consultation for a period of six (6) weeks as per the consultation plan outlined in this report; and 3.      following the public exhibition period, the Draft – Councillor Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Policy, together with a report on any submissions received and any proposed amendments, be considered at the Ordinary Council meeting to be held in July 2025.

 

 Internal Audit Function – Shared Service Agreement Recommendation    

The purpose of this report is to note the existing Internal Audit Function – Shared Service Agreement is coming to an end and that a new Draft Agreement has been developed with input from member councils with a view that it will take effect 1 July 2025.

The arrangement for a shared Internal Audit Function has been in place across Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) since 2009. (Strathfield Council has been a member in this arrangement since 2018).

Under this agreement, member councils have a shared independent and objective internal audit function that provides internal audit services to each council in alignment with the requirements outlined under the Risk Management and Internal Audit Guidelines 2023.

The shared agreement enables the councils to leverage their combined purchasing power to gain efficiency and obtain shared learnings that contributes to improvements at each member council.

RECOMMENDATION

That councillors receive and note the officer report and endorse the Draft Agreement – Internal Audit Shared Service Agreement.

Advisory Committees – Expression of Interest process for additional members Recommendation  

Council operates various targeted advisory committees which facilitate Council and community engagement on specific topics on a regular basis. Community members for the 2024-2028 advisory committees were sought via a broad Expression of Interest (EOI) process in November and December 2024. Recently, during the preparation and conduct of initial committee meetings in March and April 2025, it has been identified that it would be beneficial to seek additional committee members for certain committees.

The following committees are looking for new members

Officers Report for Information

 Council Snapshot March 2025 Recommendation    

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.