Lane Cove Council Meeting February Meeting 2026

The Lane Cove Council first 2026 Meeting will be held on Thursday, 18th February 2026.

The agenda is lengthy, but many items relate to internal council procedures.

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 may address the councillors for a maximum of three minutes per person (in person or virtually) during the public forum by registering via this online form no later than midnight on the day prior to the public forum.

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

Notices of Motion

11.1 Notice of Motion – Supporting Domestic Violence Safe Phone Initiative Recommendation   

Councillor Rochelle Flood has tabled a notice of motion requesting that Lane Cove Council become another local collection point for DV Safe Phone and donate obsolete operational mobile phones to DV Safe Phone.

DV Safe Phone aims to provide every person experiencing domestic and family violence with access to a safe, unmonitored mobile phone.

The notice of motion notes that other local council, including North Sydney Council are DV Safe collection points.

Officer’s Report for Determination

12.1 Establishment of a Service Review Framework Recommendation

Since 2024, all NSW councils must regularly review their services under the Office of Local Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines. Each council must include a service review program in its four-year Delivery Plan and annual Operational Plan.

A service review is an internal check of a council service. It considers cost, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. It also assesses whether the current level of service remains appropriate.

Lane Cove Council has developed a Service Review Framework to guide how these reviews will be carried out, reported and assessed.

A proposed Service Review Program will be included in the draft 2025/26–2028/29 Delivery Program and the 2026/27 Operational Plan.

12.2 Establishment of a Legal Counsel Position Recommendation

At the November 2025 meeting, Lane Cove Council reviewed the Legal Services Tender process.  At that meeting, Council resolved that the General Manager investigate the employment of in-house legal counsel and report back to the February 2026 Council meeting.

Many Sydney councils, both small and large, now employ one or more in-house legal professionals.

The investigation found that creating a permanent Legal Counsel position would provide timely, consistent and strategic legal advice across Council operations. This would support compliance, improve efficiency, and strengthen governance.

The agenda paper notes that external legal services would still be used for specialist or high-risk matters. However, having an in-house legal counsel would help manage legal risks, improve decision-making, strengthen governance, and reduce reliance on external legal providers.

This report recommends establishing a Legal Counsel position within Lane Cove Council’s organisation chart.

12.3 Governance Health Check Recommendation

The purpose of this agenda item is to seek Councillors’ endorsement to commence a Governance Health Check to ensure the organisation’s governance frameworks remain contemporary, effective, transparent, and aligned with legislative requirements and sector best practice.

The agenda paper notes:

While Council has established governance policies, delegations and oversight mechanisms, periodic independent reviews of these systems represent best practice and ensures continued alignment with evolving regulatory requirements, operational demands and community expectations.

The recent appointment of a new General Manager also presents a timely opportunity to undertake an independent Governance Health Check of the organisation.

This report recommends the commencement of a Governance Health Check to:

• assess the effectiveness of current governance structures and processes
• identify opportunities to strengthen transparency, accountability and organisational performance
• benchmark Council’s practices against recognised best practice governance standards
• provide clear, practical recommendations for improvement, where required.

13.1 Delivery Program and Operational Plan – 2025/26 Second Quarter Review Recommendation    

The purpose of this agenda item is to present to Council the 2025/26 Second Quarter Review of the Delivery Program and Operational Plan

The agenda item notes:

“Council is progressing well on its Delivery Program and Operational Plan actions.

A few highlights for the quarter are:

• Food Organics rollout has commenced
• Council received a grant in excess of $1.2m from the Federal Government for the
• Over 17,000 attendees at the Rotary Fair; over 2,500 attendees at Food & Wine Festival and over 5,000 attendees at Christmas celebrations
• 124 volunteers logged 403.5 hours, potting 3,357 plants and propagating 42 trays
• The NSW Audit Office issued an unqualified opinion on Council’s financial statements.”

 

Corporate Services and Strategy Division Reports

13.2 Quarterly Budget Review – December 2025 Recommendation   

The purpose of this agenda item is to present to Council the 2025/26 Budget Quarterly Budget Review Statements as at 31 December 2025.

The agenda item notes:

“The operating result (before capital grants and contributions) has improved by $891K to a surplus for the year of $314K, primarily due to windfall income from restorations, construction zones and crane permits together with improved interest on investments.

Capital expenditure is forecast to increase by $1.6 million to $55.9 million due mainly to adding funding to match the approved grant for the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and capital works forming part of restoration works.

Capital grants and contributions is forecast to reduce by $12.6 million, primarily due to re-forecasting the receipt of developer contributions.

A net reduction in transfers to and from reserves of $13.4 million is forecast, primarily due to the forecast reduction in developer contribution income.

Taking transfers to and from reserves into account, the program budget result for the quarter is a small $4K surplus.”

13.3 Draft Public Forum Guidelines Recommendation  

See above on the new procedures.

13.4 Proposed amendments to the Managing Conflicts of Interest for Council-Related Development Policy Recommendation    

The agenda item outlines proposed amendments to the Council’s Managing Conflicts of Interest for Council-Related Development Policy and seeks Council adoption of the amended Policy.

Council adopted the Managing Conflicts of Interest for Council-Related Development Policy on 20 July 2023.

The agenda item notes:

” A review of the current Policy has been conducted to strengthen management controls and strategies related to compliance and enforcement actions for Council-related developments to ensure there is oversight by the General Manager and Executive Leadership Team, and there is referral to external agencies for oversight to manage conflicts of interest where significant breaches of the law have occurred.

An opportunity has also been taken to make minor amendments to management strategies for assessing and determining development applications.

In addition, an opportunity has been created to update the Policy to reflect recent changes announced by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure: from 16 January 2026, the determination of applications previously the responsibility of the Sydney and Regional Planning Panels will transfer to Local Planning Panels.”

13.5 Draft Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Minutes – 9 December 2025 Recommendation    

This agenda item presents the Draft Minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) meeting held on 9 December 2025.

In accordance with the ARIC Terms of Reference, the Minutes of ARIC Meetings are forwarded to Council for their information and action, where necessary.

The agenda papers note that no actions are sought from Council arising from the ARIC Meeting held on 9 December 2025.

13.6 Councillor Training – Mastering Motions and Notices of Motion for Councillors Recommendation  

Local Government NSW (LGNSW)  is facilitating a half day course for Councillors “Managing Motions and Notices of Motions for Councillors” in March and June 2026.

This agenda item seeks Council’s endorsement for the Mayor, Councillor Southwood, to undertake the course in March 2026. Other interested Councillors who wish to attend the training can nominate at the Council Meeting.

14.1 Council Response to the Bondi Beach Attack Recommendation    

Councillors are being asked to

1. Note the actions undertaken by Lane Cove Council in response to the December 2025 Bondi Beach attack
2. acknowledge the ongoing impact of the attack on affected communities and reaffirm Council’s commitment to safety, inclusion, compassion and social cohesion.
3. approves signing the Multicultural NSW pledge to support Jewish Australians and oppose antisemitism.

Community and Culture Division Reports

14.2 Future of Jean Mitchell Lucretia Baths Recommendation

After six Council discussions since 2022 on the fate of the Jean Mitchell (Lucretia) Baths at Woodford Bay, it will again be discussed at the February Lane Cove Council Meeting on 18th February 2026.

The agenda papers include a staff report recommending against restoring the tidal pool. Instead, councillors are being asked to vote to remove the structure entirely.

Once a community-built swimming spot and one of the few remaining timber harbourside baths in Sydney, the baths have been closed since February 2023 due to advanced deterioration and safety concerns. Transport for NSW has also directed the removal of unsafe elements.

The agenda papers note that rebuilding is not financially or operationally sustainable due to high construction costs, no available external grant funding, and ongoing maintenance risks that the Council budget can’t support.

The staff report recommends re-wilding the foreshore for passive recreation and sensory benefits, and creating a heritage interpretation project to retain the baths’ cultural story for future generations.

Read more here.

14.3 Draft Submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Music and Art Economy in NSW Recommendation

 

Councillors are being asked to approve a draft submission prepared by council staff to be submitted to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Music and Art Economy in NSW.

Lane Cove Council staff are of the view that there is a demonstrated set of local economic and social benefits generated through live music and performance activations.

The submission highlights Council’s direct investment in performance infrastructure, venues, and cultural programming, and identifies structural funding, compliance, and delivery challenges faced by local government. It also underscores the importance of youth pathways and accessible programming.

14.4 Post Exhibition – Civic Centre Grand Piano Hire Recommendation

Lane Cove Council, at its October 2025 Council meeting, resolved to exhibit proposed fees and charges associated with the public hire of the piano in the foyer of the Lane Cove Civic Centre.

The proposed fees and charges were publicly exhibited via the Have Your Say procedure, and no comments were received.  Councillors are being asked to adopt the proposed fees and charges as exhibited and commence the Civic Centre piano hire program.

15.1 Public Exhibition – Draft Sustainability Action Plan 2026-2030 and Outcomes Report for the 2022-2025 Sustainability Action Plan Recommendation

Lane Cove Council adopted its first Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) in 2005 and received approval from IPART in 2007 to introduce a Sustainability Levy to support its implementation.

The Sustainability Levy remains in place and continues to support the implementation of projects that deliver on the SAP goals and actions.

An Outcomes Report has been prepared to inform the community about the activities delivered under the current SAP, covering the period from 2022 to 2025 and involving the implementation of over 395 initiatives.

A Draft SAP for 2026-2030 has been developed following a strategic review and community engagement.

The next SAP will guide the delivery of initiatives and programs and the allocation of Sustainability Levy Funding through the period of 2026-2030.

Councillors are being asked to vote to place the Draft Sustainability Action Plan 2022-2025 Outcomes Report and Draft Sustainability Action Plan 2026-2030 on public exhibition (Have Your Say) for a period of 28 days, with the outcome of the public exhibition reported to Council.

Planning and Sustainability Division Reports

15.2 Public Exhibition – Draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Policy Recommendation    

The draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Policy (the Policy) has been developed to guide the locations of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) to encourage electric vehicle adoption in Lane Cove whilst maintaining local amenity and services.

The draft Policy outlines key site-selection and design criteria to ensure installations meet safety, accessibility, environmental, and community requirements.

The draft Policy has been developed to support the delivery of EVCI on public land, ensuring it integrates effectively with the local context and provides guidance to EVCI providers on location selection and associated requirements.

The officer’s report notes that uptake in the Lane Cove Local Government Area (LGA) has also been strong, with December 2025 registration data showing 1,421 EVs registered in the LGA.

Councillors are being asked to vote to place the policy on public exhibition (Have Your Say) for 28 days, with the public exhibition outcome reported to Council.

15.3 Draft Sydney Plan – Public Exhibition Recommendation

The draft Sydney Plan, the new Approach to Strategic Planning Discussion Paper, and the Statewide Policy for Industrial Lands are intended to outline a clear future for Sydney and NSW.

The Draft Sydney Plan, once finalised, will replace the Greater Sydney Region Plan and provide comprehensive guidance on Sydney’s growth over the next two decades.

Key proposed changes include:

• Better aligning infrastructure to planned growth for both infill and greenfield development.
• Increasing the supply of well-located jobs, by delivering more guidance to councils on employment categories that suit their area.
• Protecting and enhancing the natural environment by bringing contemporary environmental management approaches into the planning process early and delivering more urban greening.
• Making affordable housing contribution scheme’s mandatory for all councils, so every part of Sydney is doing their part to create a more affordable city.
• The Draft Sydney Plan is the first of four region plans which will set out the strategic planning directions for all of NSW helping to better enable the Minns Labor Government’s nation leading reforms for a more consistent, coordinated and fit for purpose planning system.

The NSW State government has said that the New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper proposes a simplified, three-tiered framework for strategic plans, aiming to end an overly complex and often duplicative system.

Councillors are being asked to approve a draft submission prepared by council staff on the Draft Sydney Plan to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Locals can also review the plan and make submissions – details here.

15.4 Adoption – St Leonards South Section 7.11 Plan Review Recommendation

Lane Cove Council adopted the St Leonards South (SLS) 7.11 Contribution Plan on 19 April 2022, and it took effect on 20 April 2022 after being reviewed by IPART.

As part of IPART’s approval, Council was required to review the plan within three years. The review needed to update information about planning assumptions, as well as the scope and cost of the land and works included in the plan.

Council completed this review and submitted an updated SLS 7.11 Plan to IPART for assessment in July 2025. IPART assessed the revised plan and released its Final Report on 7 October 2025, which included five recommendations.

On 20 January 2026, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, acting on behalf of the Minister for Planning, reviewed both the updated Contribution Plan and IPART’s recommendations.

The Section 7.11 Contribution Plan has now been updated to address the comments from both the Department and IPART and is being presented for councilllors to approve.

15.5 Planning Proposal 47 – Heritage Amendment – 3 Austin CrescentRecommendation

A Planning Proposal for 3 Austin Crescent, Lane Cove has been submitted for consideration. The Planning Proposal seeks to remove the property from Schedule 5 of the Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LEP) – Heritage.

The Planning Proposal (PP) was prepared by Urbanism Pty Ltd and includes a Heritage Assessment by Three+One Heritage, concluding that the property no longer demonstrates historic significance at either the local or state level.

Council engaged an independent heritage consultant to review all material supplied with the Planning Proposal. The consultant noted that the “proposal to remove the heritage listing from No.3 Austin Crescent is supported, and it is recommended that the item, and the adjacent house at No.1 Austen Crescent, be removed from Schedule 5”.

The matter was referred to the Local Planning Panel, which supported the removal of the site from the LEP.  Councillors are being asked to endorse the planning proposal and to send it to the gateway determination and to approve public exhibition

15.6 Post Exhibition – Road Naming Proposal Recommendation

Lumen Lane is the proposed name for the new road linking Park and Berry Roads in St Leonards South.

The officer’s report notes “the name derives from the Latin word meaning ‘light’ and was considered a measure of light as far back as Roman times. The term is also associated with architectural knowledge and design. This would be considered appropriate as the St Leonards South precinct was designed and reviewed by architects and urban designers at both local and state government level.”

 

16.1 Response to Notice of Motion – Enhancing infrastructure for dogs in Lane Cove – Update Recommendation

The purpose of this agenda item is to provide Council with an update on actions arising from Resolution 283 of the December 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting and seek a Council decision to commence improvement works at Turrumburra off-leash dog area this financial year.

A range of measures were investigated to improve dog parks in the Lane Cove LGA. Such measures include improvements to drainage, turf repair, fencing modifications, increased maintenance, and the installation of turf reinforcement mesh at Blackman Park.

The improvements and proposed cost of carrying out work at Blackman Park are included in the agenda papers.  However, the officer’s report notes, “given extensive costs, are provided for Council’s future consideration as part of the preparation of the draft 2026/27 budget”.

Site investigation and proposed improvements to the Turrumburra Park enclosed off-leash dog area have also been identified and can be carried out this financial year, using funds available in the current (2025/26) maintenance budget.

Open Space and Infrastructure Division Reports

16.2 Tender for the Provision of Tree Pruning and Removal and Stump Grinding Services Recommendation   

A report on the outcomes of a tender for the provision of tree pruning, tree removal and stump grinding services, and to endorse a panel of Tree Service providers for a five-year period.

16.3 Tender for St Vincents Road New Shared User Path Construction and Road Upgrade Recommendation    

A report on the outcome of the tender for a suitable contractor to undertake the construction of Shared User Paths and associated infrastructure works along St Vincents Road between Gore Street and Bob Campbell Oval, and to appoint the preferred supplier

16.4 Tender for Provision of Minor Civil Works and Associated Services Recommendation    

A report on the outcome of a tender for the provision of Minor Civil Works and Associated Services ,and to appoint and create a panel of Civil Works contractors for a period of up to 5 years.

18.1 Legal Services Panel – Notice of Change of Wilshire Webb Staution Beattie Practice Recommendation   

18.2 Council Snapshot December 2025 and January 2026 

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.