What Do You Want to See Lane Cove Council Focus on in its Children and Family Strategy?

    By
    Jacky Barker
    -

    Lane Cove Council is currently asking locals to comment on their draft Children and Families Strategy.

    The Strategy is designed to set a clear direction for how Lane Cove Council will plan, deliver, partner and advocate for the well-being of children and families.

    The strategy is based on the guiding principles of:

    • Inclusion
    • Diversity
    • Sustainable, Outcome-focused
    • Focus Area-led Design
    • Communicative, Connected and Coordinated
    • Safety and Protection

    There are six focus areas:

    • Health & Wellbeing
    • Learning & Development
    • Play, Recreation & Nature
    • Voice, Participation & Belonging
    • Inclusive Places & Housing
    • Service Access & System Coordination

    This strategy is designed to be used across every level of Council and in collaboration with community partners.

    It will be used to:

    Inform planning and project scoping: Every initiative must clearly identify its alignment with one or more focus areas and reflect at least one core principle.

    Guide program and service design: Programs should consider the specific needs of early years, middle years or youth cohorts, with design informed by place-based context and target population.

    Support advocacy and partnership: Council’s role often includes advocacy to State or Federal Government, or partnership with NGOs, schools, and health. This strategy provides a shared language and evidence base to support that role.

    Strengthen monitoring and evaluation: Council will apply clear measures across initiatives—capturing both reach (access and participation) and impact (changes in wellbeing, development, connection, or safety).

    Where Could the Plan Be Strengthened?

    In the Cove has spoken to several parents who have noted that Lane Cove Council does a great job at putting in place programmes and activities for preschoolers and primary school children.

    However, parents would like Lane Cove Council to also focus on the over-12 age group.  Lane Cove Council does have the Synergy Youth Centre. Is that enough, and could that space be used more for high school kids on the weekends?

    When reading the strategy, youth are not consistently treated as independent community participants.  The strategy only implies age groups.  The Strategy should clearly address the following age groups.  Each specific area of focus should have examples linked to the three age groups.

    Age Group Focus
    0–5 Early years
    6–11 Middle childhood
    12–18 Youth & adolescence

     

    The strategy emphasises principles rather than outcomes. There should be youth outcomes specifically listed such as:

    • Young people feel safe and welcome in public spaces
    • Young people have opportunities to influence community decisions
    • Young people can access recreation, culture and nature independently
    • Young people develop skills for work and civic participation

    Hang Out Zones – Longer Library Hours

    Several council libraries throughout Australia have Library Teen Zones.  An example of this is the Randwick City Council’s Teen Lounge (Library Teen Zone).

    Teen spaces in libraries typically include:

    • study areas
    • gaming spaces
    • youth events
    • dedicated teen collections.

    Current Council Programmes Could Be More Youth-Focused

    Lane Cove Council has the Get That Job Programme for people who have lost their jobs or want to get back into the workforce.    Lane Cove Council could partner with local businesses to offer:

    • work experience placements
    • career mentoring
    • resume and interview workshops
    • small business or entrepreneurship programs.

    This would be particularly helpful for 15–18-year-olds transitioning to work or university.

    Lane Cove Council has several volunteer teams that assist the council, for example, the Bushcare team.  It would be great to have offshoots of these programmes, for example:

    • environmental volunteering (Bushcare youth teams)
    • event volunteering (work with the Lane Cove Festival team )

    PreSchool Activities Broadened for Primary School

    Lane Cove Council has bushkids.  This programme is for under-5-year-olds.

    Kuringgai Council has the Junior Rangers Club, a weekly after-school activity for primary-aged kids who love nature, hosted at their Wildflower Garden.  This type of programme could be instituted at the Lane Cove Community Nursery.

    Your Opportunity to Comment

    What would you like to see Lane Cove focus on?

    To have your say on the Draft Children and Families Strategy, please make a submission by either completing:

    Submissions close 12:00 pm, Thursday 9 April 2026

    Why Local News Matters

    In the Cove delivers independent Lane Cove news every day — 100% free, with no paywall and no media owners influencing what we publish.

    We write for the community, from within the community.

    We are a proud member of LINA – the Local & Independent News Association, supporting small, independent publishers committed to accountable local journalism.

    Why local news matters:
    Local news strengthens community connection, keeps residents informed, spotlights issues bigger outlets overlook, and holds local decision-makers accountable. Your support helps ensure Lane Cove continues to have a strong, independent voice.

    Independent reporting takes time, resources and a huge commitment to our community. Every contribution helps us continue covering the stories no one else does.

    Support Independent Community News

    ☕ Shout ITC a Coffee (one-off):
    buymeacoffee.com/inthecove

    💛 Contribute Any Amount:
    inthecove.presspatron.com

    📣 Advertise with Us:
    inthecove.com.au/advertise