Mayor's Community Message
22 April
RYDE CIVIC CENTRE
Today I begin a six-week narrative exploring the troubled history of Council’s so-called ‘hole in the ground’ at 1 Devlin Street to correct disinformation being spread online about the site of the former Ryde Civic Centre.
The saga began in July 2011, when an independent assessment estimated that $38.4 million worth of refurbishments were needed to make the ageing 1960s era Ryde Civic Centre and Civic Hall fully Building Code of Australia compliant.
On 12 June 2012, a detailed proposal to develop the Civic Centre site was endorsed by Council and was to return a new multi-purpose facility valued at $79 million.
But following the Local Government elections on 25 September 2012, the 12 June resolution was rescinded and during 2013 and 2014 Council further explored maintenance and refurbishment options which ranged in cost from $4.3 million to $11.91 million.
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 20 October 2015, Council resolved to relocate from the Civic Centre because of the ongoing health and safety issues and substantial refurbishment costs and secured alternative accommodation in North Ryde.
By July 2017, redevelopment was back on the table with the project officially named Ryde Central and in May 2019 Council resolved to commence consultation on the plan.
In January 2020, the development application for ‘The New Heart of Ryde’ was referred to the Sydney North Planning Panel, with the capital investment estimated at $108 million.
The DA was approved in February 2021, with the project to be completely funded without raising rates or reducing services.
ANZAC DAY
On Saturday 25 April, I’ll be joining the City of Ryde community at Anzac Park, West Ryde from 9.00 – 10.00am for our annual Anzac Day ceremony, commemorating one of the nation’s most important and sombre days.
Although it originated on the bloody battlefields of Gallipoli in 1915, Anzac Day has evolved to become an occasion to recognise all the courageous men and women who have served our country during armed conflict and to remember the more than 100,000 who have lost their lives in that service.
YOUTH SUMMIT
The inaugural City of Ryde Mayor’s Youth Summit is taking place on Thursday 23 April at the Incubator, Macquarie University in a day that will be filled with engaging discussions, insightful talks, and networking opportunities.
I’m very excited to hear the thoughts and ideas of our impressive young leaders.
Sincerely,
Trenton Brown – Mayor