Mayor's Community Message
16 April
RYDE CIVIC CENTRE
In this second instalment of my narrative on how Council is finally moving ahead with the vitally important Ryde Civic Centre project, I’ll be explaining why we won’t be repeating the financial mistakes of the past.
Our plan to pay for the construction of a new civic centre on the 150-156 Blaxland Road site through the long-term lease of the adjacent 1 Devlin Street site will not only ensure that Council retains ownership of both lots but also represents a sound financial strategy that will not impact our ongoing community services.
The ‘hole in the ground’ exists at 1 Devlin Street now because a former Council body demolished the previous civic centre in 2021 without having a viable plan for building its replacement. You will recall that Council had to rectify the improper internal funds transfer of $95 million in 2022, which included $35 million inappropriately allocated to what was then known as the Ryde Central project.
You only have to look at the example of North Sydney Council – which is proposing an 87 percent rate increase for its residents to pay for cost blowouts to the botched Olympic Pool redevelopment – to understand what happens when councils get major project funding wrong.
Our plan to build a new, long overdue civic centre is based not only on the needs of the community but also carefully considered and well-planned financial objectives.
EASTWOOD CAR PARK
I know many of you are interested in the progress of Council’s plans for the future use of the Glen Street Car Park site in the Eastwood town centre.
I am pleased to say that Council was presented with an update at the 25 March 2025 Ordinary Meeting and resolved that a workshop will be undertaken with Councillors in July 2025 to discuss spatial optioneering and feasibility options for the Eastwood Central site.
A further report will be tabled for Council’s consideration by September 2025 to determine the next stages.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Our Libraries, Active Kids and Active Youth School Holiday Programs are packed with fascinating and fun activities these school holidays, ensuring an educational, action-packed vacation.
The Libraries are combining music, science, and art in a wonderful series of events, while the Active Kids and Active Youth programs bring together a carefully curated selection of activities ranging from break dancing to archery, rollerblading and dragon boat racing.
For full details click here.
Sincerely,
Trenton Brown – Mayor