Council Meeting summary – 12 December 2023

Published on 19 December 2023

Council held its final meeting for 2023 on Tuesday 12 December. The following is a summary of outcomes from the meeting:

Mayoral Minute – Excellence in Multicultural Services Award

Council acknowledged the award presented by the NSW Public Libraries Association for Council’s Job ready at Ryde program and congratulated staff who assisted with the development and implementation of the program.

Mayoral Minute – Community Improvement District Pilot Program grant funding

A grant application has been submitted to Transport for NSW under its Community Improvement District Pilot Program to deliver a pilot project for Hillview Lane, Eastwood as a high-street. Councillors will be kept informed, by way of a CIB, of the progress of Council’s application and, if successful, commencement of the pilot project. Council contributions to the pilot project will be linked to funding already allocated to the development of the Eastwood Master Plan.

Mayoral Minute – call for reversal of cuts to essential infrastructure projects

Council will write to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister, and the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government expressing Council’s strong opposition to the Australian Government’s decision to cut significant infrastructure funding from important projects across NSW, including $6.7 million for intersection improvements at Blaxland Road/Balaclava Road in Eastwood. It will call on the Australian Government to reinstate funding for these critical infrastructure projects. Council will also write to the Hon Chris Minns MP, NSW Premier, seeking the NSW Government’s support for joint advocacy on this matter to the Australian Government.

Mayoral Minute – passing of John Schanz

Council noted the passing of much-loved former City of Ryde employee John Schanz and will send a letter of condolence on behalf of the Mayor and Council to Mr Shanz’s family.

Mayoral Minute – passing of Jimmy Shaw

Council noted the passing of well-known local identity Jimmy Shaw, a keen gardener, political activist, jazz musician and environmental warrior. A concurrent minute’s silence was held for both Mr Schanz and Mr Shaw.

Mayoral Minute – Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards

Council acknowledged awards presented by Local Government NSW for Excellence in the Environment for Council’s Behaviour Change in Waste and Innovation in Planning, Policies and Decision-Making projects and congratulated staff who assisted with development and implementation of the projects.

Christmas/New Year arrangements for the CEO

Council, pursuant to Section 351(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1993, will temporarily appoint Michael Galderisi, General Manager – City Shaping, as Chief Executive Officer for the period between 12.00am on 2 January 2024 to 12 midnight on 7 January 2024, while the incumbent Chief Executive Officer is on annual leave.

Conflict of Interest Policy

The draft Conflict of Interest Policy was approved for implementation subject to a workshop briefing councillors on any additional new obligations under this policy.

Defibrillators at Council sportsgrounds

Council will continue to support community user groups in the purchase of and installation of Automated External Defibrillator units at sportsgrounds by identifying and supporting applications for suitable grant funding programs and hosting fund raising events. Council will conduct an annual audit of the existing sportsground automated external defibrillators at a cost of up to $2,100 to be funded from the Sportsground Maintenance Budget.

Replacing fast growing turf on nature strips

Council resolved to retain the turf nature strips alongside Council managed state-listed roads within the LGA, noting an estimated cost of $2.9 million for converting the nature strips from turf to slow, low-growing plants. Council noted that the current annual maintenance cost of $105,560 for the turf nature strips would increase to an estimated $190,000 per annum if turf was substituted for slow-growing plants.

Installation of seating around Lardelli Park pond

Council noted that four seats were installed at Lardelli Park to accommodate visitors from the rehabilitation centre and local residents, as per the Council resolution from the 22 August 2023 meeting. Council further noted that the seats were sourced from existing stock in storage at the Porters Creek Facility and that the cost for installing the seating was $12,000.

Adoption of Field of Mars Reserve Plan of Management and Land Categorisations

Council will adopt the Field of Mars Reserve Plan of Management in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1993. It will further adopt the recategorisations of parts of Field of Mars Reserve as set out in the Public Hearing and Submissions Report prepared by Parkland Planners (17 October 2023) and in accordance with Sections 40A and 47G of the Local Government Act 1993.

Extension of library opening times for students

Council will trial extended hours to support students during the 2024 HSC period for approximately four weeks from the end of September through to October 2024, at West Ryde (Tuesday and Thursday) and Eastwood (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) branches, closing one hour later at 9pm on the designated evenings. The library staff budget will be increased by $10,320.00 per annum to support the trial.

Extending library hours during days of extreme temperatures

Council will trial extended hours at West Ryde and Eastwood libraries, with closing times of 9pm during days of extreme temperatures over 36C from December 2023 to March 2024. The library staff budget will be increased by $10,000 to support the trial. Council will also investigate any other facilities that could be used as cool place refuges. And it will liaise with Northern Beaches Council to understand how its 24/7 Forestville Library operates and whether similar services could be offered by City of Ryde libraries. A report will be brought back to Council in April 2024 covering all matters.

Book services for Lachlan’s Line and North Ryde Metro Station precinct

Council will further explore the placement of book lockers and other options to deliver a library service to the residents of the Lachlan’s Line precinct and that staff will promote the e-book collection and availability.

Local Heritage Assistance Fund

Six eligible applications to the Local Heritage Assistance Fund for June to September 2023 (Round 4 and Round 5) will be supported and receive funding assistance pursuant to Section 356 of the Local Government Act, 1993 with $67,612 allocated from the Heritage Reserve.

Traffic and parking matters

The following recommendations from the Ryde Local Traffic Committee meeting on 23 November 2023 will be adopted:   

Waste collection – various streets: Parking changes for waste collection will be implemented at the cul-de-sac on Dawes Crescent, Eastwood, the frontage of 32-34 Anthony Road, West Ryde, the frontage of 18-20 Ross Street, Gladesville, the frontage of 15-17 Gladstone Avenue, Ryde, the cul-de-sac on Fay Place, Marsfield, the cul-de-sac on Flinders Road, North Ryde, the frontage of 58-60 Falconer Street, West Ryde, the two cul-de-sacs on Deborah Place, Eastwood, and the property frontage of 2 and 17 Deborah Place, Eastwood.

Elliott Avenue, East Ryde: A 12m long ‘NO STOPPING’ zone will be installed on the western side of Elliott Avenue outside of 89 Moncrief Drive, East Ryde.

Farrington Parade, North Ryde: A pedestrian refuge will be installed (subject to availability of funds) on Farrington Parade, North Ryde, at the intersection of Truscott Street, as per Transport for NSW Technical Directions. The intersection of Truscott Street and Farrington Parade will be realigned (subject to availability of funds) by kerb extensions to improve the traffic conditions.

Parkes Street, West Ryde: Kerb blisters will be installed (subject to availability of funds) along Parkes Street intersections, West Ryde.

Chatham Road, West Parade and Hillview Road, West Ryde: Route traffic calming will be installed along a route that includes Chatham Road, West Parade and Hillview Road in West Ryde and Eastwood (subject to availability of funds). In principle support is given to the installation of a pedestrian refuge on Chatham Road, near Denistone Sports Club.

Precis of correspondence

Correspondence was received from NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully, MP, regarding Standardisation of Street address allocations and Stage 1 of the Macquarie Park Innovation Precinct (MPIP) rezoning.

Fencing at Morrison Bay Park, Putney

Council will investigate the feasibility of increasing the fencing at Morrison Bay Park, Putney along both sides of the canal to prevent footballs entering the canal. The current user groups of the sporting fields will be contacted to facilitate an on-site meeting to obtain feedback and to assist with the investigation of the works required. Costings and time frame will be determined with the results of the investigation and recommendations to be presented at the April 2024 Council Meeting.

Installation of shade sails at Denistone Park

Council staff will investigate the feasibility of installing shade cloths at Denistone Park for UV protection of children. The investigation will include the availability of funding from the current approved budget, with a report to be provided to Council in February 2024.

Bike Repair Stations

Council will investigate the installation of three public Bike Repair Stations (BRS) at Meadowbank Park, Shrimptons Creek, and Kissing Point Park, with a report be presented to Council in March 2024 outlining the findings.

Notice of Rescission

A rescission motion brought by Clrs Purcell, Pedersen and O’Reilly on three parts of Item 3 – RYDE CENTRAL AND OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, passed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 28 November 2023, was defeated.

To view the minutes of the meeting click here