Council meeting summary – 22 July 2025

Published on 25 July 2025

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Council held a meeting on Tuesday 22 July 2025. The following is a summary of outcomes from the meeting:

Mayoral Minute – Korean floods and memorial unveiling

Council acknowledged the difficult decision made by the Gapyeong County Delegation to withdraw its planned visit to Australia to attend the upcoming Unveiling Ceremony, due to the devastating flood disaster currently affecting various regions of Korea, particularly Gapyeong.  It noted that the Unveiling Ceremony featuring the Korean Consul-General and the GAROK Oceania team will proceed on Sunday, 27 July 2025 as planned. That the City of Ryde expresses its deepest sympathy for the victims, their families and all Korean communities affected by the flash floods and landslides. The Mayor will write to the Gapyeong County Delegation, extending an invitation to visit the City of Ryde at a suitable time in the future.   The Mayor will also send a video message to the Gapyeong County Mayor expressing our sympathy for the victims and their families.

Mayoral Minute – Commendation for Keiran Gibson, Commander of the NSW SES Ryde Unit

Council thanked Mr Keiran Gibson for his exemplary service as the Commander of the NSW SES Ryde Unit over the past 18 years.

Mayoral Minute – Eastwood Chinatown

Council will write to the Federal Member for Bennelong, Mr Jerome Laxale MP to acknowledge and thank the Federal Government for the $2,000,000 grant announced for Eastwood Chinatown. Upon receipt of the Commonwealth grant, Council staff will commence investigations into potential designs for public art, streetlights, LED displays, banners, signage, and/or infrastructure that would enhance the Western side of Eastwood, promote a modern and inclusive Eastwood Chinatown, and meet the terms of the grant. The designs shall, where possible, include ideas from City of Ryde’s artists, school students, the community, and will reflect Eastwood’s local history and distinct identity. As part of those investigations, Council staff will also consider incorporating the use of light sculptures from City of Sydney’s Neon Playground 2.0 at Haymarket and Eastwood’s potential participation in future Sydney Vivid Festivals. Recommendations will be initially presented to Council’s Eastwood Chinatown working party for their feedback and consultation. Following that feedback and consultation, any final recommendations will be presented to full Council for adoption.

Mayoral Minute – TG Millner Fields

The Mayor will write directly to the Premier, the Hon. Chris Minns MP urging him to reconsider and overturn the recent Sydney North Planning Panel Gateway Determination and rezoning approval, with a view to protecting the TG Millner Fields as active open space. Council will seek the Premier’s intervention to ensure that decisions regarding the rezoning of community land consider the long-term interests of local residents and the preservation of valuable open space. Council will work collaboratively with the State Government to explore options for the purchase or protection of the land, ensuring its retention for community use and recreation.  Council further requests that the Premier make a public and formal commitment to preserve TG Millner Fields for community use, including its designation as a protected open space under relevant planning instruments and to provide certainty for current and future generations.

Adoption of the City of Ryde Social Strategy and Creativity Strategy 2025-2030

Council endorsed and adopted the Social Strategy 2025-2030 and the Creativity Strategy 2025-2030. It noted the supporting information provided regarding criticality of the proposed actions and events and expected numbers of participants. Council further endorsed and adopted the Social Action Plan 2025-26 and the Creativity Action Plan 2025-26 to guide implementation during the 2025/2026 financial year. However, it will not proceed with the $36,000 social wellbeing survey and creative Ryde survey and will not proceed with the $10,000 creativity development study, thereby achieving a budget saving of $46,000. Any future actions and budget to implement the Social Strategy and Creativity Strategy beyond the 2025/2026 financial year will be presented to Council for approval during 2026.

Community Committees

Council approved the advertising of the Expression of Interest for Community Committee members/representatives in accordance with clause (d) of the Council Resolution from 10 December 2024. All Councillors are eligible to attend and participate in each City of Ryde Community Committee, without formal membership, in accordance with their Terms of Reference, noting that the position of Chairperson on each of the Community Committees (with the exception of Ryde Youth Council) is to be held by the Mayor or the Mayor’s delegate. The Committee selection panel will include Mayor Trenton Brown, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lara-Watson and the Chief Executive Officer.

Key City of Ryde governance policies

Council adopted:

  • The City of Ryde Code of Conduct
  • The City of Ryde Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct
  • The Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy
  • The draft Statement of Business Ethics
  • The draft Gifts and Benefits Policy
  • The draft Interface and Day to Day Oversight of the Chief Executive Officer by the Mayor; including the Mayor’s Roles and Responsibilities Policy
  • The draft Pecuniary Interest Return Procedure
  • The draft Policies on public exhibition if there are no substantive submissions received in relation to any of the documents requiring amendment to the draft Policies, and Councillors be advised via the Councillor Information Bulletin.

Council approved:

  • The draft Code of Meeting Practice
  • The draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy.

Authority will be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to undertake minor editorial amendments for clarity or correction of drafting errors prior to the exhibition of the draft Code of Meeting Practice and draft Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy. Authority will be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to make minor editorial amendments to the City of Ryde Code of Conduct, Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct, Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy, Statement of Business Ethics, Gifts and Benefits Policy; Interface and Day to Day Oversight of the Chief Executive Officer by the Mayor; including the Mayor’s Roles and Responsibilities Policy and Pecuniary Interest Returns Policy in order to correct any minor drafting errors, and to finalise design and accessible formats for publication.

Council noted that the Office of Local Government may develop and publish an updated model code of conduct and procedures, and a further report will be brought to Council if required. It also noted that the Office of Local Government may develop and publish lobbying guidelines and a model policy, and a further report will be brought to Council if required. It further noted that the Office of Local Government may develop and publish an updated model code of meeting practice, and a further report will be brought to Council if required.

Tree preservation

Council adopted the Development Control Plan 2014 Part 9.5 – Tree Preservation V7 dated May 2025, subject to Part 6.3 being amended to add a third point as follows: A mandatory 12-month follow-up inspection is required after the initial planting of the approved advanced species to ensure it remains healthy and intact.

Shop Ryder review

Council will not re-tender the Shop Ryder service at the end of the current contract and discontinue the service from 31 December 2025, noting that the provision of public transport is not a core function of local government and there is a high degree of overlap with existing State bus services. Council will write to the State Government requesting additional bus services to cover any parts of the Shop Ryder routes that are not already covered by Sydney Buses/Busways. It will Inform current users of the Shop Ryder about the discontinuation of the service from 31 December 2025 and alternative transport options such as Stryder and other on-demand rideshare services available. 

Driving electrification in Ryde

Council noted the work being undertaken to implement initiatives to enhance electrification of mobility vehicles in Ryde. It will continue engagement with industry bodies and infrastructure providers towards seeking opportunities for increasing EV public charging infrastructure. It will further support the implementation of initiatives for EV charging infrastructure located within multi-unit dwellings.

Integrated transport strategy refresh

Council endorsed the draft Integrated Transport Strategy 2045 for public exhibition and consultation for a period of six weeks. City Transport staff will provide a report to Council detailing the outcomes of the public exhibition period, prior to finalising the Integrated Transport Strategy 2045 for Council endorsement.  Council officers will reconsider and refine the performance metrics. Council officers will incorporate or note estimated costings associated with achieving each objective or initiative outlined in the Strategy when the final report is brought back to Council, to support transparent decision making and prioritisation.

Illegal tree removal

Council will continue to undertake investigations of unlawful tree matters in accordance with relevant legislation and policies such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021. Revenue generated through enforcement actions related to illegal tree activity will be reinvested in initiatives aimed at enhancing community education, expanding investigative capacity, and supporting programs for the replacement and maintenance of the urban tree canopy.

Dog off-leash trial

Council endorsed a 12-month unfenced dog off-leash trial at Granny Smith Memorial Park, Pioneer Park (when not used for sporting activities booked by Council), and Lardelli Park Lower Area. Council further endorsed the installation of supporting infrastructure including signage, dog waste bins, and bag dispensers for the 12-month trial at Granny Smith Memorial Park, Pioneer Park, and the lower area of Lardelli Park, to be funded through the Parks & Open Space Operational Budget for 2025/2026. A report on the findings of the 12-month trial be presented to Council within three months of the conclusion of the trial. This report will also include recommendations for improved signage – particularly at parks that are not designated as off-leash areas and are regularly hired or used by community user groups – to help prevent misuse and maintain the condition of these shared spaces.

Traffic and parking matters

The Ryde Traffic Committee made the following recommendations from its June 2025 meeting:

  • Annie Lane, West Ryde: NO STOPPING restrictions be installed on the southern side of Annie Lane, West Ryde. NO PARKING restrictions be installed on the northern side of Annie Lane, West Ryde.
  • Fourth Avenue, Denistone: NO STOPPING restrictions be installed along the bends on both the northern and southern sides of Fourth Avenue, Denistone. Statutory NO STOPPING restrictions be installed at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Young Parade, Denistone.
  • See Street, Meadowbank: The existing Resident Parking Scheme (RPS) hours on See Street between MacPherson Street and Stone Street, Meadowbank be extended from 8AM - 9PM MON - FRI to 6AM–9PM MON - FRI. The existing 2P time-restricted parking on See Street between MacPherson Street and Stone Street, Meadowbank be altered to 1P parking restriction.
  • Providence Road, Ryde: The existing NO STOPPING restrictions on the southern side of Providence Road be extended by 6m near its intersection with Dolan Street, adjacent to property no. 15 Providence Road, Ryde.
  • Bowden Street, Meadowbank: The following parking changes will be made on the western side of Bowden Street, outside property nos. 115-127 Bowden Street, Meadowbank: Install 2P 8AM-6PM TUE-FRI and 2P 11AM-6PM MON; retain existing NO PARKING 5AM-11AM MON WASTE VEHICLES EXCEPTED; and install 2P 8AM – 6PM MON-FRI at three unrestricted parking spaces.
  • Hancott Street, Ryde: 1/4P 8AM-10AM 2PM-4PM MON-FRI be installed along the frontage of 2 Hancott Street, Ryde.
  • North Road, Eastwood: NO STOPPING restrictions be installed on both sides of North Road between Vera Street and Acacia Street, Eastwood. NO STOPPING restrictions be installed at the intersections of Acacia Street/ Vera Street/ Ferrabetta Avenue and North Road, Eastwood.
  • Pittwater Road, Gladesville: Install 1P 8AM-6PM MON-FRI on the western side of Pittwater Road at the frontage of property nos. 100-106 Pittwater Road, Gladesville. Install 3m long NO PARKING zone across the driveway servicing property no. 102-104 Pittwater Road, Gladesville.
  • Granny Smith Festival: Council will adopt the temporary measures specified within the independent Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and supporting Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGS) to facilitate safety for different road users for the 2025 Granny Smith Festival. Council will implement the measures outlined in TMPs and TGS. A revised TMP and TGS associated with the event will be referred back to the Traffic Committee in 2030.
  • Mahogany Avenue, Macquarie Park: Traffic and parking signs and the raised pedestrian crossing on Mahogany Avenue, Macquarie Park, be installed. The raised pedestrian crossing be designed in accordance with Transport for NSW Technical Directions and submitted for TfNSW review. All signs and linemarking and the raised pedestrian crossing are to be installed by the developer at no cost to Council.

Precis of correspondence

Council received and noted correspondence from The Hon. Paul Scully MP, and The Hon. Steve Kamper MP.

Changes to signalised intersection – Balaclava Road and Agincourt Road, Marsfield

Council will write to Transport for NSW requesting a review of the intersection of Balaclava Road and Agincourt Road, Marsfield with consideration given to changing the lane configuration on the southbound lanes and phasing of the traffic signals.

Support for Ryde Athletic Centre at Dunbar Park

Council will bring back a report regarding the replacement of the long jumps runs including costs, estimated time for completion and potential allocation of budget for 2025/2026. It will also assist Ryde Athletics Centre in identifying any appropriate grant under the City of Ryde’s Community Grant program. It will further commit to ongoing collaboration with Ryde Athletics Centre to preserve and enhance the field’s condition, ensuring the longevity of Council’s prior resurfacing investment through proactive and strategic maintenance practices. The Mayor will write to the Member of Ryde, Mr Jordan Lane MP seeking details to apply for the local sports grant on behalf of Ryde Athletics for the upgrade of the long jump runs. 

Expanding community gardens

Staff will bring back a report identifying potential sites across the City of Ryde suitable for the establishment of new community gardens.

To view the minutes of the meeting. Click here

 

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