Council Meeting summary – 25 March 2025

Published on 28 March 2025

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Council held a meeting on Tuesday 25 March 2025. The following is a summary of outcomes from the meeting:

Mayoral Minute – TG Millner Fields

In anticipation of the compulsory acquisition of TG Millner Fields located at 146 Vimiera Road, Marsfield, it was resolved that the Mayor write to the following Federal and State Members/ Candidates requesting funding assistance for the embellishment of TG Millner Fields:

  • The Prime Minister, The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP
  • The Opposition Leader, The Hon. Peter Dutton MP
  • The NSW Premier, The Hon. Christopher Minns MP
  • The Federal Member for Bennelong, Mr Jerome Laxale MP
  • The Liberal Candidate for Bennelong, Mr Scott Yung
  • The State Member for Ryde, Mr Jordan Lane MP
  • The 2023 Labor Candidate for Ryde, Clr Lyndal Howison

2025 Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW Annual Conference

Council will decline to send any delegates to the 2025 Australian Local Government Women's Association (ALGWA) NSW Annual Conference. It will write to the ALGWA NSW Conference organisers to express concern that the event remains exclusionary to working women by failing to offer single-day or digital ticketing options. The letter will request that ALGWA NSW considers more accessible participation options in future conferences to ensure that all women, particularly those balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, can engage in professional development and contribute to the advocacy ALGWA undertakes on their behalf.

Wilga Park shared user path and lighting

Council approved the allocation of $47,000 from Councillor Kathy Tracey and $47,000 from Councillor Cameron Last, being a combined $94,000 from the Councillor Discretionary Fund to the 2024/2025 Capital Works Program for the shared user path and associated lighting in Wilga Park.

Reclassification of public land at 4 Pittwater Road, Gladesville

Council will defer the request to reclassify the land as Operational pending a meeting between Hunters Hill Council, City of Ryde Council, the General Manager of the Gladesville Occasional Care Centre, and the President of the Gladesville Occasional Care Centre with the view to the Gladesville Occasional Care Centre remaining operational for a full cycle of the school year.  An update will be provided at a Councillor workshop on 8 April 2025 and a report will be brought back to the 29 April 2025 Council meeting.

Public exhibition of strategies

Council endorsed the City of Ryde Draft Social Strategy 2025-2030 and Draft Creativity Strategy 2025-2030 for public exhibition for a period of 60 days. Following the exhibition period, Council will receive a further report on the outcomes of the consultation, including any proposed amendments. A Councillor workshop be held during the exhibition period to outline the financial implications of the strategies and any potential funding commitments.

Meadowbank Station bubbler

Council noted the allocation of $50,000 from the Asset Expansion Reserve for the installation of a water station in the forecourt of Meadowbank Station, which is included within the 2025/26 Operational Plan.

Denistone Sports Club site

Council will advertise Expressions of Interest (EOI), seeking submissions from suitable organisations for the management and operation of the former Denistone Sports Club site (operational) and the top (northern) Bowling Green (community).  A further report will be submitted to Council following the receipt of submissions through the EOI process.  Council will allocate funding of $60,000 sourced from general reserves to meet the cost of commencing and undertaking the EOI process and this will be consolidated in the next quarterly review.

Local Heritage Fund assistance

Three eligible applications to the Local Heritage Assistance Fund for the December 2024 period (Round 7) were supported and will receive funding assistance pursuant to Section 356 of the Local Government Act, 1993, being:

  • 25 Bellevue Avenue, Denistone, $15,000.00
  • 11 Bencoolen Avenue, Denistone, $14,817.00
  • 55 Wharf Road, Gladesville, $15,000.00.

Traffic and parking matters

The Ryde Traffic Committee made the following recommendations at the February 2025 meeting:

  • Delange Road and Phillip Road, Putney: In-principle approval to be provided for the provision of a raised pavement treatment including realignment of the ‘STOP’ hold lines at the intersection of Delange Road and Phillip Road, Putney, subject to funding availability and further feasibility assessments.
  • Ryedale Road at Third Avenue, Eastwood: The existing NO STOPPING zone on the western side of Ryedale Road to the south of Third Avenue, Eastwood, to be extended from 10m to 17m.
  • Cowell Street, Ryde: The existing NO STOPPING zone on the southern side of Cowell Street, to the west of Gladstone Avenue, Ryde, to be extended by 10m.
  • Vimiera Road, Eastwood: In-principle approval to be provided for the conversion of the existing pedestrian refuge to a raised pedestrian crossing on Vimiera Road, to the north of Deborah Place, Eastwood, subject to funding availability and further feasibility assessments.
  • Blamey Street, North Ryde: Extend NO STOPPING by 10m on the northern side of Blamey Street at the side frontage of 157 Coxs Road. Extend 10m NO STOPPING on the southern side of Blamey Street outside property no 1 Blamey Street.
  • Hermitage Road, West Ryde: A NO PARKING zone to be installed on the eastern side of Hermitage Road outside property nos. 96 to 78 Hermitage Road, West Ryde. Double barrier (BB) centre line to be replaced with a single dividing (S1) separation line between Sydney Water Driveway and Rhodes Street, West Ryde.

Eastwood car park

Council noted the progress of investigations into best use options for the Glen Street Car Park site in response to the Council resolution of 22 October 2024, regarding ‘Building of New Eastwood Car Park and Community Facilities’. A workshop will be undertaken with Councillors in July 2025 to discuss spatial optioneering and feasibility options for all of the components that make up the Eastwood Central site. A further report will be tabled for Council’s consideration by September 2025 with the outcome of the spatial options and feasibility testing for Eastwood Central, and the next steps to progress this project to implementation.

Public Forum Policy

Council noted that a workshop was held on 2 February 2025 outlining the options for Public Forums which most Councillors attended and expressed their views. Council further noted that the Code of Meeting Practice is currently under review, which provides an opportunity to address the same issues as the Public Forum Policy. Council deferred any further consideration of a Public Forum Policy until the time when the report and review process is completed.

Christie Park water stations

A report will be brought back to the May 2025 Council meeting investigating the reinstatement of the filtered water station and the installation of an extra one at Christie Park, Macquarie Park. The report will include options for either a freestanding or a wall mounted water station at a suitable position adjacent to the amenities and outline costings and an appropriate funding source. An additional report will be prepared and presented to the May Council meeting providing a review of all sportsgrounds that do not currently have water stations available for public use with further investigation of future funding source and outline costings for these grounds for future installation.

Traffic safety improvements

Council acknowledged the ongoing safety hazards at the intersection of Abuklea Road and Woorang Street, Eastwood, as raised by local residents, including the high frequency of accidents, near-misses and traffic concerns. It requested that Council’s Traffic Department conduct a thorough investigation and report back to Council by May 2025 on the feasibility of proposed safety solutions. It further encouraged community consultation to ensure residents’ concerns and experiences are considered in the study and its recommendations.

Eastwood traffic calming

Council will investigate the traffic conditions on Goodwin Avenue and Orchard Street and consult with the community on proposed traffic calming measures, if appropriate. A formal submission will be submitted to the Ryde Local Traffic Committee based on the feedback of residents.

Ryde Central consultation

Council noted that a comprehensive community consultation process has been designed as part of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the 1 Devlin Street site. The project is currently in Phase 2 and key external consultants for Communications and Engagement are currently being employed. A Councillor Workshop will be scheduled when all due diligence is completed, and staff will present key insights and findings prior to the EOI going to market. Council further noted that this motion has been rejected twice before because the community consultation process has been included as part of the EOI project.

Ryde youth mentoring workshops

Council will prepare a report that explores opportunities to host a regular youth mentoring program for the City of Ryde. The report will also explore the hosting a Ryde Mayor's Youth Mental Health Summit in 2025 where interested Councillors, local MP’s, relevant Ministers and State and Federal agencies responsible for this issue, local school counsellors, Ryde Youth Council members, service providers and youth organisations would be invited. Also included in the report will the development of a Youth Mental Health Action Plan for the City of Ryde. It will obtain information regarding access to early diagnosis of neurodiversity for children and identify current state, federal or local government grants to cover any related costs. Funding for the Ryde Mayor’s Youth Mental Health Summit will come from the Mayor’s Budget.

Trim Place bus shelter

Council acknowledged the concerns raised by residents regarding pedestrian access issues caused by the bus shelter at Trim Place, Gladesville. It recognised that the cost of relocating or modifying the shelter would outweigh the overall community benefit, given existing investments made to improve accessibility in Ryde. Council has voluntarily complied with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The removal of the sandstone flower bed is not supported by Council. Additionally, the old shelter has been removed which improved accessibility.     Council noted that the Ryde community has prioritised and invested in supporting residents living with a disability, ensuring broader accessibility improvements across the city.

Point of indulgence

Councillor Kathy Tracey provided the meeting with the below reflection:

I would like to take a small moment to acknowledge the tragic events which took place in the village of Kocani, North Macedonia, where 59 lives were lost last week.

These included people as young as 14 years.  

My heart goes out to the victims, their families and all those grieving, including members of our Ryde community who have been impacted. 

In this time of immense sorrow, I stand in solidarity with my Macedonian community those affected and extend my deepest condolences. 

I hope for strength and healing for the survivors and for meaningful action from local authorities to prevent such tragedies in the future.  

No community – anywhere in the world – should have to endure such devastating loss.

 

The minutes of this meeting can be viewed here

 

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