Council Meeting summary – 28 November 2023
Published on 05 December 2023
Council held a meeting on 28 November 2023. The following is a summary of the outcomes from the meeting:
Matter of Urgency – Macquarie Park Stage 1 Rezonings
Council will invite the Ryde community to participate in a submission to the State Government about its proposed rezoning within the Macquarie Park Innovation District. Council will commit to a campaign to inform the community about the significant risk to jobs, employment proximity and the resulting impact to Council of this proposed rezoning of commercial land to residential. Council gratefully acknowledged the extended deadline provided by the Department of Planning for receiving submissions until after the February 2024 Council Meeting.
Ryde Central project, TG Millner Fields acquisition, and Eastwood Central
Council resolved to retain public ownership of the Ryde Central site, acknowledging the iconic history of the site and support for the project. However, Council deferred the construction of any new civic building at the site until sufficient funding can be identified. It further committed to robust and transparent community consultation to explain the status of the project to the community. As part of the same motion, Council resolved to write to the State Government seeking its commitment to retain the valuable TG Millner Fields site in Marsfield for the Ryde community. Council will advise the Minister for Planning of a funding allocation by City of Ryde of $15 million towards the purchase of TG Millner, sourced from the Property Acquisition Reserve account. Council further noted the commitment made by the now Labor State Government before the 2023 State Election to save TG Millner and will write to the Minister for Local Government to request the requisite funds so the government can fulfil its election commitment. Council also authorised the CEO to expend all necessary funds to extend the useful life of the Glen St car park in Eastwood by 5-10 years and beyond.
September Quarterly Budget Review
Council endorsed proposed budgetary variations detailed in the September Quarterly Budget Review and Operational Plan Progress Report.
Managing Council functions during the Christmas/new year recess
Council authorised the Mayor to exercise all functions of the Council between midnight on 13 December 2023 until midnight on 26 February 2024 but only in the case of an emergency and in consultation with the CEO.
City of Ryde Community Grants, Round 2, 2023
A total of 36 grant applications in the categories of Community Wellbeing (Major, Medium and Small Projects), Events (Medium and Minor), Arts and Creativity, Community Facilities and Equipment, Sport and Recreation, Small Grants, and Venue Hire were recommended in this round, with total funding of $163,470.
Support for new Ryde Vinnies Van
Council will contribute a one-off donation of $10,000 to support the establishment of the Ryde Vinnies Van and will write to both local State and Federal Members to advocate the importance of the Vinnies Van program and the need for recurrent financial support.
Response to resolution – Tuffy Auto Centre, Eastwood
Council will pursue this matter further to determine existing user rights, preparing a planning proposal to amend the zoning of the land that would allow Council to enter into a lease agreement with the operators of 1A Vimiera Road that formalises the parking use by the business operator that does not involve loss of trees.
Response to Notice of Motion – Holiday Gift Guide
Council approved a Holiday Gift Guide as a pilot project to be implemented by Council’s City Economy team. The Holiday Gift Guide will be a page on Council’s website, maintained by Council staff that will be live from 1 December 2023 to 31 January 2024, with local businesses able to contribute content to the webpage from 29 November 2023. The pilot project will be evaluated and reported back to Councillors through an Information Bulletin.
Traffic and parking matters
The following recommendations deliberated at the Ryde Local Traffic Committee meeting on 19 October 2023 will be adopted:
- Goulding Road, Ryde: The one-hour (1P) parking space on the southwestern side of Bruce Street will be relocated to the southern side of Goulding Road at the frontage of 11 Goulding Road.
- Glenn Street, Eastwood: An at-grade pedestrian crossing will be installed (subject to availability of funds) on Glen Street as per Transport for NSW Technical Directions. The detailed design will be submitted to TfNSW for their assessment.
- Avon Road, North Ryde: A 16.2m long “NO PARKING” zone will be installed on the eastern side of Avon Road at the property frontage of 20-22 Avon Road. A 10.5m long “NO PARKING” zone will be installed on the western side of Avon Road at the property frontage of 19-19A Avon Road.
- Donald Street, North Ryde: A 15m long ‘NO STOPPING’ zone will be installed on the eastern side of bend at the property frontage of 23A Donald Street.
- Constitution Road, Meadowbank: A temporary at-grade pedestrian crossing will be installed on Constitution Road near the intersection of See Street, Meadowbank as per Transport for NSW Technical Directions. The temporary pedestrian crossing will be removed after reopening the footpath on the northern side of Constitution Road.
Rejection of Eastwood community centre grant
Council will seek clarification from the Premier’s department on the eligibility of the unsuccessful Labor candidate’s State Election promise of a $400,000 NSW Government – Local Small Commitments Allocation grant, in which a commitment was made to fund planning and building of a new cultural centre in Eastwood. If the election promise is not eligible for the LSCA grant, Council will reapply for the grant for other eligible types of projects in consultation with the community group KCCR, who were misled of the $400,000 as an election process.
West Ryde – Meadowbank Renewal Strategy
Council approved the West Ryde – Meadowbank Renewal Strategy to go on public exhibition between 30 November 2023 and 18 February 2024. Staff will report back to Council on the outcomes of public exhibition with a view to move forward with the detailed work and complete the Strategy for Council endorsement by June 2024.
Precis of correspondence
The following correspondence was received and noted:
- Response by the Hon Penny Sharpe MP – waste management and infrastructure.
- Response to letter to Prime Minister Albanese re Artsakh conflict.
- Letter from Minister for Planning and Open Spaces – need for more housing in low and medium density zones.
- Local Small Commitments Allocation Grants Program.
City of Ryde Waste Info app
Council will investigate the implementation of a free City of Ryde Waste Info app (a waste and recycling app), designed for the community to provide a simple, accessible resource which makes it easier for residents to manage their waste and recycling. A report will be provided back to the February 2024 Council Meeting which details the findings of the investigation, appropriate funding source and the provision of a campaign launch upon implementation.
Expanding Council’s inclusive swimming program
Council noted that the Puggles Swim training program, a learn to swim program that supports the communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing children, would be a valuable resource providing increased access to the community for deaf or hard of hearing children in the City of Ryde. In support of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, it will investigate expanding Learn to Swim staff training to include Puggles Accreditation. Consideration will also be given to also expanding the number of Learn to Swim teachers with the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Aquatics Access and Inclusion qualification.
Plaque for St Charles Borromeo
Council will provide a plaque for St Charles Borromeo in celebration of 165 years of education in the Ryde Local Government Area, liaising with Father Greg regarding appropriate wording. A donation of $1,000 will be made to the church, to be funded from the Mayor’s budget, if the Mayor permits. The Mayor’s office will liaise with Father Greg and the Principal, Peter Watkins to explore a suitable date, prior to the end of 2023, to present the plaque at a ceremony mass at St Charles Church.
Live sites for 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Council will investigate the feasibility of utilising Top Ryde City and other potential sites for live viewings of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024. The investigation will also consider more joint live site viewings with established businesses within the City of Ryde and the incorporation of live sites into the Events Plan.
Inclusion of social media and alternative channels feedback
Council will investigate broadening the source of community feedback to include appropriate social media channels, and to outline the process whereby feedback can be integrated into the current definitions of complaints, compliments, suggestions, and requests for service.
Meadowbank School Hall
Council noted that the proposed demolition of the Meadowbank School Hall, which was built relatively recently, would constitute an extraordinary waste of taxpayer money, particularly given Council’s current shortage of community space. Council will write to the Department of Education, calling on it to reverse its position and conduct necessary upgrades so the hall can be safely handed over to Council as a community facility.
Electric Vehicle charging stations
Council noted the increased uptake of EV vehicles in the City of Ryde and will investigate the feasibility of increasing EV charging infrastructure through potential partnerships with third party electric vehicle charging providers, including the potential for revenue generation through partnerships. A report detailing the results of the investigation will be provided by the March 2024 Council Meeting.
Wheelchair access at Top Ryde City shopping centre
Council will request a meeting with Top Ryde City shopping centre management, relevant Council staff and residents with lived experience who have identified wheelchair access issues at the centre. Council will also discuss a perceived safety issue for small children outside the Early Learning Childcare Centre entrance off the car park, suggesting a secure but transparent barrier be installed so that motorists can see children before they step onto the marked crossing.
To view the minutes of the Council Meeting, click here