Agenda

Ordinary Council Meeting

19 March 2026, 7:00 PM

Council will commence consideration of

all business paper agenda items at 7.00 pm.

Notice of Meeting

Dear Councillors,

Notice is given of the Ordinary Council Meeting, to be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday 19 March 2026 commencing at 7:00 PM. The business to be transacted at the meeting is included in this business paper.

In accordance with clause 3.26 of the Code of Meeting Practice Councillors are reminded of their oath or affirmation of office made under section 233A of the Act, and of their obligations under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose and appropriately manage conflicts of interest.

Yours faithfully

Louise Kerr

General Manager

Council Meeting Procedures

The Council meeting is chaired by the Mayor, Councillor Merri Southwood. Councillors are entitled to one vote on a matter. If votes are equal, the Chairperson has a second or casting vote. When a majority of Councillors vote in favour of a Motion it becomes a decision of the Council. Minutes of Council and Committee meetings are published on Council’s website www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au by 5.00 pm on the Tuesday following the meeting.

The Meeting is conducted in accordance with Council's Code of Meeting Practice. The order of business is listed in the Agenda on the next page. That order will be followed unless Council resolves to modify the order at the meeting. This may occur for example where the members of the public in attendance are interested in specific items on the agenda.

The Public Forum Meetings are no longer part of Ordinary Council Meetings and are now held separately.

Public Forum Meetings are held on the Monday prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting. Register by using the online form no later than 10.00 am on the day of the Public Forum Meeting. 

Please refer to the Public Forum Meeting Guidelines on Council’s website for further information

www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/meetings

Alternatively, members of the public can submit their written address via email to service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au. Written addresses are to be received by Council no later than midnight, on the day prior to the meeting. (500 words maximum).

Please note that meetings held in the Council Chambers are webcast, and recordings are made publicly available on the Council's website. Should you require assistance to participate in the meeting due to a disability; or wish to obtain further information in relation to Council, please contact Council’s Director - Corporate Services and Strategy on (02) 9911 3550.

Ordinary Council 19 March 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

2        APOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR ATTENDANCE BY AUDIO-VISUAL LINK BY COUNCILLORS

3        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY

4        MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR RELECTION OR PRAYER

5        NOTICE OF WEBCASTING OF MEETING

6        CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

6.1     Ordinary Council Meeting - 19 February 2026

7        Mayoral Minutes

7.1...... Mayoral Minute -  Clean Up Australia Day activities across Lane Cove.................................................................................................................... 5

8        Petitions

Nil

9        Recission Motion

Nil

10      ITEMS OF BUSINESS BY EXCEPTION

11      Notices of Motion

11.1.... Notice of Motion - Criminalisation of the burning of the Australian National Flag........................................................................ 7

11.2.... Notice of Motion - Review of Council Revenue Managed by Third Parties............................................................................................................. 11

11.3.... Notice of Motion - Urgent Change of Building Manager - Lane Cove Market Square................................................................................. 14

11.4.... Notice of Motion - Plaza Infrastructure Maintenance........... 16

11.5.... Notice of Motion - Improving walking and cycling infrastructure in Lane Cove................................................................ 18

11.6.... Notice of Motion - Habitat Log Salvage Program...................... 23

12      Office of the General Manager Reports

12.1.... Proposed Planning Agreement at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich...................................................................................................... 26

13      Corporate Services and Strategy Division Reports

13.1.... Office of Local Government - Joint Organisations.................. 30

13.2.... National General Assembly - Australian Local Government Association (23 - 25 June 2026)................................................................. 33

14      Community and Culture Division Reports

14.1.... Response to Notice of Motion - Proposed participation in the Local Government NSW Domestic Violence Program............... 36

14.2.... Inclusive Communities Grant - Extended Program (Round 2) Applications.................................................................................................. 41

15      Planning and Sustainability Division Reports

15.1.... Lane Cove North Shops - Further studies...................................... 45

15.2.... Draft submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW............................................................................................. 50

15.3.... Response to Notice of Motion - Strengthening Accountability and Oversight of Strata Managing Agents................................... 55

15.4.... Local Planning Panel Expert Planning Member......................... 59

16      Open Space and infrastructure Division Reports

16.1.... Local Transport Forum - February 2026......................................... 62

16.2.... Revised Scope for Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal - Local Transport Forum - Out of Cycle Report........................... 65

17      Questions With Notice

Nil

18      Officer Reports for Information

18.1.... Council Snapshot February 2026........................................................ 68

19      cLOSED COMMITTEE

Nil

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Mayoral Minute -  Clean Up Australia Day activities across Lane Cove

Item No:         7.1

Subject:          Mayoral Minute -  Clean Up Australia Day activities across Lane Cove  

Record No: SU10235 - 17464/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Merri Southwood 

Purpose

To acknowledge the efforts of local volunteers who participated in the recent Clean Up Australia Day activities across Lane Cove.

Executive Summary

More than 100 volunteers were involved in local activities to mark Clean Up Australia Day activities in Lane Cove on Sunday 1 March.

It is recommended that Council formally acknowledge and congratulate them.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council recognises the efforts of volunteers in our community who gave up their time to help clean up our local area as part of Clean Up Australia Day events across Lane Cove.

Background

Lane Cove has a strong history of volunteering and events such as the annual Clean Up Australia Day is a great way for locals to give back to our community.

Several community groups were involved in successful Clean Up events across Lane Cove on Sunday 1 March.

This included Stringybark Residents Association in Lane Cove North and Lane Cove Rotary Club in Lane Cove Village as well as a Council-run event in Lane Cove West.

Discussion

More than 100 volunteers were involved in local activities on Sunday 1 March.

Even though it was a rainy start to the day, 77 residents helped Stringybark Creek Residents Association clean up our local bushland in Lane Cove North collecting 25 bags of rubbish, 4 bags of recycling as well as larger items such as a waste bin, tyre and discarded gazebo. Residents, including volunteers from Lane Cove Girl Guides and Scouts all enjoyed the Council-funded sausage sizzle following their hard work in what were hot, humid conditions.

Thanks also go to Lane Cove Rotary who organised a clean up in the vicinity of the Lane Cove Civic Centre as well as the 15 volunteers who helped collect 41kg of rubbish at Blackman Park through Council’s Harbourcare event.

There were a range of additional events held in recent weeks through Schools and Business Clean Up Australia Day events; all of which help to make a positive impact on our environment.

Councillor Merri Southwood

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Criminalisation of the burning of the Australian National Flag

Item No:         11.1

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Criminalisation of the burning of the Australian National Flag  

Record No: SU26 - 14359/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Scott Bennison; Councillor Caleb Taylor 

Purpose

For Council to advocate to the NSW State Government that the deliberate burning or desecration of the Australian Flag should be a criminal offence in NSW.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council write to the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, requesting that the NSW Government introduce legislation to make the deliberate burning or desecration of the Australian national flag a criminal offence in New South Wales.

Discussion

Recent incidents involving the deliberate burning of the Australian national flag have caused widespread distress and concern within the Australian community. These acts, often occurring at public demonstrations and widely circulated through media and social platforms, have taken place without legal consequence. As a result, many Australians are questioning why conduct so widely regarded as offensive and disrespectful is permitted under current law.

This matter is raised as an issue of respect, law, and community standards, particularly in light of the approaching ANZAC Day commemorations.

Based on publicly reported and documented incidents, the number of Australian flag-burning events increased from an estimated four incidents in 2024 to approximately eight incidents in 2025, representing an increase of 100 per cent over a single year. While no central authority maintains an official dataset, this increase indicates a clear escalation in behaviour that many Australians consider deeply offensive.

Returned service organisations have consistently condemned the burning of the national flag.

RSL Australia has stated that such conduct:

“Dishonours Australian service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

As ANZAC Day approaches, sensitivity around this issue is heightened. Communities across Australia, including Lane Cove, come together to honour the men and women who served and died under the Australian flag. Each year, Lane Cove commemorates those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the freedoms Australians enjoy today.

For those who served, the Australian flag was not merely symbolic; it was worn on uniforms, carried into service, and ultimately draped over the coffins of the fallen. Acts involving the deliberate burning of the Australian flag are therefore widely experienced as a profound sign of disrespect to the men and women who served, who continue to serve, and who gave their lives in service to this country.

Recent incidents, including an Australia Day protest in Brisbane and pro-Palestinian rallies held in multiple Australian cities, have involved the deliberate burning of the Australian national flag, prompting widespread public condemnation and renewed calls for legislative action.

Public and Community Perspectives on the Australian Flag

For many Australians, the national flag is far more than a symbol of the state. It represents shared history, service, sacrifice, and national unity. It has been carried into battle, flown over war memorials, and draped over the coffins of those who gave their lives in service to the nation. This understanding of the flag’s significance underpins the strong community response to acts of deliberate desecration.

The Returned Services League of Australia (RSL) has consistently articulated this view, stating:

“Australians, including First Nations people, have fought and died under the Australian National Flag over the decades, and it deserves the deepest respect.”

A powerful historical example further illustrates this significance. During the Second World War, Australian prisoners of war secretly fashioned an Australian flag while in captivity. The flag was hidden at great personal risk and flown upon liberation, symbolising resilience, hope, and loyalty to Australia even in the harshest conditions. For those men, the flag represented survival, identity, and the nation they longed to return to.

Commentary from Public Figures and Parliamentarians

Public condemnation of flag burning has been voiced by a wide range of Australians, including veterans, community leaders, parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, and respected national figures.

Phillip Thompson MP (Liberal National Party, Member for Herbert – Townsville), a former Australian Army soldier who served in Afghanistan, stated:

“The Australian Flag represents the heart and soul of our nation — it’s the flag that unites us all as Australians… it’s the flag that is proudly worn on the shoulders of our Defence Force and draped over the coffins of our fallen. Burning it is an insult to every Australian.”

Mr Thompson introduced a Private Member’s Motion to criminalise the burning of the Australian national flag, supported by a public petition of more than 20,000 signatures. That motion was ultimately defeated in the Australian Parliament.

Dawn Fraser AO, one of Australia’s most respected Olympians, has also publicly riticized flag burning, stating:

“I think anyone who burns our flag does not respect our country… Servicemen and women have fought and sacrificed for our country under our flag.”

Senator Pauline Hanson similarly condemned flag burning, stating:

“Burning or desecrating our flag is not a harmless act — it is disrespectful to our country, to the diggers who fought and sacrificed under it.”

Other parliamentarians have also supported legislative reform:

·    Pat Conaghan MP (The Nationals) described flag burning as “an act that strikes at the heart of our nation.”

·    Rebekha Sharkie MP (Independent) described it as “abhorrent… designed to provoke, offend and divide.”

·    Andrew Willcox MP (Liberal National Party) stated that burning the flag is “disrespectful and wrong.”

Returned Services League and Veterans

Returned servicemen and women have been unequivocal in their condemnation.

RSL Australia President Greg Melick described acts of flag burning as:

“Deplorable and disrespectful to Australian servicemen and women,”

and stated that such conduct:

“Dishonours Australian service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

The RSL NSW Branch has also expressed strong opposition, particularly where flag desecration occurs near war memorials or on days of national significance, stating that veterans and their families were:

“Outraged by an attack on a sacred symbol dedicated to thousands of Australians who have fought and died for their country.”

The Legal Reality

Despite the strong public reaction described above, there is currently no specific Commonwealth or New South Wales legislation that makes the burning or desecration of the Australian national flag a criminal offence.

Existing laws apply only to secondary conduct, such as public nuisance, property damage, or assault. As a result, a person may deliberately burn the Australian national flag in public and face no legal consequence for that act alone.

By contrast, if a member of the public were to react and commit an assault, that individual would rightly be charged under state law. This imbalance highlights a clear gap in the law.

Recent independent polling demonstrates strong community support for reform. A nationally representative poll found that 77 per cent of Australians believe burning the Australian flag should be illegal, with 63 per cent supporting custodial penalties.

Action in New South Wales

The Premier of New South Wales has the capacity to introduce legislation to make the deliberate burning or desecration of the Australian national flag a criminal offence. This motion seeks to advocate to the Premier on behalf of the Lane Cove community, including returned servicemen and women, calling for legislative action that respects the sacrifice of those who served and fell under the Australian flag.

Councillor Scott Bennison

Councillor

Councillor Caleb Taylor

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Review of Council Revenue Managed by Third Parties

Item No:         11.2

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Review of Council Revenue Managed by Third Parties  

Record No: SU761 - 15387/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Bridget Kennedy 

Purpose

To review the arrangements for Council’s third-party revenue streams, to increase visibility and provide further reporting on these income streams.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       request the General Manager to prepare a report to Council within three months detailing:

a)    all third-party revenue management arrangements currently in place,

b)    the total annual revenue generated under each arrangement for the past five financial years,

c)    the contractual or formal governance framework supporting each arrangement,

d)    the oversight, reconciliation and auditing mechanisms currently applied,

e)    any identified inconsistencies, gaps or risks and measures to address any identified risks, including whether existing third-party arrangements are still warranted.

2.       note that this review is not to include existing contractual arrangements related to advertising on Council bus shelters, management of council recreation facilities such as Galuwa or the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre and parking operations.

3.       request that the report in Item 1 also includes a review of the arrangements relating to the management of advertising panels in Market Square, including:

a)    the current agreement with the Lane Cove Business Chamber,

b)    revenue reconciliation processes,

c)    payment consistency and timeliness,

d)    conflict of interest and probity safeguards,

e)    advice on whether the existing third-party arrangement is still warranted.

DISCUSSION

Council has an obligation to ensure that all public revenue is managed transparently, consistently and in accordance with sound financial governance principles. These principles also apply where third parties are acting on the behalf of Council.

During consideration of the 2025/2026 budget, a request was made for income managed by third parties to be itemised separately to ensure that there was some oversight of this income stream. However, this consideration only covered the external reporting to the elected Council.  One such arrangement is the management of advertising panels located in Market Square by the Lane Cove Business Chamber where income received from leasing advertising space is remitted back to Council.

Despite changes to reporting, there still remains an opportunity to increase oversight of externally managed revenue as it presents risks including underpayment or delayed payment to Council, perceived or actual conflicts of interest, reputational risk and weaknesses in financial controls.

Strengthening transparency and oversight protects Council, staff, partner organisations and the community. It ensures confidence in Council’s financial stewardship and supports the integrity of the budget process, particularly in the current financial climate.

This motion seeks to ensure that Council applies consistent governance standards to all revenue streams where public funds are involved and to review whether such long-standing arrangements with third parties are still warranted or needed.

Councillor Bridget Kennedy

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Urgent Change of Building Manager - Lane Cove Market Square

Item No:         11.3

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Urgent Change of Building Manager - Lane Cove Market Square  

Record No: SU5720 - 15816/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Caleb Taylor; Councillor Scott Bennison 

Purpose

To express continued dissatisfaction with the current arrangements regarding vertical transport at Market Square, and to formally seek the appointment of a new building and facilities provider.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1)      notes that no measurable improvement has occurred since the October 2025 Council resolution addressing vertical transport failures at Lane Cove Market Square.

2)      expresses its lack of confidence in the current building and facilities management arrangements overseen by Knight Frank on behalf of the Stratum Lot Owners (Region Group and Council as members of the Building Management Committee) given the continued and repeated failures of essential access infrastructure.

3)      requests that the General Manager write to Region Group advising that Council considers the current management arrangements inadequate and not capable of delivering the required standard of reliability, safety, and accessibility.

4)      formally calls on the Stratum Lot Owners to inform the Strata Manager that the Building Management Committee wishes to appoint a new building and facilities management provider as a matter of urgency.

5)      requests a report to the next available Council Meeting detailing:

a)    the response from Region Group.

b)    the actions the Strata Manager has taken to address the matter.

c)    any steps being taken to appoint a new building and facilities manager.

d)    recommended further advocacy or legal options available to Council should this request not be acted upon.

Discussion

Since Council’s October 2025 resolution regarding the ongoing failures of lifts, escalators, and travelators at Lane Cove Market Square, there has been no meaningful or sustained improvement in reliability, communication, or accessibility outcomes for the community.

Continued breakdowns and service disruptions demonstrate a clear failure of oversight and facilities management. The current arrangements under Region Group (head lessee) and Knight Frank (building and facilities management) have not delivered the level of competence, responsiveness, or accountability required for infrastructure that provides essential access to retail, and community services.

It is therefore appropriate for Council to take a stronger position and formally call for a change in building management.

Councillor Caleb Taylor

Councillor

Councillor Scott Bennison

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Plaza Infrastructure Maintenance

Item No:         11.4

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Plaza Infrastructure Maintenance  

Record No: SU1757 - 16059/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Scott Bennison; Councillor Caleb Taylor 

Purpose

To raise the need for ongoing maintenance at Lane Cove Plaza, and to request a report to Councillors on this issue.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       officers meet with Plaza tenants that use alfresco dining areas to identify all issues related to the leasing and maintenance of infrastructure, and develop a comprehensive plan that:

a)    recommends how each issue identified by tenants will be addressed,

b)    specifies the regularity of maintenance activities,

c)    identifies replacement and/or repairs required for existing infrastructure,

d)    provides estimated costs and proposed timeframes for resolving identified issues,

e)    includes provision of contractor contacts capable of providing after-hours service where required,

f)     addresses measures to prevent rainwater from adversely affecting outdoor dining areas and ensures all dining spaces remain safe and usable during storms.

2.       be provided with a report, via the Weekly Councillor Bulletin, within two months for review and consideration of next steps.

DISCUSSION

Concerns have been raised regarding the ongoing maintenance of Lane Cove Council’s infrastructure within the Plaza.

Recent incidents have highlighted significant issues, including:

·      Lighting failures in alfresco areas occupied by tenants, resulting in customers having to dine in the dark.

·      Flooding during storms, where water flows down cavities housing electrical wiring and, in some cases, directly onto diners’ tables in alfresco areas. Tenants have resorted to using buckets to capture water, making some seating areas unsuitable for dining during these periods.

In both cases, tenants have been forced to engage their own contractors to address these issues, including repairing electrical faults or manually clearing roof areas to allow stormwater to drain correctly.

These issues are not isolated and occur numerous times throughout the year.

Noting that Councillors receive regular maintenance reports regarding ongoing issues with the Market Square complex, this motion requests that a similar report be prepared for the Plaza. This report should outline the issues identified to Council by tenants together with a plan or maintenance program addressing each item, including estimated costs and timeframes for resolution.

Councillor Scott Bennison

Councillor

Councillor Caleb Taylor

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Improving walking and cycling infrastructure in Lane Cove

Item No:         11.5

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Improving walking and cycling infrastructure in Lane Cove  

Record No: SU5009 - 16213/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Rochelle Flood; Councillor Kathy Bryla 

Purpose

A motion to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in Lane Cove Local Government Area (LGA).

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       commits to clear strategic priorities to support the delivery of more active transport infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling in Lane Cove including:

a)    supporting an urban design led approach to improve walking and cycling amenity in the Lane Cove village and across the LGA – with a goal to create streets that are shared spaces for people not just cars,

b)    confirming that our Community Strategic Plan aims to ‘Prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport as alternatives to driving’ and affirms that these are preferred transport options,

c)    recognising that separated cycleways align with best practice and would provide the safest options for both pedestrians and cyclists,

d)    reconfirming Council’s commitment to ensure bike paths are not built in bushland.

2.       seeks to identify opportunities to reallocate road space to support the construction of safe separated cycleways to improve cycling connectivity and keep pedestrians safe.

3.       notes that the General Manager has confirmed that consideration of the revised PAMP and Bike Plan will be presented to Council for adoption at the same time at a meeting to be held later in 2026.

4.       requests staff to investigate options to better align the PAMP and the Bike Plan in the future via the development of an Integrated Transport Strategy.

5.       requests consideration be given to setting measurable performance goals for the delivery of new active transport infrastructure for inclusion in relevant strategic documents including the new draft bike plan.

6.       writes to the Federal Member for Bennelong, the Honourable Jerome Laxale MP, and the State Member for Lane Cove, the Honourable Anthony Roberts, to:

a)    seek state and federal funding contributions in support of the active transport goals Lane Cove; and local government more broadly,

b)    advocate for increased state and federal budget allocations for active transport infrastructure all levels of government.

DISCUSSION

Around the world, governments at all levels are moving to invest more in active transport including walking and cycling. These modes of transport are recognised for their sweeping benefits including providing cheaper, healthier, more sustainable, and often quicker travel opportunities.

Despite the clear benefits of walking and cycling, Australia has historically had a strong reliance on private cars as the dominant transport mode. Looking specifically at Lane Cove, census data from the last three years reveals less than 1% of people are cycling as their primary mode of travel to work, while between 3-4.4% are walking. Comparing this to Lane Cove residents who travelled to work in their car reveals the heavy reliance on private vehicles. In 2016, 43.4% travelled in their car as the driver, with a further 3.3% travelling as a passenger – bringing the total travelling in a private vehicle to 46.7%. In 2021, despite numbers being impacted by the pandemic, there was still a significant reliance on private vehicle use with 22.6% driving, and 1.9% travelling in cars as passengers. It’s worth noting that the largest shift in that census year was towards working from home, and it’s expected that the next census will see numbers closer to 2016 levels.

While Lane Cove has invested in walking and cycling links, as noted in the 2025 Liveability Census results, it’s clear there’s still much more work to be done. While the census only measures trips to work, it’s a useful indicator that suggests low overall uptake of active transport options in Lane Cove. We can also see in the Bike Spot survey from 2023 that even in areas where we have separated cycling infrastructure, such as along the Epping Road Cycleway, there are still significant safety concerns. This cycleway was flagged as one of the most unsafe spots for people riding their bikes in NSW.

Some comments on this cycleway include:

“Very unsafe high-speed intersections. Little or no consideration has been given to the safety of people walking or cycling... Vehicles approach at very high speeds and have no indication or warning of the bike path. The cycleway is steep and difficult to negotiate. Traffic calming and priority for people walking and cycling needs to be implemented.”

This is one of the few separated cycleways within the Lane Cove LGA and it’s clear that even this link could benefit from enhancements.

Cities across the country are working towards creating streets that are shared spaces – with walking and cycling at the forefront of urban planning. In particular, City of Sydney here in NSW, as well as City of Melbourne and Merri-bek Council in metropolitan Melbourne have taken steps to prioritise shared streets designed to encourage safe walking and cycling. With both the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) and the Lane Cove Bike Plan currently under review, now is the time for our LGA to investigate opportunities to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure and make this transit mode more accessible for all.

There are a number of ways we can improve walking and cycling links within Lane Cove. One is to investigate how we better align the PAMP and our Bike Plan to ensure these documents work effectively together. There is significant cross-over between these two documents, and if we are looking holistically at improving our active transport infrastructure, we need to ensure these documents are reviewed together and align to give us the best chance to deliver integrated walking and cycling links across our LGA.

Another fundamental way to improve our walking and cycling infrastructure is by ensuring we have adequate funding going to support active transport. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommends that governments spend 20% of their transport budget on ‘non-motorised or active transport (walking and cycling) to reduce emissions, pollution and traffic’. In support of directing at least 20% of transport budgets to walking and cycling, Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of UNEP said; “Designing transport systems around cars puts more vehicles on the road, increasing both greenhouse gas emissions and deadly air pollution. We must put people, not cars, first in transport systems.” While Lane Cove is already allocating above this threshold, it’s worthwhile looking at how we can advocate for more active transport spending at the state and federal level. It’s also worth setting targets at the local level to help deliver more new walking and cycling infrastructure each year.

Finally, we need to ensure that we are working towards a Lane Cove with streets built as shared spaces for all. We should be looking to leading councils in this space to identify opportunities to adopt urban planning principles that prioritise safe active transport rather than simply designing streets with cars in mind. We know walking and cycling are healthier, more affordable, and far more sustainable. When planning for the future, these modes of transport should be central to our decision-making.

The above aligns with the Lane Cove Community Strategic Plan, community priority 2.4 – transport and mobility. The long-term goals here include:

·    To improve integrated and affordable transport options that link people to work, services and facilities and;

·    To provide transport options that minimise adverse environmental and social impacts.

There are additional specific strategies relevant to active transport including:

2.4.1 Inform, educate and encourage the community to use sustainable transport.

2.4.2 Implement infrastructure upgrades for people to incorporate more walking and cycling into their daily lives.

Similarly, community priority 2.6 regarding traffic sets an objective to: ‘Prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport as alternatives to driving’.

The recently released draft of the updated Sydney Plan also highlights a shift towards prioritising safe walking and cycling options. The plan refers to the role ‘compact, walkable urban form’ can play in promoting active travel:

Establishing walkable links with greater access to amenity and services, streets, parks, and walking trails will improve local connectivity. These should be supported by tree canopy and understorey planting. Walking and cycling routes should be co-located within existing green infrastructure corridors, where possible. Additional measures in urban environments such as parking controls or travel demand management strategies can also promote walking and cycling.

Improving our walking and cycling infrastructure would clearly align with sustainability and emissions reduction goals. It would boost health outcomes by reducing pollution from vehicles, and by boosting individual physical activity. It would also improve safety for vulnerable road users and help reduce congestion.

Lane Cove has a role to play here in helping facilitate the shift towards more sustainable transport options, particularly as an LGA close to the CBD, where active transport should be a viable option that’s adopted by more people.

Councillor Rochelle Flood

Councillor

Councillor Kathy Bryla

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Notice of Motion - Habitat Log Salvage Program

Item No:         11.6

Subject:          Notice of Motion - Habitat Log Salvage Program  

Record No: SU7389 - 16352/26

Division:         Lane Cove Council

Author(s):      Councillor Scott Bennison; Councillor Caleb Taylor 

Purpose

A motion to explore the feasibility of repurposing sections of fallen or removed trees into habitat logs for distribution to residents.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       investigate the feasibility of salvaging hollow or partially hollowed sections from fallen or removed trees as part of Council’s tree maintenance program.

2.       assess the potential for these logs to be repurposed as habitat structures for urban wildlife, particularly in residential streets that do not adjoin bushland, and to supplement the existing Backyard Habitat Program.

3.       report back to Council within three months on:

a)    the practicality of implementing such a program,

b)    the resources and processes required,

c)    estimated costs,

d)    potential demand and interest from local residents,

e)    any relevant environmental, fire safety, liability or other considerations,

f)     whether the concept could be incorporated into Council’s existing Backyard Habitat Program.

DISCUSSION

This week, another large branch from a gum tree fell onto Burns Bay Road in Lane Cove. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, highlighting the ongoing management challenges associated with large gum trees in urban areas, including the removal of limbs and, in some cases, entire trees for safety reasons.

At the same time, these fallen limbs represent a potential opportunity to support local urban wildlife.

In our own backyard, two Eastern Blue-tongued Lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) regularly visit and appear to live beneath a tarp in the courtyard and within crevices in the building structure. These artificial refuges appear to provide some shelter; however, they are not ideal or particularly safe habitats. When attempting to purchase a natural hollow log to provide better shelter for these lizards, it was surprisingly difficult to find suitable natural timber.

This prompted the idea that sections of tree limbs removed through Council maintenance or storm damage could potentially be repurposed as habitat logs. Rather than being entirely processed as mulch, suitable sections of timber could be hollowed or partially hollowed and made available to residents as part of Council’s existing environmental or Backyard Habitat initiatives.

Recent examples highlight this opportunity – see photos below.

Earlier this week, a large limb fell from a gum tree on Burns Bay Road, and last year another significant limb fell in the same area. Rather than treating all fallen timber as waste material, sections of these limbs could potentially be reused as habitat logs to support local wildlife in urban streets where natural shelter is limited.

Research supports the ecological value of fallen timber and tree hollows:

·      across Australia, hundreds of native vertebrate species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs, rely on tree hollows and fallen woody debris for shelter and breeding. Natural hollows in large trees can take over 100 years to form.

·      in New South Wales, more than 100 vertebrate species depend on tree hollows, while fallen logs and woody debris provide important shelter for ground-dwelling animals such as lizards, frogs and small mammals, and support diverse invertebrate communities.

There is also policy support for enhancing biodiversity in urban environments.

The NSW Government’s Biodiversity in Place framework notes:

“No space is too small to be valuable from a biodiversity perspective… backyards, street verges and other urban spaces can contribute significantly to local biodiversity.”

Locally, Lane Cove Council supports initiatives such as the Backyard Habitat Program, which encourages residents to improve habitat within private gardens. Council policy frameworks also recognise the importance of maintaining vegetation, wildlife corridors and habitat within an urbanised municipality.

This proposal therefore seeks to explore the feasibility of repurposing sections of fallen or removed trees into habitat logs for distribution to residents. This could help improve microhabitat availability, support urban biodiversity, and engage the community in practical conservation, particularly in streets that do not directly adjoin bushland.

Councillor Scott Bennison

Councillor

Councillor Caleb Taylor

Councillor

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Proposed Planning Agreement at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich

Item No:         12.1

Subject:          Proposed Planning Agreement at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich  

Record No: SU7402 - 15310/26

Division:         Office of the General Manager

Author(s):      David Stevens 

Purpose

To seek endorsement of the public exhibition of a draft Planning Agreement related to the property at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich.

Executive Summary

·        Council has received an Offer to enter into a Planning Agreement with Winton Property Group.

·        The offer involves the dedication of C2 zoned waterfront land to Council, the removal of redundant services and structures from the land, vegetation management works, and a monetary contribution to Council to cover the costs of constructing an access track on the land and ongoing maintenance works for a 10-year period.

·        The property the subject of the offer is 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich. A Planning Proposal has been submitted for the site which seeks the amend Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 by amending the maximum height of buildings and maximum floor space ratio development standards.

·        Senior staff have considered the Offer and have determined that there is a public benefit arising from the Offer, including both financial benefit to Council and broader community benefit arsing from the offer to dedicate foreshore bushland to Council.

·        A draft Planning Agreement has been prepared and is presented to Council for consideration.

·        This report recommends the public exhibition of the draft Planning Agreement.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council place the draft Planning Agreement for 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich and supporting documentation on public exhibition for a period of 28 days with the outcome of the public exhibition reported to Council.

Background

A Planning Agreement is a legal arrangement made between a Developer/Landowner and Council to facilitate the delivery of a public benefit. Public benefits may include the dedication of land at no cost to Council, the payment of a monetary contribution and/or the provision of infrastructure works. Planning Agreements are voluntary and initiated by the developer.

The legal and procedural framework for Planning Agreements is set out in Division 7.1 of Part 7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (the Act) and Division 1 of Part 9 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021.

Subdivision 2, Division 7.1 of Part 7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 sets out the system of planning agreements in NSW. Section 7.4 provides that:

“A planning agreement is a voluntary agreement or other arrangement under this Division between a planning authority (or 2 or more planning authorities) and a person (the developer):

(a)  who has sought a change to an environmental planning instrument, or

(b)  who has made, or proposes to make, a development application or application for a complying development certificate, or

(c)  who has entered into an agreement with, or is otherwise associated with, a person to whom paragraph (a) or (b) applies,

under which the developer is required to dedicate land free of cost, pay a monetary contribution, or provide any other material public benefit, or any combination of them, to be used for or applied towards a public purpose”

Council has received a Letter of Public Benefit Offer from Winton Property Group to enter into a Planning Agreement for the site.  The Public Benefit offer relates to a Planning Proposal for the site. The Planning Proposal submitted for the site seeks to amend Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 by amending the maximum height of buildings and maximum floor space ratio development standards. The site the subject to the planning proposal is zoned R4 High Density Housing and C2 Environmental Protection under Lane Cove LEP.

The public exhibition of the Planning Proposal has recently concluded, with assessment of the Planning Proposal and community submissions ongoing and not yet finalised.

Discussion

The public benefit offer made to Council by Winton Property Group (proponent of the Planning Proposal) is as follows:

1.   Dedication of the C2 zoned portion of the Land to Council valued at $3M (after first carrying out agreed improvement works);

2.   Provide funding for Council to construct a foreshore access path and for 10 years of maintenance for this land - valued at $97,000. 

The “Agreed Improvement Works” are the removal of redundant services and structures, including demolition of the existing boatshed from the Dedication Land and the Vegetation Management Works (baseline survey, weed control, planting and watering, erosion control, and recommended planting list). In their entirety, the value of the public benefits provided under the draft Planning Agreement is approximately $3,400,000.

The public benefit offer has been offered in addition to any other applicable development contributions under section 7.11 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 that may apply at the time of the determination of any future development application at the site.

Dedication to Council of the C2 zoned land provides a strategic opportunity for Council to create a contiguous holding for improved community access and amenity, given that council owns adjoining sites. The offer to pay for council costs to construct an accessway through the site, and costs associated with revegetation and maintenance costs for a 10-year period represent a source of medium-term funding for operational and capital expenditure.

The decision to place the draft Planning Agreement has no influence on council’s decision making related to the current Planning Proposal.

Community Consultation

Statement of Intent

The consultation is designed to elicit any feedback members of our community may have on the matter and report that feedback back to Council for its consideration. The draft planning agreement is to be exhibited for a period of 28 days.

Method

Level of Participation	Inform	Consult
Form of Participation	Open	Open
Target Audience	Lane Cove Community and community groups	Lane Cove Community
Proposed Medium	eNewsletter	Public Exhibition and Website Exhibition

Financial Considerations

The proposed public benefit offer provides a net financial benefit to Council.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Council senior staff have considered the Offer to ensure that there is a public benefit arising from the draft Planning Agreement and to ensure Council’s risk and liabilities are minimised with the transfer of land into Council ownership.

Environmental Considerations

The Offer will result in a beneficial environmental outcome for the Community with dedicated land being under Council’s care, control, and management. It affords Council the opportunity of including this site in Bushland Care activities and rationalises resourcing given Council is the Landowner of adjoining foreshore properties.

Social Considerations

The Offer will result in positive social outcomes for the community through proactive bushland management and the provision of an access track to improve access and amenity to and around the foreshore.

Timing

The draft Planning Agreement will be publicly exhibited for a period of 28 days.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

1.           Our Natural Environment - Preserving and Regenerating our Natural Environment so it thrives now and into the future

1.3         Bushland

1.3.7      Upgrade walking tracks through bushland maintain access to reserves, creek lines and the Lane Cove River

Louise Kerr

General Manager

Office of the General Manager

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View	Letter of Offer to Enter a VPA at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich	2 Pages	Available Electronically
AT‑2 View	FINAL Draft VPA - Winten Property Group for 177-183 Greenwich Road	53 Pages	Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Office of Local Government - Joint Organisations

Item No:         13.1

Subject:          Office of Local Government - Joint Organisations  

Record No: SU6912 - 12524/26

Division:         Corporate Services and Strategy Division

Author(s):      Stephen Golding 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek a council decision on whether Council should reaffirm its commitment to membership of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils or express interest to the Office of Local Government in becoming a member of a Joint Organisation.

Executive Summary

·        The Minister for Local Government has written to Mayors and General Managers offering metropolitan councils the opportunity to create or join a Joint Organisation (JO).(AT-1)

·        The Minister has requested councils to provide notice of their intention to join, create, withdraw from, or retain membership of a JO by Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

·        Lane Cove Council has been a member of the Northen Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) since 1986.

·        The structure of ROCs is incorporated, non-profit associations with voluntary membership; as opposed to JOs that are statutory bodies with membership fixed by proclamation.

·        ROC councils may withdraw, and non-members may join projects where JO membership is fixed by proclamation.

·        ROCs operate under an amendable constitution, can vary contributions, and set regional priorities at their discretion where JOs operate under the NSW Local Government Act, subject to Ministerial oversight, prescribed contributions and mandatory regional reporting.

·        It is the recommendation of this report that Council reaffirms its commitment to membership of NSROC and that Council respond to Minister Hoenig’s letter declining to join a JO.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.   reaffirm its commitment to the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.

2.   write to the Minister of Local Government and the Office of Local Government declining to become a member of a Joint Organisation and that it will maintain membership of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.

Background

The Hon Ron Hoenig MP, Minister for Local Government, has written to the Mayor and General Manager regarding a refresh of the Joint Organisations (JO) framework.(AT-1)

The letter offered metropolitan councils the opportunity to create or join a JO. Minister Hoenig said that he is seeking a lasting, council-driven solution to regional collaboration. The Minister recognises that the “JO model is not delivering for all councils” and acknowledges that Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) can be effective when voluntarily led by civic leaders in a region.

Council has been invited to inform the OLG by 5pm Tuesday 31 March 2026 on whether it wants to be a member of a JO, and if so, the JO that it would like to join, create, withdraw from, or retain membership.

In 1986, local councils across Northern Sydney, including Lane Cove Council recognised the importance of establishing a unified regional voice to advocate on key issues and foster collaborative action for the benefit of the community. This shared commitment led to the formation of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC).

Discussion

Lane Cove Council has been a long-standing member of NSROC, together with Hornsby Shire Council, Hunter's Hill Council, Ku-ring-gai Council, Mosman Council, North Sydney Council, City of Ryde, and Willoughby City Council.

ROCs have greater flexibility than JOs, which are statutory bodies established under the Local Government Act, 1993 and are subject to Ministerial direction. As incorporated, non-profit associations, ROCs operate through negotiated and consensus-based arrangements, including voluntary membership. These requirements enable councils to withdraw from a ROC at their discretion and allows non-member councils to participate in specific projects where their involvement aligns with members’ interests; whereas a JO Council’s membership is fixed by proclamation and subject to Ministerial direction.

JO’s are also governed under the Local Government Act, 1993 with a prescribed methodology for financial contributions; whereas a ROC is governed by a constitution that may be amended by Board resolution, and the methodology for determining financial contributions may also be varied. ROCs may determine regional strategic priorities at their discretion, without limiting individual councils’ control over their own strategic priorities where JO members must set regional strategic priorities and report progress.

NSROCs Constitution sets out objectives requiring the organisation to work collaboratively for the benefit of the Northern Sydney region and to effectively advocate on agreed regional positions and priorities.

NSROC has proven to be an invaluable partner for Lane Cove Council and has a long history of outstanding achievements over many years, including facilitating advocacy on regional issues, negotiating critical agreements, and delivery of joint services and procurement, that have all provided immense value to our organisation.  

Timing

Feedback to the Minister and Office of Local Government is due on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

Financial Considerations

It is not known what the costs associated with membership of a JO would be, but the costs are determined by a prescribed methodology, whereas ROCs may vary their contribution methodology in accordance with their constitution.

Governance and Risk Considerations

A JO operates under the Local Government Act, 1993, with mandatory regional planning and reporting obligations, whereas ROCs operate under an amendable constitution and determine regional priorities at their discretion, providing greater operational flexibility but with less statutory oversight.

Environmental Considerations

This report has no environmental considerations.

Social Considerations

ROCs allow member Councils to determine regional strategic priorities at their discretion without limiting individual councils’ own strategic priorities.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

6            Our Council - A Leading Council that Engages its Community to Deliver Effective, Efficient and Sustainable Services

6.1         Governance

6.1.1      Ongoing identification of initiatives to enhance transparency of Council decision-making and performance

Steven Kludass

Director - Corporate Services and Strategy

Corporate Services and Strategy Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View

Letter from the Minister for Local Government regarding a refresh of the Joint Organisations framework.

1 Page

Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

National General Assembly - Australian Local Government Association (23 - 25 June 2026)

Item No:         13.2

Subject:          National General Assembly - Australian Local Government Association (23 - 25 June 2026)  

Record No: SU204 - 15529/26

Division:         Corporate Services and Strategy Division

Author(s):      Lorie Parkinson 

Purpose

For Council to determine Councillor attendance at the 2026 National General Assembly (NGA) of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to be held in Canberra 23-25 June 2026.

Executive Summary

·        The ALGA National General Assembly is being held 23-25 June 2026 in Canberra.

·        The NGA is an invaluable opportunity for Councillors to learn and build relationships as well as provide input to ALGA priorities.

·        Five Lane Cove Councillors attended in 2025, and their feedback was positive.

·        Due to early bird pricing and limited accommodation, Council is asked to determine attendance at the 2026 NGA at this Council meeting.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

·        determine the Councillors to attend the National General Assembly Conference of Local Government between 23 and 25 June 2026, with funding to be sourced from the 2025/26 Councillor Training Expenses Budget.

·        confirm that the Council voting nominee will be the Mayor.

·        determine who is to be Council’s voting nominee if the Mayor is not in attendance.

Background

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is a federation of member state and territory associations, established in 1947. ALGA was created to achieve outcomes for local government through advocacy and to demonstrate to the Australian Government the value of working with local government to achieve national priorities.

Historically Lane Cove Councillors have rarely attended the annual National General Assembly (NGA), however Councillors Southwood, Roenfeldt, Greenwell, Flood and Little attended in 2025 and their feedback was positive.

Discussion

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) 2026 National General Assembly will be held in Canberra from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June 2026.

This year’s theme, “Stronger Together: Resilient. Productive. United” highlights the benefits of Councils working together to address common and local challenges and opportunities, and to contribute to national priorities.

The scheduled sessions are reflective of this theme, and there are also Regional and Urban Forums on 23 June, with a series of targeted concurrent sessions for the two groups. Additionally, attendance at this assembly provides invaluable opportunities to engage with, learn and build relationships with other Councillors from Sydney, NSW regions and nationally and build Councillors

The Assembly proper commences on 24 June. Debate on Motions commences that afternoon and continues the morning of 25 June. Each Council is to nominate one delegate to vote on these motions.

Council’s Policy on Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Councillors allows Councillors to attend conferences, training and development and similar functions by Council Resolution or where it is not practical to submit a report to Council prior to the event such requests can be approved by the Mayor and General Manager.

Requests for Councillors to attend Conferences, inclusive of costs, are addressed in Council’s Policy on Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Councillors.

The registration fees for the 2026 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) are:

NGA 24 and 25 June	$999.00 (payment received by 30 April)
NGA 24 and 25 June	$1125.00 (payment after 30 April)
NGA single day 24 or 25 June	$570.00
Urban/Regional Forum 23 June in addition to NGA	$350.00
General Assembly Dinner 25 June (Australian War Memorial)	$245.00
Networking Night 25 June	$109.00

Local accommodation starts from $219, depending on availability.

Meals and allowances are based on Council’s Policy on Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Councillors, Section 4.3.4 Out of Pocket expenses. This is capped at $150 per Councillor per day.

Travel cost as per the policy is to use the most economical option, such as economy airfare, rail, Council vehicle, or private vehicle at the ATO kilometre rate, including parking and tolls. Considering that travel to Canberra takes approximately 3.5 hours by car from Lane Cove, Council may opt to use its fleet pool vehicles and/or the electric fleet pool vehicle to help reduce travel costs and/or the carbon footprint of the trip.

The 2025/26 Councillor Training Expenses Budget has sufficient funds available to accommodate those Councillors who may be interested in attending the Conference.

Councillors are requested to determine attendance at the Council Meeting.

Financial Considerations

Funding to support Councillor attendance at this conference is included in the existing Council training budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Participation at this Conference demonstrates an active interest in local government matters and is considered a good governance practice as it enhances learnings and strengthens connections. 

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report maintain social outcomes for the community.

Timing

Due to the early bird registration rate closing soon and accommodation options being limited, this matter is best determined at the March Council meeting.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

6            Our Council - A Leading Council that Engages its Community to Deliver Effective, Efficient and Sustainable Services

6.1         Governance

6.1.2      To provide assistance to Councillors and support the organisation to operate within its legal framework

Steven Kludass

Director - Corporate Services and Strategy

Corporate Services and Strategy Division

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Response to Notice of Motion - Proposed participation in the Local Government NSW Domestic Violence Program

Item No:         14.1

Subject:          Response to Notice of Motion - Proposed participation in the Local Government NSW Domestic Violence Program  

Record No: SU180 - 9304/26

Division:         Community and Culture Division

Author(s):      Stephanie Kelly 

Purpose

To respond to a Council Resolution regarding the development and implementation of a Lane Cove Council Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy, including consideration of training requirements, potential partnerships with Local Government NSW (LGNSW), and preparation of a Domestic, family and sexual violence (DFV) resource for the community.

Executive Summary

•        Council resolved to investigate actions to support domestic, family and sexual violence prevention and community awareness.

•        The NSW Government has introduced Pathways to Prevention, the state’s first dedicated domestic, family and sexual violence primary prevention strategy.

•        Local Government NSW is partnering with the NSW Government Pathways to Prevention to support councils through prevention networks, training and practical tools.

•        Council already contributes to DFV awareness and support through partnerships, grants and community initiatives.

•        As an initial step, Council can participate in LGNSW training designed to build organisational capability through councillors and staff.

•        Council funds training for all interested Councillors, relevant senior staff and managers required to implement a Lane Cove Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       note the information provided regarding the NSW Government Pathways to Prevention Strategy and Local Government NSW domestic, family and sexual violence prevention initiatives.

2.       endorse participation by Councillors and relevant Council staff in the LGNSW training program Domestic Violence – Councils are Part of the Solution.

3.       identify interested Councillors to undertake the LGNSW Councils are Part of the Solution training program and allocate up to $17,010 in the 2026/27 financial year to fund participation.

4.       note that provision has been made in the next financial year’s operational budget to produce a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy Resource Publication for the Lane Cove community in both online and printed formats.

Background

Council recently considered a Notice of Motion relating to domestic, family and sexual violence prevention and support initiatives.

At its meeting on 11 December 2025 Council resolved:

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Little and seconded by Councillor Bryla that Council:

1.   confirms its commitment to building a community where all people can live free from violence and discrimination;

2.   appreciates the initiatives that service providers continue to offer in support of those affected by family and domestic violence; 

3.   notes the valuable input from groups represented at the DFV roundtable discussions;

4.   notes that Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is partnering with the state government to support councils in addressing the root causes of domestic, family, and sexual violence. The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention Strategy (NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2028), which aims to address the drivers of violence. This partnership has resulted in LGNSW obtaining grant funding;

5.   contacts LGNSW (specifically Denise Anderson, Strategy Manager Social and Community) to understand the support that may be available to Lane Cove Council for implementation of prevention strategies under the partnership scheme;

6.   staff report back to a meeting of Council, in Q1, 2026, with details on: 

7.   how Lane Cove Council can implement the  "Framework for action 2024–2028" outlined in the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention Strategy, including a plan to address the Priorities outlined in the Strategy and what support and resources can be obtained from the LGNSW and other NSW state agencies, 

8.   a budget to develop an organisational training framework for Council staff in for handling domestic violence disclosures or enquiring phone calls, and

9.   a budget to produce a Domestic, Family and Violence Strategy Resource Publication (online media and paper) as an easy to access, helpful document to the Lane Cove community in times of crisis and need. 

Domestic, family and sexual violence remains a major social issue affecting individuals, families and communities across Australia. While specialist organisations provide crisis intervention and victim support services, councils have an important role in prevention, awareness and community engagement.

The NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024–2028 identifies local government as a key partner in prevention initiatives. The strategy focuses on long-term social change, targeting attitudes, gender inequality and cultural norms that allow violence to occur. Local councils are considered critical partners because of their role in community engagement, facilities, programs and partnerships. Local councils are considered critical partners in the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence due to their strong connections with the community and their ability to influence local programs, facilities and partnerships. Through community services, libraries, youth programs, sporting partnerships and public events, councils are well placed to promote respectful relationships, support education initiatives and foster safe, inclusive communities. By working collaboratively with local service providers, schools, sporting clubs and community organisations, councils can help deliver place-based prevention initiatives that address the underlying drivers of violence and support the objectives of the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention strategy.

As part of this strategy, the NSW Government committed $38 million over four years to prevention initiatives, including $1 million allocated to Local Government NSW (LGNSW) to strengthen councils’ capacity to contribute to primary prevention efforts.

Discussion

Council Role in Prevention

Local government contributes to domestic violence prevention through community leadership, partnerships, awareness initiatives and inclusive public spaces. Councils can also support local service providers and facilitate community education initiatives.

Lane Cove Council currently supports DFV-related initiatives through:

•     participation in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

•     support for organisations such as Women and Children First and Delvena Women’s Refuge

•     Community Assistance Grants to local community organisations

•     subsidised community facility hire for not-for-profit organisations

•     participation in the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network

•     collaboration with local police and community safety partners

•     promotion of help brochures and posters across the key facilities

•     the 1 Million Stars to End Violence initiative

•     Share the Dignity donation campaigns

•     provision of crisis and housing support information for vulnerable residents.

These initiatives contribute to awareness and support services available within the community.

Provision has been made within the operational budget for the next financial year to produce a Domestic, family and sexual violence Resource Publication for the Lane Cove community. This resource, to be available in both online and printed formats, will provide clear and accessible information about local and regional support services, crisis contacts and pathways to assistance for individuals and families experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. The publication is intended to be a practical, easy-to-access guide that can be distributed through Council facilities, community organisations and digital channels, ensuring community members can quickly find support during times of crisis or need. The initiative has already been planned as part of Council’s community services program and will be delivered within existing operational resources.

LGNSW Training Opportunity

Local Government NSW has developed the training program Domestic Violence – Councils are Part of the Solution, designed specifically for local government.

The program consists of three workshop sessions covering:

•     understanding the prevalence and drivers of domestic violence

•     preparing organisations to respond to disclosures and support employees

•     practical examples of prevention initiatives implemented by councils.

The training draws on the national prevention framework Change the Story and the Our Watch Prevention Toolkit for Local Government.

The cost of the program is $693 per participant (excluding GST). If Councillors and relevant staff including executives, People and Culture staff, community development staff and customer-facing teams participate, approximately 27 participants may attend at an estimated cost of $17,010.

Training at leadership and operational levels ensures a shared understanding of prevention principles and supports development of an informed organisational response. Participation will help build organisational capability and support development of a coordinated Council response.

Future Strategy Development

Following engagement with LGNSW and completion of training, Council may consider development of a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy to guide prevention initiatives, partnerships and community awareness programs.

The strategy could include:

•     organisational training and internal workplace policies

•     community awareness initiatives

•     partnerships with specialist service providers

•     integration with community safety and social inclusion programs

•     development of a domestic, family and sexual violence resource for residents.

Council staff will engage with LGNSW to identify the most effective approach to developing a locally appropriate strategy aligned with state prevention frameworks.

Timing

Initial engagement with LGNSW and participation in training could occur during 2026.

Development of a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy and associated resource would follow this work and be subject to further reporting to Council.

Financial Considerations

Estimated cost for LGNSW training for councillors and staff is $17,010 (excluding GST) and will need to be allocated to the learning and development budget.

Additional in-kind costs associated with development of a training framework and community resources will be absorbed into operations.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Domestic, family and sexual violence responses require careful governance and alignment with specialist services. Council’s role should focus on prevention, awareness and partnerships rather than direct service delivery.

Participation in LGNSW training and engagement with state prevention programs will support a coordinated and evidence-based approach.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report will have a positive social outcome for the community. Domestic, family and sexual violence has significant social impacts including trauma, housing instability and economic hardship. Council initiatives that promote respectful relationships, awareness and partnerships contribute to building a safer and more inclusive community.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

3            Our Society - An Inclusive, interconnected, active and resilient community

3.6         Community Safety

3.6.7      Deliver activities delivered by the Mayoral Roundtable on families escaping domestic violence

Stephanie Kelly

Director - Community and Culture

Community and Culture Division

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Inclusive Communities Grant - Extended Program (Round 2) Applications

Item No:         14.2

Subject:          Inclusive Communities Grant - Extended Program (Round 2) Applications  

Record No: SU129 - 14337/26

Division:         Community and Culture Division

Author(s):      Susan Heyne

Previous         13 - Response to Notice of Motion - Inclusive Communities Grant Program - Ordinary Council - 11 Dec 2025 7:00 PM

Items:             2 - Notice of Motion - Lane Cove Camp: Drag Community Grant for Pride and Mardi Gras - Ordinary Council - 18 Sep 2025 7:00 PM

Purpose

To report back on the outcome of Resolution 298 arising from the 11 December 2025 Council meeting and to seek a council decision.

Executive Summary

·        An Inclusive Communities Pilot Grant Program has been established.

·        Applicant eligibility was expanded to include all Lane Cove businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

·        Guidelines for the grant program were updated to reflect expanded eligibility and clear assessment criteria. 

·        28 days public notice was provided from Friday 30 January to Friday 27 February seeking applications. 

·        No applications were received during the notice period. However, one application was received after the notice period closed (5 March 2026) and is recommended to be supported. 

·        The delivery date for the funded project is during June 2026.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council pursuant to section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, approves the allocation of $700.00 under the Inclusive Communities Grant Program as outlined in Attachment AT-2.

Background

At the Council meeting held on 11 December 2026, Council considered a report responding to a Notice of Motion from the September 2025 Council meeting, and the following was resolved (298/2025):

 ‘That Council:

1.   receive and note the findings of this report and community consultation;

2.   proceed with the pilot grant program noting there was positive public response to the survey and extend the grant program so that it is available to all Lane Cove businesses and not-for-profit organisations for Pride celebrations;

3.   in accordance with section 356 of the Local Government Act, give 28 days’ public notice of the extended grant program, and seek grant applications from Lane Cove businesses and not-for-profit organisations to host public-facing events under the program, the results of which are to be reported back to Council for a final decision; and

4.   recognise that for Lane Cove to be a truly inclusive and connected community where everyone belongs, more work needs to be done to address homophobia and transphobia. 

In response to this resolution, the following actions have been taken:

·    The pilot program was established with eligibility for funding expanded to include not-for-profit organisations as well as local businesses to host a public-facing event celebrating Pride Month in June 2026.

·    Notice was given on Council’s website of the extended grant program with a link to Council’s Have Your Say webpage.

·    The 28-day notice period opened on Friday 30 January 2026 and closed on Friday 28 February 2026.

·    Everyone who submitted a comment as part of the first consultation was notified of the extended project. 

·    Guidelines on the extended project were updated to provide more detailed information about the decision-making process (AT-1). 

Discussion

No applications were received during the 28-day public notice period. However, an email was received from a local hospitality venue, Sunset Dinner, within the notice period expressing interest in participating in the program.

Access to the online application form closed before the venue could submit their application. An email was received from this local venue responding to all questions in the application form. The application is attached as Attachment AT-2.

Whilst the application was submitted late, it is the only submission received under the program, and it meets all the criteria for the grant program. The application was assessed by the Manager Community Services and the Director Community and Culture against the program’s published criteria: project feasibility(15%), budget(15%), community engagement(25%), celebration and representation of LGBTQIA+ identities (25%), and accessibility and inclusion(20%). Each criterion was weighted in accordance with the grant guidelines to ensure a consistent and transparent evaluation process.

The Sunset Dinner proposal demonstrates strong feasibility, a reasonable and proportionate budget, and clear alignment with the objectives of the Inclusive Communities Grant – Extended Program. The event supports Pride Month by celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture in a visible and accessible location within Lane Cove village and builds on an established event format. While further detail regarding broader LGBTQIA+ community participation would strengthen the proposal, the application represents good value and is considered consistent with the program’s aims to promote inclusion, connection and community celebration.

On this basis it is recommended that the application be accepted and funds provided to support the program.

Financial Considerations

Funding to support the Inclusive Communities Grant is included in the existing operational budget.

Resolution 196(2) from the Council meeting held 18 September 2025, resolved that Council source the funding for this community grant program from Council’s Social Inclusion Operating Budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

This project aligns with the goals and outcomes of Council’s Community Strategic Plan.

The guidelines for the program identify the aim, eligibility and assessment criteria to ensure a clear and transparent process.

Funded organisations are required to provide appropriate insurance and demonstrate that their event is accessible and safe.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report will have a positive social outcome for the community by providing an opportunity for the local community to celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in a safe, inclusive space; provide an opportunity for connection and shared experiences; promote acceptance and equality; and encourage positive attitude change.

Supporting the celebration of Pride Month is a clear demonstration of Council’s commitment to create a thriving community where everyone belongs – making sure no one is left out or excluded.

Timing

Pride Month is held every June. It is a busy time for performers and businesses need to know as soon as possible about the outcome of their application in order to book performers for their event.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

4            Our Culture - Fostering an inclusive community rich in culture with a strong identity

5            Our Local Economy - A vibrant and sustainable local economy

3            Our Society - An Inclusive, interconnected, active and resilient community

4.1         Creative Expression

4.2         Cultural Places

5.1         Supporting Local Business

3.1         Community Connections

4.1.1      Take the lead in supporting a diverse range of festivals, activities, groups, arts and events

4.2.4      Support inclusive initiatives that reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community

5.1.2      Engage local businesses to stimulate business activity

3.1.2      Focus community funding on projects that encourage diverse community interaction and social cohesion

3.1.6      Reduce discrimination and increase acceptance and inclusion in the community

Stephanie Kelly

Director - Community and Culture

Community and Culture Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View

2026 Inclusivie Communities Grant - Extended Program (Round 2) - Guidelines and information for applicants

Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Lane Cove North Shops - Further studies

Item No:         15.1

Subject:          Lane Cove North Shops - Further studies  

Record No: SU11081 - 13442/26

Division:         Planning and Sustainability Division

Author(s):      Christopher Pelcz; Golrokh Heydarian 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to respond to a Council resolution from the November 2025 Council meeting regarding studies related to the Lane Cove North shops.

Executive Summary

·        Staff have prepared the response to the Council resolution from the November 2025 Council meeting regarding the Lane Cove North shops.

·        Based on the scope, approximately 4 studies would be needed to justify any future changes to planning controls to encourage the development of shops in the precinct.

·        The indicative costs associated with consultant studies are provided and are significant.

·        The information is provided to Council for consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report.

Background

Council in response to a Notice of Motion considered at the 24 October 2024 Ordinary Council meeting resolved in part:

‘…. the General Manager include in the next LEP review a study to identify possible sites for neighbourhood shops in the Lane Cove North precinct.’

Following a further Council resolution at the November 2024 Council meeting to undertake a LEP review, staff prepared an indicative timeline for the preparation of the Planning Proposal to amend the LEP and reported this to Council at the 20 February 2025 Council meeting

The proposed amendments to give effect to the Council resolutions were presented to the Local Planning Panel on 9 July 2025 and submitted to Council on 24 July 2025 where the following was resolved:

1.   receive and note the advice provided by the Local Planning Panel.

2.   support the Planning Proposal with the amendments suggested in this report in addition to the following: Rezone council owned land at 15 Centennial Ave, Lot B -DP 415901 to C2 land.

3.   implement a strategic study for the Lane Cove North precinct to identify opportunities for provision of a neighbourhood shop/centre and request that this be included in the Gateway determination. 

4.   invite the Mayor of Willoughby, Tanya Taylor, to participate in a jointly funded and resourced strategic study to identify opportunities for the provision of a common neighbourhood shop/centre as Lane Cove North Precinct resides in both Lane Cove and Willoughby LGAs. Delays related to this joint study are not to impact the progress of the planning proposal being forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway determination.

5.   forward the Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure requesting a Gateway Determination; and

6.   circulate a copy of the draft Planning Proposal to Councillors prior to forwarding to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The Planning Proposal was amended as required by the resolution and the following other actions taken:

·    a copy of the draft PP was circulated to Councillors

·    an invitation was sent to the Mayor of Willoughby Council to participate in the study for Lane Cove North

The Planning Proposal was then submitted to the DPHI for Gateway Determination on 6 August 2025.

On 26 August 2025, the Department returned the Proposal saying it “is not adequate to proceed to assessment due to the following reasons: 

·    The planning proposal has not sufficiently demonstrated consistency with the relevant principles, objectives in the Great Sydney Region Plan and North District Plan.

·    The planning proposal has not sufficiently demonstrated consistency with the Lane Cove LSPS, Lane Cove LHS, Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Urban Forest Strategy.

·    The planning proposal has not provided sufficient mapping that reflects the current and proposed mapping controls, noting amendments to the land zoning and heritage map are required.

·    The intent of proposed affordable housing clause is unclear. Should Council seek to pursue an LEP clause for affordable housing, it should refer to the Department’s Guideline for Developing an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme.

·    The Department is unable to condition the preparation of a strategic study for the Lane Cove North precinct as requested in the planning proposal. The Department understands this study is currently being prepared and any recommendations of this study have not been endorsed by Council. The Department recommends investigations into the Lane Cove North precinct form part of a separate planning proposa.

Councillors were briefed on the DPHI response at the September workshop.

Willoughby Council at a meeting held on 15 September 2025 formally considered Council’s request to participate in the Lane Cove North Study and resolved the following:

1.   Council declines to co-fund a strategic study, and

2.   Should Lane Cove wish to proceed, Council planning staff will provide information on our strategic intent for Lane Cove North including relevant opportunities and constraints.

On 25 September 2025, Council staff met with DPHI to discuss next steps and re-submission of the Planning Proposal. Staff at DPHI indicated that the Affordable Housing and Lane Cove North shops components of the Planning Proposal would need to be removed from the Planning Proposal on the basis that significant studies and work will be required to progress these matters and would delay the progression of the PP for a significant length of time.

A report was presented to Council on 20 November 2025 regarding the progression of the draft LEP and the following commentary was provided in relation to the removal of the Lane Cove North Shops from the Planning Proposal:

DPHI’s response advised that it was not appropriate for a Gateway condition to endorse a study to identify opportunities for a shop in the Lane Cove North Precinct. In accordance with DPHI requirements this component has been removed.

If the Council is of the view that it would like to further pursue this matter staff could prepare a report for Council outlining the scope, incentives required to encourage the provision of a shop, identify any existing sites that currently have the permissible use, the costs of any required strategic reports including consultants.

Council subsequently resolved:

‘prepare a report for Council in relation to a potential shop development in Lane Cove North. The report is to outline:

a)   the scope,

b)   incentives required to encourage the provision of a shop,

c)   identify any existing sites that currently have the permissible use, and

d)   the costs of any required strategic reports including consultants.

Discussion

Properties that currently permit shops in the Lane Cove North/Mowbray Precinct

Properties located within the Lane Cove North/ Mowbray Precinct are currently zoned R4 High Density Residential under Lane Cove LEP 2009, and there is one single land parcel that is zoned E1 Local Centre zone under Lane Cove LEP 2009.

Neighbourhood shops are a permissible land use in the R4 High Density Residential zone; however, the maximum floor area of the neighbourhood shop is restricted to 400 m^2.  The E1 Local Centre zone allows commercial premises which allow all types of retail activity and there are no floor area restrictions for shops in the E1 zone.

Scope and cost of land use studies

To understand why developers are not developing neighborhood shops in DAs within the precinct, given that the use is permissible under current planning controls, the following studies would be required:

·    Market Needs Analysis to identify what type of shops are needed in the precinct.

·    identify the size (or sizes) of any proposed shops and where they could be potentially located; and

·    any planning mechanisms needed to encourage the delivery of the proposed shops (noting that the NSW land use planning system does not allow a consent authority to prescribe that a certain use must be provided on land).

In general, there are only two types of incentives available under the NSW Planning System which are bonus floor space/height provisions and an additional local provision (requiring one site to deliver a shop of a certain size on its site).

To pursue this work, the following studies are likely to be required:

·    Market Analysis – Examines supply and demand dynamics, competitor analysis, demographic trends, and absorption rates to understand if there's sufficient demand to support the development. This includes analysing comparable properties, vacancy rates, and pricing trends in the target area.

·    Planning/Urban Design study – to examine the potential incentives and built form outcomes of any proposed new shop.

·    Feasibility Analysis – to determine the feasibility of the proposed controls (from the Urban Design study).

·    Traffic Analysis – to examine the potential traffic impacts associated with the proposed new shops.

Other studies may also be needed if a decision is made following the completion of the studies to advance amendments to the LEP via a Planning Proposal to satisfy the Ministerial Directions.

Based on experiences with previous studies, the following indicative costs are provided to Council for consideration:

·    Market Analysis – between $80,000 - $100,000.

·    Planning/Urban Design study – between $30,000 - $50,000.

·    Feasibility Analysis – between $30,000 - $60,000.

·    Traffic Analysis – between $10,000 - $30,000.

These costs can vary significantly depending on quotations received from consultants, however total costs could be between $150,000 to $240,000.

Community Consultation

No community consultation is required prior to a decision being made on this report.

Financial Considerations

Additional Funds Required: No budget is available in the 2025/26 budget. If Council were to approve the commencement of the consultancy work identified in this report, $150,000 to $240,000 would need to be allocated to the project in the draft 2026/27 budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

There are no governance or risk considerations associated with this report.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report maintain social outcomes for the community.

Timing

The timing would be dependent on the engagement of external consultants.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

5            Our Local Economy - A vibrant and sustainable local economy

5.1         Supporting Local Business

5.1.3      Identify opportunities to support satellite shopping precincts in the Lane Cove area

Mark Brisby

Director - Planning and Sustainability

Planning and Sustainability Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View

Mowbray Road Precinct

2 Pages

Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Draft submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW

Item No:         15.2

Subject:          Draft submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW  

Record No: SU8439 - 13444/26

Division:         Planning and Sustainability Division

Author(s):      Christopher Pelcz; Golrokh Heydarian 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to present a draft submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in New South Wales and to seek Council’s endorsement to make a formal submission to the Inquiry.

Executive Summary

·    This report presents a draft submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW.

·    The draft submission sets out Councils concerns regarding the planning pathways currently in place to deal with Data Centres and the lack of opportunity for local communities to have meaningful input into planning decisions on Data Centres.

·    The submission highlights the environmental and sustainability impacts of Data Centres and the ability of existing local infrastructure to accommodate the expansion of the Centres.

·    Council endorsement of the draft submission to the Inquiry is recommended.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.   endorse the Lane Cove submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW.

2.   authorise the General Manager to finalise Council’s submission and to submit to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry.

Background

The NSW Legislative Council’s Public Accountability and Works Committee is conducting an inquiry into the rapid growth of data centres. The inquiry will investigate the impact on energy, water, planning frameworks, and local communities.

Key Areas of Focus:

·      Energy & Water Impact: Assessing the power demand and water usage for cooling.

·      Planning & Approvals: Reviewing the planning approval pathways for new data centres.

·      Community Concerns: Examining the concentration of facilities, especially in Western Sydney and the Lower North Shore, and their effect on local environments.

·      Sustainability: Evaluating whether the growth aligns with NSW climate targets and if renewable energy is being utilised. 

The inquiry was initiated in response to concerns that state infrastructure may not be prepared for the rapid expansion.

Discussion

Council has prepared a response to this Inquiry using experience from the development of several Data Centres opening and operating in the Lane Cove LGA in recent years.

The Lane Cove LGA and other northern Sydney LGAs have seen a significant growth in Data Centres in recent years, and more are planned into the future.

Council has previously highlighted concerns related to environmental and economic impacts that arise from Data Centres, and the planning pathways in which approvals to operate via a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) don’t allow meaningful engagement with local communities and local councils.

Council at its meeting held on 24 April 2025 resolved to raise the issues with the appropriate authorities, representations have been made to the Northern Sydney Region Organization of Councils (NSROC) and has written to relevant Ministers.

The first Data Centre in Lane Cove was the largest data centre in the southern hemisphere at the time of completion and since then further applications have been received for sites adjoining sensitive bushland and low-density residential areas.

Recent examples of environmental damage include the cabling works that left local footpaths and even some private driveways with significant damage. It took months of work and advocacy from residents, local media, and MPs to see action taken to repair this damage. With more data centres potentially on the horizon, it is important to ensure that the same situation does not arise again – where damage occurs during construction or operation of the centre, and local communities are left to clean up the mess.

Of the 80+ Data Centres in Sydney 15 are reported to be located across the City of Ryde, Lane Cove and Willoughby City Council areas (Source: Data Center Map). 

Goodman Project Mars

Telstra St Leonards

DigiCo Sydney SYD2

NEXTDC - S3 Sydney

AirTrunk Data Centre

St Leonards Corporate Centre

NEXTDC - S6 Sydney

Keppel Sydney Gore Hill

Figure 1. Data Centers in and near Lane Cove LGA (Source: https://www.datacentermap.com/)

Morgan Stanley reports that Data Centres currently consume around 5% of our total National electricity supply and this is estimated to rise to somewhere between 8-15% over the next five years. This significant increase is consistent with the growth modelling through the International Electricity Agency (See Figure 2).

Figure 2. Global electricity demand from data centres, AI, and cryptocurrencies, 2019-2026. Source: Data centres are guzzling up too much electricity. Can we make them more efficient?

In July 2025 the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) discussed how the shift to decarbonising other sectors has played a role in the demand for power and the focus they have on forecasting power supply to data centres. In the same ABC article, data industry experts highlight the lag of renewable energy sources to meet their needs.

It remains the position of Council that local councils and their communities are best placed to assess these developments.

While Council acknowledges that Data Centres are necessary infrastructure for digital advancement, they also result in significant issues for local communities.

In summary, Councils draft submission recommends the following to the Inquiry, noting that these are changes that council has previously advocated for:

a)   that applicants be required to engage with the Local Council when they are developing their design and that prior to the submission of the development application it is to be considered by the Council’s Design Review Panel.

b)   that the applicant carry out a formal community engagement process including a public meeting in consultation with the Local Council prior to the submission of any Development Application, the results of which should be reflected in the design of the centre and documented in the Statement of Environmental Effects.

c)   mandate that the applicant provide an element of Public Benefit to be negotiated and agreed with the Local Council prior to any determination of the development application.

d)   require applicants to address the issue of the loss of employment lands due to the location of any Centre that reduces the potential for employment.

e)   require any application for a data centre to address the resource use in particular water and electricity.

f)    the storage of large amounts of fuel {diesel} be declared and the potential hazards identified and procedures to protect the local community from any such hazards.

g)   that all local environmental factors being adequately addressed by the applicant – tree loss, bushland, view impacts, stormwater and noise.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations of this report pose no financial impact on Council.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Given that the council is responding to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, no community consultation was required.  

Governance and Risk Considerations

The recommendations of this report pose no governance or risk considerations for Council.

Environmental Considerations

The submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry has no social implications for Council.

Timing

Submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry are due on 27 March 2026.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

2.           Our Built Environment - A well designed, liveable and connected area

2.1         Sustainable Development

2.1.3      Focus infrastructure planning and management on supporting sustainable ‘local living’ to meet the 2036 Energy Emissions and Water Use Reduction Targets and improve resilience to climate change

Mark Brisby

Director - Planning and Sustainability

Planning and Sustainability Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View

Draft Submission to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres in NSW

4 Pages

Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Response to Notice of Motion - Strengthening Accountability and Oversight of Strata Managing Agents

Item No:         15.3

Subject:          Response to Notice of Motion - Strengthening Accountability and Oversight of Strata Managing Agents  

Record No: SU1802 - 15044/26

Division:         Planning and Sustainability Division

Author(s):      Andrew Bland; Mark Brisby 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to respond to a Notice of Motion by reviewing the NSW Department of Trading Review of Strata Management and the legislative response.

Executive Summary

·    The Strata Schemes Management Act 2025 (NSW) has generally responded to the Department of Fair-Trading Review of Strata Management.

·    The new laws impose Strata Managing agents with significant increased obligations.

·    Building Managers are now required to adhere to significant new obligations and restrictions on management agreement provisions.

·    Developers will have increased accountability in relation to the provision of critical information at completion.

·    The reforms seem to not allow individual owners within a strata scheme to make an application to the NCAT.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report.

Background

At its Ordinary meeting on 20 November 2025, Council resolved (256/2025) that:

1.      consideration of this item be deferred to a later meeting of Council to allow Council time to determine if the reforms in the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2025 being introduced to the NSW Parliament address the Proposed Reforms detailed in the background information to this item

2.      the item return to Council no later than the March 2026 meeting of Council for review of legislative amendments against the Proposed Reforms.

DISCUSSION

This report responds to the subject resolution of the 3 key items of the reforms that were highlighted in the Notice of Motion as follows.

1.   Extend statutory liability to strata managing agents who fail to implement owners-corporation resolutions or perform maintenance duties.

Several components of the new legislation address the liability issue. The new obligations and responsibilities imposed on Strata Managers are stronger and place the onus on them to implement owners’ resolutions including required facility maintenance. 

2.   Enable lot owners (or a minimum of 25% of lots) to apply directly to NCAT for compensation or compliance orders under Section 106 or 232 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW).

The Department of Fair Trading has increased powers to investigate and enforce compliance, especially in relation to repairs and maintenance on common property. Strata Managers must carry out repairs promptly and to assist the Department have introduced the NSW Strata Building Health Check to assess compliance.

While these reforms are an improvement, they seem to miss one of the key issues identified in the motion.

Currently only the body corporate can make application to NCAT. This is still an issue as the NSW Government Review found with relationships between Strata Managers and Body Corporate Executive Members there is often a reluctance to lodge complaints against Strata Managers.

A suggestion is for legislation to allow applications by holders of owner entitlements of a minimum of 25% to be able to commence action with NCAT against a Strata Manager.

3.   Introduce civil penalties for repeated non-compliance or negligence by strata managing agents.

The Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2025 introduces various penalties for 

Offences related to strata schemes management. These penalties are designed to ensure compliance with the new regulations and to deter breaches of the law.

These penalties are part of the broader effort to enhance the governance and management of strata schemes in New South Wales. It is essential for strata committees and owners to be aware of these penalties and to comply with the new regulations to avoid legal 

consequences.

CONCLUSION

The Strata Schemes Management Act 2025 (NSW) introduced in 2025 generally responded to the Department of Fair-Trading Review of Strata management.

These new laws impose strata managing agents with significant increased obligations such as disclosure obligations and restrictions on agency agreement provisions.

Building managers are now required to adhere to significant new obligations and restrictions on management agreement provisions. They must review their agreements and procedures more regularly. They also extend to committee members whose duties and responsibilities have expanded now like that of company directors, including specified training.

Owners including all such variations (corporations, community associations) must deal with -

matters such as accessibility infrastructure, sustainability, budgeting, insurance, by-laws, AGMs, approval of renovations and common property repair. Developers will have increased accountability in relation to the provision of critical information at completion.

Currently only the body corporate can make application to NCAT. This is still an issue as the NSW Government Review found with relationships between Strata Managers and Body Corporate Executive Members there is often a reluctance to lodge complaints against Strata Managers.

These reforms potentially impact on the day-to-day activities of virtually everyone involved in the strata sector.

Community Consultation

NIL

Financial Considerations

There are no financial considerations to this item.

Governance and Risk Considerations

There is no Governance or Risk Considerations to this item.

Environmental Considerations

Nil

Social Considerations

NIL

Timing

NIL

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

2.           Our Built Environment - A well designed, liveable and connected area

2.2         Housing

2.2.2      Plan for the growth of housing and transport services that create sustainable and liveable communities

Mark Brisby

Director - Planning and Sustainability

Planning and Sustainability Division

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Local Planning Panel Expert Planning Member

Item No:         15.4

Subject:          Local Planning Panel Expert Planning Member  

Record No: SU1802 - 16568/26

Division:         Planning and Sustainability Division

Author(s):      Rajiv Shankar 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to advise Council of the resignation of one of the expert Lane Cove Local Planning Panel (LCLPP) members and to consider the appointment of a replacement. 

Executive Summary

·        Council has received the resignation of Ms Clare Swan as an expert member from the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel (LCLPP).

·        Recommends that Council appoint Mr Brian Kirk as an independent expert member on the LCLPP.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1.       notes the resignation of Ms Clare Swan as an independent expert member of Lane Cove Council’s Local Planning Panel (LCLPP) and writes to her to thank her for her contribution to the LCLPP.

2.       appoints Mr Brian Kirk as an independent expert member of LCLPP.

3.       advises the Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure of the changes to the LCLPP.

Background

Council is required, under the guidelines for Local Planning Panels, to have a minimum fifteen (15) expert members appointed to its Panel.

The resignation of an expert member requires Council to appoint a further expert member from the pool of experts provided by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure (DPHI).

Discussion

Council has received the resignation of Ms Clare Swan as an expert member from the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel (LCLPP).  Ms Swan advises that she has been appointed as an Acting Commissioner in the Land and Environment Court (LEC).

Ms. Swan’s resignation requires Council to appoint a further expert member from the pool of experts provided by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure (DPHI).

Staff have reviewed the DPHI list of available experts and have selected Mr Brian Kirk for Council’s consideration to be appointed to the Panel. Mr Kirk’s resume has been provided to the Councilors under separate cover.

Community Consultation

Community Consultation has not been conducted for the appointment of the expert panel member.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations of this report pose no financial impact on Council as there is approved budget for members of the Local Planning Panel.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Appointment of a new expert panel member does not pose any governance concerns or risks as council is required to have a minimum of 15 expert members appointed to its Panel.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The subject of this report has no social implications for Council.

Timing

Given the resignation of an existing panel member and the need to appoint a new member to the Local Planning Panel, a timely decision by the Council is required on this matter.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan long term objective:

·             To advocate and encourage high quality and equitable planning, building and urban design outcomes that preserve, strengthen and enhance the existing diverse character areas of Lane Cove.

2.           Our Built Environment - A well designed, liveable and connected area

2.1         Sustainable Development

2.1.1      Ensure land use planning is responsive to changes in community priorities, local values and state government requirements

Mark Brisby

Director - Planning and Sustainability

Planning and Sustainability Division

ATTACHMENTS:

There are no supporting documents for this report.

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Local Transport Forum - February 2026

Item No:         16.1

Subject:          Local Transport Forum - February 2026  

Record No: SU1326 - 15566/26

Division:         Open Space and Infrastructure Division

Author(s):      Sashika Perera 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek Council endorsement of recommendations from the Lane Cove Local Transport Forum. 

Executive Summary

·        The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum considers upcoming transport and parking proposals and assess the impact of proposals on local, regional and state roads and provides evidence-based information on which decisions regarding transport and parking proposals can be made

·        The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum met in February 2026 and provided recommendations for Council’s consideration.

·        The attached Agenda (AT-1) provides a background for proposals, results of community consultation and a recommendation

·        The Minutes (AT-2) provide a summary of the discussion from Forum members and a final recommendation

·        The report recommends the adoption of the recommendations outlined in the Minutes of the Local Transport Forum meeting held on 17 February 2026.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council adopt the recommendations of the Lane Cove Local Transport Forum held on Tuesday 17 February 2026.

Background

The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum is a requirement of Transport for NSW and is primarily a technical review forum which provides advice to Council on matters referred to it by Council.

These matters must be related to prescribed traffic control devices and traffic control facilities for which Council has delegated authority.

The Forum has no decision-making powers, but rather makes recommendations for the Council to consider, noting that Council is not bound by its advice.

Discussion

The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum was held on Tuesday 17 February 2026. The agenda is included as AT-1.

The Local Transport Forum recommendations are shown in the Minutes of the meeting, included as AT-2, which address:

1.       Traffic Committee Meeting Confirmation of Minutes – 18 November 2025

2.       River Road/Northwood Road Intersection Upgrade

3.       Fleming Street parking options

Community Consultation

Community consultation is undertaken for each proposal and is outlined in the Agenda included in AT-1.

Financial Considerations

The Agenda included in AT-1 outlines the financial considerations for each proposal.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Reporting of the recommendations of the Local Transport Forum to Council for endorsement by council is a statutory requirement.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The subject of this report has no social impactions for Council.

Timing

The items discussed in the Agenda and Minutes are proposed to be implemented this financial year.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

2.           Our Built Environment - A well designed, liveable and connected area

2.6         Traffic

2.6.2      Ensure application of appropriate traffic management measures to ensure the safety and amenity of local streets and improve traffic flow

2.6.1      Facilitate improvements to car, bicycle and pedestrian safety

Martin Terescenko

Director - Open Space and Infrastructure

Open Space and Infrastructure Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View	Agenda - Local Transport Forum - 17 February 2026	15 Pages	Available Electronically
AT‑2 View	Minutes - Local Transport Forum - 17 February 2026	8 Pages	Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Revised Scope for Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal - Local Transport Forum - Out of Cycle Report

Item No:         16.2

Subject:          Revised Scope for Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal - Local Transport Forum - Out of Cycle Report  

Record No: SU1326 - 15976/26

Division:         Open Space and Infrastructure Division

Author(s):      Sashika Perera 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek Council endorsement of recommendations from the Lane Cove Local Transport Forum.

Executive Summary

·        The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum considers upcoming transport and parking proposals and assess the impact of proposals on local, regional and state roads and provides evidence-based information on which decisions regarding transport and parking proposals can be made. 

·        The revised scope for the Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal was referred to the Local Transport Forum outside its bi-monthly meeting schedule due to the time sensitive nature of this proposal.

·        The attached Agenda (AT-1) provides a background for the proposal, revised scope, results of community consultation and a recommendation that was presented to the Forum members on 25 February 2026.

·        The Minutes (AT-2) provide a summary of the discussion from Forum members and a final recommendation.

·        The report recommends the adoption of the recommendations outlined in the Minutes of the Local Transport Forum Out of Cycle report.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council adopt the recommendations of the Lane Cove Local Transport Forum Out of Cycle Report.

Background

The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum is a requirement of Transport for NSW and is primarily a technical review forum which provides advice to Council on matters referred to it by Council.

These matters must be related to prescribed traffic control devices and traffic control facilities for which Council has delegated authority.

The Forum has no decision-making powers, but rather makes recommendations for the Council to consider, noting that Council is not bound by its advice.

Local Transport Forum meetings can be held physically, digitally or via correspondence. As physical meetings are held bi-monthly, traffic and parking changes that require urgent referral to the Local Transport Forum can be done via an electronic meeting format.

This involves:

·      Circulating a report for each proposal by email to all members of the Local Transport Forum,

·      Each report includes details of consultation, investigations and assessments undertaken with a preliminary recommendation for consideration by members,

·      Responses from members are requested within 7 days,

·      Council will then amend the recommendations if required and circulate minutes collating all feedback from members of the Local Transport Forum,

·      This report including minutes will then be referred to the subsequent Council meeting for consideration after which the Council adopted recommendation is implemented,

·      All residents that provided a submission on each item as part of the consultation process will be notified of the Local Transport Forums recommendation and the date of the Council meeting it will be reported to, should they wish to register to speak at the public forum,

·      All residents that provided a submission on each item as part of the consultation process will also be notified of the adopted final Council resolution,

·      As the report is circulated electronically, face to face meetings are not required and will not be held.

This process is a common and necessary practice to ensure minimal delays with implementing time sensitive traffic and parking changes.

Discussion

The Agenda for the revised scope of the Lane Cove North Speed Reduction proposal was circulated to Forum members on 25 February 2026. The Agenda is included as AT-1.

The Local Transport Forum recommendations are shown in the Minutes of the meeting, included as AT-2, which address:

1.       The revised scope of the Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal

Community Consultation

Community consultation undertaken for the proposal is outlined in the Agenda included in AT-1.

Financial Considerations

The Agenda included in AT-1 outlines the financial considerations for the proposal.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Reporting of the recommendations of the Local Transport Forum to Council is a statutory requirement.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The subject of this report has no social implications for Council.

Timing

The proposal discussed in the Agenda and Minutes is to be implemented this financial year.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome/s and Goal/s:

2.           Our Built Environment - A well designed, liveable and connected area

2.4         Transport & Mobility

2.6         Traffic

2.4.2      Implement infrastructure upgrades for people to incorporate more walking and cycling into their daily lives

2.6.2      Ensure application of appropriate traffic management measures to ensure the safety and amenity of local streets and improve traffic flow

Martin Terescenko

Director - Open Space and Infrastructure

Open Space and Infrastructure Division

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View	Agenda - Revised Scope for Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal - Out of Cycle report	56 Pages	Available Electronically
AT‑2 View	Minutes - Revised Scope Lane Cove North Speed Reduction Proposal - Out of Cycle Report	7 Pages	Available Electronically

Ordinary Council Meeting 19 March 2026

Council Snapshot February 2026

Item No:         18.1

Subject:          Council Snapshot February 2026  

Record No: SU220 - 17925/26

Division:         Office of the General Manager

Author(s):      Corinne Hitchenson 

Purpose

This report provides the monthly Snapshot report and current Resolution tracker.

Executive Summary

Attached for the information of Councillors is a review of Council’s recent activities for the month of February 2026 at AT-1.

Council’s Resolution Tracker showing the progress of Council’s resolutions is included at AT-2.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receives and notes:

1.   Council Snapshot for February 2026

2.   Resolution Tracker for 19 March 2026 Council Meeting

Background

On a monthly basis, Council staff compile a snapshot for Councillors outlining recent Council activities.

In addition, staff review and update the Council Resolution Tracker [AT-2], which identifies outstanding actions and notes those recently completed in response to Council resolutions.

Discussion.

This Snapshot report provides a summary of the operations of each Division within Council for the month of February 2026 [AT-1].

Conclusion

The monthly Council Snapshot and Resolution Tracker are provided for the information of the March 2026 Council meeting.

Louise Kerr

General Manager

Office of the General Manager

ATTACHMENTS:

AT‑1 View	Council Snapshot February 2026	41 Pages	Available Electronically
AT‑2 View	Resolution Tracker for 19 March 2026 Council Meeting	49 Pages	Available Electronically