Minutes of Ordinary Council - Thursday, 20 March 2025

Ordinary Council 20 March 2025

Minutes

PRESENT: Councillor Southwood (Mayor), Councillor Bennison (online), Councillor Bryla, Councillor Flood, Councillor Greenwell, Councillor Kennedy, Councillor Little, Councillor Roenfeldt and Councillor Taylor.

ALSO PRESENT: Acting General Manager, Director - Planning and Sustainability, Director - Community and Culture, Director - Open Spaces and Infrastructure, Executive Officer to the GM, Property and Projects Officer, and Minute Taker.

Apologies

Nil

Procedural Motion

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Roenfeldt and seconded by Councillor Kennedy that the request by Councillor Bennison to attend the meeting via audio visual link be granted.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Councillor Bennison declared a pecuniary conflict of interest regarding Item 5 – Addressing Gambling Harm, as he is the auditor for the Longueville Sporting Club. Councillor Bennison will leave the chamber and not debate or vote on this item.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The Mayor gave an acknowledgement of Country.

Minute of Silence for Reflection or Prayer

The Mayor gave notice of a minute of silence for reflection or prayer.

WEBCASTING OF COUNCIL MEETING

The Mayor advised those present that the Meeting was being webcast.

PUBLIC FORUM

Online

Nil

In Person

1. John Fegan, of Northwood, in relation to Northwood corner,

2. Rina Soetanto, of Longueville, in relation to River Road West road upgrades – Item 7 – Traffic Committee,

3. Emma James, of Lane Cove North, in relation to Item 3 – Notice of Motion – Planning for Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and greater water reuse to be implemented in water catchment areas,

4. Dr Liz Gill, of Greenwich, in relation to the invasive non-native Madeira vine,

5. Christine Anderson, of Lane Cove, in relation to DA 152/2024 for an 8 storey development at 8 Finlayson Street, Lane Cove,

6. Hanyuan Yu of Lane Cove, in relation to DA 152/2024 for an 8 storey development at 8 Finlayson Street, Lane Cove, and

7. Anita Thommesen of Lane Cove, in relation to DA 152/2024 for an 8 storey development at 8 Finlayson Street, Lane Cove.

Written Submissions

One (1) written submission was received, being from;

1. Lynne McLoughlin, of Lane Cove, in relation to Item 3 – Notice of Motion – Planning for Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and greater water reuse to be implemented in water catchment areas.

Confirmation of Minutes of Ordinary Council - 20 February 2025
47	RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Bennison and seconded by Councillor Bryla that the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on the 20 February 2025 be received, subject to an amendment where item 5 - Notice of Motion: Pricing Policy for Council Sporting and Aquatic Facilities (Resolution 18/2025) should reflect that the seconder of the motion was Councillor Bryla.
	For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9). Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).
48	RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor Kennedy that the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on the 20 February 2025 be accepted, subject to an amendment where item 5 - Notice of Motion: Pricing Policy for Council Sporting and Aquatic Facilities (Resolution 18/2025) should reflect that the seconder of the motion was Councillor Bryla.
	For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9). Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Mayoral Minutes

Procedural Motion

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Kennedy and seconded by Councillor Bennison that when considering Item 1 - Mayoral Minute: Australian Local Government Association Campaign - Put Our Communities First, Recommendation parts 1, 3 and 4 be addressed together and Recommendation part 2 be considered separately..

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Item 1 Mayoral Minute - Australian Local Government Association Campaign - Put Our Communities First
50	RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood that Council 1. supports the national federal election funding priorities identified by the Australian Local government Association (ALGA), namely · $1.1 billion per year for enabling infrastructure to unlock housing supply; · $500 million per year for community infrastructure, · $600 million per year for safer local roads, and · $900 million per year for increased local government emergency management capability and capacity. 3. supports and participates in the Put Our Communities First federal election campaign; and 4. writes to local federal members of parliament, all known electoral candidates in the local federal electorates and the President of ALGA expressing support for ALGA’s federal election funding priorities.
	For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9). Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).
51	RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood that Council 2. supports the national federal election funding priorities identified by the Australian Local government Association (ALGA), namely $400 million per year for climate change adaptation.
	For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little and Roenfeldt (Total 7). Against the Motion were Councillors Bennison and Taylor (Total 2).

Item L1 Mayoral Minute - Recruitment of a new General Manager

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood that Council:

1. notes the information in relation to the appointment of LGNSW Management Solutions to undertake recruitment of the General Manager,

2. notes the composition of the Selection Panel,

3. authorises the Selection Panel to determine a short list of candidates,

4. authorises the Selection Panel to undertake preliminary interviews with agreed short-listed candidates,

5. authorises the Selection Panel to present the three most meritorious candidates to Council from the preliminary interviews; and

6. authorises the Selection Panel to prepare a report on the three most meritorious candidates to be interviewed at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council in closed session by the governing body sitting as a committee of the whole prior to Council resolving to appoint a successful candidate to the position of General Manager.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Notices of Motion

Item 2 Notice of Motion - Bus Privatisation Impacts and the Auditor General's Report

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

1. notes the poor performance of busways (North Shore) in the recently released Auditor General’s report into bus contracts in Metropolitan Sydney,

2. writes to the NSW Minister for Transport and Transport for NSW:

a) Expressing concern at the Auditor General’s findings and advocating for the region 7 bus contracts to be cancelled and returned to public operation as soon as possible,

b) Inquiring as to what interim measures Transport for NSW can implement to improve bus reliability and connectivity in the interim, and

c) Include in correspondence evidence of local impacts including complaints that Council has received through the bus service reporting portal; and

3. writes to the President of Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) to request the issue of poor bus services following privatisation in the lower north short region be tabled for discussion to further investigate joint advocacy options to improve the region’s bus services, particularly in light of new findings from the Auditor General’s report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Councillor Greenwell left the meeting, the time being 07:47 PM

Councillor Greenwell returned to the meeting, the time being 07:49 PM

Item 3 Notice of Motion - Planning for Water Sensitive Urban Design Principles and Greater Water Reuse to be implemented in Water Catchment Areas.

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

1. invite a member from the Sydney Water Business Development team to present to key council staff and Councillors on the work they are undertaking,

2. provide a report to Council on resourcing and funds required to implement the actions below:

a) Engage an external consultant to produce Water Catchment Plans for Stringybark Creek and Burns Bay Reserve that:

i) Outline targets to achieve water management targets typically covering:

· Water quality/pollution reduction targets

· Runoff volume to protect local waterways from erosion and degradation

· Urban/Waterway Outcome targets in terms of biodiversity and urban cooling

ii) Provide a timeline to achieve these targets,

iii) Describe the methods to achieve the targets,

3. organise a meeting with the broader stakeholders who may assist with grant funding and knowledge sharing for Item 2. For example:

a) Representatives from adjoining catchment areas including Parramatta River catchment group and Lane Cove River councils,

b) Representative from Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment and Water (DCCEEW) NSW who are working on an integrated water management framework, a recycled water road map and Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy,

c) Sydney Water and other agencies,

4. instigate a new communication engagement strategy with workshops and campaigns:

a) to raise community awareness on how we can keep our waterways clean, as well as promote rebates Council offers for rainwater capture,

b) to raise awareness about the benefits of WSUD among residents and businesses,

c) to encourage community participation in water-sensitive initiatives, including optimising on-lot stormwater retention infrastructure already in place,

5. ensure the communication engagement strategies also target residences and businesses in the related two catchment areas of this motion; and

6. investigate how the current On The Verge program could be expanded to include bioswales for verges that are on contour.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Procedural Motion

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Bennison and seconded by Councillor Roenfeldt that Item 8 – Naming the Lane Cove Sport and Recreation Centre, Item 9 – Lane Cove Library 70^th Birthday Celebrations, Item 10 – Launch of the Pottery Green Performance Space and Item 11 – Council Snapshot February 2025, be considered in Globo.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Officer Reports for Information

Item 8 Naming the Lane Cove Sport and Recreation Centre

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council receive and note the report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Item 9 Lane Cove Library 70th Birthday Celebrations

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council receive and note the report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Item 10 Launch of the Pottery Lane Performance Space

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council receive and note this report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Item 11 Council Snapshot February 2025

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Southwood and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council receive and note the report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Officer Reports for Determination

Item 4 Food Organics and Waste Services Update

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

1. note the information provided in the report, and

2. endorse the next steps as outlined in this report to work towards the implementation of a food organics service.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Councillor Bennison left the meeting, the time being 08:01 PM

Item 5 Addressing Gambling Harm and the Impact of Electronic Gaming Machines in Lane Cove

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Flood and seconded by Councillor Bryla that Councill:

1. approve the commencement of community consultation related to the draft policy, and

2. receive and note the gambling harm minimisation activities detailed in the report.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 8).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Absent Councillor Bennison (Total 1).

Councillor Bennison returned to the meeting, the time being 08:06 PM

Item 6 Relocation of the Lane Cove Cenotaph

RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Roenfeldt and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council:

1. receive and note the investigation into the potential relocation of the Lane Cove Cenotaph is now formally closed;

2. confirm that the Lane Cove Cenotaph will be maintained in its current location; and

3. note that opportunities to enhance the documentation, presentation, and community education surrounding the Cenotaph will be pursued within the cultural programs budget and through relevant grant funding applications over the next four years.

For the Motion were Councillors Southwood, Bennison, Bryla, Flood, Greenwell, Kennedy, Little, Roenfeldt and Taylor (Total 9).

Against the Motion was Nil (Total 0).

Item 7 Traffic Committee - 18 February 2025
63	RESOLVED on the motion moved by Councillor Bryla and seconded by Councillor Bennison that Council adopt the recommendations of the Lane Cove Traffic Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

The meeting closed at 8.16 PM

Confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting of 24 April 2025, at which meeting the signature herein is subscribed.

MAYOR

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