Present:

The Mayor, Councillor I Cross (Chairperson) (Wahroonga Ward)

Councillor S Holland (Comenarra Ward)

Councillors E Keays & C Szatow (Gordon Ward)

Councillor J Anderson (Roseville Ward)

Councillor T Hall (St Ives Ward)

Councillor D McDonald (Wahroonga Ward)

Staff Present:

General Manager (John McKee)

Director Corporate (John Clark)

Director Development & Regulation (Michael Miocic)

Director Operations (Greg Piconi)

Acting Director Strategy & Environment (Deborah Silva)

Director Community (Janice Bevan)

Manager Records & Governance (Matt Ryan)

Minutes Secretary (Judy Edwards)

168

Apologies

File: S02194

Councillor Rakesh Duncombe tendered an apology for non-attendance [business commitment] and requested leave of absence.

Councillor Elaine Malicki tendered an apology for non-attendance [family reasons] and requested leave of absence.

Councillor Carolyne Hardwick tendered an apology for non-attendance [illness] and requested leave of absence

NOTE:  Director Strategy & Environment, Andrew Watson, tendered an apology for non-attendance.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Szatow)

That the apologies by Councillors Duncombe, Malicki and Hardwick be accepted and leave of absence be granted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

169

CONFIRMATION OF REPORTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED MEETING

File: S02499

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Szatow)

That in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Local Government Act 1993, all officers’ reports be released to the press and public, with the exception of:

CN.1  Acquisition of Land - Gordon

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Memorandum:

Refer GB.3 - Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy - Memorandum by Team Leader Urban Planning dated 10 June 2011 regarding a late submission by the NSW Department of Transport.

Code of Meeting Practice - Memorandum by the Director Corporate dated 10 June 2011 in response to a Question Without Notice raised by Councillor Jennifer Anderson at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held 24 May 2011.

Councillors Information:

Hassell Park, St Ives - Memorandum by the Director Operations dated 7 June 2011, with attachments, in response to a Question Without Notice raised by Councillor Duncan McDonald at the Ordinary Meeting of Council held 24 May 2011.

170

Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Council

File: S02131

Meeting held 24 May 2011

Minutes numbered 134 to 167

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Hall)

That Minutes numbered 134 to 167 circulated to Councillors were taken as read and confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings of the Meeting with the exception of Minute No 166.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

171

Hassell Park, St Ives

File: S02285

Vide Minute No 166

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Hall/McDonald)

That Minute No 166 be amended to read that the Park be correctly named as Hassell Park, St Ives.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

172

29 Church Street, Pymble - Alterations and Additions to a Heritage Item

File: DA0849/10

Vide: GB.2

To determine Development Application 0849/10, which proposes alterations and additions to a dwelling house that is listed as a heritage item on schedule 7 of the
Ku-ring-gai Planning Scheme Ordinance (KPSO).

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Hall/Anderson)

That consideration of Development Application No. 0849/10 for alterations and additions to a dwelling house (heritage item) on land at No 29 Church Street, Pymble be deferred pending a site inspection.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

173

Mayor and Councillor Fees

File: S03158/2

Vide: GB.1

To determine the Mayor and Councillor fees payable from 1 July 2011.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Anderson)

That from 1 July 2011, the annual Councillor fee be set at $16,640 and annual Mayoral fee be set at $36,320.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

174

St Ives Village Green Plan of Management

File: S06604

Vide: GB.5

To adopt the amended draft St Ives Village Green Plan of Management.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Hall)

A.     That Council adopt the amended draft St Ives Village Green Plan of Management.

B.     That all community members who made a submission during the public exhibition of the draft St Ives Village Green Plan of Management be notified that the plan has been adopted by Council.

C.     That the adopted St Ives Village Green Plan of Management be made available on Council’s website.

D.     That a purchase price in accordance with Council’s Fees and Charges applies to the sale of copies of the adopted St Ives Village Green Plan of Management.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

175

Voluntary Planning Agreements - Various Locations

File: S08622

Vide: GB.6

To advise Council on potential planning agreements and to obtain delegation to commence the negotiations necessary in order to present draft Planning Agreements and Explanatory Notes for Council approval.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Hall)

A.     That Council authorise the General Manager and the Director Strategy & Environment and/or their delegates are to undertake the necessary negotiations in order to develop and progress draft Planning Agreements and Explanatory Notes.

B.     That prior to completion of negotiations the General Manager and the Director Strategy & Environment will brief Council on the status of Planning Agreements and Explanatory Notes.

C.     That all draft Planning Agreements and Explanatory Notes are to be submitted to Council for approval and public exhibition.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

176

Acquisition of Land - Gordon

File: S08130

Vide: CN.1

In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, in the opinion of the General Manager, the following business is of a kind as referred to in section 10A(2)(c), of the Act, and should be dealt with in a part of the meeting closed to the public.

Section 10A(2)(c) of the Act permits the meeting to be closed to the public in respect of information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

The matter is classified confidential because it deals with the proposed acquisition and/or disposal of property.

It is not in the public interest to release this information as it would prejudice Council’s ability to acquire and/or dispose of the property on appropriate terms and conditions.

Report by Director Strategy & Environment dated 10 May 2011

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Anderson)

That Council resolve to acquire the property in Gordon for future road infrastructure and proceed as outlined in the report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

177

Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy

File: S08355

Vide: GB.3

To allow Council to consider the public submissions from the exhibition of the draft Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Hall/Anderson)

That the matter be deferred to the next Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held on 28 June 2011.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

178

Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2012- 2015

File: S08351

Vide: GB.4

For Council to adopt the revised draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2012-2015, incorporating the budget, capital works program, special rate variation (subject to Minister's approval) and fees and charges for 2011/2012.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Keays/Szatow) 

A.     That Council adopt the draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2012-2015, incorporating the Budget, Capital Works Program, Special Rate Variation (Subject to the IPART’s approval) and Fees and Charges for 2011/2012 as amended.

B.     That should the Minister for Local Government approve Council's application for a special variation for the Environmental Special Rate:

1.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00104098 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

2.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00576030 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as business in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

3.      an environmental special rate in the dollar of $0.00011307 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

4.      an infrastructure special rate in the dollar of $0.00049194 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a $265 base amount for an infrastructure category, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

5.      a new facilities special rate in the dollar of $0.00007568 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

6.      the minimum rate for both residential and business be set at $442.00 for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

7.      the voluntary pensioner rebate be granted to all eligible pensioners as a flat percentage of 11% of total rates and charges in 2011/2012.

8.      the General Manager and Director Corporate be delegated to negotiate and establish Council’s new loan account of $11,500,000 and the Common Seal be affixed to all required documents.

C.     That should the Minister for Local Government not approve Council's application for a special variation for the environmental special rate:

1.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.0010473 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

2.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00576136 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as business in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

3.      an environmental special rate in the dollar of $0.00010865 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

4.      an infrastructure special rate in the dollar of $0.00049194 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a $265 base amount for an infrastructure category, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

5.      a new facilities special rate in the dollar of $0.00007568 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

6.      The minimum rate for both residential and business be set at $442.00 for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

7.      The voluntary pensioner rebate be granted to all eligible pensioners as a flat percentage of 11% of total rates and charges in 2011/2012.

8.      the General Manager and Director Corporate be delegated to negotiate and establish Council’s new loan account of $11,500,000 and the Common Seal be affixed to all required documents.

D.     That the charge for the Domestic Waste Management base service with green waste be set at $335.00 per residential property per annum excluding flats and home units.

E.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management base service without green waste be set at $245.00 per annum.

F.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management service be set at $300.00 per residential property per annum for flats and home units.

G.     That the charge for an additional green waste service be set at $115.00 per container, per annum.

H.     That the charge for a 240 litre waste bin with green waste be set at $445.00 per annum, excluding flats and home units.

I.      That the charge for a 240 litre waste container without green waste be set at $355.00 per annum, excluding flats and home units.

J.     That the charge for a 240 litre waste container for flats and home units be set at $435.00 per annum.

K.     That the charge for the provision of an additional 120 litre waste bin, per bin, per annum be set at $140.00.

L.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management on vacant land be charged at $150.00 per annum, per residential property.

M.    That the annual waste management charge be set at $230.00 per business service provided or proposed to be provided.

N.    That the Stormwater Management Charge be set as follows:

- Strata / Company titled residential home units:     $12.50 per unit

- Strata / Company titled business units:                   $12.50 per unit

- Other residential property:                                       $25.00 per rateable property

- Business rateable property:                                     $25.00 per 350 square metres of Land area (a maximum charge of $1,500 applies to land area greater than 21,000 square metres)

O.     That the following adjustments be made to the capital works program to provide $200,000 towards the public domain works at the Princes Street shopping precinct:

·        Footpath program – defer Walker Avenue , St Ives - $36,200.

·        Footpath program - reduce various reconstruction works by $30,000.

·        Traffic facilities - remove funding for Woodbury Road of $60,000.

·        Tree planting - reduce by $28,000

·        Building maintenance works - reduce by $48,000.

P.     That the capital works program for 2011/12 be adjusted to cater for the shortfall of funding for Balmaringa Reserve Playground as detailed below:

·        Turramurra Memorial Park. Implementation of Stage 2 of the Landscape Master Plan – reduce funding by $40,000.

·        Bicentennial Park. Playground upgrade near Community Hall – reduce funding by $21,000.

·        Bicentennial Park. Park upgrade including landscaping, furniture and lighting - reduce funding by $20,000.

Q.       That the capital works program for years 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 be adjusted as identified in the Internal Consultation section of this report.

R.       That the delivery program be amended to include the adjustments to the public toilets upgrade program as shown in Attachment A1.

S.       That Council acknowledge the formal submissions made on the draft Operational Plan and Delivery Program 2012-2015 and respond to the authors with the outcomes.

For the Resolution:                 The Mayor, Councillor I Cross, Councillors Holland, Keays, McDonald and Szatow

Against the Resolution:           Councillors Anderson and Hall

179

Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2012 - 2015

File: S08351

Vide GB.4

Notice of Rescission by Councillors McDonald, Szatow and Anderson dated 14 June 2011

"We, the undersigned Councillors, hereby rescind Part P of Item GB.4.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Anderson/Szatow)

That Part P of Minute No 178 be deleted from the Resolution so that the Minute reads:

A.     That Council adopt the draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2012-2015, incorporating the Budget, Capital Works Program, Special Rate Variation (Subject to the IPART’s approval) and Fees and Charges for 2011/2012 as amended.

B.     That should the Minister for Local Government approve Council's application for a special variation for the Environmental Special Rate:

1.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00104098 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

2.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00576030 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as business in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

3.      an environmental special rate in the dollar of $0.00011307 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

4.      an infrastructure special rate in the dollar of $0.00049194 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a $265 base amount for an infrastructure category, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

5.      a new facilities special rate in the dollar of $0.00007568 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

6.      the minimum rate for both residential and business be set at $442.00 for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

7.      the voluntary pensioner rebate be granted to all eligible pensioners as a flat percentage of 11% of total rates and charges in 2011/2012.

8.      the General Manager and Director Corporate be delegated to negotiate and establish Council’s new loan account of $11,500,000 and the Common Seal be affixed to all required documents.

C.     That should the Minister for Local Government not approve Council's application for a special variation for the environmental special rate:

1.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.0010473 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

2.      an ordinary rate in the dollar of $0.00576136 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as business in the Council area be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

3.      an environmental special rate in the dollar of $0.00010865 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

4.      an infrastructure special rate in the dollar of $0.00049194 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a $265 base amount for an infrastructure category, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

5.      a new facilities special rate in the dollar of $0.00007568 on the unimproved capital value of all rateable land categorised as residential or business in the Council area, with a zero base amount, be made for the period of 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

6.      The minimum rate for both residential and business be set at $442.00 for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

7.      The voluntary pensioner rebate be granted to all eligible pensioners as a flat percentage of 11% of total rates and charges in 2011/2012.

8.      the General Manager and Director Corporate be delegated to negotiate and establish Council’s new loan account of $11,500,000 and the Common Seal be affixed to all required documents.

D.     That the charge for the Domestic Waste Management base service with green waste be set at $335.00 per residential property per annum excluding flats and home units.

E.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management base service without green waste be set at $245.00 per annum.

F.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management service be set at $300.00 per residential property per annum for flats and home units.

G.     That the charge for an additional green waste service be set at $115.00 per container, per annum.

H.     That the charge for a 240 litre waste bin with green waste be set at $445.00 per annum, excluding flats and home units.

I.      That the charge for a 240 litre waste container without green waste be set at $355.00 per annum, excluding flats and home units.

J.     That the charge for a 240 litre waste container for flats and home units be set at $435.00 per annum.

K.     That the charge for the provision of an additional 120 litre waste bin, per bin, per annum be set at $140.00.

L.     That the charge for Domestic Waste Management on vacant land be charged at $150.00 per annum, per residential property.

M.    That the annual waste management charge be set at $230.00 per business service provided or proposed to be provided.

N.    That the Stormwater Management Charge be set as follows:

- Strata / Company titled residential home units:     $12.50 per unit

- Strata / Company titled business units:                   $12.50 per unit

- Other residential property:                                       $25.00 per rateable property

- Business rateable property:                                     $25.00 per 350 square metres of Land area (a maximum charge of $1,500 applies to land area greater than 21,000 square metres)

O.     That the following adjustments be made to the capital works program to provide $200,000 towards the public domain works at the Princes Street shopping precinct:

·        Footpath program – defer Walker Avenue , St Ives - $36,200.

·        Footpath program - reduce various reconstruction works by $30,000.

·        Traffic facilities - remove funding for Woodbury Road of $60,000.

·        Tree planting - reduce by $28,000

·        Building maintenance works - reduce by $48,000.

P.       That the capital works program for years 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 be adjusted as identified in the Internal Consultation section of this report.

Q.       That the delivery program be amended to include the adjustments to the public toilets upgrade program as shown in Attachment A1.

R.       That Council acknowledge the formal submissions made on the draft Operational Plan and Delivery Program 2012-2015 and respond to the authors with the outcomes.

For the Resolution:                 The Mayor, Councillor I Cross, Councillors Holland, McDonald, Szatow, Anderson and Hall

Against the Resolution:           Councillor Keays

180

Tender T32/2011 - Balmaringa Reserve Playground Upgrade

File: S08537

Vide: GB.7

To consider the tenders received for the refurbishment and upgrade of Balmaringa Reserve Playground, South Turramurra, and appoint the preferred tenderer.

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors McDonald/Hall)

The Tender T32/2011 - Balmaringa Reserve Playground Upgrade be deferred for further consideration of other sources of funding for the shortfall as identified in the report.

For the Resolution:              The Mayor, Councillor I Cross, Councillors McDonald, Szatow, Anderson and Hall

Against the Resolution:        Councillors Holland and Keays

181

Mahratta Curtilage Park Proposal to Install a Fence and Open the Park for Use

File: S08217

Vide: NM.1

Notice of Rescission from Councillors Anderson, Keays, Szatow, Hall, Hardwick and McDonald dated 27 May 2011

We, the undersigned Councillors hereby seek to rescind the following Resolution of Council at its meeting of 24 May 2011 being -Minute No161 as follows:

"A.     That Council finalise the design plans for the boundary fencing at 1536 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga together with any required approvals from the NSW Heritage Council to enable calling of quotes/ tenders for the erection of a suitable side boundary fence and new gateway to facilitate the opening of the park for public use.

B.      That the proposed concept plan for the Council reserve at 1536 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga be endorsed in principle by Council.

C.      That leasing and licensing options for the residual land at the rear of Council’s site and any encroachment issues be further reviewed by Council’s Community Department with a report back to Council."

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Anderson/Szatow)

That the above Notice of Rescission as printed be adopted.

For the Resolution:                 Councillors Hardwick, Holland, Keays, McDonald, Szatow, Anderson and Hall

Against the Resolution:           The Mayor, Councillor I Cross

182

Mahratta Curtilage Park Proposal to Install a Fence and Open the Park for Use

File: S08217

Vide: NM.1

Resolved:

(Moved: Councillors Anderson/Szatow)

A.     That Council accept the EOI from Taylor Brammer to prepare a conservation management plan for the Council owned Mahratta State Heritage listed curtilage known as 1536 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga.

B.     That at least 2 months be given to the consultants to complete the work.

C.                 That upon receipt of the conservation management plan, Council staff report back to Council on the consultant’s report to assist and guide in the future design and management of the proposed park.

D.                 That a Section 60 Application not be progressed until the completion of the Conservation Management Plan and consideration by the Council of the abovementioned Staff report.

For the Resolution:                 Councillors Hardwick, Holland, Keays, McDonald, Szatow, Anderson and Hall

Against the Resolution:           The Mayor, Councillor I Cross

183

Change of Name - Hassell Park and Hassell Street, St Ives

File: S02285

Vide: QWN.1

Question Without Notice from Councillor Tony Hall

Would you please have formally referred to the Geographical Names Board the name change of Hassell Park and the adjacent street name in St Ives to HASSALL, with an 'a', which was named after the then Minister for Lands, the Hon TH Hassall MLA, who officiated at its opening in 1899?

Answer by the Mayor

The General Manager will look into it.

184

Code of Conduct Recording

File: CY00303

Vide: QWN.2

Question Without Notice from Councillor Tony Hall

I refer to the tape of the debate on code of conduct issues against me in Council's meeting of 22 March 2011, issued to me at a cost of $31.35 (Invoice 84410).

When I played the tape and checked my Solicitor's attendance notes against it, I found that the tape was NOT a correct copy of that meeting.  A question asked by Councillor Malicki and the General Manager's answer thereto had been deleted.  Accordingly, I return this tape and ask the said Invoice in my name be withdrawn.

Answer by the Mayor

I will speak to the General Manager about it.

185

Code of Meeting Practice

File: S02211

Vide: QWN.3

Question Without Notice from Councillor Jennifer Anderson

I refer to the Question Without Notice on the Code of Meeting Practice wherein the answer is "A review of the Code of Meeting Practice confirms that there is nothing in the Code regarding Ward Councillors receiving the first call to speak on an item on the agenda".

Does this answer mean correct meeting procedure requires the call to the first person with their light on?

Answer by the General Manager

In terms of the legislation, the answer would be Yes.  I think as we said on the night, it has been a matter of protocol here in times where the sitting Mayor has chosen to give preference but according to the legislation that need not be the case, the first light on should receive the call.

Question by the Mayor

At the Mayor's choice by the sound of it and at this point in time, General Manager - is that not so?  If there is nothing in the Code of Conduct, Code of Meeting Practice that means that the Mayor at the time can nominate a Ward Councillor even though someone else has put their light on, earlier.

Answer by the General Manager

No, strictly speaking Mr Mayor, and Mr Clark will correct me that in the Code of Meeting Practice says that speakers will be called in order on which they registered to speak.

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.1 / 22

Item GB.1

S03271

15 June 2011

purpose of report:

To report to Council on the contractual conditions of senior staff in accordance with Section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993.

background:

Section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993

states:

The General Manager must, at least once annually, report to Council on the contractual conditions of senior staff

comments:

This report provides Council with details regarding the contractual conditions of senior staff, namely, the five (5) Directors and the position of General Manager

recommendation:

That Council receive and note the report.

Recommendation:

That Council receive and note the report.

John McKee

General Manager

Attachments:

A1

Senior Staff Contractual - circulated separately to General Manager and Councillors ONLY

Excluded

Confidential

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.2 / 25

Item GB.2

S07857

17 June 2011

purpose of report:

To advise Council of the outcome of the trial use of the former Council Training Rooms at the Old Gordon School Building Gordon, as multi-purpose community rooms.

background:

Council resolved on 25 May 2010 to establish 2 new community meeting rooms  in the former training rooms space and for staff investigate options to alleviate study space shortages in the Gordon Library during the HSC period.

Council also received Federal Government funding to carry out improvements to this area - which have now been completed.

comments:

The meeting rooms were available for casual hire prior to the improvements, and then for both casual and permanent hire following the completion of the works.

The current configuration, as multipurpose community meeting rooms, allows the maximum flexibility for user groups. This arrangement has been functioning well, and with priority given to HSC students during September and October, has alleviated the study space shortage previously experienced at the Gordon Library.

recommendation:

That Council receive and note this report, and that usage of Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 in the Old School Building at Gordon continue as community meeting rooms on the same basis as throughout the trial period.

Recommendation:

A.       That Council receive and note this report.

B.       That Meeting Room 1 and Meeting Room 2 in the Old School Building at Gordon be available for permanent and casual hire in accordance with Council’s Policy for the Management of Community & Recreation Land and Facilities.

Mark Taylor

Manager Community & Recreation Services

Janice Bevan

Director Community

Attachments:

A1View

Floor Plan Meeting Room 2

2011/120794

APPENDIX No: 1 - Floor Plan Meeting Room 2

Item No: GB.2

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.3 / 31

Item GB.3

S07466

1 June 2011

purpose of report:

To advise Council that the Pymble Turramurra Kindergarten (the Kindergarten) has exercised their option for a further period of five years and to request the Mayor and General Manager  authorise the documentation. 

background:

The Kindergarten has been in continuous operation since 1962 and currently occupies the site under a holding over basis. The Kindergarten has exercised their 5 year option to renew the lease.

comments:

The first option, for a period of three years commenced on 6 August 2005 and expired on 5 August 2008 (the expired lease).  A resolution is not required to grant the 5 year option as this has previously been obtained. However, it is necessary for Council to resolve that the Mayor and the General Manager sign the documentation and affix the common seal to the option documents.

recommendation:

That Council resolve that the Mayor and General Manager sign the documentation and affix the Common Seal to the option documents. 

Recommendation:

That the Mayor and General Manager, under their delegation, be authorised to execute the lease option agreement with the Pymble Turramurra Kindergarten.

Mary McCafferty

Senior Leasing Officer

Mark Taylor

Manager Community & Recreation Services

Janice Bevan

Director Community

Attachments:

A1View

Heads of Agreement document

2011/104943

APPENDIX No: 1 - Heads of Agreement document

Item No: GB.3

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.4 / 45

Item GB.4

S05273

13 June 2011

purpose of report:

To present to Council investment allocations and returns on investments for May 2011.

background:

Council’s investments are reported monthly to Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 and Council’s Investment Policy.

comments:

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) retained the official cash rate at 4.75% in May 2011.

recommendation:

That the summary of investments and performance for May 2011 be received and noted.  That the Certificate of the Responsible Accounting Officer be noted and the report adopted.

Recommendation

A.      That the summary of investments and performance for May 2011 be received and noted.

B.      That the Certificate of the Responsible Accounting Officer be noted and the report adopted.

Tony Ly

Financial Accounting Officer

Tino Caltabiano

Manager Finance

John Clark

Director Corporate

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.5 / 62

Item GB.5

S08355

16 June 2011

purpose of report:

To allow Council to consider the public submissions from the exhibition of the draft Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy.

background:

On 22 March 2011, Council resolved to place the draft
Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy on formal public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days, and that a report be brought back to Council at the conclusion of the exhibition period.

comments:

24 submissions were received, including from local interest groups, state agencies and transport stakeholders. Individual submissions have been summarised and tabulated, and a response to the issues raised has been provided.

recommendation:

That Council adopt the final draft of the Integrated Transport Strategy, to guide the preparation of the
Ku-ring-gai Principal LEP.

Recommendation:

A.       That Council note the submissions to the draft Integrated Transport Strategy.

B.       That the final draft of the Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy be adopted with the following changes, to guide the preparation of the Ku-ring-gai Principal LEP:

1.       Updated State Government agency names;

2.       Reference to" Transport NSW" as Responsible Organisation in Section 7.4 amended to "RTA".

3.       Delete reference to Federal Government in Action D5 and D6 of Table 11.

C.       That all persons who made a submission be notified of Council’s decision.

Joseph Piccoli

Strategic Traffic Engineer

Antony Fabbro

Manager Urban & Heritage Planning

Andrew Watson

Director Strategy & Environment

Attachments:

A1View

Summary of submissions and responses

2011/124683

A2View

Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy - Final Draft

2011/112678

APPENDIX No: 1 - Summary of submissions and responses

Item No: GB.5

A number of car parks in Ku-ring-gai charge for parking, which deters commuters from catching trains.

Cyclists are required to wear helmets because they ride fast, but helmets not needed for slower riders. Requests Council to lobby State Government to change law.

Suggests Council lobby State Government to install free breath testing machines in licensed venues, as a way to reduce road accidents.

Ku-ring-gai Council has 1 car park (in Killara) used by commuters that has parking charges. All other commuter car parks and Council car parks are free.

Council is unlikely to initiate or support changes to laws regarding bicycle helmets. The suggested review of the Ku-ring-gai Bicycle Plan (Action C1) is expected to incorporate actions related to education programs which would also target rider behaviour and safety

RTA currently offers venues use/installation of an approved breathalyser on a temporary lease during campaigns, then up to licensee to take up breathalyser permanently (at their own cost/maintenance).

No change recommended

Indented bays should be provided at all bus stops, so that buses can pull in and not be a hindrance to following traffic. Similarly, they should be provided at post boxes.

The Department of Transport suggests that the need for indented bus bays in Ku-ring-gai would be limited to Ryde Rd/Mona Vale Rd, subject to space availability and consultation with RTA. Transport NSW does not generally support indented bus bays because they disrupt bus flow due to delays on re-entering the traffic stream. Bus bays are usually only appropriate on main roads where bus priority measures can be implemented to prevent delays to buses.

Also, consistent with Action D7, Council will work with RTA, Department of Transport and bus operators to improve bus priority at critical locations, which would improve reliability and travel times.

No change recommended

Addition to Section 7 (Walking and Cycling Plan), suggestion that the council consider adding a walking/cycle path along the length of the Comenarra Parkway through to the end of Yanko Road, and reducing the vehicle speed limit on this route to 40 km/hr.

The suggested route could be considered as part of the review of the Bike Plan, which is expected to commence some time in the 2nd half of 2011, and is also one of the actions of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy (C1). The review will consider the appropriateness of existing routes as well as opportunities for new routes.

No change recommended

There is a large gap/height difference between the train and the platform at the southern end of Turramurra railway station (for northbound trains), which is difficult for elderly passengers to cross.

This matter should be referred to Railcorp/Department of Transport, for their consideration.

Refer to Railcorp

Proposes that planners utilise the margins of the north shore rail corridor as a cycleway. This would separate bikes and cars eliminating much of the frustration that cyclists and motorists experience when the two different traffic modes try and share the same roads.

Greater public use of the rail corridors could improve these degraded areas. Greater visibility would also deter graffiti vandals.

Encouraging cycle use conveys important community health benefits both for the individual and for the community.

There may be funding available from the RTA that some councils have not accessed in the past due to being unaware of it.

A proposed regional route roughly along the North Shore railway line in Ku-ring-gai is shown in the NSW Bike Plan 2010, but with low priority. In accordance with Actions C1 and C2, Council will seek include this regional route in the review of the Ku-ring-gai Bike Plan.

Support for cycling noted.

Section 11.1 of the draft report discusses funding opportunities, and Council is aware of 50/50 funding available for cycleways and bicycle support facilities under the RTA program, and has made applications for various cycle facilities under the 2011/2012 program, and will continue to do so, to help fund the review and implementation of the Ku-ring-gai Bike Plan.

No change recommended

Enquiring if Council has a current Policy on matters that affect transport namely:

·           Advertising on bus and taxis shelters;

·           Issuing car stickers to residents;

·           Charging non-residents for parking in existing or significantly increased car parking areas provided for commuters such as the Gordon station multi-level car park;

·           Charging for parking with the introduction of meters to discourage street parking;

·           Developing private/public partnerships to develop parking for commuters integrated with commercial business opportunities.

Also enquiring if costings/ timeframes been done for an extensive bicycle network throughout Ku-ring-gai to encourage use of bicycles but reduce risk to riders?

Council has a policy that advertising on bus shelters will only be considered for those shelters on main roads.

Council currently has an adopted Traffic and Transport Policy, which sets out Council's policy position on traffic and transport issues in Ku-ring-gai, including resident parking schemes. This policy was also used as a background document in the development of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy.

Council has also adopted the Town Centres Parking Management Plan, which considers the supply, demand and management of parking as redevelopment occurs in the 6 town centres. It also covers some of the issues of commuter parking around railway stations, and briefly discusses paid parking. Implementation of the Parking Management Plan is Action F1 in the draft Integrated Transport Strategy. Investigation of paid parking is also one of the actions of the draft Strategy (F4). Railcorp does not currently charge commuters for parking in their commuter car parks.

There is not currently a Council policy regarding the development of private/public partnerships for commuter parking integrated with commercial business opportunities. Commuter parking at stations is generally a NSW government responsibility, and Action D9 recommends Council work with NSW Department of Transport to increase the supply of commuter parking at railway stations. However, Council would also like to encourage alternative modes of travel, particularly to town centres already served by rail stations and bus services.

It is proposed to review the existing bike plan in 2011/2012, which is also one of the actions of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy (C1). New routes, costings, timeframes and funding opportunities/constraints for bicycle projects and facilities would be one of the factors that the review would address.

No change recommended

In favour of expanding parking at Turramurra railway station and encouraging greater use of train and buses.

Strongly oppose the State Government created Planning Councils - and their plan to increase density in Turramurra - prefer 'small village' style, not like Chatswood.

Would like return of better bus services along The Chase Road.

Action D9 also recommends Council work with NSW Department of Transport to increase the supply of commuter parking at railway stations. However, Council would also like to encourage alternative modes of travel, particularly to town centres already served by rail stations and bus services.

The purpose of the ITS is to provide transport responses in the context of the Town Centres LEP, Metropolitan Strategy and transport needs of residents generally.

Routes and timetables for bus services are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. These were last reviewed in Ku-ring-gai in 2008/2009.The potential to reintroduce bus services in The Chase Road could be raised with the Department of Transport at the next review.

No change recommended

Consideration be given to liaising with the NSW Government to have provision for car parking constructed above the railway stations or above the railway lines in Ku-ring-gai. This strategy would be of assistance to rail commuters and attract residents to use rail transport and help relieve congestion on the roads, and no private or commercial properties would need to be resumed. Similar car parking provision has been provided in other areas of Sydney.

Railcorp have indicated that development of parking facilities over the rail corridor is not cost effective, and Railcorp would be hesitant to agree to such a proposal. However, Action D9 recommends Council work with NSW Department of Transport to increase the supply of commuter parking at railway stations, so this is likely to be surface options rather than above the rail corridor.

Alternatively, Council would also like to encourage other modes of travel, particularly to town centres already served by rail stations and bus services, and this is acknowledged in section 1.2 (Objectives) of the Strategy.

No change recommended

Support the visions and recommendation for cyclists, particularly C2 and C3, especially the provision of secure bicycle parking at railway stations.

There should be more emphasis on the role of motor scooters.  In particular, strategy D9 should include the provision of dedicated, secure, (ideally undercover) parking for scooters near railway stations. F3 could be expanded to include scooters in the proposed dedicated parking for car share vehicles. This appears as an opportunity in Table 5 but has not found its way into the recommendations.

Support noted.

The Town Centres Parking Management Plan considers the supply, demand and management of parking as redevelopment occurs in the 6 town centres. It also covers the issues of commuter parking around railway stations, and considers parking strategies for motorcycles/motor scooters. Implementation of the Parking Management Plan is Action F1 in the draft Integrated Transport Strategy.

No change recommended

Has concern when trying to find somewhere to stop safely and within the road rules when dropping family members off at Pymble station.

Requests consideration be given to providing a drop off zone similar to those at Gordon and Turramurra.

The Town Centres Parking Management Plan considers the supply, demand and management of parking as redevelopment occurs in the 6 town centres. It also covers the issues of commuter parking around railway stations and passenger drop off and pick up. There are strategies to improve commuter drop off and pick up facilities around Pymble station. Implementation of the Parking Management Plan is Action F1 in the draft Integrated Transport Strategy.

No change recommended

Suggestion of a cycle link between proposed Fiddens Wharf cycle track on Council’s current bike plan (or Bradfield Rd) and Plassey Rd (leading to Riverside Corporate Park area) - via a walkway/cycleway over the Lane Cove River.  Such a link would allow bikes to avoid the dangerous lower part of Delhi Rd, plus provide a more direct route for the significant amount of cyclists that travel to/from Riverside.

The suggested route could be considered as part of the review of the Bike Plan, which is expected to commence some time in the 2nd half of 2011, and is also one of the actions of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy (C1). The review will consider the appropriateness of existing routes as well as opportunities for new routes such as this one, but new infrastructure provision would be subject to funding availability and concurrence from other stakeholders such as NSW National Parks.

No change recommended

There is nothing sustainable covered in this report as Ku-ring-gai heads towards an over-populated and over-crowded future.

Various methods of reducing congestion are discussed such as building the F3 to M2 connection, restricting parking, better public transport, improving intersections and pinch-spots and so on. The reality is, however, that for Ku-ring-gai it will never be possible to build enough roads to ease congestion and improvements will simply allow more people to drive instead of catching the train, to decide to live further from work and to leave later in the morning, until the congestion again reaches the point when the reverse decisions are made. However, many of the proposed improvements will improve safety and accessibility outside peak periods and thus are worthwhile.

Significant increases in the cost of fuel might well lead to different transport choices and demographic changes. Similarly, congestion pricing on roads will, if severe enough, also reduce congestion.  Council needs to understand them, be prepared for them and to lobby for or against them.

Given the goals of the NSROC Plan, Ku-ring-gai Council should consider including in the ITS a proposal for the introduction of an urban based levy on the owners of private cars which travel more than a set distance each calendar year. This would serve as a de facto cost increase for local commuters who choose not to use the public transport system.

The North Shore railway line is already congested and has limited additional peak capacity. Buses will mostly have to battle through narrow roads with other traffic. It is difficult to understand how these modes will be of much help as population inexorably increases.

Heavy reliance by Ku-ring-gai residents on private vehicles, high level of vehicle ownership, high proportion of residents who either work from home or are no longer working and 25% of residents live within walking distance of a rail station indicate feasibility for an innovative “community taxi” system using local resident’s private vehicles to provide access to local and intra-regional bus and railroad systems.

Support extension of the cycling network, however, a narrow strip on the side of a narrow road with car parking allowed along it will not attract many users; better to build no bicycle routes than to build dangerous ones.

Proposals for mountain bike trails have almost nothing to do with road cycling and that reference in the report is inappropriate.

No reference to added congestion from the development planned at and around the Adventist Hospital, the UTS site and the sporting complexes and further residential development proposed at the end of Bobbin Head Rd.

Time frames of 5 years for short-term and 10 for long-term are far too short. 5, 10 and 25-year horizons would be more appropriate.

Report discusses population age and demographics, however it would be a mistake to assume that will be the case forever.

As population increases in Ku-ring-gai we lose part of our built heritage and natural ecosystems. Transport needs will inevitably produce demands for roads and rail through bushland as well as for other infrastructure. Polluted stormwater runoff will increasingly degrade our streams and their surrounds. Does not agree that environment will be protected and that it will all be sustainable.

Rather using the report to lobby for matters Council’s control, Council should be more outspoken on the very real threats to the quality of life in Ku-ring-gai, so many of which are reflected in the future for transport. There is nothing sustainable about unlimited growth and we face a very unsustainable future.

The objectives in section 1.2 have sustainability elements embedded, such as reducing the need to travel and length of trips, and making it safe for people to access goods, services and destinations particularly by public transport walking and cycling. The actions in the strategy directly address the objectives. Broader sustainability context and drivers (outside Council’s control) are discussed in an additional section 2.5, which will be added to the final strategy report.

The strategy recognises that building new roads is not generally an appropriate response to transport pressures in Sydney. Therefore, the only new road link proposed is the F3 to M2 link. All other road network related measures focus on increasing capacity of the existing road network through traffic management measures and localised improvements.

Energy costs, congestion pricing and distance-based levying is beyond the scope of Council’s responsibilities.

See above comments.

Some capacity improvements are possible on the North Shore line through a combination of additional train sets coming into operation and other measures listed in D11 (Implement changes to City Rail timetable). Significant improvements to bus travel are possible by giving buses priority over private vehicle traffic as discussed in the strategy.

A community taxi is unlikely to be successful and emphasis should be on cost-effective mass transit systems.

The current approach to the provision of cycle facilities is that only high quality facilities are constructed and these must meet relevant design standards.

Cycling levels will increase if all forms of cycling are supported.

Therefore, proposals for mountain bike trails are considered important in that they help to build confidence for bicycle riders, not only as a form of recreation, but also to develop a sense and encourage cycling as a broader means of travel

The strategy considers general changes in demand in the future and this takes into account major new developments.

The suggested timeframes of short (0-5yrs), and medium (5-10yrs) are appropriate, with “ongoing” indicating longer (10+yrs) timeframes

Current demographic projections suggests that an ageing population will be an issue for the next 25 years, which is within the timeframes considered in the Strategy.

Growth in Ku-ring-gai needs to be considered in the context of overall planned growth in Sydney and not in isolation. The Strategy responds to and seeks to manage transport issues and impacts associated with population growth, and it is beyond the scope of the Strategy for it to control growth. The development of any new transport infrastructure will need to take into consideration environmental impacts.

Council has regularly been voicing its opinion on these matters with all levels of government and in the public arena.

Add section 2.5 (External Drivers) to Strategy document

No other changes recommended

Suggestion to introduce 40km/h speed limit on Pacific Hwy through Gordon town centre, which would appear to be a low cost and reasonable approach that would improve safety and should also reduce noise and emissions.

A tunnel under Pacific Hwy from Ravenswood School to somewhere past the Mona Vale Rd/ Ryde Rd interchange would transform Gordon in ways which would be lauded for many years, and would by-pass one of the major accident spots in Sydney.

The RTA are responsible for setting speeds on the Pacific Highway and would not agree to lowering the speed limit, although it may consider lower (40km/h) speed limits on adjoining local roads in town centres as part of the High Pedestrian Activity Area program.

RTA has no plans for a tunnel under Pacific Hwy. However, road upgrades on Pacific Hwy and local roads in the Gordon town centre are proposed to manage traffic associated with the growth planned in the Town Centres LEP. This is discussed under Action E3. Also, as suggested in Action E2, Council would work with RTA to investigate and implement upgrades and solutions to critical intersections and pinch points in Ku-ring-gai.

No change recommended

Ku-ring-gai’s dwelling targets, whether for 2030 (in fact 2031), or for 2036, were not, as claimed in the draft report, set “with collaboration with local councils”. The relevance of this is that Ku-ring-gai’s infrastructure, including its transport infrastructure, is already well beyond maximum capacity.

No mention is made of Ku-ring-gai’s built and natural heritage and neighbourhood character, and how transport action plans and strategies might respect and contribute to these key values. This is a significant omission. Transport strategies and action plans need to be devised and implemented in ways which respect, contribute to, and reinforce, Ku-ring-gai’s built and natural heritage and neighbourhood character, rather than destroy or degrade it.

The North West rail link will represent a further loss of rail capacity for Ku-ring-gai residents to the city, as Ku-ring-gai rail services are inevitably reduced to allow for rail services from those new links to travel through Chatswood to the city and return. This has already occurred since the opening of the Chatswood-Epping link. The Sydney Harbour Bridge rail capacity is already close to, if not at, its peak-hour maximum for the number of train crossings, preventing scope for an increase in the number of hourly crossings.

The transport strategy needs to reflect the outcomes of the Comprehensive LEP, rather than pre-empt them.

The draft report anticipates ‘Expansion of retail in Park Crescent” under the Town Centres LEP (2.4.2). but the LEP is subject to Land And Environment Court proceedings, which could result in the LEP being found invalid. This would raise the prospect of a less intensive, but more appropriate, scale of development of the Pymble village shops.

Council agreed to dwelling targets set in the draft North Subregion Strategy, and acknowledges its role in providing future growth for Sydney. The role of the Ku-ring-gai ITS is to manage and provide the transport needs of Ku-ring-gai in the best/efficient/sustainable manner in the context of future growth.

A key focus of the ITS in managing future transport needs is a move away from a the existing heavy reliance on private motor vehicles to a greater emphasis on more sustainable transport modes. This will go a long way to protecting and potentially enhancing the existing the neighbourhood character outside of areas where future growth is planned. There is no major transport infrastructure proposed in any areas outside of where future growth has already been planned and therefore does not pose any threat to the existing built and natural heritage and neighbourhood character those areas.

Action D2 acknowledges that additional capacity is required at critical locations elsewhere on the City Rail network for the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link and the North West Rail Link to accommodate services at an acceptable frequency.

Council’s adopted planning proposal for its Principal (comprehensive) LEP does not propose any future growth in Ku-ring-gai. The ITS responds to the transport needs of growth already planned for under existing planning instruments, which satisfy the current state government requirements until 2031

At the time of this report, the Town Centres LEP was a valid instrument and is being treated as such for the purposes of the ITS.

No change recommended

It is impossible to solve the current problems without state Government funding and support and coordination

Ku-ring-gai residents currently find it difficult to board peak hour trains on the north shore line, let alone find a seat. It is virtually impossible for the elderly/disabled/mothers with prams. Lack of heating or air conditioning is another issue.

Request for lifts at Pymble, Killara and Roseville railway stations, to encourage more people to use existing public (train) transport and not use cars for short journeys.

Gridlock on Ryde Road, Mona Vale Rd & Pacific Hwy is caused by traffic (often only one person per car) travelling through Ku-ring-gai. It's a Sydney/Central Coast problem.

An alternative means of travelling to Macquarie Park & North Ryde from the east/north must be implemented, with a suggestion for a peak hour transit lane as a short term solution with shuttle buses.

The road surface of Pacific Hwy through Ku-ring-gai needs to be maintained at a level which reflects general use including heavy vehicles. Damage in the main is not caused by Ku-ring-gai residents.

Agree. Many actions within the Strategy rely on Government funding and support. Collaboration with state government is envisaged in a number of actions.

Some capacity improvements are possible on the North Shore line through a combination of additional train sets coming into operation and other measures listed in D11 (Implement changes to City Rail timetable).

Action D10 (Provide accessible access to all rail stations and bus stops) supports increasing the number of rail stations in Ku-ring-gai with easy access provisions, although it is unlikely that lifts would be provided at Pymble, Killara and Roseville railway stations in the short term.

The ITS responds to future growth of Macquarie Park area with actions that provide transport solutions for access to the area particularly from Ku-ring-gai, including Actions D5 (Implement strategic bus corridors through Ku-ring-gai), D6 (Introduce new Metrobus services) and D7 (Improve bus priority measures at critical locations).

Action D6 (Introduce new Metrobus Services) and Action D7 (Improve bus priority measures at critical locations) would help to improve an alternative means of travel.

Noted. Arterial road maintenance and surfacing is the responsibility of the Roads and Traffic Authority.

No change recommended

With reference to Actions D1 and D2, if the Sydney CBD and cross Harbour rail capacity is to be expanded, should be to a smaller metro-style profile.  More frequent metro style services would allow more/faster services.  A future (mostly underground) extension of the metro service to St Ives, with an intermediate station near the Pymble business park, would also be possible to replace the shuttle-bus proposal.  The new cross Harbour capacity would also allow a metro style service between the Sydney CBD and Warringah to be provided.

With reference to Action D4, author has provided attachment containing some discussion on an intermediate mode referred to as “light metro”.  Apart from metro conversion of inner area rail services serving the Sydney CBD, and some opportunities to provide cross regional metro-style services that utilise existing spare rail capacity outside the Sydney CBD, the high cost and capacity of new metro lines would seem to limit their applicability - draws attention to need for an intermediate mode that uses surface alignments as much as possible, while ensuring that delays from other parallel and cross traffic are minimised, to achieve commercial speeds commensurate with metro-style operation and contributing to a multi-centred trunk network.  The outline of possible corridors suited to such light metro services includes the Chatswood to Warringah corridor that have been identified.

With reference to Action E1, understands Council support for F3-M2 tunnel (potential to reduce through traffic on the Pacific Hwy) but has doubts about the value of this link. Number of recent road tunnel projects demonstrated that revenue from what road users are prepared to pay in tolls for convenience is insufficient to cover financial costs - there is a need to address public good considerations.  This takes such tunnels out of the private realm and implies that a wider range of issues needs to be addressed, including surface vs. tunnel, rail vs. road and, where applicable, metro rail vs. full profile heavy rail.

With reference to Action E3, support for Turramurra Ave to Gilroy Ave link road and the proposed road bridge over railway between Ray St and Rohini St. If and when underground parking is provided in Ray St precinct, a road/pedestrian connection under the Pacific Hwy from the Kissing Point Rd side should also be included.

Consideration of a light metro system would represent a major change to transport planning in metropolitan Sydney and is beyond the scope of this strategy.

Noted

Noted

No change recommended

Believes only a few of the themes from the visioning exercise have been incorporated into the draft strategy.

State government needs to follows through on all proposals within the State’s plan, or Ku-ring-gai will be left in a worse position. Envisages number of lanes in arterial roads reduced in order to incorporate Bus Lanes, which would work if traffic reduced and buses are supported. However, this requires F3-M2 link or there will be the same amount of traffic. Ryde Rd is gridlocked at peak hour now. With one lane less, it will stop. Without reliable public transport, more people are choosing to run a car.

Since the State introduced its plan, it has reduced train and bus services in Ku-ring-gai e.g. Epping Rd, which has a completely empty bus lane alongside struggling car traffic. Bus lanes are being created, but with no similar increase in bus services. Additional commuter parking and trains needed – extent of on-street commuter parking increasing.

As the population ages, in an area predominantly occupied by the elderly, it is unreasonable to expect them all to walk or cycle. Commuter parking should not be paid parking – there is no incentive for those in cars to choose public transport.

The RTA and State should be tackling these issues, and Ku-ring-gai should provide transport to local hubs only, thus supporting the aged in the community, as well as giving support to local shops and businesses. If a successful transport network can be created, information should be available to all the community (including the aged with no access to computers) in an accessible and simple manner.

All themes were reviewed and those deemed to be appropriate were included in the draft strategy.

Action E1 endorses the planning and construction of the F3 to M2 link, and  Actions D5 (Implement strategic bus corridors through Ku-ring-gai), D6 (Introduce new Metrobus services) and D7 (Improve bus priority measures at critical locations) seek to improve bus travel.

See above.

Ku-ring-gai Council has 1 car park (in Killara) used by commuters that has parking charges. All other commuter car parks and Council car parks are free. Should Council choose to introduce paid parking, it would likely be implemented in high demand time restricted areas car parks and kerbside parking in town centres (not used by commuters)

The action plans in the ITS acknowledge that a large part of the transport task is generally the responsibility of NSW Department of Transport, but the ITS serves to articulate Council’s position on strategic transport projects and issues.

Action B4 seeks to increase information and education about alternatives to car use, and access to travel information can be encouraged/included as part of Action B1 (Prepare and implement Workplace Travel Plans).

No change recommended

The ITS Draft report is based on erroneous material - refers to collaboration with local councils, which is not accurate.

Submit FOKE’s letter (31 March 2010) to former Planning Minister as comment on the draft ITS.

Considers that the draft ITS report is based on erroneous material and FOKE’s letter provides a point by point summary of the misunderstandings and inaccuracies held by the then Minister with regard to the Metropolitan Strategy and the then Draft North Subregional Strategy in relation to Ku-ring-gai. The points raised in the letter correspond to points raised in a petition with over 3,000 signatures and tabled by Mr Jonathan O’Dea MP.

Council agreed to dwelling targets set in the draft North Subregion Strategy, and acknowledges its role in providing future growth for Sydney.

At the time of this report, the Town Centres LEP was a valid instrument and is being treated as such for the purposes of the Integrated Transport Strategy. The role of the Ku-ring-gai ITS is to manage and provide the transport needs of Ku-ring-gai in the best/efficient/sustainable manner.

Sections 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 of the draft report does not appear to address the need to connect Ku-ring-gai to the following existing cycle routes:

•           from West Pymble to North Ryde (connecting to Sydney Olympic Park and Kurnell);

•           at North Turramurra.

The major difficulty in making these connections is the Ryde Rd/Pacific Hwy/Mona Vale Rd intersection. Ways of overcoming this difficulty (albeit ambitious ones) might be to create:

•           a protected cycleway on the wide median strip along Ryde Rd; or

•           (if ecologically acceptable) a paved route through the Blackbutt Reserve between Vale St Gordon and Kiparra St West Gordon.

The review of council’s Bike Plan is expected to commence some time in the 2nd half of 2011, and is also one of the actions of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy (C1). The review will consider the appropriateness of existing routes as well as opportunities for new routes and connections to existing facilities, such as those suggested, as well as a potential connection between Gordon and Ryde Rd, West Pymble.

Action C2 (Implement regional bike routes as described in the NSW Bike Plan) would cover the Chatswood to Hornsby rail trail and a route from Gordon to Mona Vale, where improved cycle access at the Pacific Hwy/Mona Vale Rd interchange could be addressed at the time.

No change recommended

City of Ryde Council submits that the Dept of Planning has been approving development at Macquarie Park without the State Government updating its other plans, indicating the growth in Macquarie Park will be far in excess of what is being considered.

The potential of Macquarie Park to become 4th largest CBD in Australia, and the transport issues for Councils, the RTA and the State Government figure prominently in all our respective planning.

Part 3A approvals have significantly exceeded the present planning controls.  There is therefore the capacity for approx. 1Msqm additional floor space in the Macquarie Park Corridor.  It may not all be delivered though. The DRAFT Ryde LEP will increase the permissible floor space again.

Based on current projections there could be a combined student and worker population of 160,000 in the Macquarie Park Corridor by 2031. 

1499 dwellings were approved in Macquarie Park Corridor between 2004 and 2009. Under the provisions of the existing planning controls (plus redevelopment of the North Ryde Station precinct) it is anticipated that an additional 3,260 dwellings will be delivered. (There is actually floor space capacity for more). Total anticipated new dwellings to be delivered is 4,759. See Housing Study adopted by Ryde Council December 2010

The ITS responds to future growth of Macquarie Park area with actions that provide transport solutions for access to the area particularly from Ku-ring-gai, including Actions D5 (Implement strategic bus corridors through Ku-ring-gai), D6 (Introduce new Metrobus services) and D7 (Improve bus priority measures at critical locations).

There are actions that also support transport solutions between Macquarie Park and the northern region, such as D2 (Construct North West Rail Link) and D4 (Construct transit link from Chatswood to the Northern Beaches).

No change recommended

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport would like to clarify in section 6.3.5 that the Ku-ring-gai Shuttle does not do medical appointments as it is too difficult to coordinate. The Ku-ring-gai Shuttle is predominantly used for shopping trips to Gordon and St Ives Shopping Centre. Therefore, could the report be amended.  

It is proposed to remove “medical appointments” from this paragraph, since the
Ku-ring-gai Shuttle is predominantly used for shopping trips to Gordon and St Ives shopping centres.

Amend section 6.3.5 by removing the text “medical appointments”.

The NSW Taxi Council identified several areas that will improve taxi services in the Ku-ring-gai LGA including:

•           Improved/new taxi rank facilities;

•           Implementation of legal set down/pick up zones;

•           Provision of taxi shuttle services in and around the LGA;

•           Inclusion of taxi facilities in council planning processes.

It recommends:

a.          Assess current taxi zones in accordance with NSW Taxi Council Taxi Zone Guidelines

b.          Ensure current and future taxi zones comply with disability standards

c.          Ensure new taxi facilities are implemented in consultation with the NSW Taxi Council

d.          Implement a program to introduce ‘No Stopping — Taxis Excepted Limit 1 Minute zones

e.          Consider options for the use of taxis as flexible transport providers in the Ku-ring-gal LGA

f.           Include taxi facilities in the approval process for development applications and proposed Development Control Plans

g.          Provide access to taxis in bus corridors and permit access to No Left/Right hand turns (Taxis and Buses Excepted)

h.          Inclusion of taxi facilities/services in Workplace Travel Plans

The Taxi Zone Guidelines are a useful tool and could be used to guide new taxi zones or upgrades to existing taxi zones

In town centres, upgrades to public domain areas would ensure existing taxi zones comply (as far as practical) with disability standards. New taxi zones would also be subject to disability standards.

NSW Taxi Council is included in the consultation process of the Ku-ring-gai Traffic Committee whenever taxi facilities are involved or affected.

Council could consider such zones based on RTA guidelines and subject to Ku-ring-gai Traffic Committee/Council and/or RTA approval. Taxis are permitted to set down or pick up passengers in “No Parking” zones. Nonetheless, the Town Centres Parking Management Plan foreshadows improved taxi facilities in the 6 town centres.  Implementation of the Parking Management Plan is Action F1 in the draft Integrated Transport Strategy.

Can be encouraged/included as part of the development assessment/approval process for larger development sites (mixed use/retail/commercial).

This would require changes to the Road Rules, which is not under Council’s control.

Can be encouraged/included as part of Action B1 (Prepare and implement Workplace Travel Plans).

No change recommended, but consider comments at next review of Town Centres Parking Management Plan.

Bike North representative supports cycling Actions C1, C2  and C4.

The current bike plan is more than 10 years old and has not been implemented.  There are almost no bicycle route street signs, marked bike lanes or separated facilities and the only major routes through the LGA are extremely dangerous for cyclists due to fast-moving motor vehicles.

While much of Ku-ring-gai presents

topographical challenges to cyclists, the rail trail connects all the major rail centres along a manageable gradient.  Build it and they will come. Should be mindful of the rail trail route and seek to provide allowance for it in the design of town centres and near railway stations.

Support and comments noted.

No change recommended

The Warringah Council submission suggests an additional two documents be included on p14:

·           Consideration/integration of cycling routes and their priorities as outlined in the Warringah Bike Plan, 2010;

·           SHOROC 'Shaping Our Futures'. A major Transport Direction in this strategy includes "Strengthening public transport and road linkages with particular focus on: the East/West corridor between the Major Centre of Dee Why/Brookvale and Frenchs Forest and from Frenchs Forest and Mona Vale to Chatswood, Macquarie/Ryde and beyond; and improvements to the crucial North/South corridor."

Section 8.3.4: "Bus or light rail link from Chatswood to the Northern Beaches". Northern Beaches is quite vague - it should be mentioned that Dee Why/Brookvale is the only Major Centre planned (in accordance with the Sydney Metro Plan) on the Northern Beaches, hence, provision of a route for a Bus or Light Rail Link should be considered from Chatswood via Frenchs Forest to the Dee Why/Brookvale Major Centre.

Suggested reference documents noted

Discussions with surrounding LGAs to achieve regional connectivity would form part of the Bike Plan review process

While not referencing the SHOROC ‘Shaping Our Futures’ document, the ITS seeks to strengthen transport and road linkages between Warringah/Pittwater and Ku-ring-gai through the following actions:

·       C1 (Prepare and progressively implement a Ku-ring-gai Bike Plan);

·       C2 (Implement regional bike routes as described in the NSW Bike Plan);

·       D4 (Construct transit link from Chatswood to the Northern Beaches);

·       D5 (Implement strategic bus corridors through Ku-ring-gai);

·       D6 (Introduce new Metrobus services); and

·       D7 (Improve bus priority measures at critical locations).

Noted

Amend report to include suggested reference documents

The RTA submission raised 10 issues, which are summarised below:

1.         Current State Government agency names should be updated in the ITS.

2.         Publication names should be updated to current names i.e. NSW Bike Plan (May 2010).

3.         Council cannot dictate timeframes for Federal/State Government projects.

4.         RTA supports the Council Policies and Travel Demand initiatives in Section 6.

5.         Council to ensure timeframes in Walking and Cycling Action Plan are consistent with those in the NSW Bike Plan; the 2 regional bike routes shown in the NSW Bike Plan passing through Ku-ring-gai are long term projects and have low priority; responsible organisation for regional bike routes should be RTA.

6.         Headings in Section 8 (Public Transport Action Plan) should be amended to reflect actions that Council can achieve.

7.         The Strategy should identify whether Council supports new strategic bus routes (i.e. Mona Vale-Macquarie, Hornsby-Chatswood) and their importance to road network improvements; Council to ensure any investigation into these routes consider road safety, amenity, service and infrastructure issues.

8.         Council should liaise with Department of Transport and RTA regarding upgraded parking and interchanges at Gordon, Turramurra and Wahroonga rail, for consistency with Council’s proposed Town Centre improvements.

9.         The Public Transport Action Plan summary table should be amended as Council is not in a position to dictate timeframes; headings could be amended to read, “Council lobby for…” and timeframes, “ongoing”.

10.       Improvements on RTA roads would be implemented following further consultation with RTA; local road improvements and Council’s recommendations need to be identified; RTA has only provided in principle agreement to road network improvements in the Ku-ring-gai Contributions Plan 2010, and proposals require further consultation with RTA; Regarding Action E1, Council should “Lobby for…” construction of the F3 to M2 Motorway link with an “ongoing” timeframe.

Noted, although State Government agency name changes effectively occurred during the exhibition period.

The NSW Bike Plan is referred to in sections 2.2.2, 2.2.3. 7.3.1, 7.3.2 and 7.4. As the term “NSW Bike Plan 2010” has often been used in the public domain, no change is considered necessary.

One of the aims of the ITS is for Council to attempt to dictate ideas, timings etc to state government agencies such as RTA, rather than for Council to be dictated to by RTA. As a result, the ITS includes timeframes that benefit Ku-ring-gai, not the state government’s timeframes.

Support noted.

Section 7.3.2 effectively acknowledges that the regional cycling routes through Ku-ring-gai are not priority routes by stating that there is no firm funding commitment to funding the regional routes through Ku-ring-gai. Reference to" Transport NSW" as Responsible Organisation in Section 7.4 can be amended to "RTA".

It is not Council's intent to achieve the actions in the Public Transport Action Plan. The headings intend to state Council's position or strategic support for such proposals.

It is unclear whether it's Council's responsibility to investigate crash histories, road safety impacts etc on Ryde Rd/Mona Vale Rd, which are arterial roads managed by RTA. The importance of this route as a regional link and a link to Macquarie Park has been highlighted in other sections of the Strategy.

The ITS is a strategic level planning document, not a detailed investigation of all possible recommendations. Detailed investigations for Metrobus services on Council controlled roads could be undertaken when the proposal receives a higher priority, but by this action, Council would be expressing its strategic support for such services.

Noted.

It is not Council's intent to achieve the actions in the Public Transport Action Plan. The headings intend to express Council's position or strategic support for such proposals.

Council is aware that RTA has agreed to the proposed Town Centre improvements in principle only, and that further consultation and approval of final options from RTA is still required for proposals on RTA controlled roads. Improvements to the local road network in Town Centres have been identified and included in the Ku-ring-gai Contributions Plan 2010. Some of the works listed in section 9.3.3 are on local roads, however this list was kept brief for clarity.

Again, regarding Action E1, it is not Council's intent to achieve this action, but to express Council's position or strategic support for the proposal (with the clarification that Council opposes a surface route for the F3 to M2 connection).

Amend Responsible Organisation in Section 7.4 section to "RTA"

The NSW Department of Transport’s (DoT) response to the ITS is mostly supportive of the actions in the strategy, and the submission is summarised below:

·       Support for Action B1 (Prepare and implement Workplace Travel Plans) and suggest Council engage a Travel Co-ordinator.

·       Support for Action C3 (Prepare and progressively implement a Ku-ring-gai Pedestrian and Access Management Plan). Examine opportunities to integrate local walking/cycling paths with surrounding Councils.

·       Dept of Transport is concerned that while the Town Centres Parking Management Plan was prepared in 2010, the Ku-ring-gai [Car Parking] DCP [43] has not been updated since 1998, and parking rates should be reviewed for key centres to encourage mode shift to public transport.

·       Project teams have already been established to fast track the North West Rail Link. Planning/budgeting work commenced in April 2011.

·       Work on the North West Freight Corridor is progressing in partnership with Federal Government, and a NSW Freight Strategy is being prepared, to accommodate and respond to future freight needs.

·       There are currently no plans for a mass transit system connecting the North Shore with the Northern Beaches. However, DoT is focussing on establishing a transport system between the North Shore and Northern Beaches that maximises economic and community benefits, and will continue to assess transport needs along the 3 corridors linking the 2 areas.

·       Metrobus and Strategic bus services are planned and implemented by NSW Government, not Federal Government.

DoT consults with Councils and the community when developing/implementing these services and continually assesses demand for cross-regional bus services.

Locations identified by Council for bus priority should be raised with DoT and RTA for further investigation.

·       Bus services in Ku-ring-gai have low frequencies and are circuitous due to topography, slim elongated settlement patterns and barriers such a Pacific Highway and North Shore rail line. This could be alleviated by provision of accessible bus stops.

·       In 2009, an Interchange Scoping Study was undertaken for Gordon, and will be considered in the next round of transport interchange and  commuter car park upgrades that DoT is currently developing.

·       RailCorp identifies priority rail stations for easy access upgrades on a needs basis, and Council should contact RailCorp for concerns regarding station access.

·       Major changes to the CityRail timetable were implemented in 2009, and Railcorp regularly reviews operation/timetabling of trains to ensure efficient service.

·       Suggestion to implement a loop shuttle service between Gordon, Pymble and St Ives is noted, and Council is encouraged to discuss this initiative with DoT.

·       Council include a further initiative to develop a collaborative partnership with state agencies to further investigate recommendations in the strategy.

Support noted. Travel Co-ordinator role is subject to internal Council resources being available.

Support noted. It is anticipated that consultation with adjoining Councils would be part of the process of the preparation of a Pedestrian and Access Management Plan.

The Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan (Town Centres) 2010 contains reduced parking rates for mixed use, retail, commercial and residential land uses in the 6 town centres. Council is expecting to review the Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan (Town Centres) soon, and could seek further advice from Department of Transport regarding the parking rates. The Ku-ring-gai Car Parking DCP43 (Car Parking) applied to development outside the 6 town centres. The preparation of the Principal DCP (which will replace DCP43) would also provide an opportunity to review car parking rates. This is consistent with Action F2 (Review parking rates for new developments).

Noted (This is in response to Action D2 – Construct North West Rail Link)

Noted (This is in response to Action D3 – Construct Northern Sydney Freight Rail Corridor)

This comment is in response to action D4 (Construct transit link from Chatswood to the Northern Beaches). The purpose of this action is to encourage the Department of Transport to consider, in the longer term, a mass transit system connecting the 2 areas which may include dedicated busways, light rail metro rail or heavy rail, given the planned growth in the Brookvale/Dee Why centres and potential growth of Frenchs Forest as a specialised centre, and their resulting transport needs.

Noted – amend report.

These comments are in reference to Action D5 (Implement Strategic Bus Corridors in Ku-ring-gai) and Action D6 (Implement new Metrobus services)

Noted.

Noted.

This comment is partly in reference to Action D10 (Provide accessible access to all rail stations and bus stops). Council is in the process of finalising a Bus Stop Audit, which will also prioritise bus stop upgrades to accessible standards where practical and reasonable. However, funding of such infrastructure requires further negotiation with Department of Transport.

This comment relates to Action D8 (Upgrade key bus/train interchanges), and support for Gordon interchange noted although there is no mention of Lindfield interchange, which a scoping study was undertaken at the same time. Council will use the strategy to also highlight the need for upgrades to the Turramurra and Wahroonga interchanges.

Noted (refers to Action D10 – Provide accessible access to all rail stations and bus stops).

This comment appears to be in response to action D11 (Implement changes to CityRail timetable). The purpose of this action is to highlight the measures that Council thinks need to be undertaken to improve services on the North Shore rail line to benefit Ku-ring-gai's residents and visitors.

Noted (refers to Action D12 – Investigate opportunity for high frequency St Ives – Pymble- Gordon shuttle bus service.

Council is aware it will need to collaborate and liaise with state agencies for a large number of the actions proposed in the strategy, and commentary within the actions suggest Council work with state agencies and transport stakeholders to achieve the outcomes.

Delete reference to Federal Government in Action D5 and D6 of Table 11

APPENDIX No: 2 - Ku-ring-gai Integrated Transport Strategy - Final Draft

Item No: GB.5

Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 June 2011

GB.6 / 164

Item GB.6

S03673

10 June 2011

purpose of report:

To consider submissions on a draft amendment to Development Control Plan 56 – Notification (DCP 56).

background:

Council’s meeting of 8 March 2011 adopted a draft amendment to DCP 56 for exhibition. The amendment would increase the number of written notifications for Type F developments.

comments:

One (1) submission was received in relation to the draft amendment.

recommendation:

That Council adopt the draft amendment clause 4.6 of DCP 56 –Notification.