The next Ordinary Council Meeting of Lane Cove Council is this THURSDAY 24th April at 7.00 pm. It is important to note that the Public Forum is part of the same meeting immediately prior to Council Business. It will be both in person and webcast via ZOOM from the Council Chambers. CLICK HERE for more information.
Confirmation of Minutes
Ordinary Council Meeting - 20 March 2025
1 Notice of Motion - Review of traffic management concerns in the St Leonards Precinct
A motion describing concerns related to increasing traffic movements in the developing St Leonards precinct, calling for the Transport for NSW, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and the St Leonards Crows Nest Working Group to be informed of these concerns, and that action be taken to address these concerns.
2 Notice of Motion - Protecting bushland and local infrastructure during the development of Data Centres
A motion to investigate avenues available to Council to ensure local infrastructure and bushland is protected during the development and ongoing operation of data centres.
3 Notice of Motion - Retain ownership of 4B Herbert Street St Leonards as Public Land
A motion calling on council to advocate to the State Government regarding the future of Lot 4B Herbert Street St Leonards.
4 Proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement for 2-10 Finlayson St - Post Consultation report
Council undertook community consultation on the proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for 2-10 Finlayson Street (Site) with submissions initially closing 13 March 2025 and then extended to 25 March 2025.
The proposed VPA (AT-1) is pursuant to s7.4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) and provides that the Developer contribute to local community infrastructure through the delivery of an auditorium / hall plus circulation, amenities and break out spaces including access to public parking (Facility). The VPA shall be assessed on merit and distinct from the associated Development Application (DA) that commenced exhibition concurrently.
5 Planning Proposal 41 - 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich
This report relates to the Planning Proposal (PP) 41 for the site at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich.
The PP prepared by Keylan Consulting seeks to amend the Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LCLEP2009) to rezone land located at 177-183 Greenwich Road, Greenwich.
The Proposal was reported (AT-1) to the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel (LCLPP) for advice on the 2 April 2025. In accordance with Section 9.1 of the EP & A Act, staff prepared an assessment report with recommendations in relation to the Planning Proposal including whether the proposal should be forwarded to the Minister for a Gateway Determination.
The Panel was requested to review, consider relevant issues proposed by the proponent along with the views and concerns raised in the staff report.
The LCLPP advised that Planning Proposal 41 is supported only with amendments and should proceed to the Gateway Determination (AT-2).
In relation to the advice of the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel, it is recommended that Planning Proposal 41 be supported with amendments and be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway Determination.
6 Status of the Dog Strategy 2021 Actions
At the February 2025 Meeting, Council resolved for a report to be provided regarding companion animals in the community and how Council is working towards responsible pet ownership. As resolved by Council, this report provides the status of recommendations 12 to 15 from the Dog Strategy 2021, recommendations to expand education to cat owners and financial details for companion animal education.
7 Planning Proposal 40 - 2 Marshall Avenue, St LeonardsTraffic Committee - 18 February 2025
This report relates to the Planning Proposal 40 for the site at 2 Marshall Avenue, St Leonards.
The PP prepared by Planning Ingenuity Pty Ltd seeks to amend the Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LCLEP2009) to rezone land located at 2 Marshall Avenue, St Leonards.
The Proposal was reported (AT-1) to the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel (LCLPP) for advice on the 25 March 2025. In accordance with Section 9.1 of the EP & A Act, staff prepared an assessment report with recommendations in relation to the Planning Proposal including whether the proposal should be forwarded to the Minister for a Gateway Determination.
The Panel was requested to review, consider relevant issues proposed by the proponent along with the views and concerns raised in the staff report.
The LCLPP advised that Planning Proposal 40 is not supported and should not proceed to the Gateway Determination (AT-2).
In relation to the advice of the Lane Cove Local Planning Panel, it is recommended that Planning Proposal 40 not be supported and not be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment.
It is also recommended that Council consider the future use of this site (and surrounding ones) as part of its upcoming LEP review.
8 Revised Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035
The Revised Draft Community Strategic Plan has been the subject of extensive community consultation since February 2025.
This report presents a summary of the feedback received from the community in relation to the Community Strategic Plan. The Revised Draft Community Strategic Plan is submitted for Council’s consideration and adoption for the purposes of being placed on public exhibition for comment.
9 2025/26 Draft Budget, Fees and Charges, Delivery Program and Operational Plan, Resourcing Strategy and associated Resource Plans
The Local Government Act 1993 requires Council to adopt its annual Operational Plan and Budget by 30 June, outlining the activities to be undertaken in the next financial year (i.e., from 1 July), as part of a Delivery Program. The Local Government Regulation 2005 requires the Operational Plan and Budget include an annual Revenue Policy.
This report presents a summary of the Draft Delivery Program and the Operational Plan 2025/26, Draft 2025/26 Budget, Draft 2025/26 Schedule of Fees and Charges as part of the Draft Revenue Policy, and the Draft Resourcing Strategy including associated Resource Plans. The budget establishes the anticipated operating result for 2025/26 and provides information on key income and expenditure. This report recommends that the Draft Budget 2025/26, Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2025/26 and Fees and Charges 2025/26 be endorsed for public exhibition purposes.
10 Community Assistance Grants 2025-2026
This report discusses the 2025-2026 financial assistance application process and recommends various grants. Under Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council may grant financial assistance to community organisations. Each year Council calls for applications for financial assistance from community groups either based in the Lane Cove local government area (LGA) or those whose assistance addresses the identified needs of people within the LGA.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Community Assistance Grants program opened 16 December 2024 and closed 3 March 2025. The funding program was promoted through Council’s website, eNewletters, and social media. Council received a total of 18 applications requesting funds to the value of $557,941.50.
The 20205-2026 budget includes funding for Community Assistance Grants, the Venue Hire Subsidy Grant Program and recurring commitments. This report covers all the allocations under this budget This report recommends recipients to be funded to the total value of $579,635.
11 Draft Social Inclusion Strategy
Council recognises the value of social inclusion in creating a thriving community. Council understands the important role social inclusion has in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that responds to the diverse needs of all community members.
Social inclusion means that all people have the best opportunities to enjoy life and do well in society, building trust, connections, access and a sense of belonging – making sure no one is left out or excluded.
This Social Inclusion Strategy (the strategy) has been developed to guide Council’s work in raising the bar for a more social just, resilient, connected, inclusive, liveable and engaged community where everyone can thrive.
This Strategy is the first of its kind for Lane Cove. It was developed in collaboration with a wide range of community partners including residents and service providers. The Social Inclusion Strategy is now recommended for public exhibition for six weeks.
12 Traffic Committee - 18 March 2025
The Lane Cove Traffic Committee has met and provided recommendations for Council’s consideration. The attached Minutes include a summary of each item – it is recommended the March 2025 Minutes are adopted for implementation.
Agenda Items were as follows:
Confirmation of Minutes of Traffic Committee – Tuesday 18 March 2024
- Dorritt Street Between Longueville Road and Phoenix Street, Lane Cove - Installation Of Speed Cushions
- Wardrop Street at Greenwich Road, Greenwich - Installation Of Marked Pedestrian Crossing
- Regulatory Signposting and Linemarking
- Christie Street – Installation of ‘No Stopping Council Vehicles Excepted’
- Mindarie Street – Extension of ‘No Stopping’ zone
- Mowbray Road Bend (Ralston St – Roslyn St)– Safety Improvements
13 Competitive Neutrality and Early Childhood Education in St Leonards
In response to a Council resolution at the 18 October 2024 meeting, this report presents legal advice regarding the applicability of competitive neutrality principles to the operation of early childhood education services in the Lane Cove Local Government Area.
Pending receipt of this advice, the release of tender documents for the proposed Early Childhood Education Centre at 13–19 Canberra Avenue, St Leonards was placed on hold. This pause also allowed Council to reconsider its previous resolution from April 2024, which supported an externally operated model for the new centres.
The legal opinion, provided by Clayton Utz, confirms the position previously presented to Council that competitive neutrality obligations do apply to any new Council-operated early childhood education and care services. In light of this advice, Council officers recommend maintaining the original position and proceeding with the tender process to appoint an external provider to operate the new centres in St Leonards.
14 Councillor Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Policy
The purpose of this report is to present a draft Councillor Meetings with Registered Lobbyists and Property Developers Policy (AT-1) in accordance with Council Resolution 119/24 for Council’s consideration and adopting for the purpose of public exhibition.
15 Internal Audit Function - Shared Service Agreement
The purpose of this report is to note the existing Internal Audit Function - Shared Service Agreement is coming to an end and that a new Draft Agreement has been developed with input from member councils with a view that it will take effect 1 July 2025.
16 Advisory Committees - Expression of Interest process for additional members
Council operates various targeted advisory committees which facilitate Council and community engagement on specific topics on a regular basis. Community members for the 2024-2028 advisory committees were sought via a broad Expression of Interest (EOI) process in November and December 2024. Recently, during the preparation and conduct of initial committee meetings in March and April 2025, it has been identified that it would be beneficial to seek additional committee members for certain committees.
This report identifies the committees with vacancies and proposes that nominations be sought via another EOI process.
The report also recommends appointing four additional members to the Sporting Club Advisory Committee.
17 Council Snapshot March 2025
Attached for the information of Councillors is a review of Council’s recent activities.
This Snapshot report provides a summary of the operations of each Division within Council for March 2025 at AT-1.
Included at AT-2 is Council’s Resolution Tracker showing the progress of Council’s resolutions.