Mayor's November Message

Published on 09 November 2023

I am honoured to have been elected as Mayor by my colleagues for the next 12 months.

First and foremost, I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the former Mayor, Councillor Andrew Zbik, for his dedicated service over the past two years, during which he worked tirelessly for the residents of Lane Cove. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Councillor David Roenfeldt, who has assumed the role of Deputy Mayor. We are committed to working together to provide our community with certainty regarding the successful delivery of several major infrastructure projects.

Our goal is to align the decisions of the Council with strategic outcomes that will directly benefit our community. We believe that through collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision, we can make a positive impact on our community's growth and prosperity.

Closure of Canberra Avenue, St Leonards

The Council has passed a resolution to confirm its intention to partially close Canberra Avenue, specifically the section from its intersection with River Road to Duntroon Avenue. This closure is aimed at integrating the land into Newlands Park, thereby expanding the public open space by an impressive 4,000 square metres and contributing to an increase in tree canopy. In the spirit of community engagement, feedback from the community for inclusions into the upgraded park have been considered. These include the potential addition of amenities such as toilets, multipurpose courts, and a dog park. This development, which creates additional community open space, complements the recently completed Wadanggari Park, further enhancing the recreational and leisure opportunities available to the local community.

Blackman Park Synthetic Sports Field Replacement

Council resolved to replace the synthetic field at Blackman Park in 2024. Disposal and recycling of the existing surface is to commence in early 2024 and due for completion time by June 2024.

Hamas terrorist attack on Israel

It has been devastating to watch the escalation of the conflict in Israel and Palestine. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to anyone who has family and friends caught up in the fighting, and condemn the hostile actions taken by Hamas against innocent people. Likewise, antisemitism in Australia cannot be tolerated. A Mayoral Minute on this topic was supported by Council at the October meeting. You can find out about services to support those impacted by overseas conflict on our website.

Strong Financial Result

In my capacity as Mayor, I am pleased to present the annual financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2023, that were approved at the October meeting. These financial statements continue to showcase the robust financial position that our Council has diligently strived to establish and uphold over the past decade. I concur with the report's assertion that this financial outcome is particularly remarkable in light of the inflationary challenges encountered over the past year, with the noteworthy increase of the community's net assets by 14.5%, amounting to $1,404,807,000, this included our new library at St Leonards and Wadanggari Park.

Parking restriction for boat trailers park next to Kingsford Smith Oval

To address the persistent problem of trailers parked on the streets around Kingsford Smith Oval, Council has resolved to refer this issue to the Traffic Committee to seek their recommendations. The objective is to implement parking restrictions that will prohibit the parking of boat trailers in the vicinity of Kingsford Smith Oval.

October events

In the month of October, I had the privilege of attending the following events:

• A Citizenship Ceremony, during which 65 candidates took the important step of becoming Australian citizens.
• A Small Business Breakfast organised by former Councillor Karola Brent in collaboration with Lane Cove Council. The event featured special guest speakers, including Catherine Harris AO PSM, Co-founder and Chairperson of Harris Farm Markets. It's worth noting that this event received funding from the NSW Government as part of NSW Small Business Month, and delivered with support from Lane Cove Council.
• On Sunday 8 October, I had the honour of participating in the opening of the Lane Cove Rotary Fair. The Rotary Club of Lane Cove, a longstanding not-for-profit service club, has been actively serving the Lane Cove community since its inception in 1958. The fair is a testament to their dedication, and it serves as a platform for fundraising and supporting various local, national, and international projects.  
• It was truly enjoyable to have the opportunity to introduce the INXS cover band at The Canopy. I still recall my first encounter with INXS back in the early '80s when I saw them perform in Taree, and I've remained a dedicated fan of their music ever since.

Council Meetings

The next Council meeting will be held on Thursday 23 November followed by the final meeting for 2023 on Thursday 7 December. Members of the public can register to address Council by using the online form no later than midnight, on the day prior to the meeting.

Have Your Say

Lane Cove residents have access to high quality open space and we are currently asking the community for feedback on two areas - Stringybark Reserve and Burns Bay Reserve. We are creating masterplans for these popular spaces and are keen to hear what you’d like to see in the area.

You can find out more at haveyoursay.lanecove.nsw.gov.au and provide feedback by Friday 24 November. We’ll then review responses and develop a draft masterplan for further consultation next year.