Traffic Committee

Now known as Local Traffic Forum

TfNSW recently announced changes to the operation of the Local Traffic Committee which came into effect in August 2025.

These changes are under the 2025 Authorisation and Delegation Instrument which replaces the 2011 Delegation to Councils.

This allows Councils to have greater control and autonomy in managing the local road network. The key changes include the following:

• Local Traffic Committee is renamed Local Transport Forum (LTF) to better represent all modes of transport
• It is now an advisory body to support council as decision-maker for unclassified roads and regional roads
• LTF offers technical advice but is not an approval body and does not make decisions
• Previously, it was mandatory to refer all traffic and parking control matters for the approval of the Local Transport Forum (formally known as Local Traffic Committee). However, under the 2025 Authorisation and Delegation Instrument, only some proposals are mandatory to be referred to the LTF prior to implementation
• Traffic Management Plans are no longer required at LTF i.e. for events
• Most proposals may be referred at Council’s discretion
• Core membership is unchanged: Council, TfNSW, NSW Police, Local Member of NSW Parliament
• Bus operators may be given a standing invite or invited where relevant proposals are on agenda
• There are no voting members and LTF advice does not need to be unanimous

What must be referred to the LTF?

• Proposals which, for longer than 6 months:

• Proposals which, for longer than 24 hours:

• • prevent or hinder the safe or efficient operation of a public passenger service; or
  • prevent access to a public transport station, stop, wharf, or service; or
  • remove or render less effective any bus priority measure
• Proposals of less than 24 hours are not required to be referred

What does it mean for the Lane Cove Local Transport Forum?

• The Lane Cove Local Transport Forum will continue to operate bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of the month
• Council will continue to refer all traffic and parking control matters to the LTF (with the exception of Statutory matters). This will ensure a public record of decisions are kept relating to roads and streets as well as results of any public consultation
• Core members will provide advice on the proposal presented to the LTF
• Council will continue to consult residents on proposals
• Council will continue to invite bus operators to LTF
• Council will continue to invite the public to speak on items where necessary
• Council will continue to report the recommendations of LTF to Council for consideration and adoption

Further details of the changes to Transport’s Authorisation and Delegation to Councils can be found in the link below:

Transport's Authorisation and Delegation to Councils | Transport for NSW

Council is currently reviewing its website content to reflect the above changes.

How the Local Traffic Forum works

Proposed relevant changes in the area are initially assessed by our Traffic team. If deemed necessary, recommendations are then presented to the Local Traffic Forum for review.

The Traffic Forum is a technical committee made up of agency representatives such as Transport for NSW, NSW Police and Sydney Buses as well as a Councillor and a representative on behalf of the Local Member.

Meetings are held bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of the month.

The Lane Cove Traffic Forum meetings for 2025 will be held on:

• Tuesday 18 February 2025
• Tuesday 18 March 2025
• Tuesday 20 May 2025
• Tuesday 15 July 2025
• Tuesday 16 September 2025
• Tuesday 18 November 2025

The Agenda is released the week prior and will be available below by clicking the Agenda link in the right hand column.

Please note, the Lane Cove Traffic Forum is primarily a technical review committee, which is required to advise the Council on matters referred to it by Council. These matters must be related to prescribed traffic control devices and traffic control facilities for which Council has delegated authority.

The outcomes of the meeting are reported to the next Ordinary Council Meeting where Council can review and consider adopting the recommendations.

Providing feedback on Agenda items

Where a proposal involves the loss of parking spaces (e.g., No Parking, No Stopping, Loading Zone, and Time-Restricted Parking), the installation of traffic devices (e.g., speed cushions, raised thresholds, and roundabouts) or significant impact then Council will undertake targeted notifications to seek feedback to assist with the preparation of the report to the Traffic Forum. Residents who wish to provide feedback during this time are welcome to do so via the notification letter link to our online Have Your Say section of the website. Low impact facilities or regulatory signposting and line markings typically do not require notification.

The role of the Local Traffic Forum is to consider the technical aspects of any proposal and make a recommendation to the Council. The merits of the scheme, from a public perspective, is the responsibility of the Council and thus residents’ views should be taken into account by the Council rather than through the Traffic Forum.

Residents of Lane Cove can however register to speak at our Traffic Forum meetings if there is a matter on the Traffic Forum Agenda they wish to discuss. To register to speak, please complete the survey by 12 noon the day prior to the meeting.

Alternatively, residents can make a submission to Council or register to address Council on the matter when it appears on the Council Agenda at the following Council meeting.

If you have general feedback on a local traffic matter which does not appear on the Agenda then we encourage you to email service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au with the details to assist the Traffic team in assessing the matter. If deemed necessary, recommendations are then presented to the Local Traffic Forum for review.