Ordinary Meeting of Council - 17 Mar 2026 7:00 PM

Key decisions

• Turramurra Plaza planning proposal adopted
  Council adopted the planning proposal and amended site-specific DCP for 1364-1396 Pacific Highway and 1, 1A, 3 and 3A Kissing Point Road, Turramurra; endorsed reclassification of council land at 1A, 3 and 3A Kissing Point Road from community to operational land; and will submit the proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation.
  This is a major planning decision affecting future development outcomes in central Turramurra and nearby residents, businesses and road users.
• New Petitions Policy adopted
  Council adopted a Petitions Policy to formalise consistent and transparent handling of public petitions.
  Residents now have a clearer formal process for lodging petitions and understanding how council will manage them.
• AED rollout planning supported across council facilities
  Council resolved to seek expert cardiac health advice, include Stage 1 sportsfields and Stage 2 community buildings AED installation in the 2026/27 draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan for exhibition, and include related fee increases in draft 2026/27 Fees and Charges to help offset whole-of-life costs over two years.
  This could expand public access to defibrillators at council sites, improving emergency response in community and sporting locations, with some fees proposed to help fund the program.
• Delivery Program and Operational Plan progress noted with limited amendments
  Council received and noted the December 2025 biannual progress report and amended only actions U2.3.3, U2.3.5 and A2.1.8, stating delays were beyond council control. Council also noted measures to improve project programming, resourcing and delivery, including a dedicated project delivery unit and project management office.
  Residents can expect continued monitoring of council project delivery, with some delayed actions formally updated and management changes aimed at improving delivery.
• Council to continue regional collaboration through NSROC
  Council resolved to advise the Office of Local Government that it intends to continue regional collaboration through the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils rather than join or create a Joint Organisation.
  This affects how regional advocacy, shared planning and inter-council collaboration are pursued on cross-boundary issues.
• Flood Risk Management Committee membership expanded and appointments made
  Council amended the committee terms of reference to allow up to eight local community residents and accepted six selected nominations plus two people on an eligibility list.
  This strengthens community input into local flood risk management planning and advice.
• Eryldene Trust council roles swapped
  Council formally appointed Councillor Balachandran as Delegate and Councillor Wheatley as Alternate to the Eryldene Trust.
  This updates council representation on an external heritage-related body.
• General Manager performance review adopted
  Council adopted the General Manager's Performance Review and agreed proposed Performance Agreements for 2025/26 and 2026/27 be prepared by the performance review panel, General Manager and facilitator using councillor input.
  This is an internal governance decision affecting council leadership accountability and performance management.

Important topics

• Petition about Blackbutt Creek Track area pedestrian safety
  A petition with 528 signatures raising safety concerns about pedestrians using the road near Blackbutt Creek Track due to verge trip hazards and vehicle speed was received and referred to the appropriate council officer for attention. The excerpt also references possible recommendations including speed bumps.
  Residents in the area may see the issue investigated further, with possible traffic calming or pedestrian safety responses considered later.
• Youth Advisory Committee minutes endorsed
  Council endorsed the minutes of the Youth Advisory Committee meeting held on 4 February 2026.
  Youth advisory matters were formally acknowledged, supporting continuity of youth-related input into council decisions.
• Multicultural Advisory Committee minutes endorsed
  Council endorsed the minutes of the Multicultural Advisory Committee meeting held on 5 February 2026.
  This maintains council recognition of multicultural community input and advisory work.
• Local Transport Forum recommendations approved
  Council received and noted the Ku-ring-gai Local Transport Forum minutes from 18 February 2026 and approved the forum's recommendations.
  Transport-related issues raised through the forum may progress into council or agency action affecting local travel and road matters.
• Confidential legal report noted
  Council received and noted a confidential legal report classified under section 10A(2)(g) due to legal professional privilege.
  The matter relates to legal proceedings involving council, but details were withheld because release could prejudice council's position.
• Supplementary memo on Turramurra Plaza received
  Council received and noted supplementary information and late memoranda to be read with the published business paper for the Turramurra Plaza planning matter.
  This indicates councillors considered updated information before making the planning decision.

Resident impacts

• A new formal petitions process should make resident advocacy through petitions clearer and more consistent.
• Potential AED installation at sportsfields and community buildings could improve emergency response across council-managed public facilities.
• Draft fee increases may be proposed in 2026/27 to help fund AED installation, maintenance and monitoring.
• The Turramurra Plaza decision advances a significant redevelopment planning process and land reclassification in Turramurra.
• Project delivery reforms inside council may affect how quickly future capital works and service projects are delivered.
• The Blackbutt Creek Track petition may lead to investigation of pedestrian safety and possible traffic-calming measures.

Places affected

• Turramurra (suburb)
  Planning proposal and site-specific DCP for Turramurra Plaza and nearby council land.
• 1364-1396 Pacific Highway, Turramurra (site)
  Main Turramurra Plaza planning proposal site adopted by council.
• 1, 1A, 3 and 3A Kissing Point Road, Turramurra (site)
  Associated planning proposal land, including council land reclassification at 1A, 3 and 3A.
• Blackbutt Creek Track (greenspace/track)
  Location referenced in a petition about pedestrian safety and traffic speed concerns.
• Sportsfields (facility network)
  Proposed Stage 1 locations for AED installation across council facilities.
• Community buildings (facility network)
  Proposed Stage 2 locations for AED installation across council facilities.

Next steps

• Refer the Blackbutt Creek Track area petition to the appropriate council officer for attention
  Following the meeting
• Prepare proposed General Manager Performance Agreements for 2025/26 and 2026/27
  Following adoption of the performance review
• Advise the Office of Local Government of council's intention to continue collaboration through NSROC
  Following the meeting
• Include proposed AED stages and related fees in the draft 2026/27 Delivery Program, Operational Plan and Fees and Charges for exhibition
  For the 2026/27 budget and planning exhibition process
• Bring back expert advice and user feedback on AED rollout with any recommended site changes for final DP&OP consideration
  After exhibition of the draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan, before adoption in June 2026
• Submit the Turramurra Plaza planning proposal to DPHI for finalisation and notify submitters of council's decision
  Following the meeting
• Progress separate reports on any prospective land transaction and exhibition/adoption of a draft Planning Agreement for the Turramurra Plaza matter
  Later, as separate reports

Extracted minutes text

Minute KU-RING-GAI COUNCIL -OMC-Mins-2026/080580 /1 MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 17 MARCH 2026 Present: The Mayor, Councillor Christine Kay (Chairperson) Councillors M Devlin & J Pettett (Comenarra Ward) Councillors I Balachandran & B Ward (Gordon Ward) Councillors S Ngai & A Taylor (Roseville Ward) Councillor M Smith (St Ives Ward) Councillors C Spencer & K Wheatley (Wahroonga Ward) Staff Present: General Manager (David Marshall) Acting Director Community (Michelle Swan-Beardmore) Director Corporate (Angela Apostol) Director Development & Regulation (Michael Miocic) Director Operations (Peter Lichaa) Director Strategy & Environment (Andrew Watson) Corporate Lawye...