Ordinary Meeting of Council - 28 Apr 2026 7:00 PM

Article-worthy topics

• Community Roundtable Initiative endorsed
  Council endorsed a Community Roundtable Initiative with four thematic roundtables to be delivered by June 2027 on social harmony and community relations, gambling harm awareness and prevention, disability access and inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
  Creates new community engagement forums on social and wellbeing issues and may shape future local programs and advocacy.

Key decisions

• Community Roundtable Initiative endorsed
  Council endorsed a Community Roundtable Initiative with four thematic roundtables to be delivered by June 2027 on social harmony and community relations, gambling harm awareness and prevention, disability access and inclusion, and mental health and wellbeing.
  Creates new community engagement forums on social and wellbeing issues and may shape future local programs and advocacy.
• Urban forest protection advocacy backed
  Council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ku-ring-gai’s tree canopy, supported regional action on illegal tree removal, and resolved to write to NSROC and neighbouring mayors on stronger responses.
  Signals tougher advocacy and enforcement focus on tree protection and illegal tree removal.
• Town Hall Takeover approved for 2026 Arts and Culture Festival
  Council endorsed the Arts and Culture Committee minutes and approved the 'Town Hall Takeover' proposal as a full-day program with a budget of $25,000.
  Funds a new cultural event with community participation opportunities.
• Public transport advocacy on T1/T9 services
  Council adopted Smart Transport Advisory Committee recommendations and will write to Transport for NSW requesting rail service upgrades on the T1/T9 North Shore line to meet All-Day Frequent Network criteria.
  Could support improved train frequency and service levels for local commuters.
• 15 Echo Street, Roseville rezoning adopted
  Council adopted the planning proposal to rezone 15 Echo Street, Roseville from RE2 Private Recreation to R2 Low Density Residential and will finalise the plan under delegated authority.
  Changes the planning controls for this site and enables low density residential zoning consistent with adjoining land.
• Dual occupancy FSR planning proposal adopted
  Council adopted a planning proposal to amend the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan 2015 to include a 0.5:1 floor space ratio standard for dual occupancy development.
  Changes development standards affecting future dual occupancy proposals across the council area.
• Tree and Vegetation Protection DCP amendment adopted
  Council adopted amended Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan Part 13: Tree and Vegetation Preservation following exhibition, with minor corrections delegated before commencement.
  Clarifies tree and vegetation protection rules that apply to property owners and development assessments.
• TOD infrastructure program advocacy letter approved
  Council resolved to write to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure seeking revised Transport Oriented Development Community Infrastructure Program guidelines, including broader eligibility for high-yield Tier 2 TODs.
  Aims to secure fairer infrastructure funding for areas accommodating housing and jobs growth.
• Heritage Reference Committee membership decision deferred
  Council deferred changes to Heritage Reference Committee community membership and Indigenous representation requirements to the next ordinary meeting, pending consultation with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
  Delays a governance change intended to strengthen Indigenous input into heritage matters.
• Pymble Business Park planning proposal refused
  Council refused the private landowners’ planning proposal for 3-29 Bridge Street, Pymble Business Park and will notify the proponent. Council also noted an Employment and Commercial Services Study will begin in FY2026/2027.
  Stops this planning proposal from progressing and preserves current planning settings pending broader employment land review.
• Faith Bandler recognition motion adopted
  Council adopted a notice of motion to install a park bench with plaque near Faith Bandler’s home in Turramurra for National Reconciliation Week 2026 and sponsor an annual Ku-ring-gai Faith Bandler Address from 2026/27 with funding up to $10,000 a year.
  Creates a new local recognition initiative and annual civic event linked to Indigenous heritage and reconciliation.

Important topics

• Illegal tree removal enforcement
  Council was advised there are ten prosecutions underway for tree-related offences, more prosecutions in preparation, 658 public reports of alleged illegal tree removals in 2025-2026, and 54 fines totalling $189,000.
  Shows active enforcement and the scale of concern about unlawful tree works.
• Environment committee follow-up on mountain biking and walking tracks
  Council noted Environment Advisory Committee recommendations including early community feedback on NPWS regional mountain bike planning, formal wet-weather closure procedures, a site visit to Warrimoo Downhill Mountain Bike Track, and analysis of existing walking tracks.
  May affect recreation access, trail planning, and environmental management.
• Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget to be exhibited
  Council considered the draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2026-2027 and Resourcing Strategy 2026-2036, including an amendment clarifying that nature play elements are being added rather than playgrounds being removed at several reserves.
  Residents will be able to review and comment on future budgets, works and service priorities, including playground upgrades.
• Project reporting published
  Council received the January to March 2026 Project Status Report and resolved that it be placed on Council’s website.
  Improves public access to updates on council project delivery.
• Roseville Village Green timing update noted
  Council received and noted a report on the timing for delivery of the proposed Roseville Village Green at the Lord Street car park.
  Residents received an update, but no new delivery approval was recorded in the extracted text.

Resident impacts

• Tree protection rules and enforcement remain a major council priority, with active prosecutions and updated DCP wording.
• Planning controls changed for dual occupancies and for 15 Echo Street, Roseville.
• Council approved $25,000 for a 2026 Arts and Culture Festival program.
• Council is formally advocating for better North Shore rail services and fairer TOD infrastructure funding.
• A local recognition project and annual address will honour Faith Bandler in Turramurra.
• Residents should expect future public exhibition and consultation on council budgets, works and long-term planning documents.

Places affected

• Ku-ring-gai (council area)
  Tree protection, planning controls, budget planning, and community initiatives affect the broader municipality.
• 15 Echo Street, Roseville (site)
  Rezoned from RE2 Private Recreation to R2 Low Density Residential.
• Roseville (suburb)
  Affected by the Echo Street rezoning and the proposed Roseville Village Green timing update.
• Lord Street car park, Roseville (car park/project area)
  Location of the proposed Roseville Village Green.
• Pymble Business Park (employment precinct)
  Council refused the planning proposal for 3-29 Bridge Street.
• 3-29 Bridge Street, Pymble Business Park (site)
  Private planning proposal was refused.
• Turramurra (suburb)
  Site for a planned bench and plaque recognising Faith Bandler.
• Warrimoo Downhill Mountain Bike Track (recreation facility)
  Subject of proposed committee site visit and briefing on future track considerations.

Next steps

• Deliver four themed community roundtables under the Community Roundtable Initiative
  By June 2027
• Write to NSROC and neighbouring mayors regarding regional action on illegal tree removal
  After the meeting
• Write to Transport for NSW requesting T1/T9 North Shore line service upgrades
  After the meeting
• Finalise the rezoning of 15 Echo Street, Roseville under delegated authority and notify submitters
  After adoption
• Finalise the dual occupancy FSR LEP amendment under delegated authority and notify submitters
  After adoption
• Bring Heritage Reference Committee membership changes back to the next Ordinary Meeting after consultation with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
  Next ordinary meeting
• Write to DPHI seeking changes to TOD Community Infrastructure Program guidelines
  After the meeting
• Install a Faith Bandler commemorative bench and plaque near her Turramurra home and plan the annual address
  For National Reconciliation Week 2026 and from 2026/27 onward

Extracted minutes text

Minute KU-RING-GAI COUNCIL -OMC-Mins-2026/125009 /1 MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 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 (online) & A Taylor (Roseville Ward) Councillors C Spencer & K Wheatley (Wahroonga Ward) Staff Present: General Manager (David Marshall) Director Community (Meagan Ang) Director Corporate (Angela Apostol) Director Development & Regulation (Michael Miocic) Director Operations (Peter Lichaa) Director Strategy & Environment (Andrew Watson) Corporate Lawyer (Jamie Taylor) Acting Manager Corporate Com...