Tuesday 13 December 2011 

ITEM 5 AMENDED PLANNING PROPOSAL RESULTS OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION – Ryde Civic Precinct 

Note: Mrs Rosemary Lavery, Ms Jill Hartley, Mrs Beth Kosnik, Mr Roustam Akhmetov, Ms Julie Worsley, Mr Noel Plumb (representing the Ryde Environment Group and Ryde Community Alliance), Ms Denise Pendleton (representing the Residents for Ryde) and Mr Ping Tan addressed the meeting in relation to this Item. 

MOTION: (Moved by Councillors Yedelian OAM and Campbell) 

(a) That Council approve the amended Planning Proposal for the land known as the Ryde Civic Precinct being 1 and 1A Devlin Street and 150 – 156

Blaxland Road Ryde to: 

a. Amend the maximum height of buildings allowed to be built on 1 and 1A Devlin Street Ryde from RL91AHD to a maximum height of:

∙ 0m for the width of the proposed realignment of Blaxland Road

∙ 21.5m along the eastern side of the realigned Blaxland Road and also across the south–western corner and at the northern end of the site

∙ RL130 (75m) AHD along Devlin Street frontage to a depth of approximately 45m measured from the eastern Devlin Street frontage; and

b. Reduce the total amount of floor space that can be built on the Precinct from 100,000sqm to 60,000sqm. 

(b) That the request for a public hearing under Section 57(5) of the EP&A Act 1979 be denied on the grounds that the concerns raised in the submission have be considered by Council and many of the issues will be addressed through the proposed amendment to the draft DCP for the site. 

(c) That the Director General of the Department of Planning and Environment be request to draft and finalise the legal instrument amending the Ryde LEP 2010 and to forward the LEP to the Minister for the making of the Plan. 

AMENDMENT: (Moved by Councillors Li and Tagg) 

That Council defer consideration of this Item until Council resumes in February 2012 on the following grounds: 

1. Two Councillors are absent and cannot participate in this critical decision. 

2. Submissions received by Council show that 99.8% of residents consulted are opposed to the development. 

3. Some residents have been told they could not speak at Council’s meeting tonight despite new information being presented from the public consultation.

4. Council’s independent consultants have recommended a public hearing but their recommendation has not been followed. 

On being put to the meeting, the Amendment was LOST there being four (4) votes For and Six (6) votes Against. 

Record of Voting: 

For the Amendment: Councillors Butterworth, Li, Salvestro-Martin and Tagg 

Against the Amendment: The Mayor, Councillor Etmekdjian and Councillors Campbell, Maggio, O’Donnell, Pickering and Yedelian OAM. 

The Motion was then put and CARRIED. 

Record of Voting: 

For the Motion: The Mayor, Councillor Etmekdjian and Councillors Campbell, Maggio, O’Donnell, Pickering and Yedelian OAM. 

Against the Motion: Councillors Butterworth, Li, Salvestro-Martin and Tagg 

Note: A Notice of Rescission was lodged during the meeting by Councillors Pickering, O’Donnell and Campbell in relation to this Item. 

MATTER OF URGENCY 

The Notices of Rescission signed by Councillors Pickering, Campbell and O’Donnell received during the meeting for Items 5 and 6 were considered urgent by the Mayor and he indicated his intention to put them to the meeting. 

At this stage of the meeting, Councillors Butterworth, Li, Salvestro-Martin and Tagg left the meeting at 10.20pm. Due to a lack of a quorum, the meeting was adjourned. 

This Notice of Rescission was subsequently withdrawn by Councillors Pickering, O’Donnell and Campbell at 10.21pm on Wednesday, 14 December 2011.

By resolution I moved during this term of Council and supported by Eastwood Police, an Alcohol Free Zone was created in the Eastwood town centre (outside of licensed premises), effective until 30 June 2014. I hope it will be renewed and supported by future Ryde councillors to keep our residents, businesses, and children’s playgrounds safe from broken bottles and other anti-social behaviour.

Besides fighting for bigger picture issues like the proposed redevelopment of the Ryde Civic Centre, residents often contact me about more personal matters which are no less important to their daily lives.

Recently, a resident living at Balaclava Road contacted me about cars being parked too close to their driveway, which obstructed their view of oncoming traffic when driving out. After I made some representations to Council staff, we have managed to put in a safer distance between the driveway and the street parking bays as can be seen in this photo.

If you have a similar problem, please do not hesitate to contact me.

This is my last newsletter of the year to keep you informed of my work on Council, which will also be found in this week’s TWT newspaper.  As usual, I welcome your feedback and comments.  Thank you to all those who have contacted me in 2011.  I hope I have been able to resolve some of your issues.  Wishing you and your families a happy and safe Christmas and 2012. 

Kind regards

Justin

The community has reacted against plans to redevelop the Top Ryde Civic Centre by forming the Ryde Community Alliance.  Visit their website and facebook page and join in the fight to stop 24 storey towers and potential massive development at the Top Ryde Civic Centre site.  Rest assured, at least half of the Council is listening and supporting our local community.