Setting Council priorities
We’re updating Council’s strategic plan – 2020 Vision. It was developed in 2004, with 10 key directions. But plans aren’t static, they need to change as our community and circumstances change. Thinking of areas where Council could improve, which three areas would you recommend we concentrate on - and why?
Note: although Stage 1 consultation has now concluded, any comments made after 24 March will still be looked at as part of the 2020 Vision Review, then included later in:
News Update from North Sydney Council
On 30 November 2009, Council adopted the 2020 Vision, North Sydney Community Strategic Plan 2009-2020. The 2020 Vision sets a strategic direction for where the community of North Sydney wants to be in the year 2020. The Plan has been prepared by North Sydney Council in partnership with local residents, our business community, other levels of government, educational institutions, non-government community and cultural organisations and neighbouring councils.
Council is the key driver of the 2020 Vision, but its implementation is the shared responsibility of all community stakeholders. While many of the objectives relate directly to Council activities, some can only be achieved with help from the community, businesses, service providers, government agencies, other organisations, the education sector and other stakeholders. For its part in putting the 2020 Vision into practice, Council will:
For more information visit
Robhttp://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/2020vision
December 9th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I have worked in North Sydney for 4 years, and the one issue that is impeding business is parking. I know North Sydney has a train station, but I am from the Northern Beaches, and there is no reasonable way of getting to North Sydney (aside from 3 buses) apart from driving. When I get to North Sydney, I have to get to work an hour early just to get a parking space on Alfred Street. Alfred Street is the only place workers can get fair priced parking in North Sydney. By failing to provide more, you are cutting a whole section of the Sydney community from being able to work in North Sydney. I cannot doubt that this adversely affects the human resources of businesses in the area.
LaurieInstead of building more unused business strata, and creating ugly sandstone footpaths, why doesn’t the council focus its activities on building a large, reasonably-priced car park for its business friends. This would make residents happy too, as there would be no longer a need for parking restrictions in their streets.
Failing this, the North Sydney Council should lobby the state government to have adequate public transport available from more areas of metropolitan Sydney, so that people from everywhere can leave their cars at home.
The parking situation and lack of public transport from all areas of Sydney, is the critical factor holding back the North Sydney business community.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 am
If North Sydney Council keep on chasing income by issueing parking ticket as early as 8.30 am when there are so many parking available, I think the Council is in some kind of desperation for money or simply greedy .
I don’t understand why can’t I park my car outside my house where I have pay my council rates. No wonder people and business are moveing out to other suburbs.
SusieJuly 7th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I find it odd that the State Govt determines the rate rises for local government councils. It’s ludicrous in that, the councillors are elected and ratepayers will vote them out if they feel rate rises have been excessive or that the community has not got value for money. The State Govt should stay out of it.
GeoffHaving got that off my chest, I have a suggestion in respect of generating more funds that, I think, is equitable and fair. There are many, many vehicles parked on N Sydney streets because their owners have no off street parking. For this privilege of taking up kerb space, the Council charges - I’m not sure how much, but let’s assume $50 p.a.
Equally, a good deal of kerb space (i.e. parking space) is eliminated by driveways. All homes with a garage, most units/townhouse complexes have a driveway and so on. Why not charge the owners of these driveways for the kerb space they’re taking up as you would if you had to park a car there. Assume 20k driveways in N Syd (I don’t know the number) @ $50 a pop p.a. - it’s a lazy $1mil. For complexes (like the one where I live) where the driveway is equivalent to two normal widths, the cost would be $100 but, shared among the 10 units, it’s just $10 each p.a. For an apartment complex with say 50 units but with only one driveway width of kerb space taken up, charge each unit $5 - it’s little enough but it would be very handy money surely to shore up maintenance and infrastructure.
No doubt, squeals of pain… but this way, the pain is small and equally shared.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I am about to sell my car as I am no longer in need of it. I live in Waverton and I walk to work (St Leonards) and walk to the shops (Crows Nest). I would like to be able to walk to the movies and other forms of entertainment that doesn’t hurt my ears. The Noodle Market is great as well as the craft and produce markets. North Sydney seems to have obliterated any little pockets that could have been great for jazz music/bar venues and I do miss the Walker Street Cinema.
1. A Cinema
Sarah2. Encourage all types of business to get involved in projects
3. Sort out the parking, its a nightmare. We do not need curfews after 6pm.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Make the place attractive and less dominated by cars and people will come! Does anybody remember what a soulless place Willoughby Road, Crows Nest was before the street plantings and the pavement cafe ‘rooms’ were created?
I believe that street level plantings and planter boxes strategically placed and properly maintained change the feel of the area to such an extent that people actually want to linger. Does North Sydney really need so many 4 lane roads where cars can speed? Of course, I understand that the Highway is sacrosanct but Miller Street between the Highway and Blue Street could easily have had the Crows Nest treatment with hardly any car parking sacrificed. Who needs 4 lanes there? What about portions of Blue Street? Could it be narrowed slightly and still accomodate busses and taxis somehow? Does it really have to be so full of people but with really no life?
My own street, Lavender Street is a disgrace for a street that could be iconic. The curbing is broken by tree roots, the nature strips are eroded with grass struggling and only surviving in patches in rocky soil. Does it really need to be so wide in parts that cars can do 70-80 when it is only a back way through to Waverton? People going to Blues Point Road and elsewhere would be willing to sacrifice 30 seconds to have an attractive street to drive through calmly!
Having 4 lanes in Walker street is actually counter productive outside of clearway times. Two lanes turn right into it from the Highway and have about 20 metres to merge into one often leaving the intersection blocked and in chaos.
I am sure that people were originally against the changes to Crows Nest on the basis of lost parking spaces but to me it is now so much better than it was 20 to 25 years ago and people have adapted to the parking situation.
RonMarch 27th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Yes, agree that strategies are needed to retain big business tenants in the CBD; with the present economic situation is there a risk that some bigger companies that say they are moving here in a couple of years may need to back out before then? Are there strategies or resources currently in place to address this? Has the question been asked of those who have moved out of the area, why have they moved?
Events and social activity is an area for improvement. On the other side of the harbour they capitalise on their proximity to the harbour e.g. NYE celebrations. Clover Moore’s events are well publicised e.g. for NYE there is adequate infrastructure and $ (including big sponsors) put into the promotion and staging/infrastructure of such an event. These events are enjoyed not only by residents but visitors. But North Sydney doesn’t seem to put the same energy in, yet has a mirror image of the bridge and harbour. And yet visitors flock to North Sydney for such an event.
As a local resident, who has lived in the area for only a couple of years, I’d like to know more about what goes on in North Sydney. Could the Council distribute a regular email to those that subscribe promoting local activities? This would be cost effective and accessible to those that want to hear about what’s happening but don’t always check out Council’s website or get the local papers. I’d like to receive such an email as its then up to me to read it when I want to.
Another suggestion is to investigate a 4WD conjestion tax; also for boat trailers. On street parking around my home in Cremorne is not easy.
DamoMarch 7th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
1. North Sydney to be active after hours - City of Sydney’s laneway bars project. More life in the CBD especially on weekends. On a weekend its like a ghost town.
2. Retain big businesses in the CBD/ what can be done to stop companies moving out of North Sydney?
3. Parking - need more simple parking signs; there is a different rule for parking spots almost every 5 metres; this is confusing and annoying. Know you need to please a lot of stakeholders at different times in different areas, but this can be a turn off for those visiting the area.
SeanMarch 7th, 2009 at 7:55 pm