As a resident of Roseville, East Lindfield and Killara for the last 38 years I understand Ku-ring-gai and the Roseville Ward.

If you have any issues with council-related matters, feel free to reach out to us.

And for news on what’s happening at council follow me on Facebook or Instagram or see the articles below.

News

  • ALGA Annual Conference 2025
    by Sam
    Brrr it’s cold in Canberra. I’m here for the Australian Local Government Association’s annual conference, where we meet Councillors from across Australia, hear updates on matters that affect the local government sector, and also agree on matters to collectively advocate at a federal level.
  • El Jannah Lindfield
    by Sam
    Bumped into friends at the new El Jannah in Lindfield. It has its grand opening on Saturday at 11am with DJ and a special deal, but has the soft opening starting today. The chicken was nice and crispy, and the gravy was good! Parked nearby at Coles for the free EV charge though I noticed…
  • Youth Participation in Public Policy
    by Sam
    Last year I pondered the limited options for youth participation in policy setting and the democratic process, and at the council meeting of March 2024 we unanimously voted to learn from the practices of youth advisory committees / councils across the Sydney Metro region before setting up our own. This year it’s been encouraging to…
  • June 2025 Council Meeting
    by Sam
    Not too much to report this month. Council adopted its Community Strategic Plan and other strategic planning documents, supported a notion to explore better utilising our facilities for arts and culture, created a more diverse composition for the Sydney North Planning Panel, and supported the notion of adding induction cooktops to its energy efficiency rebates…
  • Adoption of Alternate TOD Scenario
    by Sam
    Last night council voted unanimously to adopt alternate TOD plans which had been developed then fine-tuned with resident feedback over the last 12 months. Some details have been published today on the council website, and I hope a more user-friendly version of the final map will become available soon. https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Latest-news/Extraordinary-Council-Meeting-TOD-preferred-scenario I want to make a…
  • Rainy Days
    by Sam
    I’m outside my childhood bus stop for Roseville Public School. My neighbours and I used to race barky boats / leaves down the gutter on wet days – so fun! What did you used to do in the rain?
  • Extraordinary Meeting Adjournment
    by Sam
    Tonight, the majority of Council voted to adjourn (i.e. pause then resume) the Extraordinary Meeting of Council to 5th June. While I personally had voted against it with the rationale of sending a clear signal and accelerating the process, this decision to pause and resume in two weeks does provide the benefit of fine-tuning the…
  • Wear it Orange Wednesday 2025
    by Sam
    Thanks to our volunteers for their invaluable efforts!
  • Changes to the Proposed Alternate TOD Scenario
    by Sam
    Over the weekend Council called for an Extraordinary Meeting this Thursday so that we can progress with an alternate TOD scenario that improves on the impacts of the default scenario currently in place. Due to the timing of various commitments I haven’t yet had the chance to summarise the feedback and changes (as is my…
  • Bad Train Day
    by Sam
    Trains are a bit nuts today (cancelled / 154mins late), consider catching the metro from Chatswood.
  • Extraordinary Meeting of Council – TOD Alternate Proposal
    by Sam
    An Extraordinary Meeting of Council has been called for Thursday 22nd May with regard to revisions to Council’s alternate proposal for the TOD. The meeting papers are available here. https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Minutes-and-agendas I haven’t had the time to read through the report yet (I’m visiting family right now), but a quick skim of the maps shows that…
  • National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day 2025
    by Sam
    As part of National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day, Christine Kay Mayor of Ku-ring-gai planted a purple flowering tree and revealed a purple bench at St Ives in memory of those whose lives have unjustly been taken. We were joined by members of the community as well as the Hummingsong Choirs, our local police area command,…
  • Lindfield Learning Village – Living Library
    by Sam
    This morning I was invited by Lindfield Learning Village to be a ‘Living Library’ and share with ~80 primary kids about Lindfield and Chatswood … the past, the present, and the future. The kids were fascinated with facts and questions such as:– How to use a rotary dial phone– Target being located at Wallaceway– Supermarkets…
  • Election Day 2025
    by Sam
    Good Morning East Lindfield. I’ll be here all day supporting Gisele Kapterian – Liberal for Bradfield. If you meet her in person she’s an incredibly personable candidate, born and residing on the North Shore, who is also backed by great intellect and real experience in international trade (at the World Trade Organisation), foreign policy, and…
  • Coles Lindfield EV Charging is Free??
    by Sam
    I know it’s a small thing to get excited about but with EV uptake on the rise, many of the public charging providers have shifted from offering free electricity to a paid cost recovery or demand management model. if you’re in the area you might as well get that dollar or two’s worth of electricity…
  • Revised TOD Scenario Feedback – Next Steps
    by Sam
    With the revised TOD scenario, submissions closed last week and Council is now reviewing the feedback to consider potential refinements. Residents have also contacted councillors individually with their feedback, so I’ve done the best that I can to summarise the major issues for Roseville Ward. I am catching up with our staff later this week…
  • Roseville Park and Ibbitson Park Upgrades
    by Sam
    Council is seeking your feedback on the upgrade of Roseville Park and Ibbitson Park. Roseville Park is quite worn out and in need of an upgrade. We are at the first stage of consultation and are seeking your ideas on what you would like to see done with this space. Submissions are due Friday 30…
  • Grand Opening – OSMEN Outdoor
    by Sam
    I was recently invited by entrepreneurial Ku-ring-gai residents to attend the opening of their new outdoor furniture store (OSMEN Outdoor Furniture ) which is in partnership with Four Seasons Nursery & Garden Centre . It’s worth checking out if you are in the area – 200 Forest Way Belrose.
  • Ku-ring-gai Grants 2025
    by Sam
    Each year Ku-ring-gai funds community initiatives that bring people together or care for our environment. If you are keen to be involved, just put together a proposal for one of our grant categories by the closing date. Heritage (closing 12 May)Events and festivals (closing 13 May)Arts and Culture (closing 9 May)Community Development (closing 9 May)Small…
  • ANZAC Day 2025
    by Sam
    Joined by hundreds to commemorate our veterans at Roseville Memorial Park this ANZAC Day. Council recently installed a third flag pole so that we can include the NZ flag this year.
  • Illegal Tree Clearing – Have Your Say
    by Sam
    The State Government’s current penalties for illegal tree removal are woeful at best. $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for corporations – it’s more of a fee than a fine. Likewise illegal tree poisoning is difficult to prosecute because we don’t have photographic evidence catching the offender in the act. In November 2023, Ku-ring-gai lobbied Local…
  • Easter 2025 at St Barney’s
    by Sam
    Feel free to visit if you’re around this Easter.
  • Geotechnical / Utilities Surveys – Pacific Highway
    by Sam
    There will be Geotechnical / Utilities surveys next week at the Pacific Highway x Havilah Road intersection. More info below. https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Latest-news/Investigative-roadworks-Pacific-Highway-Balfour-St-and-Havilah-Rd
  • Quiet Morning in St Ives
    by Sam
    Baby Duties.
  • New Coles Lindfield
    by Sam
    First thoughts on the new Coles Lindfield. 1) Nice high ceiling, wide range of food on offer, easily the best supermarket in Lindfield – and very similar in format to Woolworths Chatswood East. 2) Havilah Road underpass really sucks anytime near peak hour. If you’re coming from the East, I’d stick to East side shops…
  • Ku-ring-gai Waste App
    by Sam
    Following on from last year’s Library App, our council now has a Waste App which allows you to get reminders for bin night, provides information on what can be recycled and where, and redirects you to our website for booking a cleanup. There’s additional functionality that I know can be added in the app space…
  • International Ramen Day
    by Sam
    Happi Ramen (Gordon) has been open for a few months now, but I didn’t have the chance to check it out until yesterday. Their tonkotsu ramen was fantastic, and it looks like they have a special tomorrow to celebrate international ramen day (4th April).
  • Seeking Feedback on Revised TOD Scenario
    by Sam
    We are seeking your feedback on the revised TOD Housing Scenario, with 21 days exhibition through to Tuesday 22 April 2025. �Detailed and zoomed in maps with street names, plus rationale for the proposal and feedback form are available at: https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Latest-news/Transport-Oriented-Development-preferred-scenario-between-Roseville-and-Gordon For my personal commentary on the matter, refer to a previous FB post.
  • Election Signage – What is and isn’t allowed
    by Sam
    It’s been a strange few weeks because we have had seasoned campaigners who know the law knowingly put up illegal posters, spraying footpaths with illegal electoral material, and parking trucks to block peak hour clearway traffic. Election signage is regulated by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) which applies across all of…
  • Extraordinary Meeting of Council – Revised TOD Scenario
    by Sam
    The public forum was highly charged with strong emotions in the air, some valid points expressed, as well as some inaccurate claims. However the main challenge for me is that while some residents were unhappy about aspects of council’s alternate TOD scenario, nobody proposed a constructive alternative that could – in time for the May…
  • Blood Donation
    by Sam
    Taking a break from all the housing queries by donating blood (plasma). Plenty of vacancies at Red Cross Chatswood this week.
  • Revised TOD Scenario
    by Sam
    Council staff have consolidated your feedback around preferred Transport Oriented Development (TOD) scenario for Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon and come up with a new draft, which will be considered by Council this coming Monday 31st 7pm. Their method of reviewing the public consultation material, selecting a community reference (3b), and rationale for adjustments to…
  • Multicultural Festival Rained Out
    by Sam
    The kids and I were sad to hear this morning that our Inaugural Multicultural Festival has been cancelled due to wet weather and concerns about site safety. I’m asking staff whether they can consider rescheduling the event for later this year.
  • National Ride2School Day 2025
    by Sam
    It’s great to see so many schools participate in National Ride2School day. This year our Mayor visited Sacred Heart and I saw a lot of riders at my daughters’ school drop offs as well. Ku-ring-gai may be doing something more active in this space in the coming year – we’ll wait for details to bed…
  • Dual Occupancies
    by Sam
    Bubs and I recently visited Homeworld Box Hill to get the vibe of their duplexes (attached dual occupancies). At Ku-ring-gai, duplexes will be allowed within each ‘local housing area’ (800m walking distance of train stations and town centres, excluding Warrawee but including St ives Shopping Village) on a minimum lot size of 450sqm, or outside…
  • Heritage Walks
    by Sam
    Friends of Kuringgai Environment is currently organising four heritage walks in our suburbs of Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon. Next two weekends. I know it’s unusual for me to actively promote a FOKE event, but I do believe these heritage walks are a good cause. If you happen to be available, feel free to register.…
  • Ku-ring-gai Multicultural Festival
    by Sam
    Ku-ring-gai is having its first Multicultural Festival at the St Ives Showgrounds this Sunday 23 March 10am – 3pm. There will be performances and workshops from a range of cultural groups, plus kids activities like face painting, camel rides, mini train rides, and the SES trucks. As a bonus, St Ives is also the home…
  • March 2025 Council Meeting
    by Sam
    Key decisions from the March 2025 council meeting include: Dual Occupancies – Council resolved to put forward to DPHI the proposal for dual occupancies to be allowed in lot sizes of 1,015 sqm or greater. I was in support of this motion, and I will provide my speech transcript in a subsequent post this week.…
  • EnergyZE: Practical Solutions to Reduce Your Energy Bills and Carbon Footprint
    by Sam
    As part of Ku-ring-gai’s Net Zero Communities Grant (funded by our Environmental Levy) we sponsored EnergyZE to hold a community event where like-minded people shared tips on how reducing our carbon footprint. Our guest speaker was Tim Forcey, a Home Energy Advisor, Author, and Founder of the Facebook group @myefficientelectrichome I also spoke briefly on…
  • New Park in Gordon
    by Sam
    We need to deliver more open space to support the growing population in Gordon. Pictured at the top is a new open space at the top of Dumaresq Street, which council had resolved to deliver last year. We’re giving time for the grass to establish and we expect it to open later this week. Pictured…
  • Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Part 2
    by Sam
    The State Government has announced today its Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Part 2 provisions. What this means for Ku-ring-gai is that within 800m of Wahroonga, Turramurra, Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield and Roseville Station as well as St Ives Shopping Village, 3-storey townhouses and manor houses can be built in R2 zones, and 6-storey apartments can…
  • Lunar New Year of the Snake
    by Sam
    Scenes from the Lunar New Year of the Snake night markets at St Ives last week.
  • Perth Avenue Kerb and Guttering
    by Sam
    This morning I was excited to check out the new kerb and guttering at Perth Avenue East Lindfield, which residents had been requesting since last decade. The kerb and guttering was delivered at the cost of $773,500 as part of Council?s $9.1m Road Rehabilitation Program this financial year. Other large projects this year include retaining…
  • TOD Scenario Feedback
    by Sam
    Some residents may know that I was not personally satisfied with any of the four new TOD scenarios put forward by Council last year. Each scenario had significant flaws – a symptom of the incredibly short timeframe given for preparing them – but it was necessary for us to act quickly to prevent the costly…
  • Development Applications (Part 2)
    by Sam
    Thanks everyone for your feedback yesterday on the Development Application Average Assessment Days chart. Some of it was constructive, while some of it was less so, but regardless I’ve made some adjustments to further the discussion. The first chart shows both the average assessment days (in green), the number of applications received (in grey), and…
  • Development Applications (Part 1)
    by Sam
    One of the top three priorities that I had set at the start of my 12 months as Mayor was to streamline the Development Assessment process so that homeowners could have greater certainty about when they can move back in. This was formalised as part of the General Manager’s performance agreement for FY25 (after resistance…
  • Holiday Break
    by Sam
    We took some time out in January to visit Japan. Highlights included: – One week stay with our Japanese missionary friend – Visiting 7 Pokemon Centres / Stores – Mt Fuji on a clear day – Visiting the new Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea and going on Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey There’s a few…
  • Australia Day Citizenship 2025
    by Sam
    Glad to see so many become Australian Citizens on our national day.
  • Happy New Year!
    by Sam
    Wishing you all a Happy New Year! Here’s a snippet of the East Lindfield Fireworks.
  • Roseville Park
    by Sam
    My assistant and I stopped by at Roseville Park after checking out a footpath issue nearby.
  • Chanukkah on the Green
    by Sam
    This week we were joined by Julian Leeser MP, cr_christine_kay and Councillor Robert Samuel – Willoughby at our annual Chanukkah at the St Ives Village Green. There were all sort of festivities including fireworks to celebrate the Jewish people?s freedom from oppression in 2nd Century BC. Chabad North Shore
  • Avoid the Heat at Gordon Library
    by Sam
    For those braving the heat in Sydney, please know that our libraries are still open (as is the pool). Today I visited Gordon Library to get work done and borrow some books. We also have our Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene (which we’ve been lobbying to get the last two years). Ku-ring-gai Library
  • Chanukah at Council Chambers
    by Sam
    Each year at council chambers we hold a Chanukah ceremony and for the second year running we also have a Menorah displayed outside. We do this as a symbol of our ongoing friendship and support of the Jewish community here on the North Shore. Chanukah is an annual festival commemorating Israel’s freedom from oppression in…
  • Year 12 Results
    by Sam
    For Year 12 students receiving their results today, it?s important to remember that this one number doesn?t control the rest of your life. There are other ways to get where you need to go, and a rewarding career doesn?t necessarily have to come from attending university either. I?m happy to meet up and chat if…
  • TOD Housing Scenarios – One Sleep To Go
    by Sam
    ONE SLEEP TO GO before feedback on future housing scenarios officially closes. This is with regard to the NSW Government?s imposition of 22,500 new dwellings within 400m of Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon Station. Please let us know whether you?d prefer to do it by demolishing the entire precinct with six storey homes, or by…
  • Benefits and Risks of AI in Decision Making
    by Sam
    AI presents an enormous opportunity for us to work more quickly and create value. I’ve been using it on and off and find that while it is not always entirely accurate, it does help with giving us a good starting point. On this particular occasion, I’ve been looking at GB11 of our December Council meeting…
  • New Footpaths
    by Sam
    The kids and I visited Santa?s new footpath at Crown Street earlier this week. Our latest new footpaths are Allambie Ave East Lindfield, Grayling Road West Pymble, Collins Road St Ives and Crown Street Pymble. We are also open to requests for new footpaths though please note that this is limited by budget and the…
  • Tree of Joy
    by Sam
    Seeking your help with bringing Christmas Joy to our seniors. Each year since 1999, the Rotary Club of St Ives, NSW – District 9685 helps the community meet the Christmas gift requests of our nursing home residents. My two older kids and I visited the tree last night to read the requests and select someone…
  • Quick Update
    by Sam
    Some residents have noticed that my social media activity has dropped off in recent weeks, and have been asking how I’ve been. Yes I’m ok but have been preoccupied with other priorities – explanation below. First of all we’re currently dealing with some family medical/health issues and what that means is that it has been…
  • Christmas Carols at St Barnabas
    by Sam
    Come join us for Christmas Carols at St Barnabas Roseville. Saturday 7th December 5-8pm with food stalls, face painting, craft, jumping castle, carols and a Christmas message. We also have Christmas services on Sunday 22nd December and Wednesday 25th December.
  • Fundraising for Guides
    by Sam
    Join us at Chatswood Bunnings – Fundraising for East Lindfield Guides
  • Mural at Lindfield Village Green
    by Sam
    Check out our new mural at the Lindfield Village Green carpark entrance, next to the bike hoops. Looks quite cheerful!
  • Seeking Your Input – CSP and TOD
    by Sam
    Council is seeking your input to two items, both of which have an enormous impact on the future of our LGA. The first is our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which sets the aspirations of Council from now through to 2034. It?s important that we get diverse input into the CSP because it is what council…
  • Remembrance Day
    by Sam
    Remembering those who gave up their lives so that we can enjoy our freedoms in Australia today. Encouraged by the attendance of those who served as well as the attendance of our future generations. Lest we forget. [I also laid a wreath on behalf of Matt Cross MP.]
  • November 2024 Council Agenda
    by Sam
    The expansion of St Ives Shopping Village on council owned land (GB12) is on the November 2024 council meeting agenda. As is the selection of 15 youth for our Youth Advisory Committee (GB2), which is an election commitment. And the Planning Proposal for 47 Highfield Road and 47a Highfield Lane (GB13). More information can be…
  • TOD Alternate Scenarios
    by Sam
    Last night council resolved to bring the TOD Scenarios out for public exhibition. Members of the public will have the opportunity to have their say about which scenarios they like, which scenarios they don’t like, and why. The scenarios and the consultation material is being fine-tuned before the public exhibition formally starts in early/mid November.…
  • I do not apologise for fulfilling election promises
    by Sam
    Recently I have seen inaccurate comments on my Facebook page claiming that Council?s move to put Transport Oriented Development scenarios out for public exhibition was sudden, secretive and without explanation. These comments are highly disrespectful, defamatory, and far from the truth and I will address these claims below. There has been no secret whatsoever that…
  • Extraordinary Meeting of Council re: Alternate TOD Scenarios
    by Sam
    Several residents have enquired about tomorrow’s extraordinary meeting so I write to explain my position. The urgency to act has been forced upon by the State Government, which imposed the default TOD policy onto our f our suburbs in May 2024. We already have developers preparing development applications that will permanently change the character of…
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
    by Sam
    Electric vehicle charging infrastructure has supplanted housing as the most divisive topic this week. On Ku-ring-gai Living there are so many residents for or against! My comments as follows. 1 Public charging infrastructure will help us collectively move towards Net Zero 2040 or earlier. While Council requires new apartments to be built with the electrical…
  • Alternate TOD Scenarios
    by Sam
    Council staff have prepared alternate scenarios to provide the 20,000+ dwelling uplift in the TOD precincts of Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon. These scenarios are designed to mitigate the negative impacts to environment, heritage, urban canopy and town centre vitalisation that the TOD in its original form unfairly forces upon Ku-ring-gai. Next Wednesday Council will…
  • LVG Commuter Parking Changes
    by Sam
    BEWARE AND READ THE FINEPRINT before you enter the Lindfield Village Green commuter carpark. They recently added the boom gates and linked access to opal / credit / debit card taps. But what they haven’t promoted clearly (and hidden in the fine print) is that any credit or debit card linked to the commuter travel…
  • October 2024 Council Meeting
    by Sam
    We had our first Ordinary Meeting of Council last night. It was good to see our new councillors and new mayor settled in. Key decisions were: ? Support to display the Menorah and celebrate Chanukah festivities at council chambers, plus opening up the site to celebrate other religious and cultural occasions. ? Exploring funding opportunities…
  • Social Media Policy
    by Sam
    Hi Everyone, I recently received an email from a concerned resident claiming that one of the comments posted on my social media profile is defamatory. Technically I don?t think the comments were actually defamatory but the emotions and sentiments have the same effect and these human impacts matter. Back in 2021, there was a High…
  • Sustainable Futures Day
    by Sam
    Come visit us at the Sustainable Futures Day, with stalls on various topics like electrification, composting, waste reduction and active transport available til 3pm. Cameron Park Turramurra.
  • Heritage Items as Part of a Consolidated Development (Part 2)
    by Sam
    On Tuesday I seem to have sparked some interest / controversy by sharing an example of how a heritage item can be incorporated as part of a larger development site, with the heritage item?s land used to provide uplift elsewhere on site. My Tuesday post was not an endorsement of the TOD controls. In fact…
  • Storytime at Ku-ring-gai Library
    by Sam
    Since I’m currently under-employed, I’ve had free time to do things like visit Storytime at Ku-ring-gai Library. Weekly sessions are held at Lindifeld, Gordon, St Ives and Turramurra Library and they cater for different age groups (0-12 months, 1-3 years, 3-5 years). The session I attended had 4 bubs and their parents, and we read…
  • Report on the TOD Parliamentary Inquiry
    by Sam
    Released today is the Report on the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Development of the Transport Oriented Program In the chair?s forward it was noted that the TOD program and its planning rules were selected in an opaque process with inadequate consultation, and that its one-size-fits-all approach is not well enough designed to stimulate appropriate housing…
  • Heritage Items as Part of a Consolidated Development (Part 1)
    by Sam
    Is development possible within a TOD precinct when there is a heritage item? Last week while shopping at ALDI, I checked out the Chatswood Community Nursing Home and Hospital at 256 Victoria Avenue. It is listed as a heritage item and is known for its history as well as its representation of the Arts &…
  • Commuter Bike Parking
    by Sam
    The government provides bike parking at each train station to encourage people to cycle instead of drive to the train. On Friday I thought I’d look around the three southern train stations to see how well the uptake has been. I was surprised to find that Killara was the most popular location, even though it…
  • Nominations for Citizen of the Year
    by Sam
    Nominations are open for Ku-ring-gai’s 2025 Local Citizen of the Year Awards, and you can recognise someone for their awesome contribution to our community by putting their name forward. Award categories include ? Citizen of the Year (25 Years +) ? Young Citizen of the Year (16-25 Years) ? Environmental Citizen of the Year (Individual,…
  • Fri Oct 11, 2024 07:07 AM
    by Sam
    According to the SMH and ABS, with my degrees in Software Engineering and Accounting I should live in Parramatta! Or East Lindfield… Basically they’re saying Accountants make the largest group in most of our suburbs at Ku-ring-gai, with Sales Assistants dominating St Ives and North Turramurra, and Sales and Marketing Managers in West Pymble. It’s…
  • October 2024 Council Agenda
    by Sam
    On the agenda for the October 2024 Council Meeting are: 261 Mona Vale Road (GB14) – Whether to reclassify this from community to operational land, a move that may lead to more flexible long term use of the site. 1192 Pacific Highway (GB15) – Whether to reclassify this from community to operational land, a move…
  • New Mayor and Deputy Mayor!
    by Sam
    Congrats to Ku-ring-gai’s new Mayor Christine Kay and Deputy Mayor Kim Wheatley. I have worked closely with both of them these last few years and I can confidently say that Ku-ring-gai is in good hands.
  • Everglades House
    by Sam
    This week it?s a trip to the Blue Mountains including Everglades House & Garden. We are sworn in to Council tonight and the work begins in earnest under a new team. After these school holidays I will also need to find a day job or start a business, and am just pondering next steps.
  • Evie Charging Stations
    by Sam
    It cost us ~$40 to drive to, within and from Batemans Bay. The best charging option was provided by Evie Networks who provided four 75kW fast chargers at the local shopping centre (which happens to be owned by Local Gov Super). For reference, charging from a powerpoint is 2kW and the chargers at Lindfield Village…
  • Week Off
    by Sam
    We enjoyed the week off at Batemans Bay before our councillor swearing in on Tuesday night.
  • Hassall Park St Ives
    by Sam
    Tour of our latest playground at Hassall Park, St Ives.
  • Election Results
    by Sam
    Preferences were distributed today and the Ku-ring-gai Councillors for 2024-2028 are Comenarra: Matthew Devlin and Jeff Pettett Gordon: Barbara Ward and Indu Balachandran Roseville: Sam Ngai and Alec Taylor St Ives: Martin Smith and Christine Kay Wahroonga: Cedric Spencer and Kim Wheatley The Mayor will be separately elected by the ten councillors on Tuesday 8th…
  • Waste Diversion to Landfill
    by Sam
    Sydney is projected to run out of inert landfill by 2028, making it important to reduce the waste we generate. At Ku-ring-gai, 61% of our waste is diverted from landfill and the EPA has set an 80% target for all councils by 2030. One third of our red bin (by weight) is comprised of food…
  • Post Election Update
    by Sam
    It’s been a quiet period where former Councillors are taking time off to rest while the election results slowly trickle in. I’ve taken some time off…. We had a church camp where one of our kids picked up gastro and the last few days have been resting at home. Another kid joined girl guides and…
  • Depart Exhibition – Ian Fleming
    by Sam
    Last night I visited Depart gallery at 350 Pacific Highway Lindfield for the opening of an exhibition featuring Ian Fleming’s work. Ian works primarily in oil, depicting the Australian Landscape. It’s well worth a visit, and you may perhaps even consider purchasing.
  • Thank You
    by Sam
    I?d like to thank the residents of Roseville Ward for asking me to serve them as a councillor for a third term. It was an incredibly hectic three weeks and this election campaign would not have been possible without the support of volunteers. We appreciate all of you who were willing to dedicate time to…
  • Depart Gallery Lindfield
    by Sam
    Last month we visited Depart gallery at 350 Pacific Highway Lindfield, where artworks are on for display and sale. I liked the bold colours and works. Tomorrow on election day they are introducing the works of Ian Fleming from 5-8pm. Please consider going. Depending on how the election booth packup process is going, I may…
  • General Manager’s Performance Agreement FY25
    by Sam
    My parting gift as Mayor – The General Manager’s Performance Agreement FY25 In my first six years as a Councillor, the General Manager?s performance management process was always a debacle. The Mayor of the day would set the GM?s performance metrics at some undisclosed date, and then at the end of the 12 month period…
  • Friendly Candidates at Gordon Prepoll
    by Sam
    Come say hello to your friendly candidates and volunteers at Gordon Library prepoll. We are here til 8pm this Thursday.
  • Top Issues Raised
    by Sam
    So how will we pay for that? We’ve been talking to residents at Roseville and Lindfield train station and their top issues (apart from development) have been 1. Proactive management of council owned trees (dead branches, roots causing problems) 2. Footpaths and road bottlenecks 3. Provision of playgrounds and toilets in town centres We know…
  • Group A
    by Sam
    At each election there are candidates who are lucky enough to be drawn out as Group A. They may not necessarily agree on everything, but they are each keen to represent your concerns in their own way. I?ve been fortunate enough to get into Group A twice out of three times. Wishing all candidates the…
  • “This afternoon I saw a bird get hit and we held it till it stoped breathing”
    by Sam
    The office of the Mayor often gets letters from residents with their concerns. Given the sheer volume of correspondence, our assistant often co-ordinates a response with council staff and the Mayor just signs the letter (after sense-checking the content). On this particular occasion I received a handwritten letter with ‘Please Write Back!’ and I thought…
  • KNA and Golden Bakehouse
    by Sam
    Yesterday before pre-poll I popped over at Ku-Ring-Gai Netball Association for their 10 and 11 year old Grand Finals presentations. After that I had breakfast at the Golden Bakehouse – arguably some of the best pies in Ku-ring-gai! Council also happens to be doing Spring Flowers at South Turramurra this year so it was especially…
  • Gordon Library Prepoll
    by Sam
    Come meet your friendly Roseville and Gordon Ward candidates here at Gordon Library prepoll. We are here today, plus Monday to Friday next week, For the candidates reading, I?d also like to promote the importance of using sunscreen if you?re out here all day. I didn?t used to have freckles on my nose but after…