Turramurra Lookout Community Garden

September 30, 2023August 16, 2024Sam

This morning I was joined by Councillor Barbara Ward and Councillor Martin Smith at the Turramurra Lookout Community Garden for the grand opening of a community shelter.

It was an encouragement to meet all the volunteers and hear that the garden not only provides apartment dwellers with recreation space, but also provides them with a community network for social support.

We also witnessed the ribbon cutting of the Community Shelter funded by a State Government grant, and supported by Alister Henskens MP.

For more information on the garden and opportunities to volunteer, visit https://www.tlcgarden.org.au

This morning I was joined by Councillor Barbara Ward and @[100063481211240:2048:Councillor Martin Smith] at the @[100075642116990:2048:Turramurra Lookout Community Garden] for the grand opening of a community shelter.

It was an encouragement to meet all the volunteers and hear that the garden not only provides apartment dwellers with recreation space, but also provides them with a community network for social support.

We also witnessed the ribbon cutting of the Community Shelter funded by a State Government grant, and supported by @[1538132593142893:274:Alister Henskens MP].

For more information on the garden and opportunities to volunteer, visit
https://www.tlcgarden.org.au — This morning I was joined by Councillor Barbara Ward and @[100063481211240:2048:Councillor Martin Smith] at the @[100075642116990:2048:Turramurra Lookout Community Garden] for the grand opening of a community shelter. It was an encouragement to meet all the volunteers and hear that the garden not only provides apartment dwellers with recreation space, but also provides them with a community network for social support. We also witnessed the ribbon cutting of the Community Shelter funded by a State Government grant, and supported by @[1538132593142893:274:Alister Henskens MP]. For more information on the garden and opportunities to volunteer, visit https://www.tlcgarden.org.au

Food Organics Recycling

September 28, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘁

In 2018, 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 but was discouraged by the EPA as organic waste was required in red bins to support electricity generation at the Woodlawn Bioreactor.

More recently, the 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬. Once industry has built the capacity to process food waste, it will be collected in maroon-lidded bins and reduce waste going to landfill by a third.

Last year the Northern Sydney Councils jointly trialled separated food-waste collection with 2,400 households. The trials found that certain household types had 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀, making it expensive or impossible to recycle. There were also issues with 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗸𝘆 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀. Further education will be required in supporting the future rollout of food-only bins.

For more information refer to the NSROC report: https://nsroc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/16142_NSROC-Foof-Organics-Exec-Summary-12pp-web-reduced-1.pdf

𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘁

In 2018, 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 but was discouraged by the EPA as organic waste was required in red bins to support electricity generation at the Woodlawn Bioreactor.

More recently, the 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬. Once industry has built the capacity to process food waste, it will be collected in maroon-lidded bins and reduce waste going to landfill by a third.

Last year the Northern Sydney Councils jointly trialled separated food-waste collection with 2,400 households. The trials found that certain household types had 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀, making it expensive or impossible to recycle. There were also issues with 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗸𝘆 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀. Further education will be required in supporting the future rollout of food-only bins.

For more information refer to the NSROC report:
https://nsroc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/16142_NSROC-Foof-Organics-Exec-Summary-12pp-web-reduced-1.pdf — 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘁 In 2018, 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 but was discouraged by the EPA as organic waste was required in red bins to support electricity generation at the Woodlawn Bioreactor. More recently, the 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬. Once industry has built the capacity to process food waste, it will be collected in maroon-lidded bins and reduce waste going to landfill by a third. Last year the Northern Sydney Councils jointly trialled separated food-waste collection with 2,400 households. The trials found that certain household types had 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀, making it expensive or impossible to recycle. There were also issues with 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗸𝘆 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 and 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀. Further education will be required in supporting the future rollout of food-only bins. For more information refer to the NSROC report: https://nsroc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/16142_NSROC-Foof-Organics-Exec-Summary-12pp-web-reduced-1.pdf

Sustainable Futures Day

September 27, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆? We are hosting a Sustainable Futures Day at the St Ives Village Green from 10am to 4pm, with educational stalls covering solar and batteries, multiple electric vehicles on display, waste reduction, native plants, and the role that youth can play. There will also be live entertainment and the opportunity to meet our Net Zero Champion volunteers who can share more about getting involved.

I hope to see you there!

For more information refer to https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Whats-on/Eco-Festival-Sustainable-Futures-Day

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆?
We are hosting a Sustainable Futures Day at the St Ives Village Green from 10am to 4pm, with educational stalls covering solar and batteries, multiple electric vehicles on display, waste reduction, native plants, and the role that youth can play. There will also be live entertainment and the opportunity to meet our Net Zero Champion volunteers who can share more about getting involved.

I hope to see you there!

For more information refer to
https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Whats-on/Eco-Festival-Sustainable-Futures-Day — 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆? We are hosting a Sustainable Futures Day at the St Ives Village Green from 10am to 4pm, with educational stalls covering solar and batteries, multiple electric vehicles on display, waste reduction, native plants, and the role that youth can play. There will also be live entertainment and the opportunity to meet our Net Zero Champion volunteers who can share more about getting involved. I hope to see you there! For more information refer to https://www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Whats-on/Eco-Festival-Sustainable-Futures-Day

SES Awards Night

September 26, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

We had the privilege of meeting the awesome Volunteers from the Ku-ring-gai SES Unit last night. As volunteers, each of them have dedicated years of their life to train and serve, ensuring that regular Australians like you and I can recover from extreme weather situations.

In my speech I shared about our personal experience four years ago when a mini cyclone felled multiple trees across East Lindfield, including a large one on top of our house. In my heartfelt message I thanked the volunteers for responding to our situation close to midnight, forgoing a warm dinner and time with family in order to serve the community. It is these volunteers who should be recognised for their contributions to the community, and I was proud to present to them their Long Service awards for serving 5, 10 and 20 years with the SES.

After the ceremony we had the opportunity to mingle with volunteers, hear about their challenges and how Council can potentially help, as well as tour the facilities. Did you know that almost a quarter or third of their callouts are in relation to non-native Liquidambar obstructions? It’s a beautiful tree but it causes so many problems that it takes away our volunteers from serving the community in other ways.

𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
We had the privilege of meeting the awesome Volunteers from the Ku-ring-gai SES Unit last night. As volunteers, each of them have dedicated years of their life to train and serve, ensuring that regular Australians like you and I can recover from extreme weather situations.

In my speech I shared about our personal experience four years ago when a mini cyclone felled multiple trees across East Lindfield, including a large one on top of our house. In my heartfelt message I thanked the volunteers for responding to our situation close to midnight, forgoing a warm dinner and time with family in order to serve the community. It is these volunteers who should be recognised for their contributions to the community, and I was proud to present to them their Long Service awards for serving 5, 10 and 20 years with the SES.

After the ceremony we had the opportunity to mingle with volunteers, hear about their challenges and how Council can potentially help, as well as tour the facilities. Did you know that almost a quarter or third of their callouts are in relation to non-native Liquidambar obstructions? It’s a beautiful tree but it causes so many problems that it takes away our volunteers from serving the community in other ways. — 𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 We had the privilege of meeting the awesome Volunteers from the Ku-ring-gai SES Unit last night. As volunteers, each of them have dedicated years of their life to train and serve, ensuring that regular Australians like you and I can recover from extreme weather situations. In my speech I shared about our personal experience four years ago when a mini cyclone felled multiple trees across East Lindfield, including a large one on top of our house. In my heartfelt message I thanked the volunteers for responding to our situation close to midnight, forgoing a warm dinner and time with family in order to serve the community. It is these volunteers who should be recognised for their contributions to the community, and I was proud to present to them their Long Service awards for serving 5, 10 and 20 years with the SES. After the ceremony we had the opportunity to mingle with volunteers, hear about their challenges and how Council can potentially help, as well as tour the facilities. Did you know that almost a quarter or third of their callouts are in relation to non-native Liquidambar obstructions? It’s a beautiful tree but it causes so many problems that it takes away our volunteers from serving the community in other ways.

Ku-ring-gai Shield

September 25, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

We had a great time meeting residents at the annual Ku-ring-gai Shield (Lawn Bowls) competition. Congratulations to the St Ives club for both hosting and winning.

Robert Pymble Playground

September 23, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝘆𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 Earlier this year our council upgraded this playground in Pymble, with theming based on a fruit farm that used to be in the area. The playground includes a cycle track, soft fall, nature play, picnic area, fenced in area and other farm elements.

Our kids enjoyed it and we recommend that you check it out.

Council News

September 22, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

This week I was honoured to be elected by Councillors to the position of Mayor with Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay supporting as Deputy Mayor through to September 2024. We take time to thank Cr Jeff Pettett and Cr Barbara Ward for their service as Mayor and Deputy in the last two years. As Mayor, my aim is to collaboratively lead the Council and build on relationships with residents and with staff. I also know that each councillor genuinely cares for the community, and I believe that our diverse views will produce the best outcomes if we engage in respectful conversation. In these 12 months we hope to deliver meaningful changes that improve your quality of life. We have commenced a customer service review which should lead to more efficient and effective responses to your queries. We are also reviewing our internal spend to identify savings which can fund infrastructure and process improvements. The decisions that we make must benefit current and future generations, and where appropriate it is important to engage residents in the process. I look forward to seeing you at some of the great events that Council has organised this month. With warmer weather and school holidays, there is no better time to be in Ku-ring-gai. Mayor Sam Ngai

This week I was honoured to be elected by Councillors to the position of Mayor with @[100049240526757:2048:Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay] supporting as Deputy Mayor through to September 2024. We take time to thank Cr Jeff Pettett and Cr Barbara Ward for their service as Mayor and Deputy in the last two years.

As Mayor, my aim is to collaboratively lead the Council and build on relationships with residents and with staff. I also know that each councillor genuinely cares for the community, and I believe that our diverse views will produce the best outcomes if we engage in respectful conversation.

In these 12 months we hope to deliver meaningful changes that improve your quality of life. We have commenced a customer service review which should lead to more efficient and effective responses to your queries. We are also reviewing our internal spend to identify savings which can fund infrastructure and process improvements.

The decisions that we make must benefit current and future generations, and where appropriate it is important to engage residents in the process.

I look forward to seeing you at some of the great events that Council has organised this month. With warmer weather and school holidays, there is no better time to be in Ku-ring-gai.

Mayor Sam Ngai — This week I was honoured to be elected by Councillors to the position of Mayor with @[100049240526757:2048:Deputy Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr Christine Kay] supporting as Deputy Mayor through to September 2024. We take time to thank Cr Jeff Pettett and Cr Barbara Ward for their service as Mayor and Deputy in the last two years. As Mayor, my aim is to collaboratively lead the Council and build on relationships with residents and with staff. I also know that each councillor genuinely cares for the community, and I believe that our diverse views will produce the best outcomes if we engage in respectful conversation. In these 12 months we hope to deliver meaningful changes that improve your quality of life. We have commenced a customer service review which should lead to more efficient and effective responses to your queries. We are also reviewing our internal spend to identify savings which can fund infrastructure and process improvements. The decisions that we make must benefit current and future generations, and where appropriate it is important to engage residents in the process. I look forward to seeing you at some of the great events that Council has organised this month. With warmer weather and school holidays, there is no better time to be in Ku-ring-gai. Mayor Sam Ngai

The Glade Masterplan

September 21, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮 I visited The Glade twice in recent weeks to understand proposed incremental upgrades, the most controversial of which was the post-consultation inclusion of LED field lighting.

Although I’m open to the possibility of lights at this site, I think such decisions should only be made after thorough consultation with residents on matters such as lighting technologies and design, light spill, time of use, and natural screening. Some would argue that such details could be agreed 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 adopting a Masterplan, but others would argue that it should be part of the process.

I was keen to debate the matter last night but some councillors requested a staff-guided site inspection, and I was happy to support this request. We’ll be debating the matter later in the year and I’m open to hearing your thoughts in the interim.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮
I visited The Glade twice in recent weeks to understand proposed incremental upgrades, the most controversial of which was the post-consultation inclusion of LED field lighting.

Although I’m open to the possibility of lights at this site, I think such decisions should only be made after thorough consultation with residents on matters such as lighting technologies and design, light spill, time of use, and natural screening. Some would argue that such details could be agreed 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 adopting a Masterplan, but others would argue that it should be part of the process.

I was keen to debate the matter last night but some councillors requested a staff-guided site inspection, and I was happy to support this request. We’ll be debating the matter later in the year and I’m open to hearing your thoughts in the interim. — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻, 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮 I visited The Glade twice in recent weeks to understand proposed incremental upgrades, the most controversial of which was the post-consultation inclusion of LED field lighting. Although I’m open to the possibility of lights at this site, I think such decisions should only be made after thorough consultation with residents on matters such as lighting technologies and design, light spill, time of use, and natural screening. Some would argue that such details could be agreed 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 adopting a Masterplan, but others would argue that it should be part of the process. I was keen to debate the matter last night but some councillors requested a staff-guided site inspection, and I was happy to support this request. We’ll be debating the matter later in the year and I’m open to hearing your thoughts in the interim.

St John’s Spring Fete

September 19, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

In 3 weeks time there’s a fete and spring market at St John’s church in Gordon. It’s usually a well attended community event.

September Public Forum

September 14, 2023August 17, 2024Sam

On Tuesday 12th September, Ku-ring-gai Council met for the monthly Public Forum as well as an Extraordinary Meeting of Council that had been called regarding the General Manager’s employment. Members of the public shared their views on the matter and responded to councillor questions. Then some councillors, including those who had called for the meeting, counted the numbers and staged a walkout. This resulted in a situation where there were not enough councillors left in the room to proceed with the debate or the vote. The matter has been adjourned to Tuesday 19th September.

I’d like to thank members of the public for coming to share their views on the matter. During the public forum there were calls for transparency, probity, and for councillors to act in the public interest 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘔’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 These are all values that I share and they support my decision back in August to vote the GM out. The biggest difference, however, is that the general public has not had the same level of access to information that I have had as a councillor these last six years. I am firmly of the view that most people who would have seen what I have seen (𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) and who are placed in similar circumstances would do the same as I have or at least be very sympathetic to the circumstances.

I also appreciated it when a former councillor got up to speak and waved a copy of the 2011 edition of the Guidelines for the Appointment and Oversight of General Manager. I wish she was actually on council with me last council term when I fought for (and lost to the mayor’s casting vote) the right for councillors to participate in the setting of the General Manager’s performance metrics. In fact if you look at the minutes from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 you can see that the oversight of the GM’s performance has always been a divided topic, with the mayor often using the casting vote to quash those who do not agree. A new 2022 edition of the Guidelines was released last year and council is partway through implementing these governance changes. I also expect legislative changes to the Local Government Act and Regulation later this year which will bring long-awaited improvements to governance across all NSW councils.

If Ku-ring-gai does get to the point where a new GM is appointed, I want the process to be supported by an independent and apolitical recruiter and I want it to follow the 2022 guidelines. In the last 12 months we have seen examples of senior public official recruitment done poorly at all three levels of government, and Ku-ring-gai must not go down that path.

I am sorry that this is all that can be said for now. Current councillors are bound by a code (including conduct and confidentiality) whereas former councillors do not have such restrictions.