21 November 2023
By Hannah Wilcox
Mayor Zoe Baker has labelled the past year as ‘challenging’, noting several controversial State Government infrastructure projects such as the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrades as well as the ongoing cost of living crisis. She made the comments in the Council’s annual report for 2023.
“These challenging times reinforce the importance of strong community connections and the inestimable value of public open spaces and services. Council has a vital role in supporting our community, especially in difficult times, and ensuring that the character and quality of our neighbourhoods, public spaces and venues are nurtured and accessible to all,” Mayor Baker wrote.
Council remains in a strong financial position, she added, with many works, services and events having been completed over the last year.
Those referenced include: opening the first stage of the expanded Hume St Park, Crows Nest, campaigning on behalf of residents and lobbied the State Government on the impacts of the Western Harbour Tunnel/ Warringah Freeway Upgrade works and other State Government projects and policies.
The St Leonards Park masterplan was implemented, including the renewal of the playground increasing the play space by 300 percent in addition to upgrading and opening Primrose Park Tennis Courts.
A new soft plastics recycling service by RecycleSmart was offered to residents and a Food Organics trial was carried out.
Council also celebrated 50 years of the Precinct system and 30 years of the Bushcare program, updated the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and established a Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee.
The first stage of the West Street cycleway was opened and planning commenced for Stage 2.
General Manager Therese Manns was also appointed during the year.
“Since joining Council in November 2022, I have been overwhelmed by the level of engagement in North Sydney. The elected Council, community and our staff are all incredibly proud of the local area, and passionate about the future,” Manns said in the report’s foreword.
“It is this energy that will see us rise to opportunities, thriving despite the challenges thrown our way. There will always be differing views within a community, but by working together and engaging constructively, we will always be stronger.”
The year’s focus was that of review and renewal, she added, whilst maintaining the high quality of services available to the community.
“Structures, systems, technology, skills, qualities and financial capacity are all important in fostering a high performing high-rewarding culture which in turn delivers the best value in service delivery and infrastructure provision to our community,” Ms Manns continued.
“In January, we embarked on this process of review to identify opportunities to better support our workforce in delivering services. This review resulted in a change in the structure of our Executive Leadership Team, reducing the number of directorates from six to three.”
This saw Marcelo Occhiuzzi appointed as Director Community, Planning and Environment, Luke Harvey as Director of Corporate Support and Gary Parsons as Director of Open Space and Infrastructure alongside Council’s new General Counsel Christina Wu and Executive Manager Organisational Performance Emma FitzRoy.
Manns added she was grateful for the work of former General Manager Rob Emerson, who served in the role for six months following nearly 40 years of contribution to the area.
“I would describe the new team as authentic, diverse, community focused, and committed to strong leadership and best practice in service delivery,” she said.
“In a world of increasing technology, people are what makes the difference.”