11 June 2024

By Hannah Wilcox 

Council is set to host a series of community forums addressing the opportunities and challenges in North Sydney’s future. 

The sessions are a part of a wider consultation campaign encouraging residents to “have your say on our next ten years”. 

It aims to take on board feedback and recommendations across five key focus areas: Culture and Creativity, Economic Development, Integrated Transport, Open Space and Recreation, and Social Inclusion.

Kicking off at 6pm on June 11, the Economic Development Community Forum will focus on four conversation topics – vibrant commercial centres and villages, a thriving business environment, increasing visitation and length of stay and environmental, social and governance. 

Director of Policy at Committee for Sydney Jeremy Gill and 24 Hour Economy Commissioner/Director of Programs at Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade Victoria Moxey will join the discussion as panellists.

The second session, the Integrated Transport Community Forum, will be held at 6pm on June 12.

Experts include Brooke Knox, Director Lighthouse Innovation Projects at Transport for NSW, Jaci Armstrong, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Professor of Transport at the University of Sydney David Levinson and Former Chief Executive Roads and Maritime Services Paul Forward. 

Focusing on the future of public transport in the area, discussion will centre around creating “healthy, safe, and active transport options for a resilient system that serves all in the community”.

A paper developed on a review of policy and planning context highlighted four main themes to be discussed on the night.

This includes encouraging healthy and active travel behaviour that balances the needs of all types of transport users, creating a transport network that meets the needs of businesses, residents and visitors and supports economic growth, a transport network that prioritises user safety and caters to the needs of all demographic groups and physical abilities and how beliefs and attitudes shape our transport choices. 

Both forums will be streamed on Council’s official Youtube channel. 

“We want everyone in the North Sydney community to have their say on our next ten years and play a meaningful role in deciding where we want to be and how we’ll get there,” Mayor Zoe Baker said.

“Your feedback is crucial in helping us identify our community’s needs and priorities and understanding how we can work together to deliver the outcomes.

“This will be a true partnership between Council and community, and we want everyone to feel empowered to participate in and influence local decision-making,” she added.

“Please have your say on North Sydney’s next ten years and help us create a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of our whole community.”

A future forum will also address the focus area of Culture and Creativity on June 18.