The Mayor’s Community MessageAs the year draws to a close and celebrations for the festive season take hold, we can look back on a busy and productive 12 months for the City of Ryde.

It was a year highlighted by the completion of some big projects - among them the opening of the final stage of the Ryde River Walk and the completion of a massive $2 million worth of roads and footpath repairs.

Despite some of our own issues, we have led the way on many others. Our draft affordable housing policy, passed unanimously, is something our City can be proud of. Together we are working hard to make Ryde a fairer and more affordable City.

We have also embarked on a visionary study to activate our town centres after dark. Most of our CBD’s are ghost towns after 6.00pm, and we hope that our Night Time Economy Study will help places like Macquarie Park turn into a place of jobs and entertainment once workers clock-off and people return home from work.

Unfortunately, much of our time and effort has been spent defending our community from forced amalgamations. Despite the concerns of our citizens, the Baird Government has continued to ignore us. Our community has told us time and time again that amalgamations are not the answer to Local Government reform. We have fought the Government tooth and nail, and have presented an alternative that we believe will service our community well. We believe in reform, though not through the extreme methods proposed by Mike Baird. Despite numerous attempts to engage our local member, Victor Dominello, on the matter – we are still in the dark as to what the Government will do with Ryde, Australia’s 3rd oldest settlement and home to 110,000 people.

On the community front, the City’s response to our Centenary of Anzac commemorations and the 2,000 Poppies knitting appeal was a highlight. We of course also had the 30th anniversary of our famous Granny Smith Festival, where over 90,000 locals came out to play.

Our Community ChristmasChristmas is a wonderful time of year; a time of love, hope and generosity. Amongst all the excitement that comes with the arrival of Christmas, first and foremost, this is an opportunity for people to spend time with others, whatever their religious beliefs, and prepare for the year ahead with hope and resolution.

I want to congratulate the many households dotted all over our wonderful city, who shared their unique take on Christmas with their dazzling houselights display. Thousands of people come from far and wide to see the now famous displays and vote for their favourite in our People’s Choice Christmas Lights Showcase. Thank you to all the families who participate in this annual sharing event. I trust that the lights will continue to illuminate us well into the future.

It is also important to remember the unsung heroes who work over this festive time to keep vital services running and to those who ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are not forgotten. Let’s spare a thought for those in the emergency services such as the SES and Fire Brigade, the police, hospital workers and community volunteers who serve the community.

As Mayor I have had the pleasure of meeting people from all parts of the community and I am reminded every day that our diversity is our strength and we should celebrate it and value it highly. The threat of losing our identity, through forced amalgamations, has made our City and Council more united that it has been for a long time. People do love Ryde, warts and all.

Ryde Civic Centre,

1 Devlin Street, Ryde NSW 2112

Locked Bag 2069, North Ryde NSW 1670

Customer Service 9952 8222 / TTY 9952 8470

Email: cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au

www.ryde.nsw.gov.au

Let’s Connect @CityofRyde /CityofRyde /CityofRyde /CityofRyde /CityofRydeCouncil @MayorofRyde

“We’re here to listen”

Gail Connolly, General Manager

Draft Deed of Amendment Voluntary Planning AgreementProperty: 10 Byfield Street, Macquarie Park (Lot 31 DP567569)Local Development Application: LDA2013/522Applicant: Pro-invest Australian Hospitality Opportunity (ST) Pty Ltd atf Pro-invest Australian Hospitality Opportunity Trust 1

Deed of Amendment of Voluntary Planning AgreementThe above application was granted deferred commencement approval on 25 June 2014 subject to the Council and the Developer entering into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) pursuant to Section 93F of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (Act) consistent with the letter of offer by the Developer dated 15 May 2014. The VPA was entered into on 13 November 2014. However, on 2 November 2015 the Applicant lodged a S96 Application with Council. The minor changes proposed in the S96 Application modified the design of the Bicycle path, but were minor enough not to require exhibition of the S96 application. The S96 Modification also required a commensurate amendment to the Planning Agreement. However, any amendment to a Planning Agreement must be publicly notified for 28 days prior to being entered into by Council. The amendment alters the design of the Bicycle pathway currently under construction so that it is consistent with the plans submitted in the S96 Modification. There is no reduction in public benefit under the Deed of Amendment.

Where can I view the Draft document?The Draft Agreement is on public exhibition from 16 December 2015 – 29 January 2016 and can be viewed:

Online www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursayIn Person Customer Service Centre Ryde Civic Centre 1 Devlin Street, Ryde (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm)

Ryde Planning and Business Centre 1 Pope Street, Ryde (Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm)

Any City of Ryde Library during branch hours.

How do I make a submission?Submissions must be in writing and can be made as follows: Online www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursayPost General Manager, City of Ryde Locked Bag 2069 North Ryde NSW 1670Email cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.auClosing date for submissions is 4.30pm on Friday 29 January 2016. For further information call 9952 8222 Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm.

PUBLIC notice

PUBLIC notice Board

Garage Sales Saturday 19 December from 9.00am:• 29 Payten Street, PutneyTo list your garage sale for free, go to www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/garagesales

Festive Season Opening HoursCouncil will close at 12noon on Friday 18 December and reopens as follows:

Customer Service and Ryde Planning and Business Centre Reopens on Monday 21 December to 12noon Thursday 24 December and reopens for business as usual on Monday 4 January 2016.

City of Ryde Libraries Reopens on Saturday 19 December to 3pm Thursday 24 December and reopens for business as usual Saturday 2 January 2016.

Waste Collection Waste collection will operate on the usual days and will not be affected by public holidays.

Shop Ryder The free Shop Ryder bus service will not operate over the Christmas / New Year period and will cease operations between 25 December 2015 to 5 January 2016 inclusive. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday 6 January 2016.

Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre The Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre will be closed on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 of December. Reopening Sunday 27 December with normal hours resuming Monday 4 January.

For full details go to www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/ holidayhours

• AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR •

At City of Ryde, our policy is that gifts and benefits are not accepted. It is very important that our community understand that we provide services, give advice and make decisions that are ethical, honest and transparent. A Thank You is Enough.

Sincerely,

Clr Jerome Laxale - Mayor Phone 9952 8222 or email mayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au

On a personal note, it has been an absolute thrill and pleasure to be Mayor of this city. I have been honoured to serve you each and every day. I hope to be given the opportunity to continue to do so in 2016.

On behalf of the Councillors and staff at the City of Ryde Council I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Clr Jerome Laxale - Mayor with Joe and Carmen Grech, winners of the Christmas Lights Competition Best Decorated House category with Tony Melham and his children - CEO of Coco Cubano.