Pathways Residences, please do not build seniors units on our playfields at Lane Cove

Pathways Residences, please do not build seniors units on our playfields at Lane Cove

image of Pathways Residences, please do not build seniors units on our playfields at Lane Cove

This is a call for fresh new management team for Lane Cove Council.

We believe the current management is no longer aligned with the ethos of Lane Cove, and are purely driven by large construction projects unsuited to Lane Cove, which is in the main low density, high value, high sought after residential suburb with high conservation value.

The current team acts unilaterally despite clear articulated position of the community, thereby disenfranchising the community. This is evident in,

  • Building units on crown recreation play fields at 266 Longueville rd.
  • The attempt to concrete the Bob Campbell oval!
  • The $85M massive development in an Environmental Conservation zone surrounded by low density high value properties.

We believe the council acts on ill conceived thought bubbles, purely driven by attempts to create major construction projects rather than a solution appropriate for our needs.The Golf club upgrade is an example where,

  1. The 1st bubble was an indoor skate park. No resident has ever asked for one.
  2. Then its was building courts on 3 of the golf holes, destroying the viability of the golf course. 
  3. Then a massive complex with a noisy driving range in a conservation zone; which made the already short course, a putt putt course.
  4. We now have this $85M sports and recreation centre in a conservation zone, surrounded by low density, high value residential suburbs.

These are all thought bubbles from a council out of touch with the ethos of Lane Cove and its residents. We also believe that they are acting in both a financially and environmentally irresponsible manner, by not providing a balanced view to the public, and undertaking construction projects without adequate assessment of need and financial viability.

We believe that it funnels our rate payer funds to major construction projects, rather than providing quality services under their care,

  • Unable to maintain Lucratia baths
  • Unable to resurface Longueville Rd. due for over 15 years.
  • Unable to maintain the golf course and foot bridges within it.
  • Continuously complaining about a $2 / visitor loss at the golf course
  • Not resurfacing tennis courts 

There is continuous conflict between the council management and the public. Many in the community are afraid that the council could retaliate if objects are made. Many community associations have formed purely to fight against the council and protect the livability of the area and conservation value! The council has gone to the extent of attempting to gag certain elements of the public arena (resolution failed) thereby disenfranchising the community. 

We call for a fresh management team with views aligned with the ethos of Lane Cove, and which will work with the community to deliver our needs based on sound planning practices; and for an auditor general audit, to ensure the council has not been funnelling ratepayer funds mandated for other services; to save up for construction projects, and confirm that the council is in a financial position to undertake a $85 - 100M construction project. 

This is a call for fresh new management team for Lane Cove Council.

We believe the current management is no longer aligned with the ethos of Lane Cove, and are purely driven by large construction projects unsuited to Lane Cove, which is in the main low density, high value, high sought after residential suburb with high conservation value.

The current team acts unilaterally despite clear articulated position of the community, thereby disenfranchising the community. This is evident in,

  • Building units on crown recreation play fields at 266 Longueville rd.
  • The attempt to concrete the Bob Campbell oval!
  • The $85M massive development in an Environmental Conservation zone surrounded by low density high value properties.

We believe the council acts on ill conceived thought bubbles, purely driven by attempts to create major construction projects rather than a solution appropriate for our needs.The Golf club upgrade is an example where,

  1. The 1st bubble was an indoor skate park. No resident has ever asked for one.
  2. Then its was building courts on 3 of the golf holes, destroying the viability of the golf course. 
  3. Then a massive complex with a noisy driving range in a conservation zone; which made the already short course, a putt putt course.
  4. We now have this $85M sports and recreation centre in a conservation zone, surrounded by low density, high value residential suburbs.

These are all thought bubbles from a council out of touch with the ethos of Lane Cove and its residents. We also believe that they are acting in both a financially and environmentally irresponsible manner, by not providing a balanced view to the public, and undertaking construction projects without adequate assessment of need and financial viability.

We believe that it funnels our rate payer funds to major construction projects, rather than providing quality services under their care,

  • Unable to maintain Lucratia baths
  • Unable to resurface Longueville Rd. due for over 15 years.
  • Unable to maintain the golf course and foot bridges within it.
  • Continuously complaining about a $2 / visitor loss at the golf course
  • Not resurfacing tennis courts 

There is continuous conflict between the council management and the public. Many in the community are afraid that the council could retaliate if objects are made. Many community associations have formed purely to fight against the council and protect the livability of the area and conservation value! The council has gone to the extent of attempting to gag certain elements of the public arena (resolution failed) thereby disenfranchising the community. 

We call for a fresh management team with views aligned with the ethos of Lane Cove, and which will work with the community to deliver our needs based on sound planning practices; and for an auditor general audit, to ensure the council has not been funnelling ratepayer funds mandated for other services; to save up for construction projects, and confirm that the council is in a financial position to undertake a $85 - 100M construction project. 

Call for New Management and financial audit

We, the undersigned, call on the Mayor of Lane Cove, Andrew Zbik and other councillors to,

  • refresh the council executive management team. We call for a new team aligned with the ethos of Lane Cove, that will bring fresh thinking to the council and will work with the community to deliver our needs in a financially and environmentally responsible manner.
  • ; and the Auditor-General NSW, Margaret Crawford to,  

And the Auditor-General NSW, Margaret Crawford to,

  • audit Lane Cove Council to confirm that over the last 5 years, rate payers funds have not been funnelled from providing mandated services, such as maintaining roads, pavements, the golf course and other public services; to fund major construction projects.
  • Audit the veracity of the business case for this proposal
  • Confirm that the Lane Cove Council is in a financial position to undertake a construction project of $85 – 100M ( to account for overruns) while providing the mandatred services; prior to the council commencing this project.