community facilities: future directions part 1€¦ · table 1: summary of council community...

DRAFT Community Facilities Plan 2030 of 72

COMMUNITY FACILITIES: FUTURE DIRECTIONS

JUNE 2010

Our community has access to well designed sustainable facilities which promote a vibrant community with strong connections.

‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ 2

© City of Ryde 2010 Locked Bag 2069 NORTH RYDE NSW 1670 Telephone: 9952 8222 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cityofryde.nsw.gov.au All rights reserved. Rights and permissions No part of this document may be reproduced without the permission of the City of Ryde. This report has been prepared by Maxine Kenyon, Manager Major Projects, with assistance from Michael Betts, Manager Buildings & Property; Baharak Sahebekhtiari, Manager Community & Culture; and Melissa Burne, Strategic Planner; as well as numerous other staff from across the organisation.


Contents

Executive Summary

5

Part 1: Introduction

19

1. Context 20 2. Overview of Community Facilities : Future Directions 34

Part 2: Where Are We Now

37

3. Overview of the Ryde Local Government Area 38 4. Population Overview 42 5. Needs of the Community 43 6. Community Buildings in Ryde 48 7. Gaps in Community Facilities in Ryde 67

Part 3: What We Need to Consider

73

8. Growth Forecasts and Development Contexts for the Ryde Local Government Area 74

9. Current Trends and Leading Practice 87 10. Planning and Development Guidelines 91 11. Funding Community Facilities 103

Part 4: What We Need to Do to Move Forward

111

12. Future Directions 112 13. Implementation 120


Contents

Appendices

124

1. City of Ryde Social Justice Principles 125

2. List of Private Facilities within the Ryde Local Government Area 128

3. Previous Survey – Community Responses 134

4. Overview of Target group needs 140

5. Key Points from Staff Visioning Workshop (1) 146

6. Key Points from Staff Workshop (2) 149

7. Key Issues Raised at Targeted External Stakeholders Session 152

8. Summary of Submissions Received Through Public Exhibition 2009 153

9. Summary of Submissions Received Through Second Consultation 2010 154

10. Overview of Council’s Current Community Facilities 2010 156

Tables

1. Summary of Council Community Buildings 9 2. Community Halls and Meeting Spaces 51

2.a Issues for Council to Consider 52 3. Community Service Centres 54

3.a Issues for Council to Consider 55 4. Historic and heritage Buildings 57

4.a Issues for Council to Consider 58 5. Libraries 60

5.a Issues for Council to Consider 60 6. Recreation Facilities 63

6.a Issues for Council to Consider 64 7. Major Works in the Ryde Local Government Area 84 8. Classification of Community Buildings 114

Figures

1. Map: Ryde Local Government Area 38 2. Map: Community Buildings in Ryde 50


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Scope and Purpose of the Plan The City of Ryde provides a range of facilities for community benefit and use. This strategic document, ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ focuses on those facilities owned and managed by Council which are classified as ‘community buildings’. Community facilities refer to both the building and the services provided from the building to meet the needs of the community. Together these two elements form a community facility. These are defined as being ‘a building or place: owned or controlled by a public authority or non-profit community organisation; used for the physical, social, cultural or intellectual development or welfare of the community, but does not include an educational establishment, hospital, retail premises, place of public worship or residential address’. The purpose of this document is to provide a strategic framework to guide decision-making about the future use and further development of Council’s community facilities within the City of Ryde. Council provides over 60 community buildings located throughout the City, which support the provision of a diverse range of services. They also provide meeting spaces for individuals and businesses. Council’s community buildings range from small meeting rooms to large halls, tennis centres and to whole buildings accommodating services and sporting groups. Typically Council’s community buildings are very old and outdated and don’t provide appropriate space to allow the contemporary needs of the community to be met. ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ aims to position the portfolio of community facilities to better serve the community into the future. It also aims to enable gaps in current provision to be addressed and to integrate community facilities into all processes across Council to deliver improved outcomes to the City’s residents. While the focus of the document is on buildings, it is recognised that it is also the services and activities that operate from the buildings which need to be planned for. The identification of these needs are to be addressed through the development of an implementation plan considering the Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan. This document does not provide detailed assessment of need for services and activities, nor identify those that will need to be provided from each of these buildings. Community buildings need to be truly multi purpose and adaptable to the needs of the community at a particular time and not pigeonholed into a particular function. Community


needs should be considered at the time of planning particular facilities, to ensure facilities accurately reflect current requirements. This strategic document does not provide a detailed evaluation of all facility assets, but sets principles and directions which will inform future asset strategies. Neither does it address management or operational issues of community facilities, as Council has recently reviewed these issues in the separate Operational Review of Community Facilities. While it recognises the very extensive provision of community facilities within the City by private sector and non-government providers, its focus is on the facilities owned and managed by Council. The development of community facilities directly supports Council’s Vision and Mission. The City of Ryde’s purpose in ensuring the provision of community facilities is as follows:

To support the provision of well designed and publicly accessible, places that build and sustain the wellbeing of the community.

The City of Ryde vision for community facilities is: Our community has access to well designed sustainable facilities which

promote a vibrant community with strong connections. The City of Ryde aims to provide community facilities and spaces that are responsive to the community’s needs. There is a commitment to providing places that allow for social, cultural, recreational and civic activities to take place in a way that is accessible and equitable. (Council’s Social Justice Charter 2007). Within the City of Ryde, community facilities create opportunities for residents and workers to access services and come together in social, educational, artistic, sporting, religious and recreational activity. They enhance quality of life, create social capital and enable services to reach those most in need. Community facilities foster an environment that encourages community engagement, service take-up and voluntary activity. Council has the responsibility of managing the development of these community assets on the community’s behalf to ensure that:

- Existing facilities meet current and future requirements - Community resources are effectively and efficiently used with usage

maximised - Ongoing development occurs to meet future requirements in a

sustainable way.


2. Structure of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ contains four parts:

1. Introduction – Provides the context of community facilities in Ryde and an outline of the document and its methodology.

2. Where we are now – Describes the current provision of community

facilities and key challenges and opportunities facing Council.

3. What we need to consider – Outlines prospects for growth and change within the City over the next decade, current trends and leading practice principles to assist in planning and design, and funding opportunities for community facilities.

4. What we need to do to move forward – Presents the future directions

for community facilities, implementation and how it will be reviewed and evaluated.

Part 1: Introduction Council currently has 66 community buildings, comprising a large proportion of Council’s property portfolio. The services linked with these facilities are supplied by community service providers, usually not-for-profit organisations. These groups often rely on income from State and Federal Government programs, and other funding sources, including their own fund-raising activities. The facilities are made available to these organisations through a variety of leasing, licensing and casual hire arrangements. These community facilities are seen as:

- Places and resources for delivering community services, providing benefit to the broader community

- Places and resources where residents can meet, organise and carry out safe and enjoyable activities

- Focal points for community interaction, contributing towards developing Ryde as a community with lively, viable local centres where people can meet and gain social support.

The following principles will guide the future of community facilities within the City of Ryde to deliver more effective outcomes to the community.

1. Servicing our Community


Services, programs and initiatives are aimed to benefit the City of Ryde residents. Priority will be given to groups and initiatives targeting these residents and that do not promote discrimination, disadvantage or unhealthy practices.

2. Capacity Building Build on the existing abilities and strengths of individuals and organisations to identify and develop local long terms solutions to meet community needs.

3. Inclusiveness

Community engagement systems are established to enable all members of the community to be informed of and participate in decision making that impacts on them.

4. Collaboration and Partnerships

Establish and foster a range of relationships with communities, community groups, government and business to deliver improved outcomes for the Ryde community.

5. Equity

Provision of information, services and opportunities for involvement to be provided to all members of the community in an open and transparent manner.

6. Responsiveness

Being proactive in identifying and addressing changing community needs.

Council’s Role in the Provision of Community Facilities Council’s core roles in the planning and provision of community facilities include analysing need, facilitating provision of services, advocacy, maintaining and operating community buildings, levying developers for funding contributions and developing management strategies. This document also identifies complementary roles for State and Federal Government, private providers, the community sector and community service providers. Part 2: Where We Are Now The Ryde Local Government Area has an increasing residents, workforce and student population, particularly as a result of the growth in Macquarie Park Corridor. The anticipated workforce in the Corridor, including students and workers at the University, is estimated to increase by at least 130,000 people by 2031. There are also higher numbers of migrants moving to the area, particularly from China and Hong Kong.


‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ does not provide detail into the specific needs of the community. However engagement, ownership and access to community facilities are key themes that have come through from previous needs assessments. Council’s provision of community buildings is currently at a stage where it needs to lay the foundations for its future community facilities and get the ‘basics’ right before embarking on meeting complex or more specific needs of the community through the development of a range of new community buildings. Summary of Council Community Buildings The provision and allocation of community buildings in Ryde has previously been based on historical agreements and political decisions of the time. Council acknowledges that consideration of strategic directions and providing a transparent and equitable process is needed to improve provision of a diversity of services, deliver community benefit and provide sustainable community facilities. Table 1: Summary of Council Community Buildings Type of Community Facility

# Key Issues

Community Halls and Meeting Spaces

20

- Utilisation could improve, some utilisation details are unknown.

- Inappropriate design and configuration of spaces, size, location or equipment limit utilisation and diversity of use.

- Only 3 facilities are reasonably new or in good condition. - Exclusive use by of some spaces limits availability at other

times for public hire or use by other groups. - Stand alone facilities in parks having limited public

transport access and visibility.

Community Service Centres

14

- Used exclusively by community service providers for delivery of community services and programs.

- Focus on services and programs for older people and on provision of information and referral services.

- Not purpose built, creating operational disadvantages and no space for service expansion. Design not suited to contemporary service requirements.

- Council does not currently have any purpose built arts facilities, but uses two heritage / historic buildings. There are gaps in provision of facilities for creative expression.

- Council is not a direct provider of childcare but provides land and buildings for childcare services operated by not-for-profit organisations.

- Department of Health is reviewing facilities within the Ryde area and is likely to rationalise the number of early childhood health centres.

- Potential for more extended use in evenings, weekends and holiday periods exists.


Historic and Heritage Buildings

7

- Licensed to organisations who have exclusive use, although some capacity for casual hire.

- Some have limited functionality as community facilities and redevelopment constraints associated with Conservation Management Plans.

- High restoration and maintenance costs. - Some not well located with regard to public transport

access and visibility.

Libraries 5

- Are the most extensively used community facilities. - Are generally well located and in good condition as result

of recent refurbishment program. - Floor space is limited. - Libraries will need to respond to needs of growing

population and changing expectations and technologies. - Opportunities provided by Ryde Town Centre and

Macquarie Park for new facilities.

Recreation 20

- Includes sports club houses, bowling clubs and tennis courts.

- License / lease agreements and specific locations generally restrict use by other groups.

- Potential for greater utilisation through co-location and shared use.

Further detail on each community building can be found in Chapter 6. Appendix 10 provides an overview of each individual community facility, including description of the building, asset description, classification of the land, current use and license details. Key Issues and Challenges Key issues and challenges facing Council in considering the future of its community facilities include:

- The residential and workforce populations of Ryde are undergoing substantial growth and change, resulting in increasing and changing demands on Council community facilities.

- The majority of community facilities within the City of Ryde are at least 30

years old, many of which are converted residential buildings that have not been built for purpose. The high cost of management and maintenance of these ageing facilities is not matched by income from fees and charges.

- The ageing community infrastructure across the LGA is ill suited to the

requirements of modern service provision and cannot meet contemporary needs or expectations.

- The stock of facilities is insufficient to meet the needs of the current and

projected population. There is little capacity in existing facilities for existing services to grow, change or run new programs and activities, and many facilities are overcrowded.


- Council has limited capacity to provide equitable access to affordable

rental accommodation in its facilities, yet such support is often essential, given insufficient funding through state and federal programs.

Key gaps for Council in the provision of community facilities include:

- Buildings that are built for purpose and offer flexible and multi-purpose space that can accommodate the needs of a diverse group of people and meet the changing needs of the Ryde community.

- The location of existing community buildings is not evenly spread

throughout the LGA. The northern part of the LGA has limited facilities in comparison to other areas.

- There are limited services offered within Council community buildings that

support and / or address the needs of young people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and the community in relation to cultural / arts activities in Ryde.

The current situation has arisen through a number of factors including:

- Insufficient investment in the provision of community facilities over an extended period.

- Low prioritisation of funding for community facilities within the City of

Ryde.

- An overall reduction in the stock of community buildings through disposals and long-term leasing arrangements.

- Significant cutbacks to capital funding by state and federal governments

(usually in the form of Specific Purpose Program funding). Key Opportunities Key opportunities for community facilities in the City of Ryde include:

- Council has significant land and building assets tied up in community buildings. This substantial investment in underutilised facilities presents opportunities to improve utilisation through upgrading of buildings and changes of use and arrangements.

- There are significant opportunities to include contemporary, iconic

community facilities in major development projects such as Macquarie Park Corridor, Ryde town centre and West Ryde.


- There are opportunities for partnerships in the delivery of community facilities with government agencies, Macquarie University and private and community sector organisations.

- The significant growth set to occur in the City of Ryde presents a variety

of funding and resource opportunities. Part 3: What We Need To Consider Future Growth and Development within the City of Ryde The City of Ryde is set to undergo substantial growth and development over the coming decades, and it is in this context that the planning and development of community facilities will occur. The Inner North Sub-Regional Strategy identifies a target of 12,000 new dwellings for Ryde by 2031, primarily high density residential development focussed around designated centres with good access to public transport. The ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ needs to link with a number of associated planning processes within Council, including the Local Environmental Plan, Local Strategy, Master Plans and Development Control Plans, Section 94 Contributions Plan and the Ryde Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy. This document must also consider redevelopment opportunities, major works and developments in neighbouring councils. The redevelopment and planning projects present significant opportunities to address the shortfalls in the current provision of community facilities, through reshaping existing facilities and developing new facilities to meet contemporary standards and the future needs of the Ryde community. Further detail on growth forecasts and the context of development in Ryde can be found in Chapter 8. Current Trends and Leading Practice There are a number of trends in the provision of better practice community facilities that have been considered in developing ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’. These include the following and can be found in more detail in Chapter 9 in the Plan:

- Size and scale – provision of fewer but larger and higher quality community facilities.

- Multi purpose and multi function - no longer providing single use

buildings, offers a diversity of activities and services.


- Staffing – centres who have permanent staff based there (compared to a hall for hire) typically have higher usage due to increased promotion / visibility of the centre and increased access through higher levels of activity.

- Location – located in places where people already congregate.

- Co-location – a range of community services located in one single

location.

- Community hubs – brings together a cluster of buildings, activities, and services to meet the diverse needs.

- Place making and community identity – community facilities are

recognised as important gathering places and catalysts for activity and social interaction.

- Community building – recognition of the role community facilities play in

providing a focal point for the community.

- Sustainability – facilities need to be environmentally, financially and socially viable in the long term.

Guidelines for the Provision of Community Facilities Based upon contemporary leading practice in the provision of community facilities the following guidelines are to be used for the planning and design of community facilities within the City of Ryde. Planning Guidelines:

- Whole of Council approach to link community facilities with other Council policies and processes

- Identify local needs and desired social outcomes to ensure relevance to the local community

- Consider benchmarks in the planning of services to promote equity - Partnerships and collaboration to develop more sustainable facilities - Community engagement to ensure facilities meet community need - Fair and equitable access to community facilities - Environmental, economic and social sustainability of facilities - Asset management to link with Council’s overall directions for its property

portfolio - Location in centres to create active and accessible focal points.

Design Guidelines:

- Placed based and people focused, providing distinctive places that contribute to community identity and civic pride

- Flexibility and multi purpose to provide for a range of uses


- Enable co-location of different activities within the one facility, to promote efficient use of resources

- Adopt Safer by Design principles - Encourage innovation and quality in design and models of service

delivery - Provide a standard level of provision across the City.

Further detail can be found in Chapter 10. Funding Community Facilities A major investment in community facilities, particularly multi-purpose and multi-function facilities, is necessary to meet both current and future needs of the City of Ryde. Substantial funds will be needed to add to the current stock of facilities and to renovate and repair existing facilities. To achieve growth in community facilities provision, Council will need to increase its own funding contributions and explore a range of possible funding sources. Further detail on funding opportunities can be found in Chapter 11. Part 4: What We Need to Do To Move Forward Future Directions In the development of future directions for community facilities in the City of Ryde, the following has been considered:

- Better practice and current trends - Planning and design principles - The current stock of Council community buildings - Opportunities for the development of community buildings, based on land

use planning, strategic directions for Council and developer contributions. The five key future directions for community facilities across the City of Ryde are:

1. Locate new community facilities within key centres. 2. Create community hubs, inclusive of multi-purpose community facilities. 3. Maximise access and utilisation of community buildings. 4. Enhance and invest in sustainable community buildings. 5. Use a whole of Council and partnership approach to planning and

delivering community facilities.

1. Locate new community facilities within key centres. The City of Ryde has adopted the Ryde Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy. This is a guiding document for the planning within the City and


identifies six key centres, including: Macquarie Park; Eastwood; West Ryde; Meadowbank; Ryde; and Gladesville. Locating community buildings within these centres helps to create a clear destination for people and make it easier and convenient for the community to access these buildings and facilities within their regular routines. The provision of community buildings in these key centres also needs to be balanced with the geographic location of buildings across the Ryde LGA to ensure equity in provision for all residents. It is also recognised that there is value in mixing these larger centres with smaller localised community buildings.

2. Create community hubs, inclusive of multi-purpose community facilities.

It is evident through trends in community building and facility provision that the way forward to minimise costs to councils and rate payers, to improve services and to deliver an integrated approach to meeting the needs of the community is through the creation of multi purpose community buildings. Multi purpose community facilities should include a range of the following activities and services:

- Range of tenancies for community based services - Retail / commercial based tenancies - Halls / meeting rooms - Libraries, Council office space, Council customer service centre - Civic and public spaces - Public amenities - Car parking.

Through the co-location of a range of services and providers within one community building an integrated approach to meeting the needs of the community is possible. These facilities may enhance capacity to assist smaller organisations through partnership and co-location with more established organisations and offer opportunities for amalgamated approaches to delivering community services and becoming competitive in the market. The co-location of multi purpose community facilities within a key destination, along with other services and facilities, such as parks, recreation centres, shops, transport nodes, health care providers, create a community hub – a centre of interest or activity.

3. Maximise access and utilisation of community buildings.


There are opportunities to maximise use of the current stock of community facilities, through improved policies and procedures, encouraging co-location and sharing and investment in new and more appropriate facilities. There is substantial difference between the standards of Council’s community buildings. Establishing a consistent level of provision within community buildings will enable all services to have and expect access to a standard level of service from Council. This could potentially increase utilisation across all community buildings.

4. Enhance and invest in sustainable community buildings. Council has a large portfolio of community buildings, some of which are outdated and no longer have the capacity to meet the needs of the community. Council needs to make an investment in providing community buildings that are purpose built and support appropriate services within these buildings. To do this, major refurbishment and a capital works program will be required. Apart from external funding sources, Council will also need to look at disposing of some community buildings (ie: sell, demolish or change the use). There are many reasons for disposing of a community building, including:

- Design - Location - Utilisation is limited - Limited benefit or outcomes - Availability of other spaces - Costs associated with the building - Other opportunities.

Council is committed to supporting community groups and maintaining a level of service provision to the community through this process if it arises. Funds gained from these disposals will be added to a financial reserve allocated to the development and refurbishment of community buildings.

5. Use a whole of Council and partnership approach to planning and delivering community facilities.

It is essential that community facilities are integrated within the many planning processes that occur within Council, to ensure that they are strategically linked into Council’s future plans and strategies. There are also many partnership opportunities for community facilities that should be explored with community service providers, Government, business / private providers and developers. Further information on the future directions can be found in Chapter 12.


Implementation The ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ does not have an attached implementation plan as relevant strategies and actions will be identified through the development of the Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan, specifically in Council’s four year delivery program. Council is committed to working with existing users and continuing support of existing users who meet the needs of the community. The City of Ryde wants to achieve its vision of community facilities and provide the community with access to well designed facilities, which promote a vibrant community with strong connections. These buildings will be highly utilised, meet contemporary needs, be based on better practice and planned in an integrated fashion. ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ is an umbrella document that will guide the direction of community facilities in the City of Ryde. This strategic document will be reviewed every four years in line with the development of the Ryde 2030 four yearly delivery program. Further detail on implementation and the review and evaluation process can be found in Chapter 13. Implementation of the future directions based on the principles outlined within this document is intended to assist Council to develop attractive iconic facilities that are well used and able to address the community service needs of the City. Council is seeking to expand services available to the residents of Ryde, not to be reducing services. Council is committed to provide continued support to the provision of services to the community, albeit in a different facility or model of provision.


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PART 1: INTRODUCTION Part 1, the Introduction of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ provides an outline of the context of community facilities within the City of Ryde and an overview of the development of the document, including the following:

- A description of what community facilities are and their purpose - The roles in the provision of community facilities - Current expenditure and management of community facilities, including

classification of land - Scope, purpose and structure of the Plan - Methodology for the development of the Plan.


Small Hall, North Ryde

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Context In order to understand this document, ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions,’ it is important to understand what community facilities are, what is Council’s role in the provision of these and the purpose of community facilities within the City of Ryde. The City of Ryde provides a range of services for the residents of the Ryde Local Government Area (LGA). One of these core services is to provide, manage and maintain buildings for the benefit and use of the community. Council owns the following types of buildings and infrastructure:

- Community buildings - Commercial / shops - Residential houses - Office spaces - Amenity blocks - Parks and open space - Car parks - Operational centres for Council

staff This property portfolio includes buildings which the public can access directly or buildings used to accommodate organisations providing community services. Other buildings are for Council to operate its services from or are used to provide a commercial return as part of Council’s financial sustainability. 1.1 What Are Community Facilities For the purpose of this document, ‘community facilities’ refers to both the building and the services provided from a community building to meet the needs of the community. Together, these two elements become a community facility. Typically the City of Ryde is responsible for the provision of community buildings, and others are responsible for the provision of services from these buildings. Council has a role to play in identifying the needs of the area, building the capacity of the organisation and working with the community through a community development framework. Community facilities are the result of a partnership arrangement by Council and other providers to meet the needs of the Ryde community.


The Standard Instrument – Principal Local Environmental Plan (NSW Standard LEP template) defines a community facility as:

‘community facility means a building or place:

a) owned or controlled by a public authority or non-profit community organisation

b) used for the physical, social, cultural or intellectual development or welfare of the community, but does not include an educational establishment, hospital, retail premises, place of public worship or residential address.’

1.1.1 Community Buildings ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions,’ focuses on ‘community buildings’ located in the City of Ryde. Community buildings make up a large proportion of Council’s property portfolio. The buildings referred to as Council’s community buildings within this Plan include the following:

- Community halls and meeting rooms - Community service centres (that currently accommodate community

service organisations, child care services etc) - Historic and heritage buildings - Libraries - Recreational facilities (including sports club houses, bowling clubs, tennis

centres). The following community buildings and infrastructure have been excluded from this document:

- The Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, as it operates as a distinct service unit

of Council. - Facilities such as sports grounds and which are the subject of the Parks

on Track for People 2025, an existing Council strategic planning document for open space.

- Infrastructure such as boat ramps and cycle ways are also addressed through Parks on Track for People 2025, the draft City of Ryde Recreation and Leisure Strategy, the Ryde Bicycle Strategy and Masterplan 2007, Council’s Capital Works Plan and Plans of Management which this Plan seeks to inform.

- Commercially occupied Council properties, such as shop fronts leased to business are also not included in this Plan.

- Council also owns property used to accommodate staff, car parks, public toilets which support the community through their provision but are not classified as community buildings for the purpose of this report.


1.1.2 Community Service Provision The services linked with community buildings referred to in this document are funded or provided by State of Federal Government agencies, community service providers, including community based providers or sporting associations and groups. These organisations are generally not-for-profit and deliver activities and programs based on identified community need. These groups are predominantly funded through membership, fundraising or State or Federal Governments, some may receive one off monetary assistance from Council and other funding sources. These not-for-profit community groups very rarely receive rental contributions as part of their recurrent funding and have limited capacity to raise funds to pay private rent or own their own facility from which to work. Consequently, many community service providers are heavily reliant on the local government authority (Ryde or elsewhere) to support their accommodation needs. The majority of the community service providers located within a Council community building have existed and delivered their service to the residents of Ryde for many years. There are also now some smaller organisations being established, many of which target the culturally and linguistically diverse communities within the City of Ryde. The only direct service that the City of Ryde operates from a community building is the Library Services. Unlike other councils who run youth centres, child care centres or cultural activities and programs, the City of Ryde only provides direct services to the community, such as vacation care, immunisation and home modification services. These services are not based within a community building, but may use them occasionally. 1.2 Purpose of Community Facilities Council’s City Vision and Mission are: ‘Ryde will be an innovative city, a leader in environmental, economic and

social sustainability’.

‘The City of Ryde will work with the community to provide essential services and to ensure Ryde is a vibrant place to live’.

The development of community facilities directly supports Council’s Vision and Mission. The City of Ryde’s purpose in ensuring the provision of community facilities is as follows:

To support the provision of well designed and publicly accessible, places that build and sustain the wellbeing of the community.


The City of Ryde vision for community facilities is: Our community has access to well designed sustainable facilities which

promote a vibrant community with strong connections. Within the City of Ryde, community buildings create opportunities for residents and workers to access services and come together in social, educational, artistic, sporting, religious and recreational activity. They enhance quality of life, create social capital and enable services to reach those most in need. Community facilities foster an environment that encourages community engagement, service take-up and voluntary activity. High quality community facilities such as libraries, childcare centres and recreational facilities offer benefits for present and future generations and are seen as good indicators of the community’s overall strength. The City of Ryde recognises that Council has a community service obligation to provide not only the buildings but the necessary leadership to enable the delivery of services to best meet the needs of the community. Council’s Social Plan 2005 – 2010 and Social Justice Charter clearly reinforce the need for Council to continue to provide and proactively manage community facilities. Council’s Social Justice Charter 2007 (Appendix 1) outlines that:

‘The City of Ryde aims to provide community facilities and spaces that are responsive to the community’s needs. There is a commitment to providing places that allow for social, cultural, recreational and civic activities to take place in a way that is accessible and equitable’.

Council has the responsibility of managing the development of these community assets on the community’s behalf to ensure that:

- Existing facilities meet current and future requirements - Community resources are effectively and efficiently used with usage

maximised - Ongoing development occurs to meet future requirements in a

sustainable way. The City of Ryde is currently facing significant challenges to its traditional approaches to community facility provision. The ageing community infrastructure across the LGA, increasing demand for childcare and welfare services, urban consolidation, cost of land and demographic change in some parts of the City are all placing increasing pressure on existing community facilities. Furthermore, the equitable distribution of community buildings, improving utilisation rates and planning for the ongoing financial sustainability of these buildings are issues Council must address.


1.3 Principles To Guide Community Facilities The following principles will guide the future of community facilities within the City of Ryde to deliver effective outcomes to the community.

1. Servicing our Community Services, programs and initiatives are aimed to benefit the City of Ryde residents. Priority will be given to groups and initiatives targeting these residents and that promote improved health and wellbeing. Initiatives or activities that promote discrimination or further enhance disadvantage are not supported.

Examples of how this could be undertaken include: priority for accommodation being given to groups who target higher levels of CoR residents; higher subsidies provided to groups targeting CoR residents; further support and resources provided to these groups, such as funding, promotion on Council’s website or into newsletters etc.

2. Capacity Building Build on the existing abilities and strengths of individuals and organisations to identify and develop local long term solutions to meet community needs.

Examples of how this could be undertaken include: developing programs to provide administration skills or support to small and emerging community groups, providing financial training to community organisations; developing a train the trainer program for individuals to develop skills who can then provide training to other groups; supporting groups to amalgamate to access increased funding and resources; develop a specific volunteer program.

3. Inclusiveness

Community engagement systems are established to enable all members of the community to be informed of and participate in decision making that impacts them.

Examples of how this could be undertaken include: adhering to Council’s Community Engagement Policy and Framework; inclusion of individuals and groups in the planning for specific community facilities; utilising a community based committee to input into design of future community facilities; supporting the establishment of representative community based management or steering committees for organisations and / or projects.

4. Collaboration and Partnerships

Establish and foster a range of relationships with communities, community groups, government and business to deliver improved outcomes for the Ryde community.

Examples of how this could be undertaken include: establish joint services and programs; utilise Voluntary Planning Agreements; receive sponsorship


from business to fund elements of a community building or service; develop co-operative funding arrangements.

5. Equity

Provision of information, services and opportunities for involvement be provided to all members of the community in an open and transparent manner.

Examples of how this could be undertaken could include: support groups to develop policies which encourage use from all members of the community, eg: interpreter and translations policy, access and equity policy; translate material; publish information and opportunities through a manner of mediums; develop a policy for the allocation of Council’s community buildings to community groups and the level of subsidies provided; improve the physical access to all community buildings.

6. Responsiveness

Being proactive in identifying and addressing changing community needs.

Examples of how this could be undertaken could include: regular needs assessments undertaken; support provided to emerging community groups; developing and undertaking initiatives in a timely manner; regular liaison with community groups and the community.

1.4 Roles in Provision of Community Facilities Community facilities are the responsibility of a variety of organisations and departments, including Local Government, State and Federal Government and community organisations. Each of these stakeholders has a key role, be it advocacy, building provision, service provision or funding. There are also a range of buildings and facilities provided by the private sector. It is important that work is undertaken to develop the relationships and potential partnerships with these stakeholders in order to continue to meet the community’s needs for community buildings, without Council being relied upon as the primary provider. In order to develop these relationships, it is important to understand the role each stakeholder currently has, these have been outlined below. 1.4.1 Council’s Role Council has recently developed the following vision for community facilities to drive future planning for these facilities within the City, this is: Our community has access to well designed sustainable facilities which

promote a vibrant community with strong connections.


Council’s core roles in the planning and provision of community facilities are described below: Planning Council’s role in planning for community facilities includes the following elements:

- To be an initiator and coordinator in the planning process for the development of community buildings

- To identify and analyse need and identify gaps in service provision - To identify opportunities for services to be accommodated within a

Council community building or through a private provider. Provision Council’s role in providing community buildings includes the following:

- To facilitate provision of community buildings that accord with Council’s ‘Community Facilities : Future Directions’ and other strategic documents

- To advocate for provision of community buildings by government agencies where this is seen to be their responsibility

- To maintain and modify Council buildings in order to maximise use and improve amenity

- To establish management mechanisms for Council community buildings - To levy developers for appropriate contributions towards the cost of

provision of new community buildings under Section 94 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979

- To advocate for and explore partnership arrangements to develop community buildings

- To develop policies which deliver a balance of community and commercial uses to aid in maintaining an agreed level of cost recovery for Council and the appropriate maintenance of Council’s assets

- To identify the best mechanism for achieving equity between services operating from Council owned premises receiving rental subsidies, those in other premises receiving Community Services Grants from the City of Ryde and other groups

- Act as a referral agency for other services and facilities - Support community service providers to deliver programs and activities

out of community buildings which meet the needs of the community. Council can facilitate provision or improvements of community buildings that accord with this role through a wide range of strategies, including the following. Whether any of these strategies are appropriate in a particular situation should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

- Provision of land - Funding part or all of construction / modification costs - Provision of equipment


- Provision of signage and undertake marketing strategies to promote use of the facility

- Provision of funding of maintenance - Assistance with planning and design.

1.4.2 Other Levels of Government’s Role State Government State Government should provide:

- Adequate funding for community services so that the managing agency can rent appropriate space

- Provide special funding for major projects - Remain a major source of funding for community services, staff and

projects - Where Government is a community service provider, it should be

responsible for ensuring all costs associated with utilising community buildings are met.

Federal Government Federal Government should provide:

- Adequate funding for community services so that its funded agency can rent appropriate space

- Provide special funding for major projects - Where Government is a community service provider, it should be

responsible for ensuring all costs associated with utilising community facilities are met.

1.4.3 Community Service Providers and Community Sector’s Role Community service providers and the community sector’s role in general is to:

- Deliver community services to the community to address the identified needs within the Ryde community

- Develop funding applications inclusive of appropriate costings for the development and use of community buildings

- Lobby State and Federal Government for appropriate funding (inclusive of a rental component) and special funding for major projects

- Develop systems to maintain an appropriate rental component in their budget for use of Council community buildings

- Where churches, schools and recreational clubs continue to provide community buildings for their activities, to strive to make these available for other groups when not required for the providers own purpose.


1.4.4 Private Providers Private providers provide a range of facilities available to the community to use, for example function rooms, conference centres, meeting rooms etc. Appendix 2 outlines private providers of facilities across the City of Ryde.

1.5 Expenditure on Community Buildings With so many community buildings provided by the City of Ryde, the costs associated with the development and management of these buildings are substantial. In 08/09, Council has budgeted to receive a total income of $581,000, primarily through public hire of the halls and meeting rooms. The capital expenditure in 08/09 for community buildings is over $2.8 million, this includes works, design, fit out and feasibility studies. This expenditure does not include the depreciation of assets, nor the value of the land. Staff costs associated with managing and booking community facilities are not included in these figures, nor are overhead costs which are calculated at 13%. It is important to note that the expenditure costs do not include the development of any new facilities. In the case of the new West Ryde Family and Children’s Community Centre, this community building is expected to cost $20 million. This includes the land, building and part fit out. In addition, the agreement with the developer for this redevelopment has also brought about other benefits to the community, including a range of public infrastructure developments, such as improved public spaces, drainage works, road works etc. The flow on effects of the development are often a lot larger than the estimated costs of the works. The City of Ryde also provides a range of subsidies to users of Council community buildings, generally through reduced venue hire or the provision of accommodation in a building at a highly subsidized rent. In 08/09 subsidies totalled more than $2 million dollars and further community support grants were provided to many community service providers. A listing of subsidies and grants can be found in Council’s current Management Plan. In the past, income and expenditure for community buildings is held in a number of budgets including those in Community Relations, Buildings and Property and the Community and Culture team. As a result, it is not an easy process to identify all the income and expenditure on community buildings individually or as a whole and to create a clear picture of the true costs of community buildings. This issue has been addressed for the 08/09 financial year and all financial information for community buildings will be held with Buildings & Property. With the implementation of a new finance system this aspect of managing the community buildings portfolio will be a key area for improvement.


West Ryde Hall Meeting Room

Council has recently undertaken an asset assessment of all of its community buildings and will be working toward maintaining the current stock of buildings to a base level to reduce the opportunity for maintenance issues to become large issues. Council committed over $1.2 million over four years to fund upgrades to community buildings. These works have and will focus on halls and meetings rooms that can be hired by the public, libraries and buildings used as childcare centres. 1.6 Management of Community Buildings Council’s community buildings are currently managed in four ways, either casual hire, through a licence or lease or with no formal agreement in place. Council has an interest in maintaining the management of its community facilities, to ensure appropriate management of the asset, that community needs are being met through the provision, that a basic standard of service is maintained and that there is equity and transparency in the provision of community facilities across the LGA. 1.6.1 Casual Hire Casual hire allows community buildings to be hired out by the community through Council’s Community Relations team. Anyone from the public, including residents, businesses or community service providers can hire these buildings on a one off or as a regular hire. The fees and charges associated with this hire are incorporated in Council’s Management Plan, they are reviewed on an annual basis and vary dependent on the type of hirer or building. By providing community buildings that can be hired, it enables a range of uses and provides opportunities for one off functions to be held. The management of these types of community buildings was reviewed through Stage Two of the Operational Review of Community Facilities undertaken in 2007. There are numerous recommendations contained in this Review which will be implemented over the next few years to improve the operations and management of these halls and meeting rooms.


1.6.2 Licensed Many of the community buildings have the capacity to be used on long term basis by community service providers, in these cases licenses are the preferred method of management for Council. Non-exclusive licenses allow more than one group to access a facility, whereby increasing the utilisation of Council resources and providing support to a greater number of service providers and community members. Licenses in general provide the hirer with a right to occupy, not a right to, or interest in, the land. A license is for a maximum of five years and clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of both parties. This time frame allows Council to negotiate with service providers to ensure services are meeting the current needs of the community and addressing Council’s desired outcomes as stated in the City Vision and Management Plan. Obligations under licenses Currently, most licensees have exclusive use of a building and pay a highly subsidised rental contribution, some providing no financial contribution at all. Currently there is no clear and consistent formula for the calculation of rental contributions. As part of Stage Three of the Operational Review of Community Facilities, a Community Facilities Licensing Policy has been drafted. This Policy aims to provide a consistent and transparent approach to managing Council’s licensing processes. Council requires the provision of information from each licensee (and leasee) regarding the use of the premises to ensure the services being offered are consistent with Council’s values, objectives and that the City of Ryde residents are the primary recipients of these services. These requirements will be included in all new licences and will encompass the provision of information such as (but not limited to):

- Strategic and management plans - Statistics on users and members of the service - Access and equity plans - Financial information - Recognition of Council’s contribution to their service in all materials - Partnership arrangements and support provided to other unfunded and

smaller community organisations. 1.6.3 Leased Council does have some tenants of community buildings on a lease agreement rather than a licence. Once this agreement lapses these will move to licence agreements.


Leases are generally for a longer period of time than licenses, often around 10 – 20 years and in one case 99 years. Leases also outline the roles and responsibilities of both parties and provide the lessee with rights to the land. Leases also mean that the lessee has sole rights to occupy the facility throughout the term of the lease. The rental contribution on leases is determined by market valuation however factors such as: the type of use, length of the lease and extraordinary capital contributions can influence this rate where it is clearly in Council’s interest to do so. Council has adopted the position not to enter into lease arrangements with groups for community buildings. All future agreements will be licenses to ensure flexibility for both the licensee and Council in managing its community buildings and meeting the needs of the community. 1.6.4 No Agreement There are a small number of community groups who have use of a Council community building without a formal agreement. This has generally come about as the group has been located within the building for a long time. All use of community buildings must have an agreement in place to provide assurances to both Council and the community group. Council has adopted the position as landlord, that agreements are used to provide consistency and equity in the treatment of all community groups wanting to utilise Council owned community buildings. 1.6.5 Other Methods There are other methods of managing community buildings, although the City of Ryde at this stage does not utilise these. There are some councils that outsource the management of their community buildings to community organisations to deliver (eg: Wollongong Council). In some cases, this includes the groups being responsible for the maintenance of the facility, taking bookings and other operational requirements. They also often receive the income from booking fees to enable these tasks to be undertaken. There are usually clear policies and procedures in place to ensure access and equity in the use of these facilities. This may work in some cases where facilities are multipurpose, have a number of spaces to hire out and where there are a range of well established community groups in the area. This management model also requires clear agreements as to the level of service and the type of processes used to ensure Council objectives are met, the asset is maintained and managed appropriately.


Another model used by Hawkesbury Council is where Council auspices funding for an incorporated body, this partnership arrangement in Hawkesbury’s case includes the incorporated body managing the operations and the property management of the community building. The City of Ryde is not at a stage where the majority of its community buildings are suitable for these types of arrangement. However, this could be explored at a later date when more appropriate community buildings are developed. This model could be more suitable for sporting groups as their use of a community building is usually located on a sportsfield and generally target a particular sport and / or association. There would be limited use outside of this group due to the nature of the facility (eg: kiosk, change rooms, marked fields, etc). This management model in the case of sporting groups may provide an opportunity for Club’s to take a more active role and Council to receive some support in maintaining the fields and facilities. Some councils use a care taker to manage and ‘look after’ their community buildings. Although this can provide immediate service and action, it limits the provision of a consistent and strategic approach to managing community buildings holistically. The costs associated with this type of management would also be high. 1.7 Classification of Land Under the Local Government Act, all land vested in a council (except a road or land to which the Crown Lands Act 1989 applies) is classified as either “community” or “operational”. The classification will generally be achieved by a local environmental plan but may, in some circumstances, be achieved by resolution of the council.1 Community land should be kept for use by the general public whereas operational land does not need to be kept for the general use of the public. The difference determines the ease or difficulty with which land may be sold, leased or otherwise used. Community land must not be sold (except in the limited circumstances referred to in the Act). Community land must not be leased or licensed for more than 21 years and may only be leased or licensed for more than 5 years if public notice of the proposed lease or licence is given and, in the event that an objection is made to the proposed lease or licence, the Minister’s consent is obtained. No such restrictions apply to operational land.

1 Local Government Act 1993


Community land would ordinarily comprise land such as a public park. The majority of Council’s community buildings, except those located in parks are classified as operational land. The use and management of community land is to be regulated by a Plan of Management. Until a Plan of Management is adopted, the nature and use of the land must not change. A Plan of Management outlines the:

- Objectives and performance targets of the plan with respect to the land - Means by which Council proposes to achieve the plans objectives and

performance targets - Manner in which Council proposes to assess its performance with respect

to the plans objectives and performance targets. There is currently a generic Plan of Management for all community land in the City of Ryde and Council is preparing a number of specific Plans of Management over coming years.


PART 1: INTRODUCTION

2. Overview of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ 2.1 Scope and Purpose of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ The City of Ryde recognises the need to provide community facilities, however there has been no clear direction for the planning or development of community facilities across the Local Government Area. There are also many Council strategies and planning processes that impact on community facilities, their location, funding or simply their design. In the past, there has been limited co-ordination across Council to integrate community facilities into these processes. The ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ document aims to bring about this integration by providing a clear and consistent strategic direction and framework for the future of community facilities within the City of Ryde. There is a clear link between the operations and the planning for community facilities, however these two elements were not combined in this document for ease of delivery. This is a strategic document that does not address management or operational issues of community facilities. Council undertook an Operational Review of Community Facilities, which has complemented and informed this Plan. This Review looked at the operational and management issues and included reviews of the following:

- Fees and charges - Systems and processes of casual hire - Marketing of casual hire - Structure of the team that managed the casual hire facilities (such as halls

and meetings spaces) - Licensing processes.

2.2 Structure of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ is a document aiming to position the portfolio of community buildings to best serve the community into the future and to integrate community buildings into all processes across Council to deliver improved outcomes to the City’s residents.


This document includes the following Parts:

- Part 1: Introduction - Part 2: Where Are We Now - Part 3: What We Need to Consider - Part 4: How We Get There

2.3 Methodology for the Development of ‘Community

Facilities: Future Directions’ To develop this document, existing research and consultation results on community facilities from the last five years has been considered, as well as more recent engagement processes with a range of key stakeholders, both internally and externally. Appendix 3 highlights key findings from detailed research and consultation undertaken in 2004. More recently, the following strategies have been implemented to gain involvement and feedback from key stakeholders, including the following:

- Visioning workshop (Oct 2007) • This session enabled a range of key staff from all Groups within

Council to identify and input into the vision and purpose for Council’s community facilities. This workshop identified a range of issues that were further highlighted in the draft document. See Appendix 5.

- Councillor workshop (March 2008) • An overview of the document was provided and highlighted the

future directions for community facilities. - Workshop on the draft document (March 2008)

• This session enabled staff from all Groups within Council to make comment on the draft document and direction for community facilities. See Appendix 6.

- Executive team workshop (June 2008) • A presentation was made to Council’s Executive Team on the

draft document. Feedback was received and further amendments were made.

- Councillor workshop (July 2008) • A copy of the document, overview of the process to date and

future processes was provided to Councillors to inform and gain their feedback prior to conducting a consultation with external stakeholders.

- External stakeholder’s consultation (November 2008) • External consultation was undertaken, through survey

responses and a workshop with a representative sample of key users, including those community service providers with a license / lease for a community building and other state and


federal agencies. The feedback from this session is outlined in Appendix 7.

- Councillor Workshop (May 2008) o An overview of the feedback received from the external

stakeholders session on the ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ and a copy of the document was provided to Councillors.

- Council Report (23 June 2009) • A report with the draft document was provided to Council

recommending that it be placed on public exhibition. - Public exhibition (30 June 2009 – 31 July 2009)

• The draft document was on public exhibition for four weeks. During this exhibition period, a range of other strategies were undertaken to promote the draft document and the opportunity for the community to comment. An overview of the strategies used during the public exhibition period and a summary of the comments received is outlined in Appendix 8.

- Council Report (18 August 2009) • A report with the revised draft document after consideration of

the submissions received was provided to Council recommending adoption of the document. Council deferred this decision due to a revision of a separate policy issue.

- Council Report (13 October 2009) • A report recommending adoption of the draft document. Council

deferred this decision to enable consultation with the newly formed Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee in February 2010 at the inaugural committee meeting.

- Committee of the Whole Council report (20 April 2010) o A report recommending adoption of the revised document, after

consideration of submissions received from members of the Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee. The feedback received is outlined in Appendix 9.

- Committee of the Whole Council report (15 June 2010) o Outcome to be inserted

‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ was adopted by Council on DATE TO BE INSERTED The development of the ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ has been overseen by a Project Steering Group (PSG) which has included representatives from Community & Culture, Buildings & Property, Urban Planning and sponsored by the Group Manager Community Life.


PART 2: WHERE WE ARE NOW This Part of the ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ provides an overview of the Ryde area and the current provision of community buildings. This Part includes the following chapters:

- Overview of the Ryde Local Government Area - Population overview - Needs of the community - Community buildings in Ryde, including current Council provision, private

provision, needs of the community, issues and opportunities and future plans

- Gaps in community facilities in Ryde.


PART 2: WHERE WE ARE NOW

3. Overview of the Ryde LGA 3.1 The City of Ryde The City of Ryde has an area of 40.651 sq kms and lies in the central northern part of the Sydney Metropolitan area, approximately 12 kms from the centre of Sydney. The city occupies most of the divide between the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, and has 16 suburbs within its boundaries. The suburbs that make up the Ryde area include (where they are shared suburbs the other Council's name is noted in brackets): Chatswood West (Willoughby), Denistone, Denistone East, Denistone West, East Ryde, Eastwood (Hornsby), Gladesville (Hunters Hill), Macquarie Park, Marsfield, Meadowbank, Melrose Park (Parramatta), North Ryde, Putney, Ryde, Tennyson Point, and West Ryde. These suburbs are divided into three Wards, West Ward, Central Ward and East Ward. Surrounding councils also provide a range of community facilities, including childcare centres, halls, meeting spaces, youth centres, art galleries and cultural spaces.

Figure 1: Map of Ryde Local Government Area


Businesses within Macquarie Park Corridor

Key centres in the City of Ryde include Macquarie Park, Eastwood, West Ryde, Meadowbank, Ryde and Gladesville. These areas are defined by quality public transport, shopping centres and a range of services and facilities and have a range of high density housing. The Ryde LGA has trains, ferries and buses and three new train stations have been built in the Macquarie Park Corridor. There are also four of the State Government’s Strategic Bus Corridors running through the City of Ryde. The Macquarie Park Corridor, including the Macquarie University is a key area which due to its size and role has a large impact on the City of Ryde. As a result, the key issues relating to these areas are outlined below. 3.1.2 Macquarie Park Corridor The Macquarie Park Corridor is essential to the growth and economy of the City. This Corridor is clearly identified within the Metropolitan Strategy as a Specialised Centre, defined as ‘areas containing major airports, ports, hospitals, universities, research and business activities. These perform a vital economic and employment role which generate metropolitan wide benefits.’2 The Macquarie Park Corridor is a key employment area and in 2031 the Macquarie Park workforce is projected to reach 75,000 (excluding the University). Currently the University has 32,500 staff and students which is projected to increase to 55,000 by 2031. This major influx of workers into the area will place an immense strain on the existing infrastructure, community buildings and services in the area. Even though there is anticipated to be enormous growth in this area, this growth and redevelopment process itself provides an opportunity to fund a significant increase in the necessary infrastructure and community buildings required to cater for this growth. Currently in comparison to the lower parts of the local government area, this area has fewer community facilities provided by Council. This growth will enable Council to provide a balance of community facilities in this part of the LGA. The new rail link joining Epping and Chatswood provides for three new railway stations. There is also a major residential component within the corridor, focused in the north-west and comprising of areas surrounding Macquarie University, colleges and housing within the 2 NSW Government’s Metropolitan Strategy: Inner North Subregion – Draft Subregional Strategy, 2007.


University itself, and a cluster of medium density housing along Herring Road including the largest public housing estate in the City of Ryde in Ivanhoe Place. There is some provision for sport, recreational and fitness facilities within the corridor mostly located within the Macquarie University campus. It is anticipated that needs for this type of facility will continue to be met by a mix of private sector and sporting club providers particularly on campus. Additional recreation facilities are also proposed to be incorporated within the existing university grounds. The University is trying to change the perception that these services are only for university students. Arrangements are being explored with the University to enhance access by the broader community to these sporting, open space and cultural facilities. There are a number of commercial childcare providers in this area, mostly serving particular office buildings. However, it is anticipated that pressure on available places will increase as the workforce continues to grow. This will have implications for availability of childcare for residents in the adjoining suburbs. Business requirements for meeting venues are met through a range of conference and convention facilities catering for small groups through to large conventions. There are very few community buildings operated by the City of Ryde located within this area. 63% of dwellings in Macquarie Park are high density (eg: units / apartments / flats) which has grown by 4% since 2001. Over 54% of its dwellings are rented (compared to 27% in Australia and 23% across the City of Ryde). The Macquarie Park precinct consists of only 1% single dwellings with units accounting for 70% and townhouses accounting for over 20% of dwellings (2001 ABS Census). Often the residents within this area can be lost within the extent of the redevelopment, businesses and workers in the corridor. Macquarie University The Macquarie University, located within the Macquarie Park Corridor is located on a 126 hectare campus. ‘In just over three decades the University has developed from a small, innovative institution into a multifaceted institution in one of Australia’s leading high-technology locations.’3 A Campus Development Plan has recently been approved by the State Government. This Plan sets out the growth of the campus over the next four decades. In an attempt to increase the desirability of the campus as an environment for learning and research the plan proposes to: The plan consists of 600,000 square metres of development. Over half of this development is for commercial office space or commercially related research 3 Macquarie Park Structure Plan – Background Report 2002).


and development space. It also includes a private hospital (opening in late 2010) and a variety of medical facilities with a focus on hearing. There will also be some increase in facilities in the academic area to cater for an anticipated increase of some 20,000 students and staff plus additional housing for 5,000 students. The University’s growth will result in a significant increase in demand for public infrastructure, open space and sporting facilities, and community services.


Community Involvement


4. Population Overview

4.1 Key Demographics for the People of Ryde: - The population in 2009 was 102,000 (estimate based on ABS Census) - The anticipated population in 2030 is approximately 117,000 - The size of the LGA is over 40.5 sq km - Located 12km from the city of Sydney - 37% of the population were born overseas - Majority of people are between 25 and 54 years - There is a large working population coming into the LGA every day,

25,000 alone in Macquarie Park.

Based on 2006 ABS Census Statistics, Ryde had a population of 96,948 people, with 37% being born overseas. The most common foreign birthplaces in Ryde were China with 6,629 people, followed by Hong Kong with 2,675 and Korea with 2,497 people, followed by England and India. With the most spoken language in the home being English, followed by Cantonese, then Mandarin. Ryde has

an average (compared to Sydney) youth population (12 – 24 years) of approximately 17%. A large proportion of the Ryde population is Christian with Catholic being the predominant religion, with the largest non Christian religion being Buddhism. The 2006 Census identified that there is marked variation between suburbs within the City of Ryde, particularly in terms of housing density, age structures, household characteristics, economic indicators and the extent of cultural and linguistic diversity. The income of residents of Ryde is comparable to that of Sydney. The land area is largely occupied by residential dwellings. Ryde has 39,998 dwellings, with the most common kind of dwellings being separate houses, over 54% of Ryde's dwellings. The number of flats, units and apartments in Ryde has increased since the 2001 Census.


Sea of Hands Community Event


5. Needs of the Community The needs of the community are diverse and ever changing, dependent on who lives in the community, the services available, housing affordability, social policy of the time and other factors which may impact community members. ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ does not provide a detailed assessment of future needs due to the above reasons. Planning for community buildings should be based on better practice for buildings and service provision models, enabling any needs that may be identified in the future to be addressed. A summary of key needs are identified below.

5.1 Current Needs The needs of the community are often varied and changing. Even so, there are some consistent themes that have come across through various surveys, consultations and discussions with community and service providers. In the past, community facilities have been developed for individual target groups, such as seniors centres, youth centres, etc. However, the trend in community buildings is towards developing multi purpose and flexible buildings and reducing the amount of single use facilities. This flexibility also allows change of use to occur as required by the emerging needs of the community. Even without single use community buildings, it is essential to understand the needs of particular target groups within the community to assist in identifying the type of use the multipurpose community buildings may have or the priority needs to be addressed through the use of Council’s buildings. Although councils are moving toward more issues based planning, rather than target group based planning, it is still important to recognise the key target groups and their particular needs for the provision of community facilities. Traditionally these target groups are recognised as groups within the City that have specific needs or are most disadvantaged, such as seniors, people with a disability, young people and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. This document does not provide detailed needs of each target group, more detailed information is provided in Council’s Social Plan. Through previous consultation results, Council’s Social Plan 2005, 2006 community survey


Holiday Program Activity

results and a small survey in 2007 of community service providers, key themes emerged, as outlined below. 5.1.1 Key Themes Although target groups have differing needs, there were two key themes that cut across age groups and backgrounds in relation to community facilities, that is, engagement and ownership and access to facilities. Engagement and ownership Many respondents felt it important for the community to feel part of developing a community facility. It is proven that generally people do not merely want things to be provided for them, they want to 'have a say', to influence the processes and outcomes. When someone is engaged in a process, they have an interest in it, they are more likely to understand the surrounding and related issues and also feel some connection to it. As a result, this sense of ownership usually leads to a longer lasting commitment to the project, facility or outcome. Engaging the community at the onset of the project, although not always possible, is the preferred time to engage the community. Community engagement moves beyond consultation and should also include an element of informing and gain active participation from the community, to the point where the community can decide the final outcome. In many instances informing and consultation are the main elements used to engage the community in a process, particularly in the case of developing a new community building. Access Access to community facilities was also a key theme that emerged, be that affordability, disability access or equity to utilise facilities. Many groups identified that the cost of hiring community facilities was prohibitive, particularly for smaller unincorporated groups and social groups. Disability access for facilities was an issue that primarily came through the seniors and people with disability target groups, although many parents with prams may also find this an issue. Currently, many Council community buildings due to their age do not meet the access requirements as prescribed in the Building Code of Australia and Disability Discrimination Act. The introduction of appropriate ramps and toilet facilities would address many of the basic physical access issues for the community.


Furthermore, the City of Ryde has an increasing culturally and linguistically diverse community coming into the City. Access to services and facilities need to address the needs of these communities, these groups need to feel confident and comfortable in accessing these services. Feedback was also received on the equity of the allocation of licensed community buildings. Currently Council does not have a consistent approach to the allocation of community buildings to community groups, which limits groups, particularly new and emerging groups to access a Council building on a long term basis. Equity in provision of these spaces is a major issue that Council must consider in a way that supports our long standing relationship with current providers and entices new services to the area. 5.2 Future Community Needs The City of Ryde is growing, with more people coming to live and work in the area, particularly through the redevelopment in the Macquarie Park Corridor. The needs of this future population are extremely difficult to identify and anticipate for years to come. Through the development of the Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan and needs assessment and social planning initiatives undertaken by Council, we will have more data to assist in identifying current and future gaps in service provision. Once complete this information will be crucial to assist in planning for services to be located within community buildings and gaps in the target areas of services. We do know the population is ageing, it is also projected that Ryde will grow in numbers of younger people and families. If recent trends continue, Ryde will also be home to many more migrants. The particular needs of these communities are unknown and will be impacted by global and other issues that can not be planned for. It is essential that when planning for a particular community building needs are assessed at that time as this will provide a more accurate assessment of future needs. Due to the difficulty of projecting the needs of our community, it is important that any community building Council builds is truly multipurpose and enables diverse needs to be met through the building, the services and programs offered within. Current community buildings limit the ability for services to expand to meet these emerging needs. 5.3 Meeting Community Needs There are many documented community needs and further needs will be identified over the life of this Plan and through Ryde 2030 Community


Community Involvement in Granny Smith Festival, Eastwood

Strategic Plan process. However, not all can be addressed by the development of a Council building, and some not in the near future. Council’s provision of community buildings is currently at a stage where it needs to lay the foundations for its future community facilities and get the ‘basics’ right before embarking on meeting complex or more specific needs of the community through the development of new community buildings. For example, in the case of developing a Men’s Shed, as identified through Council’s Social Plan. This is quite a specific purpose built facility. The needs to be addressed through the development of a Men’s Shed could be addressed in alternate ways, such as through existing services or through outreach opportunities. Meeting the needs of the community is a long and complex process and one which requires numerous strategies to be truly realistic, effective and achievable. Apart from providing a building for community groups to be accommodated in, Council’s support to existing and new services to develop programs which support the needs of the community, such as a men’s shed, are just as crucial as constructing a building. Community development and capacity building with community organisations in the area is essential to addressing the diversity of needs within the community. Council plays a major role in leading these processes to deliver a broader range of programs and activities which don’t rely on a community building being provided. Alternatively, capacity could be increased for groups to source further grant funding to support their operations. To successfully achieve this, it is not only reliant on Council playing a major role, but groups acknowledging their role in better meeting the needs of the community and understanding the limitations on Council’s community buildings. Since the feedback was received on the affordability of utilising community facilities, Council undertook a major review of its fees and charges (in 2007) for halls and meeting rooms (available for public hire) and in most cases fees were reduced in recognition of the limited capacity for community service providers to pay an unsubsidised rate. This reduction was welcomed by many community groups and supports Council’s commitment to increasing access to its community facilities whilst balancing available resources. Council will also promote co-location and shared use of all of its community buildings to expand the level of support it can provide to a larger and more diverse group of organisations within the community. This will support


improved access to Council owned buildings for all. It will also complement the development of standard licenses and improved operational processes to create more consistent and transparent processes relating to Council’s community buildings. Council’s ‘Your City, Your Voice’ Engagement Policy and Framework assists Council staff to improve their engagement with the community on Council projects and initiatives. This provides a consistent methodology for Council informing, consulting and collaborating with the community and groups regarding the provision of community buildings and the operational processes associated. It is recognised by Council that it is important for the community, be that residents, community service providers or other stakeholders to be involved in identifying types of services needed in those buildings, to create a functioning and effective community facility that does meet the local needs. In the case of locating community service providers within a community building they should be identified prior to the design and planning for the building to ensure that the building does not constrain their requirements. Community service providers should be involved in the design process for any new community building, however design must be balanced with Council’s needs in relation to the provision of multi-purpose spaces, management and maintenance of the facility. Council is committed to creating more accessible community buildings and has developed a program of works to improve access to some of our current community buildings. It is also recognised that all future buildings will meet the appropriate standards. Council is embarking on the development of the Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan. This process will clearly identify the vision for Ryde moving into the future, the year 2030, by the community. The results of this process will be an important tool to assist Council in planning for community services and community buildings.


PART 2: WHERE ARE WE NOW

6. Community Buildings in Ryde 6.1 Overview of What We Provide Community buildings are able to be used by groups and organisations for recreational, social, community service, educational or health promoting activities, and as community meeting places or be hired by the public on a casual basis. The Council building combined with services provided by the community, create successful community facilities. The City of Ryde is committed to ‘provide community facilities and spaces that are responsive to the needs of the community. There is a commitment to providing places that allow for social, cultural, recreational and civic activities to take place in a way that is accessible and equitable’, as outlined in Council’s adopted Social Justice Charter. A range of community buildings are provided across the LGA, which are utilised by various community groups, commercial operations and individuals from Ryde and surrounding areas. These community facilities are seen as:

- Places and resources for delivering community services, providing benefit to the broader community

- Places and resources where residents can meet, organise and carry out safe, and enjoyable activities

- Focal points for community interaction, contributing towards developing Ryde as a community with lively, viable local centres where people can meet and gain social support.

The City of Ryde provides 65 community buildings for its residents. There are two key types of community buildings, those that can be hired out by the public and those that are licensed to a community service provider. Combined these make up a large proportion of Council’s property portfolio. The majority of community buildings within the City of Ryde are at least 30 years old, many of which are converted residential buildings and have dated internal configurations in terms of size, layout, storage and disability access. Council provides these buildings as it believes it has a commitment to meeting the needs of the Ryde community. Often Council can’t meet the needs directly or it is the responsibility of others and therefore provides support to

Gladesville Library Meeting Room


community service providers who can. This support is often through the provision or use of a subsidised community building. 6.1.1 Current Location of Community Buildings As can be seen by Figure 2, Council has numerous buildings used for various purposes. Council’s community buildings can be categorised into the following:

- Community halls and meeting spaces - Community service centres - Heritage and historic - Recreation and leisure.

This map illustrates that the majority of community buildings are currently provided within town centres or villages and many in the south west region of the LGA, particularly Ryde, West Ryde and Eastwood. The grouping of facilities within Ryde, West Ryde and Eastwood areas does address the high population of these areas. These areas have a combination of both high ageing population and increasingly higher young families moving into the area. These three town centres also have good transport networks with West Ryde and Eastwood having both buses and trains and Ryde having a regular bus service running through the suburb. Figure 2 also demonstrates the current imbalance of provision of facilities within the northern part of the LGA compared to the southern suburbs.


Shepherd’s Bay Community Centre Hall, Meadowbank

An overview of these community buildings is provided below. Detail of each individual facility can be found in Appendix 10.

6.2 Community Halls and Meeting Spaces The City of Ryde has 19 community halls and a few smaller meeting spaces available for community use. Many of these spaces can be hired by the public and this is managed by Council’s Community Relations team. Many of Council’s halls and meeting spaces are utilised by small businesses particularly dance groups, church groups and community services. Currently it is difficult to estimate the actual utilisation of halls and meeting rooms. Improvements to processes and the booking system in the near future will enable utilisation to be better accounted for. Council also provides a number of small halls located in parks which are currently licensed to community groups. 6.2.1 Current Council provision Council has a range of community facilities that are classified as halls and meeting spaces, including the following: Table 2: Community Halls and Meeting Spaces

Address of Community Building Name or Type of Community Building

1 Devlin Street, Ryde Ryde Civic Hall

201 Cox’s Road, North Ryde North Ryde School of Arts Community Centre Hall

201 Cox’s Road, North Ryde North Ryde School of Arts Community Centre Meeting Room

33 Blaxland Road, Ryde The Argyle Centre Hall

33 Blaxland Road, Ryde The Argyle Theatre

161 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood Eastwood Community Hall

161 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood Eastwood Community Hall Meeting Room



West Parade, Eastwood Eastwood Library Meeting Room (Women’s Rest Centre)

1A Station Street, West Ryde West Ryde Community Hall

Cnr Anthony Road and Reserve Street, West Ryde (to be completed 2011)

West Ryde Community Hall *

1A Trafalgar Place, Marsfield Trafalgar Place Community Hall

3a Bowden Street, Meadowbank Shepherd’s Bay Community Centre Hall

6 Pittwater Road, Gladesville Gladesville Library Meeting Room

Lambert Park, Brush Road, West Ryde Lambert Park Hall

Cleves Park, Douglas Street, Putney Cleves Park Hall

Westminster Park, Westminster Road, Gladesville

Westminster Park Hall

Santa Rosa Park, Quarry Road, North Ryde

Santa Rosa Park Hall

Tyrell Park, John Miller Street, East Ryde Tyrell Park Hall

Lions Park, 2 Shaftsbury Road, West Ryde Lions Park Hall

Pryor Park, 109 Cressy Road, East Ryde Pryor Park Hall * This building is currently being developed the name may change once completed. Council also has a hall available for hire in Brush Farm House, see Section 6.4. A large hall is also available for hire at the Ryde Aquatic and Leisure Centre. 6.2.2 Issues for Council to Consider Table 2.a: Issues for Council to Consider, Community Halls and Meeting Spaces

Overview of Community Halls and Meeting Rooms

Current Private Provision

- Range of private providers, including: RSL and Bowling Clubs; Hotels / Motels; Schools; Universities; TAFE; Churches; Masonic Halls; Large corporations / businesses.

- Appendix 2 outlines the private spaces available for use by the public in the City of Ryde.

- Consideration must also be given to surrounding Local Government Areas and their provision of community


Overview of Community Halls and Meeting Rooms buildings.

Needs of the Community

- Utilised for community group activities, social groups, committee meetings, birthday parties, weddings, leisure and learning classes, conferences, performances, exhibitions, business activities.

- With increased housing density, halls provide a large space for family events, birthdays, christenings etc.

- Provide an affordable venue for community groups / individuals to provide activities and programs.

Issues and Opportunities

- It is recognised that Council’s buildings are ageing in comparison to private providers.

- Council often does not have the equipment or level of services and support most functions like conferences etc require, making competition difficult. This difference may create opportunities for partnerships with these providers, Macquarie University for example.

- There are a number of larger community facilities located in surrounding Local Government Areas, particularly Parramatta and Willoughby.

- Facilities must be flexible to accommodate the diversity in use and enable gradual change to meet the changing needs.

- Should be connected to other activities, services and facilities to optimise their usage by creating spaces which become hubs for the community.

- The smaller halls located in parks are currently exclusively used by Scouts and Girl Guides, with their use generally on week nights. Opportunity to increase co-location and shared use.

- Smaller halls in parks are usually not in ideal locations, lack of transport etc. Investigation into the future of these facilities should occur prior to further agreements being signed.

Future Plans

- New hall and meeting rooms will be included in the new West Ryde Family and Children’s Community Centre. Activities from the current West Ryde Hall at 1a Station Street will be transferred into this new facility.

- Top Ryde City shopping centre is currently being re-developed and will accommodate Council’s Library, including meeting rooms for the public. It is envisaged that this redevelopment will be complete in 2011.

- The Civic Centre and the Civic Hall are coming to the end of their life cycle, over 40 years old. Ryde Town Centre Local Environment Plan identifies this site as civic and mixed use. This type of redevelopment would support the provision of a large community building, however this would be reliant on a major engagement and competitive design competition.


Overview of Community Halls and Meeting Rooms Council would be reliant on a third party.

- There may also be opportunities in redeveloping amenities blocks to combine public meeting spaces, such as halls and meeting rooms.

6.3 Community Service Centres Community service centres are community buildings which are currently licensed to community service providers and have limited capacity for casual hire. Community service centres provide a base for a non profit community organisation to deliver a range of community service programs that meet the needs of the community. The services currently accommodated within these centres can be generally categorised into two types of service, community neighbourhood type activities or children’s services. 6.3.1 Current Council provision Council has 13 community buildings which can be used as community service centres and are located mainly in town centres. Table 3: Community Service Centres


12 Lakeside Road, Eastwood Community neighbourhood

10 Lakeside Road, Eastwood Community neighbourhood

2 Dickson Ave, West Ryde Community neighbourhood

4 Cutler Parade, North Ryde Community neighbourhood

Cnr Anthony Road and Reserve Street, West Ryde (to be completed 2011)*

Community neighbourhood

8 Chatham Road, West Ryde Children’s services

2B Rutledge Street, Eastwood Children’s services

2 Hancott Street, Ryde Children’s services

13 Clermont Ave, Ryde Children’s services

147 Cox’s Road, North Ryde Children’s services


Vacation Care Program


55 Hillview Lane, Eastwood Children’s services

167 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood Children’s services

1a Trafalgar Place, Marsfield Children’s services

4 Cutler Parade, North Ryde Children’s services

26 Argyle Avenue, Ryde Children’s services

* This is a new community building currently being developed. 6 Pittwater Road, Gladesville (children’s services) is a building owned by Hunters Hill Council, however the City of Ryde contributes to the annual operating costs and it is located within the Ryde LGA. The neighbourhood services located within a Council building currently focus on programs for the aged and people with a disability or their carers and include programs such as Meals on Wheels, volunteer programs, leisure learning etc. These services also provide an information and referral service to the community. Children’s services are either childcare centres (accommodation for long day care, occasional child care and preschool services) or Early Childhood Health Centres (ECHC).

All of the childcare services located in a Council facility are currently not for profit community organisations and are regulated by the NSW Department of Community Services. ECHC’s are clinics for babies and young children 0-5 years, providing support, advice and referral on all issues relating to parenting and child development. ECHC are provided by the NSW Government, through NSW Health.

The City of Ryde does not operate any of its own childcare services, however Council does provide holiday programs for children 5 – 12 years and an immunisation program. 6.3.2 Issues for Council to Consider Table 3.a: Issues for Council to Consider, Community Service Centres

Issues to Consider for Community Service Centres Current - There are many commercial spaces that groups can rent.


Issues to Consider for Community Service Centres Private Provision

- There are a large number of private childcare providers in Ryde, in an audit of childcare services in Ryde undertaken in 2007, there were 105 childcare providers across the local government area.

- Services offered by the ECHC are also provided by doctors, however usually for a fee. The NSW Health Department own a number of buildings within the Ryde area.


- Funding for services located within these buildings is often limited, not making commercial rent a feasible option.

- There are smaller emerging community groups establishing themselves in the Ryde area also in need of accommodation.

- For those groups that do not have accommodation in a Council building, there are limited options for affordable long term office accommodation.

- The needs of the community in relation to childcare, like most other Local Government Area’s are high, with particular focus on reasonably priced services and a need for increased places, particularly for 0 – 2 year olds.

- The ECHC’s provide a service essential for parents and children, which can also be accessed through doctors.


- Smaller community groups emerging are often in need of subsidised accommodation.

- Through the provision of more accessible, shared and purpose built community buildings, there may be opportunities to support or entice new services to come to Ryde.

- Single purpose community buildings are not an efficient use of Council’s resources and do not provide the best outcomes for the community.

- There are a large number of private providers of childcare services and this is developed on the basis of supply and demand.

- It is recognised that there is a need for private and community based child care to provide choice for users of these services. Council should only subsidise community based not for profit childcare.

- Opportunities exist to co-locate or increase usage, particularly with preschools and ECHC’s as they have limited hours of operation. Issues relating to safety and security of equipment must be addressed adequately prior to this option being implemented.

- Childcare is difficult to assess the level of need due to the quickly changing population, impact workers have on an area and the number of private providers continually coming in and out of the market.

- Childcare is regulated by the NSW State Government.


‘Willandra’, Ryde

Issues to Consider for Community Service Centres - Moving the ECHC services into NSW Health owned

facilities could be explored to free up space within Council’s stock of community buildings for not for profit community based organisations to access.

Future Plans

- NSW Health have indicated that they are reviewing the provision of ECHC’s in a number of LGA’s, including Ryde. It is anticipated that the Department of Health will reduce the number of ECHC. Health has suggested moving out of the North Ryde location.

- Council is in the process of a redevelopment in West Ryde, including a community building targeting family and children services. This facility is planned for completion in 2011.

- Multi purpose community facilities should be provided, as is the case with the new West Ryde community facility.

- Within the Section 94 Plan there are a number of community buildings that have been identified, this is detailed in Section 8.2.1.

6.4 Historic & Heritage Buildings Identified in this category are buildings which are either heritage listed or have heritage value. They are separated from Community Service Centres due to the various constraints placed on these types of buildings as a result of their heritage nature and Conservation Management Plans. These buildings are generally licensed to groups who then have exclusive use. However, some of the facilities have the ability to also be hired out on a casual basis. 6.4.1 Council’s current provision Council has seven historic & heritage buildings across the LGA, including the following: Table 4: Historic and Heritage Buildings


813 – 815 Victoria Road, Ryde Addington House

12 Turner Street, Ryde Westward Cottage



8 Turner Street, Ryde The Parsonage

19 Lawson Street, Eastwood Brush Farm House

770 – 782 Victoria Road, Ryde Willandra

74 Agincourt Road, Eastwood Eastwood Town Hall

West Parade and Wingate Avenue, Eastwood

Eastwood Croquet Club

Only some of these buildings are able to be hired by the public for activities and functions. The remaining have licence or lease arrangements with community groups and although have access from the public through members of those groups, access from the general public is very limited. A number of these buildings have related Conservation Management Plans which guide the restoration and maintenance of these properties. 6.4.1 Issues for Council to Consider Table 4.a: Issues for Council to Consider, Historic and Heritage Buildings

Issues to Consider for Heritage and Historic Buildings Current Private Provision

- There are a number of heritage and historic buildings within the City of Ryde owned privately. Generally those privately owned have very little public access.


- These heritage and historic buildings play a large part in providing a link to Ryde’s past and it is important that Council play a role in preserving this history.

- These facilities should be made available for the public to access on an ongoing and regular basis.

- There are two historical societies within Ryde which are keen to assist in preserving these valuable buildings.


- There is great historical significance for the area in these buildings. With minimum access for the broader public, steps should be taken to create regular opportunities to expand this access and understanding of Ryde’s past.

- Many of these heritage / historic homes now have Conservation Management Plans which were developed to guide Council in the conservation of these buildings. Due to the restoration and maintenance required to conserve these buildings, the costs are higher costs than other community buildings. Council will need to develop long term strategies to alleviate this financial burden to ratepayers, as well as


Issues to Consider for Heritage and Historic Buildings achieving the appropriate level of conservation and access.

- A balance is needed between conserving the history of a facility and maintaining its functionality as a community building.

Future Plans

- With the adoption of numerous Conservation Management Plans there are many recommendations that may be required to be delivered, particularly those associated with maintenance of the facility and in some cases future uses of the facility. These should be assessed with the functionality prior to implementation.

- A further review of the Brush Farm House business plan is planned to be undertaken in 2010.

6.5 Libraries The strong network of public libraries within the City of Ryde is the most extensively used and probably is the most well known community facilities. Libraries attracted just over 869,944 visitors in the period between July 2008 and June 2009. Libraries provide a vast array of services for everyone in the community, be it students, seniors, children or City of Ryde staff. All of Council’s libraries include a customer service function, enabling residents to pay bills and make general enquiries at each library. Libraries have moved from the days of a place for quiet study to community hubs that contribute to social capital, address digital divide and promote literacy and lifelong learning by offering a diverse array of services and activities. These activities include:

- Free access to information, both in traditional book format as well as in the formats of emerging technologies

- Study areas - Meeting places (formal and

informal) - Access to information technology - Children’s activities, including

specialised programs for very young children that play a key role in the development of literacy

- Link to the national library system - Outreach services (home library

service, events and activities 24/7 access to electronic materials)

- Support community development and engagement initiatives

West Ryde Library


- Dissemination point for key information, especially for Council, other government departments and community organisations.

Libraries strive to provide a place for safe and open interaction for all members of the local community, free of charge. 6.5.1 Current Council provision Council currently provides five libraries across the LGA. The Joint Library Services Agreement between City of Ryde and Hunters Hill Council provides for a financial contribution that assists the Gladesville Branch to serve residents of Hunters Hill Local Government Area. Table 5: Libraries


Corner Blaxland Road and Devlin Street, Ryde

Ryde Centenary Branch

Cnr Devlin Street and Pope Street Ryde Ryde Library *

201 Cox’s Road, North Ryde North Ryde Branch

2 Graf Avenue, West Ryde West Ryde Branch

Corner Hillview Road and West Parade, Eastwood

Eastwood Branch

6 Pittwater Road, Gladesville Gladesville Branch * Currently being constructed. Two of the five Council libraries operate seven days a week and the remaining operate six days a week. Total open hours are 257.5 hours per week, including a significant number of evening hours. Council also provides an outreach service to reach those people who are more isolated, either by location or circumstance. 6.5.2 Issues for Council to Consider Table 5.a: Issues for Council to Consider, Libraries

Issues to Consider for Libraries


- There are a number of other libraries located within the Ryde LGA, including Macquarie University, Meadowbank TAFE, Ryde TAFE and the numerous primary and high schools.

- There is a difference between private, ‘special purpose’ libraries and public libraries. Private libraries cater specifically for their clients and are not generally accessible


Issues to Consider for Libraries to the general public. They hold collections that are specific to their client needs rather than of general interest to the public.


- A number of trends are impacting on public libraries and user expectations. These include: increased urban consolidation leading to growth in demand for study carrels, reading areas and work rooms in libraries; rapid and ongoing development of ICTs (information and communication technologies); expectations from other levels of government that libraries provide technology and assistance in the use of technology for clients requiring specific government information; increased requirements to provide public access to the internet; and growth in library based community activities such as children’s story times, adult discussion groups and clubs.

- Libraries are changing and a key element of this is technological change. Libraries contribute to overcoming the digital divide by making technology readily accessible to all as well as providing ongoing assistance with the use of those technologies.

- The need to upgrade and expand current library facilities has been emerging for a significant period of time and has more recently been addressed by Council.

- Council’s libraries are well attended, with West Ryde and Eastwood being the most used.

- Ryde Library has seen a significant reduction in patronage due both to the constraints of the facility as well as the considerable disruption surrounding the redevelopment of Top Ryde City. The reopening of this shopping precinct and improvements to access has seen increased use of the library.


- The new Ryde Library (scheduled for completion in 2011) will provide opportunities to develop a significant central library service.

- There is a need for an increase in floor space, or more creative use of floor space to accommodate the changing use of libraries and the additional technology required.

- The emergence of electronic books will impact on the way in which libraries collect and store books and information.

- There are current issues with the quality of the library collection that are now being addressed y improved purchasing and maintenance processes. It is anticipated that these improvements will require a number of years to take full effect.

- The Library Council of NSW has established benchmark sizes for public library buildings4. The required floor space

4 Library Council of NSW (2005) People Places: A Guide for Public Library Buildings in NSW


Issues to Consider for Libraries for a new or an extended public library may be derived using either a service-based or a population-based formula. The size of four or our libraries falls well below these recommendations. West Ryde Branch is the only library to exceed the recommended sizes.

- Due to higher density living there is an increase in usage and demand for reading spaces and study areas. It is planned that the City of Ryde will have a further 12,000 dwellings by 2031, these bring predominantly high density.

- Demographic changes such as our growing residential population, increased numbers of non resident workers, increased numbers of residents who speak languages other than English at home and an aging population will impact on the library service, the spaces it requires and the services that it offers.

- Council’s Library service underwent a Review in 2006. Implementation of the recommendations from this Review is nearing completion and may impact on the operational aspects of Council’s libraries, which in turn could impact on the buildings.

- There could be an opportunity to increase the footprint of the Eastwood Library. This would support the high levels of usage of this facility and provide more adequate and appropriate space for the type of users of this facility.

- Council Libraries are highly utilised and there may be opportunity to increase the level of Council services and information provided from these venues, particularly a customer service function.

- Other opportunities include convergence with cultural entities such as museums and galleries, and co-location with other council facilities.

Future Plans

- The new Ryde Library will be completed by 2011. - The draft Section 94 Plan also proposes a new Library,

Leisure and Learning Centre in the Macquarie Park corridor. - In the draft Gladesville Town Centre Masterplan, it is

suggested that the Gladesville Library could be moved closer to Victoria Road, as part of a ‘Model Project’.


Meadowbank Park Amenity Building, Meadowbank

6.6 Recreation Facilities Council has a number of facilities to support the recreational needs of the community. In this report, recreational community facilities does not refer to the many parks, sports grounds, or associated toilet amenity buildings attached to these open spaces. 6.6.1 Current Council Provision There are a number of buildings Council owns on open space which currently accommodate the administration functions of sporting groups / associations. Council also owns land on which a number of bowling clubs and tennis courts have built premises. Council has the following recreation focused facilities located across the LGA: Table 6: Recreation Facilities


Meadowbank Park, Constitution Road and Adelaide Street, Meadowbank

Sports amenity building

Meadowbank Park, Constitution Road and Adelaide Street, Meadowbank


Corner Blaxland Road and Princes Street, Ryde


Cnr Blaxland Road and Princes Street, Ryde, Ryde Park


Bill Mitchell Park, Morrison Road, Tennyson Point


64 Bridge Road, North Road, Santa Rosa Park


Culloden Road, Marsfield, Marsfield Park Sports amenity building

Lawson Street, Eastwood, Brush Farm Park


Lawson Street, Eastwood, Brush Farm Park


Christie Road, Macquarie Park, Christie Park




243 – 271 Pittwater Road, North Ryde Sports amenity building – Indoor sports centre

Kent Road, North Ryde, ELS Hall Park Sports amenity building – Ryde Community & Sports Centre*

Chatham Road, West Ryde Bowling Club

Salter Crescent, Denistone East Bowling Club

Walker Street, Putney Bowling Club

11 Blaxland Road, Ryde Bowling Club

Salter Crescent, Denistone East, Kings Park

Tennis Courts / Centre

Weaver Street and Potts Street, Ryde, Olympic Park


Constitution Road, Meadowbank, Meadowbank Park


Kotara Park Tennis Courts / Centre * Currently being constructed, due for completion January 2011. There is also a sports stadium in the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre. 6.5.2 Issues for Council to Consider Table 6.a: Issues for Council to Consider, Recreation Facilities

Issues to Consider for Recreation Facilities


- There are a number of sporting and leisure centres across the City of Ryde, including indoor sports clubs.

- There are also a number of other bowling clubs, RSLs, hotels and restaurants scattered across the LGA, which provide similar facilities to that of bowling clubs.

- Commercial spaces can be hired for use as office space for sporting groups and associations.

- There are a number of privately owned tennis courts across the LGA and some which are available to members of gyms and fitness centres.


- These recreational facilities provide a service based on membership.

- Many sporting groups / associations require facilities located at their regularly used sports field.

- Traditionally many older residents frequent bowling clubs


Issues to Consider for Recreation Facilities and use it as their social and recreation meeting place.

- Many bowling clubs also provide function rooms, which are often used by the community for private parties, informal social gatherings and senior’s activities.

- There is little data on the needs of the community in relation to tennis courts.

- Council does have some data in the ‘Leisure and Recreation Needs Community Consultation Report 2009’.


- Parks located on ‘Community Land’ are required to have a Plan of Management (PoM’s) which guide their use. These must be considered when looking at activities on parklands.

- Some sporting groups do not have formal arrangements with Council for their use. Council is proposing to undertake a Best Value Review of the sporting policies, procedures and maintenance arrangements for all community sporting facilities to ensure equitable / affordable access for users to sporting facilities.

- Parks on Track for People 2025 guides planning for parks and sports fields. Council is proposing to update this document with an Integrated Open Space Strategy which will address the open space needs of current and future residents and workers in the Ryde LGA.

- Access to parks and recreational facilities via walking, cycling and public transport is increasingly desired for healthy lifestyles.

- There may be opportunity for Council to maximise the utilisation of community facilities through the dual use of facilities.

- Desire has been expressed by users for new or upgraded club house facilities however this has largely been over-shadowed by the necessity to improve the basic amenities associated with sports grounds.

- It is generally understood that patronage in smaller bowling clubs across NSW is beginning to decline due to large RSL’s and hotels.

- Lower numbers of participants could provide opportunities for joint ventures with other bowling clubs in the area and to develop partnership arrangements.

- Bowling clubs often have poker machines and private businesses located within a club (eg: restaurants).

- Currently the lease arrangements with bowling clubs or the tennis courts do not require them to make available function / meeting rooms to Council or the broader public.

- Opportunity to provide consistency in fees and charges for facilities that are owned by Council and can be hired by the public, including meeting rooms in bowling clubs.

- Clear design standards should be provided to all groups undertaking capital works improvements to ensure the


Issues to Consider for Recreation Facilities works meet legislated requirements, provide consistency in design and are in keeping with the existing structures.

Future Plans

- With the majority of the bowling club leases not expiring for a number of years Council has no clear plans for the future of any of its bowling clubs. At the time of renewal Council should source information on the usage of these bowling clubs, future trends and investigate options for partnering bowling clubs in the area to maximise usage.

- A number of Plan of Managements will be developed over the next few years for Council parks and will need to be considered in all planning for the identified parks.

- There are no clear plans for the future of Council owned tennis courts.


Civic Centre Hall, Ryde


7. Gaps in Community Facilities in Ryde As outlined in Chapter 6, the City of Ryde has many community buildings which support community service providers and activities that meet the needs of the community. Gaps in the levels of service provision or types of buildings provided will inevitably be an issue for any local government authority. However, it is difficult for Council to have a clear picture of the gaps due to limited accurate utilisation data been collected and needs assessments not co-ordinated or relatively up to date. This data would enable Council to identify clear trends and service user demands. Council’s Operational Review of Community Facilities recommended Council establish strategies to gather this type of data to assist in future planning. Even so, through the engagement process to develop this Plan a number of clear gaps in the provision of community facilities across the City of Ryde emerged. 7.1 Gaps in the Types of Community Buildings In addition to the buildings Council provides across the LGA, there are also many private providers of meeting rooms, halls and office spaces. Council developed a private providers database in 2006 (a summary is attached as Appendix 2), this identified that Ryde has 25 school halls with 15 available for hire, over 35 function / conference rooms and / or meeting rooms available and 8 church halls available for hire. It is recognised that in most cases it is difficult for Council to compete within this market for ‘high end’ facilities due to Council’s ageing infrastructure and the services we can offer. For example, when hiring a private hall / function centre there is usually an option for food to be provided, a person to manage the IT requirements and wait staff etc. Council does not have the capacity to provide these types of services. Council’s community facilities clearly target an alternate market, small business, community groups and social occasions. Council therefore targets its facilities to meet the needs of these groups, not that of large conferences or corporate organisations.


7.2 Gaps in the Location of Community Buildings There is not a clear distribution of community buildings across the LGA, with a clear lack of facilities around the mid section of the LGA in Marsfield, Macquarie Park and North Ryde. This inadequacy cuts across all Wards. Often councils locate their community buildings based on Ward boundaries. In the case of Ryde, this formula would not be suitable because within each Ward there are demographic differences and the Macquarie Park corridor runs through the top of each Ward. The nature of the northern part of the LGA, the Macquarie Park Corridor, is quite different to the rest of the LGA. There are clearly some pockets of limited provision in areas such as East Ryde, Gladesville and Marsfield. The current Section 94 Plan and Macquarie Park Development Control Plan identify the provision of community buildings within this area, which will assist in providing a balance in the location of community buildings across the LGA. Across the Ryde LGA, Council has identified six key centres. These are destinations within the city that accommodate a range of services and activities, including parks, shops, transport connections, car parks, community services, recreation facilities etc and should include community buildings. 7.3 Gaps in Service Provision In the past, many of Ryde’s buildings have been developed as single use to meet the needs of individual target groups. In doing so, many facilities are not appropriate for use by a range of groups or for a range of activities, which has diminished their utilisation. It is important for Council to improve access of its buildings to ensure needs of the broader community are being met. Although Council provides many community buildings for community groups to use, the needs of the following groups are not being met by existing community infrastructure or services. There should be a focus on meeting the needs of the following groups, be that through a building or through service provision: - Culturally and linguistically diverse people - Young people - Cultural and arts. 7.3.1 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse There are an increasing number of services that are provided for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people within our community. This population group in Ryde is set to increase over the years and it is important that community facilities are available to these communities to support their transition into the community and celebrate their cultural traditions.


Youth Week Event, Eastwood

The City of Ryde has a diverse and growing population of migrants and refugees, and an increasing number of community groups and services to support them. Currently Council has very little capacity to accommodate or support these emerging community organisations in the current stock of community buildings. Due to the increasingly high population, particularly around Eastwood, there may be opportunity for Council to provide a centre which has the capacity to focus on multicultural issues, supporting a range of providers targeting the diversity within our population. There may be potential to develop an incubator style service to support and build the capacity of these smaller and emerging organisations. Not only would this address the needs of the CALD community immediately, but would also be a positive way to sustain community organisations within the area. 7.3.2 Young People The City of Ryde does not provide any community buildings which are suitable or utilised by youth services, except from casual use. Young people want to create their own space and are at stages within their life where they need to identify themselves and have a safe place to interact and socialize with their peers. In some cases it may require a facility only for young people, alternatively the mix of uses could be explored to create better synergies with those other services to be co-located. For example, mixing an arts centre with young people is often a common option. It is acknowledged that there are services and buildings that support services offered to young people, including scouts, clubs and churches. These types of groups are membership based. There is only one service that provides support and programs for young people exclusive of membership. There is a clear gap in support services, activities and appropriate spaces to run youth programs from in the City of Ryde. Through the social planning processes undertaken in previous years, young people have identified the need for a youth centre, a youth café, skateboard facilities or a youth arts and cultural space. Eastwood has been proposed for a youth centre, due to its close proximity to public transport. Macquarie Park Development Control Plan also identifies future community facility space near Macquarie Shopping Centre. This area has large numbers of young people and has a range of attractors for this age group, including the University, the high level of transport options, the shopping centre and


Youth Week Exhibition at Brush Farm House, Eastwood

associated attractors. This site would be a preferred site for the location of a community facility that had the capacity to service young people. 7.3.3 Culture and the Arts

The City of Ryde does not currently have any purpose built arts facilities, however there are a number of facilities which are being used as arts facilities, Brush Farm House and Willandra (heritage and historic buildings). Through the City of Ryde Art Society, Willandra offers a number of classes and workshops annually, as well as exhibitions. The activities are well frequented and popular attractions in the City. The Arts Society also runs the popular annual Ryde Art Awards and exhibition, usually held at North Ryde Hall. The recently restored Brush Farm House is a cultural facility that hosts a range of arts activities. A number of Council owned halls have small stages, however they are seen as largely unsuitable for local amateur theatre and music performances. There are a range of privately run cultural and arts facilities throughout the Ryde LGA, including an art gallery located in Eden Gardens and within Macquarie University and Meadowbank TAFE. Within the University there are six museums, the Lighthouse Theatre, the Macquarie University Art Gallery, home to the largest outdoor sculpture park in the southern hemisphere. Meadowbank TAFE is another significant provider of visual arts training and in recent years established the See Street Gallery. Schools in the area also have extensive arts programs, with a range of music genres particularly prevalent. There are also a number of converted shop tops, mainly in the West Ryde area, locating dance and music schools. Research undertaken through the City of Ryde Arts Review (2006) identified a number of gaps in the provision of facilities with a focus on creative expression. A performance space, both indoor and outdoor, an art gallery, and workshop space for emerging artists and communities looking to participate in arts activities emerged as local needs. Council has adopted an Arts Development Framework to identify how the City can support creative ventures within the community. Through visioning workshops to develop the Arts Development Framework, residents have identified that there are few opportunities in the City of Ryde to participate in arts and cultural activities, attributed to lack of arts infrastructure.


Ryde has very few cultural facilities, such as workshop space, performance spaces and gallery or exhibition spaces. A feasibility study on the development of a cultural facility in Ryde has been undertaken and will be considered with any redevelopment of the Civic Precinct site. If this proceeds this will support the creative needs of the community, but there may also be opportunities to provide support in other community buildings through the creation of suitable spaces for these types of activities. An outdoor performance space has also been identified as a priority. Workshop space, a gallery, and arts and creative industry incubator space have also been recommended for other locations. In the interim there may be opportunity to locate these types of activities within a community facility which does not have maximum utilisation and potentially will be earmarked for disposal. While there is a definite need for arts facilities, the development of such facilities needs to be considered in terms of the City and its position within the region. Neighbouring Council’s including Willoughby and Parramatta, are making major investments in arts and cultural facilities. Hunters Hill Council is also placing more emphasis on cultural activities through the development of the Priory.


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PART 3: WHAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER

Having examined the current provision of community facilities within the City of Ryde, this Part of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ identifies factors Council needs to consider to meet its vision for community facilities. This Part contains the following four chapters:

- An overview of growth and development prospects within the City over the next decade

- Current trends and leading practice - Principles to assist in the planning and design of community buildings - Funding community facilities.


PART 3: WHAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER 8. Growth Forecasts and Development Contexts for the City of Ryde

This Chapter highlights the projected population forecasts, and the development contexts, including key planning strategies (adopted and in the process of development) that impact on community buildings. It also highlights key developments within the City of Ryde and neighbouring councils that could impact current and future community buildings. 8.1 Population Projections Ryde is a fast growing LGA with large numbers of workers entering the area particularly due to opportunities created in the Macquarie Park Corridor. As a result, Ryde has thousands of people visiting the City every day. The NSW Metropolitan Strategy has identified parts of the Ryde LGA as a specialised centre, town centres and villages. The NSW Government’s Inner North Subregion – Draft Subregional Strategy highlights that the City of Ryde will increase the number of dwellings by 12,000 by 2031. This increase will equate to approximately 16,800 new residents in Ryde when estimated for apartments. Furthermore, this strategy also identifies 21,000 new jobs for the LGA by 2031. Redevelopment and growth has already been occurring particularly in recent years due to the City of Ryde’s Urban Villages Program. This program commenced well over ten years ago and has resulted in master planning and revised planning controls to encourage growth and revitalisation of the City of Ryde’s main centres. In the future, high density residential development is set to continue to occur across the city, particularly in West Ryde, Eastwood, Macquarie Park and Meadowbank areas. It is anticipated that the profile of new residents coming

Waterpoint Development at Shepherds Bay, Meadowbank


into the new development areas will be much younger than that currently evident in the established areas with proportionally higher numbers of single detached housing. The profile is likely to include a higher proportion of couples with no children and / or couples and one-parent families with very young children who are attracted by the lower cost of housing. The increase in multi-unit housing may also increase the number of older residents who may be seeking smaller homes with reduced maintenance. This is likely to generate a higher proportion of people living alone. The high proportion of people living in apartments will generate demand for open space, spaces for meeting, gathering and social activity, as provided in community facilities. Council’s community buildings need to be flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the community over time. The City of Ryde is set to undergo substantial growth and development over the next two decades, with an estimated population in the City of Ryde of 117,000 in 2030, with many more workers coming into the area daily. It is in this context that the planning and provision of community buildings will occur. Council’s community buildings need to be able to meet the needs of not only the current population, but also the projected population. Population and employment growth across the City, along with the changing composition of the population, will give rise to demand for expanded and new community services and activities. The redevelopment of parts of the City will present particular opportunities for new buildings to be provided, through redeployment of existing Council assets and contributions from development. ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ needs to respond to strategic urban planning forecasts, and at the same time retain flexibility to explore one off opportunities that have potential for community benefit as they present themselves. 8.2 Development Contexts Within Council there are numerous projects and planning processes being developed or implemented at any one time. In order to achieve Council’s vision for community buildings, it is essential that community buildings are integrated across the work of all Council departments, particularly strategic planning processes and projects. There are a range of projects and planning processes underway across Council which will have a large impact on the future of community facilities and need to be considered when planning these buildings.


Businesses in Macquarie Park Corridor

8.2.1 Adopted Key Planning Strategies

Metropolitan and Sub-Regional Strategies In 2005 the NSW Government released the NSW Metropolitan Strategy, a broad planning framework to secure Sydney’s role in the global economy and to plan for growth and change through a series of ongoing decisions, actions, plans, and projects. The Metropolitan Strategy outlines how Sydney will manage population growth of 1.1 million people over the next 25 years. It identifies a hierarchy of centres and corridors as the focus for new housing and jobs within established areas. Of the ten centre types identified in the Metropolitan Strategy, six can be found currently within the City of Ryde. The Metropolitan Strategy states that ‘Concentrating a greater range of activities near to another means that it is easier for people to go about their daily activities….The benefits of concentrating activities in centres include improved access to retail, office, health, education, leisure, entertainment and cultural facilities and community and personal services…making better use of existing infrastructure’.1 The Strategy seeks to focus increased residential development around centres with good access to public transport. This may place pressure on existing community services and buildings and may require additional community services and buildings to address the needs of these new communities. The Metropolitan Strategy sets a framework for the preparation of sub-regional strategies to manage regional growth in a sustainable manner. The Draft Inner North Subregional Strategy 2007, which incorporates the City of Ryde, translates objectives of the NSW Government's Metropolitan Strategy and State Plan to the local level. Key elements of the Draft Inner North Sub-Regional Strategy of relevance to the future directions of community facilities in the City of Ryde include:

- The City of Ryde has a growth target of 12,000 new dwellings by 2031. This increase will equate to approximately 16,800 new residents in Ryde when estimated for apartments

- A target of 21,000 new jobs is to be provided in the LGA by 2031 - Macquarie Park is identified as a specialised centre, providing a vital

economic and employment role which will generate metropolitan-wide benefits. Macquarie Park will see substantial expansion of commercial / office floor space and rapid employment growth, along with the three new

1 City for Cities – A Plan for Sydney’s Future: Metropolitan Strategy, Department of Planning, December 2005


West Ryde Train Station

railway stations, and significant upgrade of Macquarie University and Macquarie University Research Park, to combine technology, enterprise and education in a single precinct

- Both Eastwood and Ryde are designated as town centres, to contain substantial groups of shops and commercial services, community facilities and a public transport focal point to link with other centres

- West Ryde and Gladesville are designated village centres to include strips of shops, commercial services and public transport hubs

- North Ryde, Meadowbank, Putney and Midway are designated as smaller village centres, serving a smaller catchment area

- Other local shopping centres within Ryde are designated as neighbourhood centres, comprising small groups of shops within walking distance of their residential catchment to service daily needs. Neighbourhood centres may contain local level community facilities, such as a primary school and childcare centre

- Victoria Road has been identified as an Enterprise Corridor, being an area immediately along and generally up to a block back from the busiest roads. Enterprise corridors contain a mix of commercial, retail and light industrial activities, often with lower rent locations for niche retail and office space or retail space for start up enterprises.

In addition to the Draft Sub-Regional Strategy, Councils are also required to develop Local Strategies, setting out how the objectives of the Draft Sub-Regional Strategy will be achieved within the local government area. A local planning strategy for the City of Ryde is currently being prepared for completion in 2010. The purpose of this document is to inform the preparation of the City of Ryde’s comprehensive LEP (LEP 2011). The City of Ryde Local Strategy will need to be considered with any future review of this Plan.

The Metropolitan Strategy is under review in 2010. Following this review, the NSW Government has advised that it intends to update and finalise the Draft sub-regional strategies. A Metropolitan Transport Plan has also been released for discussion. The NSW Government has advised that following the review of submissions in response to the Metropolitan Strategy review and the Metropolitan Transport Plan, it intends to combine the documents into one Metropolitan Plan. These State Government documents should be considered when planning for future community facilities.

Ryde Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy In 2007 Council adopted the Ryde Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy (ITLUS). This Strategy will inform Council policy and lead towards an improved transport future for the City of Ryde. Three transport and land use


development corridors within Ryde are identified, and specific actions for the six centres that make up these corridors are also identified. Land use simply means, determining how the land is going to be used, for example, for residential or business purposes in terms of zoning, or more specifically as a shop, business or childcare centre for example. Specific planning controls apply with respect to differing land uses, such as maximum heights, scale or parking requirements etc. The key transport and land use development corridors within Ryde are identified as Macquarie Park, the Northern Line rail corridor and Victoria Road. The ITLUS identifies the following six centres within these corridors as the following: Macquarie Park Macquarie Park Northern Line Eastwood West Ryde Meadowbank Victoria Road Ryde Gladesville The ITLUS focuses on a number of key areas to achieve the objectives, particularly locating businesses and services to ensure that trip generating activities are near to one another and therefore support a network of mixed use centres. This key area is of particular interest to planning of future community facilities and the linkages between community facilities, centres and transport options. Macquarie Park Development Control Plan 2008, included in the Ryde DCP 2006, chapter 4. This Development Control Plan (DCP) provides a framework to guide future development in the Macquarie Park Corridor, North Ryde. The document specifies built form controls for all development within the Corridor, and sets in place urban design guidelines to achieve the vision for Macquarie Park as a vibrant community business district and technology park. This DCP identifies a range of community facilities (among a range of improvements) to be included in any future development of this area, including the following:

- Community space of not less than 4000sqm within the Macquarie Shopping Centre (which may include a Library, Arts Centre or other function to meet local demand).

- Community space within new development of not less than 500sqm within the Primary Active Frontage facing Central Park. This may include community meeting space and associated amenities.


Macquarie Centre

- Infrastructure to enhance the proposed Central Park as a meeting place and support activities such as markets, community events, leisure and recreation.

- This Plan also identifies a range of community facilities that could be provided.

The provisions of these elements will be achieved through funds received from the Special Rate levy applying to the Macquarie Park Corridor, Section 94 developer contributions, conditions of the development or through a negotiated outcome undertaken through the planning agreement process. Council is anticipating $600 million in developer contributions towards public infrastructure and community facilities to support the increased population. As part of the development process, Council will require that infrastructure and public domain outcomes achieved in partnership with the private sector are dedicated to Council. Macquarie Park Corridor Master Plan The Master Plan, adopted by Council in July 2005, formed the basis of the review and preparation of the Macquarie Park Development Control Plan. The Masterplan outlines the Macquarie Park Corridor as a key employment area and the premium hi-tech address in Sydney, where business currently employ 35,000 people with a growth rate of 800 jobs per year. The key objectives of the Master Plan are to guide the quality of future development and to implement the vision for Macquarie Park and the Government’s strategic objectives of integrating land use and transport, reducing car dependency and creating opportunities for employment in areas supported by public transport.

With an increase in both worker and residential population in the future and the creation of commercial centres around the new railway stations, the need for community buildings remains high. Also the large amount of commercial development creates opportunities for community buildings through Section 94 contribution and / or voluntary planning agreements.

Section 94 Contributions Plan 2007 The Section 94 Development Contributions Plan provides an administrative framework under which specific public facilities strategies may be implemented and coordinated. This is a Plan for a period of 10 years. The Plan identifies a range of community buildings that will be built with Section 94 funds. These include the following facilities, with the


Putney Park

apportionment (amount of money able to be dedicated from section 94 to the facility) in brackets.

- 1 Multi Purpose Community Facility (100%) - 1 Multi Purpose Home and Community Care Community Facility (45%) - 2 Childcare, Family & Children’s Community Facilities (100%) - 1 Library, Leisure & Learning Centre (100%) - Ryde Library fit out (100%) - Cultural facility design, build and fit out (100%) - Civic Centre (100%) - New recreation facility investigation (20%).

Developers can also enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Council to provide these and other public benefits. VPA’s are discussed in more detail in Section 11.2.4. Due to the nature of Section 94, it can take a long time to accumulate sufficient funds to deliver the identified community buildings. Therefore, the provision of some of the above facilities may not occur during the life of this Plan. Section 94 is currently subject to planning reforms by the NSW State Government. These reforms may have a significant change in the facilities that a Council can levy for. Social Plan The Social Plan, adopted by Council in 2005 identifies community needs and how Council will respond to those needs, particularly for the most disadvantaged groups. The Social Plan will be included in the Community Strategic Plan, as outlined in the following section. Parks on Track for People 2025 This adopted strategic document aims to develop an integrated open space system that creates corridors to connect our parks and national parks through waterways, trails and walkways through our residential areas. This strategy also encourages our community to have a greater awareness of an interest in living healthy lifestyles by improving amenities within our parks, encouraging play, fun and fitness for people of all ages and abilities.


This strategy also identifies a number of Plans of Management, for specific parks or generic plans for types of open space. These will be developed over the next two years and will impact on the activities and infrastructure that can be provided within these areas.

8.2.2 Key Planning Strategies, Processes and Projects in Development There are a number of planning processes and projects currently underway and anticipated to be completed in the near future. These strategies or Plans will need to be considered for the future of community buildings in the City of Ryde. Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan Council is developing the Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan. This will, through extensive community engagement, identify the vision, long term goals and strategic actions for our community over a 20 year period. The findings from the Ryde 2030 process will play a role in informing the actions identified to implement the future directions of community facilities across the City. These actions will be identified in the four year delivery programs. Strategic Property Plan The Strategic Property Plan outlines the strategic direction to be followed in the development of Council’s Investment Property Portfolio and provides an overarching framework for the future management and development of Council’s real estate portfolio. Council is a major landowner in its own right with some 43,000 Ha of land either in freehold ownership or under the care, control and management of Council. This presents significant opportunities in the areas of property development, investment and occupation. The Strategic Property Plan provides a framework in which to consider and prioritise opportunities in the future.

DRAFT Eastwood Master Plan and Development Control Plan The Draft Eastwood Master Plan Review encapsulates a 20 year vision to revitalise the town centre. It sets guidelines for future planning and development of the town centre, providing opportunity for growth and change as well as economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Eastwood Mall, a public civic space


Trim Place, Gladesville

This Master Plan may provide Council with opportunities to redevelop existing sites or work with developers to gain community buildings through Voluntary Planning Agreements. The Eastwood Flood Study and Traffic Study will also be considered in the Master Planning process and may impact on potential sites for community buildings in the future. Council has also resolved to undertake a design competition for the redevelopment of Council’s Glenn Street car park. The Eastwood Master Plan Review is proposed to be adopted in 2011 and will form the basis of revised development controls.

DRAFT Gladesville Town Centre and Victoria Road Corridor Development Control Plan In a joint project to breathe life back into the Gladesville precinct, Hunters Hill Council and City of Ryde aim to create a town centre and enterprise corridor that will be an attractive place in which to live, visit, invest and work. The Plan is a vision of where the area could be in 25 years time, what it could look like and a map of how to get there.2 The DCP has been adopted by Council to come into effect when the Gladesville and Victoria Road Corridor LEP is gazetted (anticipated in 2010). The Development Control Plan refers to ‘model projects’ which integrate community buildings, public space, commercial and residential uses in mixed development to create opportunities for public private partnership.

Suggesting that community space (eg: a library and childcare centre be co-located with St Andrews church ensures that such community buildings have a civic presence to Pittwater Road. The Plan also proposes that the community space open onto and activate a new civic square. Another site in Jordan Street also has potential to incorporate community facilities such as youth facilities.

West Ryde Master Plan, LEP Provisions and Development Control Plan Council is in the process of developing a vision for West Ryde town centre through a master planning process. New development controls will then be prepared to support this vision. These controls will be place-specific, design-based and prepared to respond to the particular characteristics of West Ryde town centre. The controls will provide opportunities for enhanced employment enable an increase in dwelling numbers and enhance the character of the centre. 2 Gladesville Town Centre and Victoria Road Draft Master Plan report. Ryde City Council, Hunters Hill Council, Annand Alcock Urban Design, 2005.


The proposed new community facility will be a key part of the town centre. City of Ryde Local Planning Strategy The City of Ryde Local Planning Strategy is currently being prepared in the context of recent planning reforms undertaken by the Department of Planning. The planning reforms include the release of the Metropolitan Strategy and the Standard Instrument Principal Local Environmental Plan (the LEP template). The City of Ryde is required by the Department of Planning to prepare a local land use planning strategy. This strategy, the City of Ryde Local Strategy, will be prepared from seven background studies : Housing, Employment, Centres and Corridors, Environment, Open Space, Transport, and Heritage. The City of Ryde Local Strategy will provide the basis from which to prepare a City wide comprehensive LEP. The preparation of this comprehensive LEP is a requirement of the Department of Planning and will articulate a vision for land use planning in the whole of the City of Ryde and also provide a single mechanism that coordinates and focuses Council’s planning activities. Centres Study The Metropolitan Strategy promotes the enhanced liveability of centres by providing for a greater concentration of activities in centres, including an increased number of dwellings. There are a range of centre types from specialised centres such as Macquarie Park, through to town centres such as Ryde and neighbourhood centres such as Cox’s Road. The Centres and Corridors Strategy will establish a centres hierarchy using Metropolitan Strategy centres typologies and define relationships between centres to help ensure that each centre has a distinctive urban character and sense of place. These studies will also consider how social needs may be met by centres (eg: housing choice, leisure facilities and services). This may impact on the type of community buildings and services required in these areas and links to community facilities in other areas. Integrated Open Space Strategy Anticipated to be completed in 2011 Council’s Integrated Open Space Strategy will assess and analyse the quantity and quality of existing open spaces, the varied functions and significance of open spaces, the needs of local people and other users. Open space refers to parks, sporting fields, playgrounds, private open space (eg: golf clubs, tennis courts) and natural areas. As this Strategy aims to improve linkages between open space and other destinations across the City, the development of community facilities should be incorporated into this planning.


Improved Systems and Processes Council is undergoing many improvements to its core information technology systems, including a new assets management and property system. These improvements will assist in managing community buildings more accurately into the future. Furthermore, the Property team are developing facilities management processes and will be focussing on compliance issues. These will include contractor inductions, HAZMAT records and management, fire and safety measures, security, building emergency plans and business continuity management. The Operational Review of Community Facilities Stage Three has also developed a policy and protocol for the management of the licensing processes of associated with community buildings.

8.2.3 Current and Proposed Major Redevelopments Further to the integration of community buildings within planning processes, particularly the Metropolitan Strategy, it is also important to understand the major works already underway or planned for Ryde’s suburbs. These works must also be taken into account when identifying key locations for community buildings, as they may offer opportunities for redevelopment which may be appropriate for community buildings. The table below identifies major works being undertaken in key suburbs across the City. Table 7: Major Works in the Ryde Local Government Area Suburb Major Initiatives in the Ryde LGA

Ryde

- Major development of the Top Ryde City shopping centre as a mixed use development in two stages incorporating retail, community, recreation commercial and residential uses. Community infrastructure includes a library, civic space and a public plaza.

- Possible redevelopment of the Ryde Civic Centre site, to include community and cultural facilities approximately 3,500m2.

- Ryde Royal Rehabilitation Centre redevelopment, over 17 hectares with over 900 new dwellings of mixed density and provision of public open space and shared recreation facilities.

Macquarie Park

- Increased employment opportunities, estimated increased of 55,000 jobs by 2030.

- Expansion of Macquarie University over the next forty years.

- Continued commercial development in the Macquarie


Park Corridor, including Macquarie Shopping Centre Stage 1 (increasing the size of the centre by 20%).

Eastwood - Major redevelopment of Eastwood Centre. - Master Planning processes currently underway and

identifying possibilities for future community buildings.

West Ryde

- Major re-development to include a community building, public car parking, retail / residential development (Council partnership with developer), and includes a public plaza.

- Major residential development in Ryedale Road approved by the State Government, to include approximately 195 dwellings.

- The Department of Housing is seeking approval for a mixed use development in West Parade (63-77) comprising residential (approximately 138 units), retail and commercial uses.

- Railway station upgrade.

Gladesville - Development Control Plan identifying major urban renewal projects.

Meadowbank

- Meadowbank will have an increase of dwellings, with over 1000 dwellings approved. A total of 2,500 dwellings are anticipated.

- Development controls will be recommended in the Centres and Corridors Strategy

As outlined above there are two community building projects underway in the redevelopment of the Top Ryde City shopping centre and the West Ryde Village redevelopment, both of which include the provision of community buildings and facilities. Details of these projects are provided below: West Ryde village redevelopment Council has entered into an agreement with a developer to redevelop West Ryde Village. The development includes two sites, a mixed use site and a community facility site. This community building will accommodate a range of services targeting families and children. This community building will be the flagship facility for the City of Ryde, the first of a new multi functional building co-locating many like minded organisations to deliver a truly multi purpose one stop shop for children and families from the Ryde area. This facility will bring together state, federal and local services to deliver

Concept of the new West Ryde Families and Children Community Centre


Ryde Civic Hall and Centre in the background

programs to meet the needs of families and children across the region. In addition, a hall, meeting spaces and retail spaces will also be included. The development application has been approved. It is proposed that the community building be completed in 2011. Ryde Town Centre redevelopment Top Ryde City shopping centre is being redeveloped and will include two stages. The first stage will include retail, community and recreational uses and the second stage, commercial office space and residential apartments. This redevelopment will revitalize and restore Ryde town centre as a civic, social, retail, business and residential hub. This aims to reposition the centre to its historic role as the business centre for Ryde providing growth,

employment and amenities to the public for many years to come. This proposal includes the relocation of the current Ryde library and the development of Council office space. It is proposed to be completed by 2011. The Civic Centre site is also planned to be redeveloped over the next five years.

8.2.4 Neighbouring Council Developments As mentioned previously, there are a number of neighbouring Councils which are redeveloping areas to include community buildings, including Parramatta, Willoughby, Lane Cove and Hunters Hill. These include new cultural centres, libraries and a number of facilities that aimed to service the region. Due to the nature of community buildings and the people and services utilising them, it is common for people to utilise facilities outside of the LGA they reside in. People use facilities that meet their requirements, be that size of the building, the services provided in the building, location, accessibility to transport etc. Therefore it is important that when Council plans for future community buildings, that consideration be given to what facilities are located nearby, particularly the larger regional style facilities.



9. Current Trends and Leading Practice This chapter reviews current trends in the provision of community buildings and identifies key features of contemporary leading practice in community facility planning and design. The City of Ryde is not alone amongst local government areas in Sydney and throughout Australia in confronting the challenges of an ageing stock of community buildings that are no longer suited to meeting contemporary community needs. Key trends in community facilities planning in both established and newly developing areas include the following. 9.1 Size and Scale In recent times, many councils have moved away from providing small, stand alone community buildings for local neighbourhood populations. Due to the management and maintenance costs, limited use, lack of flexibility, security problems, and lack of capacity for staffing. Instead, there is a move towards the provision of fewer, yet larger facilities designed for a larger catchment area that can provide higher quality and a wider range of services and activities. This is based on experience that people often prefer to travel further to facilities that offer better amenity and choice, than to be within walking distance of a local centre with meagre facilities and a limited range of activities. 9.2 Multi-Purpose and Multi-Function Facilities Community facilities have to respond to increasingly diverse and complex social needs. Buildings built for a single purpose have been found to lack the flexibility to respond to changing needs or to accommodate more than one type of service or activity at a time. It is simply not feasible to build separate buildings to address the range of demands now evident in a community. To make best use of limited resources, and ensure higher rates of utilisation across the week and at weekends, community buildings need to provide for multiple uses and target groups, and be capable of adapting as needs change over time. Successful community facilities tend to be those that offer a diversity of well organised and well attended services, programs and activities,


and this diversity requires a variety of flexible spaces and amenities, capable of multi-function use and accessible to all. 9.3 Staffing Well used, active and vibrant community buildings tend to be those that have staff who can identify community needs and organise and deliver services, activities and programs across the week, as opposed to unstaffed halls for hire, which are only used periodically. Staff can also be important in ensuring there is a good mix of activities that will appeal to a variety of people, and that the facility is not monopolised by particular groups. Staff are also often critical in providing services and programs for high need target groups, to enhance the social benefit of the facility. Having fewer, larger facilities increases opportunities to base services with staff in the facility, thereby increasing levels of activity and utilisation. Given the difficulties of securing government funding for staff, many councils are leasing their facilities to service providers or community organisations with a broad community development focus in order to ensure they are activated. 9.4 Location Well used community facilities tend to be located in places where people already have cause to congregate, such as shopping centres and schools, and which are well served by public transport. This reduces the need for separate trips and enhances visibility, safety and convenient access. There is a move away from building stand alone facilities in residential areas, which are often poorly utilised. Instead, leading practice favours the clustering of community buildings in centres, to enhance accessibility and connectivity with related uses. 9.5 Co-Location The co-location of community services, involving shared or joint use of buildings amongst a number of service providers, is a commonly espoused objective of many new buildings. Co-location usually involves bringing community services together in a single location, sometimes as part of some form of multi-service centre. Co-location is a response to the fragmentation and lack of integration of related services, and is intended to enhance both coordination among services and convenience for clients who can access multiple services from a single point of access. Co-location has potential advantages in pooling resources to provide better facilities (such as meeting rooms, training facilities) than may not be afforded if each were provided separately. An additional motivator is to make more


Annual Granny Smith Festival in Eastwood

efficient use of resources, by sharing common facilities rather than each organisation having its own separate space. Providing co-located services also enhances synergies between services and more integrated delivery of services to meet the needs of the community. A key example of this trend is the proposed West Ryde Family and Children’s Community Centre. 9.6 Community Hub Models A number of councils in Sydney (including Parramatta, Campbelltown and Blacktown) are moving towards a ’hub’ model in the provision of community buildings. A hub is more than a multi-purpose community centre or a co-location of services, but brings together, either in the same building or a cluster of buildings, an extensive mix of uses that provide an activity centre and access point for meeting a diverse range of community needs. These may include facilities such as a library, recreation centre, health care and social support services, childcare, meeting space for community groups, office accommodation for community organisations, space for community functions and events and possibly some form of enterprise, whether that be commercial or social in nature. Hubs are well integrated with other people attracting uses in the surrounding area, such as local shops, activity centres, open space, schools, civic places and transport nodes. Community hubs are places that encourage social gathering and are designed to provide spaces for people to congregate and meet together in both planned and incidental ways. The essence of a community hub is the concentration of activity that occurs and how the mix of those activities is accessible to, and serves the needs of a diverse range of community members. 9.7 Place-Making and Community Identity Community buildings provide important gathering places for people, and are catalysts for community activity and social interaction. They are recognised as having potential to contribute to the creation of vital public spaces that help engender a sense of place and distinctive community identity. The design of community buildings can enhance the physical quality and appearance of public places in order to reinforce a place’s identity and make it a more attractive environment for people to gather and interact with each other. Design is a large part of place making, but another significant component is planning. Planning can enhance the human experience of a place by ensuring that there is a mix of uses that will meet a variety of needs and will attract a diversity of people at different times of


the day. This mix and variety add to safety (perceived and real) as well as vibrancy. When located in or with retail and commercial centres community facilities can help to reinforce the role of those centres as public gathering, meeting and information sharing places. It is important that community buildings have a civic quality, sense of stability and level of amenity that marks them as an important place in the community, and that encourages people to interact in the public realm. 9.8 Community Building Community facilities are recognised as providing an important focus for community building activities, enhancing the connections and relationship among people in order to strengthen common values and promote collective goals. These goals may include community cohesion, safer neighbourhoods, support for isolated or disadvantaged people, healthier children and families, more local employment opportunities, greater cultural recognition, more equitable access to housing or more profitable local businesses. Recognising the role that community facilities can play in providing a focal point where people with common interests can come together, and a base for community development activities, is important in planning community buildings. 9.9 Sustainability The increasing focus on all aspects of sustainability means that not only are sustainable design, materials, energy and water aspects of the design of community buildings important, so too is sustainability in terms of funding, management and maintenance arrangements. Commonly, income from user charges, hire fees and rent from tenancy arrangements is insufficient to cover the costs of maintenance of community buildings. Many councils have been exploring other income generating activities, such as operating commercial cafes or fitness activities, running monthly markets or incorporating convenience retail outlets. Some income generating activities are run as social enterprises by disadvantaged groups. Capacity for commercial operations may need to be built into the design of the facility, to ensure compatibility with other activities and programs. These uses will also enable subsidization of other activities.



10. Planning and Development Guidelines The following guidelines have been developed to assist Council in the planning and design of appropriate community buildings. These guidelines enable all Council staff to have a clear understanding of what is needed to deliver effective community facilities across the City of Ryde and achieve its vision for community facilities. By implementing the planning and design guidelines outlined below, Council will develop more appropriate community buildings, in turn, enabling the needs of the community to be addressed more effectively. The planning guidelines are focused on delivering a total community facility and include:

- Whole of Council approach - Identifying local needs and desired social outcomes - Consider benchmarks - Partnerships and collaboration - Community engagement - Access & equity - Sustainability - Asset management - Location and active focal points.

Whereas, the design guidelines are focused on the community building itself and include:

- Place based and people focused - Flexibility & multi purpose - Co-location - Safer by design - Innovation and quality - Standard level of provision.

Through the use of these guidelines it will assist Council to develop iconic and recognisable multipurpose community buildings within the community. Not only will this attract more participants and users to the facilities but it will also be an attractor for community service providers wanting to deliver services in the area. With a well known facility, and therefore typically high utilisation, it may also increase potential for funding and alternative support for the building and the community service providers located within.


10.1 Planning Guidelines It is essential to use these planning guidelines when considering the development of community facilities to ensure the facilities are successful. 10.1.1 Whole of Council Approach A whole of Council approach is required in all aspects of the planning and development of community facilities to ensure the building is appropriate from the onset and connects with other projects across Council. It is important that planning for community facilities links into current and future Council policies and planning processes (and vice versa), such as sub regional planning for the Metropolitan Strategy, Section 94 planning, social planning, financial planning etc. By creating this clear integration it will assist in developing a consistent approach across the whole of Council, creating a good information base for Council staff, provide opportunities to share information and present a unified and coherent position for all planning processes. Of particular importance is that community facilities are considered at the early stages of urban and strategic planning processes. This will ensure that appropriate community facilities can be incorporated into planning for future centres. Therefore, ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ is a key reference document in all future planning considerations. Examples of how a whole of Council approach could be developed could include:

- Establishing a strategic planning group which regularly meets across Council to plan and address issues, including the provision of community facilities

- Establishing a project control / steering group for particular initiatives - Establishing an email list / egroup / newsletter providing regular updates - Hold focus groups with input from staff across Council - Providing input into various planning processes.

10.1.2 Identifying Local Needs and Desired Social Outcomes Community facilities should reflect the needs and interests of the people that live and work around them and offer programs, activities and services that are relevant to their community. Each community will have its own demographic and socio-economic composition. It is these factors that will determine the nature of community need and the demand for different kinds of services with community buildings. It is important to understand the social, economic, cultural and environmental opportunities and constraints that exist within a particular local community and


North Ryde Hall Meeting Room

to tailor community facilities to the community they will serve. It is also important to identify the priority needs to be addressed by the facility and the social outcomes and benefits that the facility will aim to achieve. These processes may identify the need to retain a localised focus for a community facility. Replicating a standard model from elsewhere is unlikely to respond adequately to the particular needs of the local area. Complementing rather than duplicating community facilities in adjacent areas will assist creating an integrated network of facilities that offer differing opportunities and services across the City and the region. Examples of how this might be done include:

- Undertake local consultation and research activities to understand local needs and issues

- Consult with local community organisations and service providers to ensure a collaborative and co-ordinated approach to planning for community buildings

- Undertake an audit of community services offered within the City in Council and non Council buildings.

10.1.3 Consider Benchmarks Many councils plan community buildings according to benchmarks or standards. These are usually expressed as a ratio of the number of facilities or amount of floorspace required for a population of a certain size. While this approach may be appropriate in greenfield areas, it is considered less appropriate in established areas such as Ryde. Planning of community buildings in Ryde needs to take account of historical patterns of provision, the ways in which residents use existing buildings and the services offered and planned to be offered in the area. Understanding benchmarks of service standards across other councils, government departments and private providers are also important considerations. Planning for the number and size of new community buildings must be based on a range of factors, not simply benchmarking data. Needs, characteristics of the catchment population, availability of existing facilities and practical redevelopment opportunities within designated centres, including both site and funding opportunities are key. Historical agreements and current and


proposed service delivery will also need to be considered. Benchmarks or standards of provision should only be used as a starting point, not a determining factor. 10.1.4 Partnerships and Collaboration The successful planning and development of community facilities requires Council working collaboratively with local community organisations, service providers, the private sector and other levels of government to ensure the needs of the community are identified and met in a co-ordinated way. The provision of community facilities is not the sole responsibility of local government and many other stakeholders are involved in providing community facilities, as outlined in Chapter 1, Section 1.3. There is potential for partnerships between Council and others to provide jointly funded buildings and / or services. Potential partnerships should be explored at the onset of the planning process for a community facility, to assist in developing a more sustainable and cost effective facility. Negotiating partnership arrangements requires clear identification at the outset of who will own, manage and maintain the building. It can be the operational, rather than planning aspects of community facilities that undermine partnership arrangements. Examples of how this could occur include:

- Identifying other organisations in the area with assets or proposals for facilities

- Working with a church, school, university or club located near a community facility to provide joint use of both facilities

- Establishing agreements with state and federal government about joint provision, eg: in schools

- Having an agreement with a Club to provide subsidized rental of rooms in an area where Council does not have a community building.

10.1.5 Community Engagement In order to develop appropriate community facilities that meet community need, it is essential to involve the local community. This includes involving community organisations and other stakeholders in the process of planning, design and the development and review of community facilities. Engagement will also be required with other stakeholders such as government departments, developers and businesses within the community. This process must be appropriate to the community as a whole, or in some cases the specific target groups affected (eg: if developing a centre which will address youth issues, young people must be targeted specifically) and should commence at the onset of a project.


West Ryde Hall

Community engagement includes keeping people informed about the project, asking them what they want from facilities, providing opportunities for them to participate in the planning and design process of the building and taking their feedback into consideration in delivering the project. Some examples of how community engagement could occur include:

- Develop a newsletter, egroup or other form of regular communication to keep people informed

- Establish an advisory committee consisting of community members and other stakeholders to have input throughout the process

- Develop a consultation program at key points within a project to gain feedback and input from the community and other stakeholders

- Involve future tenants throughout the process to ensure the facility does not create issues for their service delivery, eg: create a reception area, when they have no capacity to provide a reception facility

- Establish a steering committee to decide the future of a project.

Engagement processes must adhere to Council’s adopted ‘Your City, Your Voice’ Engagement Policy and Framework. 10.1.6 Access & Equity

It is important that community facilities are welcoming and accessible to the whole community, be they frail aged, people with a disability, people with prams, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, or groups with higher social needs. Access for these groups must be fair and they must receive an equitable share of resources. Usage of community facilities should be in accordance with Council’s Access and Equity Strategy and Social Justice Charter. This should be reflected in the planning, design, activities, hiring policies, charges and management of facilities.

It is also important to physically locate buildings close to transport nodes so people can get to them. This issue is discussed in further detail in Section 10.1.9. For the City of Ryde equity in provision of community buildings across the geographical area of the City is also important. The City is divided by main arterial roads and often these can act as real barriers to the utilisation of a community building, even if it is located within a key centre. Therefore, provision of community buildings in key centres needs to be balanced with the


Trafalgar Place Hall, Marsfield

provision of community buildings in areas where there is a demonstrated need. Some examples of how to achieve improved access and equity could include:

- Incorporate universal design principles and provide ramps, wide doorways and accessible toilets that meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act and Council’s Access Development Control Plan

- Providing signage in various languages or symbols and links to interpreters or translated materials

- Working with community groups utilising the facility to assist them to develop appropriate practices to enable all members of the community to feel comfortable to participate

- Providing a mix of use to ensure that a facility is not “labelled” as available only for a particular target group and that it is perceived as available for the whole community

- Using paint colours that are appropriate for the sight impaired - Being mindful of the location of buildings close to various nodes of

transport, in particular being directly accessible by active transport (walking, cycling and public/community transport).

For further information on access and equity issues please refer to Council’s Access and Equity Strategy. Also, through the Operational Review of Community Facilities systems will be developed to improve equity in access to Council’s community buildings. 10.1.7 Sustainability The planning of community facilities will be based upon sustainability. Community buildings that are sustainable refers to environmentally compatible, technically doable, socially acceptable and economically viable. For example:

- Community buildings will incorporate energy efficient design principles and promote sustainable use of materials, particularly design for climate to reduce need for air conditioning and heating. Each building will achieve at least a 4 green star rating. For further information refer to the Green Building Council and City of Ryde DCP 2006

- Community buildings are managed well and have appropriate technology to support the management and operations


- Community buildings complement better practice, meet the needs of the community, builds the capacity of the community to address their own needs and complement the socially acceptable norms of society and supports an equitable provision of services to enable all to have a good quality of life

- Funding arrangements for management and maintenance of facilities will also be identified at the outset to ensure facilities will be sustainable for the long term.

10.1.8 Asset Management Community buildings must be incorporated within Council’s asset management planning to ensure that there is a clear link with the overall strategic direction of Council’s property portfolio, to ensure that facilities are appropriately maintained and economically viable. Council is currently implementing a new asset management system which will require formalised processes and plans to manage Council’s assets more efficiently and effectively. The life of a community building on average would be 40 years, however it is extremely difficult to plan to any certainty for a building over this period. If Council through asset management plans adopt a shorter period to plan for community buildings, staff will have a better understanding of statutory costs, current maintenance costs and could strategically plan and identify planned renovations or modifications. Of particular relevance for community facilities will be:

- Ongoing monitoring of the facilities for building condition issues - Ongoing compliance with statutory requirements (including occupational

health and safety and Disability Discrimination Act requirements) - Pro-active maintenance practices to ensure that the facilities meet the

needs of the various community users and effective cost management - Cost planning of rehabilitation / replacement works - Managing future demand requirements due to future population growth

and increasing demand on the City of Ryde’s existing facilities - Ongoing risk management practices.

10.1.9 Location and Active Focal Points Effective community hubs and facilities become an active focal point within the community. These facilities will not only activate an area, increase usage of the building and access to the services provided but also create connections within the community between people, services and businesses. Key to creating facilities that become active focal points within the community is the location of the building. To be well utilised and serve a range of social needs, community facilities need to be accessible and visible. The location is crucial to creating active focal points and supporting the creation of community hubs. The following must be considered:


- Be located in or have clear link to the following six centres as identified in

the Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy adopted by Council, Macquarie Park, Eastwood, West Ryde, Meadowbank, Ryde and Gladesville

- Be located in or have clear link to other smaller centres designated for growth by Council (refer Council’s Local Strategy under preparation)

- Be clustered with other facilities, such as parks, shops, public toilets, community services etc to promote convenient access and help create a focal point for community activity

- Be central to their catchment area and provide equitable access to all potential users

- Locate in an area where people already have cause to congregate and that has a high level of human activity, such as shopping centres and main roads

- Offer easy and safe vehicular, cycle and pedestrian access - Be easily accessible by public and private transport - Be highly visible and have street frontage to a main street for optimal

visibility and accessibility - Allow for adequate parking, landscaping and setbacks, and for room to

grow, expand and adapt as needs change - Be sympathetic to adjoining properties and their uses, to reduce

incompatibilities with neighbours - Be adjacent to outdoor civic space or open space, to allow for related

outdoor activities and community events, and to provide informal space for meeting and gathering

- Provide a high degree of personal safety through lighting, casual surveillance for people entering and leaving the building, especially at night

- Work in conjunction with the location of other community facilities to ensure major neighbourhood areas of the LGA have appropriate facilities to cater for the needs

- Levels of traffic and if traffic calming devices are required. 10.2 Design Principles The design of a facility is crucial to the effectiveness of a community building and should be considered in the early planning stages. 10.2.1 Place Based and People Focused As outlined previously in the discussion of current leading practice, community facilities can play a key role as gathering and meeting places, creating vital and active public destinations which foster community identity and place-making. They are also instrumental in building community capacity, social networks and community cohesion. Recognition of these roles needs to be built into both the planning and design of community buildings.


Community buildings should be appealing, attractive and quality buildings that contribute to civic pride and the character and identity of the place. They should be distinctive civic buildings and welcoming places, based on the place and the people. They must provide attractive environments that encourage people to gather and interact, and where residents feel comfortable to enter and participate in activities. Combining community buildings with public open spaces, civic spaces where anyone can congregate and enjoy the environment is also important to creating hubs within the community. Community buildings are easily identified and known by the community as a public facility for community use. They should also provide a mix of uses that will meet a variety of needs and attract a diversity of people at different times of the day. This mix and variety add to safety for users as well as vibrancy. Public art also helps to create a distinctive and visually appealing community building as it increases visibility within the community by creating an interesting focal point. Public art is an important avenue to tell Ryde’s stories and to create places for the community. Some examples of how to create place based and people focussed community facilities could include:

- Integrating a mix of community facilities with local shops, public transport, open spaces and playgrounds and civic spaces to create a focal point for the community

- Incorporate design elements that reflect the location, for example if a facility is located near water, include elements that reflect this connection

- Enable passers-by to see what happens inside the facility and what it is used for

- Integrate design elements such as playgrounds, fountains, pathways, noise barrier walls, exhibition space, signage that symbolise cultural elements of the community.

For further information on public art, please refer to Council’s draft Public Art Guide or the adopted Arts Development Framework. 10.2.2 Flexibility and Multi Purpose There is often a sense that flexibility and multi purpose are opposite to being built for purpose. However, these components can work together. A flexible design enables Council and tenants of the building to provide a range of activities and opportunities for community participation. Flexible design reinforces the fact that not one size fits all. It should be dependent on each community, each site, each building and each geographic area.


By having more flexible or multi-purpose spaces, usage can be maximised, a wider range of the community can access the building and a greater range of activities can be offered in the one venue. Due to the changing needs, age, background and cultural identity of the Ryde area it is important for any community building to be able to meet these shifting needs. This flexibility and adaptability is essential to the development of any community building. Community buildings should incorporate multi-purpose spaces capable of being configured into different sizes and which allow for concurrent activities by different user groups. They should be designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet changing user requirements. Built for purpose is also an element required for the success of community buildings. Built for purpose means that buildings should be developed recognising that it is a community building that will be used by community service providers and accessed by the public. As a result, the types of materials might be sturdier, the level of fit out and the layout would differ to that of a house or a commercial facility. In some cases, such as childcare, there needs to be an element of the building that does cater for the specific needs in order to meet State Government regulations and Council’s Development Control Plan. However, multi-purpose and flexible design approaches to these buildings will be maintained so that it can be utilised by other groups now and in the future. Flexibility in design and purpose built community buildings enable a variety of uses from the time they are built and well into the future. Design features could include:

- Limiting the amount of built-in specific aspects of facilities, such as pigeon holes, benches etc

- Designing and using construction methods that enable internal spaces to be changed over time

- Using line markings on the hall floors to enable sports usage (eg: badminton)

- Using durable and robust materials and finishes that are suitable for a variety of uses, for example types of walls that could cater for small meetings to a playgroup or youth activity

- Have potential for separate entry / exit points for parts of the facility, to lock down different components to provide limited access at nights or weekends

- Provide direct access from activity rooms to adjoining outdoor area for social events and children’s play

- Using operable walls in larger spaces to enable the room size to be changed or to use as two spaces if required

- Providing ceilings of at least 3-5 metres clear to enable it to be adapted over time for a range of uses.


10.2.3 Co-Location Flexible and multi-purpose community buildings enable co-location for various groups within the one building. As outlined previously, co-location involves shared or joint use of buildings and often the integrated delivery of services. Co-locating compatible services not only provides opportunities to refer and support service users to a higher level, it also minimises overhead and operating costs and encourages the pooling of resources. Importantly, co-location enables the concentration of compatible services and facilities to create a community focal point and a one stop shop for service users. It is recognised that it is important for services to retain their autonomy and be recognised as individual services, and often extensive negotiations and preparation of formal agreements are required between co-locating partners to make sure the benefits of co-location are realised in practice. Key issues to consider include:

- It is important to identify co-location partners through an open process and select partners that will enhance the operation of the building, offer a range of compatible activities and share consistent objectives in addressing community need

- Identify and negotiate issues early regarding access to spaces and management and operational issues. This will require Council to lead this process and may require Council to develop operational / management plans

- Recognise that there may be some reluctance to co-locate as often groups are focused on the future of their organisation rather than the future of community services and buildings as a whole for Ryde residents

- The maintenance of organisations individual identity and originality is important and should not be lost in a co-location model

- Design elements that assist in addressing co-location concerns or barriers - Confidentiality and safety and security of all users - Include adequate space for storage to ensure different user group’s

equipment can be securely stored when not in use. 10.2.4 Safer By Design All community buildings should be built in accordance with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to ensure a safe and secure environment is created, especially at night. Some examples of how this could be achieved are:

- Involvement of the community in design and development of community spaces, which often leads to feelings of ownership of the space and are often more likely to be used


- Providing spaces that can be monitored by a range of people including passers by and shop keepers

- Strategically positioning lighting, trees, and meeting places - Using barriers to guide pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

10.2.5 Innovation and Quality Thinking outside the square and delivering community buildings that represent the area, location, community, or are simply new ways of thinking are encouraged. It is important to look at market trends and develop buildings that will enable services to address future needs. Creating interesting and quality buildings will not only develop iconic buildings but also stand the test of time. Some examples of this could include:

- Incorporating new design features and public art components

- Exploring private / business partnership opportunities - Exploring new models of community facilities management.

10.2.6 Standard Level of Provision Council will still have a lot of community buildings within its property portfolio that are very old and have outdated internal configurations, it is important to improve the base line standard of the current buildings to limit the difference between new and old and provide a building that people can and want to use. Establishing a consistent level of provision for community buildings will enable all services to have and expect access to a standard level of provision of all community buildings. The standard will include (but not be limited to) the following and will be implemented over a number of years:

- Meet all requirements under the Building Code of Australia and other statutory legislation

- Meet all requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act. - Provide air conditioning - Provide easy access to car parking and / or public transport. - Provide storage for regular users - Have the ability to support basic technology requirements.

Since 07/08 Council has allocated over $1.5 million for the upgrade and maintenance of current community buildings. This will focus on bringing existing buildings up to a basic standard to support services to deliver appropriate programs.

Narrellan Library, Camden LGA



11. Funding Community Facilities Community facilities are expensive to operate, maintain and build. In order for Council to be able to continue to provide community buildings and achieve the vision and future directions outlined, a clear financial plan must be created to source the funds required. Fundamental to the context of funding community buildings is the acknowledgement of the difference between community buildings and commercial buildings, which are used as an investment for Council. Council is committed to providing community buildings as a community service obligation and subsequently provides high levels of subsidy for users of these facilities that meet the needs of the residents of Ryde. There are many costs associated with operating and maintaining community buildings, including rates, cleaning, security, administration of bookings, maintenance and acquisition of land. As a result, Council charges for the use of its community buildings. However, the majority of these rates are subsidised. The income from these charges does not cover the costs of operating and maintaining the facilities, nor contribute to the development of new buildings. Through awareness of local needs and opportunities for funding, Council is in a position to identify and support funding applications. Applications can be made by Council or other providers to bring in new services and programs to the area that meet the needs of the community. A major investment in community buildings is required to deliver the future directions and achieve the vision City of Ryde has for its community facilities. To achieve this change and growth in community facilities provision, funds will need to be sourced from a combination of internal and external funding options, as outlined below. 11.1 Internal Funding Options Due to the nature of community buildings and the commitment Council has to providing this community service obligation, Council needs to contribute to the acquisition, building, maintenance and the administration of community buildings. This is in recognition of the benefit these community facilities provide to the residents of Ryde. The following options for funding should be explored further.


11.1.1 Casual Hiring Costs and Costs Associated with Licenses and Leases Council obtains regular income for community buildings through the implementation of casual hiring, licences and leases. Due to the high costs associated with the operations and maintenance of community facilities, this income does not cover all of the costs associated with running a community facility. Currently there are four categories of hire for a Council facility. These categories are dependent on who hires the facilities and range from a commercial business using the facility to make a profit, to residents having birthday parties to small non profit organisations running support groups for residents. As part of the Operational Review of Community Facilities, Council has reviewed all the fees and charges, which were subsequently changed to provide improved access to the facilities and reduce the costs associated with hire. In addition to casual hire, Council also accommodates community organisations in community buildings through licences and leases. In most instances of licences and leases, general maintenance is required to be undertaken by the groups. However, costs associated with an ageing facility, expansion of services, changes to regulations etc are currently met by Council. There is inconsistency with what groups pay when licensing or leasing a Council building. Currently there is no clear policy or formula for the rental contribution from these groups for this accommodation, however it is generally minimal (in some cases nil), in recognition of the services these organisations provide to the community and meeting their needs. 11.1.2 Allocation of Funds Allocating annual funding to community buildings is essential. These funds can then be used to ensure there is a clear maintenance program for each building and to reduce the long term financial burden on the City and its residents. 11.1.3 Disposal of Unsuitable Community Buildings Council owns a number of community buildings and as described in Chapter 6, many are now unsuitable to meet contemporary requirements. The disposal of unsuitable community buildings will provide a clear source of funds for the acquisition of land, redevelopment of newer and more appropriate community facilities, such as larger multi purpose district centres.


The development of a clear asset management system which identifies the maintenance required to keep a facility to a standard level of provision will be developed. This information will also identify what facilities are no longer feasible and could be identified for sale or disposal. 11.1.4 Section 94 Planning Section 94 contributions are levied by councils to finance the provision of facilities and services required to satisfy demand generated by new development. In the past Council has included very few community facilities in its Section 94 Development Contributions Plan. Prior to the adoption of the current Section 94 Development Contributions Plan, community facilities were levied for only within the Meadowbank Employment Area. The Meadowbank Employment Area Section 94 Contributions Plan was repealed by the current citywide Plan. This meant that very little money was collected to support the provision of new community facilities to address the needs of the incoming community associated with development in the area. Council’s current Section 94 Development Contributions Plan (effective December 2007) now applies city wide and makes provision for contributions to be paid by a developer based on the impact on demands for additional community facilities and services that it may generate. As a result, Council will in the future have a source of funding to support the development of new community facilities to meet the needs of the growing population. It should be noted, however, that Section 94 funds can only be levied for that proportion of use generated by new development. Accordingly Section 94 levies will not be able to finance the proportion of use required by the existing population of the City. It should also be noted that Section 94 funding is sporadic and timing of the contributions can not be guaranteed. It is important to ensure that as new developments draw more people into Ryde, the City’s supply of community facilities will be able to absorb the increased demand for services. Developers can also provide infrastructure as works in-kind or through provision of other material benefit instead of making a monetary contribution to satisfy their Section 94 obligations. Council will require the applicant to enter into a written agreement for the provision of the works. Council may accept such alternatives where all of the following circumstances are applicable:

- The value of the works to be undertaken is at least equal to the value of the contribution that would otherwise be required under this plan

- The standard of the works is to council’s full satisfaction - The provision of the material public benefit will not prejudice the timing or

the manner of the provision of public facilities included in the works program.


As an aside to s94 Contributions, Council can also (where appropriate) apply developers bonuses (such as an extra storey on a building) outside of the planning controls, in return of a negotiated public benefit, such as community facilities. These bonuses are a matter of negotiation made under what are often known as Developer Deeds and/or Voluntary Planning Agreements. Section 94 has been subject to planning reforms by the NSW State Government which will result in the review of Council’s Section 94 Development Contributions Plan and approaches to Voluntary Planning Agreements (refer 11.2.4 Voluntary Planning Agreements). 11.1.5 Special Rate Levy Council has the ability to identify special rate levies. If there was a large community facility to be developed which had the support of the community, investigation of creating a levy for the specific development could be an option. This could be a one off rate levy which the community would see the immediate benefit. According to consultation undertaken in 2006, there is a ‘general feeling that Council should increase its spending on some existing services such as parks and libraries. However, there is also some reluctance to pay increased Council rates with some residents saying that Council should re-evaluate its spending and more funds from less essential services and facilities. There were also suggestions for increased spending on new services, including activities for young people’.3 11.1.6 Other Income Revenue Council could investigate finding potential income streams to offset the development of community facilities. For example, a revenue stream to fund future facility development could include charging fees in car parks, these car parks could even form part of a community facility. It is recognised that this would be a difficult decision and if appropriate would need to undergo a substantial community engagement process. 11.1.7 Pooling Cost Savings and Additional Revenue to a Community

Buildings Fund Council has undertaken an Operational Review of Community Facilities and developed the Parks on Track for People 2025 Strategy. These documents both identified a range of recommendations to improve the efficiency of the operations of community buildings. Over time these improvements, if made, are likely to reduce costs associated with the management of these facilities.

3 City of Ryde, City Vision Follow Up Study, January 2006, Taverner Research.


These savings could be pooled in a ‘community facilities’ fund for future investment. In addition to these potential savings, Parks on Track for People identified examples where Council provides a level of facility higher than the standard and for which a higher fee will be charged. It is also suggested that additional revenue from these facilities be directed to a ‘community facilities’ fund. 11.2 External Funding Options There are funding opportunities external to Council which can provide funding for community buildings and services provided from these buildings. Although quite limited and harshly contested, these funding sources are imperative to the future development of new community facilities. Council can not be seen as the only funding source of community buildings. 11.2.1 State and Federal Government Funding Many community organisations located in a Council community building receive State or Federal Government funding. It is important for these community organisations and Council to lobby these departments for capital funding or a rental contribution to assist in the support provided to these groups within a Council community building. There are also many philanthropic sources, although they are often quite difficult to secure funds from. Although it is difficult to source all capital costs for a building, sourcing costs associated with particular elements of the development / facility, such as playground equipment, or information technology, is often easier and should also be a priority. State and Federal Government are also major sources of funding for service delivery, be that for Council to operate or for Council to support other community groups to provide. Sourcing funding to continue to meet the changing needs is as important as funding to provide a building. 11.2.2 Community Organisations Contributions In some cases, community organisations have the capacity to financially support the renovation or construction of a community building where Council does not have the resources available to do so. This does not occur often, however contributions to capital works have previously been made by community organisations. In recognition of the capital contributed by the organisation Council will consider applying a reduced rental to the facility. 11.2.3 Commercial Arrangements Currently there are very few opportunities for Council to enter commercial arrangements for community buildings. This should be considered for future developments.


When planning new district level community buildings, opportunities to include a commercial component within the facility should be explored. These commercial spaces could accommodate complementary businesses or larger not for profit or State and Federal Government agencies. This income can assist in covering the costs of subsidised use by community service providers in Council’s community facilities and the operational costs. For example in the new West Ryde community facility, there will be retail spaces available for lease. These spaces will generate a commercial income which will assist to subsidise the ongoing costs of providing community facilities. It is anticipated that the retail spaces will be used for services such as a café or child friendly shops. Many councils lease out heritage and historic buildings to commercial operators as the expenditure on historic and heritage properties is often more than standard community buildings. Commercial operators provide a higher rental component, relieving some of the costs associated with refurbishment and maintenance of these buildings. However, this needs to be balanced with the community wanting to access these buildings as a link to the history of the area. Council will be investigating strategies to lessen the financial burden of these types of buildings on the rate payers. 11.2.3 Sponsorship Sponsorship by business is not a typical source of funding or support for community buildings. However, by the larger nature of district centres there may be opportunities to work with businesses or agencies to provide corporate sponsorship. This could include opportunities for naming rights to a building, or sponsorship of the building as a whole or components, such as playground equipment etc. With the types and scale of businesses located within the Macquarie Park Corridor this provides a unique opportunity to the City of Ryde. Although not typical, corporate sponsorship is one way of bringing businesses into supporting the provision of community services to their current and future customers. These opportunities should not only be considered for the value they can provide both to the community facility and the business, but also the ethical and moral grounds of some partnerships. For example, a building focused on youth employment may not want to have sponsorship from a business or organisation that is seen to exploit young people in the workplace. It is recognised that creating and managing sponsorship agreements can be a difficult and intensive process that should not be entered into lightly.


11.2.4 Voluntary Planning Agreements In the instance of large developments, Council and the developer can enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA). A diverse range of benefits may be sought through negotiated VPA’s in order to make a contribution to the achievement of one or more elements of Council’s vision, including the provision of community buildings. A VPA enables Council to negotiate for improved outcomes for the Ryde community, particularly those which can not be addressed through Section 94 funding. VPA’s provide opportunities for projects and initiatives that are not included in the Section 94 Plan or other sources of funding to be delivered. It is essential when developing a VPA that the actual public benefit is clear and not simply a core role of the development. For example, provision of a library is not for public benefit if the library is only accessed by staff and is a core part of the organisation’s role. The benefit of the provision of community infrastructure can often encourage other infrastructure and public domain improvements to be provided, as a result of the negotiation process. When negotiating planning agreements, Council will adopt a flexible approach, taking into account the vision and strategic aims of this Plan, the Management Plan, site circumstances and also the obligation and preferences of the developer. The negotiation of a planning agreement is at the discretion of both the developer and Council, there are no assurances about what will be offered and subsequently negotiated between the two parties. Voluntary Planning Agreements are also subject to a public exhibition process. Below is a list of community facilities (not identified in the Section 94 Plan) that will provide public benefit to the Ryde community and should be considered in VPA negotiations:

- Funding the remaining proportion of community facilities identified within the Section 94 Plan. For example, only 45% of the funds for a multi purpose centre will be collected through s94, the remaining 55% could be funded through a VPA (see section 8.2.1)

- Relocation of library and childcare facility at Gladesville and increased meeting / community space

- Multi purpose facilities that have capacity to target young people, particularly through cultural activities (particularly in Macquarie Park, Eastwood or Ryde)

- Multi purpose community facility on the Argyle Centre site, Ryde - Childcare facilities, with a particular focus on 0-2 year olds - Multi purpose facilities that have capacity to target people from culturally

and linguistically diverse backgrounds (particularly in Eastwood) - Expansion of the Eastwood Library


- Redevelopment of a multi purpose community facility at North Ryde. These facilities have been identified through the Social Plan, social needs assessments and through discussions with various stakeholders in the development of this Plan.


PART 4: WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD This Part of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ identifies how Council will achieve these future directions and vision for community facilities across the City. This Part includes the following chapters:

- Future directions - Implementation - Review and evaluation of the ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’.


PART 4: WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD

12. Future Directions This chapter outlines Council’s preferred direction for the provision of community facilities within the City of Ryde over the next 20 years. The vision of community facilities is as follows: Our community has access to well designed sustainable facilities which

promote a vibrant community with strong connections. To develop appropriate future directions for community facilities in the City of Ryde that enable this vision to be met, the following has been considered:

- Better practice and current trends - Planning and design principles - The current stock of Council community buildings - Opportunities for the development of community buildings, based on land

use planning, strategic directions for Council and developer contributions. The future directions for community facilities in the City of Ryde are as follows:

1. Locate new community facilities within key centres 2. Create community hubs, inclusive of multi purpose community facilities 3. Maximise access and utilisation of community buildings 4. Enhance and invest in sustainable community facilities 5. Use a whole of Council and partnership approach to planning and

delivering community facilities. 12.1 Locate New Community Facilities Within Key Centres The City of Ryde has adopted the Ryde Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy. This is a guiding document for the planning within the City and identifies six key centres in the following three areas, including: Macquarie Park Macquarie Park Northern Line Eastwood West Ryde Meadowbank


Victoria Road Ryde Gladesville These six centres have been and continue to be the focus of development throughout the City and for future community buildings within Ryde. Over time a multi purpose community building will be provided within each of these centres. These centres support the notion of creating community hubs, where the community has access to a range of Council and non Council services and infrastructure, as described in Chapters 9 and 10. Locating community buildings within these centres helps to create a clear destination for people and make it easier and convenient for the community to access these buildings and facilities within their regular routines and via public transport. The provision of community buildings in these key centres also needs to be balanced with the geographic location of buildings across the Ryde local government area. It is important that community buildings are dispersed throughout all areas of the City. By having community buildings located across the local government area, access for residents and users will be improved, no matter where they live in the City. The provision of community buildings in these six centres does not preclude buildings in other areas of the LGA, however it will reduce the need for a larger number of small local neighbourhood facilities across the City. In some cases there may still be a need to provide much smaller community buildings at a more local level based on high priority needs or geographic location. The focus for future development will be on creating community hubs, not stand alone smaller community buildings. Community buildings are difficult to fund, quality urban sites are often hard to obtain and the cost of land and construction are rising. Therefore, as opportunities arise Council needs to be prepared and flexible enough to grasp these. In some cases these opportunities may present themselves outside of the six key centres. To assist Council deliver fewer but larger community buildings, it is important that community buildings be considered in terms of the typology and hierarchy, planning for community buildings in the future should be based on the following classifications: - Neighbourhood community facility - District community facility - Regional community facility. A description of each of these types of facilities is outlined in the table below. This description does not identify the size of buildings, as the size will vary dependent on the funding, land size, needs of services to be accommodated,


types of services and surrounding facilities. Planning should be based around the needs and the opportunities available. Table 8: Classification of Community Buildings Category Description

Neighbourhood Community Facility

Single purpose facility - Primarily the types of facilities that Ryde has now. - Targeting immediate and surrounding suburbs. - Locating usually only one organisation / service. - Usually does not contain halls, only small meeting

rooms that the community and smaller community organisations can utilise.

- Usually quite small, not located near a key transport node, not well equipped, not able to address multiple needs.

- Usually have higher management and maintenance costs associated with them.

- For more isolated areas of the LGA, a neighbourhood community building may provide a key connection point within the community, and an effective means of delivering some local services.

District Community Facility

Multi purpose facility - Targeting a range of suburbs across the LGA. - Locating a range of services, including a hall and

general meeting space. - Located in a key centre, near a key transport node and

a retail / commercial hub. - Multi-purpose spaces and flexible design. - Multiple services and activities, comprising a service

hub for the community. - Accommodation for a number of service providers. - Provision of a hall and general meeting / activity space. - Often contains retail or commercial space to offset the

cost for Council. - Can also include public amenities such as toilets,

changing facilities, bike racks, lockers etc.

Regional Community Facility

- Targeting the whole LGA and wider. - Located near a key transport node and preferably in a

key centre. - Usually has a specific purpose (eg: sport, cultural etc).

Although not the preferred option, neighbourhood community facilities may still be required in some locations due to the nature of the facility or the geographic area being served. Some facilities may best be served as stand alone uses in a smaller centre, such as a childcare centre.


District facilities are the preferred option for the future of community facilities within the City of Ryde. This type of building allows Council to provide fewer, but larger and higher quality buildings that can provide a well-utilised multi-purpose one stop shop for the community. Be that for all target groups or for specific target groups, such as children and their families or older people. They are multi purpose and also support creation of community hubs. Regional facilities are usually associated with a specialist function, such as sport or an art gallery and targets areas beyond the Ryde LGA. The only truly regional facility Council currently has is the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre. When planning for all community buildings, consideration must be given to the facilities (particularly regional sized) in neighbouring LGAs in order to limit duplication. Regional community buildings are not recommended in this Plan. 12.2 Create Community Hubs, Inclusive of Multi Purpose

Community Facilities Council has a large number of buildings that are now inappropriate to deliver services to the community. Many facilities are 30 years old and are residential buildings not suited to delivering a range of activities and services to the community. Many longer term service providers accommodated in a Council facility have outgrown their accommodation and are continually expanding to meet the increasing community demand for these services. It is also evident through trends in community building and facility provision that the way forward to minimise costs to councils and rate payers, to improve services and to deliver an integrated approach to meeting the needs of the community is through the creation of multi purpose community buildings and the co-location of these facilities within a key destination, along with other services and facilities, creating a community hub – a centre of interest or activity. These community hubs are supported by the NSW Metropolitan Strategy and Council’s Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy and could include any of the following elements:

- Community facilities - Open space and recreation infrastructure and opportunities (parks /

playgrounds, sporting grounds, recreation facilities, natural trails) - Active civic / public meeting places - Council offices and services (customer service, libraries) - Public amenities (toilets, bike racks) - Retail and commercial precincts / town centres (shops, business, medical

offices) - Transport options (buses, trains, ferries, bike racks, car parks) - Education institutions (schools, universities, TAFE).


Co-locating a range of these services in the one area will increase access and use of that area and the services and facilities. These community hubs will also increase awareness and marketing potential of community facilities as a result of their high profile and central location. Within these community hubs, a central focal point is a community facility. These facilities must be developed in such a way that enables a range of users, activities and programs to be held from the building. Community facilities need to be multi purpose to have the capacity to meet the diverse needs of the community over time. There is no one standard model for the provision of community facilities that will be replicated across the City. Multi purpose community facilities should include a range of the following activities and services:

- Range of tenancies for community based services - Retail / commercial based tenancies - Halls / meeting rooms - Libraries, Council office space, Council customer service centre - Civic and public spaces - Public amenities - Car and bicycle parking.

Through the co-location of a range of services and providers within one community building an integrated approach to meeting the needs of the community is possible. Furthermore, these sized facilities may enhance capacity to assist smaller organisations, through partnership and co-location with more established organisations and offer opportunities for amalgamated approaches to delivering community services and becoming competitive in the market. Co-location must be combined with maintaining the individual identity of the organisations accommodated in these centres. As well as providing a welcoming environment which is comfortable for all to access. For the City of Ryde, building multi purpose community buildings will enable a range of needs to be met over time as the building has the capacity to meet the needs of many providers, activities and programs. It also allows ease of access, as people will be coming to the hub, the destination for a range of activities. Multi purpose community buildings also have reduced costs associated with the building, such as construction, maintenance and operational costs, as elements of the building and the uses can be shared. The number of buildings can be fewer and free up space for other groups or the redevelopment of some properties. In addition, these types of community buildings will provide more opportunities to source funding for capital costs


through developer agreements due to the size of the facility and the required location. These new multi purpose community buildings will not only better serve the needs of the community, but also attract community service providers, funding bodies / sources and other partnerships that support the development of such facilities and assists in better meeting the needs of the community. There will also be a need to continue to own smaller more localised community buildings that are not a large multi purpose centre to cater for community needs. However, this will not be the focus for future development. Community buildings should be based on the three types of community facility provision, neighbourhood, district and regional, with the City of Ryde focusing on the provision of more multi purpose district facilities, as outlined in Section 12.1. 12.3 Maximise Access and Utilisation of Community

Buildings In order to have the most effective and efficient community buildings, it is important that the buildings are well utilised and are seen as being accessible to all in the community. Access does not only mean physical access, but psychological access - do people feel comfortable using the building. This comfort factor can be key to utilisation, if the facility is seen as targeting one particular group, policies are in place that don’t support use by certain people (eg: people who don’t have high English language skills) or the physical surrounds are clinical and not welcoming this can play a major factor in deterring usage by a cross section of the community. Usage not only activates the facility and area, it also supports this philosophy of creating community hubs, provides passive surveillance and improves perceptions of safety. Well utilised buildings are very rarely left to run down as the asset is maintained to a high standard and the income provided by the usage supports the ongoing costs towards the building. With the creation of new multi purpose district community hubs across the City these new buildings will be of a high standard and be a better practice delivery model. Council will still have a lot of community buildings within its property portfolio that are very old and have outdated internal configurations, it is important to improve the base line standard of the current buildings to limit the difference between new and old and provide a building that people can and want to use.


The establishment of a consistent level of provision within community buildings will enable all services to have and expect access to a standard level of service from Council. Prior to signing future licences or leases for all community buildings this document must be reviewed and considered in these negotiations prior to entering into further long term arrangements. This will ensure Council’s resources are allocated for the benefit of the broader community, assets are well managed and maintained and that partnership opportunities are explored. 12.4 Enhance and invest in sustainable community facilities Council has a large portfolio of community buildings, some of which are outdated and no longer have the capacity to meet the needs of the community. Council needs to make an investment in providing community buildings that are purpose built and support appropriate services within these buildings. One element of this is to enhance any current buildings to bring them up to the standard level of provision, as outlined in section 10.2.6. The other element is for major refurbishment to occur and for this a capital works program will be required. In considering these possibilities, Council recognises that there have been some cases where a community group has contributed to a building or supporting infrastructure. Apart from external funding sources, Council will also need to look at disposing some community buildings (eg: sell, demolish or change the use). Some of the reasons for disposing of a community building include the following:

- Design is not fit for purpose - Location limits accessibility - Utilisation is limited - Limited benefit or outcomes provided to the community - Availability of other spaces - Major costs are required to maintain the building, undertake repairs or

major works - Opportunity arises through external factors that provide improved options - Improved community benefits could be provided through the disposal.

Funds gained from these disposals will be added to a financial reserve allocated to the development and refurbishment of community buildings. There may be opposition to Council disposing or even redeveloping its community buildings as the perception from residents or community service providers could be that Council is reducing its commitment to the community. However disposing of unsuitable community buildings will provide much


needed funds and / or land to develop more appropriate community buildings which will provide improved services to users of these facilities. It is clear that these funds will not be sufficient to provide numerous new facilities and the type of new community buildings proposed. Council will need to identify ongoing funding for the maintenance and operational costs, and the development of new community buildings. As well as utilising developer contributions, either through Section 94 funding or Voluntary Planning Agreements. Without these developer options, the opportunity to develop new community buildings would be limited. It is also recognised that community service providers currently accommodated within a Council community building may be concerned that disposal of buildings may require them to relocate during redevelopment. Council has a commitment to supporting community service providers who meet the needs of the community. It must also be acknowledged that Council has a finite level of resources and unfortunately not all community facilities can be upgraded or new facilities built at the same time. Council will assist where possible in relocating a service to another available Council community building. Council will work together with the group and other key stakeholders, such as funding bodies, government agencies, and other providers to work through this issue if it arises. 12.5 Use a Whole of Council and Partnership Approach to

Planning and Delivering Community Facilities. There are many planning processes that occur within Council, including preparation of master plans, development control plans, local environment plans, section 94 planning, asset management planning, social planning, financial planning and planning to accord with the NSW Planning Reforms requirements. It is essential that community facilities are integrated to ensure that they are strategically linked into Council’s future plans and strategies. This will require one key contact within Council to manage this process. With the provision of community facilities being the responsibility of many stakeholders Council has a role in leading the development of partnership opportunities with key stakeholders which will provide benefits to the community. Stakeholders include funding bodies, government departments, community service groups and business and private providers. Partnerships can provide innovative ideas and opportunities through the experience and expertise of a range of stakeholders. It is also recognised that the partnership approach can extend the time frame of strategies due to the decision making process being extended to other parties. However, even so it is recognised that the value of these potential partnerships is invaluable.


These five future directions provide Council with a clear way forward when planning and delivering new facilities and reworking old facilities to better meet contemporary needs. Implementation of these future directions based on the principles outlined within this strategic document are intended to assist Council to develop attractive iconic facilities that are sustainable, well used and able to address the needs of the Ryde community now and into the future.


PART 4: WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD

13. Implementation 13.1 Strategies for Action ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ does not have an attached implementation plan as relevant strategies and actions will be included in the upcoming Ryde 2030 Community Strategic Plan, specifically in Council’s four year delivery program. Ryde 2030 will set out the vision, long term goals, objectives and strategic actions for our community over a 20 year period and will be reviewed with the election of Councillors every four years. It is recognised that the development of these new community facilities will take some time. As a result, Council has already identified works to improve the existing stock of community buildings. 13.2 Change Management Change can be a daunting process for many people, particularly if that change may impact on you, your work or your organisation. Communication with existing and possible future users of Council community buildings is essential to the success of this Plan and how the vision for community facilities will be achieved. In the development of this Plan there has been a range of strategies to engage the community to assist in managing this change, however quality community engagement processes must continue when developing and implementing strategies for action. For this type of change, it is important to provide consistent messages to stakeholders, engage them throughout the process and maintain an appropriate level of communication. Utilising the principles outlined in Chapter 1.3 is essential as these will be the basis for future planning and development. The long term benefits of providing more appropriate community buildings, in community hubs will improve the capacity of community organisations to


address the needs of the community and will outweigh any possible short term inconveniences. A key message for all stakeholders is that Council remains committed to supporting existing users of community buildings who meet the needs of the community and Council will work with organisations to address any issues that may arise through the implementation of this Plan. The implementation of ’Community Facilities: Future Directions’ is only one step toward creating a more co-ordinated approach to planning community facilities. The establishment of internal mechanisms to improve communication and co-ordination within Council is crucial to the implementation of these directions and to ensuring it remains relevant and opportunities are taken when they arise. 13.3 Review and Evaluation In the case of any Council document it is imperative to incorporate a review and evaluation component to ensure the strategic intent is being delivered and the agreed outcomes are being met. This is particularly important when the document is for the long term. As outlined in this document there may be opportunities that arise for Council’s community buildings that can’t be planned for, through redevelopment opportunities, voluntary planning agreements and the like. This may result in a need to review ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ to ensure its continued relevance. A review of ’Community Facilities: Future Directions’ should be undertaken at the same time the four year Ryde 2030 delivery program is being reviewed. These reviews should incorporate feedback from both internal and external stakeholders. This process should be undertaken by a group of key stakeholders, including Managers from Community and Culture, Buildings & Property, Community Relations, Parks and Urban Planning to ensure the co-ordinated approach is maintained and issues cutting across all groups within Council are identified and addressed appropriately. A review may also be required outside the scheduled review times to address issues that have arisen through operational or political changes. Furthermore, other strategies or plans may be finalised that also need to be incorporated. ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ needs to be a realistic document that effectively guides the planning and development of community buildings across the City of Ryde, therefore, it is essential that it is amended to reflect changes in direction or improvements that would benefit community facilities and the communities they serve.


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APPENDICES


Appendix 1 City of Ryde - Social Justice Principles From the City of Ryde Social Justice Charter 2007 Social justice is an integral part of our operational values and procedures. This Charter formally underpins all of our activities and all of our policies. The Charter emphasises our commitment to citizen rights, social equity, anti-discrimination and quality of life imperatives. The adoption of the following principles defines Council’s leadership role in the social arena. The principles are: Rights Council recognises that social justice is founded upon human rights and that local government has a unique and privileged role in promoting the participation of citizens in the life of the City. The active exercise of the right to vote, participate in public life, the right to information and to accountability are the foundation of true democracy. Active citizens have the right to influence decisions that may affect them through meaningful consultation processes. Recognition of Indigenous Australians The City of Ryde recognises the Dharug people as the traditional owners of the land and the Indigenous community’s right to self-determination. There is recognition and celebration of the rich culture and strong community values that Indigenous Australians provide us today. Diversity The City of Ryde believes that diversity in people and experiences creates a stronger community. It values and respects its multicultural society and the vibrant traditions, religious practices, languages and lifestyles that such a diverse population offers to the whole community. The City of Ryde is committed to delivering accessible and equitable services and promoting community harmony through inclusion, understanding, celebration and respect. Social Capital The City of Ryde values the knowledge of its community members. The strength and knowledge held by individuals, groups, organisations and institutions is critical to the creation of social capital. Social capital is built through a commitment to actively supporting and promoting the building of strong links, relationships, volunteers, local networks and trust within the community. Service Delivery The City of Ryde is committed to implementing policies and services that assist communities with diverse needs. There is acknowledgement that all


people who live, work and visit Ryde have the right to be part of community life. Where appropriate the City of Ryde will ensure resources are targeted to areas, individuals and families in greatest need. Valuing People The City of Ryde is responsive to community need and ensures that policies and programs reflect community expectations. The City respects and affirms fundamental human rights and recognises a commitment to take actions for those suffering disadvantage, poverty and discrimination. In response to community need the City of Ryde believes in advocating on behalf of the community to ensure appropriate community services are provided by Council or non-government community organisations. Cultural Vitality The City of Ryde recognises the importance that culture has to people’s lives, to their sense of place, their community and to their expectations. There is commitment to ensuring the cultural sustainability of the community including civic engagement, community connectedness, art, festivals, leisure, recreation and community groups. Participation The City of Ryde values communication with the community that is based on two-way meaningful consultation on initiatives and services that impact people’s lives. Encouraging active citizenship as the essential ingredient in the democratic processes of decision making ensures that policies and programs reflect community expectations and contribute to community well-being. Appropriate Planning The City of Ryde responds to a changing environment and the changing needs of the community through its planning process. Access to affordable, accessible and appropriate housing is an essential ingredient of community well-being and the City of Ryde recognises that housing is a fundamental requirement for all people. Community Facilities The City of Ryde aims to provide community facilities and spaces that are responsive to the community’s needs. There is a commitment to providing places that allow for social, cultural, recreational and civic activities to take place in a way that is accessible and equitable. Environmental Sustainability The City of Ryde recognises that healthy, liveable environments help create strong communities and support individuals and families to positively interact with their neighbours. Council aims to maximise quality of life outcomes when changes in the natural and built environment occur. It is also committed to assessing the social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of any change in the area in order to safeguard the welfare of future generations. The City of Ryde will implement integrated and holistic decision making


processes to ensure that all planning and delivery processes are inclusive of environmental, economic, social and cultural imperatives. A Healthy Community The City of Ryde is committed to improving economic, social and health outcomes for the community. This includes a commitment to managing and facilitating programs and activities that contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the local community, such as recreation programs, art and cultural activities and healthy eating programs. Council is also committed to harm minimisation, which recognises that drug and alcohol use and abuse is primarily a public health and social issue and that people must be provided with the knowledge, support and skills necessary to make informed decisions about high risk behaviours. Leisure and Recreation The City of Ryde values leisure and recreation as important contributors to enriching people’s lives. There is a commitment to creating opportunities for social networks and connecting people to the wider community. This is achieved through the provision of open space, facilities and opportunities for community interaction, leisure activities and for sharing cultural values. A Safe Community The City of Ryde recognises safety as an essential resource for everyday life, needed by individuals and communities to achieve their aspirations. Safer communities are created by taking a preventative approach, focusing on community strengthening activities and working in partnership to create a city where people feel safe in their homes and in the community.


Appendix 2 List of Private Facilities within the Ryde Local Government Area This list, compiled in 2006, outlines 96 facilities within the LGA including: schools, universities, TAFE colleges, churches, recreation centres, hotels, clubs & function centres and describes any spaces available for public use.

# NAME OF FACILITY ADDRESS TYPE OF

ORGANISATIONTYPE OF FACILITY

COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

1 3D Parties 250 Victoria Road, Gladesville

Other Conference / Function rooms

Function rooms Yes 100

2 Action Indoor Sports Gladesville

22 College Street, Gladesville

Other Other Play area, indoor sports Yes

3,000 people per

week

3 Arndell School P O Box 142, North Ryde School Unknown School Only Use N/A -

4 Australian Film, Television & Radio School

Cnr Epping & Balaclava Roads, North Ryde

Uni / TAFE Meeting room

Theatre, studios, meeting rooms Yes

6 to 40 Meeting rms

& 230 theatre

5 Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant

Punt Road, Gladesville Other Other Private rooms Yes Various

6 Bayview Tavern 166 Victoria Road, Gladesville

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Other No private rooms Yes Various

7 Body Beat Dance Studio

3/1087 Victoria Road, West Ryde

Other Other Dance Studio No / Yes 120

8 Boronia Park Public School

Pittwater Road, Gladesville School Hall Hall Yes

9 Brush Park Bowling Club Ltd

Marsden Road & Rutledge Street, Eastwood

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre

Meeting room

Club rooms/restaurant Yes

150 in club or 120

restaurant

10 Christ Church

Crn Jordan Street & Victoria Road, Gladesville

Church Hall Hall - -

11 Comfort Inn West Ryde

1188 Victoria Road, West Ryde

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre None

Restaurant only (no meeting or function rooms)

Yes 30

12 Concord & Ryde Sailing Club

Waterview & Yaralla Roads, Putney


Meeting room

Clubhouse only & restaurant -

13 Cornucopia Café & Nursery

Old Gladesville Hospital,Victoria Road, Gladesville

Other Meeting room

Café is hired out, plus a function room upstairs

Yes

40-50 upstairs and

same downstairs

14 Courtyard Marriott

7-11 Talavera Road, North Ryde


Conference / Function / Meeting

8 function rooms Yes 17sq m - 73 sq m




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

rooms

15 Curzon Hall 53 Agincourt Road, Marsfield


Meeting room

Meeting/ Function rooms Yes -

16

Denistone East Bowling & Recreation Club (Denistone East)

59 Catham Road, Denistone East


Meeting room One room Yes 120 seated

17 Denistone East Public School

Brabyn Street, Eastwood School Hall Hall Yes 500

18 Denistone Sports Club Ltd (West Ryde)

59 Chatham Road, West Ryde

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Hall Auditorium &

Bistro Yes 184-200

19 Eastwood Heights Public School

Lincoln Street, Eastwood School Hall Hall Yes 200

20 Eastwood Hotel 115 Rowe Street, Eastwood

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Hall

1 Room only mainly used for 21st/ 40ths

Yes

Licenced for 490

standing / 100 seated

21 Eastwood Masonic Hall Pty Ltd

186 Rowe Street, Eastwood Other

Conference / Function / Meeting rooms

Bottom hall / mezzanine, supper room and lodge

Yes

250 / seating

lodge 170 / 40

22 Eastwood Public School

Rowe Street, Eastwood School Hall Hall Yes 100

23 Eastwood Rugby Club (Eastwood)

146 Vimiera Road, Eastwood



2 rooms /auditoriuam and private room

Yes 200 / 50

24 Epping Boys' High School

213 Vimiera Road, Eastwood School Hall Hall Yes 100

25 Ermington Public School

Winbourne Street, West Ryde

School Hall Hall Yes 70

26 German International School Sydney

74 Belmore Street, Ryde School None No function

rooms N/A -

27 Gladesville Bowling Club

181a Ryde Road (cnr Swan St), Gladesville



Auditorium / conference room Yes Aud = 200 /

Conf = 50

28 Gladesville Hospital

Victoria Road, Gladesville Other Meeting

room Meeting room Yes -

29 Gladesville Hotel 386 Victoria Road, Gladesville

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Areas in hotel to

hire for free Yes Negot

30 Gladesville Motel 157 Victoria Road, Gladesville

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre None No function

rooms N/A -

31 Gladesville Presbyterian Church

8 Massey Street, Gladesville Church Hall Hall Yes 200

32 Gladesville Public School

Victoria Road, Gladesville School Hall Small hall Yes 100




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

33 Gladesville RSL 4-6 Linsley St, Gladesville


Meeting room

Recreation room / meeting room Yes

Recreation Room = 200

seated / Meeting

room = 25

34 Holy Cross College

517 Victoria Road, Ryde School Unknown School only use N/A -

35 Holy Spirit School

195 Coxs Road, North Ryde School Unknown School only use N/A -

36 Kent Road Public School

Cnr Kent & Herring Roads, Eastwood

School Unknown School only use N/A -

37 MAASH Sport & Fitness

Trafalgar Place, Marsfield Other Meeting

room

One room only and usually only for dance classes or karate

No -

38 Macquarie Centre (North Ryde)

Cnr Herring & Waterloo Roads, North Ryde

Other


Conference Centre Yes 400sqm

39 Macquarie University

Balaclava Road, North Ryde Uni / TAFE Meeting

room Lecture theatres/ teachign rooms Yes Lecture -

495

40 Macquarie/ North Ryde Hospital

Wicks Road, North Ryde Other Meeting

room

Meeting rooms on campus - mainly hospital/medical use

N/A -

41 Maharlika Gardens

17 William Street, Ryde


Only serviced apartment rooms, no function/meeting rooms

N/A -

42 Marist College Eastwood

44 Hillview Road, Eastwood School Unknown School only use N/A -

43 Marsden High School

22A Winbourne Street, West Ryde

School Hall Hall but not for general use N/A -

44 Meadowbank Public School

Thistle Street, Ryde School None No hall at all N/A -

45

Medina Executive Apartments (North Ryde)

2-12 Bufallo Road, North Ryde



Conference Room Yes Only 66sqm

46 Melrose Park Public School

110 Wharf Road, West Ryde School Unknown School only use N/A -

47 Metro Inn Ryde Crn Bowden Street & Victoria Road, Ryde



Conference Room Yes 70 people

48

MGSM Executive Hotel & Confernce Centre

9 Talavera Road, North Ryde



40 guest rooms and a selection of conference rooms

Yes

Max capacity =

150 and Min = 30




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

49 Morling Baptist Theological College

120 Herring Road, Eastwood School Unknown School only use - -

50 Next Generation Ryde

504a Victoria Road, Ryde Other


Banquet Rooms Yes 300 people

51 North Ryde Anglican Church - St John's

152 Coxs Road, North Ryde Church Hall Hall - -

52

North Ryde Community Church (North Ryde)

2 Cutler Parade, North Ryde Church Unknown - - -

53 North Ryde Golf Club Ltd (North Ryde)

Twin Road, North Ryde



Auditorium & Conference Room

Yes 180 people

54 North Ryde Public School

Coxs Road, North Ryde School Hall Hall Yes 250

55 North Ryde RSL Community Club Ltd ( North Ryde)

Cnr Magdala & Pittwater Roads, North Ryde



Conference & Auditorium Yes 320 people

56 Northcross Christian School

Cnr Dobson Crescent & Lane Cove Roads, Ryde

School Hall Use Ryde Baptist Church Hall N/A -

57

Northern Institute of TAFE - Ryde Campus - The Blaxland Accommodation & Conference Complex

250 Blaxland Road, Ryde Uni / TAFE


Conference & Accommodation Yes 190

58

Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE - Meadowbank College

See Street, Meadowbank Uni / TAFE Meeting

room

Computer room with PCs or double rooms for training purposes

Yes 14 in

computer room

59

Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE - Ryde College (refer to Blaxland Accommodation & Conference Centre)

250 Blaxland Road, Ryde Uni / TAFE


Conference & Accommodation Yes 190

60 NSW Corrective Services Academy

Brush Farm, 66 Terry Road, Eastwood

Other


Conference room and 11 training rooms

Yes

100 in conference

room / Training

rooms hold 15 - 35 pax)

61 NSW School of Hypnotic Sciences

Ste3G, 55 Blaxland Road, Ryde

School Unknown School Only Use - -




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

62

NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education Inc (North Ryde)

Coxs Road, North Ryde Other Unknown - - -

63 Our Lady Queen Of Peace Primary School

Cnr Oxford Street & Westminster Road, Gladesville

School None No hall at all - -

64 Our Lady Queen Of Peace Church Gladesville Church Hall Hall Yes 100

65 Parramatta River Sailing Club

Looking Glass Bay, Gladesville

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Unknown

66 Putney Primary School

193 Morrison Roads, Ryde School Hall School hall Yes 40

67

Putney Tennyson Bowling & Community Club

68 Francis Road, Putney

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Meeting Rooms Yes 150

68 Robert Menzies College

136 Herring Road, North Ryde

School


! Conference room / 3 break out rooms (6-25) / Accommodation

Yes 20

68 Royal Hotel 68 Blaxland Road, Ryde


Only use their restaurant for groups

- -

70 Ryde Business Forum

Ste 1, 5-9 Pope Street, Ryde Other Meeting

room

Only rent rooms to their members at this stage

- -

71 Ryde City Bowling Club Co-op Ltd

11 Blaxland Road, Ryde



Conference Room Yes 160

72 Ryde East Primary School

12 Twin Roads, North Ryde School Hall Hall Yes 250

73 Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club ( West Ryde)

117 Rydedale Road, West Ryde



Auditorium & Conference Room

Yes 280

74 Ryde Hospital & Community Health Services

Denistone Road, Eastwood Other Meeting

room Meeting Rooms Yes 50

75 Ryde Parramatta Golf Club ( West Ryde)

1156 Victoria Road, West Ryde


Meeting room Meeting Rooms Yes 200

76 Ryde Public School

Pope Street, Ryde School Unknown School Yes 200

77 Ryde RSL Youth Club

724 Victoria Road, Ryde

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Hall

Hall for members use only and some school groups, not for general public

- -

78 Ryde Secondary College

5 Malvina Street, Ryde School Hall School hall / Multi

purpose centre Yes 800 school childrens / 400 public




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

79 Ryde Uniting Church ( West Ryde)

7 Maxim Street, West Ryde Church Hall 2 halls Yes 100/ 150

each

80 St Annes Ryde Anglican Church

42-50 Church Street, Ryde Church Hall Auditorium / Hall Yes

Aud 350 / halls 150 or combined

81 St Anthony's Primary School

Cnr Balaclava & Agincourt Roads School None

School Only Use as it is the Parish hall, not the school's

- -

82 St Anthony's Catholic Church

54 Agincourt Road, Marsfield Church Hall Hall Yes 100

83 St Chad's Anglican Church

Crn Morrison & Delange Roads, Putney

Church Hall Hall Yes 150

84 St Charles Parish

582 Victoria Road, Ryde Church None Do not rent Hall - -

85 St Charles' Primary School

582 Victoria Road, Ryde School Unknown School Only Use - -

86 St Columb's Anglican Church ( West Ryde)

Crn Bellevue & Dickson Avenue, West Ryde

Church Hall Auditorium , class room , hall Yes Min 8 up to

500

87 St Kevin's Primary School

28 Hillview Road, Eastwood School None

School use mostly but part of St Kevins Church, Eastwood

- -

88 St Michael's Primary School

53 Maxim Street, Meadowbank School Unknown School Only Use - -

89 St Therese Primary School

448 Blaxland Road, Denistone School Unknown School Only Use - -

90 Stamford Grand North Ryde (North Ryde)

Cnr Epping & Herring Roads, North Ryde

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Hall Ball Room Yes 200

91 The Ranch (ex El Rancho)

Cnr Epping & Herring Roads, Eastwood



3 function rooms / 1 Saturday night only (just changed ownership)

Yes

Varies on size of room (smaller to

50) or larger seated 130

92 Travelodge Macquarie North Ryde

81Talavera Road Macquarie University, North Ryde



Conference room Yes 15 people

93 Truscott Street Public School

Truscott Street, North Ryde School Hall Hall Yes 200

94 Venues @ Macquarie

SAM Building, Gymnasium Road,Macquarie University, North Ryde

Uni / TAFE


Commercial business on campus, 6 conference rooms plus Atrium Hall

Yes Theatre =

500 / dinner 300

95 West Ryde Hotel 1021 Victoria Road, West Ryde

Hotel / Motel / Club / Function Centre Hall Small conference

room Yes 25 seated




COMMENTS ON TYPE OF

FACILITY

PUBLIC USE Y/N

CAPACITY

96 West Ryde Public School

Endeavour Street, West Ryde

School Hall Hall and 2 small classrooms Yes

260 adults seated / 20 -

30 for the classrooms


Appendix 3

Previous Survey Community Responses In 2004 a large survey was undertaken in relation to community facilities, these responses along with results of the community survey and more recent stakeholder engagement processes have informed the development of ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’. Issues for facility users One hundred and ten responses (22% response rate) were received to a survey distributed through Council’s website, community libraries and childcare centres in the city. The survey sample is too small to discern patterns of usage based on geographical areas within the City but can be read as broadly indicative of community views. Respondents to the survey indicated that the most regularly used facilities include local libraries, childcare centres and kindergartens, Early Childhood Centres, the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre and social, sporting and registered clubs. The least used facilities are the Seniors Citizens Centre and the Eastwood Women’s Rest Centre. There was overwhelming support by people of all ages for the suggestion that community facilities, such a libraries or community centres, make a difference to quality of life. Use of facilities

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

librar

y

commun

ity ce

ntre

child

care

or kin

derga

rtens

playg

roups

and o

ccas

ional

care

early

child

hood

healt

h

commun

ity ai

d cen

tres

commun

ity ha

lls

Ryde C

ivic C

entre

Ryde A

quati

c Leis

ure C

entre

Senior

Citiz

ens C

entre

Eastw

ood W

omen

s Res

t

Social

sport

ing & re

gister

ed cl

ubs

NeverSometimesUsuallyAlways


Satisfaction with facilities The results of survey indicate that demand for community facilities may not be as strongly sought within the general community as it is among service providers. Caution however should be used before interpreting this as a lack of demand for new services but rather it should be interpreted as a degree of satisfaction with the services that they are currently using or have access to. The majority of respondents (75) agreed or strongly agreed that the area had good facilities for people of their age group. Twenty-one respondents disagreed and eight did not know. The majority of young people (under 24 years) disagreed with the proposition. Older people 55+ were more likely than other groups not to know about the facilities available for their age groups. Responses: “This area has good facilities for people of my age”

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Under 18 18-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66-75 76+ not stated

strongly agreeagreedisagreedon't know

The majority of respondents (77) also agreed or strongly agreed that there were sufficient facilities and services in the City of Ryde to meet their needs at the moment. Twenty-five respondents disagreed and eight did not know. Respondents under 24 years and people aged between 56 and 65 years were more likely to disagree than any other age group. A significant number of young people who completed the survey indicated a preference for a skateboarding park or youth centre to be built. Young people also expressed interest for branch library opening hours to be extended on weekends. Some older people raised specific concerns regarding access to the program pool at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre.


Responses: “There are sufficient facilities and services in the City of Ryde to meet my needs at the moment”

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Under 18 18-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66-75 76+ not stated

strongly agreeagreedisagreedon't know

7.3.3 Barriers to access Eighty-nine respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they could find information about community facilities and activities when they needed it. Notwithstanding this response, 31% of the respondents cited lack of information as an issue that prevented them from using community facilities in their area. Focus group discussions with seniors and an informal discussion with Ryde Council Disability Access Committee also suggested that there is a need for more targeted information about community facilities to be made available to the community. Other perceived barriers that limit residents’ use of community facilities include personal time management issues, lack of suitable options and no facilities to suit their needs.


Responses: Barriers to use of community facilities

Survey Service Provider Responses Issues for Service Providers In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 22 community service providers listed below this report. These included services that are located in Council-owned premises, local services leasing properties from other providers and a limited number of State and Federal Government agency representatives. The purpose of the interviews was to identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps and duplication in current facilities provision and to better understand the potential for partnerships with both the private and government sectors. The key findings that emerged from the research in relation to providers’ needs are: There is no surplus capacity in existing facilities for services to expand or

change service offerings or increase staff levels. Many services indicate that their physical facilities meet their current needs but limit expansion. Others are operating from facilities that are barely adequate and do not meet the needs of current services.

The main concerns of service providers in relation to their facilities are over-crowding of workers, lack of privacy for clients and lack of space to run community programs and group work.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

no facilities

transport

disability

lack of information

cost

too busy

no suitable options

time of programs


Cost is a major issue affecting the capacity of services to rent additional premises or to access other spaces such as community halls on a regular basis. There are also unresolved tensions between some groups over equity of access to facilities and rights to storage space.

The cost of insurances also is an increasing burden on services. Local service providers have a strong expectation that Council and other

tiers of government will contribute to the cost of establishing more appropriate facilities in Ryde and regard Council and government agencies as key partners in service delivery.

Community organisations are receptive to the concept of shared facilities, however to be attractive to existing services, proposed solutions need to generate demonstrable reductions in overheads and operating costs, link compatible service types and build genuine partnerships and collaboration. There are some concerns about who would “control” any new multi-purpose facilities.

The key findings that emerged from the research in relation to clients’ needs are: The strong reliance on public transport by both service clients and their

older volunteers requiring facilities to be located within easy walking distance from public transport.

Services operating from privately rented facilities are more likely to be distant from public transport and to lack disability access.

Not all service solutions require a “bricks and mortar” approach. For example, there is a need to do more to outreach to residents who are socially isolated. Disability, low income and lack of English language skills and lack of transport are all factors that can contribute to social isolation and create real barriers to accessing services in the community.

Increasing the availability of community transport buses is seen as a key to breaking down isolation, especially among the frail-aged and people with disabilities.

Young people, especially those who are disconnected from education, are seen as a segment of the community that miss out on services and facilities in Ryde.

Clients often lack information about the services that are available in the community. Service providers believe that more should be done to tailor information meet the needs of specific groups in the community.

NAME ORGANISATION Glenda Mc Master Baptist Community Services - Home Flexi Care Robert Sullivan Centrelink Monica Flynn Christian Community Aid Service Vanessa Hodges Citizen Advocacy – Ryde/Hunters Hill Tina Clifford Department of Community Service Julie Phelan Department of Education & Training Bruce Drake Department of Sport and Recreation Janice Poynton Gladesville & District Community Aid &


Information Service Tricia O'Neill Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Ryde Division of GPs Fraser Forsyth Minnamurra Freidoon Khavarpour North Ryde Community Aid (via email) Sandra Foley North Ryde Community Aid Annette French North Ryde Community Preschool Patricia Krolik Northern Sydney Health Promotion

Kerry Lawrence Northern Sydney Youth Support Service (NSYSS)

Fran Alliprandi NSW Police Service Lindy Danvers Ryde Child, Adolescent & Family Health ServiceAndra Taylor Ryde Community Health Oisin Friel Ryde Drug & Alcohol Service Annette Coleman Ryde Family Support Service Inc Wendy Edwards Ryde/Hunters Hill Community Housing Christine Nafe Ryde/Hunters Hill Community Transport


Appendix 4 Further details on the needs of particular groups or areas within the community can be found in Council’s Social Plan.

Overview of Target Groups Needs In the past, community facilities have been developed for individual target groups, such as seniors centres, youth centres, etc. However, the trend in community facilities is towards developing multi purpose and flexible community facilities and reducing the amount of single use facilities. This flexibility allows change of use to occur as required by the emerging needs of the community.

Even without single use community facilities, it is essential to understand the needs of particular target groups within the community to assist in identifying the type of use the multipurpose community facilities may have or the priority needs to be addressed through the use of Council’s facilities. This Plan does not provide detailed needs of each target group, as this information can be found in Council’s Social Plan. Although multi purpose community facilities are the better way to deliver services to our community there may also be areas where there does need to be an element of specific purpose facilities to ensure use. For example, a youth centre ideally should not be co-located with a range of other services, such as aged care services. Although there are many positive elements of this intergenerational service delivery model there are also some clear limitations. Primarily that young people want to create their own space. They are at stages within their life where they need to identify themselves and have a safe place to interact and socialize with their peers. In some cases it may require a facility only for young people, alternatively the mix of uses could be explored to create better synergies with those other services to be co-located. For example, mixing an arts centre with young people is usually not an adverse option. Although Council’s are now moving toward more issues based planning, rather than target based planning it is still important to recognise the key target groups and their particular needs for the provision of community facilities. Traditionally these target groups are recognised as groups within the City that have specific needs or are most disadvantaged. Below is an overview of the needs of each target group. This information has been sourced from Council’s Social Plan 2005 - 2010, for a more comprehensive picture of each target group, please refer to the Social Plan and 2006 ABS Census Data.


Facilities for families and children In 2006, 13.4% of the total Ryde population were children 0-11 years, most living in a two parent household and the majority being born in Australia. Nearly one third of this population spoke a language other than English at home. Council undertook an audit of childcare in the LGA (2007) which highlighted the need for increased childcare places, particularly those for 0-2 year olds. The majority of childcare providers within the Ryde area were located in the Macquarie Park corridor and are privately run, with an increasing number of work based centres. These services were also the most expensive across the City. There are a number of services targeting children accommodated in a Council community facility, including, pre-schools, occasional childcare, long day care, early childhood health centres and numerous informal groups such as playgroups. There are also numerous private providers of childcare options across the City. In addition, there are other services targeting families and children and provide support options to this target group, such as Ryde Family Support Service and the Family Relationship Centre.

Facilities for Young people (12 – 25 years) In 2006 there was an estimated 17% youth population in Ryde, with most between 15-24 living in Eastwood, Ryde and Marsfield. Facilities oriented to young people in the City of Ryde are limited to the public libraries, sporting facilities, scout and guide halls and church spaces. There are no youth specific centres within the City of Ryde that isn’t membership based. A survey of young people undertaken for the Young People’s Needs Paper: Social Plan 2005 identified lack of youth entertainment and transport as two major issues for young people living in the area. In line with state-wide findings from the NSW Youth Policy 2002-2006, young people in Ryde are looking for safe places to “hang out”, meet friends and listen to music. The need for a fully supervised, drug and alcohol free facility to enable this has been highlighted in all consultation processes over recent years. The only youth specific centre in proximity to the LGA is The Shack – Youth Development in Epping. Young people in Ryde are isolated in regards to access to supervised leisure, social activities and appropriate space for them to congregate and socialise.


Currently there are Scouts, Girl Guides and sporting programs accommodated in Council’s facilities. Facilities for people with a disability People with a disability make up an estimated 19.5% of Ryde’s population, with the majority being in the years between 35 - 64. Nearly half of this population is from a non-English speaking background. A key issue identified by people with a disability is having appropriate access to facilities, particularly to provide accessible and affordable community facilities. There are a range of services located in the Ryde LGA targeting people with a disability, very few of these services are housed in a City of Ryde community facility. Most services have their own premises, however very few have larger meeting spaces or halls available to run activities which have adequate access for people with a disability. This makes the use of these facilities inappropriate for their needs.

Facilities for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds In 2006, 37% of the Ryde population were born overseas, with large numbers of people from China and Hong Kong. The most common languages spoken were Cantonese and Mandarin. Eastwood has become a cultural pocket for many from China, Hong Kong and Korea. A key issue for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is the need for Council to provide equitable access to community facilities and be able to recognise and respond to disadvantage in the community. In addition, lack of space for small and emerging communities to meet. Many LGA’s accommodate a Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) which often provides spaces for these smaller groups to meet and acts as a support agency. The City of Ryde does not have an MRC, the closest being located in Hornsby and Parramatta. Ryde does have a small multicultural centre, however it seems to have a more social focus rather than increasing service capacity of smaller community groups targeting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. There are some cultural social groups running from Council’s community facilities, such as the Italian seniors group and Indian social functions. Facilities for men Approximately 48% of Ryde’s population is male and the majority of these men live in a registered marriage. Nearly 38% of the men in Ryde were born


overseas. Over 51% of men are in full time employment, with 13% being employed part time. There is no service in Ryde specifically for men, however this is not unusual as men are usually not identified as ‘in need’. They are generally considered more privileged or advantaged and therefore in less need than other target groups listed. Even so, many community organisations have found that men are a difficult target group to connect with and as a result it is difficult to gain involvement from men in programs. Men identified their key needs as being issues relating to loss, older men and their differing needs as they age, opportunities for gay men to have a ‘safe place’ and men’s health issues. Council’s Social Plan has suggested that operating a ‘men’s shed’ would be an avenue to deliver these types of services to males in our community in a comfortable and friendly space. This would be a place that enabled men to meet and socialise and enjoy various activities. Creating a ‘men’s shed’ is a large undertaking which should first be tested, before a new specific purpose facility is created. Working with existing services to build their capacity to address the needs identified by men should also be the first step prior to developing such a specific new facility.

Facilities for women Women are approximately 52% of the Ryde population and make up 64% of Ryde residents over the age of 75 years. 33% of women speak a language other than English and 45% of women are married. There are very few women specific services located in Ryde, apart from refuge’s. However, many of the community aid organisations provide groups which have high participation from women, particularly older women. Many women felt that support for women seeking employment and education opportunities was important. The provision of various childcare options, such as playgroups, childcare centres, counselling services for families and services for carers was also a high priority. Many women in the Social Plan focus groups identified issues of affordability, access and safety in relation to community facilities as concerns. Facilities being located close to transport and options including parking, was also important for women and aid in addressing safety concerns particularly when using facilities at night. So too were facilities that maintained a community focus and create opportunities for older women to socialise.

Facilities for people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) backgrounds


There is a small number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Ryde, 267 people. However, people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders often don’t identify themselves through the ABS Census or in many instances don’t take part. There is no specific ATSI service located in Ryde, however Department of Health provide an outreach service to the ATSI community. ATSI people recognised the need for relationships to be developed with Council. Respect for Aboriginal culture was important, expansion of Aboriginal services and the feelings of isolation from the Aboriginal culture were all priorities for this community.

Seniors (55+ years) Older people in general are living longer and healthier than ever before, over 24% of Ryde’s population are over 55 years old, with the majority of seniors falling between 55 and 64 years. Alongside this trend there has been a significant shift in the leisure choices of older people, particularly among the “young old” (55 – 65 years). Research has shown a strong link between well-being and having strong social networks and stimulating activities. No matter what their physical capabilities may be, most older people look for opportunities to keep their minds active and pass their time in an interesting way4. Older people are now less inclined to identify with the traditional senior citizen’s club, but rather seek stimulation and social contact through groups and activities aligned to their interests and needs. These may include intellectually challenging activities such as U3A, political and local activism, arts and cultural activities, sporting/exercise groups such as bowls clubs, volunteering and social groups which offer companionship passive or mildly active pursuits like bingo, excursions and concerts. Within the City of Ryde there is a range of seniors groups that offer activities to enhance social participation, leisure and travel by older people. However, due to dwindling memberships, there has been a gradual shift from groups that are self-managed by older people such as the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association. This shift has moved to interest groups which are run by organisations such as Christian Community Aid, churches, shopping centres and registered clubs. Ethnic groups such as the Eastwood Chinese Seniors and the Italian Australian Senior Citizens Club, also provide a strong basis for older people to socialise. A number of factors impact on the use of community facilities by seniors groups. In focus group discussions, some seniors groups indicated the cost of hiring Council owned facilities was becoming prohibitive. Registered clubs and churches are often providing meeting spaces at no charge or a much 4 See for example, Qureshi, H. and Henwood, M. (2000) Older People’s Definitions of Quality Service York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2000.


lower cost. Some seniors expressed concern that as church memberships fall and clubs are more conscious of revenue, these opportunities may decline. The cost of public liability insurance was also a major problem for some groups, affecting their ability to pay for the use of community facilities and run programs. Older people are high users of the City’s libraries and the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, which offers specific programs for seniors and people with disabilities.


Appendix 5

Key Points from Staff Visioning Workshop Facilitated by Deborah Mills 16/10/07 An externally facilitated staff visioning workshop was held to draw together perspectives, resources and experience from across Council. Following are key points developed during the workshop which have contributed to ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’. SWOT Analysis Summary The group identified the following strengths & weaknesses and opportunities & threats in the capacity of the City of Ryde to meet the defined purpose and desired vision for community facilities: Strengths Weaknesses Capacity to improve management (8) Old facilities are in poor condition (9) Current strategic planning on facilities (8)

Lots of staff involved – unclear roles and responsibilities (6)

Information on community (3) Not enough of the right facilities (5) Opportunities Threats New facilities can be more flexible and accessible (9)

Planning process gets high jacked by small groups (10)

Redevelopment of centres – VPAs (7) Failing community expectations due to resource limitations (5)

Community engagement in planning and development (7)

VPA is vulnerable to political influence (4)

Communicate whole of life costs to Council and communities (7)

Other facilities in neighbouring municipalities leading to groups moving out (3)

NB The numbers refer to the relative weighting given these issues by the workshop participants. Policy Principles General Principles: What frameworks do we need when planning, designing, developing and managing community facilities?

• Whole of Council approach • Engagement of stakeholders • Accessibility/location – close to transport, enable walking and cycling

(NB need to design to new not current standards for disabled access) • Meets demographics (users)


• Multi-purpose, flexible • Equity • Research into needs and available facilities • Safety in design, security • Sustainable life-cycle costs • Economic feasibility analysis (do we provide it, contract it out, what is

balance between commercial and community use etc?) • Environmental sustainability • Meets standards, sets good example • Reflect, provide for community identity in appearance (iconic landmark) • Use – purpose built/variety • Do we build, demolish, renovate, adapt? • Community consultation • Diversity in mix (from one centre to the next – some variety) • Meets legislative requirements • Identify funding partnerships/opportunities

Planning and Design: What are the issues we need to consider when planning community facilities?

• Planning: strategic directions include location, what is the facility going to be, timing (2021, 2031)

• Design: purpose, cost, constraints, competition for space, ongoing costs (i.e. maintenance), accessibility, multi-purpose, sustainable, CPTED

• Developing: Agreement from Council Community engagement Identifying need Planning approval Recognise Social Justice Charter (the whole document) Cost appropriate

• Managing: Identify most appropriate management of facility/day to day Licence or lease? Ongoing maintenance Fees and charges Level of subsidy provided Broadening usages Managing legal liabilities Stakeholder liaison – how much, how often? Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating Marketing and promotion

Participants Group Manager Community Life - Sue Coleman Group Manager Environment and Planning - Sue Weatherley,


Group Manager, Public Works - Kim Woodbury Manager Buildings and Property - Michael Betts Senior Property Officer - Jon Sorbara Property Manager - Chung Tran Senior Assets Systems Engineer, Stuart Robson Manager Strategic Planning - Meryl Bishop Senior Strategic Planner and Strategic Heritage Officer - Kate Higgins Strategic Planner - Melissa Burne Manager Venue Support - Ian Cartwright Manager Public Relations & Events - Derek McCarthy, (he will soon manage the Venue Support team) Manager Parks - Peter Hickman Co-ordinator Recreation - Peter Montague Manager Library Service - Deborah Lisson Social Policy and Planning Co-ordinator - Leanne Birks Arts and Cultural Development Co-ordinator - Paul Graham Community Facilities Development Manager – Maxine Kenyon Apologies received from General Manager - Michael Whittaker Manager Community Services - Kevin Moloney Property Officer - Francesca Houais Senior Strategic Planner - Lexie Macdonald Facilities Manager - Kire Bujcevski


Appendix 6 Key Points from Second Staff Workshop Facilitated by Elton Consulting 28/03/08 Key Plan elements, identification of gaps and possible enhancements - The focus on district level facilities for the future was supported. However, it

was suggested that there should be some balance with 2-3 major facilities in town centres but also focus on neighbourhoods with good geographic distribution including the middle of the LGA.

- Whole of Council approach and support is important including having a good information base, capacity to share information across Council and to present a unified and coherent position. These factors were thought to significantly enhance Council’s ability to effectively participate in negotiations with developers. West Ryde development was well informed and seen as a good example.

- Part of the whole of Council approach also involves coordinating strategic planning between groups e.g. integrating future community facilities planning with parks planning as the two are seen as highly complementary. Examples include integrated transport and land use, leisure and recreation, libraries, and social planning.

- Exploring partnerships with both the public and private sector was reinforced so that Council doesn’t have to carry all the costs associated with providing community facilities and services.

- Co-location of facilities for efficiencies was viewed positively including examining the potential to work with schools as existing activity centres for future community facility planning.

- Future planning needs to take future population changes into account – ageing population, increasing cultural diversity, etc.

Gaps Some of the issues identified as gaps in group discussion included: - Recognition of the need to plan on a 30 year building life cycle.

Understanding and planning for the reality that these buildings do not, and should not, last forever. This affects maintenance, replacement costs and planning for future upgrades to assist with long term access and flexibility of facilities.

- Whole of Council approach is not captured in future directions but is key to the success of the project. (It is, however, identified as a key principle and included in the recommendations).


- While it is recognised that the plan’s focus is on physical facilities, it is also important to consider planning for informal uses. Community activity develops around facilities and relationships and bonds are formed in these types of public places. Whether it be young people ‘hanging out’ or other groups gathering in public space, incorporating informal meeting places and enabling gatherings is important to developing social capital.

- It was suggested that there needs to be a stronger, and more explicit, evidence base for the planning of future community facilities. This involved data on usage patterns and demand levels, population projections, community needs and costs.

- It was suggested that broadening the scope of facilities covered in the plan should be considered. Although facilities like the aquatic centre were commercial in nature, they were still seen to provide similar community benefits as other facilities.

- While the provision of multipurpose space was supported as a future direction, there may also be a need to consider specific needs of some groups. The provision of youth facilities was seen as a key challenge for the future.

- It was suggested that more information on implementation and particularly funding is required. There appears to be no financial strategy in place and Council will need to demonstrate how the plan’s actions will be resourced including capital works, upgrades, ongoing maintenance and operational costs.

Challenges - Disposing of assets is difficult as people often want ‘no change’ and

become attached to facilities. - Disposal of facilities is problematic for multiple reasons including service

user opposition, community support, political reluctance to make hard decisions / pressure from community.

- Dealing with continual changes to building codes requires planning and design that can accommodate future changes and enhancements – fire safety, disability access etc.

- Communicating the plan and ensuring that actions of Council support it over time.

- Flexibility is also critical in design as we will not really know what the needs of the future Ryde community will be in 10, 15 or 20 years.

Specific internal challenges identified included: - Funding sources. - Find balance between income generation and making places accessible

and affordable for the community. - Financial sustainability vs community capacity and social costs. - Cost over the long term impact of not supporting social sustainability. - Uncertainty around the future of Section 94 Planning contributions.


- Building capacity in, and gaining support, for alternative forms of financing community facility provision including Voluntary Planning Agreements and other forms of works in kind.

Specific external challenges identified included: - Clients, current users of buildings and stage of transition to new facilities –

level of support or opposition. - Manage the movement and wishes of current service users and tenants. - Establish Councillors’ support or otherwise for the proposed plans. - State Government and future of Section 94 income is questionable and

impacts on future planning. - Problem of planning for the longer term when society is undergoing rapid

transformation. - Planning for the future – will this plan be appropriate in 20 years to meet

future direction and development of population. - Changing roles and policies of State and Federal Government and how that

affects local government community facility provision. Overcoming challenges - It was suggested that there is a need to develop a robust strategy to

educate and inform Councillors and user groups regarding the sustainability of community facilities. Disposal of under utilised and outdated facilities is seen to be an essential element of the plan but there are real doubts about the political conviction to act on some of the plan recommendations.

- Developing an objective set of criteria to use to determine future viability of community facilities including data on usage (hours per week and number of groups), maintenance costs, building refurbishment costs, assessment against current standards, community benefit (how many people use the facility each week), availability of similar spaces/services, etc. It was discussed that if a policy like this is developed at a broader level it may enable decisions to be made more easily once specific facilities and user groups are discussed

- Conducting site and facility tours with Councillors to demonstrate the state, location and level of usage of some of the facilities

- Providing Councillors with more information on the financial costs of maintaining some of the existing facilities

- Providing independent assessments of future viability - Inviting guest speakers from other councils to present to Council regarding

their experience with identifying and disposing of unviable assets, and - Ensuring that there is a strong alternative in place so that any displaced

services are found an alternative location to operate from (West Ryde is an example of this process, but locating alternative facility space may be very difficult in some cases).


Appendix 7

Key issues raised at the Targeted External Stakeholder Workshop held on 20 November 2008 included the following: - The hope that future facilities will better meet community needs. That the

multi-purpose / hub model will help to strengthen links between organisations as well as offering the potential for greater efficiency through resource sharing.

- The importance of accessibility including how community facilities can be

better linked to, and served by, the public transport system. - Some concerns were expressed regarding co-location and the impacts of

sharing on service identity, capacity to grow and programming flexibility. - Engagement and communications with key stakeholder groups, particularly

community organisations and other user groups is critical to both the development and delivery of the ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’.

- Recognition that the outcome is not a one size fits all process and there is a

continuing need for flexibility and balance. - That this is not just a physical planning process but includes a range of

other activities and consultations that will inform the process e.g. monitoring and review.

- Physical and other support mechanisms within management and Council

are required. - The majority of the comments on the future directions were identified by the

group as positives.


Appendix 8

Summary of Submissions Received Through Public Exhibition (30 June 2009 – 31 July 2009)

Four submissions on the draft ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ were received and included: - Understanding that it is part of the City of Ryde’s mission to ensure

sustainable operation of community buildings. We welcome to support this within the capacity of organisations.

- Topics in the draft Plan identifies as most important included facilities for

seniors (particularly older seniors) and the provision of theatre for the performing arts, highlighting the interim re-development of the Ryde Civic Hall.

- Most satisfaction is in the recognition that seniors require activities, mental

and physical stimulation and social interaction. Also, that they require Community Transport to assist them to take advantage of what the community has to offer.

- Concern was raised with the comment that older people are now less

inclined to identify with the traditional Senior Citizens’ Club, these Clubs continue to provide important social interaction, particularly for the older group of seniors.

- More focus on ensuring that the local seniors community is aware of

existing Senior Citizens Clubs and providing those people with transport to assist them in taking advantage of these facilities.


Appendix 9

Summary of Submissions Received Through Second Consultation with Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee as resolved by Council (22 February 2010 – 12 March 2010) Three submissions on the draft ‘Community Facilities: Future Directions’ were received and included: - It is important that a strategic framework is put in place as a guide for further

and future development of community facilities within the City of Ryde - One of the things I would like to push is multi use for facilities - I think the absolute maximum use for any facility must be paramount - I see that an indoor sporting hall can also be used for multiple sports,

meetings, action groups, the aged community, etc. Pull along dividers could be used for smaller meetings etc. Planning of usage time could enable the whole community to utilise the same amenity. Many amenities have permanent walls making many meetings room. But the overall size of the building could have accommodated a multi sports hall.

- 2.1 Part 1; Intro - Out of 66 community building how many accommodate

sport? - 2.2 Part 2 - With the rising population in Ryde we need to forward plan and

look at community buildings that will service both meetings and provide areas for indoor sports.

- 2.2.1 - There are several halls that are too small for Netball / Basketball/

Volleyball / Table tennis / indoor soccer etc. With forward planning this would not have happened.

- 2.2.3 Key Opportunities - Please look at developing community centres that

are multi functioned for both sport and community groups. - In 2.3 and 2.4 there is no mention of any sporting community activities being

provided within community buildings. Council staff spoke to the group to clarify this point, they advised they would like a focus on spaces being multipurpose and being able to cater for sporting activities.


- Please look at community buildings incorporating sporting court markings. As I previously mention, partitions can be used to separate small/large areas for other activities.

- I find the intentions of the plan admirable. - I do hope that due value is afforded to the various groups that have

contributed to the infrastructure that the council now enjoys (suffers), remember that with the change of volunteer investment to the approved development requirements of contemporary times, How we got here should not be lightly discounted.

- I do hope that we ensure that when new buildings are erected and old

buildings refurbished, we try to make them capable of being used for different sports. The only building in progress at the moment that I know of is ELS Hall. Would also be great if they could partitioned off to accommodate functions, meetings etc.

Appendix 10 Overview of Council's Current Community Facilities (2010) CF Plan #

Address Facility Known As

Description

Asset Condition

Classification of Land Current Use Licence /

Lease Expiration Date

Licensee / Lessee / User

Halls and Meeting Rooms

1 1 Devlin Street, Ryde Civic Hall

Premium Hall - Located next to Council’s main administrative

centre in Ryde, this hall has capacity for 460 - 700. Now 40 years old, the Civic Hall suffers from design and operational issues that limit its utilisation and capacity for major corporate events.

- The scale of the venue and the inability to divide the venue into smaller sound-proof sections in turn limits its use for smaller scale community purposes.

- The impact of the Top Ryde redevelopment is yet to be seen on the use of the Civic Hall, the noise of this large redevelopment across the road may limit its use.

- The site which the Civic Hall and Council’s Civic Centre is located on is also subject to possible redevelopment over the next five years.

- This site has been identified for sale or disposal.

4 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for seminars, birthdays, training, presentations etc

NA NA NA

2 201 Cox’s Road, North Ryde

North Ryde School of Arts Hall

Large Hall - The North Ryde School of Arts Community

Centre is located directly above the North Ryde Library.

- This venue is significantly under-utilised during the weekdays. Limited parking is a constraint for this facility. In addition, the facility is accessed by a steep ramp or stairs.

- Due to the size of this hall it may need to support larger functions if the Civic Hall use is limited due to the Top Ryde redevelopment.

3 Operational


NA NA NA


North Ryde School of Arts Meeting Room

Meeting Room - The North Ryde School of Arts Community

Centre is located on Cox’s Road. The meeting space is located in a laneway at the side of the building and is quite small with no windows.

3 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for meetings and small group activities

NA NA NA


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




4 33 Blaxland Road, Ryde

Argyle Centre Hall

Medium Hall - This hall forms part of the Argyle Centre. - This hall is located close to Ryde Park and has

good car parking options. - This site has been identified by Council for

disposal or development.

3 Operational


NA NA NA

5 35 Blaxland Road, Ryde Argyle Theatre

Purpose built theatre - A part of the Argyle Centre, the Argyle Theatre

located on the second floor has been closed since 2003 due to compliance issues, particularly fire safety issues related to the condition of the theatre.

- This site has been identified by Council for disposal or development.

3 Operational CLOSED NA NA NA

Christian Community Aid Inc

6 161 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood

Eastwood Hall formerly known as Eastwood Senior Citizen’s Centre

Medium Hall - Located near Council’s Occasional Childcare

and Early Childhood Health Centre, this hall is in good condition. The 596 sq m centre was adapted in 1977 and is well maintained. It includes a hall (capacity 100), a smaller meeting room, office, fully equipped kitchen and amenities including wheelchair accessible toilet.

- In mid 2007 this facility was returned to Council to manage, previously it was managed by Eastwood Senior Citizens. The kitchen component of this facility is licensed to a community group to run Meals on Wheels seven days a week.

- This facility is located close to Glen Park and playground and on the outskirts of the Eastwood town centre.

4 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for seminars, birthdays, training, presentations etc outside hours of licensee’s use

Licence / Can be sublet by Council

2013 Eastwood Senior Citizens


Eastwood RSL Meeting Rooms

Meeting Room - Attached to the Eastwood Hall, this is a smaller

set of meeting rooms and amenities.

No current assessment Operational Office and activity

space Lease

Expired licence – month to month

Eastwood RSL Sub-Branch

8 West Parade, Eastwood

Eastwood Women’s Rest Centre

Meeting Room - A small meeting room located at the rear of the

Eastwood library and adjacent to Eastwood Park, which contains a single room, kitchen and storage.

1 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for meetings and small group activities outside the hours of the licensee’s use

Licence / Can be sublet by Council


Country Women’s Association NSW


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




9 1A Station Street, West Ryde

West Ryde Hall

Medium Hall - The West Ryde hall was formerly the West

Ryde Seniors Citizens Centre. The hall covers 134.5 square metres and offers 2 main rooms and one small room, a basic kitchen and amenities and has high levels of usage.

- Inherent access issues because of close proximity to Victoria Road and the entry gradient from Station Street have led to this site being identified for disposal.

-

3 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for seminars, birthdays, training, presentations etc Currently temporarily accommodating West Ryde Early Childhood Health Centre

NA NA NA

10

Corner Anthony Road and Reserve Street, West Ryde

Te Be Determined

Large Hall - This is a multipurpose community building,

planned for completion in 2011.

Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built NA NA NA

11 1A Trafalgar Place, Marsfield

Trafalgar Place Community Centre

Medium Hall - The Trafalgar Place Community Centre is

located within a retail area at Trafalgar Place, Marsfield. The hall is very basic but in good condition. It includes a kitchenette (shared with the Early Childhood Centre, located next door) and an enclosed outdoor play area for small children.

- The facility is located in close proximity to residential areas and a park and sportsgrounds.

3 Operational


NA NA NA

12 3a Bowden Street, Meadowbank

Shepherd’s Bay Community Centre

Medium Hall - This centre has one hall and a smaller room

adjoining (with a total capacity for 120 people), kitchen and storage facilities and is located close to public transport. This facility was opened in early 2007 and is located adjacent to Helene Park.

- Shepherd’s Bay Community Centre has a Plan of Management which is specific to the site. This Plan restricts the types of usage permitted on the site, including activities which generate high levels of noise or impact on the surrounding residents’ amenity.

No current assessment Operational


NA NA NA

13 6 Pittwater Road, Gladesville

Gladesville Library Meeting Room

Meeting Room - A small meeting room with a kitchenette located

at the rear of the Gladesville Library. - Although this is a fairly new meeting space with

3 Operational

Space available for the public to hire out for meetings and small group activities

NA NA NA


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




easy access to sufficient parking, it is not highly utilised.

14 Brush Road, West Ryde

Lambert Park Guide Hall Small hall No current

assessment Community Girl Guides hall Lease 2012 Guides Australia NSW

15 Douglas Street, Putney

Cleves Park Scout Hall Small hall No current

assessment Community Scout hall Lease Unknown Scouts Australia

16 Westminster Road, Gladesville

Westminster Park Scout Hall

Small Hall No current assessment Community Scout hall Lease Unknown Scouts Australia

17 Quarry Road, North Ryde

Santa Rosa Park Scout Hall

Small Hall - Located within Santa Rosa Park the hall is in a

flood affected site.

No current assessment Community Scout hall Lease 2020 Scouts Australia

18 John Miller Street, Ryde

Tyrell Park Scout Hall Small Hall No current

assessment Community Scout hall Lease 2021 Scouts Australia

19 2 Shaftsbury Road, West Ryde

Lions Park Hall

Small Hall - Located within Lions Park, the hall is relatively

small, with a new kitchen installed in March 2007 and storage available.

- The hall has relatively high usage during the weekdays.

No current assessment Community

Space available for the public to hire out for seminars, birthdays, training, presentations etc outside the hours of licensee’s use

Licence / Can be sublet by Council outside scheduled hours of licensee

2012 Ryde Multicultural Centre

Lease 2011 Scouts Australia

20 109 Cressy Road

Pryor Park Scout Hall

Small Hall - This facility is located within Pryor Park and has

high usage during the weekdays.

No current assessment Community Pre-school Licensed 2011

Sydney Montessori Society

Community Service Centres

21 12 Lakeside Road, Eastwood

Eastwood Christian Community Aid Centre (CCA)

Residential house - The centre is not purpose-built, being a

converted Californian bungalow cottage dating from the 1920’s. There is also a room at the rear of the facility and on site parking.

4 Operational Office space for community service provider

Lease on monthly hold over

Christian Community Aid (Eastwood)

22 10 Lakeside Road, Eastwood

Eastwood Christian Community Aid Centre (CCA)

Residential house - This facility is not purpose built and is a

converted Californian bungalow cottage dating from the 1920’s. The driveway is a very steep gradient which makes access quite difficult.

4 Operational

Office space and family day care centre for community service provider

Licence 2010

Christian Community Aid, Family Day Care (Eastwood)

23 2 Dickson Ave, West

Eastwood Christian

Residential house - The building is a converted residential dwelling 2 Operational Office space and group

space for community Licence on monthly hold over

Christian Community Aid


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




Ryde Community Aid Centre (CCA)

of approximately 80 years of age. - This site has been identified for sale or disposal.

service provider and Information Centre (West Ryde)

Nothing in place


North Ryde Community Aid

24 4 Cutler Parade, North Ryde

North Ryde Community Aid Centre & North Ryde Early Childhood Health Centre

Residential house - The 1950’s building is small and has several

operational disadvantages including lack of space, staff overcrowding, distance from the main road and public transport resulting in lack of service visibility.

- The combined floor space for both buildings is 265 sq m.

- A Council owned car park is located next to this property.

- NSW Community Building Partnership approved to enable refurbishment of the centre. NSW Health have proposed to move out of this site in 2010.

3 Operational Office space and group space for community service provider

Nothing in place Expired lease NSW Health

25

Corner Anthony Road and Reserve Street, West Ryde

Te Be Determined

This is a multipurpose community building, planned for completion in 2011. - This will accommodate a range of community

service providers in the one building, as well as retail tenancies.

Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built

26 8 Chatham Road, West Ryde

West Ryde Neighbourhood Children’s Centre

Residential house - A brick bungalow of 256 sq m built in the 1950s

and converted to a childcare centre in 1983. The land size is 735 sq m. The building contains 14 rooms and the layout is not conducive to effective service and the safety of both staff and children.

- The Centre is not perceived to be in a good state of repair and requires work on the roof, gutters and ceiling cracks. It is unlikely that the building can be brought up to an appropriate standard to continue to meet DoCS regulations in the long term.


3 Operational Long Day Care Lease


West Ryde Neighbourhood Children’s Centre

27 2B Rutledge Street, Eastwood

Eastwood Preschool Kindergarten

Residential house - This facility was built as a purpose built centre

and is licensed for 40 children per day. The building is large (600spm) on large grounds (4,500sqm) and includes two playrooms, an annex, office, kitchen and amenities.

- The building needs minor works including

4 Operational Pre-school and kindergarten Lease


KU Children’s Services


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




replacing fencing and the railing on a stage at the rear of one of the playrooms which are not compliant with the DoCS regulations.

28 2 Hancott Street, Ryde

Goulding Hill Preschool Kindergarten

Residential house - The building has been altered to improve the

kitchen, toilets and laundry areas and an added deck at the rear. Other areas comprise two playrooms, reception, staff room and locker rooms. Storage sheds at the rear of the building could be improved.

3 Operational Pre-school and kindergarten Lease


Goulding Hill Preschool Kindergarten

29 13 Clermont Avenue, Ryde (Yamble Reserve)

North Ryde Community Preschool

Purpose built childcare facility - This facility was erected in 1988 as a purpose

built child care centre on Yamble Reserve at Ryde for 40 children, including a special program for children with additional needs.

- The building occupies 578 sqm of a 1500 sqm site. The facility includes two large playrooms, a special needs room, staff room, office, kitchen and amenities, two store rooms and outdoor storage. While the overall condition of the preschool is very good, new floor coverings may be required in the indoor play areas to remedy trip hazards.

3 Community Pre-school Licence 2011 North Ryde Community Preschool


North Ryde Preschool Kindergarten

Residential house - This is a purpose built child care centre for 40

children and is approximately 30 – 40 years old. At only 423 sqm, the building is the smallest of the preschool facilities. However, good layout and extensive use of glazing in the play areas meant that the smaller scale does not create operational disadvantages.

- The facility includes an office / staff room, staff toilets, kitchen, two play rooms, storage areas and children’s amenities.

3 Operational Pre-school Lease


North Ryde Preschool

31 55 Hilllview Lane, Eastwood

Eastwood Occasional Childcare Centre

Residential house - A purpose built child care centre which has been

operating since 1985. The building is in very good condition and includes one main play area, a cot room, kitchen, two storage areas, office and amenities.

- Some minor works may be undertaken to

1 Operational Occasional childcare Licence 2010 Eastwood Occasional Childcare Centre


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




improve the outside play areas over the next year.


Eastwood Early Childhood Health Centre

Residential house - This 125 sq m bungalow style building is nearly

80 years old and is set within a 653 sq m block. An outdoor play space is located near the entry in the grounds.

- The facility includes two large consulting rooms (only one is currently in use), a file room, a waiting room which doubles as a group room, a sun room used for infant feeding, small kitchen and amenities. Overall, the building is functional and in a good state of repair.

4 Operational Office space and consultation rooms Nil NA NSW Health

33 1A Trafalgar Place, Marsfield

Marsfield Early Childhood Health Centre

Attached to a medium hall – - This centre is a modern, purpose-built space

within the Trafalgar Place retail precinct. It adjoins the Trafalgar Place Community Centre.

- The centre facilities include two large consulting rooms and a waiting room which doubles as a group room.

- The kitchen and toilets are shared facilities with the Community Centre.


34 4 Cutler Parade, North Ryde

North Ryde Early Childhood Health Centre

See item 24 See item 24 See item 24 See item 24 See item 24 See item 24 See item 24

35 26 Argyle Ave, Ryde

Ryde Early Childhood Health Centre

Residential house - A converted bungalow building with a total floor

area of 172 sq metres. - The Centre includes two consulting rooms, a file

room, a waiting room, small group room, kitchen and amenities. The building is in a good overall state of repair.


Heritage / Historic

36 813 Victoria Road, Ryde

Addington House

Residential house - Single story house.

No current assessment Operational Office space for not-

for-profit group Lease 2085 St George Guilds

37 12 Turner Street, Ryde

The Parsonage

Residential house - This two storey house with heritage value is

located in the historical precinct of the Ryde CBD and has had major restoration work

1 Operational Office space and education facility for not for profit group

Lease

2013 Option exercised

Macquarie Community College Inc


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




completed on it since Council purchased the property. This facility has a Conservation Management Plan.


38 8 Turner Street, Ryde

Westward Cottage

Residential house - This one storey house with heritage value is

located in the historical precinct of the Ryde CBD and has a Conservation Management Plan.


3 Operational Office space and education facility for not for profit group

Lease 2013 Option exercised

Macquarie Community College Inc

Lease 2017 Department of Corrective Services

39

19 Lawson Street, Eastwood

Brush Farm House

Residential house - This two storey heritage property has recently

undergone substantial restoration work and has a Conservation Management Plan.

- This facility has been identified as a cultural / heritage facility to provide a focus on arts and cultural activities.

This site also provides opportunities for Council to increase usage by private and corporate hirers.

1 Operational Cultural and heritage facility

Licence Brush Farm Historical Society

40 770 - 782 Victoria Road, Ryde

Willandra

Residential house - This two storey house with heritage value is not

located in the most ideal position for a community facility. With changes to the road network it is not easily visible or accessible. This facility has a Conservation Management Plan.

4 Operational Office space and gallery space for 2 community groups

Nil NA

City of Ryde Art Society and, Ryde District Historical Society Inc

41 74 Agincourt, Marsfield

Eastwood Town Hall

Town Hall - The Eastwood Town Hall built in 1911 and is

located from the main public transport routes and within a residential area, limiting alternative uses. There is a Conservation Management Plan for this facility.

3 Operational

Office space and activity space for community service provider

Lease 2009 Spastic Centre of NSW - Skillseekers CAS

42 West Parade and Wingate Avenue, Eastwood

Eastwood Croquet Club

Club House - A small heritage property with a small room and

kitchen attached to croquet lawns and is available for casual hire.

No current assessment Community Croquet Club

clubhouse Licence 2013 Eastwood Croquet Club Inc

Libraries

43 Cnr Blaxland Rd & Devlin

Ryde Centenary

Library - It is marred by poor visibility, street presence 4 Operational Library N/A N/A NA


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




St, Ryde and lack of disability access. The area is small for purpose, limiting development of specialist areas within the Library, and creating overcrowding in staff areas. Much of the office area is split in 2 areas, below ground level and has no access to natural light or another level of the Civic centre, not directly connected to the library itself.

- Plans are underway to incorporate a new Ryde library in the Top Ryde redevelopment (Precinct 2). It is expected that the completed plans will help to address the major issues of size, visibility and disability access. The development is due for completion in 2011.


44 Corner Devlin Street and Pope Streets, Ryde

Ryde Library (to be completed in 2011)

Library - This purpose built library is currently under

construction in the Top Ryde City shopping centre.

Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built N/A N/A N/A


North Ryde Library

Library - Located on a lower-ground floor level and is

accessed via a steep ramp, which does not meet access requirements.

- It has recently been refurbished to improve the customer service area and improve traffic through the Library.

3 Operational Library N/A N/A NA

46 2 Graf Avenue, West Ryde

West Ryde Library

Library - West Ryde Library is a newly built facility of

1300 sqm located on the corner of Graf and Market Street and is the largest of all of Council’s libraries.

- The West Ryde library has experienced an increase in the volume of services one could assume due to the refurbishment, its location next to a shopping centre, close to a key transport node, easy parking and the increase in population in the neighbouring suburb of Meadowbank.


47 Cnr Hillview Road and West Parade, Eastwood

Eastwood Library

Library - The Library was built in 1991 and offers a large

open plan area including dedicated areas for study and children. Refurbishments were recently undertaken at the Library to provide



CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




better customer interaction and traffic flow. However, staff have indicated that the physical space is limiting as there is no space available for a technology area or for group study and activities.

- A community meeting space, currently licensed to a community group is located at the rear of the Library building.

- Eastwood Library is well located opposite the railway station and was the busiest library in 06/07.

48 6 Pittwater Road, Gladesville

Gladesville Library

Library - Gladesville Library was also built in 1991 and is

a smaller sized library. - The library has been recently refurbished with

new paint, customer service desk and carpeting. - A meeting room is attached at the rear of the

library and available for casual hire and has a separate entry.


Recreation Facilities

49 Adelaide Street, Meadowbank

Meadowbank Netball Club

Sports Amenity Building - This facility has office space and a meeting /

function room


Space for administration and club meetings

Lease 2009 Eastwood Ryde Netball Association

50 Constitution Road Meadowbank Park

West Ryde Rovers Clubhouse

Sports Amenity Building No current assessment Community


Lease 2010 West Ryde Rovers

51

Corner Blaxland Road and Princes Street, Ryde Ryde Park

Ryde Park Amenities Building

Sports Amenity Building - This facility has recently undergone a

renovation.

No current assessment Community None N/A

Old Ignations Rugby Football Club

52

Corner Blaxland Road and Princes Street, Ryde Ryde Park

Harry Anderson Building

- Sports Amenity Building No current assessment Community None N/A

No lease - but used by Ryde Rugby in winter

53

Morrison Road, Tennyson Point Bill Mitchell Park

Bill Mitchell Park - Pigeon Club



License 2009 Ryde and District Pigeon Club


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




Lease 2013 Australian Air League – Ryde Squadron 54

64 Bridge Road, North Ryde Santa Rosa Park

Air League / Saints United Clubhouse


Space for administration and club meetings. Storage. Lease 2013 Saints United

55

Culloden Road, Marsfield Park

Marsfield Park Pony Club Riding for the Disabled Association

Sports Amenity Building No current assessment Crown


Lease 2013 2014

Ryde Pony Club Riding for the disabled Association

56

Brush Farm Park

Brush Farm Park – Netball Clubhouse



Licence


Eastwood Ryde Netball Association

57

Brush Farm Park

Brush Farm Park – Dog Training Club



Licence 2012 Dog Training Club

58

Christie Park - Gladesville

Christie Park Club House

Sports Amenity Building - The facility is quite large and accommodates

office spaces and meeting rooms.



Licence Monthly hold over

Gladesville Hornsby Football Association

59

Kent Road North Ryde ELS Hall Park

Ryde and Community Sports Centre

Sports Amenity Building – Indoor Sports Centre - This building is currently under construction and

will include two indoor courts, meeting room and office space.

- To be completed in early 2011.

Not yet built Community Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built Not yet built

60

243-271 Pittwater Rd, North Ryde

Boobajool & Gwandalan Reserves Youth Club

Sports Amenity Building – Indoor Sports Centre - Two lots of land have been leased to North Ryde

RSL on which they have built a club house to support their youth sports and recreation program.



Lease 2017 North Ryde RSL

61

Chatham Road, West Ryde

Darvall Park Bowling Club

Bowling Club - This facility is located in the middle of Darvall

Park.

No current assessment Community Bowling Club Lease 2023 Denistone Sports

Club

62

Salter Crescent, Denistone East

Kings Park Bowling Club Bowling Club No current

assessment Community Bowling Club Lease Monthly hold over

Denistone East Bowling and Recreation Club Ltd

63

Walker Street, Putney

Morrison Bay Park Bowling Club

Bowling Club No current assessment Community Bowling Club

Licence Can be sublet by Council

2012

Putney Tennyson Bowling & Community Club Ltd


CF Plan #


Description

Asset Condition




outside scheduled hours of licensee

64

11 Blaxland Road, Ryde

Ryde Park Bowling Club

Bowling Club - This facility is in a visible location and overlooks

Ryde Park and has a Council car park adjacent. - This Club has a bistro and restaurant, poker

machines and function rooms which can be hired.

No current assessment Community Bowling Club Lease

2017 Currently under “Deed Administrators”

Ryde City Bowling Club Co-op Ltd

65

Salter Crescent, Denistone East, Kings Park

Kings Park Tennis Centre

Tennis Courts / Centre - Situated in Kings Park and comprises two

synthetic grass courts and a club house.

No current assessment Community Tennis Centre Licence 2012

Denistone East Community Tennis Courts Incorporated

66

Weaver Street and Potts Street, Ryde

Ryde Olympic Park Tennis Complex

Tennis Courts / Centre - Located behind the Ryde Aquatic Leisure

Centre in Olympic Park.

No current assessment Community Tennis Centre Lease 2011

North Western Suburbs Tennis Association Incorporated

67 Constitution Road, Meadowbank

Meadowbank Park Tennis Complex

Tennis Courts / Centre - 8 court tennis court complex with a club room

located on Meadowbank Park.

No current assessment Community Tennis Centre

Licence Can be sublet by Council outside scheduled hours of licensee

2014

North Western Suburbs Tennis Association Incorporated

68 87 Abuklea Road, Eastwood

Kotara Park Tennis Complex

Tennis Courts / Centre - Located within Kotara Park.

No current assessment Community Tennis Centre Lease 2011

Eastwood - Thornleigh District Tennis Association Incorporated

Asset Condition Key

Condition Rating Condition Description 1 Very Good Condition – Only normal maintenance required 2 Minor Defects Only – Minor maintenance required (5%) 3 Maintenance Required to Return to Accepted Level of Service – Significant maintenance required (10%-20%) 4 Requires Renewal – Significant renewal / upgrade required (20%-40%) 5 Asset Unserviceable – Over 50% of asset requires replacement


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community facilities: future directions part 1€¦ · table 1: summary of council community...

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