Council Decided – 4 April 2023

Community Forum

Council endorsed a Mayoral Minute by Mayor Carolyn Corrigan recommending that a Community Meeting be held at Mosman Art Gallery, preferably at a suitable time in May 2023. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the three Councillors first elected to Council in December 2021 to introduce themselves to the community, and for all Councillors to provide a quick snapshot of their vision for Mosman. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to gauge resident interest and support for Council’s longer term strategic direction of significantly upgrading the Barry O’Keefe Library precinct and for Council’s General Manager to provide a progress report on major Council developments and capital works.

Draft MOSPLAN and Budget

Council resolved to place its draft (revised) MOSPLAN Delivery Program 2022-2026 (incorporating a review of the 2022-2032 Long Term Financial Plan), and 2023-2024 Operational Plan, Budget and Fees and Charges on public exhibition for community comment. The draft documents will be available here from 7 April 2023 and can also be viewed at Council’s Customer Service Centre and at Barry O’Keefe Library after the Easter long weekend. 

Submissions on the draft documents will be received by Council up until Sunday 14 May and can be made by regular mail, email to council@mosman.nsw.gov.au or via the online submission form on Council's website. 

Following receipt of submissions, all draft documents will again be considered by Council at the meeting of 6 June, and will take effect from 1 July 2023. 

Child Safe Policy

Council considered a range of amendments to its Child Safe Policy, originally adopted in August 2020. Since adopting this policy Council has made significant in-roads in ensuring a child safe culture and embedding the National Child Safe Standards across Council operations. The latest policy amendments, which were adopted by Council, are generally of a minor nature and relate to legislative changes and new requirements since the original policy’s adoption.  

Social Media Policy

Following a review of Council’s Social Media Policy, and Council’s previous consideration of proposed policy amendments at its March 2023 meeting, further consideration was given to relevant policy amendments having regard to the Office of Local Government’s recently released Model Social Media Policy. It was subsequently resolved that the amended policy submitted by staff be adopted. The final adopted policy will be available shortly on this website.

IT and Cyber Security Policy

An internal audit report on cyber security in 2022 identified a need for Council to review and update its policy framework around cyber security – particularly in relation to planning and governance, building and supporting culture, managing risks, improving resilience and implementing the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential 8. As part of the response to this finding, Council’s IT Standards, Corporate Practices and the IT Security Policy previously adopted in March 2019 were reviewed and assessed, and policy amendments were proposed to address the internal audit recommendations. After considering these policy changes Council resolved to adopt a new IT and Cyber Security Policy to guide its future efforts in this increasingly complex and significant area of operations. The policy’s stated purpose is to establish a basic and robust framework for the protection and use of IT assets and resources within the business and provide cyber security protections to assist in ensuring integrity, confidentiality and availability of Council’s information, data and assets.

In adopting the policy, Council also resolved to ban the use of TikTok on Council-issued devices.

Variation of Crown Lease – Harnett Park

Council considered a request to extend the term of the renewal lease for a portion of Harnett Park to Mosman Bay Marina, to bring the lease into line with the term negotiated between the lessee and Transport for NSW for the maritime lease of adjoining land (and the predominate area occupied by the marina) below the high water mark. It was subsequently resolved that the terms of Council’s approved lease (previously agreed to in October 2019) be amended to increase the lease term from 20 to 25 years, alter the commencement date from 1 October 2019 to 1 July 2023 and to reduce the area of lease occupied by encroachments to 3.942 sqm. These proposed amendments will be publicly exhibited for comment and will available for viewing here.

Management of Smoking in Public Places

Following a resolution by Council at its March 2023 meeting, Council’s policy on Management of Smoking in Public Spaces has been reviewed. The subsequent policy amendments specifically focus on extending the prohibition of smoking vape products and e-cigarettes, in the same manner as tobacco products at various Council properties, facilities and public places. The relevant amendments also extend the banning of tobacco sales at sporting club facilities to vaping and e-cigarette products. Council resolved to endorse the proposed amendments and has adopted a new Management of Smoking in Public Places Policy. The revised policy will be available shortly on this website.

Annual Update – Climate Action Plan Mitigation Strategy

A report was presented to Council outlining action taken over the past year to implement the Climate Action Plan – Mitigation Strategy adopted in April 2021. This document provides a framework for mitigation actions to reduce CO2 emissions for both Council operations and the Mosman community. The Strategy document has also been updated to reflect actions undertaken in the areas of energy use, biodiversity and trees, water cycle, waste, transport and the built environment, and to maintain currency of research and relevant legislative changes. After reviewing the report and the associated changes to the Mitigation Strategy, Council resolved to adopt the updated document. A further update will be provided to Council in 2024.

In adopting the updated Strategy, Council also resolved to write to the Federal Member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, suggesting she hold a Clean Energy Fair to highlight local actions in climate mitigation and, if successful, a report be submitted to Council.

Tenders – Lift Replacement, Parking Sensors and Meter Replacement

Council considered reports resulting from the recent assessment of tender processes for lift replacements in Council facilities, parking sensors and parking meters. It was subsequently resolved that all tenders be declined and that, given the need for additional information and clarification, further negotiations be entered into with shortlisted tenderers, with a view to entering into suitable contracts for these works.  

Middle Head Masterplan Submission

After considering a report on the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s (SHFT) Draft Master Plan for Middle Head (Gubbuh Gubbuh) and hearing from a number of local residents on this issue, Council unanimously resolved to provide a copy of the report to the Harbour Trust as its submission on the Draft Master Plan. The relevant report can be found at Item EP/12 on the Agenda for the 4 April 2023 Council meeting, available here. Council further resolved that a meeting be requested between the Mayor and the Chair of the SHFT seeking assurances that Council’s licensing arrangement with the Trust continue to be respected and that the Mayor (or delegate) be designated as the representative of Mosman Council at all future Harbour Trust Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings, consultations and discussions to represent Council’s interests. In so resolving, Council also unanimously confirmed its commitment to providing Middle Head Oval and the entirety of the area it manages for the purposes of active sport, rejected the concept of relocating the existing change facilities or any other non-sport related infrastructure into any area currently used as part of the playing surface of Middle Head Oval, and confirmed that it does not wish to incorporate a café or non-sporting use in any future design for a new change facility at Middle Head Oval irrespective of location.

Pedestrian Facilities – Gladstone Avenue

Council gave further consideration to the matter of a pedestrian crossing on Gladstone Avenue adjacent to Mosman High School following its most recent consideration by the Mosman Local Traffic Committee. It was subsequently resolved that Council approve the construction of the proposed pedestrian crossing on Gladstone Street, that the cost of all works together with appropriate notification and traffic control be met by the developer and that detailed construction drawings, specifications and a timetable be submitted to Council staff for approval.

Parking Issues – Wudgong Street

Council considered parking issues experienced in Wudgong Street and resolved that a site visit be carried out with a view to installing via signage 2 spaces for delivery/loading zones outside the entrance to Mackillop Grange Retirement Village. It was further resolved that, in its annual review of RPS zones and parking near Spit Junction, Council note the request from Mackillop Grange Retirement Village for a number of 2 hour sports outside the entrance to the Village to enable short term carers, medical personnel and visitor parking.