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Creating and building community

Georges River Community Strategic Plan: Community Engagement Summary

GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL

November 2017

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This material is made available by Cred Consulting on the understanding that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith. Cred Consulting is not liable to any person or entity taking or not taking action in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to in this document.

Report Title: Georges River Community Strategic Plan: Community Engagement Summary

Client: Georges River Council

Version: Final

Date: 1 December 2017

This report is prepared for:

GEORGESRIVERCOUNCIL

Georges River Community Strategic Plan: Community Engagement Summary | 3

Contents

INTRODUCTION 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

APPENDIX 1. POST CARD SURVEY KEY FINDINGS 10

APPENDIX 2. YOUTH SURVEY KEY FINDINGS 11

APPENDIX 3. TELEPHONE SURVEY KEY FINDINGS 12

APPENDIX 4. COMMUNITY VISIONING WORKSHOPS 17

APPENDIX 5. POP UP STALLS KEY FINDINGS 30

APPENDIX 6. LUGARNO SPRING FAIR 34

4 | MICROMEX RESEARCH & CRED CONSULTING

IntroductionGeorges River Council has completed extensive consultation with its community to inform the development of its first Community Strategic Plan (the CSP). In addition to its own engagement activities, Council commissioned Micromex and Cred Consulting to deliver community and stakeholder engagement to assist in understanding the community’s priorities and directions for the 10 year Community Strategic Plan. This document provides a high level summary of the engagement activities undertaken by Council, Micromex Research and Cred Consulting.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLANA Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is an integrated community plan for the Georges River LGA that will identify the main priorities and aspirations of the community for the next 10 years, and provide a clear set of strategies to achieve this vision of the future.

The Plan responds to:

• Where are we now?

• Where do we want to be in 10 years’ time?

• How will we get there?

• How will we know when we have arrived?

At the end of each Council term, a report is prepared to the community which examines what progress has been made towards the achievement of outcomes identified in the Community Strategic Plan.

OCT 2017

NOV 2017

2018

Aug - Oct 2017: Community engagement

Nov 2017 - Feb 2018: Preparation of Draft CSP

Nov 2017: Engagement report

Early 2018: Draft CSP for public exhibition

NOV 2017- FEB 2018

PROJECT TIMELINECommunity engagement is the first and most important step in the CSP process. The timeline below gives an overview of the engagement process.

20 Nov 2017 &15 Feb 2018:Councillor planning workshops

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Cred Consulting and Micromex have undertaken the following engagement activities to inform the plan:

• 603 telephone surveys

• 10 x pop-up stalls

• 2 x community visioning workshops

• Lugarno Spring Festival pop-up

COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIESThis consultation was in addition to community engagement also completed by Council, including:

• 470 postcards completed by residents

• Youth survey, and

• Consultation with ATSI and CALD residents.


ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES - SUMMARY DIAGRAM

GEORGES RIVER CSP

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

2 x COMMUNITY VISIONING WORKSHOPS

7TH & 12TH SEPT

10 X POP-UPS800 COMMENTS ON

PRIORITIES TALKED TO OVER 400 PEOPLE

158 YOUTH ONLINE SURVEY

470 POST CARDS COMPLETED BY RESIDENTS

603 TELEPHONE SURVEYS

LUGARNO FESTIVAL STREET STALL

Initial community engagement by Council

(eg: CALD and ATSI)

2 staff workshops and 2 staff drop-in

sessions (exploring goals and vision)

Two advisory committee workshops (CALD and

ATSI - facilitated by council)


Pop Up StallsTen pop up stalls were held across the five wards Blakehurst, Hurstville, Kogarah Bay, Mortdale, Peakhurst. Each stall was set up for a duration of two hours.

Over 761 comments from 355 people were received at ten pop up stall sessions, held between 19 and 26 August at the following locations:

1. Westfield Hurstville, Saturday 19 August, 10am-12pm

2. Kogarah Library Forecourt, Saturday 19 August, 2-4pm

3. Memorial Square, Husrtville, Tuesday 22 August, 10am-12pm

4. South Hurstville Shopping Centre (IGA), Tuesday 22 August, 2-4pm

5. Riverwood Plaza, Thursday 24 August, 11am-1pm

6. Mulga Road shops Oatley, Thursday 24 August, 3-5pm

7. Chivers Hills Shops, Lugarno Friday 25 August, 11am-1pm

8. Mortdale Railway Station, Friday 25 August, 3-5pm

9. Beverly Park Golf Course, Saturday 26 August, 10am-12pm

10. Carss Park, Saturday 26 August, 2-4pm

STONEY CREEK ROAD

FOREST ROAD

HENRY LAWSON DRIVE

FOREST ROAD

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FOREST ROAD

BAUMANS ROAD

MOUNTVIEW

AVENUE

JUNCTION RDEDGBASTON ROAD

PENSHURST ROAD

GEORGE STREET

MORTS ROAD

VICTORIA AVENUE

RAILWAY PARADE LAYCOCK ROAD

HILLCREST AVENUE

HURSTVILLE ROAD

MULGA ROAD

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BONDS ROAD

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KING GEORGES ROAD

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MORGAN STREET

PATRICK STREET

DORA STREET

GLOUCESTER ROAD QUEENS ROAD

THE AVENUE

VANESSA STREET

KENSINGTON ST

GRAY STREET

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TERRY STREET

BLAKESLEY ROAD

WONIORA ROAD

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HARROW RD

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JOSOPHINE ST

ISAAC STREET

MAVIS AVE

WATTLE ST

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ROMILLY STREET

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CROYDON ROAD

GEORGES RIVER

GEORGES RIVER

GEORGES RIVER

GEORGES RIVER

BOTANY STREET

HURSTVILLE

BEVERLY HILLS

KINGSGROVE

NARWEE

PENSHURST

ALLAWAHCARLTON

KOGARAH

BEVERLEY PARK

SAN SOUCI

KOGARAH BAY

CARSS PARK

BLAKEHURST

KYLEBAY

CONNELLSPOINT

HURSTVILLE GROVE

SOUTH HURSTVILLE

OATLEY

PEAKHURSTHEIGHTS

LUGARNO

PEAKHURST

RIVERWOOD

MORTDALE

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Lugarno Spring Festival Pop Up

11. Over 1,400 responses from approximately 280 residents at a pop-up booth at the Lugarno Spring Festival on Sunday 17th September, from 9am to 4pm

Community Visioning WorkshopsNearly 70 people participated in the two community visioning workshops, which took place on:

12. Community workshop 1 at Kogarah School of Arts on Thursday 7 September 2017, and

13. Community workshop 2 at Mortdale Community Centre on Tuesday 12 September 2017.

Telephone SurveyThe telephone survey was conducted across the whole council area, with between 19% - 21% of the sample in each of the wards.

#

Key

Pop-up stall location

Visioning workshop location#

12

13

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES LOCATION MAP

Lugarno Spring Festival pop-up#

11

Georges River Community Strategic Plan: Community Engagement Summary| 7

Environmental Economic Social Civic Leadership

Environment and Green

Open Spaces

Quality, Well Planned

DevelopmentActive and Accessible Our Economy

Harmonious and Proud

Community, with Social

Infrastructure

Leadership and Transparency

Executive summarySix key themes emerged from engagement with the community:

THEME 1: ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN OPEN SPACESThe natural environment is a much loved aspect of the area, and residents want to see it protected:

• Maintain and enhance/increase bushland reserves. Development not to take priority over the natural environment.

• Focus on river health – better manage storm water run-off to keep rubbish out of Georges River and its tributaries.

• Focus on waste and recycling management to enhance environmental sustainability.

• More facilities (tables, seating, playground equipment, etc) within parks and reserves.

• More dog parks.

THEME 2: QUALITY, WELL PLANNED DEVELOPMENTA key ‘top-of-mind’ concern for the community based on open-ended questions across virtually all engagement channels:

• For some the lack of development in their area is a positive – they still enjoy a suburban feel.

• But for many population growth and the ensuing development or the prospect of development is a concern:

• Some don’t want any development.

• Others are concerned about high-density developments.

• However, others appear to realise that population growth is inevitable, and what is required is planned development that:

• Suits the character of the local area (‘place-based decision making’ – and consulting with the affected communities).

• Is supported by appropriate infrastructure/public transport for the growing population.


THEME 3: ACTIVE AND ACCESSIBLEAn extension of the ‘built environment’ theme.

At a macro level, the LGA was viewed positively in terms of its proximity and access to the city, a range of services/facilities/shops, and major transport hubs.

More specifically:

• Public transport: Generally appreciated, including by Youth. However, there were frequent mentions about improving the reliability, accessibility and number of services across the engagement channels.

• Parking: More parking featured across most engagement channels.

• Roads: Condition and congestion of roads were secondary concerns for the community.

• Footpaths: Improve condition for pedestrian safety.

• Cycleways: More required.

• Disability access: At bus stops, parking spaces, and accessible housing.

• More street lighting.

THEME 4: OUR ECONOMYLess of a top-of-mind issue for residents. However, when prompted in the telephone survey there were some clear areas of concern:

• Housing affordability (which is as much a ‘social’ issue as it is an economic one) generated the lowest agreement mean score of all 40 attributes (remember 41% of phone respondents had lived in the area for 20+ years).

• ‘High quality industries are encouraged into the area’ generated the third lowest agreement mean score (although it had a high level of ‘neither’ responses).

• ‘There are enough local employment opportunities’ generated the fourth lowest agreement score (although again it had a relatively high level of ‘neither’ responses).

• ‘Tourism to the area is promoted well’ generated the second lowest agreement mean score.

• Open-ended comments focussed on promoting local businesses and more local employment opportunities.

THEME 5: HARMONIOUS AND PROUD COMMUNITY, WITH SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURECommunity-related elements featured across the engagement program - both as current positives and future visions. Key themes included:

• Attractiveness/cleanliness of the area – streets, village centres, parks, graffiti controlled, etc. Strong levels of current agreement – but also a strong vision for the future.

• Quiet/peaceful/safe. Whilst the area was seen to be safe already, it also featured as a key vision for the future.

• Good lifestyle/atmosphere.

• Multi-cultural – although there is room for further cultural awareness.

• Family friendly.

• Community events and activities. As an example, at the Lugarno Spring fair, once one resident wrote down ‘more Christmas decorations in the streets’, 51 others agreed!

Other comments included pride, identity, connection, village, create a cultural/creative hub, and promote local heritage. Most were positive and visions for the future, although a handful of residents mentioned there was some loss of community identity.

Numerous social infrastructure comments across the engagement program, particularly in terms of future visions: aged care services, youth facilities, health facilities, sporting facilities, gathering places, library facilities, family/children’s services, education/provision of good high schools, supporting those at risk, public art.


THEME 6: LEADERSHIP AND TRANSPARENCYMost governance comments were future focussed rather than identifying current strengths/weaknesses. Key themes included:

• Increased community engagement/communications/two-way communications. For instance, the statement ‘Council adequately considers community concerns and views in making decisions’ generated the sixth lowest agreement mean score of all 40 attributes on the phone survey.

• ‘Making decisions in the interests of the community’ / ‘community consultation and engagement.’

• More transparency/open and honest decision making.

• More accountability – including financial accountability.

• Better cooperation with other levels of government.

• Less politicking.


Appendix 1. Post card survey key findingsAs part of the engagement for the Community Strategic Plan, Georges River Council distributed a postcard survey via letterbox drop to all households in the local government area. The survey could also be taken on line.

LIST 3 THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL AREAThe top 3 things that respondents like about the Georges River Council area are:

• Multiculturalism / Diversity• People used phrases such as: “A multicultural area

which is harmonious” and “Unity in diversity”

• Parks / Greenspace• Verbatim examples of the typical words and

comments people used were:“very green with lots of parks” and “Beautiful parks”

LIST 3 THINGS YOU THINK COULD IMPROVE THE GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL AREAThe top 3 things that respondents think could improve in the Georges River Council area are:

• Stop over development• Typical verbatim comments included: “Less high rise

building” and “stop approval of aggressively large new buildings”

• Cleanliness• Comments included: “Less rubbish” and “could

be cleaner” “Hurstville CBD is so grubby – needs detailed cleaing on a regular basis”

• Traffic/parking/road safety• Comments included:“traffic management and

pedestrian safety” and “Increase parking in city centres”

• Location• Comments included: “for being a central area with

lots of facilities”

USE 3 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL COMMUNITYThe top 3 words respondents used to describe their ideal community were:

• Safe• Friendly• Harmony

WHAT DO YOU THINK GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL SHOULD FOCUS ON OVER THE NEXT 5 – 10 YEARS?The top 4 things that Georges River Council should focus on over the next 5 – 10 years include:

• Stopping over development• Comments included: “less high rise buildings, keep

the village feel like in Oately” and “Not becoming so overbuilt that the sun never reaches the ground”

• Community services for aged, youth• Typical comments included: “More art facilities for an

ageing community” and “More community facilities and halls for activities, playgrounds and family programs” and “Festivals like Australia Day at Carss Park” and “family friendly events”

• Green space / open space / the environment• Comments included: “More green spaces,

sustainable living” and “build more parks and sportsfields”

• Traffic/parking/road safety• Comments included: “have more car parks”

RESPONDENT PROFILE• Under 25 - 8.73%

• 24 to 44 - 21.03%

• 45 to 64 - 29.37%

• Over 65 - 40.87%

• 63.55% females


Appendix 2. Youth survey key findingsThe Georges River Council developed and conducted a youth survey, targeting those aged 12-24 years, was also promoted by Council – 158 responses were received.

10

Key FindingsOVERALL KEY FINDINGS

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GEORGES RIVER LGA?

WHAT COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE GEORGES RIVER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?Gender Age Speak a language other than/in

addition to English at homeThings you like about the LGA

Male(N=67)

Female(N=90)

12-16(N=84)

17-24(N=74)

Yes(N=88)

No(N=70)

1

Maintain and increase the

natural environment

(18%)

Public art/art wall

(26%)


natural environment

(25%)

Public art/art wall

(23%)

Public art/art wall

(19%)

Public art/art wall

(23%)

2 Street lighting(18%)


natural environment

(22%)

Public art/art wall

(19%)


natural environment

(15%)


natural environment

(18%)


natural environment

(23%)

3Public art/art

wall(15%)

Street lighting(16%)





Gender Age Speak a language other than/in addition to English at home

Things you like about the LGA

Male(N=67)

Female(N=90)

12-16(N=84)

17-24(N=74)

Yes(N=88)

No(N=70)

1 Public transport(30%)

Shopping(50%)

Shopping(45%)

Public transport(39%)

Shopping(42%)


2 Shopping(28%)



Shopping(35%)

Libraries(34%)

Shopping(39%)

3 Libraries(25%)

Libraries(32%)

Libraries(31%)

Libraries(27%)


Libraries(23%)


Appendix 3. Telephone survey key findingsMicromex research conducted a telephone survey with 603 residents. The keys findings are:

41

Top/Bottom Agreement StatementsQ8. Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement:

Top 5 Bottom 5It is a safe place to live

The area offers a good quality of life

Neighbourhoods are generally clean and well presented

Multiculturalism is welcomed in the area

There are adequate parks, playgrounds and reserves

Quality housing is both available and affordable

Tourism to the area is promoted well

High quality industries are encouraged into the area

There are enough local employment opportunities

Residential development is well managed

Residents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with 40 ‘liveability’ statements.4 of the 5 top agreement statements are ‘community’ related, whilst 3 of the bottom 5

agreement statements are ‘economy’ related


KEY DRIVERS OF QUALITY OF LIFE

A Shapley Regression analysis was conducted (using the one overall quality of life measure as the dependent variable and the 39 individual attributes as the independent variables) to identify the key drivers of overall quality of life (it should be noted that factors not included in the questionnaire, such as work status, family/relationships, financial status, etc, are also likely to be key drivers – this analysis focusses only on those attributes included in the questionnaire).

Key drivers identified included:

• Sense of community/safe area/people volunteer and get involved

• Attractiveness of the area/graffiti controlled

• Natural environment/open spaces

• Public transport/road network

• Availability of health and education facilities

(Dependant Variable: Overall, the area offers a good quality) of life

2.8%

3.0%

3.0%

3.2%

3.2%

3.3%

3.4%

3.6%

4.2%

4.6%

5.5%

10.5%

10.6%

0% 6% 12%

People volunteer and get involved in their community

The road network is effective - it is easy to get around the local area

Education and training opportunities are good

Public transport is generally reliable and on time

There is enough public transport when you need it

Graffiti is well controlled

Council effectively manages its finances and budget

Natural bushland is well managed and kept clean

Health facilities are sufficient

Living in the Georges River area gives you a sense of living in a community

There are enough good quality open spaces

It is a safe place to live

The area has an attractive appearance

Dependant variable: Overall, the area offers a good quality of life


LOCAL ENVIRONMENT (NATURAL AND BUILT)

Response %

A clean and well maintained environment/better rubbish control 29%

Low density/not overdeveloped/better planning 20%

More green and open spaces/parks and playgrounds/sporting fields 15%

Environmental protection/encourage tree planting/promote sustainable energy/recycling 11%

Better facilities/increase infrastructure e.g. cycleways, footpaths, outdoor gyms, lighting, etc. 7%

Fix roads/better traffic management and signage 6%

More/better parking facilities 6%

Clean up George's river/encourage environmental initiatives e.g. volunteer clean ups 4%

Enforcement of regulations/more policing/safety awareness and measures 2%

Don't know/nothing 32%

Almost a third of residents (32%) couldn’t suggest projects/priorities – this is the lowest ‘non-response’ of all four questions, suggesting an above average degree of interest in this area. Indeed, the number of comments made about the environment (N=651) is well above the next most commented category (social connectedness, 383 comments). Furthermore, 357 of those 651 comments were about the built environment, whilst 252 were about the natural environment (and 42 were other comments)

Q9a. Can you think of any specific projects or priorities that Council should consider under this theme of the local environment?

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS

Response %

More community/cultural events, activities and centres 17%

Greater police presence/neighbourhood watch program/safety and security measures

14%

More access to local services and facilities 6%

Better communication with the community 4%

Enhance and encourage cultural inclusiveness/awareness 4%

English classes and programs for those from non-English speaking backgrounds 2%

Improve/increase lighting in public areas/ street lighting 2%

Increase sporting opportunities/facilities/ activities 2%

Increase the level of/provide ongoing community support/community meetings 2%

Don’t know/nothing 52%

Just over half of residents (52%) couldn’t suggest any projects or priorities.

The leading projects/priorities identified by residents revolved around ‘more community/cultural events, activities and centres’ (17%) and a ‘greater police presence/neighbourhood watch program/safety and security measures’ (14%)

Q9a. Can you think of any specific projects or priorities that Council should consider under this theme of social connectedness?

Residents were asked to answer four open-ended questions about the future of the LGA around the following themes:


LOCAL ECONOMY


‘Support for small and local businesses/reduction in rates’ (12%) was the most frequently mentioned priority that residents believe Council should consider

Response %

Support for small and local businesses/reduction in rates 12%

Increase local job opportunity/more promotion of available jobs 8%

Encourage more local employment programmes for people with a disability/youth/work for the dole scheme 6%

Local business centre/more development e.g. industrial, more facilities, infrastructure and offices 4%

Better parking facilities 3%

More shopping facilities, markets, restaurants and cafes 3%

More training programs/apprenticeships/volunteer opportunities 3%

Promote tourism/the area/attract businesses to the area 3%

Encourage shopping locally 2%

A new University/TAFE 1%

More inviting area e.g. extend opening hours, more green and opens spaces and recreational activities 1%

Don’t know/nothing 58%

CIVIC LEADERSHIP


29% of residents identified ‘increase community consultation, communication and engagement’ as the leading priority, which is consistent with earlier results

Q9a. Can you think of any specific projects or priorities that Council should consider under this theme of the local economy?

Q9a. Can you think of any specific projects or priorities that Council should consider under this theme of civic leadership?

Response %

Increase community consultation, communication and engagement 29%

Be more transparent, honest and open decision-making/meetings 8%

Need quality Councillors and knowledgeable staff/no developers on Council 4%

Strategic planning and restrictions on development 3%

More action/accountability from Council 2%

Better financial management/reduce fees and rates 1%

Better parking facilities 1%

Maintain roads and footpaths 1%

Maintaining the environment 1%

More community events 1%

More services and facilities 1%

Don't know/nothing 57%


CONCLUSIONS

Whilst the community telephone survey was notionally split into two discreet sections – Satisfaction with Council, and Community Strategic Plan – there are commonalities and themes that can be drawn from either section to help inform the design of Council’s new CSP. Some of those themes include:

• Better community engagement: We feel this is a key issue because it potentially affects some of the other issues below – that is, sometimes the only improvement needed may be better communication of what Council is already doing, rather than doing more of the same

• Manage the natural environment: This is a real strength of the local area – and needs to be protected – and kept clean

• Manage the look and feel of the town centres: Attractiveness of the area is a key driver of quality of life – and we can assume this refers primarily to the natural environment. However, open-ended responses also highlighted the need to keep the town centres clean/fresh

• Have a plan for future development: There is a sense in the data (particularly open-ended responses) that some residents accept there has to be population growth – so rather than reject it outright, they point to the need for more infrastructure to support the growth. Most frequent mentions were roads/parking – but public transport was also identified as a driver of quality of life

• Community: From perceptions of safety to community involvement, multiculturalism and family-friendly, this is a positive for the community

• Housing affordability is a real concern for the community

• Perceived value for money for rates paid is another area of concern

• Supporting local businesses/providing more local employment opportunities• Others: Such as leveraging the convenience of the location, community/cultural events, etc


Appendix 4. Community visioning workshops ACTIVITY 1: LOVE / CHANGE

Consultation findings so far...

Anything missing?

WHAT WE LOVE...• Natural environment - waterways, bushland, parks,

open space and trees

• Multicultural, harmonious community

• Access to public transport

• Community events and activities

• Community spirit and sense of community (supportive, friendly people)

• Shopping areas

• Libraries, schools, hospitals

• Proximity to the city

• Cleanliness of the area

• Youth facilities

• Cafes/restaurants/food culture

• Safe area/low crime

• Community services / access to community facilities

• Golf Course

• Nice and Quiet

• Parking

• Family-friendly

• Beautiful

WHAT WE’D CHANGE...• Promotion of a more friendly and inclusive

community - multicultural, harmonious, caring, participation

• More and better maintained public spaces, green spaces, including bush conservation, and protected waterways

• Better management and quality of development, including more transparency and community consultation

• Improved and better maintained facilities in parks, including better maintain and more playgrounds

• More and improved sporting facilities, such as pools, fields and courts.

• Upgraded library services

• Better maintained roads, footpaths, lighting, street trees, traffic movement and more parking solutions

• Better public transport access and services

• Improved waste management and more recycling

• More community engagement and consultation

• More community events, activities and clubs to promote social cohesion, and more intercultural understanding

• More facilities and services for families,children, young people and the aging community

• Increased access to affordable housing

• Increased access to (better) education

• Improved public safety

• More support for local businesses

• More local employment opportunities and job training

• More public art

ACTIVITY 1

GEORGES RIVER COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN: COMMUNITY VISIONING WORKSHOP

‘Love / Change’ was the first activity in the workshop. Each participant was given a worksheet (below) to consider the community consultation findings from the pop-up stalls and postcard, and add anything that they thought was missing from the list.

A total of 243 comments were received across both workshops, mostly all relating to what was missing from the ‘change’ list. Participants felt that the ‘love’ list captured their values. These have been categorised into nine themes, descending in order from most commented theme to least. These were; leadership (17.7%), parking, traffic and transport (16.9%), development management (14.4%), environment 11.1%, green and public spaces (9.5%), community (8.6%), waste management (8.6%), social facilities and services (5.8%), infrastructure (4.5%), economy (1.2%), heritage (0.8%) and domestic violence (0.8%).


43 responses, 17.7%• Improve communication and transparency (19)

• Make it easier to connect with Council and get real responses to complaints, queries.

• Transparent communication of State Government’s plans for areas within the LGA

• A more receptive Council

• Open and honest leadership from Council

• Transparency of Council decision making, operations, budgets and finance

• Know who on Council is accountable for the growth/care of the community

• Ban on developers being on Council

• Place based decision making (5)• Deeper understanding of who lives where – more

tailored plans not one size fits all

• Provide detailed information on individual suburbs to enable targeted services

• Concerns about the impact of the population of Hurstville on neighbouring suburbs e.g. Penhurst and Kogarah

• More community engagement and consultation (5)• More coordinated engagement with local sporting

clubs

• Community centred (3)• A Council that genuinely works for the community

• Better understanding of the long-term people living in the community suburbs and catering to their future needs ie facilities

• Police (2)• Police should be more responsive to domestic

violence issues and call outs

• Police being more of a positive influence and having more engagement in the community

• Planning • Better planning of CBD

• Longer-term planning, not just 10yrs

• Improve updating of Council’s DA tracker system

• Improved communication between Council and State government (e.g. about provision of schools)

41 responses, 16.9%• Footpaths (6)

• Need more and wider footpaths (2)

• Lack of footpaths at least on side of the road

• Seating on footpaths

• Regulate use of footpaths by cafes, reduce conflict with prams and mobility scooters

• Pedestrian or cycling representation on the Council Traffic Committee

• Parking (13)• Parking infrastructure e.g. over railways

• Sufficient parking for the high rise developments in Hurstville

• Efficient, effective parking systems close to centre and close to public transport

• School of arts dedicated parking access

• Lack of public parking in Hurstville and Oatley

• Loss of public parking in development

• Shared car spaces

• Car parking dominates the streets

• Better utilisation of parking spaces in Kogarah CBD

• Cycleways (8)• More and better connected cycleways (6)

• More lock-up facilities near stations (2)

• Public transport (5)• More buses on weekends

• More personalised transport options (like Sutherland Shire is trialling Council funded disabled minibus service)

• More local small buses, readily available

• More school buses

• Maintenance of roads, parks, footpaths (2)• Beautification of roads

• Fix potholes

• Traffic (2)• To improve traffic management council should police

use of handicapped permits

• Speed control

• Manage traffic caused by development

• More emphasis on pedestrian and cycling infrastructure – reduces car use

• Better street lighting

• Improve road safety, e.g. blind corners

LEADERSHIP PARKING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT


35 responses, 14.4%• Overdevelopment (15)

• Less high-density / high rise development (4)

• Prevent high rise buildings overshadowing nearby residences / protect solar access

• Balance development and green spaces and infrastructure to support the population (2)

• High rise buildings are not consistent with the character of many suburbs in the LGA

• Better manage privacy issues created by overlooking from towers

• Control of overdevelopment. Keep public spaces locked in for public use

• Overdevelopment in Hurstville and Kogarah – lack of parking for units

• Development more setback from streets (7)• Sustainability in development (4)

• Sustainable high density living can be achieved through thoughtful planning

• Mandatory open/green space

• Improve design of buildings (quality and sustainability)

• Improve community consultation and communication (3)• Better listen to the community when it comes to

unpopular development

• Better understanding of the planned developments in the area

• Quality of development (5)• Enforce building code – too many non-compliances

that are then made amendments

• Poor quality of buildings

• Ban flammable cladding

• Changes to private certification – more direct involvement of Council’s regulatory officers

• Heritage of the suburbs

27 responses, 11.1%• Trees and vegetation (15)

• Better tree preservation strategy and protection from development projects (4)

• More street trees and planting in town centres (3)

• Increased tree canopy (to lower temperatures in summer and to support birds and wildlife) (4)

• More resources for fauna (indigenous)

• Specific strategies / incentives for continuous corridors of green, especially along our corridors of blue (ie waterways)

• Stormwater and waterways (8)• The need to improve the management of urban

stormwater, as it is the major pollution threat to the Georges River (3)

• Improvement and clean up of waterways (2)

• Infrastructure for stormwater – aged system suffering especially with increased density

• Pollution and silting of Kyle Bay due to lack of cleaning of street plants and rubbish going into stormwater drains

• Education about stormwater management

• Impacts of population growth on river quality

• Maintenance (3)• Better maintenance of street trees and vegetation

• Improved air quality

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT


23 responses, 9.5%• More / preserve green space (7)

• Preservation of all existing green space and increasing green space with developments

• Hurstville just lacks green space

• We would be grateful to have more parks created. Council should purchase houses and demolish them to create new parks

• Very limited green spaces, public areas, Carss Park requires a car to access

• More full-fenced dog parks e.g. PJ Ferry could be divided into two sections, one a dog park

• Preserve Carss Park as it is

• Retaining public spaces (2)• Control of overdevelopment. Keep public spaces

locked in for public use

• Public spaces, in recognition of the fact that current figures estimate its only 13% of total

• More public land to be bought because of increased population for open space / parks for passive use

• Free exercise programs / outdoor facilities in parks (table tennis) (2)

• More rangers for parks

• (LED) Lighting in parks (2)

• More recreational green space

• Retain area in Penshurst park for family use

• Less artificial turf in green spaces

• Connected parks and green spaces

• Children Play Implementation Plan – overview of the types and location of open space / playgrounds

• More dog off-leash areas

• Foreshore access for recreation

• Regulate jet skis

• Improved maintenance of Oatley West mangroves / waterfront and removal of weeds

21 responses, 8.6%• Community identity (5)

• Stronger community identity – promotion of what makes us unique

• Loss of community spirit

• Change name to ‘St George’

• We need something to define us and then be a model for the rest of Sydney

• Facilitate events between Kogarah and Hurstville centres

• More affordable care for the elderly (4)• Support for those at risk (3)

• Support for those at risk (DV, mental illness, lonely people)

• Homeless – provide support and policy to help halt abuse such as drug abuse, violence and bad lifestyle

• Methadone clinic provide psychological support and work together with research such as uni students and provide a program that offers education for both drug users and people of community

• Affordable housing (2)• Youth (2)

• Focus and fuel youth sports and encourage both physical and mental health

• More community-based activity that engages youth knowledge and understanding of both community and politics

• Gambling (2)• ban increase and decrease number of poker

machines, reduce opening hours

• Less gambling places

• Multicultural (2)• Have language / cultural education opportunities for

English-speakers to learn more about our non-English speaking community members

• More cultural awareness for English-speakers

• Continued support for local community groups and organisations to enable them to provide services to community members

GREEN AND PUBLIC SPACES COMMUNITY


21 responses, 8.6%• Recycling and sustainability (10)

• Commitment to recycling in public spaces, including plastic by recycling

• Encouragement of recycling and reuse.

• Recycling, composting and reduction of waste, education, home and schools

• Composting for businesses and community organisations

• Better promotion of sustainable practices in small business in St George – Recycling, composting for business waste, no plastic bags, foam packaging

• Encouragement of sustainabie approaches to environment issues

• Promotion of science and self-sustainability influences on community (focus on renewable energy sources)

• Local community location for depositing green waste and recycling

• Composting solutions

• Clean (7)• Cleaner, tidier CBD’s – removal of rubbish, trolleys

• Cleaner CBD, remove trolleys

• Rangers for littering and parking

• Partnering with schools for education around littering

• On the spot fines for rubbish dumping

• Less litter

• Clean up graffiti

• Cigarette disposal

• More public education about waste management

• More rubbish bins in Mortdale

WASTE MANAGEMENT

14 responses, 5.8% • More community spaces (3)

• Multiuse community centres (sports, education)

• Cultural centre

• Council rooms should be free for small non-profit groups.

• Retention of community spaces

• Additional public sporting facilities (2)• Library (2)

• Use of Kogarah Library exclusively as a library (2)

• Schools (2)• Acquire land for schools and sports fields, don’t want

high rise schools

• Schools – primary and secondary schools in Hurstville, land set aside to accommodate the families living in the high-rise buildings in Hurstville

• Art and culture (3)• Dedicated cultural and arts building and spaces for

schools and sport

• Art gallery space for artists

• More community art displayed in shopping centres and outdoors

• Community events, council support and involvement

• Better coordination of volunteering

SOCIAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES


3 responses, 1.2% • Better management of business growth enticing the

community to shop locally – attracting new business

• More variety of shops

• Beautify Mortdale shopping centre (public art, more greenery, flowers)

2 responses, 0.8%• Promotion of history and heritage of area (to new

residents and council members) (4)

• Preservation of significant heritage buildings (3)

2 responses, 0.8%• Children exposed to domestic violence being looked

after ie Police to report to a child’s school the day after being called out for a domestic violence matter and advise the school

• Domestic Violence raised as an issue Police informing school of issue

ECONOMY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCEHERITAGE

11 responses, 4.5%• Underground power lines (protect trees, safer) (4)

• Infrastructure to match development and growing population (3)

• Railway overpass

• Infrastructure to match growth

• Improvement of Kiss ‘n Ride at Oatley Station (the upgrade made was a nightmare)

INFRASTRUCTURE


Workshop 1, Activity 1 ‘Love / Change’

Workshop 2, Activity 1 ‘Love / Change’


ACTIVITY 2: CO-CREATING A VISION STATEMENT

A well planned vibrant home that offers a healthy active lifestyle in a sustainable living environment.

An urban centre bounded by parks and Georges River, offering a green, sustainable, vibrant community lifestyle. Well planned with ethical guidance.

Photo captions: environment, vibrant, open space, innovative, forward looking, inclusive, well planned, active, family friendly spaces, consultative, harmonious.

Across the two workshops, 12 vision statements were created.


Sustainable and dignified living for all generations.

Georges River will be known for its diverse, cultural and heritage villages, its scenic beauty and environmental leadership.

Photo captions: recreation, playful, trades, environmental leadership, creative, community, art, scenic.


Photo captions: cultural diversity, safe places, passive recreation, spaces for people, consultation, natural spaces, kids in playgrounds, wildlife, green & natural, heritage.

Honest, effective, transparent leadership; Affordable, quality, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing development; Infrastructure to support a connected community; Inclusive, caring and harmonious.

A Socially Responsible Community that is: Continually improving and protecting our environment; Responsive to ALL citizens’ needs; Progressive and creative in its leadership.


CLEAN, GREEN AND HONEST!

• Transparent, ethically responsible

• Green, maintained, sustainable, tranquil

• Safe, walkable, connected communities

Photo captions: <3 fauna, clean river, safe cycling, small shops.

People focussed, with an engaged, proud, caring community. Our leadership and community will be accountable and transparent, and iconic, visionary and innovative. We will be environmentally progressive and create a liveable and beautiful community for all, while respecting past, present and future.


The environment in our LGA will be MORE green, leafy and our residents will be water wise; Neighbourhoods and the built environment will reflect our heritage, be eco-sensitive, sustainable and innovative design leading to high liveability; Our community will be diverse, harmonious and inclusive; We will be well-informed and led by leaders who are driven by a community vision to deliver a range of appropriate services to the community.

A strong sense of community, with pride in our neighbourhoods and a balance of conservation and sensible development.

Additional words (from previous activity): heritage, centre for education and teaching, dedicated community venues, green, open, big trees, bike tracks, regulate and inspect buildings, enforce building standards, public housing, constrained development, harmonious, key worker housing, no high-rise buildings, maintain neighbourhoods, maintain local character, cultural, representitive of cultures and ethnicities, attractive walking, sensible development.

Photo captions: ‘innovative’ eco-sensitive engineering, more consultation, combating the heat island effect, greening built environment, balance of structured and wild space, community garden, Myles Dumphy, extended eves = less air con, promotion of small scale organic produce, waterway protection by vegetation.


Proud of: the environment (beautiful and clean), every suburb united, harmonious, diverse and inclusive, a safe and welcoming place, an involved community, and well-planned (community parks) and not overdeveloped.

A listening council that provides a progressive, safe, connected community that values and maintains harmonious and welcoming vibe of tradition and culture through environment and education!


LOVE / CHANGETen pop up stall sessions were organised, providing people with an opportunity to give feedback on things they love about Georges River, as well as on things they would change.

Ten pop up stalls were held across the five wards Blakehurst, Hurstville, Kogarah Bay, Mortdale, Peakhurst. Each stall was set up for a duration of two hours. Over 761 comments from 355 people were received at ten pop up stall sessions, held between 19 and 26 August.

At each of the pop up stalls, people were asked to comment on what they love about Georges River, what they would change, and what their priority for improvement would be.

WHAT WE LOVE• Parks, open spaces, trees: 103 people

• Sense of community (supportive, friendly people): 50 people

• Services and facilities (e.g. libraries, schools, hospitals): 40 people

• Shopping areas: 31 people

• Convenience to the city: 25 people

• Public transport: 22 people

• Everything: 19 people

• Multicultural: 14 people

• Golf Course: 13 people

• Nice and Quiet: 13 people

• Parking: 12 people

• Restaurants: 11 people

• Waterways: 10 people

• Family-friendly: 8 people

• Beautiful: 7 people

WHAT WE’D CHANGE• Combat overdevelopment; too much high-rise;

not enough resources; design often not in line with local character: 49 people.

• Need more and less expensive parking: 42 people.Dirty streets and dumping of rubbish on streets: 22 people.

• Parks and playgrounds (improve accessibility, cleanliness, facilities and lighting): 19 people.

• Improve roads (paving, cleanliness and lighting): 18 people.

• Increase, protect and maintain trees, vegetation, bushland, and open spaces: 18 people

• Improve frequency and efficiency of public transport: 14 people.

• More community events, activities and spaces: 7 people.

• More dog-areas: 7 people.

• Traffic: 6 people.

• More commercial space: 6 people.

• Improve footpaths: 6 people.

• Improve internet / provide public Wi-Fi: 5 people.

• Diversity and affordability of housing: 4 people.

• More youth facilities: 3 people.

Appendix 5. Pop up stalls key findings


KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE CSP

The following provides an overview of the key priorities for Council’s CSP that emerged from the pop up stalls.

ACCESSIBLE• Improved public transport access and services

• Improved parking

• Better maintenance of roads

• Better maintenance and enhancement of footpath network and improving pedestrian safety

• Better managed traffic

• Increased and improved street lighting

• More cycleways

LEADERSHIP• More community engagement and consultation

• Better communication and customer service

• More transparency (less developer influence on Council)

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT• Less overdevelopment and high-rise buildings

• Preservation of different areas local character

• Better information and community consultation around development

GREEN AND OPEN SPACES • Retain the current and increase the amount of parks and open spaces

• Improvement of and more facilities in parks

• More and better playgrounds

• Better maintenance of current parks and public facilities

151 responses

19.8%

89 responses

11.7%

80 responses

10.5%

79 responses

10.4%


ENVIRONMENT• More and better managed (street) trees and vegetation

• Preservation and protection of natural environment, including bush conservation

• Protection and improved quality of our waterways

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Improved healthcare

• Increased access to affordable housing

• Increased access to quality education

COMMUNITY• More community events, activities and clubs to promote social cohesion, and more

intercultural understanding

• Improved public safety

ECONOMY• Better support for local businesses

• More local employment opportunities and job training

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CLEANER SURROUNDINGS• Improved waste management and more recycling opportunities

• Cleaner streets and surroundings

61 responses

8.0%

47 responses

6.0%

44 responses

5.8%

36 responses

4.7%

52 responses

6.8%

SOCIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES• More and improved sporting facilities, such as pools, fields and courts.

• Improved library facilities and services

• More facilities and services for the aging community

• More facilities and services for families and children

• More facilities and services for youth

76 responses

10.0%


Pop-up stall - Riverwood Plaza

Pop-up stall - Westfield Hurstville


Appendix 6. Lugarno Spring FairGeorges River Council commissioned Micromex Research to manage a community engagement activity at the Lugarno Spring Fair (Sunday 17th September, 9am – 4pm) in order to elicit key words and phrases to inform a new vision statement. Residents wrote down vision statements on boards and used a dotmocracy framework to vote.

Three team members from Micromex Research were positioned at the Georges River-branded community consultation stand. Approximately 280 attendees participating and interacting with the community consultation stand giving a total of 1,407 responses (158 in-scope residents chose not to participate, and a further 302 were out-of-scope as they neither lived or worked in the area). Participants were from a broad range of backgrounds and age groups, and consisted of both males and females.


The 1,407 responses have been analyised under the five pillars of the community strategic plan: built environment, natural environment, social connectedness, civic leadership and local economy.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT• 38% of total responses included visions of managing the

built environment

• Of the total responses regarding the built environment:

• 35% addressed reducing high density buildings and overdevelopment

• 24% addressed adequate infrastructure and public transport for the growing population, and

• 20% addressed maintenance of and the need for more parks, sporting fields and cycleways

• What you include in a vision statement?

• “Reduce high density buildings”, “Well maintained parks, ovals and sporting fields”, “More commuter parking around train stations”, “Public transport system to support the growing population”, “Restoring/upgrading infrastructure”

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT• 24% of total responses revolved around the importance

of the natural environment

• Of the total responses regarding the natural environment:

• 46% addressed a sustainable and clean environment

• 24% addressed reducing the removal of and damage to trees

• 23% addressed the need for more green areas


• “Sustainable environment (river, bushland, parks and greenery)”, “town centres with green areas and gardens”, “Trees – we lose at least one a week in Peaky/Lugarno”, “Keep the river beautiful”

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS• 18% of total responses revolved around the community

and social connectedness

• Of the total responses regarding social connectedness:

• 47% addressed the importance of a village feel/friendly/multicultural/safe community

• 20% addressed Christmas decorations in the streets

• 11% addressed the need for quality schools

• 11% addressed the need for more activities for youth


• “Village friendly community”, “More Christmas decorations in the streets”, “High schools where parents are confident in sending their children”, “Local activities for teenage kids”, “Safer communities”

• Civic Leadership

CIVIC LEADERSHIP• 13% of total responses revolved around civic leadership

• Of the total responses regarding civic leadership:

• 35% addressed honest and transparent decision-making/more community consultation

• 33% addressed the removal of politics, self-interest and corruption/more accountability

• 18% addressed the need for better planning


• “Honest and transparent decision-making (no vested interests)”, “make Council more accountable re DAs and private certifiers”, “open & transparent consultation with residents”, “new faces within Council”

LOCAL ECONOMY• 38% encourage small businesses to remain open in town

centres (on-street shopfronts)

• 26% more job opportunities and employment options

• 16% more Aboriginal engagement, including employment strategies

• 10% incentives for businesses to improve accessibility for all

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