The Ku-ring-gai Record

Ku-ring-gai Council will withdraw its Land and Environment Court proceedings against the State of New South Wales over the transport-oriented development scheme. The decision came after the state implemented most of council's alternative scheme on 14 November 2025 through a planning policy amendment for Ku-ring-gai station precincts.

It lists protections for heritage, biodiversity and tree canopy, the desired future character of Ku-ring-gai, and revitalisation of town centres.

"While Council considers it has strong prospects of having the TODSEC declared invalid in its proceedings against the State of New South Wales, it appreciates that even if it were successful, the proceedings themselves would not have led to the outcomes that Council has now been able to achieve."

Council also accepted the state's offer that each party bear its own costs. The discontinuance will be filed at court with the state's consent within one business day of amended maps being published on the spatial viewer, in the same form provided to council last week.

Councillor Indhu Balachandran moved an alternate motion on the 2025-26 budget review, first quarter ended September 2025, that the report be received and noted. The alternate also calls for a report to council in February 2026 covering capital expenditure budgets and actuals for the last four full financial years, detailed reasons for the deferral of 30 million dollars in capital projects this year, capital delivery of comparable councils, and measures for more accurate budgeting and forecasting.

Councillor Jeff Pettett, who seconded the alternate, spoke in support of point four of the motion.

Councillor Cedric Spencer asked whether the time series analysis in point three would cover the following year or be left open. Councillor Balachandran said the general manager advised some information is being reported in its current format for the first time, so she left it to staff to decide.

Councillor Sam Ngai asked whether point three was consistent with formats required by the Office of Local Government. A staff member replied that the format is consistent, and Councillor Ngai said he supported the motion.

Earlier in the meeting, council voted to adopt a range of business items without debate, including business items 1 through 6, business item 8, business items 11 through 15 and C1. Councillor Alec Taylor nominated those items to be adopted in accordance with the officer's recommendation allowing for minor changes.

Council also received a memo responding to a question with notice on how council protects waterways from urban stormwater, dated 18 November 2025, and a memo for GB16 Ku-ring-gai TOD alternative dated 18 November 2025.

The meeting was declared closed at 10.34pm. The webcast will be available on the council website and minutes will be published within the next two working days.