Here is my Notice of Motion that I have lodged for the Ordinary Council Meeting on 15th June 2020:

Background

In October 2019 Lane Cove Council adopted the revised Lane Cove Bike Plan. The Bike Plan is a comprehensive strategic action plan which allows Council to prioritise its improvements to the cycling network. The aim of the Bike Plan is to accommodate investment into enhancing safety, convenience and mobility for cyclists. The updated Bike Plan that Council adopted in October 2019 will be utilised to assist in planning for cyclist infrastructure, programs, implementation and maintenance.

The Bike Plan (2019) estimated the total cost implementation would be $2,909,000 over a recommended five-year action plan.

For several years, Lane Cove Council has budgeted approximately $150,000 per financial year towards Bike infrastructure in Lane Cove as part of the footpath budget allocation.

Discussion

Following the adoption of the Lane Cove Council Bike Plan in 2019, there has been no specific discussion since about how the Bike Plan will be properly funded.

As a point of comparison to the approximate $150,000 per annum Lane Cove is currently spending on implementing its Bike Plan, the below table shows what funding three of our neighbouring Local Government Areas are committing towards the implementation of their Bike Plans:

Of note from the above table, North Sydney and Willoughby are planning considerable increases in funding to implement their Bike Plans in the 2020/2021 financial years. Hunters Hill Council is currently spending $50,000 undertaking community consultation to review their 2004 Bike Plan.

At the current rate of funding, it would take up to 20 years to fully implement the Lane Cove Bike Plan. There is no specific budget item for cycling infrastructure to implement the Lane Cove Bike Plan in the current Council budget and budget process.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of residents opting to cycle has reportedly increased. Lane Cove Council spent a lot of money, time and effort to review and update its Bike Plan in 2019. Therefore, it is appropriate that Council commit to properly funding the implementation of the Bike Plan.

New cycleway infrastructure meets the requirements of receiving funding from Section 7.11 developer contributions. An additional contribution towards the Lane Cove Bike Plan from section 7.11 contributions in the 2020/2021 financial year I believe is appropriate to ‘kick start’ funding the Lane Cove Bike Plan following the financial year the Bike Plan was adopted by Council. The below motion is intended to give more scope for funding the Bike Plan from various sources for the financial years 2021/2022 to 2025/2026.

By making a larger funding contribution to the Lane Cove Bike Plan in the 2020/2021 financial year will help to provide much needed stimulus for local and regional construction contractors to help our local and regional economy recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Motion on Notice

That Council:

1. Amend the Section 7.11 contribution plan to provide $800,000 of funding for the Lane Cove Bike Plan in the 2020/2021 financial year in addition to the $150,000 budgeted in the 2020/21 Budget.  
2. That council commit to fully funding and implementing the Lane Cove Bike Plan over the next five years. 
3. Council include in the budget a dedicated budget item for cycling infrastructure and activities. 
4. A report be prepared by December 2020:
   1. A) outlining the mix of funding from general revenue, section 7.11 contributions and other sources to fund the implementation the Lane Cove Bike Plan from the 2021/2022 to 2025/2026 financial years.
   2. B) Identify grant options are currently available for funding the Lane Cove Bike Plan, how many grant applications Council has submitted over the last five years and confirm what grant applications have been successful during the last five years.