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The past year has presented significant challenges on multiple fronts. Despite these difficulties, Council has continued to make meaningful progress in strengthening governance, improving operational efficiency, and delivering for our community.
Throughout the year, Council has maintained a strong commitment to reviewing and enhancing the governance and administration of its operations, while carefully managing a fragile financial position. This continuous improvement focus is central to our vision of achieving best practice in local government – moving from a reactive approach to one that is strategic, considered, and forward-looking.
Our ongoing organisational realignment, the implementation of a comprehensive Service Review Framework, and the introduction of a Governance Strategy have created a more agile and responsive organisation – one better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community.
The NSW Government’s housing reforms have required focused attention from our planning team to ensure compliance with Ministerial Orders, while also supporting the community to understand, prepare for, and respond to both the opportunities and challenges of these reforms.
As North Sydney’s population and density continue to grow, the alignment of goals, priorities and resources has become more critical than ever. With the adoption of an updated suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents – including the new Community Strategic Plan 2025–2035 – Council has strengthened its planning, accountability, and service delivery foundations for the years ahead. However, we must recognise that community expectations and long-term aspirations remain at odds with our current financial reality.
Ongoing financial pressures, particularly those associated with the North Sydney Olympic Pool project, have necessitated strong liquidity management to safeguard short-term sustainability. Measures such as delaying infrastructure renewals, increasing borrowings, maintaining vacant positions, and reducing operational costs have been essential but are unsustainable in the long term. The unsuccessful application for a special rate variation means that Council will need to reassess its service levels and infrastructure priorities in the coming year.
Despite these pressures, the resilience and professionalism of our workforce have remained unwavering. Their dedication ensures that our parks and gardens are maintained to high standards, our streets remain clean, and our bushland is protected. The vibrancy of our community is reflected in venues such as Stanton Library, in our flourishing community gardens, our award-winning citizenship ceremonies, and the many events and festivals that foster connection and inclusion across North Sydney.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Council operations. Programs such as Bushcare, the Futureproofing Apartments program, and ongoing waste reduction and biodiversity initiatives highlight our continued commitment to environmental stewardship and securing a sustainable future for our community.
This year, Council’s efforts were recognised with a Judges’ Choice Award at the 2025 Local Government Excellence Awards, along with four finalist nominations across categories including innovative leadership, community partnership, and community development. These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff and our collective commitment to building a stronger, more resilient North Sydney.
Looking ahead, Council remains focused on addressing both the challenges and opportunities before us. I thank the Mayor and elected Council for their continued leadership and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our community and the commitment of our staff. Together, I am confident we will continue to build on our progress and deliver positive outcomes for North Sydney in the years ahead.
Therese Cole, Chief Executive Officer