I issued my community survey in June and at the same time had meetings with community groups throughout Lane Cove. I am very grateful to all those that responded and took the time to tell me what they want their council to do for them next.

Creating a successful survey is an art, and one that I have yet to master. Like those issued by Lane Cove Council, mine could benefit from some expert tips. However, this time I kept it simple and achieved some good results, as you can see in the graph. I must also note that there was a section in my survey about what we all love about living here in Lane Cove, and that list is HUGE! The list below is the changes the community wants to see next and it is a list that covers many topics I agree with.

Some of the overarching comments were:

Council Transparency and Accountability:

• Frustrations with the council's lack of responsiveness and transparency.
• Issues with the public consultation process and decisions perceived to favour developers.
• Concerns about financial management and accurate reporting from council management.
• The council should listen to and act on citizens' advice, complaints, and recommendations.

Environmental Concerns:

• Emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• The importance of local action to address climate change if higher levels of government are slow to act.

Bushland and Tree Protection:

• High value placed on protecting bushland and maintaining tree canopies.
• Concerns about too many trees being removed.

Cycling Infrastructure:

• Lane Cove is considered anti-cycling and, by extension, anti-child.
• There is a need for better cycling infrastructure to allow children and residents to get around safely without cars.
• Features of the bike plan need updating, especially in St Leonards.
• Better cycling infrastructure is required to make it safe and accessible.

Road Safety and Public Transport:

• Specific areas, like Burns Bay Road, are dangerous for cyclists, and main roads are difficult to cross for pedestrians.
• Decline in public transport utility, with reductions in bus services.
• Need for improvement in street parking management and road maintenance.
• Address future traffic concerns and stop the increase in density.

Public Infrastructure:

• Need for better maintenance and improvement of public infrastructure such as footpaths, roads, and EV charging stations.
• Need for better planning for infrastructure to support the growing population. #Sporting Facilities:
• Importance of sporting fields and facilities for the community.
• Concerns over spending priorities, such as expenditure on new sporting facilities.

Mobility and Accessibility:

• Issues with the accessibility of public transport for the elderly and people with disabilities.
• Desire for more local shops and services to reduce the need for car travel.

Community and Mental Health:

• The significance of community facilities and spaces for mental health, including provisions for dogs and open spaces.
• There should be dog-free times for certain parks, allowing people to enjoy the space peacefully without large numbers of dogs.
• Acquisition of more parkland, bushland, and central community spaces.

This has given me a wealth of information to work with for policy development. To cross-check the survey results, I have been door-knocking and talking to residents in the streets. This broadens the demographic pool of responses and has sometimes adjusted the list on the "Election 2024: Vision and Commitment to our Community" section of my website.

Then there are all the fabulous community organisations and groups in Lane Cove. The groups that I have met with or had phone calls with to gain insight into their needs are:

• Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Club
• Lane Cove Netball Association
• Sydney Community Services
• Longueville Tennis Club
• The Lane Cove Men's Shed
• Lane Cove Youth Orchestra
• A portion of the Lane Cove Swimming Community
• Lane Cove Dog Lovers Groups
• Lane Cove Cricket and Rugby Club
• Longueville Residents Association

All their comments have been noted and I have a list of their practical ideas that would make their offering to the Lane Cove community even better. I loved these conversations and the exchange of ideas!

If I have not had a chance to catch up with your group, please send me an email,I would love to hear your ideas.