Table of Contents Message from the Administrator 1 About the Discussion Paper 2 Developing the Vision Structure Context Policy and Partnerships The Northern Beaches Community 5 Aboriginal Heritage Population Trends Natural Environment Built Environment Community Outcomes 8 Environmental Sustainability 9 Protection of the Environment 12 Places for People 15 Community and Belonging 18 Vibrant Local Economy 21 Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity 24 Good Governance 27 Participation and Partnerships 30 Appendix References and Bibliography 1 Message from the Administrator Living well is about living with a sense of Values balance between work, family, leisure and During the first round of engagement for the community commitments. It is about being CSP, community members told us about what able to wash off the day’s worries and a wonderful place the Northern Beaches is to stressful drive home with a quick surf or a live. The community values the ‘beach and brisk walk. It is about catching up with friends, bush lifestyle’, the rich natural environment. being out amongst people. It is about living in The community has also said that they value a way that doesn’t impact too much on the the built environment and diverse local environment, but still makes room for people, villages – the open spaces, playgrounds, work, sports, arts and recreation. sports, the arts, cafés and bars. Residents are proud of who they are and grateful for Like most people who live or visit here, I what they have. deeply appreciate the stunning natural environment, fantastic recreation Concerns opportunities and friendly people. Community I have heard that it is critically important to members tell me that the bush and beach is a the community that we protect the welcome refuge from the pressures of environment. Population growth is a concern, modern day living - many people find it and although the rate of growth is not as increasingly difficult to juggle mortgage/rent drastic as for other parts of Sydney, it is payments, work commitments, increasing something that we collaboratively must plan commuting times and frustrations and family for so that we can get quality outcomes - responsibilities. especially in regards to housing, transport and economic growth. I have talked to residents, businesses and visitors to the Northern Beaches from across It is also clear that the community thinks that the whole local government area about their we can do better in terms of improving our vision for the area and I am struck by the how public places and strengthening our similar we are in terms of our overall neighbourhoods. We need to look after each aspirations. Even though communities and other and make sure that those who are cultures are diverse across the area, we all vulnerable to social disconnect or loneliness want to protect the environment and create a are supported and given the same community that better support each other and opportunity to participate in community life as our relaxed lifestyle in a rapidly changing, and everyone else. Similarly, community increasingly pressured world. members share a concern for the wellbeing of young people, many of whom experience the How can we live in a way that is better for pressures of life especially acutely. us, better for the environment and kinder to the next generation? YOUR INPUT MATTERS This will be one of the big questions that we This Paper outlines a draft CSP Framework – will be talking to the community about during vision, aspirations, outcomes, goals and the next round of engagement for the strategies – that is based on what we have Community Strategic Plan (CSP) during heard is important to the community. We now March – April 2017. We will also be checking need your help to shape the Framework so back with the community that the draft vision, we can develop a CSP that reflects the aspirations, goals and strategies in this diverse needs of the community and Discussion Paper reflect the diversity of views effectively guides local decision making over of the Northern Beaches community. to 2028 and beyond. Thank you for your time and input. 1 About the Discussion Paper DEVELOPING THE VISION A third round of engagement has been planned for July – August where the Draft So far, more than one thousand people have CSP is expected to be put on public contributed their time and knowledge to exhibition before being presented to the new developing the first Community Strategic Plan Council for adoption after the local for the Northern Beaches.1 The following draft government elections in September 2017. vision is based on extensive community engagement during September – November STRUCTURE 2016 and further shaped through consultation with the Local Representative Committees The main part of the Paper, Community (LRCs) and Strategic Reference Groups Outcomes, is structured around the (SRGs)2: community’s draft vision and aspirations as shown below. The outcomes also align with Northern Beaches – a safe, inclusive the quadruple bottom line reporting standard and connected community that values (environmental, social, economic and civic). its natural and built environment (draft) Outcome 1: Environmental Sustainability The purpose of the Discussion Paper is to o Growth is sustainable and well balanced continue conversations with the community on how we can make Northern Beaches an Outcome 2: Protection of the Environment even better and more sustainable place to o We are inspired by bush, beaches and waterways live. The Paper should be read as an o Development is balanced with our lifestyle extension of the Issues Paper that informed and environment the first round of consultation. Outcome 3: Places for People The Discussion Paper includes a draft CSP o Our streets and neighbourhoods are safe, Framework (vision, aspirations, outcomes, clean and family friendly goals and strategies) which we will test during o We have vibrant spaces with diverse arts and the second stage of engagement during cultural experiences March – April 2017 to ensure that the CSP reflects the diversity of views in the Outcome 4: Community and Belonging community and is a useful foundation for o We celebrate local villages and communities future planning. o Our communities and businesses are connected and inclusive Objectives Outcome 5: Vibrant Local Economy o Businesses have the infrastructure to grow To reflect back what we have heard is locally and globally important to the community o Local businesses thrive and grow To identify goals and strategies Outcome 6: Transport, Infrastructure and To consider interrelationships between Connectivity issues o Transport is seamless and integrated To consider international, national and state policy context and trends Outcome 7: Good Governance o We demonstrate strong community leadership and environmental stewardship 1 The approach for developing the vision and o Our governance is open and transparent aspirations is outlined in the Council Report 13 December 2016. 2 Outcome 8: Participation and Partnerships The LRCs are comprised of former Councillors of each the three previous Councils (Manly, Warringah and o We have a say in what happens in our local Pittwater). The SRGs are comprised of community area representatives. Both provide advice and feedback to Council on strategic matters. 2 CONTEXT The CSP is one of the most important The CSP is a broad and strategic framework planning documents for the Northern that maintains currency and relevance over a Beaches. It is the basis on which all future ten year plus period. Future Council plans planning (and budgets) rests. Council is (namely the four year Delivery Program, accountable to the community on how well annual Operational Plans, as well as strategic we progress towards the community’s vision. and tactical plans) will provide the detail and describe the actions that Council will take to All councils are required to develop short, address the broad goals and strategies in the medium and long term plans under the NSW CSP. Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Framework. 3 The CSP is the highest order Council has a custodial role in initiating, plan in this hierarchy that a council and its preparing and updating the plan on behalf of community will prepare and it must take into the community. It is not however, wholly consideration the overall planning context for responsible for its implementation. Not our region. The NSW State Plan, the everything contained in the CSP is for Government’s A Plan for Growing Sydney Council to action. Other partners, such as and the North District Plan (draft) provides Federal and State government agencies and the planning context for the Northern community groups are also responsible for Beaches. An overview of the IP&R the delivery of the strategies in the plan. The Framework is provided in Figure 1 below. aim is to encourage collaboration and partnerships to achieve the community’s vision for the future. Figure 1: IP&R Framework 3 Office of Local Government (OLG) 2013 3 POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS The community’s priorities include The community has told us that they want improvements in the areas of health, Council to play an active role in shaping our community safety, education, transport, future and advocating on their behalf for housing affordability and environmental improvements. This requires us to rethink our protection: these were strong themes role beyond the traditional understanding of emerging from the first stage of the local government and it gives us an community engagement. opportunity to work together through our networks, local knowledge and broad Delivering on community expectations perspectives to seek more sustainable and however, cannot happen in isolation and we holistic solutions to our challenges. must recognise the broader regional, national and global policy context. The two plans that will have the greatest effect on the long term future of the Northern Beaches are the NSW Government’s A Plan for Growing Sydney and North District Plan (draft): A Plan for Growing Sydney (2014) The Plan for Growing Sydney was released in December 2014.