Help us review our community-led plan

Our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is our community-led plan, which sets out what the City of Canada Bay will look like in the future and guides all the work Council will do to get there. All local Councils in NSW are required to have a CSP which looks 10 years or more into the future.

Our current CSP is called Our Future 2036, and was adopted by Council in 2022 following an extensive community engagement process. Read more about it here.

We now want your help to review the goals and aspirations outlined in the CSP to see if they're still current or if anything needs to change. Complete the survey below by Sunday 14 April to go in the running to win one of 2 x $100 vouchers!

Community Strategic Plans (CSP) have a ten year horizon and must be reviewed each Council term. We're getting a head start and starting the review process now!

Now is the time to consider our current CSP, Our Future 2036, and whether the goals and aspirations remain current.

There are five strategic directions in our current Community Strategic Plan.

They are:

  • Connected community
  • Sustainable and thriving environment
  • Vibrant urban living
  • Infrastructure and transport
  • Civic leadership

Results from a recent community satisfaction survey, along with community feedback received since 2022, align with the five strategic directions in our CSP. More information is available below.

Community feedback received since the CSP was adopted in June 2022 aligns with the goals and aspirations of our current CSP. Therefore, the only goal that is proposed for amendment is Goal 4 in the Vibrant Urban Living strategic direction to account for more recent State Government proposed reforms.

In December 2023, the NSW Government proposed several NSW-wide reforms which permit terraces, multi-dwelling housing and apartments up to 6 storeys in low to medium density residential housing areas and mixed use zones. Learn more about the reforms related to metro and rail stations and the proposed reforms relating to low-density residential zones.

The reforms will change local neighbourhood character over time and this needs to be reflected in our CSP.

Our CSP goals

Our community-led plan has five strategic directions (themes) and under each strategic direction is a set of goals that guide all of the work that Council does. Take a look at our current strategic directions and goals!

Direction 1: Connected Community

  • Goals

    1. Foster an inclusive community where diversity is welcomed and celebrated
    2. Celebrate, recognise, and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
    3. Provide the community with equitable access to a range of programs, services, and facilities
    4. Promote a community where residents feel safe and enjoy good health
    5. Provide open space, facilities, and programs that promote active lifestyles

  • Feedback since June 2022:

    • The City’s population forecast is unchanged, numbers are still set to rise
    • 86% of satisfaction survey respondents say maintenance of local parks, playgrounds and sporting fields is important or very important
    • In community engagement on key projects, you told us that recreation opportunities, open space and foreshore access are important
    • Pedestrian safety is still important

Direction 2: Sustainable and Thriving Environment

  • Goals

    1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
    2. Increase urban tree canopy
    3. Reduce waste to landfill through waste avoidance and increasing recycling and reuse
    4. Enhance and protect native flora and fauna to support local biodiversity
    5. Improve access to, and enhance quality of, foreshore and waterways

  • Feedback since June 2022:

    • 64% of satisfaction survey respondents say addressing climate change is important or very important
    • 86% of satisfaction survey respondents say protecting the natural environment is important or very important, and feedback on key projects aligns with this
    • The tree canopy across the City is expanding. Over 1,800 trees were planted on public land in 2022-23
    • We know Australia’s climate is warming, and Council has strategies in place to address the crisis

Direction 3: Vibrant Urban Living

  • Goals

    1. Create vibrant local village centres and community hubs
    2. Improve access to local art, culture, and creative activities
    3. Promote the City as an attractive, welcoming place to do business
    4. Ensure the built environment respects neighbourhood character and responds deftly to evolving community needs

  • Feedback since June 2022:

    • 84% of satisfaction survey respondents say managing development is important or very important and 92% say local area appearance is important or very important
    • Through community engagement on key projects you told us recreation opportunities, open space and foreshore access are important
    • In December 2023 the NSW Government proposed several NSW-wide reforms which permit terraces, multi-dwelling housing and apartments up to six storeys in low to medium residential housing areas and mixed use zones.

Direction 4: Infrastructure and Transport

  • Goals

    1. Manage local assets to ensure they continue to meet the City’s needs and address climate adaptation issues
    2. Manage traffic and parking to minimise congestion and improve the City’s road safety
    3. Encourage active and accessible transport opportunities

  • Feedback since June 2022:

    • 91% of satisfaction survey respondents say traffic management and road safety is important or very important
    • 84% of satisfaction survey respondents say management of parking is important or very important
    • Community engagement on key projects has reinforced that finding holistic solutions to traffic and parking issues across the City is important

Direction 5: Civic Leadership

  • Goals

    1. Council is accountable, efficient, and ready to meet future challenges
    2. Council is supported by a skilled and efficient workforce that is equipped to meet the needs of a growing community
    3. Council works with partners to actively shape the City’s future
    4. City of Canada Bay community is well informed and eager to engage in issues and decisions that impact them

  • Feedback since June 2022:

    • 82% of satisfaction survey respondents say the community’s ability to influence Council decision making is important or very important
    • Community engagement on key projects has reinforced that our community care about responsible expenditure of public funds
    • Our funding programs cover a wide range of events, activities, services and projects that benefit our community and meet aspects of our CSP and grant funding rounds are always well-subscribed

Previous engagement

After twelve months, two rounds of community consultation and over 3,000 community submissions, our draft community-led plan was adopted by in June 2022. Learn more about the engagement process and the feedback received.

Engagement summary