News

From the Mayor

I’m a big supporter of local business and I want to ensure our local economy continues to grow, especially our night-time economy.

Next week, I will present Mayoral Minutes to Council recommending that Council develop a Night-Time Economy Action Plan to support local businesses and make our town centres great places to visit after dark.

I will also put forward a proposal for Council to prepare a Lighting Policy to guide the use of outdoor lighting, avoid light pollution and ensure Ku-ring-gai remains a great location to view the night sky.

Another way we continue to support our local economy is through Council sponsored events and festivals. These events help make Ku-ring-gai a great place to live and puts us on the map for tourism.

If you have a great event or festival coming up, then I encourage you to find out more about our Events and Festival Sponsorship Program and submit an application.

Last year, Council sponsored a number of great events including the Sydney Backyard Ultra, where runners tackled a 6.7km loop every hour on the hour, and the Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, which is the highest-value professional art prize for women in Australia.

Other events and festivals to receive funding included the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival, among many others.

One exciting event that’s coming up later this year is the Ku-ring-gai Sculpture Trail.

Artists are invited to submit their entry for the 2025 Sculpture Trail, with $6000 in prizes up for grabs.

Selected artworks will be exhibited outdoors at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden in St Ives from 6 September to 6 October. You can find out more on our website.

Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers in our community who continue to make Ku-ring-gai a great place to live. Next week is National Volunteers Week and it is a chance for us all to express our sincere thanks for the generous efforts of our volunteers. We hope you enjoy your celebrations at one of the special events Council is hosting for you next week!

Mayor Christine Kay

Extraordinary Council Meeting on Preferred Housing Scenario

An Extraordinary Council Meeting will be held on 22 May to consider the next steps on the alternative scenarios for TOD SEPP. An Extraordinary Public Forum will be held on 21 May.

Council agendas and minutes

State Significant Developments and TOD DAs

The Department of Planning, Heritage and Infrastructure and Council are now receiving State Significant Development (SSD) and Transport Oriented Development applications.

Sponsorship applications open

Sponsorship applications are open for individuals and organisations wishing to deliver exciting and inclusive events during the 2025-2026 financial year.

Closes 31 May

Arts & Cultural Festival EOI

Celebrating our diverse and thriving arts and cultural community, we are looking for events to participate in our Arts & Cultural Festival between 18 June and 24 July.

Closes 25 May

Future plans on exhibition

Our new Community Strategic Plan (CSP), delivery program, budget and fees and charges for the 2025-2026 are on public exhibition.

Closes 20 May

Have a say

Road safety week

Council is committed to road safety and during National Road Safety Week drivers are asked to take the pledge to Drive So Others Survive!

11 - 18 May

Sydney Water community grants

Sydney Water community grants provides up to $10,000 to deliver sustainable water outcomes for local communities.

Closes 16 June

What's on

Gai-mariagal Festival

Founded in 2001, the Gai-mariagal Festival raises awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region.

This years theme is 'Legacies for future generations' and the Festival starts on Sorry Day 26 May.

See all Gai-mariagal events

Crop swap

Join like-minded residents as we swap excess produce, plants and home-made goodies at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden.

18 May

Fungi walk

Come along to find fantastic fungi guided by local naturalist and Ku-ring-gai Environmental Citizen of the Year, Sofia Zvolanek.

24 May

Read more and book

Eco dyeing

Connect with nature and learn how to cook up colour with flowers, leaves, herbs and food to bundle up a silk scarf.

24 May

Read more and book

St Ives Agricultural Show

Roll up, roll up for amusement rides, show bags, animal displays, woodchopping, arts and crafts, live entertainment and food trucks at the St Ives Agricultural Show.

17 and 18 May

Tickets at gate only

Volunteer movie day

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, volunteers in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby are welcome to join us for a free screening of the inspiring movie The Salt Path.

20 and 22 May

Read more and book

Virtual lunch for business

Online workshop to show how to find clients, discover how sales framework changes everything, generate qualified leads and simple ways to customise the process.

30 May

Peter Helliar book launch

Peter Helliar is visiting Gordon Library to reveal his hilarious new series of books about Galileo – a horse with talent for solving crimes.

4 June

Read more and book

Sydney Writers' Festival talks

Ku-ring-gai Library is celebrating Sydney Writers' Festival with two author talks:

Library events

Your say

Community Strategic Plan and supporting documents

Council’s 10-year Community Strategic Plan (CSP), 10-year Resourcing Strategy, 4-year Delivery Program, Council’s budget and fees & charges for 2025-2026 are on public exhibition for comment.