Right NOW is a great time to get involved in local government advocacy!
Across New South Wales, our recently elected councillors are reviewing strategic documents that will influence decision-making about infrastructure delivery over the next four years and beyond.
Volunteer content writer Monique Ewen spoke to some councillors to find out how community advocates can help push for better outcomes for active transport.
Some of the state’s councillors at the Local Government Conference in Tamworth, November 2024. Many were brand new to the job of representing their communities and full of enthusiasm! (Image: Jess Whittaker)
Grab a key chance to influence local strategic planning
Peter McLean is CEO of Bicycle NSW. He has also just been re-elected to Camden Council. Peter has identified an important opportunity to make sure that walking and cycling are prioritised at the highest level in every council in NSW.
Under the standardised Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework, each local government must have a Community Strategic Plan (CSP). This is a ten-year plan that encapsulates the community’s vision and aspirations. It is reviewed after each election cycle.
The CSP has a number of cascading documents and plans covering operations, finances, resourcing, and more. All of which will influence decisions that councillors and council staff make over the next four years.
This diagram explains the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework which came into practice in 2009. The Community Strategic Plan is the overarching document that sets the tone for everything council does. (Image: Office for Local Government)
If active travel is clearly highlighted in the CSP, it will make it easier to get walking and cycling projects approved in this term of council.
All councils are currently reviewing their CSP. Check your council’s website, newsletters and social media for the exact dates but deadlines are likely to be in the first few months of 2025.
There will be a mandatory period of public consultation.
A simple thing to look for. Does each transport-related objective, or action for achieving it, explicitly mention walking and cycling? You should be able to download a copy of your local government’s CSP online. You can also check out the City of Sydney CSP as City staff have put a lot of research and development into making sure their document will bring about best practice in active travel. One of the strategic directions is building ‘A city for walking, cycling and public transport’.
“Each CSP will be different depending on the needs of the area,” says Peter. “If you’re in an urban area, you want to make sure that your CSP mentions mode shift and speed reductions. Whereas, if you’re in a regional area, you want your CSP to focus on building cycling and walking opportunities for recreation and tourism.”
“If you’ve got any questions or concerns about your CSP then you’ve got a great excuse to reach out to your local councillors and discuss it!”
Each council must publicly report on the progress every six months. So this will provide more opportunities for reinforcing active travel commitments.
Peter McLean is hosting a webinar for Bicycle NSW Members and friends on 16th December at 7pm on to share tips and tricks for better engagement with councillors and staff. Join the webinar with this Zoom link. Passcode: 696429, Meeting ID: 867 1610 2751
Get to know your local councillors
Now is the perfect time to invest in building relationships with the councillors who we’re going to have for the next four years.
Councillor Adam Worling was recently elected for a second term in Clover Moore’s Independent Team. Monique caught up with him to hear his thoughts on how to achieve positive change for active transport.
“The one thing I’ve found since becoming a councillor is that so many people don’t know how to use a councillor,” said Adam. “Thrashing it out on social media, especially Facebook, is probably not the most effective way to get things done. You know, email a councillor, have a conversation with us.”
Adam shared his top tips for engaging with your local councillor: take photos, talk to your neighbours, do some investigating, write to council, list the names of others who agree with you. And then line up a meeting with your councillor.
“Meeting face-to-face with a councillor will make sure they really understand your issue,” says Adam. “It is also a great opportunity for the councillor to provide the bigger picture and set the record straight. Quite often when you explain the bigger picture, people go, oh, I hadn’t thought about that.”
City of Sydney Councillor Adam Worling is a huge advocate for initiatives to create healthy, safe and liveable streets that put people first. Here he is at the recent Sydney Streets event in Surry Hills with Councillor Jess Miller – and a lot of the local community! (Image: Adam Worling)
Peter McLean adds that it shows good faith if you can demonstrate that you’re willing to collaborate on a solution, not just complain about a problem.
Remember that councillors need community input
Monique also spoke to Jess Whittaker, a newly elected Greens councillor in Wollongong. In the weeks since starting this new role, she has found that collaboration is critical to her work on council. In putting together her first notice of motion for a council meeting, she talked to local groups and former councillors, and then worked with researchers and academics at the university.
“I like to bring people along on the journey,” she says. “I don’t like being in combat with people. If there’s a challenge, it’s not just my challenge. I have to work through that with the community and understand what they want.”
Jess loves bike riding and is a member is Illawarra Bicycle User Group. “Getting wins for active transport is critical to address health, climate and cost of living. I want the community and the rest of council to come along on that journey and not just have us bashing on the door”.
Councillor Jess Whittaker helped organised Wollongong’s inaugural Fancy Women's Bike Ride in September 2024. This global event inspires women to get out on their bikes and reclaim the streets in a world dominated by cars. There was a great turn out and it was a fantastic day for community-building and engagement.
(Image: Jess Whittaker)
“These problems are shared but so are the solutions,” says Jess. “It’s going to take all of us working together if we want to see meaningful change.”
Don’t forget that members of the public can address council meetings to clarify requests and issues. And, as always, submissions on plans and strategies are crucial for helping projects progress.
How else can you influence active transport?
Join Bicycle NSW!
Bicycle NSW works with staff and councillors at councils across NSW each and every day. Our small team is dedicated to making NSW better for bike riding. But we need your help!
Become a Member today and support our advocacy for better infrastructure and safer streets. You will also ride easy, covered by our comprehensive insurance and enjoy many other Member-only benefits.
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