Council's Strategy

All the activity of Rockdale City Council is directed towards making Rockdale a better City.

This is achieved through implementing Council's strategy - which shows Council's key goals and how they are being achieved. Council developed its strategy, and revises it every year, based on input from a number of sources. They include:

• Surveys of residents and businesses commissioned by Council and carried out by the Hunter Valley Research Foundation
• Local knowledge gained from community groups, businesses and individuals expressed through correspondence, advisory committees, community forums and contact with elected members and staff
• Strategy workshops involving elected members and staff
• Analysis of trends and influences at the global, national, state and local levels

Promoting a Healthy, Safe and Accessible Lifestyle I Protecting the Natural Environment I Building a Liveable City I Providing Quality Recreation Opportunities I Developing Reliable Transport and Safe Roads I Facilitating Economic Development I

Promoting a Healthy, Safe and Accessible Lifestyle

Council will recognise and respect the cultural diversity of Rockdale's population, and will work with local community groups and government departments to plan community services which meet people’s needs. Technological improvements will be harnessed to provide increased public access to Council information and processes, and Council will, in partnership with the police, contribute to making Rockdale a Safer City. Council will support and provide a range of exciting local celebrations.

Key actions include:

• Research and document community needs
• Support community groups - financially and in kind
• Provide a meals on wheels program ( Rockdale Meal Service)
• Review and implement the Ethnic Affairs Policy
• Provide a comprehensive web site
• Develop and implement "Safety through Environmental Design" Development Control Plan
• Develop a strong and supportive partnership with the Police Service
• Enforce local regulations
• Promote and support public celebrations, festivals and community events to acknowledge the diverse range of opportunities available in the City and the diverse background and talents of our residents

Protecting the Natural Environment

Residents have indicated a strong desire for Council to take a leading role in environmental protection. The City of Rockdale has a diversity of significant environmental features, including the Rockdale Wetlands corridor, the foreshores of Botany Bay, Bardwell Valley, and remnant bushland areas such as the Hawthorne Street Natural Area. In partnership with local community groups and government agencies, Council is working to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Key environmental actions include:

• Implement the Regional Air Quality Management Plan
• Develop a local Greenhouse Action Plan
• Protect and increase native animal habitat through bush protection/ regeneration and a significant increase in tree planting to support "Green Web - Sydney".
• Carry out stormwater projects to improve the water quality of Georges River and Bardwell Creek
• Implement and enforce development conditions aimed at reducing air and odour emissions
• Conduct environmental auditing of commercial and industrial premises
• Ensure significant species and ecological communities are fully considered in development assessment

Building a Liveable City

Council's objective is to develop the city on the basis of sustainability and good urban design. The requirement for growth will be balanced by the need to conserve our heritage. Land uses will be appropriately located and public areas and streets beautified. Council will manage wisely the community assets under its control.

Key actions include:

• Complete an Urban Design Policy for the City and Development Control Plans governing commercial and residential development in Rockdale and other town centres
• Develop an energy efficiency Development Control Plan
• Review planning controls
• Prepare and implement a Master Plan for North Arncliffe
• Develop a streetscape and landscape plan
• Provide bus shelters and bus seats
• Incorporate landscaping into civil works
• Complete stage 3 of the heritage review and place items onto the State heritage data base
• Provide improved street lighting
• Prepare Sans Souci catchments floodplain management plan
• Adopt a local flood policy
• Ensure new developments are designed to deal with local overland flows

Providing Quality Recreation Opportunities

Council is working towards ensuring that all sections of our community have access to appropriate recreational opportunities. We have an extensive system of open space which will be increased through further land purchases. Improvements are also planned for the major components of our system; the Botany Bay foreshore, Rockdale wetlands and recreation corridor and the Bardwell Valley parklands.

Key recreation actions include:

• Upgrade existing parkland and recreation facilities to suit contemporary needs;
• Actions will include new playground equipment and landscape works;
• Further develop and improve the Brighton Beach Promenade;
• Review Cook Park Plan of Management to determine what additional recreation and leisure opportunities the park will support;
• Upgrade the coastal dune system;
• Significantly upgrade Bexley Swimming Centre;
• Finalise the design and location for the Indoor Leisure Centre;
• Upgrade the Arncliffe Branch Library;
• Acquire and develop open space for the new residents of our City, particularly those who will live in the North Arncliffe Precinct; and
• Work with the developers of residential buildings to ensure that private open spaces are developed to complement public open space.

Developing reliable transport and safe roads

Residents have identified traffic congestion and its associated problems as a key quality of life concern. Council would like to see the efficient movement of people and goods within and through the City, appropriate car parking and a transport system that is safe for all. Some of this can be achieved through Council's own actions, while for others Council must negotiate with the State Government.

Key transport related actions include:

• Advocate implementation of the St George region transport strategy recommendations;
• Integrate traffic and transport planning;
• Conduct a road safety program in collaboration with the St George Councils and the RTA;
• Prepare and implement a pedestrian access mobility plan;
• Investigate traffic issues and design traffic management devices when required;
• Identify the most dangerous traffic situations and implement solutions;
• Provide support for the Local Traffic Committee and implement its decisions; and
• Extend and upgrade the cycleway network.

Facilitating Economic Development

Council wants to see viable businesses, job growth and investment in the City of Rockdale. The promotion of economic development and employment opportunities occurs both through direct Council action and through partnerships with the private sector, Government departments and business associations.

Key actions include:

• Prepare strategies for the development of Rockdale and Bexley Town Centres
• Carry out further urban design improvements at the Rockdale Town Centre
• Commence landscape improvements at the Arncliffe Shopping Centre
• Extend the banner program to all shopping centres and instal new entrance signage at Sans Souci, Kingsgrove and Arncliffe
• Develop and implement a strategy to promote and market the North Arncliffe area
• Develop a car parking plan
• Continually review DA processing systems to improve processing times and customer satisfaction
• Support the St George/Sutherland Business Enterprise Centre and GROW program