Housing versus communities, towers versus heritage, density versus biodiversity, NIMBY versus YIMBY. You can’t stop progress, but this Sydney council has decided to try, commencing court action against Minns’ rezoning. But is there a middle way? The Better Cities Initiative and the New Democracy Foundation believe there might be, and it lies in deep popular wisdom. Could a Citizens’ Assembly find this middle ground?
WHAT: Curating Ku-ring-gai is a public forum to discuss the potential for a Citizens’ Assembly to radically transform NSW planning, heal community divisions and find a middle way for the future planning of Ku-ring-gai.
The event offers an opportunity for locals to have their voices heard and explore how deliberative democracy could bring forth sustainable and community-friendly solutions that balance housing growth with preserving local character, delivering an alternative to court action.
WHEN: Wednesday 28th August, 6-7.30pm
WHERE: Gordon Public Library, Meeting Room 2, 799 Pacific Highway 2072
WHO: This event is public. Everyone is invited to listen and to speak!
Speakers and Chair: Spearheaded by Dr Elizabeth Farrelly and chaired by renowned author and humorist Wendy Harmer, the event features a diverse lineup of speakers, including:
- Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, CEO, The Better Cities Initiative
- Indu Balachandran, Independent candidate for Ku-ring-gai
- Tim Sneesby, local government planning manager
- Kristyn Haywood, Independent Candidate for Wahroonga
- Henry Tsang OAM, local architect and former MLC
- Andrew Sweeney, local architect, founder Support Lindfield
- Adrienne McLean, Independent candidate, President Kuring-gai Chamber of Commerce
- Kyle Redman, New Democracy Foundation
These brief talks will be followed by audience Q&A : all voices welcome!
Register here:
Or via The Better Cities Initiative website www.bettercities.org.au
Why it Matters:
"Densification is inevitable,” says Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, CEO of the Better Cities Initiative,” but we don’t have to choose between skyscrapers and sprawl. A Citizens’ Assembly can tap into the collective wisdom of the Ku-ring-gai community to shape a future that benefits everyone."
Ku-ring-gai is celebrated for its lovely, leafy streets, rich biodiversity and heritage charm. With the housing affordability and climate crises pressing down, however, the Minns’ government’s ambitious rezoning plans have sparked fears of overdevelopment. The Council’s response – court action - highlights the deep divide. But is litigation the best path? Court battles are costly and unpredictable.
Perhaps there is a better way to meet both housing and environmental needs; better for the community, and for the neighbourhoods.
A Citizens’ Assembly offers a fresh approach; a democratic process where community members learn, deliberate and work towards consensus on how to balance growth and preservation. Educational and enjoyable, it is designed to elicit and empower deep popular wisdom. In Ku-ring-gai’s case, the forum on the 28th will explore whether such a model could be a game-changer in Ku-ring-gai’s planning saga
About The Better Cities Initiative:
The Better Cities Initiative is a not-for-profit start-up dedicated to citizen-led design for better cities. We believe in empowering communities to shape their neighbourhoods, fostering citizen agency, social cohesion and long-term sustainability.
For more information about The Better Cities Initiative and to support our work, please visit our website: Better Cities Initiative.
Key Facts:
CURATING KU-RING-GAI
A public forum to discuss the best way forward for Ku-ring-gai in the face of mass rezonings.
When: Wednesday 28th August 6-7.30pm
Where: Gordon Public Library, Meeting Room 2, 799 Pacific Highway Gordon NSW
Register for tickets via Humantix: https://bit.ly/4deAzE2 or via our website www.bettercities.org.au
Speakers and Chair: Spearheaded by Dr Elizabeth Farrelly and chaired by renowned author and humorist Wendy Harmer, the event features a diverse lineup of speakers, including:
- Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, CEO, The Better Cities Initiative
- Indu Balachandran, Independent candidate for Ku-ring-gai
- Tim Sneesby, local government planning manager
- Kristyn Haywood, Independent Candidate for Wahroonga
- Henry Tsang OAM, local architect and former MLC
- Andrew Sweeney, local architect, founder Support Lindfield
- Adrienne McLean, Independent candidate, President Kuring-gai Chamber of Commerce
- Kyle Redman, New Democracy Foundation
About us:
Contact details:
Media contact:
Elizabeth Farrelly | The Better Cities Initiative
M: 0402 850 055 | contact@bettercities.org.au | www.bettercities.org.au
