Ryde Civic Centre plan: Public consultation opens

Community consultation is set to start on Ryde Council’s plan to upgrade the disused Civic Centre site.

How the plaza and open space will look at the upgraded Ryde Civic Centre site.

• Plan unveiled for Civic Centre site upgrade
• $7m spent on failed redevelopment plans

The Ryde community has been urged to have their say on redevelopment plans for the Civic Centre site.

Public consultation starts tomorrow on the proposal, dubbed ‘The New Heart of Ryde’, where council will deliver a fourfold increase in community facilities without putting any residential development on the site.

No costings have been released yet, but Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale says the plan will be “financially sustainable” and “not result in increased rates or cuts to any services”.

New plans for the remodelling of the old Civic Centre site, with it to be called “The New Heart of Ryde”.

The makeover would include dedicated space for concerts, art events and functions. It will also feature meeting rooms and community space for cultural and mothers’ groups.

“The New Heart of Ryde is one of the most exciting projects undertaken by the City of Ryde in decades,” Cr Laxale said.

“It will be built for the community and owned by the community. It will also activate the Civic Centre site and resolve the chronic shortage of community space that the city currently faces.”

Ryde District Mums co-founder Jessica Matthews said it had the potential to benefit many people in the community.

“As a mother, I know how hard it can be to find the appropriate space in Ryde to stage get-togethers for mothers’ groups,” Ms Matthews said.

“So to have new facilities where mothers’ groups can meet on a regular basis is terrific.”

The community can provide their feedback on the plan until Sunday, August 25.

Submissions can be made through an online survey at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/heart or by email at [e-mail].