Ryde. 'Good economic sense'

Ryde City Council says the proposed Ryde Civic Precinct makes good economic sense for the city. It would provide much needed facilities for Ryde at a fraction of the cost of maintaining or refurbishing the existing council administration building, council said. The alternatives - do nothing or refurbish the existing building - would cost council more. Do nothing and the council would spend money until the building fails, council said. Refurbishment would cost council considerably more (estimated at this stage to be $39.2 million) than the proposed development with none of the community benefits. Council’s asset value would increase to $79 million and council would maintain ownership of its facilities and the land on which they are situated.

Ryde. $350 million project

Lend Lease, as preferred developers, is on track to build a $350 million civic precinct for Ryde City Council, according to The Australian Financial Review. The company has proposed 622 apartments a council-owned 400-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, council chambers and administrative offices and a 1200-square-metre public square. Council will vote on the proposal this month.

Ryde. Experts needed for design panel

The City of Ryde has called for expressions of interest from qualified professionals who are interested in being considered to be on a panel of experts to supply professional services to council’s design review panel. The advice will assist council in its promotion and delivery of high quality urban design, architecture and sustainable design.