Fixing our Housing Crisis
Attend the Forum on Wed 7th August 6.30pm at NSW Parliament Theatrette
FOKE
Articles
Current & past articles
Support Disallowance Bill
Please write letters to the Upper House Crossbench calling on them to SUPPORT The Hon. Scott Farlow, MLC & Shadow Minister for Planning's DISALLOWANCE BILL opposing the Transport Oriented Development
Sydney’s ‘land banking’ crisis
Read Greg Callaghan's article 'Left to rot: The 'ghost homes' scourge in our big cities - amid a housing crisis, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 July 2024
FOKE E-News July 24
Find out how you can help protect Ku-ring-gai - a place of outstanding heritage & environmental significance.
The Koala documentary
New evidence debunks the 'scientific justification' for logging critical koala habitat. Knowing this, it is more important than ever to see this documentary.
Vale Don Brew
FOKE member Don Brew (1935 - 2024) was honoured by Ku-ring-gai Council for his fearless and dedicated advocacy for Ku-ring-gai's heritage.
Hope – Interim Heritage Order
Ku-ring-gai Council is working hard to protect Ku-ring-gai's 23 Heritage Conservation Areas.
It’s YOUR home. YOU don’t have to sell
The Transport Oriented Development and Well-Located Housing SEPPs have triggered a surge of interest among developers, leading to a frenzy of activity akin to a gold rush. Developers are increasingly
Attend, listen & watch TOD Inquiry on Wed 24 July
The final public hearing on the Development of the Transport Orientated Development (TOD) will be held in the Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney on Wed 24 July, 2024
FOKE Talk, July 2024
Read FOKE's newsletter 'FOKE Talk', July 2024 to find out the latest issues facing Ku-ring-gai.
FOKE’s President Report, 22 May 2024
Read Kathy Cowley, FOKE President's Report that tells the work that FOKE has done to protect Ku-ring-gai over the past year.
Good news – Lourdes planning proposal rejected
Retirement Village owner, Levande's amendments to redevelop the Lourdes Retirement Village, 95 Stanhope Road, Killara has been rejected by the Department of Planning following the Sydney North Planning Panel (SNPP)
Hope – Council’s legal action
Ku-ring-gai Council Vs NSW Government is expected to proceed from Friday 19 July 2024.
Hope – Scott Farlow’s TOD Disallowance Bill
The Hon. Scott Farlow, MLC & Shadow Minister for Planning introduced a Private members Bill into the Legislative Council to disallow the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program across Greater Sydney, including
Despair – Low- & Mid-rise Housing & Dual Occupancies
Thanks to all who attended Ku-ring-gai Council’s community forums on the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing plans.
Volunteers needed Sun 14 July
Help FOKE save our trees and wildlife. Volunteers needed on Sunday 14 July
The Koala at Roseville Cinema 17 July
Join FOKE to see this important documentary about the crisis facing our national icon - our Koala
Hope – TOD Upper House Inquiry on 24 July
The final public hearing on the Development of the Transport Orientated Development (TOD) will be held in the Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney on Wed 24 July, 2024
Save Greater Sydney Coalition Forum on 7 August
Please join FOKE on this important forum in the NSW Parliament Theatrette on Wednesday 7 August 2024 at 6,30pm. Booking details to follow soon.
Unaffordable Auckland
Read Cameron Murray's study that dismantles the Auckland myth. Density did NOT create affordable housing.
Why isn’t Minns worried about NSW’s housing debt?
Why isn't Premier Chris Minns telling the public about the financial costs that the Transport Oriented Development and Low and Mid-Rise Housing will bring to NSW? Some say it will
YES it IS BAD for the whole of NSW
Read why FOKE agrees that the NSW's Government's housing policy is "bad for the whole of NSW".
SMH Asked? FOKE Answered.
Read what a Sydney Morning Herald journalist asked FOKE. Read FOKE's reply.
Ku-ring-gai’s C.E.W. Bean honoured by UNESCO
Former Co-founder and President of FOKE, Anne Carroll OAM, talked about the life and work of her grandfather, Charles E.W. Bean at the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society meeting on 22 June,
Low & Mid-Rise Threats
Watch Ku-ring-gai Council explain the planning disaster that is coming to every street that is 800 metres from a train station or large supermarket
Trees – a timely reminder
If you missed Ku-ring-gai Councils Tree Forum on 26 March, 2024 it is worthy watching again - especially in light of the NSW Governments 'deforestation designed' planning SEPPs
Minns forgets his “avalanche of many ugly, poorly built developments” speech
FOKE wishes to remind Premier Chris Minns what he said on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on 8 August 2018 about planning for Greater Sydney. Read the full speech on
345 Pac Hwy, Lindfield must not set dangerous precedent
See GB.11, Agenda, Ku-ring-gai Council meeting, Tues 18 June 2024 at 7pm HERE A private Planning Proposal has been received by Ku-ring-gai Council for 345 Pacific Highway (opposite the new Coles
Forums on Low & Mid-rise Housing
It is important that you attend Ku-ring-gai Councils public forums that will explain the NSW Governments LOW AND MID-RISE housing plans and their potential impacts on your neighbourhood. The low
TOD Disallowance Bill
Read more about the TOD Disallowance Bill HERE Scott Farlow, MLC & Shadow Minister for Planning, has introduced a Private members Bill into the Legislative Council. This Bill is the Environmental
Ku-ring-gai remains steadfast on TOD legal action
FOKE thanks Ku-ring-gai Councillors who voted to continue the legal action against the NSW Governments undemocratic and environmentally and heritage destructive Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program. A majority of nine
Stop Crs Spencer & Pettett selling out Ku-ring-gai
Attend Ku-ring-gai Council meetingTuesday 4 June, 2024 7pmCouncil Chambers 818 Pacific Highway, Gordon (entrance at rear of Council) Send the message to all Ku-ring-gai Councillors: STAND UP FOR KU-RING-GAI Email: councillors@krg.nsw.gov.au Read
FOKE’s evidence to TOD Inquiry
FOKE was invited to give evidence to the NSW Parliament’s Upper House Inquiry into the development of the Transport Oriented Development Program (TOD) on Monday 20 May 2024 in the
FOKE’s evidence to Planning & Climate Change Inquiry 10 May, 2024
FOKE presented evidence to the NSW Parliament Upper House Portfolio Committee No. 7 regarding its inquiry into the planning system and the impact of climate change on the environment and communities
Council takes legal action
Ku-ring-gai Council unanimously voted to take legal action against the NSW Governments Transport Orientated Development (TOD) State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) at its Council meeting on Wednesday 8 May, 2024.
Blue Mtns letter to Premier Minns
OPEN LETTER TO THE PREMIER OF NSW Read letter to Premier from Blue Mountains Conservation Society published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 13 May 2024 HERE
Ku-ring-gai’s WAKE UP letter to NSW residents
READ Ku-ring-gai’s open letter to NSW residents, published in early May 2024: An open letter to NSW residents – WAKE UP We’ve all heard about the NSW Government’s plans for
GeoRegion = GeoWonder
Dr Peter Mitchell OAM will talk about FOKEs fascinating Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion project which celebrates Sydney’s unique geological heritage When: Saturday 18 May, 2024 Time: 2-4pm Venue: Roseville Uniting Church, 7A
Grant for GeoRegion
FOKE and Steering Committee members of the Ku-ring-gai GeoRegion project were delighted to attend the Grants Presentation night on 20th February. FOKE sincerely thanks the Board of the Community Bank-
Save Sydney Rally
ON Tuesday 12 March 2024 1pm AT Tree of Knowledge behind Parliament House, Hospital Road, Domain. Map here. PROTEST against the new planning laws proposed by the NSW Government. THREATENS every
TOD Inquiry Announced
The NSW Parliament has announced an Upper House Inquiry into the Development of the Transport Orientated Development Program (TOD). Submissions are due on 28 March 2924. The TOD Program will
Say NO to NSW Government
Send your submission HERE by deadline Friday 23 February, 2024 Ideas to help you send your submission: The NSW Minns Government planning ‘reforms’:
What will the development being proposed within 400 metres of the stations look like? No setbacks. No trees. No conservation areas.
Visit Ku-ring-gai Council to find out more here
NSW Labor DETERMINED TO DESTROY KU-RING-GAI
“You have something special here in Ku-ring-gai. Fight for it.” – Tom Uren Ku-ring-gai is about to be destroyed. It is now time for residents to fight for Ku-ring-gai. The
NSW Government announces intentions for MORE HOUSING DENSITY
At the last Ku-ring-gai Council meeting, less than two weeks before Christmas 2023, Mayor Ngai tabled a Mayoral Minute : “The Trickle of Information Regarding Housing Density Changes – Tuesday
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