"Sitting in their cars freezing" Lane Cove council to put $5000 dollars towards winter homelessness support

The motion, put forward on Friday evening, put a small budget surplus toward supporting “the purchase and distribution of essential winter items.”

Huw Bradshaw
May 26, 2025

Lane Cove council has moved to put forward $5000 dollars to support those experiencing homelessness in the area.

Following a motion reviewing the council's third quarter budget, Councillor Scott Bennison put forward an amendment allowing up to $5000 to be spent to “support the purchase and distribution of essential winter items”.

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The funding for this amendment was taken from the General Manager’s Operating Expenses Budget. The general manager takes care of the day-to-day operations of the council and implements the decisions made by the council.

Councillor Bennison went on to state the significance of putting this amendment forward ahead of winter, saying that “people are going to be sitting in their cars freezing.” The funds will be used to provide “food, clothing, and basic essentials” for those experiencing homelessness in the Lane Cove LGA.

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An additional amendment was put forward by Councillor Bridget Kennedy, for the council to also seek contributions in kind (non-monetary) from the community.

According to a report produced by the National Emergency Management Agency of Australia, there are approximately 76 people in the Lane Cove LGA currently experiencing homelessness.

Image Credit: Lane Cove Council