329 meetings on the record
Council budget, rates and governance decisions
Highlights
- The policy may affect how Council buys goods and services and the opportunities available to local and sustainable suppliers.
- The project is intended to deliver an upgraded community and sports facility at Pratten Park, subject to future funding decisions.
- The wharf project design and timing remain unresolved while lower-cost or budget-aligned options are developed.
- The audit and subsequent public presentation will provide information about Council’s financial position and performance.
- The project will progress to design, with a further opportunity for public comment before exhibition.
- The project will provide a synthetic sports surface and commit almost $24.4 million from Council’s infrastructure reserve.
Decisions
Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy placed on exhibition
Council adopted an amended draft Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy for public exhibition. Submissions will return to Council; if none are received, no further report is required.
The policy may affect how Council buys goods and services and the opportunities available to local and sustainable suppliers.
Pratten Park club upgrade advanced
Council noted the feasibility design and cost estimate for the Pratten Park Community Sports and Bowling Club, requested an immediate Development Application and committed to completing the upgraded facility by mid-2028, with funding to be determined through a quarterly budget review.
The project is intended to deliver an upgraded community and sports facility at Pratten Park, subject to future funding decisions.
Leichhardt Park Wharf report deferred
Council deferred the post-exhibition report on the Leichhardt Park Wharf Project until alternative designs that align with the current budget allocation can be considered.
The wharf project design and timing remain unresolved while lower-cost or budget-aligned options are developed.
Draft financial statements sent for audit
Council approved the 2025–2026 Draft Financial Statements for audit, accepted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification, and noted that audited statements are due to be presented at the November 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
The audit and subsequent public presentation will provide information about Council’s financial position and performance.
SES facility design work advanced
Council supported procurement of a lead architect and professional team for concept and detailed design of the Randwick SES Facility at 1903 and 1905R Botany Road, Matraville. The concept design must return to Council before public exhibition.
The project will progress to design, with a further opportunity for public comment before exhibition.
Norman Griffiths Oval synthetic-turf upgrade approved
Council determined that the Norman Griffiths Oval upgrade will use a synthetic playing surface and adopted a total project budget of $24,408,912, funded from the Infrastructure and Facilities Reserve.
The project will provide a synthetic sports surface and commit almost $24.4 million from Council’s infrastructure reserve.
NSW Public Works authorised to deliver the project
The General Manager was authorised to engage NSW Public Works to complete the design package, flood impact assessment, Review of Environmental Factors, approvals, procurement and project governance requirements.
The project will undergo further design, environmental, flood and procurement work before construction proceeds.
Further project delivery report required
A report is to return to Council with a project delivery plan, pre-tender estimate and procurement plan before the project proceeds to the next procurement stage.
Final delivery arrangements and updated cost and procurement information must be considered before the project advances.
2026–2027 carryover budget adopted
Council adopted a revised 2026–2027 budget incorporating projects carried over from 2025–2026, including updated comprehensive income, financial position, cash-flow and City Water and City Waste operating statements. Officers will continue monitoring the capital program and project delivery.
Carryover funding allows delayed capital works to continue, although the meeting extract does not identify the full project-by-project allocations.
August 2026 financial report noted
Council noted the financial position, results and sustainability ratios for the period ending 31 August 2026. Council reported an operating surplus of $35.9 million, cash and investments of $350.5 million, and $10.5 million in capital expenditure during the first two months of the financial year.
The report indicates Council is broadly tracking its adopted budget, while water-consumption revenue was below budget and the Asset Sustainability Ratio remained below target.
Audit and Risk Management Committee minutes adopted
Council adopted the minutes of the committee meeting held on 26 August 2026. The committee reported a manageable overall risk profile but highlighted supply-chain pressures, cyber security, confidential-information risks, water and wastewater asset information, and portfolio delivery pressures.
The issues identified will continue to be monitored through Council’s governance and risk processes.
2025–26 financial statements referred to audit
Council received and certified the draft General and Special Purpose Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 and referred them to the Audit Office of NSW.
Creates the formal external-audit process for Council’s financial results.
Revised Procurement Policy adopted
Council adopted a revised Procurement Policy.
Changes the rules governing how Council purchases goods, services and works from suppliers.
Lindfield clubhouse nominated for grant program
Council nominated a major upgrade of the Lindfield Soldiers Memorial Clubhouse and amenities for Round 2 of the Faster Assessments Incentive Program and confirmed $1,003,500 from the draft special rates variation program. Bannockburn Oval Little Athletics Clubhouse was identified for consideration in a future round.
Provides a substantial funding pathway for upgrades to a local community facility and starts a process for other projects.
Artificial Intelligence Policy updates approved
Updates to Sections 12 and 16 of Council’s Artificial Intelligence Policy were approved, with an amendment requiring the policy to be reviewed in two years.
The policy will guide Council’s use and governance of artificial intelligence, with a scheduled review to assess whether changes are needed.
Planning and development fees amended
Proposed minor amendments to the 2026–2027 Register of Fees and Charges for planning and development were recommended for adoption following the Regulation Advisory Committee report.
Changes may affect people and organisations applying for planning, development, social impact assessment, community benefit agreement and Priority Development Area services. The supplied extract does not specify the amended amounts.
General-rate concessions granted or supported
The committee considered rate-concession applications under section 120 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 and Council’s Rates Concession Policy. The supplied extract identifies a 100 per cent differential general-rate concession for 55 and 59 Sarah Drive, Yamanto, and concessions involving properties at 36 Moffatt Street, Ipswich; 12 Glebe Road, Newtown; 10 Glebe Road, Newtown; 97 Pine Mountain Road, Brassall; 10A Glebe Road, Newtown; and properties in confidential attachments.
Approved concessions reduce the differential general rates payable by eligible property owners. Some property-specific details and outcomes remain confidential or are unclear in the extract.
2025-2026 financial and performance statements approved in principle
Council approved in principle the 2025-2026 Annual Financial Report and 2025-2026 Performance Statement. The statements had been reviewed by external auditors on behalf of the Victorian Auditor General and recommended by the Audit and Risk Committee.
The documents report Council’s financial position and service-performance results for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Authority granted to sign final statements
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive Officer were authorised to sign the final annual financial and performance statements after any auditor-recommended or agreed changes are made. The resolution was carried unanimously.
This enables the statements to proceed through the formal audit and reporting process.
August financial performance received
Council received the Monthly Financial Performance Statement for the period ending 31 August 2026. The report recorded $282.6 million in unrestricted cash, $180.8 million in debt, a 13.75-month unrestricted cash expense cover ratio and a 1.37 leverage ratio. The 2026/27 budget includes a $236 million capital works program and a $5.4 million operating surplus.
The figures indicate strong short-term liquidity, but the report also warns that the asset sustainability ratio is below target and that spending is weighted towards new and upgrade works rather than renewals.
Topics
Property and procurement policies reviewed
Council adopted an amended Property Investment and Development Policy and placed the amended Local and Sustainable Procurement Policy on exhibition. A separate local-procurement policy item was also considered in the meeting records.
The policies guide Council property decisions and purchasing practices, including potential impacts on local businesses and suppliers.
Financial reporting and investments
Council progressed the 2025-2026 unaudited Annual Financial Reports for audit and considered the investment report as at 31 August 2026.
These processes support public oversight of Council finances and invested funds.
Matraville RSL car park partnership
Council endorsed joint funding with Matraville RSL Club and Sydney Catholic Schools to upgrade the car park at 1P Norfolk Parade, Matraville, with funding available in the 2026/27 capital works budget.
The upgrade may improve parking and access for the RSL, school and surrounding community.
Planning controls and meeting governance
The Panel adopted a revised Code of Meeting Practice while also determining three significant residential development applications.
Residents and applicants will be affected by the updated meeting procedures and the outcomes of local development assessments.
Capital works and budget carryovers
Council’s revised budget continues the 2026–2027 capital program and carries forward incomplete 2025–2026 projects. The capital budget envelope was described as $138.2 million, with delivery subject to ongoing monitoring.
Residents may see delayed or previously committed infrastructure projects continue during 2026–2027.
Water and utility revenue
Recurrent revenue was broadly close to budget, but water-consumption revenue was below expectations. The report also identified timing-related variations in levies, utility charges, grants and capital revenue.
The report does not adopt new rates or utility charges, but it identifies water consumption as a financial pressure to monitor.
Cleveland Town Centre Revitalisation Project
The agenda recorded prior Council resolutions designating the project a major project, supporting progression through project phases and requiring future reporting on preferred development partners. The supplied extract does not provide a new substantive outcome at this meeting.
The project remains subject to governance, commercial confidentiality and future Council decisions.
Parking ticket machine procurement
The agenda included RFT IE571/2026 for the supply and maintenance of parking ticket machines, but the extracted material does not state the resolution or supplier outcome.
The procurement may affect paid-parking operations and maintenance, but no confirmed change is available from the extract.
Financial sustainability and capital works
August results showed favourable operating income and expenditure variances, including additional disaster recovery revenue and lower-timed contract expenditure. Capital expenditure was $8.99 million below budget, while the capital works mix was reported as 18% renewals and 82% new or upgrade works against a 60% renewals target.
The cash position is strong, but the low renewal share may create longer-term asset maintenance and sustainability pressures.
Disaster recovery funding advocacy
Council material criticised the proposed national Disaster Recovery Funding Framework, particularly a universal 50:50 cost-sharing model, and argued for arrangements that account for equity, thresholds, reimbursement rates and the capacity of jurisdictions.
Changes to disaster funding could affect the cost borne by local and state governments after floods, fires and other disasters, and could influence future recovery works in the region.
Financial reporting and investments
Council noted the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee minutes, endorsed the preparation and public notice of the 2025–26 audited financial statements, and noted the August 2026 investment report and compliance with investment requirements.
These decisions provide formal oversight of Council’s financial reporting and investment management.
Council financial and governance oversight
The committee received reports on investments, strategic risk, and Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee activity.
These reports support transparency about the council’s financial management, risk controls and governance.
Potential purchase of No. 177 Scarborough Beach Road
Council was advised that purchasing the adjoining site could be contemplated, but it is not included in the adopted Budget or Long-Term Financial Plan. Funding could require borrowing, higher future rates, reprioritised capital works, use of reserves or reintroduced paid parking, subject to detailed analysis and a separate Absolute Majority decision.
A purchase could create future pressure on rates, parking charges, reserves or planned projects.
Asset-management funding gaps
Parks and Buildings asset-management plans will identify service and funding gaps. The plans are expected before the 2027/28 Budget, alongside consolidated funding requirements across asset classes.
The process may identify future capital works and funding needs affecting Council spending priorities.
2026/27 Register of Fees and Charges
The committee considered amendments covering the card surcharge and online Real Estate Portal access.
The changes affect the cost of making card payments to Council and accessing property information online.
Real Estate Portal usage
The automated portal provides 24/7 access to property descriptions, rates and charges information, water meter readings, land area and land valuation. It received more than 18,000 hits during the 2026 calendar year.
The free self-service portal helps residents and property professionals obtain information without contacting Council service centres.