173 meetings on the record
Council community service and facility decisions
Highlights
- The decisions affect access to community and sporting facilities and provide opportunities for public submissions on proposed land arrangements.
- Library users will have more staffed access outside standard business hours. Council will also investigate 24/7 self-service book lockers in areas including Newtown, Summer Hill and Lewisham.
- Residents, particularly people with disability and carers, will have an opportunity to comment on Council’s four-year accessibility and inclusion roadmap.
- These documents will no longer operate as current Council policies; the extracted minutes do not specify replacement arrangements or fee changes.
- Alcohol restrictions will be temporarily suspended in the specified event areas; residents should expect event-related activity and apply normal public-safety precautions.
- The project will progress to design, with a further opportunity for public comment before exhibition.
Decisions
Community and sporting facility leases progressed
Council approved a new five-year market-rent lease of the King Street Lease Area to Ballina Bowling and Recreation Club, subject to public advertising, and progressed tenure arrangements for Alstonville Racquet Club subject to statutory notification. Council also supported discussions to optimise use of Wigmore Hall.
The decisions affect access to community and sporting facilities and provide opportunities for public submissions on proposed land arrangements.
Marrickville Library hours to be extended on trial
Council approved a 12-month trial of longer staffed hours at Marrickville Library, including evening hours to 10pm on Thursdays and extended weekend service, commencing in October 2026. Progress reports are due at six and 12 months.
Library users will have more staffed access outside standard business hours. Council will also investigate 24/7 self-service book lockers in areas including Newtown, Summer Hill and Lewisham.
Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan placed on public exhibition
Council endorsed the Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan 2026-2030 for public exhibition. If no submissions are received, the plan may be adopted and the 2022-2026 Disability Inclusion Action Plan revoked.
Residents, particularly people with disability and carers, will have an opportunity to comment on Council’s four-year accessibility and inclusion roadmap.
Redundant Council policies revoked
Council formally revoked the Burwood Library and Community Hub Statement on Access to Information, Burwood Library Community Noticeboards Policy and User Fees for Council Services Policy.
These documents will no longer operate as current Council policies; the extracted minutes do not specify replacement arrangements or fee changes.
Alcohol-free zone suspensions approved for Christmas events
Council authorised suspension of alcohol-free zones covering Gaskill Street, Canowindra and Bank Street, Molong, including adjoining road reserves and footpaths, for the 2026 Christmas shopping events. A request was made to extend the Molong area past Shields Lane to include Edward Street, but the recorded motion specifies Bank Street.
Alcohol restrictions will be temporarily suspended in the specified event areas; residents should expect event-related activity and apply normal public-safety precautions.
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.
North Turramurra Recreation Area grandstand agreement terminated
Council withdrew its support and rescinded all owner’s consent for a new grandstand and associated facilities at the North Turramurra Recreation Area. In accordance with Clause 10 of the Heads of Agreement, the General Manager is to notify the Northern Suburbs Football Association that the agreement is terminated.
The proposed grandstand will not proceed with Council’s support under the current agreement, changing the planned facilities at the recreation area.
Childcare centre refused in Warnervale
Development Application DA/434/2026 for a childcare centre at 23-35 Albert Warner Drive was refused. Reasons included conflict with requirements to retain trees and vegetation, failure to meet biodiversity avoidance and minimisation requirements, and inconsistency with RE1 zone objectives for public open space and recreation.
The proposed childcare centre will not proceed as submitted, and the site’s vegetation, biodiversity and park-related land-use issues remain significant.
Russell Island dog-park petition referred
A Division 5 petition seeking an extension of the existing dog park was received and referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration. A Russell Island resident addressed Council during public participation.
The petition may lead to investigation of additional dog-park facilities or changes at the existing site, but no funding or construction decision was made.
Carss Park Pool Milestone 2 completed
Council received and noted a project update, acknowledged completion of Milestone 2, and noted the General Manager’s approval to make payment to the NSW Office of Sport under the Project Funding Agreement.
This confirms progress on the Carss Park Pool project and enables the related project funding payment.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan annual report noted
The committee received and noted the 2025/26 annual report for the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026.
The report provides an update on Council’s work to improve inclusion and accessibility for people with disability, older people and carers.
Card surcharge to become nil
The committee recommended amending the 2026/27 Register of Fees and Charges to reduce the card surcharge from 0.33% to nil, effective 1 October 2026, consistent with Reserve Bank of Australia reforms.
Residents and businesses paying Council charges by card should no longer pay the Council card surcharge from 1 October 2026.
External representatives appointed
Council appointed representatives to SSROC, the Georges River Combined Councils Committee, the NSW Public Libraries Association, the Local Transport Forum and the Georges River Council Sports Advisory Committee, generally until September 2027.
Councillor representatives will participate in regional, transport, library and sporting advocacy on behalf of Georges River residents.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan adopted
Council adopted the Blayney Cabonne Orange Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030.
The plan sets the regional direction for improving access and inclusion for people with disability.
Automated external defibrillator at Dudley Page Reserve
Council approved installation of an externally accessible AED at Dudley Page Reserve, aimed for completion by 31 December 2026. It also required Council-owned AEDs to be registered on the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and directed officers to prepare an AED coverage plan for other high-visitation and active-recreation parks and reserves.
Improves access to emergency lifesaving equipment in public recreation areas and sets a process for identifying further locations.
Capital works funding partly deferred
Council approved carrying $21,951,275 of remaining 2025/2026 capital-works budgets into 2026/2027. Consideration of a further $729,500 allocation for Libraries and Museum Services was deferred for a report on cash reserves and the long-term financial plan.
Most approved capital works can continue, while the additional library and museum funding remains unresolved.
Campbell Hill pump track and basketball court contract
Council awarded the contract to Solutions Plus Built Pty Ltd for $2,071,715.36 excluding GST and authorised the General Manager to execute the contract.
Delivers a funded recreation upgrade at Campbell Hill.
Community facilities and recreation investigations commissioned
Council requested investigations or reports on additional handball courts at Gladstone Park, lighting at Enmore Park, a dog park at Falls Street Reserve, weekend access to Graham Green, and the LPAC creche during the aquatic centre renovation.
These actions may improve access to parks, recreation facilities and community services, but most require further reports, consultation or funding decisions.
2026/2027 Christmas-New Year closedown approved
Council endorsed a service closedown from 25 December 2026 to 8 January 2027, an early 4:45pm closure for the Library and Community Hub on 24 December, and up to three additional paid concession leave days for eligible employees. Council will publish service and facility operating hours and consult employees as required.
Residents should expect reduced or changed Council service hours over the holiday period and should check operating times before visiting.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan adopted
Council adopted the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 after noting that no formal submissions were received during exhibition and that a late submission was made by Molong Advancement Group.
The plan will guide Council actions to improve accessibility and inclusion across Council services and facilities.
Topics
North Turramurra Recreation Area project change
An amendment seeking to defer the matter for consultation with the Northern Suburbs Football Association and analysis of termination costs and public value was lost. The substantive motion then passed.
Council proceeded with terminating the agreement rather than waiting for the proposed consultation report.
Biodiversity and public open space
The Warnervale childcare proposal was found to conflict with tree and vegetation retention requirements, biodiversity legislation and RE1 zone objectives.
The decision supports protection of vegetation, biodiversity and land intended for public open space and recreation.
Carss Park Pool project
The committee acknowledged positive progress and completion of Milestone 2. Payment to the NSW Office of Sport was approved by the General Manager under the project funding agreement.
Residents may be interested in the project’s progress and the status of funding linked to the pool.
Lake Haven Library safety
The Committee received a verbal update on anti-social behaviour at Lake Haven Library. The extracted minutes do not state a new decision or specific service change.
Library users and staff may be affected by safety and behaviour-management measures, but the meeting record provides no confirmed new action.
Cooper Park Master Plan implementation
The report noted additional locations for consideration through future capital works budgets and external grant funding, and ongoing engagement with Greater Sydney Parklands about recreation and open-space opportunities accessible to Woollahra residents.
Some future recreation projects may depend on later budget decisions, grant funding and discussions with Greater Sydney Parklands.
Committee and regional representation
Council appointed committee chairpersons and delegates to external advisory and regional bodies.
These appointments determine which Councillors lead or represent Council on matters affecting infrastructure, planning, transport, libraries, sport and regional cooperation.
Public AED coverage
The committee approved a new AED at Dudley Page Reserve and requested a broader coverage plan based on visitation, recreation use, proximity to existing units, ambulance response times and power availability.
Could lead to additional AED installations in parks and reserves across the local government area.
South West Sydney Academy of Sport partnership
Council confirmed ongoing support for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 and agreed to re-enter a memorandum of understanding setting out service obligations and Council contributions.
Maintains Council support for sporting development and services delivered through the Academy.
Campbell Hill recreation infrastructure
A contract was awarded for the Campbell Hill Pump Track and Basketball Court Project.
Residents can expect the project to proceed under a contract valued at more than $2 million excluding GST.
Holiday service operating hours
Council services and facilities will operate under a Christmas-New Year closedown from 25 December 2026 to 8 January 2027. The Library and Community Hub will close at 4:45pm on 24 December rather than 8:00pm.
Residents may need to bring forward customer-service, library or community-hub visits and confirm opening dates during the shutdown.
Warradale Park safety and recreation improvements
Administration is investigating a petition containing 57 signatures seeking lake and pathway lighting, an update on exercise equipment, traffic-speed reviews and funding for improvements. A report is intended for the October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
The future report may address lighting, recreation facilities, speeding concerns and possible funding priorities around Warradale Park.
Domestic violence phone collection program
Council endorsed continuation of the DV Safe Phone initiative as an ongoing mobile-phone donation and community engagement program. Collection points include Lionel Bowen Library, Margaret Martin Library, Council’s Customer Service Centre and Bendigo Bank Clovelly.
Residents can donate phones and help victim-survivors safely access support services.
Ancillary liquor sales at an indoor recreation facility
The Panel approved the sale and supply of alcohol as an ancillary activity at Suite 2.01, 1-17 Elsie Street, subject to conditions.
The decision changes the facility’s permitted operations and may be relevant to nearby residents concerned about amenity.
Special Rate Variation accountability
The discussion addressed how the approved Special Rate Variation will be reported, including expenditure, productivity improvements, cost containment and project delivery. The first-year plan includes $6.7 million for Council buildings, $1.9 million for parks and recreation, and $940,000 for footpaths.
Residents will expect transparent reporting on how additional SRV income is spent and what outcomes it delivers.
Sport and community facilities update
The committee received and noted an update from the Manager Sport and Community Facilities and the Executive Manager City Presentation & Operations on sport and recreation facilities across the local government area.
Provides a broad update on Council-managed sport and recreation facilities, but no specific service change or project outcome is detailed.
Confidential project updates
Two confidential project status reports were received and noted: the Adina Avenue Project and the SES Facility Project Status Report.
The projects may affect nearby residents, but commercial confidentiality provisions mean the minutes disclose no substantive project details.