333 meetings on the record
Council funding decisions and grants
Highlights
- The decisions provide targeted community support while linking Marine Rescue funding to the vessel’s operational status.
- Community organisations and grant applicants will receive funding for approved projects, subject to the program attachments.
- The proposal could enable a substantially larger mixed-use development and affordable housing contribution in St Peters. It will be forwarded to the NSW Government for finalisation.
- 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 agreement relates to development sites in Burwood and may deliver developer contributions to Council.
Decisions
Community funding and facility arrangements approved
Council approved an $800 donation to Jan Saul for travel to the 2026 World Masters Hockey competition in Belgium, supported a maximum-policy annual donation to Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond for Richmond Room set-up and pack-down, and held a proposed $4,250 donation to Marine Rescue NSW until the Ballina Jet Boat BA21 is operational.
The decisions provide targeted community support while linking Marine Rescue funding to the vessel’s operational status.
2026 Annual Grant Program approved
Council approved $814,092 for 76 recommended projects under the 2026 Inner West Council Annual Grant Program and requested a February 2027 report on improving councillor information and Circular Economy grant eligibility.
Community organisations and grant applicants will receive funding for approved projects, subject to the program attachments.
Planning proposal for Crown Street and Princes Highway endorsed
Council endorsed amendments to the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022 for 75–85 Crown Street and 116 Princes Highway, St Peters, including MU1 Mixed Use zoning, a 4:1 floor space ratio, a maximum building height of RL 51 metres and site-specific provisions including at least 2% affordable housing in perpetuity.
The proposal could enable a substantially larger mixed-use development and affordable housing contribution in St Peters. It will be forwarded to the NSW Government for finalisation.
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.
Amended voluntary planning agreement authorised
Council delegated authority to the General Manager to finalise and sign the amended Voluntary Planning Agreement covering 17 George Street, 21 George Street and 28-34 Victoria Street, Burwood. The developer must pay the monetary contribution under the updated schedule.
The agreement relates to development sites in Burwood and may deliver developer contributions to Council.
Active transport grant applications approved
Council authorised grant applications for a footpath on Euchareena Road between Betts Street and Molong Showground, and a route on Renshaw McGirr Way between St Columba’s Catholic Primary School and Bournewood Road, Yeoval. Council will provide co-contributions from reserves if successful.
The projects could improve walking and cycling access in Molong and Yeoval, subject to grant success.
Event and community funding approved
Council approved $5,000 for the Eugowra Harness Racing Club’s 2026 Canola Cup, $5,000 for the Molong October Village Market, $25,000 to the Molong Advancement Group for proposed Hunter Caldwell Oval upgrades, $3,000 for the Cumnock steel sculpture project and $11,000 for replacement roofing at the Crossroads building.
Community organisations and local events will receive Council funding for activities, facilities and local place improvements.
Housing and land development project progressed
Council authorised the General Manager to continue negotiating the acquisition of land for Phase 2 of the Cabonne Housing and Land Development Project in Eugowra, subject to the REDCIP funding deed being fully entered into with the NSW Government.
The project could support additional housing and land development in Eugowra, but negotiations remain conditional on funding arrangements.
Community Investment Program changes adopted
Council endorsed Stage 1 review recommendations, including updated grant guidelines, reducing Community Connect and Community Creative rounds from three to two annually, retaining one Partnerships round and increasing the Partnerships stream allocation by $120,000. Stage 2 will begin in early 2027.
Community organisations will face revised grant timing and requirements, with additional funding available for local partnerships.
Social priorities updated
Council noted the Social Study 2026 and identified priorities covering social isolation, financial wellbeing and housing affordability, domestic and family violence, youth wellbeing, and reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community wellbeing.
These priorities will guide future community programs, grants and partnerships.
Sustainable School Grants approved
Council approved $25,000 for six recommended school sustainability projects and noted the completion of seven previous projects valued at $24,100.
Six local schools will receive support for environmental projects during 2026/27.
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.
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.
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.
Leichhardt Oval refurbishment tender approved
In closed session, Council endorsed the evaluation panel’s recommendation to appoint Kane Constructions Pty Ltd to deliver the Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment Project, subject to finalising contractual terms. The General Manager was authorised to execute the contract and approve variations within Council-approved funding.
The project will proceed with additional scope including a new amenities building, an additional lift, upgraded lighting and rebuilding the oval surface.
Enhanced Environment Strategy annual review received
Council received the 2025/26 Annual Review of the Enhanced Environment Strategy.
The review records progress on the City’s environmental commitments, although the extracted material does not specify new targets or funding.
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.
Domville Place, Millmerran funding and development approved
Council approved funding and development of Domville Place, Millmerran, generally in line with the site masterplan. The Chief Executive Officer may negotiate a partnership agreement with Millmerran Commerce and Progress Inc. Council will provide an additional $30,000 per year in future operational budgets for maintenance and depreciation, and will receive an end-of-project summary.
The decision supports a new community asset in Millmerran and creates an ongoing annual cost for operation and maintenance.
Road development concepts supported
Council agreed to support road development concepts and preliminary business cases for improved road network outcomes around Wellcamp State School and around Wirth Road, Toowoomba Speedway and the Warrego Highway junction. The work is intended to support advocacy for Queensland and Australian Government funding.
The work may inform future intersection and network upgrades in areas affected by school, industrial, event and highway traffic, but does not itself approve construction funding.
Topics
Financial Assistance Grant methodology
Council supported a proposed review of the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grant allocation methodology, requesting that grants and expenditure associated with declared natural disasters be excluded because they do not represent recurrent costs.
Changes to the methodology could affect future funding received by councils, including Ballina Shire.
Circular economy and community events
Council committed to a 2027 Inner West Full-Circle Flea Market and requested a February 2027 report on locations, costs, funding and involvement of local circular economy organisations.
Residents and reuse-focused organisations may gain a new community market and platform for extending product life.
Local government financial ratios
Council noted a discussion paper and considered the effects of grant timing, disaster funding, cash reserves, depreciation and five-year modelling on assessments of rural councils’ financial performance.
The discussion may influence how Cabonne’s financial capacity and sustainability are assessed by government bodies.
Local Government Grants Commission submission
Council endorsed a submission arguing that one-off disaster response and recovery funding should be excluded from revenue-capacity assessments, alongside concerns about land values, rate-pegged revenue and the costs faced by large rural councils. The submission is due by 9 October 2026.
The submission seeks recognition of Cabonne’s rural costs and disaster funding circumstances in future grant assessments.
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.
Community sporting and cultural support
Council approved four-year indexed funding for the Purple Hearts disability football program, including $1,500 in 2026/27, and approved donations and fee support for local school, fundraising and cultural activities.
Local participants and community organisations will receive financial and operational support.
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.
Affordable housing contribution settings
The amended scheme and related Local Environmental Plan planning proposal will proceed through exhibition and state planning assessment. The material refers to identifying the maximum proportion of affordable housing that could be held in perpetuity rather than for only 15 years.
May influence the amount and durability of affordable housing delivered through future development.
Community capital project pipeline
The Faster Assessments decision establishes a process for expressions of interest from community groups using Council buildings, with potential projects of up to $5 million in capital cost. The process is intended to recur every two years from February 2027, with an annual report to Council and criteria to be established first.
Community organisations may be able to propose upgrades or expansions to Council facilities for future funding.
Confidential property matters
Land acquisitions, easement arrangements and some rate-concession information were considered under confidentiality provisions of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
The public extract does not identify all affected properties, compensation details or individual concession outcomes.
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.
Brisbane 2032 equine opportunities
An equine industry forum at Clifford Park Racecourse considered economic, infrastructure and legacy opportunities associated with Toowoomba as the proposed host region for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events.
The initiative may create future opportunities and infrastructure impacts for the region's equine industry, although no funding decision was identified.
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.
Wild-dog reporting
Council advised that invasive-animal management is generally the responsibility of State Government agencies unless targeted funding applies. Landholders were advised to report wild dogs to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Landholders have a stated reporting pathway, while Council’s direct role remains limited.
Homelessness policy and Mary’s Place
Council’s Homelessness Policy is expected to go on public exhibition shortly. Discussion also covered possible grant support for Mary’s Place in connection with Orange Sky services.
Community organisations and residents will have an opportunity to comment on the policy and may be affected by future homelessness-service arrangements.
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.