240 meetings on the record
Council funding decisions and grants
Highlights
- Residents will receive a later report comparing major infrastructure and funding choices.
- Creates a significant potential council contribution while requiring public access arrangements before the commitment proceeds.
- Supports Providence Athletics in seeking funding to develop the proposed track.
- Sets Council’s adopted policy direction for improving walkability and pedestrian safety across Waverley.
- Moves six locations into the next planning stage while leaving other identified sites dependent on future priorities and funding.
- The decision directs Council’s advocacy on ceremony capacity and federal funding.
Decisions
Future Gordon Ward performing-arts options to be reported
Council will be presented with three or more options for funding and delivering Gordon Ward performing-arts infrastructure, such as Marian Street Theatre, Gordon Civic Hub, or both, after the relevant strategy and grant outcomes.
Residents will receive a later report comparing major infrastructure and funding choices.
$2.5 million conditional co-contribution
Council committed $2.5 million to a co-contribution, conditional on an agreement with the Department of Education to ensure community use.
Creates a significant potential council contribution while requiring public access arrangements before the commitment proceeds.
Letter of support approved
The Chief Executive Officer was directed to provide a letter of support forthwith for Providence Athletics’ Games On! Partnership Fund application.
Supports Providence Athletics in seeking funding to develop the proposed track.
Walking Waverley strategy adopted
Walking Waverley – The Waverley Walking Strategy 2025–2035 was adopted unanimously. Council noted that implementation will occur over time, subject to priorities, available funding and State Government collaboration.
Sets Council’s adopted policy direction for improving walkability and pedestrian safety across Waverley.
Hunter Ward traffic-calming locations prioritised
Six high-priority Hunter Ward traffic-calming locations were approved for further concept development. Five medium- and five lower-priority locations will continue to be monitored for possible future capital works.
Moves six locations into the next planning stage while leaving other identified sites dependent on future priorities and funding.
LGAQ conference motions approved
Council approved two motions for submission to the 2026 LGAQ Conference, including advocacy for additional Australian Government funding for increased citizenship ceremonies without reducing other council funding.
The decision directs Council’s advocacy on ceremony capacity and federal funding.
Alternative Fifteenth Avenue proposal advanced
Council rejected the current June 2026 TfNSW Fifteenth Avenue design, requested a redesign to reduce community impacts and construction costs, sought an additional $239 million in government funding, and approved a $50,000 General Fund communications campaign.
The corridor's future design, construction impacts and delivery timetable remain subject to further advocacy and government decisions.
Fortnightly council meetings proposed
Council endorsed revised meeting arrangements and approximately $154,113 in General Fund funding for more frequent meetings, subject to the August Code of Meeting Practice decision.
Council may meet fortnightly from September 2026, potentially increasing the speed and frequency of public decisions.
$3 million active transport funding noted
Council noted the $3 million NSW Government grant for the Duck River Parklands Active Transport Link.
The grant supports delivery of a significant local walking and cycling connection.
Clarkson and Warradale petitions referred
Council received and referred petitions seeking Cherokee Park hedge improvements and Warradale Park safety and recreation upgrades.
The petitions enter the formal reporting process, but no immediate works or funding were approved in the extract.
Local-school hire concession approved
Council amended facility-hire policy wording to provide a 50% concession to City of Wanneroo-based schools for single-school and multi-school use, effective 1 January 2027.
Local schools will receive a defined discount on eligible City facility hire.
Constable Care sponsorship approved
Council approved entering into a sponsorship agreement with Constable Care, with the extract identifying proposed three-year funding of $38,100 in the draft 2026/27 budget and a Year 3 amount of $40,400 excluding GST.
The agreement supports a community safety and education organisation, subject to the annual budget process for future years.
Event grants approved and Molong parking project cancelled
Council approved $9,300 in event sponsorship and cancelled the Molong Silos Parking Bay design project, redirecting available funds to Legal Expenses – Planning.
The decision supports two community events but removes a planned Molong capital works project.
Community Investment Program allocations approved
Council approved Community Connect funding of $42,651, Community Creative funding of $55,198 and Community Partnerships funding of $119,240, and noted a $55,480 rollover for existing multi-year commitments.
Funding will be directed to recommended community projects in 2026-27.
Local safety and accessibility investigations ordered
Council requested reports on pedestrian-safety measures for Darley Road and feasibility, approvals and funding for improving the Gordons Bay water entry.
Both investigations could lead to local safety and accessibility upgrades.
Festival and event funding increased
Approved the Connected Nillumbik Festival and Event Program for 2027–2030, including an increase of $30,000 per year to the annual budget and a new EOI process.
Community groups and event organisers will have an opportunity to apply for program support.
Community Wellbeing Grants approved
Approved $125,000 in 2026/2027 Community Wellbeing Grants and directed staff to advise unsuccessful applicants.
Provides direct funding to community organisations and projects across Shoalhaven.
Hospitality and retail fee-relief motion withdrawn
A proposed motion seeking temporary financial relief for hospitality and retail businesses, including outdoor dining fee relief and changes to business grants, was withdrawn before being moved.
No new business fee relief or grant changes were approved at this meeting.
Hurstville property acquisition approved
Approved acquisition of Lot A in DP386600 at 1 Carrington Avenue, Hurstville, including budget and funding authority, with operational-land classification after settlement.
Adds a council-controlled property in Hurstville and may enable future operational use.
Hospital redevelopment fee waiver approved
Approved a $193,189 waiver of statutory road and footpath occupation fees for St George Hospital Stage 3 redevelopment works in Kogarah.
Supports hospital infrastructure works without a direct Council capital contribution.
Topics
Future infrastructure funding avenues
Future funding considerations may include asset sales in Gordon Ward and other funding avenues. Separate future consideration includes the St Ives basketball courts rates levy after the loan is fully paid.
Potential future funding measures could affect council assets, local charges or infrastructure priorities, but no new levy was adopted at this meeting.
Conditional council funding
Council committed $2.5 million to the project, subject to an agreement with the Department of Education guaranteeing community use of the facility.
The commitment represents a substantial public investment, with community access a condition of the funding.
Games On! Partnership Fund application
Council directed the Chief Executive Officer to issue a letter of support immediately for Providence Athletics’ funding application.
The letter may strengthen the application for external funding and progress the proposed facility.
Neighbourhood Canvas public art program
Council approved implementation of the Neighbourhood Canvas public art program as set out in the report.
The program will introduce or support public art activity in neighbourhood locations, although the supplied minutes do not specify sites, funding or timing.
Walking strategy adopted and transport-strategy review scheduled for 2027
Council adopted Walking Waverley – The Waverley Walking Strategy 2025–2035. It also committed to commencing a review of the People, Movement and Places strategy in 2027.
Provides a long-term policy direction for walking, pedestrian safety and lower vehicle speeds, subject to funding and implementation priorities.
Hunter Ward traffic-calming priorities
Six high-priority traffic-calming locations identified in the Hunter Ward Local Area Traffic Management study were approved for further concept development.
Affected streets may progress to more detailed traffic-calming designs, but no construction timetable or funding allocation was stated.
Sports-field fees and service-cost transparency
Questions highlighted that Council cannot accurately calculate the actual cost of providing one hour of sports-field access. The cited $1.71 and $1.76 figures were based on total fees received divided by booked hours, rather than a full service-cost calculation.
Residents and sporting clubs do not yet have a clear field-by-field or hourly measure of the subsidy provided through field-use fees.
Sport and recreation planning priorities
Council considered questions about the Ivor Marsden precinct, North Ipswich Reserve masterplanning, stadium capacity and event activation, with limited capital available.
Future recreation and event infrastructure priorities may be constrained by Council’s capital funding position.
Further cost estimates and possible consultation
The proposed motion referred to updated independent cost comparisons by NSW Public Works for synthetic turf and best-practice natural turf, as well as estimates for upgrading two additional ovals. These proposals were not resolved at this meeting because the rescission motion failed.
Residents do not have a new council decision from this meeting on the preferred surface, additional oval upgrades or revised project funding.
Rates discount for Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans
Council noted that current law does not permit a rates discount for serving Australian Defence Force personnel or veterans beyond existing pensioner arrangements, and considered extending the existing discount to non-pensioner veterans.
Veterans seeking a council-rates concession may not currently qualify, and any change would require consideration within legal limits.
Community grants funding
Council approved $20,000 GST-exclusive funding under the Community Grants Program for a listed community project, with the available excerpt identifying Heart2Help Inc as the applicant.
Community grant funding supports local organisations and projects, although the excerpt does not provide the complete project details.
Sinozich Reserve delivery planning
Council resolved to pursue a funding strategy and regular progress reporting for Sinozich Reserve, including developer contributions and possible Long Term Financial Plan commitments.
The action is intended to clarify when Edmondson Park residents may receive the planned sporting and recreation facilities.
Landsdale pedestrian safety
The Kingsway Road zebra-crossing petition was not supported because the site did not meet the warrant. A missing footpath section may be considered in a future pathways program, at an estimated cost of about $20,000.
The requested crossing will not be installed under this decision, while a potential footpath connection remains subject to investigation and funding.
School facility-hire concessions
The Facility Hire and Use Policy was amended to provide a 50% hourly hire concession to City of Wanneroo-based schools from 1 January 2027.
Eligible local schools should pay less for Council facility and ground hire once the change takes effect.
Disaster recovery funding advocacy
Council supported advocacy against proposed reductions to Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and authorised correspondence to the federal member for Calare.
The outcome may affect funding available for local disaster recovery and rebuilding works.
Community event fee waivers and donation
Council waived or donated fees totalling at least $7,999.50 for community, sporting, charity and veteran-family events.
The approved concessions reduce event costs for the named community organisations and activities.