405 meetings on the record
Council funding decisions and grants
Highlights
- The changes alter Council’s financial position and fund additional capital works, while leaving a smaller forecast operating surplus.
- The project is intended to improve safety, accessibility and amenity for people walking through Enmore Park, although construction funding beyond design remains subject to the future budget.
- The decision could enable additional public open-space use near Tillman Park, subject to final agreement and project funding.
- The decision provides continued Council support for LGBTQIA+ cultural programming, with funding drawn from current and future budgets.
- The reviews report progress on accessibility, place-making and arts priorities across the City, but the supplied extract does not identify new funding or service changes.
- Community organisations may be able to seek funding for public events connected with the 2028 celebrations.
Decisions
Quarter 1 budget review adopted
Council adopted the 2026/27 Quarter 1 Budget Review Statement, including a $0.1 million reduction in the forecast surplus from $3.5 million to $3.4 million and a $6.0 million increase in the capital budget, partly funded by $3.8 million in additional projected capital grants.
The changes alter Council’s financial position and fund additional capital works, while leaving a smaller forecast operating surplus.
Enmore Park pathway lighting approved
Council endorsed an upgrade to pathway lighting between Enmore Road, Victoria Road and the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre. Detailed design will occur in 2026/27, with $30,000 included in the Quarter 2 budget review; a further $470,000 is to be considered in the 2027/28 budget.
The project is intended to improve safety, accessibility and amenity for people walking through Enmore Park, although construction funding beyond design remains subject to the future budget.
Tempe rail-corridor open-space proposal progressed
Council approved entering a licence agreement with the Australian Rail Track Corporation for an approximately 80-square-metre section of rail corridor beside Tillman Park and Unwins Bridge Road, Tempe, subject to due diligence and arrangements for delivery.
The decision could enable additional public open-space use near Tillman Park, subject to final agreement and project funding.
Mardi Gras sponsorship approved
Council agreed to partner with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for the 2027 and 2028 programs, providing $150,000 sponsorship for 2027 and provisionally including a further $150,000 for 2028. Council’s in-kind fee support and partnership benefits will also be negotiated.
The decision provides continued Council support for LGBTQIA+ cultural programming, with funding drawn from current and future budgets.
Annual strategy reviews received
Council received the 2025/26 annual reviews for the Accessible City Strategy, Thriving Places Strategy and Arts Plan.
The reviews report progress on accessibility, place-making and arts priorities across the City, but the supplied extract does not identify new funding or service changes.
Richmond River bicentenary naming
History groups are interested in naming the Richmond River milestone as part of 2028 bicentenary celebrations. The Festival and Event Funding Program for 2027/28 may be available to community groups organising related events.
Community organisations may be able to seek funding for public events connected with the 2028 celebrations.
General Manager resignation noted
Council noted correspondence confirming General Manager Paul Hickey’s resignation from Ballina Shire Council, effective Friday 20 November 2026, and acknowledged his approximately 20 years of contribution to Council and the Ballina community.
A senior leadership change will affect the council’s administration and executive oversight.
Proposed naming of Peter Cavanagh Oval
The committee considered a recommendation to name Oval 2 at Clifton Recreation Reserve “Peter Cavanagh Oval” in recognition of Peter Cavanagh’s contribution to rugby league, junior sport and the wider community. Community consultation recorded 140 of 144 submissions in support.
The facility would receive a permanent community name if Council approves the recommendation.
Lime Kiln Bay wetlands funding increase
Council was asked to approve an additional $3.374 million from the Asset Management Reserve for reconstruction of the Lime Kiln Bay Constructed Wetlands system, following a revised construction cost estimate.
The decision addresses a major environmental infrastructure cost increase and will fund reconstruction works at Lime Kiln Bay.
Lime Kiln Bay contamination questions referred for response
Questions about whether Sydney Water could contribute to contamination-related costs and whether Council can identify the source of chemical contaminants were taken on notice for response at the November Council Meeting.
The responses may clarify responsibility, funding options and the investigation of contamination affecting the wetlands project.
Vehicle Activated Signs approved for local deployment
Council was asked to purchase four portable Vehicle Activated Signs for use across the Georges River local government area. A rolling deployment program will prioritise locations using traffic data, speeding concerns, road safety issues, community requests and operational requirements, funded from the 2026/27 Transport for NSW Traffic Facilities Block Grant.
The signs may be deployed in areas experiencing speeding or other road-safety concerns.
Grants and Donations Policy
The committee recommended noting the public exhibition results and adopting the revised Draft Grants and Donations Policy. An implementation plan is to be developed to explain any changes to the community.
Community groups and organisations applying for Council grants or donations may be affected by revised application and assessment arrangements.
Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan adopted
The committee adopted the amended Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan and associated studies following public exhibition. Changes include reviewing a proposed pedestrian connection affecting Homes NSW land at 17–27 Hardwicke Street, correcting mapping and built-form guidance, and clarifying that proposed public spaces, active-transport links and recreational facilities remain indicative and depend on future planning, funding and approvals.
The plan will guide future development, transport, public spaces and infrastructure in Riverwood, but implementation will depend on later planning processes, infrastructure funding and budget decisions.
Financial position and budget variations noted
The committee noted advice that the projected financial position at 30 June 2027 remains satisfactory and adopted recommended 2026–2027 budget variations, resulting in a net operating surplus before capital grants and contributions of $1.462 million.
The decision sets the current financial position and operating result for Council’s 2026–2027 budget.
Site operator to fund signage and linemarking
Because the car park is privately owned and operates as a Free Parking Area under a Section 650 Agreement with Council, the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club will pay for updating and maintaining signage and linemarking. The works will not be funded through Transport for NSW Block Grant funding.
Council transport grant funding is not being used for these works, while the operator assumes responsibility for the site improvements.
Transport advocacy matter deferred
Council unanimously resolved to defer consideration of the proposed resolution about the Diamond Creek Road/Greensborough Bypass intersection, including requests for election candidates to support funding a business case, until a future Council meeting.
Residents will need to wait for updated information and a further Council decision before the advocacy position is finalised.
Green Seat Project funding approved
Council approved a provisional project for The Green Seat Project at Riverheart Parklands, Ipswich, with $1,500 allocated for design and construction progression.
A small community-focused installation will proceed at Riverheart Parklands.
Ipswich Athletics rehabilitation option selected for further development
Council endorsed Option 2, an Enhanced Maintenance, Soil Recovery and Turf Improvement Program, for completion by the end of March 2027, subject to funding, detailed scoping and procurement. Estimated rehabilitation costs were noted at approximately $300,000 to $400,000, with no current approved funding allocation.
The athletics facility may require future budget funding and temporary field closures or operational changes during works.
Rail advocacy with neighbouring councils supported
Council resolved to work with Toowoomba Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Council to advocate for rail-line upgrades and frequent passenger rail between Brisbane and Toowoomba via Ipswich, and to meet with the two councils as soon as practical.
The decision supports regional advocacy for improved passenger rail, although it does not itself commit funding or deliver a service.
Community Grants Program funding approved
Council approved 32 applications under Community Grants Program Round 1 2026/2027, allocating $196,098 from the program budget. The General Manager was authorised to execute grant documentation, and unsuccessful applicants are to receive feedback and assistance.
Funds will support local community organisations and activities during the 2026/2027 financial year.
Topics
Financial position and capital works
The first-quarter review forecasts a $3.4 million surplus and adds $6.0 million to the capital budget, supported partly by $3.8 million in projected grants.
The review affects Council’s capacity to deliver infrastructure and future services.
Events, tourism and night-time economy
Council supported King Street Carnival, Mardi Gras sponsorship and further review of the Marrickville Music Festival, while tourism campaigns reported significant digital reach and continued promotion of the Inner West night-time economy.
Events can bring cultural and economic benefits but also affect traffic, noise, public space, businesses and residents.
Business Enhancement Grant reconciliation
The 2025/26 program received 29 applications and approved 16, with a total allocation of $65,700.66. Twelve recipients completed or partly completed projects and were paid $48,506.49; $7,273.51 remains payable for partly delivered projects. Four approved applicants withdrew, and the Council Report figure of $55,780 reflects approved and progressed projects.
Outstanding grant payments and withdrawn projects affect the final amount committed under the business-support program.
Community grants and venues
The 2026/27 Community Grants round received 94 applications, of which 79 were assessable. Phase 1 of the OptimoGov booking and venue-management platform also brought 15 community venues and 48 bookable spaces online.
Community organisations may be affected by grant outcomes, while residents and hirers can use a more integrated system to find and book community facilities.
Clifton recreation facility naming
Council received a request to name Oval 2 within Clifton Recreation Reserve after Peter Cavanagh. Consultation showed 97.2% support among respondents.
The proposed name recognises a local sporting contribution and would affect how the oval is identified in community and sporting use.
SES infrastructure-charge concession
Council used its discretion outside the existing not-for-profit development incentive policy to waive the full infrastructure charge for the SES facility. The adopted policy does not ordinarily provide infrastructure-charge discounts for emergency services.
The decision supports a community emergency-services facility but represents a departure from the usual policy settings and reduces charge revenue by $57,535.20 before indexation considerations.
Capital cost pressure at Lime Kiln Bay
The revised construction estimate requires a $3.374 million additional allocation from the Asset Management Reserve.
Residents may be affected by the scale and timing of wetlands reconstruction and by future explanations of project funding and contamination responsibility.
Community grants policy
The revised Draft Grants and Donations Policy was recommended for adoption following public exhibition, with an implementation plan to follow.
Future grant and donation applicants may face changed processes or eligibility arrangements.
Riverwood implementation and infrastructure
Implementation work may include an infrastructure Works Schedule, possible amendments to Council’s Contributions Plan, transport and active-transport assessment, and coordination with government agencies. These steps are subject to future planning, funding and separate Council decisions.
Future roads, pedestrian links, public spaces and community infrastructure are not yet fully funded or guaranteed.
Proposed election-candidate funding commitments
The deferred proposal would have thanked candidates in the Bundoora and Eltham electorates for commitments to fund planning works and sought equivalent commitments from candidates in the Bundoora, Eltham and Yan Yean electorates.
The timing and scope of any future business-case or planning work remain unresolved.
Rates concession
Council granted a 100 per cent concession on the differential general rate for one property, backdated to the relevant application date. The address was confidentially withheld.
The decision concerns an individual confidential concession and does not identify a broader change to rates.
Boonah Cultural Centre Storybox mural
Council approved phase one of the Storybox Project for the front façade of the Boonah Cultural Centre and endorsed progression of phases two and three subject to annual public-art funding or successful external grants.
The project will change a prominent community facility and may create further public-art spending or grant opportunities.
Community grants and local events
Multiple community, sporting, cultural and place-activation projects received funding, while several applications were declined as ineligible, including Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre and Littleroc Incorporated applications.
Shows which local activities received Council support and why some applications were not funded.
Rates, concessions and charges
The meeting material records pensioner general-rate and water-infrastructure rebates, concessions for unapparent plumbing failures and home haemodialysis, and hardship concessions. Water rates and levies were scheduled to be issued in October 2026, and the card surcharge ceased after 30 September 2026.
Eligible pensioners, households experiencing serious financial hardship, and residents meeting the water-concession criteria may be able to reduce their charges.
Southern Water Treatment Plant funding
Council reported securing $145 million in Queensland Government funding towards the Southern Water Treatment Plant project.
The funding supports a major regional water-supply project and may improve long-term water security.
Public transport advocacy
Council reported a Queensland Government partnership and funding to deliver practical public transport improvements, building on Council’s Public Transport Levy. The extracted material does not specify the individual projects or funding allocation.
The partnership may lead to improved public transport services, but further project details are needed before specific local impacts can be assessed.