Council Meeting - 17 Feb 2026 6:00 PM

Key decisions

• Trading name change to "Burwood City Council"
  Council resolved to register the business/trading name "Burwood City Council" and progressively implement it across Council operations, while continuing to pursue a formal proclamation by the Governor of New South Wales once required criteria are met, including an LGA-wide survey.
  Residents may begin seeing the new trading name on Council communications and services, and the decision signals Council’s push for formal "city status" recognition.
• SEAC membership appointments endorsed
  Council endorsed appointments to the Sustainability and Environment Advisory Committee for the term from 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2028 and delegated authority to the General Manager to fill vacancies or skill gaps during that period.
  This affects how community environmental and sustainability input is represented in Council advisory processes.
• Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants progress noted
  Council noted the quarterly progress update on delivery of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.
  Residents may be affected by the timing and delivery of grant-funded local infrastructure projects.
• Half-yearly performance report endorsed
  Council endorsed the Half-Yearly Report for 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2025 on progress against its Delivery Program.
  This provides residents with an accountability update on Council service and project delivery.
• Apartment liveability DCP amendments adopted
  Council adopted amendments to Parts 3 and 4 of the Burwood Development Control Plan 2013 to improve apartment liveability, including public notice and publication steps, and requested further reports on potential planning changes related to excluded gross floor area items and visitor-related DCP provisions.
  Future apartment developments in Burwood will be assessed under updated liveability and design controls, which can affect amenity, sustainability and building design outcomes.
• 2025-26 budget review approved
  Council received and noted the Budget Review Statement as at 31 December 2025 and approved revised 2025-26 income and expenditure estimates, including a projected surplus of $28,097,000, with budget adjustments and reserve transfers.
  This affects Council’s financial settings for services, projects and reserve management during the 2025-26 year.
• Investment reports endorsed
  Council received and endorsed the investment reports for 30 November 2025 and 31 December 2025 and noted the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certificate.
  This relates to oversight of how Council manages and reports its invested funds.

Important topics

• City status pathway
  The meeting considered two pathways to establishing city status: a formal proclamation by the Governor of New South Wales and a trading-name change. Council proceeded with the trading-name pathway while continuing the formal process.
  This is a civic identity and governance change that may influence how Burwood is promoted and recognised.
• Apartment liveability and amenity standards
  The adopted DCP amendments followed public exhibition and consultation with the Design Review Panel, with minor changes proposed after submissions.
  Planning rules for apartment development are being tightened to improve residential amenity, sustainability and urban design.
• Infrastructure grant delivery
  Council reviewed progress on the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.
  Grant-funded works can shape local infrastructure availability and delivery timing.

Resident impacts

• Council branding and public-facing materials may gradually change to "Burwood City Council".
• New apartment developments will be subject to updated liveability provisions in the Burwood DCP.
• Environmental advisory representation has been refreshed through SEAC appointments for 2026-2028.
• Council approved revised 2025-26 budget settings, including a projected surplus of $28.097 million.
• Further planning reports will come back to Council on possible additional DCP and LEP changes related to apartment design and facilities.

Places affected

• Burwood (suburb/LGA)
  Council-wide decisions on branding, planning controls, budget and advisory committee appointments.
• Burwood Town Centre (centre)
  Identified as a high-density area affected by apartment liveability planning changes.
• Conder Street, Burwood (street)
  Meeting location at 2 Conder Street, Burwood.
• Western Sydney (region)
  Regional infrastructure grants program referenced in progress reporting.

Next steps

• Register the trading name "Burwood City Council" and progressively roll it out across Council business.
  Over time following the meeting resolution
• Continue pursuing a formal proclamation for a council name change by the Governor of New South Wales once Office of Local Government criteria, including an LGA-wide survey, are satisfied.
  After required criteria are met
• Commence new SEAC membership term and fill any future vacancies or skill gaps under delegated authority.
  From 1 March 2026 to 30 June 2028
• Give public notice of the adopted DCP amendments on Council’s website.
  Within 28 days of the decision
• Publish the DCP updates on the NSW Planning Portal.
  Following adoption
• Prepare further reports on possible LEP and DCP changes related to apartment design and facilities.
  Future council meeting(s)
• Submit these minutes to the next council meeting for confirmation.
  24 March 2026

Extracted minutes text

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Burwood Council Meeting held on 17 February 2026 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF BURWOOD held in the Conference Room, Level 1, 2 Conder Street, Burwood on Tuesday 17 February 2026 commencing at 6:00 PM. Attendance Councillor John Faker (Mayor) Councillor Sukirti Bhatta Councillor Pascale Esber Councillor David Hull Councillor De Yi Wu-Coshott Councillor Alex Yang (via teleconference) Opening of Meeting by the Mayor The Mayor opened the meeting with a prayer and Acknowledgement of Country. Motion 5/26 RESOLVED That Councillor Yang attend this meeting via audio visual link. For: Cr Faker, Cr Esber, Cr Hull, Cr Bhatta, Cr Wu-Coshott Against: Nil (Mov...