Council Meeting - 19 May 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Burwood Council puts next year’s budget and fees on public exhibition
  Residents can review and submit feedback on the draft 2026-2027 budget, operational plan, revenue policy and fees before they are adopted.
  This sets the direction for council spending, service levels and charges for the coming financial year.
• $80,000 in community grants approved for 20 local applications
  Council approved the latest round of community grants funding across the local area.
  Local organisations may receive support for events, programs and services that residents use.
• Draft rates and hardship policy opened for community feedback
  Council is reviewing how it handles rates, debt recovery and hardship assistance, with the policy now out for exhibition.
  The outcome could affect households experiencing financial stress and the way arrears are managed.

Decisions

• 2026-2027 budget suite placed on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the updated Delivery Program 2025-2029 (Year 2), Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027, Draft Budget 2026-2027, Draft Statement of Revenue Policy 2026-2027, updated Long-Term Financial Plan and Draft Schedule of Fees and Charges 2026-2027 for 28 days of public exhibition until 16 June 2026.
  Residents can review and comment on next year’s council services, fees, charges and spending priorities before adoption.
• Community Grants Program allocations approved
  Council approved 20 applications and allocated $80,000 from the 2025/26 Community Grants Program budget.
  Local community groups and residents benefit from funded projects, activities and services across the area.
• Draft rates, charges and hardship policy sent to exhibition
  Council placed the draft Rates, Charges, Debt Recovery and Hardship Assistance Policy on public exhibition for 28 days, with a report to come back if submissions are received; if none are received the General Manager may adopt it and revoke two existing policies.
  This could affect how rates and charges are managed, including hardship support and debt recovery arrangements for residents.

Discussion

• Standard 240 litre bin option for single unit dwellings
  The minutes note an amendment to the Fees and Charges relating to additional waste bins, giving single unit dwellings the option to request a standard 240 litre bin.
  This affects waste service choices and possible charges for some households.
• Budget review and revised estimates
  Council received and noted the Budget Review Statement as at 31 March 2026 and approved revised estimates showing a surplus of $28,097,000.
  This provides a snapshot of Council’s financial position and may influence future services and spending.
• Investment report and grant program update
  Council received the monthly investment report and noted updates on the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program.
  These reports relate to Council’s financial management and infrastructure funding progress.

Impacts

• Opportunity to comment on the draft budget, operational plan, revenue policy and fees before they are adopted.
• Potential changes to rates, charges, debt recovery and hardship assistance settings.
• Some single unit dwellings may be able to apply for a standard 240 litre waste bin option.
• $80,000 in grants will support 20 community projects or organisations.
• Council finances, including investment returns and budget revisions, were updated publicly.

Places

• Burwood (local government area)
  Meeting of Burwood Council and policies affecting the local area.

Next

• Public exhibition of the draft budget and related documents continues
  Until 16 June 2026
• Council to consider submissions on the budget suite and fees and charges
  After the exhibition period
• Public exhibition of the draft rates, charges and hardship policy
  For 28 days
• General Manager to report back on the rates policy if submissions are received
  At the next ordinary meeting after submissions close
• Minutes from 19 May 2026 to be submitted for confirmation
  At the next meeting on 30 June 2026

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Burwood Council Meeting held on 19 May 2026 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF BURWOOD held in the Conference Room, Level 1, 2 Conder Street, Burwood on Tuesday 19 May 2026 commencing at 6:06 PM. Attendance Councillor John Faker (Mayor) Councillor Sukirti Bhatta Councillor Pascale Esber (attending via audio-visual link) Councillor David Hull Councillor De Yi Wu-Coshott (attending via audio-visual link) Councillor Alex Yang Opening of Meeting by the Mayor The Mayor opened the meeting with a prayer and Acknowledgement of Country. Public Forum The following people addressed Council at the Public Forum held prior to the meeting regarding items on the age...