Council Meeting - 22 Sep 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Burwood to exhibit four-year disability inclusion plan
  Council has endorsed the Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan 2026-2030 for public exhibition.
  The plan sets the local accessibility and inclusion priorities affecting people with disability, carers and service providers.
• Burwood development agreement covers three George and Victoria Street sites
  Council authorised finalisation of an amended VPA for 17 and 21 George Street and 28-34 Victoria Street.
  The agreement includes an updated developer monetary contribution and affects development outcomes in central Burwood.
• Burwood opens 28-day consultation on new petition policy
  Council will publicly exhibit a replacement policy governing how residents, businesses and other stakeholders petition Council.
  The policy could change how community campaigns and requests for Council action are submitted and handled.

Decisions

• Deputy Mayor appointed
  Councillor Pascale Esber was declared Deputy Mayor after nominations closed with no additional candidates.
  Provides Council's deputy leadership for the remainder of the relevant term.
• 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.
• Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan placed on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan 2026-2030 for public exhibition. If no submissions are received, the plan may be adopted and the 2022-2026 Disability Inclusion Action Plan revoked.
  Residents, particularly people with disability and carers, will have an opportunity to comment on Council’s four-year accessibility and inclusion roadmap.
• Draft Petition Policy placed on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Petition Policy for 28 days of public exhibition. If submissions are received, the General Manager must report back; if none are received, the policy may be adopted and the 2016 policy revoked.
  Residents, landowners, businesses and other stakeholders will have clearer guidance on petitioning Council.
• Statewide community participation arrangements noted
  Council received and noted the NSW Government Statewide Community Participation Plan, which commenced on 1 September 2026, together with Council’s implementation and transition approach.
  Planning notification, public exhibition and community participation arrangements will move towards standardised NSW-wide requirements.
• Sustainability and Environment Advisory Committee rules amended
  Council approved an amendment allowing the Mayor to make temporary appointments to the committee’s Chair, Delegate and Alternate roles when necessary.
  The change is intended to maintain continuity of the committee’s work when designated councillors are unavailable.
• Redundant Council policies revoked
  Council formally revoked the Burwood Library and Community Hub Statement on Access to Information, Burwood Library Community Noticeboards Policy and User Fees for Council Services Policy.
  These documents will no longer operate as current Council policies; the extracted minutes do not specify replacement arrangements or fee changes.

Discussion

• Support for Burwood’s Nepali community
  Council considered a motion expressing solidarity with Burwood’s Nepali community following devastating floods in Nepal and highlighting local support, including the Nepali Multicultural Health Navigator initiative.
  Residents affected by the disaster may benefit from continued community connection, information and support services.
• Half-yearly performance report
  Council endorsed the Half-Yearly Report for 1 January to 30 June 2026.
  The report provides a public progress update on Council activities during the first half of 2026.
• Financial reporting and investments
  Council progressed the 2025-2026 unaudited Annual Financial Reports for audit and considered the investment report as at 31 August 2026.
  These processes support public oversight of Council finances and invested funds.
• Responsible dog ownership event
  A notice of motion addressed a proposed community event promoting registration, identification, leash compliance, responsible use of off-leash areas and picking up after dogs. The matter was referred to the Ordinary Council meeting on 27 October 2026.
  Dog owners and users of Burwood parks and public spaces may see further education or engagement activity after the referral.

Impacts

• Residents will be able to comment on the Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan 2026-2030 during public exhibition.
• Residents and other eligible stakeholders will be able to comment on the draft Petition Policy during a 28-day exhibition period.
• Planning consultation arrangements will transition to the NSW Government’s statewide framework.
• The VPA for three Burwood development sites was authorised for finalisation, with a developer monetary contribution required under the updated schedule.
• The proposed responsible dog ownership event was deferred for consideration at the 27 October 2026 Council meeting.

Places

• 17 George Street, Burwood (development site)
  Covered by the amended Voluntary Planning Agreement.
• 21 George Street, Burwood (development site)
  Covered by the amended Voluntary Planning Agreement.
• 28-34 Victoria Street, Burwood (development site)
  Covered by the amended Voluntary Planning Agreement.
• Burwood Local Government Area (local government area)
  Area covered by the Petition Policy, inclusive planning and dog ownership initiatives.
• Burwood Library and Community Hub (facility)
  A related access-to-information policy was revoked.

Next

• Place the Draft Inclusive Burwood Plan 2026-2030 on public exhibition and consider submissions.
  Following the exhibition period; adoption may occur without further amendment if no submissions are received.
• Place the draft Petition Policy on public exhibition for community feedback.
  28 days; any submissions are to be reported to the next ordinary meeting after exhibition closes.
• Finalise and execute the amended VPA and collect the developer contribution under the updated schedule.
  After the General Manager completes the authorised documentation.
• Refer the responsible dog ownership event proposal back to Council.
  Ordinary Council meeting on 27 October 2026.
• Submit the 2025-2026 unaudited Annual Financial Reports to the NSW Audit Office.
  Following Council’s financial statement sign-off and the September 2026 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee review.
• Submit the minutes for confirmation.
  Next Council meeting on 27 October 2026.

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Burwood Council Meeting held on 22 September 2026 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF BURWOOD held in the Conference Room, Level 1, 2 Conder Street, Burwood on Tuesday 22 September 2026 commencing at 6:01 PM. Attendance Councillor John Faker (Mayor) Councillor Pascale Esber (Deputy Mayor) Councillor Sukirti Bhatta Councillor David Hull Councillor De Yi Wu-Coshott Councillor Alex Yang Opening of Meeting by the Mayor The Mayor opened the meeting with a prayer and Acknowledgement of Country. Apologies 100/26 RESOLVED That the apology from Councillor George Mannah be accepted and leave of absence from the meeting be granted. For: Cr Faker, Cr Esber, Cr Hu...