Council Meeting - 27 Oct 2026 6:00 PM

Topics

• Burwood joins push to explore Parramatta Road light rail proposal
  Council will seek backing from neighbouring councils, Business Sydney and Altrac to develop an unsolicited proposal for Parramatta Road light rail.
  The decision starts a cross-council process that could shape future transport planning along a major corridor, although it is not an approval to build the line.
• The Strand in Croydon moves towards local heritage listing
  Council endorsed a proposal to heritage-list Nos. 1–50 The Strand and ordered public exhibition of new site-specific development controls.
  Owners, residents and developers may face new heritage considerations, and the exhibition creates a formal opportunity to comment.
• Burwood adopts four-year disability inclusion plan
  Council adopted Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030, replacing the previous disability inclusion action plan.
  The plan will guide Council’s inclusion and accessibility priorities for residents with disability over the next four years.

Decisions

• Parramatta Road light rail proposal
  Council resolved to write to Altrac, Business Sydney, Canada Bay Council, Inner West Council and the City of Sydney seeking support for and participation in developing an unsolicited proposal for Parramatta Road Light Rail. A future report will address stakeholder engagement outcomes and requirements for preparing the proposal.
  This begins a coordinated advocacy and proposal-development process for potential light rail along Parramatta Road; no project approval or construction commitment was recorded.
• Heritage listing and planning controls for The Strand, Croydon
  Council endorsed Planning Proposal PP-2025-2184 to list Nos. 1–50 The Strand, Croydon, as a local heritage item under Schedule 5 of the Burwood Local Environmental Plan 2012. It also endorsed public exhibition of site-specific amendments to the Burwood Development Control Plan 2012 for at least 28 days, followed by a further report on submissions.
  Properties and residents at The Strand may be affected by heritage controls and future development requirements. The public exhibition will provide an opportunity to comment.
• Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030 adopted
  Council adopted Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030, its new Disability Inclusion Action Plan, revoked the 2022–2026 plan and authorised minor typographical corrections. A copy will be submitted to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
  The plan sets Council’s four-year direction for improving inclusion and access for people with disability across Burwood.
• Dog off-leash facilities considered
  Council considered measures to improve the designated dog off-leash area in Burwood Park and plan for future demand. The meeting also amended the responsible dog ownership motion by removing points 3, 4 and 5. The available extract does not include the complete final wording or outcome of the underlying facility motion.
  Dog owners and other Burwood Park users may be affected by future changes to the off-leash area, its maintenance and dog-management arrangements.
• 2025–2026 audited financial reports noted
  Council made the statutory declarations required for its 2025–2026 audited financial reports and noted that the reports and auditor’s report would be forwarded to the Office of Local Government.
  This records the Council’s annual financial reporting and external accountability requirements.

Discussion

• Burwood Park dog facilities
  The minutes describe the existing off-leash area near the Gardeners Shed as limited in size and amenity, below the standard warranted by its use and poorly suited to future demand. Burwood Park is one of five locations in the LGA with designated off-leash opportunities.
  The issue affects dog owners, park users, nearby residents and the future use and maintenance of Burwood Park.
• The Strand heritage planning process
  The Burwood Local Planning Panel unanimously supported heritage listing for Nos. 1–50 The Strand, Croydon. Draft site-specific DCP amendments are to be publicly exhibited for a minimum of 28 days.
  Owners, residents and prospective developers in The Strand area should monitor the exhibition and later Council report.
• Disability inclusion planning
  Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030 was developed with Council’s Disability Inclusion Advisory Panel and replaces the previous 2022–2026 plan.
  The plan may guide Council services, facilities and engagement affecting people with disability and their carers.
• Disclosure-of-interest transparency
  Council noted that disclosure-of-interest returns had been tabled and proactively published on the Council website as required.
  Residents can access the published returns as part of Council accountability and transparency.

Impacts

• A potential Parramatta Road light rail proposal will proceed to stakeholder engagement and requirements assessment, but no construction approval was made.
• The Strand properties in Croydon are progressing through a local heritage-listing process and proposed site-specific development controls.
• Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030 now replaces the previous disability inclusion plan.
• Future decisions may change or improve dog off-leash facilities and management in Burwood Park.
• The public will have at least 28 days to comment on the proposed The Strand DCP amendments once exhibited.

Places

• Parramatta Road (transport corridor)
  Potential unsolicited proposal for light rail.
• Burwood Park (park and dog off-leash facility)
  Existing dog off-leash area near the Gardeners Shed and future facility planning.
• The Strand, Croydon (street and properties)
  Nos. 1–50 proposed for local heritage listing and site-specific DCP amendments.
• Burwood (local government area)
  Area covered by the disability inclusion plan and dog-management planning.
• Burwood town centre (town centre)
  Identified as an area with growing demand for dog exercise facilities.

Next

• Council officers to engage Altrac, Business Sydney, Canada Bay Council, Inner West Council and the City of Sydney about the Parramatta Road light rail proposal.
  Before a future report to Council; exact timing not stated.
• Prepare a future report on stakeholder engagement outcomes and requirements for an unsolicited light rail proposal.
  Future meeting; date not stated.
• Publicly exhibit draft site-specific DCP amendments for The Strand, Croydon.
  For at least 28 days once exhibition commences.
• Report back on submissions and recommend whether the The Strand DCP amendments should be adopted, with or without changes.
  After the public exhibition.
• Submit Inclusive Burwood 2026–2030 to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
  Following adoption; exact timing not stated.
• Forward the 2025–2026 audited financial reports and auditor’s report to the Office of Local Government.
  Following Council’s statutory declaration; exact timing not stated.

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Burwood Council Meeting held on 27 October 2026 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF BURWOOD held in the Conference Room, Level 1, 2 Conder Street, Burwood on Tuesday 27 October 2026 commencing at 6:00 PM. Attendance Councillor John Faker (Mayor) Councillor Pascale Esber (Deputy Mayor) Councillor George Mannah 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. Public Forum The following people addressed Council at the Public Forum held prior to the meeting regarding items on the agenda for the meeting:...