Council Meeting - 28 Apr 2026 6:00 PM

Article-worthy topics

• Planning proposal for BLEP 2012 community infrastructure amendments progressed
  Council considered endorsement for Gateway for amendments to Burwood LEP 2012 clauses 4.3A and 4.4A to help enable delivery of community infrastructure to a broader catchment of high-density developments in the Burwood LGA.
  Could affect how additional height and floor space provisions support delivery of community infrastructure in high-density areas.

Key decisions

• Planning proposal for BLEP 2012 community infrastructure amendments progressed
  Council considered endorsement for Gateway for amendments to Burwood LEP 2012 clauses 4.3A and 4.4A to help enable delivery of community infrastructure to a broader catchment of high-density developments in the Burwood LGA.
  Could affect how additional height and floor space provisions support delivery of community infrastructure in high-density areas.
• Four draft finance and rating policies to be publicly exhibited
  Council resolved to place the Draft Aggregation of Land Values for Rating Purposes Policy, Draft Loan and Borrowings Overdraft Policy, Draft Backdating of Claims for Pensioner Rebate Policy, and Draft Investment Policy on public exhibition for 28 days and invite submissions.
  Residents, ratepayers and pensioners may be able to comment on policies affecting rates, rebates, borrowing and investment governance.
• Automatic adoption pathway set for exhibited policies if no submissions are received
  If submissions are received, the General Manager must report back to the next ordinary meeting after submissions close. If no submissions are received, the listed policies will be adopted without further amendment, with minor editorial corrections authorised.
  Creates a clear timetable for consultation and adoption of the draft policies.
• ReSmart recycling service continued on an interim basis
  In closed session, Council approved continuation of the ReSmart supplementary waste collection service until a formal procurement process is completed, and endorsed starting that procurement process.
  Residents can continue using the subsidised collection service for items not accepted in standard kerbside collections while Council seeks a longer-term arrangement.
• New organisational structure endorsed
  Council noted a proposed new organisational structure with four directorates and endorsed the resourcing required to implement it.
  May affect how Council services are managed and delivered, although no service-level changes were detailed in the extract.
• Disclosure of interest returns noted and published
  Council noted the tabling of disclosure of interest returns and that mandatory proactive release on the Council website had occurred.
  Supports public transparency about council officials' declared interests.

Important topics

• Community infrastructure planning in high-density areas
  The planning proposal relates to amendments to BLEP 2012 height and floor space exception clauses to support community infrastructure delivery across a broader catchment of high-density developments. Review of the separate Draft Burwood Planning Agreement Policy 2025 is still underway and will return later.
  Relevant to future development outcomes and how growth contributes to local infrastructure.
• Supplementary waste collection service
  The ReSmart service has operated since 2020 and collects items such as soft plastics, textiles, e-waste, batteries, coffee pods, books and cosmetics directly from properties in the Burwood LGA.
  Provides a recycling option for hard-to-dispose household items.
• Closed session business
  Council moved two items into closed session: the ReSmart recycling service and the organisational structure review, citing personnel matters and commercial-in-confidence information.
  Key decisions were still publicly read out after the closed session.

Resident impacts

• High-density development areas in the Burwood LGA may be affected by proposed LEP changes linked to community infrastructure delivery.
• Residents can continue accessing the ReSmart supplementary recycling collection service on an interim basis.
• Ratepayers and pensioners have a 28-day opportunity to comment on draft policies affecting ratings, borrowing, rebates and investments.
• Council's internal restructure may influence future service administration and decision-making.

Places affected

• Burwood (suburb)
  Meeting location and part of the local area affected by council decisions.
• Burwood LGA (local government area)
  Area affected by the planning proposal and ReSmart recycling service.
• St Paul's Anglican Church, Burwood (facility)
  Mentioned in a mayoral motion acknowledging the retirement of Fr James Collins OAM.
• Burwood North Metro Station (project area)
  Referenced as a precinct-shaping opportunity in a meeting item.
• 2 Conder Street, Burwood (council facility)
  Venue of the meeting.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit four draft finance and rating policies and invite submissions
  For 28 days after exhibition begins
• Report back to Council on any exhibited policy that receives submissions
  At the next ordinary meeting after the submission deadline
• Adopt any of the exhibited policies that receive no submissions, with minor editorial corrections if needed
  After the exhibition period closes
• Continue the ReSmart service on an interim basis
  Until a formal procurement process is completed
• Commence formal procurement for a supplementary waste collection service
  Approved at this meeting
• Submit these minutes to Council for confirmation
  19 May 2026

Extracted minutes text

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Burwood Council Meeting held on 28 April 2026 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF BURWOOD held in the Conference Room, Level 1, 2 Conder Street, Burwood on Tuesday 28 April 2026 commencing at 6:03 PM. Attendance Councillor John Faker (Mayor) Councillor George Mannah (Deputy Mayor) Councillor Sukirti Bhatta Councillor Pascale Esber (attending via audio-visual link) 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. Attendance by audio visual link 31/26 RESOLVED That Councillor Esber’s request to attend the meeting via audio-vis...