Council - 17 Jun 2026

Topics

• Cumberland adopts 2026/27 rates and fees, including waste charges
  Council locked in the next financial year’s rates and user charges after debate on the budget-related items.
  Residents and businesses will want to know the cost impact from 1 July and what service fees are changing.
• Planning fight over LEP/DCP changes fails again
  Councillors rejected attempts to change planning controls and to exempt several Auburn, Berala and South Granville sites from the broader review.
  The result leaves the current planning direction in place and affects future development rules across key suburbs.
• Infrastructure contributions deferral extended for another year
  Council kept the temporary deferral of local infrastructure contributions in place through to June 2027.
  This affects the timing of development payments and may influence project feasibility and cash flow.

Decisions

• 2026/27 rates and charges adopted
  Council made and levied the 2026/27 ordinary rates and adopted the annual charges schedule, including the ordinary residential and business rates and waste-related service charges.
  Directly affects annual council rates and household/business service charges.
• Operational Plan and Fees and Charges adopted
  Council adopted the Operational Plan 2026-27 and Fees and Charges 2026-27 after exhibition.
  Sets council spending priorities and the fees residents and businesses will pay for services.
• Temporary deferral of local infrastructure contributions extended
  Council determined to continue the temporary deferral of payment for local infrastructure contributions from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
  May affect the timing of development-related costs and project delivery.
• Mayoral minute funding approved for community and heritage items
  Council endorsed funding support for a Darwin bombing documentary and a Holroyd Rangers Soccer Club trip to the Singa Cup, and requested a report on the Granville Train Disaster memorial carriage.
  Provides limited community grants and starts further investigation into a heritage/public display item.
• Social media policy sent to exhibition
  Council resolved to place the draft Social Media Policy on public exhibition for 28 days and then adopt it unless feedback changes its intent.
  Residents will be able to comment on the policy before it is finalised.

Discussion

• Planning controls and DCP/LEP changes rejected
  A motion to change planning controls, including provisions linked to prayer calls and broader LEP/DCP amendments, was lost. A separate attempt to alter the earlier LEP/DCP review resolution was also lost, including proposed exceptions for sites at Auburn, Berala and South Granville.
  Affects future development controls and planning settings across the city.
• Move to revert to 2022 Code of Meeting Practice failed
  Councillors tried to rescind the application of the NSW Office of Local Government 2025 Model Code and return to the 2022 code, but the motion was lost.
  Affects how council meetings are run and the rules governing debate and conduct.
• Civic honours and recognition
  Council wrote to congratulate Dean de Haas OAM on his King’s Birthday honour.
  Mainly ceremonial, with no direct service impact.

Impacts

• Rates and charges for 2026/27 were set, affecting households and businesses from 1 July 2026.
• Waste and other service fees were updated for the coming financial year.
• Planning controls for Cumberland remain unchanged by the rejected motions, preserving the current direction of LEP/DCP work.
• The temporary deferral of local infrastructure contributions continues for another year, which may influence development timing and local project funding.

Places

• Cumberland Council area (local government area)
  Rates, fees, planning controls and infrastructure contribution settings apply across the area.
• Auburn (suburb)
  Named in the proposed planning exceptions that were rejected.
• Berala (suburb)
  Named in the proposed planning exceptions that were rejected.
• South Granville (suburb)
  Named in the proposed planning exceptions that were rejected.
• 24 Mary Street, Auburn (site)
  Explicitly listed as a site the motion sought to exempt from planning action.
• 106 Woodburn Road, Berala (site)
  Explicitly listed as a site the motion sought to exempt from planning action.
• 40-44 and 46 Wellington Road, South Granville (site)
  Explicitly listed as sites the motion sought to exempt from planning action.
• Granville (suburb)
  Mentioned in relation to the Granville Train Disaster memorial carriage.

Next

• Place the draft Social Media Policy on public exhibition for 28 days
  Immediately after the meeting resolution
• Prepare a further report if exhibition feedback changes the draft Social Media Policy
  After the 28-day exhibition period, if required
• Report back on the inspection of the 'Miracle Carriage' and heritage/public display options
  As requested by council
• Continue the temporary deferral of local infrastructure contributions
  1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027
• Apply the adopted 2026/27 rates, charges, Operational Plan and Fees and Charges
  From 1 July 2026
• Write to Dean de Haas OAM
  Following the meeting

Extract

Council Meeting 17 June 2026 Minutes of the Council Meeting 17 June 2026 Present: Councillors Ola Hamed (Mayor) Councillor Nadima Kafrouni-Saba (Deputy Mayor) Councillor Steve Christou Councillor Dr Diane Colman Councillor Glenn Elmore Councillor Paul Garrard Councillor (Exited 10:14pm) Helen Hughes Councillor Ahmed Ouf Councillor (Entered 6.46pm) (Exited 9:00pm) Joseph Rahme Councillor (Exited 8:52pm) Suman Saha Councillor Eddy Sarkis Councillor (via Audio Visual Link - Exited 9:32pm) Sujan Selventhiran Councillor Steve Yang Councillor Enver Yasar Councillor Michael Zaiter Councillor Officers Peter Fitzgerald General Manager Tony Chahine Acting Director Corporate Performance Daniel Cavallo...