Council - 25 Mar 2026

Key decisions

• Draft Operational Plan and fees exhibited
  Council endorsed the Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027 and Draft Fees and Charges 2026-2027 for 28 days of public exhibition, with a report to return after exhibition.
  Residents can review and comment on proposed spending, services and fees before final adoption.
• Extended ranger hours trial funded
  Council added $50,000 to the draft operational budget to trial extended operating hours for Council's Rangers service.
  Could improve responses to compliance and local nuisance issues outside current ranger hours.
• Children and Families Strategy adopted
  Council adopted the Cumberland Children and Families Strategy 2026-2030.
  Sets direction for services, planning and support affecting children, parents and families across the area.
• Fleet maintenance panel appointed
  Council approved a 3-year panel contract, with two 1-year extension options, for mechanical workshop and fleet maintenance with five providers.
  Supports ongoing maintenance of Council vehicles and service delivery capacity.
• PPE supply panel appointed
  Council approved a 3-year panel contract, with two 1-year extension options, for supply and delivery of personal protective equipment and materials with multiple suppliers.
  Supports worker safety and continuity of Council operations.
• Scheduled hygiene services contract awarded
  Council awarded the scheduled hygiene services contract to Enviro-LCS Pty Ltd for $582,422.81 excluding GST for 3 years, with two 1-year extension options.
  Affects hygiene servicing at Council facilities used by staff and the public.
• Boom gate and carpark operations contract awarded
  Council awarded the boom gate and carpark operation contract to Designa Australia Pty Ltd for $938,231.30 excluding GST, including installation works and five years of operating costs.
  May change parking access, payment systems and car park operations at Council-managed sites.
• Hyland Road Landfill Cap project advanced
  Council approved moving the Hyland Road Landfill Cap project to a selective tender stage, inviting six shortlisted respondents, with a further report to come back to Council.
  Progresses a significant landfill remediation project with future environmental and site-management impacts.
• International travel motion replaced by policy note
  Instead of adding new transparency rules, Council resolved to note that its existing Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy already requires Council approval for overseas travel and public reporting.
  Confirms the current governance framework for councillor-funded international travel.
• Property Committee recommendations adopted
  In closed session, Council adopted Property Committee recommendations from 9 March 2026, including proposed drainage easements in South Wentworthville subject to valuation, engineering advice, public notification and applicant-paid costs.
  Affects nearby reserve land, drainage arrangements and public notification processes for impacted properties.

Important topics

• Shop Local Bonus tree planting scheme
  Council endorsed in principle a scheme to reward residents with local e-vouchers for planting trees, starting with low-canopy streets in Regents Park Ward, and requested a costed report by 31 August 2026.
  Could create incentives for more tree planting, shade and support for local businesses.
• Lidcombe smart parking feasibility study
  Council endorsed in principle a feasibility study for a smart parking trial around Lidcombe Town Centre, Lidcombe Station, Bridge Street car park and nearby high-demand areas, with a report due by 31 August 2026.
  Could lead to improved parking management, accessibility and turnover in busy town-centre areas.
• Recognition of Lent in town centres
  Council resolved to install banners in all town centres during Lent from 2027 onward and to recognise Lent through Council media and marketing.
  Will affect seasonal civic messaging and streetscape presentation in town centres.
• Petition on DA2026/0064 tabled
  A petition relating to DA2026/0064 was tabled in general business and referred to the General Manager under Council's Petition Guidelines.
  Signals ongoing community concern about a development application, with follow-up to occur administratively.

Resident impacts

• Residents will be able to comment on the draft 2026-27 budget, service plan and fees during the 28-day exhibition period.
• A trial of longer ranger service hours may improve responses to local compliance and amenity issues.
• Council-managed parking facilities may see new boom gate, CCTV and pay station systems under the awarded contract.
• Tree-planting incentives and smart parking proposals were not yet implemented but were advanced for detailed reporting later in 2026.
• Properties and reserves in South Wentworthville may be affected by proposed drainage easements subject to public notification.

Places affected

• South Wentworthville (suburb)
  Proposed drainage easements affecting properties on Hampden Road and Monterey Street and nearby Council reserves.
• Mujar Reserve (reserve)
  Reserve land identified for a proposed stormwater easement linked to 36 Hampden Road.
• Monterey Street Park (park)
  Council reserve identified for a proposed stormwater easement linked to 20 Monterey Street.
• Lidcombe Town Centre (town centre)
  Area proposed for a smart parking feasibility study.
• Lidcombe Station (transport hub)
  Parking pressure area included in the proposed smart parking study.
• Bridge Street, Lidcombe (street/car park area)
  Specific car park area identified for potential smart parking trial assessment.
• Regents Park Ward (ward)
  Initial focus area for the proposed tree planting incentive scheme.
• Hyland Road (project area)
  Landfill cap project progressing to selective tender.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit the Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027 and Draft Fees and Charges 2026-2027, then return a report to Council.
  28-day exhibition period, then future council meeting
• Include $50,000 in the draft budget for a trial of extended ranger operating hours.
  As part of draft budget process for 2026-27
• Design the Shop Local Bonus tree planting scheme and report with costed pilot options and rollout recommendations.
  By 31 August 2026
• Prepare and report on the Lidcombe smart parking feasibility study.
  By 31 August 2026
• Run a selective tender for the Hyland Road Landfill Cap project and report the outcome to Council.
  Future council meeting
• Undertake required 28-day public notification and related steps for proposed South Wentworthville drainage easements.
  Before any final easement approval process is completed

Extracted minutes text

Council Meeting 25 March 2026 Minutes of the Council Meeting 25 March 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 Helen Hughes Councillor Ahmed Ouf Councillor (Exited 9:09pm) Joseph Rahme Councillor (arrived 6:34pm) (Exited 9:11pm) Suman Saha Councillor (via Audio-Visual) Eddy Sarkis Councillor (via Audio-Visual – joined 6:36pm) Sujan Selventhiran Councillor (arrived 6:32pm) Steve Yang Councillor Enver Yasar Councillor Michael Zaiter Councillor Officers Peter Fitzgerald General Manager Melissa Attia Director Corporate Performance (Dep...