Council - 26 Aug 2026

Topics

• Cumberland awards $2.07m Campbell Hill pump track and basketball court contract
  Council has awarded the construction contract to Solutions Plus Built Pty Ltd for $2,071,715.36 excluding GST.
  The decision moves a major local recreation project from planning into delivery.
• Cumberland seeks more schools, parking and community facilities with Westmead South rezoning
  Council will lobby for additional growth infrastructure alongside proposed housing increases near the metro station.
  The submission could influence the infrastructure obligations attached to a major rezoning proposal.
• 47 Cumberland alcohol-free zones enter four-year renewal consultation
  Council has started the statutory process to renew and extend 47 alcohol-free zones.
  Residents and businesses may be affected by public-place alcohol restrictions and can participate in consultation.

Decisions

• Campbell Hill pump track and basketball court contract
  Council awarded the contract to Solutions Plus Built Pty Ltd for $2,071,715.36 excluding GST and authorised the General Manager to execute the contract.
  Delivers a funded recreation upgrade at Campbell Hill.
• Wyatt Park concept planning
  Council authorised preparation of a concept plan for an outdoor activation and auditorium space, plus a multi-purpose youth and community centre at Wyatt Park, Lidcombe, consistent with the adopted masterplan.
  Creates the next planning step for new youth, community and event facilities.
• Westmead South rezoning submission
  Council will prepare a submission supporting additional infrastructure alongside increased housing, including a commuter car park, primary and secondary school capacity, and community facilities. The General Manager may finalise and lodge it.
  Council is seeking infrastructure commitments to support growth around the proposed metro station.
• Alcohol-free zones
  Council commenced the required consultation and notification process for renewing and extending 47 alcohol-free zones for four years.
  Residents and businesses will have an opportunity to comment before the zones are renewed or extended.
• Revised meeting practice and recess arrangements
  Council adopted recommendations reflecting the Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 and endorsed operational arrangements for the 2026/27 Christmas and New Year recess.
  Changes how Council meetings operate and how urgent Council powers may be exercised during the recess.
• Information-access review involving Metropolitan Memorial Parks
  Council will seek expedition of its external review by the Information Commissioner and may apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for administrative review, subject to legal advice and statutory time limits.
  The matter concerns Council’s efforts to obtain records about Metropolitan Memorial Parks’ site-selection process.
• Civic education program report
  Council requested a future report on a Cumberland Civic Education Exhibition and Schools Program, including travelling multilingual displays, mock council meetings and possible school transport assistance.
  Could expand residents’ and students’ understanding of local government and participation options.
• Hazards on third-party assets
  Council will receive an October 2026 report on how hazards involving assets owned by other authorities are reported, referred and tracked, including through Snap Send Solve, with options for temporary make-safe action and escalation.
  May improve follow-up of dangerous defects involving utilities, telecommunications and other authorities’ infrastructure.
• Local Government NSW conference motions
  Council nominated voting delegates and endorsed motions on a statewide women’s safety framework and responsible artificial-intelligence use, including worker protection, training and impact assessments.
  These proposals will be taken to the sector’s state conference but are not yet local policy changes.
• General Manager performance review
  In closed session, Council noted a favourable performance-review outcome for the General Manager and delegated implementation of endorsed recommendations to the Mayor.
  The resolution concerns Council’s senior executive leadership and was read out when the meeting returned to open session.

Discussion

• Campbell Hill recreation infrastructure
  A contract was awarded for the Campbell Hill Pump Track and Basketball Court Project.
  Residents can expect the project to proceed under a contract valued at more than $2 million excluding GST.
• Housing growth and infrastructure
  Council will make a submission on the Westmead South Rezoning Proposal, seeking stronger transport, school and community infrastructure commitments.
  The proposal could affect future housing numbers and infrastructure needs in the Westmead South area.
• Public safety and alcohol controls
  The statutory consultation process began for 47 alcohol-free zones across Cumberland.
  The zones regulate alcohol consumption in specified public places and are proposed for a further four years.
• Council meeting conduct
  Councillor Paul Garrard was expelled after offensive remarks during debate. A proposed amendment to the underlying motion was subsequently lost and the motion passed.
  The incident materially affected the conduct and outcome of a public Council meeting.
• Waste services strategy
  Council endorsed a strategic approach for Cumberland waste services in closed session and authorised the General Manager to implement it. Public detail in the supplied minutes is limited.
  Future implementation may affect waste-service arrangements, but specific changes are not disclosed in the extract.
• Transport forum outcomes
  Council received and endorsed recommendations from the Cumberland Local Transport Forum meeting of 5 August 2026.
  The forum’s endorsed recommendations may affect local transport matters, although the supplied extract does not specify each recommendation.

Impacts

• Consultation will begin on renewing and extending 47 alcohol-free zones for four years.
• The Campbell Hill pump track and basketball court project has a contract value of $2,071,715.36 excluding GST.
• Council will advocate for additional transport, school and community infrastructure to accompany proposed Westmead South housing growth.
• A future report will examine stronger tracking and make-safe arrangements for hazards on third-party assets.
• A future report will consider a civic education and schools program with multilingual, travelling resources.

Places

• Campbell Hill (project area)
  Location of the pump track and basketball court project.
• Wyatt Park, Lidcombe (park and project area)
  Proposed outdoor activation, auditorium, youth and community facilities.
• Westmead South (planning area)
  Subject of a rezoning proposal and Council infrastructure submission.
• Cumberland (local government area)
  Area covered by alcohol-free zones, waste services, civic programs and local transport matters.
• Merrylands (suburb and facility area)
  Location of Council’s administration building and property-related matters.
• Guildford (suburb and reserve area)
  Property Committee drainage-easement proposal involving Victor Brazier Park.
• Toongabbie (suburb and reserve area)
  Property Committee drainage-easement proposal involving Greystanes Creek Reserve.
• Greystanes (suburb and reserve area)
  Property Committee drainage-easement proposal involving Lance Crescent Reserve.

Next

• Undertake consultation and notification for renewal and extension of 47 alcohol-free zones.
  Process to commence following the 26 August 2026 resolution.
• Prepare and lodge Council’s Westmead South rezoning submission.
  After officers complete their assessment; General Manager authorised to finalise it.
• Prepare the Wyatt Park concept plan.
  Future planning stage; no completion date stated.
• Report on third-party asset hazard handling and make-safe options.
  October 2026 ordinary Council meeting.
• Seek expedition of the Information Commissioner review and obtain legal advice on possible Tribunal proceedings.
  Within applicable statutory review and application periods.
• Prepare a future report on the proposed civic education exhibition and schools program.
  Future Council meeting; date not stated.
• Implement the endorsed strategic approach for waste services.
  Under delegated authority; specific timing and public details not stated.

Extract

Council Meeting 26 August 2026 Minutes of the Council Meeting 26 August 2026 Present: Councillors Ola Hamed (Mayor) Councillor Nadima Kafrouni-Saba (Deputy Mayor) Councillor Steve Christou Councillor (exited at 9:56pm) Dr Diane Colman Councillor Glenn Elmore Councillor Paul Garrard Councillor (expelled from meeting at 8:22pm) Helen Hughes Councillor Ahmed Ouf Councillor (arrived 6:36pm) Joseph Rahme Councillor Suman Saha Councillor (via Audio-Visual) Eddy Sarkis Councillor (via Audio-Visual – joined at 6:33pm) Sujan Selventhiran Councillor Steve Yang Councillor Enver Yasar Councillor Michael Zaiter Councillor Officers Peter Fitzgerald General Manager Tony Chahine Acting Director Corporate P...