Council - 27 May 2026

Topics

• Council shifts meeting rules back to 2022 code after NSW Parliament disallowance
  A late-night procedural reset follows the state Parliament’s disallowance motion, forcing Cumberland back to its older meeting code.
  Changes how council meetings will be conducted and how future decisions are debated in public.
• Planning changes endorsed in principle for parts of Cumberland
  Council backed a package of LEP and DCP changes affecting several sites, including Berala, Auburn and South Granville, while leaving some site-specific actions unresolved.
  The decision can influence housing supply, site redevelopment, heritage outcomes and land value expectations.
• Council approves grants, tenders and community programs in one meeting
  The meeting delivered multiple spending decisions: community grants, sporting infrastructure, pool maintenance, IT leasing and seniors housing works.
  These decisions translate into visible local projects, contractor work and support for community groups.

Decisions

• Meeting Code reverted to 2022 code
  Council noted the NSW Parliament disallowance motion and rescinded the 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice, reverting to the adopted 2022 Code of Meeting Practice.
  Affects how future council meetings are run and how residents can engage with council decisions.
• Planning controls for Cumberland endorsed in-principle
  Council endorsed proposed amendments to the Cumberland LEP and DCP in principle, with some site-specific positions including Berala station area controls, heritage-related decisions at Mary Street and Clyde Street/Factory Street, and no action on rezoning 106 Woodburn Road or new uses at Wellington Road.
  Could affect housing, land use, heritage outcomes and development potential in affected neighbourhoods.
• Community grants round 2 funded
  Council adopted 17 recommended applications and allocated $175,132 from the 2025/26 Community Grants Program.
  Supports local community groups, services and events across the LGA.
• Major tenders awarded
  Council approved several contracts, including Granville Swim Centre pool re-lining, multifunction devices and print management, floodlighting upgrades at Peter Hislop and Granville Park fields, and roofing works for seniors units.
  Delivers upgrades to sport, digital services and housing assets, with direct spending on local infrastructure.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan placed on exhibition
  The Draft DIAP 2026-2030 was placed on public exhibition for 28 days, to return to Council after consultation.
  Residents and advocacy groups can comment on accessibility priorities before the plan is adopted.
• New community initiatives backed
  Council supported an annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education scholarship, recognition of NAIDOC Week in the events calendar, and urgent support work for people experiencing homelessness at Civic Park, Pendle Hill.
  Creates or expands support for First Nations education, cultural recognition and homelessness outreach.

Discussion

• Social media campaign for electronic rates notices
  Council asked for a three-month campaign to lift electronic rates notices from about 20% to at least 30% within six months, with multilingual promotion and a follow-up report on uptake and savings.
  May reduce paper notices, improve convenience and lower costs for ratepayers and council.
• Cinema in the Park and parks audit notices of motion
  Council agreed to investigate an ongoing free Cinema in the Park program from the Christmas school holidays 2026 and to commence an audit of parks and playgrounds.
  Could lead to new community events and influence parks maintenance and investment priorities.
• Meeting procedure tightened for the night
  Council extended the meeting by one hour and then shortened speech times to two minutes for the remainder of the meeting.
  Procedural changes affected how late-night decisions were debated, though not a direct service change.

Impacts

• Potential changes to housing and development controls in parts of Cumberland, including Berala, Auburn and South Granville.
• $175,132 in community grants to local groups and projects.
• Infrastructure upgrades at Granville Swim Centre, Peter Hislop Park, Granville Park and seniors housing.
• New scholarship and NAIDOC Week initiatives may expand cultural and education opportunities for First Nations residents.
• Targeted support for people sleeping rough at Civic Park, Pendle Hill, especially asylum seekers and others excluded from mainstream homelessness services.
• Residents may see more electronic rates notices and a push to reduce paper mail-outs.

Places

• Cumberland LGA (local government area)
  Overall area covered by the meeting decisions and programs.
• Berala station area (suburb precinct)
  Planning controls and housing-related amendments discussed for sites within 400m of the station.
• Auburn (suburb)
  Mentioned in planning and public forum items, including a heritage-related site and an attendee speaker suburb.
• South Granville (suburb)
  Planning controls discussed for Wellington Road site changes.
• Pendle Hill (suburb)
  Homelessness support motion focused on Civic Park in this area.
• Civic Park (park)
  Location of the homelessness support motion.
• Granville Swim Centre (facility)
  Pool re-lining contract awarded.
• Peter Hislop Park (park)
  Floodlighting upgrade approved for fields 1 and 2.

Next

• Place the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 on public exhibition for 28 days and report back after consultation
  Next 28 days plus follow-up report
• Develop and deliver the electronic rates notices social media campaign and report on results
  Over three months, then report back
• Consult with ATSICC and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members on the scholarship program
  Before the next quarterly ATSICC meeting
• Investigate and report on the Cinema in the Park program and parks/playgrounds audit
  Future report to Council
• Return the Cumberland Open Space Planning Proposal to the Property Committee for further consideration
  At a future Property Committee meeting
• Bring planning, grant, tender and other adopted matters into implementation
  Immediately after council resolution

Extract

Council Meeting 28 May 2026 Minutes of the Council Meeting 28 May 2026 Note: The Council meeting scheduled for 27 May 2026 was convened on 28 May 2026 under the same agenda. Details are recorded at the commencement. 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 Joseph Rahme Councillor Suman Saha Councillor Eddy Sarkis Councillor (via Audio-Visual – joined 6:36pm) (Exited 10:06pm) Sujan Selventhiran Councillor Steve Yang Councillor Enver Yasar Councillor Michael Zaiter Councillor Officers Peter Fit...