Council Meeting - 23 Mar 2026

Key decisions

• Traffic and parking changes approved in several locations
  Council approved a six-month trial to extend the Kiss & Ride area on Ecole Street and introduce timed turn restrictions at Ecole Street/Ecole Lane during school times, along with several parking and waste collection start-time changes across Blakehurst, Riverwood, Hurstville, South Hurstville, Allawah, Kingsgrove and Beverley Hills.
  Residents may see changed parking access, traffic movements, school pick-up arrangements, earlier waste truck activity and future reviews after the trial period.
• ANZAC Day event road closures approved
  Council approved Penshurst RSL Club road closures on Bridge Street and Connelly Street, Penshurst, for the ANZAC Day Service on 19 April 2026, with resident/business notification and safety requirements.
  Drivers, nearby residents and local businesses should expect temporary road closures and parking restrictions around the memorial area.
• Community Engagement Strategy 2026-2036 endorsed
  Council endorsed the draft Community Engagement Strategy 2026-2036 following public exhibition and delegated minor administrative amendments to the General Manager.
  This sets how Council will consult and communicate with the community over the next decade.
• Children and young people policy adopted
  Council adopted the revised Interactions with Children and Young People Policy and approved a Library Use and Membership Policy change raising the unattended library age from 10 to 12 years.
  Families and library users should be aware of the new supervision age requirement for children.
• Peakhurst Park Community Centre name approved
  Council approved the name 'Peakhurst Park Community Centre' for the new community centre at 7a Hedley Street, Riverwood.
  Residents now have the confirmed public name for the new community facility.
• April 2026 event grants approved
  Council approved $8,140 for the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Day Dawn Service and Family Day, and $20,000 for the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of Kogarah & District Orthodox Easter event.
  These grants support local commemorative and cultural events open to the community.
• Moore Park reclassification planning proposal adopted
  Council adopted the amended planning proposal to reclassify part of Moore Park, Beverley Park, from community land to operational land and will send it to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation and gazettal.
  This is a significant land-use change affecting council-owned land at Moore Park and may influence future use or management of that site.
• MSE pipeline hazard planning proposal sent for Gateway determination
  Council voted 12-1 to forward Planning Proposal 2026/0002 on the Moomba to Sydney Ethane Pipeline hazard analysis to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway determination and future public exhibition.
  Residents may be able to comment during exhibition on planning controls related to pipeline hazard considerations.
• Floodplain Risk Management Committee delegates appointed
  Council appointed Councillor Mahoney and Councillor Liu as voting delegates to the Floodplain Risk Management Committee until the end of the current council term.
  This affects council representation on floodplain risk matters relevant to local flood planning and management.
• AI governance framework report requested
  Council requested a report on the feasibility and scope of developing an Artificial Intelligence policy or governance framework for Georges River Council.
  This may shape how Council uses AI in service delivery, decision-making and public-facing operations.

Important topics

• Asbestos Management Policy adopted
  Council adopted the draft Asbestos Management Policy 2026 after public exhibition.
  This guides Council's approach to asbestos-related management and public health risks.
• Wildlife Protection Area Policy endorsed
  Council endorsed the Georges River Wildlife Protection Area Policy 2025 and requested future review reporting include data on documented breaches.
  Residents in or near wildlife protection areas may be affected by how environmental protections are applied and monitored.
• Tree canopy target progress noted
  Council noted progress toward the 40% tree canopy target by 2038, backed consideration of a future $120,000 budget bid for an LGA-wide planting strategy, and will continue advocating for stronger state tree protections.
  This may influence future tree planting, urban greening and vegetation protection across the area.
• Sports amenities consultation to continue
  Council noted workshop outcomes on sporting amenities and storage facilities and that broader community consultation will occur on a proposed mixed management model.
  Sporting clubs and users may have a chance to comment on future management of local sports facilities.
• Ward discretionary funding approved
  Council approved five ward discretionary fund applications ranging from $167 to $1,000 for local community groups and organisations.
  Small local grants will support community organisations and neighbourhood activities.

Resident impacts

• Traffic and parking conditions will change in some streets under new trial arrangements, especially near Ecole Street.
• Earlier waste collection start times will affect some residents in Riverwood, Blakehurst, Hurstville, South Hurstville, Allawah, Kingsgrove and Beverley Hills.
• Families using Council libraries need to note the new minimum age of 12 for children to attend unattended.
• Residents near Penshurst ANZAC Day service routes should expect temporary road closures and parking controls on 19 April 2026.
• Community members may be invited to comment on the MSE pipeline planning proposal during public exhibition.
• Council-backed grants will support local ANZAC Day and Orthodox Easter community events.

Places affected

• Ecole Street (road)
  Kiss & Ride extension and timed turn restrictions trial
• Penshurst (suburb)
  ANZAC Day service road closures on Bridge Street and Connelly Street
• Moore Park, Beverley Park (parkland/project area)
  Part of council land to be reclassified from community to operational land
• 7a Hedley Street, Riverwood (facility site)
  Approved name for new Peakhurst Park Community Centre
• Bonds Road (road)
  Earlier waste collection start time trial
• Stoney Creek Road (road)
  Earlier waste collection start time trial
• Othello Street, Blakehurst (road)
  No Parking restriction reduced by 1.6 metres
• Georges River LGA (service area)
  Tree canopy target planning and AI governance work

Next steps

• Review Ecole Street traffic and parking trial and determine permanent measures
  After the six-month trial
• Notify affected residents before waste collection start-time trials begin
  Before commencement of the six-month trial
• Report back on waste collection trial outcomes and long-term approach
  At the conclusion of the six-month trial
• Forward amended Moore Park planning proposal to DPHI for finalisation and gazettal
  Following council adoption
• Publicly exhibit the MSE pipeline hazard planning proposal and report back on submissions
  After Gateway determination
• Prepare a report on the feasibility and scope of an AI policy or governance framework
  Future council report

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES Council Meeting Monday, 23 March 2026 7:00 PM Dragon Room Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Council Meeting - 23 March 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Elaina Anzellotti, Councillor Oliver Dimoski, Councillor Thomas Gao, Councillor Gerard Hayes, Councillor Christina Jamieson, Councillor Kathryn Landsberry, Councillor Nancy Liu, Councillor Peter Mahoney, Councillor Natalie Mort, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sam Stratikopoulos, and Councillor Ben Wang. COUNCIL STAFF General Manager – David Tuxford, Director Assets and Infrastructure – Bryce Spelta, Director Environment and Planning – Joseph Hill,...