Council Meeting - 24 Aug 2026

Topics

• Mortdale planning proposal survives vote as Council seeks grants for technical studies
  Council rejected the withdrawal pathway and unanimously backed continuing PP2026/0001, while leaving open the possibility of funding studies in the 2027/28 Budget.
  The decision keeps a major centre-planning proposal alive but makes progress dependent on technical work and funding.
• Four Georges River sportsgrounds to be tested for all-weather field upgrades
  Council ordered a feasibility investigation covering Renown Park, Carss Park Flats, Claydon Reserve and Beverly Hills Park, including hybrid natural turf and environmentally friendly synthetic options.
  The investigation could reshape sports-field capacity and local competition for playing space, although construction funding is not yet approved.
• Council backs public lobbyist register covering developers and planning influencers
  Georges River Council will develop a publicly accessible register for substantive engagements with lobbyists, developers and other external stakeholders.
  The proposed transparency framework could affect how residents track influence over planning, projects and policy decisions.

Decisions

• Mortdale Centre planning proposal continued
  Council unanimously supported an amended motion to continue Planning Proposal PP2026/0001, seek State and Federal grant funding for required technical studies, consider Council funding through the 2027/28 Budget if grants are unavailable, and continue relevant Amendment No. 8 changes to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021.
  The decision keeps the Mortdale Centre Master Plan planning pathway alive while funding, technical studies and future planning controls are resolved.
• Feasibility study for four all-weather sporting fields
  The General Manager was asked to investigate all-weather fields, including hybrid-reinforced natural turf, across Renown Park, Carss Park Flats, Claydon Reserve and Beverly Hills Park. The feasibility work must consider sporting demand, site constraints, multi-sport compatibility, environmental impacts, technology and funding implications.
  The investigation could affect future sports facilities, field availability and investment at four local sites, but no construction funding was approved.
• Verge Management Policy adopted
  Council acknowledged community consultation and adopted the Georges River Council Verge Management Policy 2026.
  The policy will guide how council-managed verges are maintained and managed across the local government area.
• Community event grants approved
  Council approved grants and in-kind support for the Spring Festival, Hurstville Lion Dance Blessing, Annual Greek Fete, Street Sports Georges River Community Festival Series and Hurstville Kung Fu Cultural Festival. The approved support totals $38,960 in financial funding plus $6,115 in in-kind value.
  The funding supports local cultural, sporting and community events scheduled between September and December 2026.
• Capital works budget carryovers adopted
  Council adopted the proposed carryover of unspent 2025/26 Capital Works Program allocations into the 2026/27 Capital Works Program, as detailed in the report attachment.
  Some previously approved capital works funding will remain available for delivery in 2026/27; the supplied extract does not list the individual projects or amounts.
• Lobbyist and external stakeholder register supported in principle
  Council supported developing a publicly accessible register of substantive engagements with third-party lobbyists, developers and other external parties seeking to influence council decisions. The General Manager will prepare a draft policy and framework.
  A future register could improve transparency around lobbying and external influence on planning, policy and project decisions.
• Housing Delivery Authority concerns sent to NSW Government
  Council resolved to write to the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces about the Housing Delivery Authority and State Significant Development processes, citing limited local consultation and cumulative impacts on transport, open space and recreation infrastructure. Correspondence will also be provided to local and Opposition representatives.
  The advocacy seeks greater local input and consideration of infrastructure impacts from major housing proposals.
• Illegal dumping investigation ordered
  The General Manager must report on illegal dumping trends, Council’s investigation and reporting processes, community education, temporary CCTV use, additional prevention measures and associated costs.
  Residents should receive clearer information about reporting dumping and possible future enforcement or prevention measures.
• Sans Souci crime-prevention actions approved
  Council will investigate CCTV on Council-owned land, write to Ausgrid seeking increased lighting on poles, and ask St George Police Area Command for increased patrols between 1am and 5am.
  The actions target visibility, surveillance and overnight policing in Sans Souci.
• Ward discretionary funding approved
  Council approved $2,000 for Riverwood Hornets Australia Incorporated, $500 for Kogarah Cougars JRLFC and $1,000 for Illawarra Retirement Trust.
  The allocations provide targeted support to local sporting and community organisations.

Discussion

• Penshurst Public Domain Plan
  Council noted extensive engagement on the draft plan, including 205 submissions, more than 4,700 project webpage visits and approximately 2,900 downloads of exhibition documents. Exhibition remains open until 31 August 2026.
  Penshurst residents and businesses have a short remaining window to provide feedback before Council considers the plan.
• Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park
  Council continued advocacy for improved public access and noted the NSW Government’s introduction of three-hour parking from August 2026, following longstanding community and business concerns.
  The change is intended to improve access for shoppers, visitors and local businesses, subject to the facility’s operating arrangements.
• Short-term parking grace period
  Council will ask the NSW Government to review the 10-minute paid-parking grace period, including the one-hour payment threshold, its application to different parking areas and approved payment methods.
  A State rule change could affect drivers using local paid parking and reduce confusion about eligibility for the grace period.
• Financial statements and financial sustainability
  Council noted improving financial results, while recognising the need for continued work to achieve a positive operating performance ratio. It authorised the statutory process for signing, auditing, exhibiting and lodging the 2025/26 financial statements.
  The process provides public access to audited information about Council’s financial position and future financial sustainability.
• National Tree Day
  Council recorded that about 200 volunteers planted 2,300 native plants at Gannons Park and that 911 additional plants were distributed through the Mortdale Depot giveaway. A report will examine expanding the event in 2027.
  The event delivered local greening and biodiversity benefits, with possible expansion into a larger environmental program next year.

Impacts

• Mortdale’s planning proposal remains active, with technical studies and possible future Council funding still required.
• No construction decision was made for the proposed all-weather sporting fields; the next step is a feasibility investigation at four sites.
• The adopted Verge Management Policy will guide local verge management.
• Five community events received combined financial and in-kind support.
• Sans Souci may receive additional lighting, CCTV investigation and overnight police-patrol advocacy.
• Illegal dumping prevention and reporting arrangements will be reviewed.
• Penshurst feedback remains open until 31 August 2026.
• Audited 2025/26 financial statements will be presented and placed on public exhibition after the audit process.

Places

• Mortdale (suburb and centre)
  Location of the Mortdale Centre Master Plan and Planning Proposal PP2026/0001.
• Renown Park (sporting facility)
  One of four sites included in the all-weather sporting-field feasibility investigation.
• Carss Park Flats (sporting facility)
  One of four sites included in the all-weather sporting-field feasibility investigation.
• Claydon Reserve (reserve and sporting site)
  One of four sites included in the all-weather sporting-field feasibility investigation.
• Beverly Hills Park (park and sporting site)
  One of four sites included in the all-weather sporting-field feasibility investigation.
• Sans Souci (suburb)
  Target of crime-prevention, lighting and overnight patrol actions.
• Penshurst (suburb and town centre)
  Subject of the draft Public Domain Plan and ongoing community exhibition.
• Beverly Hills Commuter Car Park (transport facility)
  Subject of advocacy and a three-hour parking change discussed by Council.

Next

• General Manager to investigate all-weather and hybrid sporting-field feasibility across four nominated sites and report on costs, constraints, demand and funding.
  Future Council report; timing not specified.
• Pursue State and Federal grants and report on technical-study funding and the pathway for PP2026/0001.
  Before further progression of the Mortdale planning proposal; exact timing not specified.
• Consider Council funding for Mortdale technical studies if external grants are not secured.
  2027/28 Budget process.
• Prepare a draft Lobbyist and External Stakeholder Engagement Policy and register framework.
  For future Council consideration; timing not specified.
• Report on illegal dumping trends, enforcement tools, education, CCTV and prevention costs.
  Future Council report; timing not specified.
• Write to Ausgrid and St George Police Area Command about Sans Souci lighting and overnight patrols.
  Following the 24 August 2026 resolution.
• Accept community feedback on the Draft Penshurst Public Domain Plan.
  Exhibition closes 31 August 2026.
• Complete audit, public exhibition and presentation of the 2025/26 financial statements.
  After receipt of the Auditor’s Report; meeting date not specified.

Extract

MINUTES Council Meeting Monday, 24 August 2026 7:00 PM Dragon Room Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Council Meeting - 24 August 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Elaina Anzellotti, Councillor Tom Arthur, Councillor Oliver Dimoski, Councillor Thomas Gao, Councillor Gerard Hayes, Councillor Christina Jamieson, Councillor Kathryn Landsberry, Councillor Nancy Liu, Councillor Peter Mahoney, Councillor Natalie Mort, Councillor Leon Pun, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sam Stratikopoulos, and Councillor Ben Wang. COUNCIL STAFF A/General Manager – Joseph Hill, Director Assets and Infrastructure – Bryce Spelta, A/...