Council Meeting - 25 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs action on Lime e-bike expansion
  Council will push community education, operator monitoring and tighter regulation as Lime shared e-bikes expand in Georges River.
  Shared micromobility can affect footpaths, parking, safety and public amenity, especially if use grows quickly.
• Peakhurst West pool dispute escalates to State Government
  Council has formally sought a pause and clarification over proposed changes to the Peakhurst West Public School pool, citing affordability and access concerns.
  The outcome could shape whether a key local swimming facility remains usable for clubs, lessons and community programs.
• Beverly Hills Master Plan stays under council control
  Despite State planning pressure and delays, council reaffirmed a council-led Beverly Hills Local Centre Master Plan and requested regular progress updates.
  The decision affects the long-term direction of one of the area’s key centres, including redevelopment, public domain works and land use.

Decisions

• Lime Bikes expansion response
  Council noted the expansion of Lime shared e-bike operations and resolved to work with Lime on service levels, launch a community awareness campaign on rider/operator responsibilities, advocate for clearer micromobility regulation and funding, and hold a councillor briefing/workshop.
  Affects how shared e-bikes operate locally, including parking, safety, and public space use.
• Emergency Services Levy reform submission
  Council resolved to promote the NSW inquiry to residents and businesses, submit a formal response before 19 June 2026, support a fairer and more transparent levy model, and oppose any model making councils the primary collection agency.
  Could affect council rates processes, levy administration, and the eventual cost and transparency of emergency services funding.
• Draft verge management policy put on exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Verge Management Policy for at least 28 days of public exhibition before a further report returns for adoption.
  May change how residents manage and use verge areas adjacent to their properties.
• Draft AI Policy put out for consultation
  Council endorsed a draft Artificial Intelligence Policy for public consultation for at least 28 days, with a further report to follow after exhibition.
  Sets how the council will use AI in services and may affect privacy, governance, and service delivery.
• Community grants and sponsorship funding approved
  Council adopted the 2025-2026 Round 2 Community Grants recommendations and approved a $10,000 outgoing sponsorship for the Kingsway Community Care Fundraising Dinner.
  Provides direct funding to local community organisations and events.
• Quarterly budget review adopted
  Council received and noted the quarterly budget review for the period ending 31 March 2026 and adopted the proposed 2025/26 budget amendments.
  Affects council finances and the delivery of programs and services in the current financial year.
• Sporting recognition framework report requested
  Council requested the General Manager prepare options for a structured sporting recognition framework for the Georges River community.
  Could lead to new local recognition for athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.
• Peakhurst West Public School pool concerns
  Council resolved to write to the NSW Government and relevant authorities seeking clarification on proposed pool changes, asking for works to be paused pending consultation, and raising concerns about affordability, access and reduced suitability for community use.
  Could affect access to a key local swimming facility and its future community use.
• Beverly Hills Master Plan reasserted as council-led
  Council supported a motion reaffirming a council-led Beverly Hills Local Centre Master Plan, requesting regular project updates and noting State-led planning activity and delays linked to hazard and flood-related technical work.
  Affects the long-term planning and redevelopment direction of Beverly Hills.
• Tree poisoning at Boundary Reserve condemned
  Council condemned the poisoning of three turpentine trees and one tallowwood tree at Boundary Reserve, Peakhurst, and continued investigations with police assistance.
  Signals environmental vandalism concerns and potential impacts on local bushland and reserves.

Discussion

• Committee recommendations adopted
  Council adopted reports from the Assets and Infrastructure, Finance and Governance, Community and Culture, and Environment and Planning committees, including a verge policy exhibition, AI policy exhibition, grants, sponsorship, and a development metrics report.
  Shows several council workstreams advancing to the public exhibition or implementation stage.
• Motion on motor neurone disease condolence
  A condolence motion was raised in support of people affected by motor neurone disease and in recognition of Neale Daniher's advocacy.
  Symbolic support for a serious health issue, though it did not involve a service or funding change.
• Point of order and dissent on Beverly Hills motion
  A procedural dispute occurred during debate on the Beverly Hills motion, including a point of order and a motion of dissent, both of which were lost before the substantive motion was carried.
  Explains why the Beverly Hills decision took longer to settle but does not alter the outcome.

Impacts

• Shared e-bike use may be subject to stronger monitoring, education and future regulation.
• Residents and businesses may be invited to comment on the Emergency Services Levy reform response and the AI and verge policies.
• Local community groups and events received direct funding support.
• Peakhurst West pool users may face uncertainty while council seeks clarification on proposed changes.
• Beverly Hills residents can expect continued council-led planning updates.
• Boundary Reserve and broader local environmental management may be affected by the tree vandalism investigation.

Places

• Georges River (local government area)
  Overall council area for the meeting decisions and funding outcomes.
• Beverly Hills (suburb)
  Subject of the Local Centre Master Plan motion and planning update.
• Peakhurst West (suburb)
  Location of the public school swimming pool motion.
• Boundary Reserve, Peakhurst (reserve)
  Site of the tree poisoning incident.
• Kingsway (location)
  Venue area for the Kingsway Community Care Fundraising Dinner sponsorship.
• Mortdale (suburb)
  Referenced in the streetscape enhancement investigation.
• Carss Bush Park (park)
  Referenced in committee reporting on a playspace upgrade.

Next

• Publish public exhibition of the draft Verge Management Policy
  At least 28 days
• Publish public consultation for the draft Artificial Intelligence Policy
  At least 28 days
• Submit formal response on emergency services funding reform
  By 19 June 2026
• Run community awareness campaign on shared micromobility responsibilities
  Following the Lime Bikes decision
• Provide councillor briefing/workshop on shared micromobility services
  To be scheduled
• Return further report on the verge policy after exhibition
  After the public exhibition period
• Return further report on the AI policy after exhibition
  After the public exhibition period
• Write to NSW Government and relevant authorities about Peakhurst West Public School pool
  Immediately after the meeting
• Provide regular project updates on the Beverly Hills Master Plan
  Ongoing
• Continue investigations into the Boundary Reserve tree poisoning and seek police assistance
  Ongoing

Extract

MINUTES Council Meeting Monday, 25 May 2026 7:00 PM Dragon Room Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Council Meeting - 25 May 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, Dir...