Council Meeting - 28 Apr 2026

Article-worthy topics

• Draft 2026/27 budget and operational plans to go on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2026/27, Budget 2026/27, Fees and Charges 2026/27 and Draft Resourcing Strategy for public exhibition for at least 28 days, with submissions to be reported to the June 2026 meeting.
  Residents will be able to review and comment on proposed spending, fees, capital works and service priorities.

Key decisions

• Blakehurst and Kogarah Bay flood study adopted for action
  Council received the final draft Blakehurst and Kogarah Bay Ward Overland Flow Flood Study, delegated minor corrections to the General Manager, endorsed legal notation on 10.7 Planning Certificates for identified properties, and will publish the adopted study on Council’s website.
  Property owners in affected areas may see flood information reflected on planning certificates and can access the study online.
• Draft 2026/27 budget and operational plans to go on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2026/27, Budget 2026/27, Fees and Charges 2026/27 and Draft Resourcing Strategy for public exhibition for at least 28 days, with submissions to be reported to the June 2026 meeting.
  Residents will be able to review and comment on proposed spending, fees, capital works and service priorities.
• Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan to be publicly exhibited
  Council endorsed the Draft Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan and associated studies for public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.
  Riverwood residents and businesses will have a chance to comment on future centre planning and public domain changes.
• Mortdale planning proposal and DCP amendment to proceed to gateway and exhibition
  Council resolved to forward the Mortdale Centre Master Plan Planning Proposal to the state government for Gateway Determination and to publicly exhibit it alongside draft Amendment No. 8 to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021.
  This may shape future land use, built form and development controls in Mortdale.
• Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme planning proposal progressed
  Council agreed to send the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme Planning Proposal for Gateway Determination, publicly exhibit it, and later report submissions back to Council. Council also resolved to publish the feasibility assessment attachment previously kept confidential.
  The proposal could affect how future development contributes to affordable housing in the area.
• Carss Bush Park and Todd Park master plan adopted
  Council adopted the Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Master Plan and Plan of Management, including an added option to upgrade and retain the existing Men’s Shed in its current location, and will notify submitters and publish the adopted documents.
  Users of these parks can expect future park improvements guided by the adopted plan.
• Penshurst Town Centre public domain plan to be exhibited
  Council recommended the Draft Penshurst Town Centre Public Domain Plan proceed to public exhibition and community consultation, including face-to-face opportunities such as workshops, drop-in sessions or webinars.
  Penshurst residents, traders and visitors can help shape future streetscape and public space upgrades.
• Community and sports project funding approved
  Council approved additional funding or budget changes for The Green Sporting Amenity, Endeavour Street Seawall Reconstruction design, Stage 1 of the Indoor Multisport Stadium Strategic Business Case, and a $7,500 sponsorship for the Autism Community Network Gala Dinner.
  These decisions affect local recreation, infrastructure resilience and community support initiatives.

Important topics

• Woodville Park framework endorsed
  Council noted community engagement outcomes, endorsed the Draft Woodville Park Spatial Framework, and included future outdoor adult fitness equipment at Timothy Reserve in the Capital Works Program.
  Residents near Woodville Park and Timothy Reserve may see future open space upgrades.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan released for exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 for public exhibition for at least 28 days, with a further report to return before final adoption and submission by 30 June 2026.
  Residents can provide feedback on how Council improves accessibility and inclusion.
• Carss Park Pool project milestone noted
  Council noted progress on the Carss Park Pool project, completion of Milestone 1, and the General Manager’s approval of a payment to the NSW Office of Sport under the funding agreement.
  The project remains active and progressing through funded milestones.
• Ward discretionary fund grants approved
  Council approved several small grants to local groups and organisations, including Lugarno Progress Association, Dress for Success NSW and ACT, Oatley Rugby Club, Carlton South Public School P&C Association, One Meal It Makes a Difference Inc, Nicholas Giourgis, and the Nepalese Penshurst Committee Incorporated.
  Local community groups and initiatives will receive direct support.
• Palm trees issue raised for Beverly Hills
  A notice of motion was considered about the removal of diseased palm trees on King Georges Road, Beverly Hills, including replacement planting and median upgrade ideas, but the extracted text does not show a final resolved outcome.
  Residents in Beverly Hills may continue to see this issue debated as part of streetscape and safety decisions.

Resident impacts

• Flood-affected properties in Blakehurst and Kogarah Bay may have updated flood notations on planning certificates.
• Residents will be invited to comment on the draft budget, fees, delivery program and resourcing strategy during public exhibition.
• Planning changes in Riverwood, Mortdale and affordable housing policy will go through public exhibition and may affect future development outcomes.
• Park users at Carss Bush Park, Todd Park, Woodville Park and Timothy Reserve may see future upgrades guided by adopted or endorsed plans.
• Sports and recreation projects received funding or budget support, including The Green Sporting Amenity and Indoor Multisport Stadium planning work.
• Community organisations received grant and sponsorship support through Council funding decisions.

Places affected

• Blakehurst (suburb/ward area)
  Final overland flow flood study adopted and to be published; planning certificate notation endorsed for identified properties.
• Kogarah Bay (suburb/ward area)
  Final overland flow flood study adopted and to be published; planning certificate notation endorsed for identified properties.
• Riverwood (local centre)
  Draft local centre master plan endorsed for public exhibition.
• Mortdale (local centre)
  Planning proposal and draft DCP amendment to proceed to gateway review and public exhibition.
• Penshurst (town centre)
  Draft public domain plan to go on public exhibition and community consultation.
• Carss Bush Park (park)
  Master plan and plan of management adopted.
• Todd Park (park)
  Master plan and plan of management adopted; sporting facility reconstruction engagement outcomes also referenced.
• Beverly Hills (suburb/road corridor)
  Notice of motion raised regarding diseased palm tree removal on King Georges Road.

Next steps

• Publish the adopted Blakehurst and Kogarah Bay flood study on Council’s website and apply legal notation to relevant 10.7 Planning Certificates.
  After adoption
• Place the draft budget, operational plan, delivery program and resourcing strategy on public exhibition and report submissions to Council.
  Exhibition for at least 28 days; report to June 2026 meeting
• Publicly exhibit the Draft Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan and later report submissions back to Council.
  Minimum 28 days, then further report
• Seek Gateway Determination and publicly exhibit the Mortdale planning proposal and draft DCP amendment, then report submissions back to Council.
  Following state gateway review and exhibition
• Seek Gateway Determination and publicly exhibit the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme Planning Proposal, then report submissions back to Council.
  Following state gateway review and exhibition
• Exhibit the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and return a post-exhibition report before final endorsement and submission to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
  At least 28 days exhibition; before 30 June 2026

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES Council Meeting Tuesday, 28 April 2026 7:00 PM Dragon Room Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Council Meeting - 28 April 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, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sam Stratikopoulos. COUNCIL STAFF General Manager – David Tuxford, Director Assets and Infrastructure – Bryce Spelta, Director Environment and...