Council Meeting - Extraordinary - 9 Jun 2026

Topics

• Council reinstates meeting code after NSW model code disallowed
  Local council reverts to its earlier meeting practice rules after the NSW Legislative Council disallowed the new model code.
  This affects public access, debate rules and how council business is conducted.

Decisions

• Leave of absence granted
  Council unanimously accepted an apology and granted leave of absence for Councillor Gao.
  No direct service impact, but it affected council attendance for the meeting.
• Part-rescission of December 2025 meeting practice decision
  Council rescinded in part the 8 December 2025 resolution (CCL125-25) relating to adoption of the Draft Code of Meeting Practice 2025 and linked meeting arrangements.
  Changes how council meetings are run, which can affect public access, meeting rules and transparency.
• Reinstatement of council meeting practice framework
  Council noted the NSW disallowance of the 2025 Model Code and reinstated Georges River Council's Code of Meeting Practice adopted in June 2025, with a review to be brought back within six months.
  Determines the rules for council meetings, including how public business is handled and how residents can follow decisions.

Discussion

• NSW Model Code disallowance
  Council noted the NSW Legislative Council disallowed the 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice, meaning the 2021 model now applies again under the Local Government Act.
  Affects the legal framework for how council meetings and public forums operate.
• Committee meeting arrangements
  The motion referenced revised committee meeting terms of reference, all councillors as members, consecutive second-Monday meetings, and existing chairs remaining until September 2026.
  Changes governance arrangements that can influence how issues are debated before final council decisions.
• Six-month code review
  The General Manager is to review the Code of Meeting Practice within six months, including any supplementary provisions or changes required by an updated NSW Government model code.
  Residents may see further meeting rule changes later in 2026.

Impacts

• Council meeting rules and public forum arrangements may change or be clarified.
• Future council and committee meeting schedules were confirmed as part of the rescinded decision.
• A follow-up report on the meeting code is expected within six months.

Places

• Georges River Council (local government area)
  The meeting concerned council governance rules for the local area.
• Hurstville Civic Centre (facility)
  Meeting location noted in the minutes.

Next

• General Manager to review the Code of Meeting Practice and report back
  within six months / July 2026 noted for related evaluation
• Council to operate under the reinstated meeting practice framework
  immediately following the resolution
• Committee meeting terms of reference to be applied under the revised arrangement
  from the adopted meeting cycle

Extract

MINUTES Extraordinary Council Meeting Tuesday, 09 June 2026 At the conclusion of the Committee Meetings Dragon Room Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting - 9 June 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Elaina Anzellotti, Councillor Tom Arthur, Councillor Oliver Dimoski, 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 General Manager – David Tuxford, Director Assets...