Council Meeting - Extraordinary - 9 Jun 2026

Topics

• Council reinstates earlier meeting code after NSW regulation disallowed
  State-level rule change triggers council to roll back part of its revised meeting framework and restore the earlier code.
  This affects public access, meeting timing, motions, and how council business is run in Georges River.
• Committee meeting structure reset with all councillors included
  Council reworks committee terms of reference and meeting cadence across four major committees.
  Committee structure shapes how infrastructure, planning, culture, and finance matters are considered before decisions reach council.

Decisions

• Leave of absence granted for Councillor Gao
  Council unanimously accepted an apology and granted leave of absence for Councillor Gao.
  No direct service impact, but affects council representation at the meeting.
• Partly rescind 8 December 2025 Code of Meeting Practice decision
  Council rescinded part of resolution CCL125-25, including the adopted draft Code of Meeting Practice 2025 trial and related meeting schedule elements.
  Changes how council meetings are run and how residents can follow or participate in decision-making.
• Reinstate the 2025 Code of Meeting Practice framework
  Council noted the NSW Legislative Council disallowance of the 2025 Model Code regulation and reinstated Georges River Council's Code of Meeting Practice adopted on 23 June 2025.
  Restores the earlier meeting rules, which can affect public forums, notices of motion, and committee procedures.

Discussion

• Review of meeting rules within six months
  The General Manager is to review the Code of Meeting Practice within six months and report back, including any supplementary provisions or changes if NSW Government rules are updated.
  Residents may see further changes to how council meetings are conducted later in 2026.
• Committee meeting structure and membership
  Council noted revised committee Terms of Reference for the Assets and Infrastructure, Community and Culture, Environment and Planning, and Finance and Governance committees, with all councillors to be members and meetings held consecutively on the second Monday of the month.
  This affects how committee business is organised and may influence the timing of decisions on local projects and services.
• Chairpersons to remain until September 2026
  Current committee chairpersons are to remain in place until September 2026 under prior council resolution.
  Provides continuity in committee leadership while the meeting framework is adjusted.

Impacts

• Council meeting procedures and public forum arrangements will continue under the reinstated code.
• Committee business on infrastructure, planning, community, and finance matters will be managed under revised terms of reference.
• A further review may lead to more changes to meeting rules later in 2026.

Places

• Georges River Council (local government area)
  Council area covered by the meeting decisions.
• Hurstville (locality)
  Meeting venue at the Civic Centre.
• Dragon Room Civic Centre (facility)
  Venue where the extraordinary council meeting was held.

Next

• General Manager to review the Code of Meeting Practice and report back
  within 6 months
• Current committee chairpersons to remain in place
  until September 2026
• Committee meetings to continue under revised terms of reference
  from the resolution date onward

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...