Environment and Planning Committee - 9 Jun 2026

Topics

• Council backs major planning submissions on faster housing approvals
  Local government has endorsed submissions on state proposals that could reshape how homes are assessed and approved.
  Could affect the speed, certainty and rules for housing development across the local area.
• Biodiversity and foreshore protection controls move to adoption
  Council adopted amended development controls after public exhibition for the Biodiversity, Character and Foreshore Scenic Protection Area package.
  Changes may affect what can be built and how land is managed in sensitive scenic and foreshore locations.
• Hurstville Golf Course clubhouse proposal sent for finalisation
  The committee advanced the Hurstville Golf Course clubhouse planning proposal and related management plan changes.
  This is a material local project with implications for recreation assets, land use and community access.

Decisions

• Zero Litter to Georges River progress noted
  Council noted progress towards its 2030 target to stop litter entering Georges River from terrestrial sources above the high-water mark.
  Supports cleaner waterways and ongoing environmental management for river catchments.
• Cooks River Alliance membership deferred pending reforms
  Council decided not to reconsider membership of the Cooks River Alliance until it has a finalised business plan and resolves its legal entity status.
  Delays any change in council participation until governance and financial clarity improve.
• Development assessment reforms endorsed for submission
  Council endorsed submissions to the NSW Government on proposed changes to complying development and low-rise housing assessment pathways, and authorised final submission by the Director, Planning & Environment.
  These state planning reforms could affect how quickly homes are assessed and approved locally.
• Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse proposal forwarded for finalisation
  Council agreed to send the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation and to adopt related amendments to the Generic Plans of Management.
  This advances a major local sporting and land-use proposal with implications for community facilities and park management.
• Biodiversity and Foreshore Scenic Protection amendments adopted
  Council endorsed the planning proposal for finalisation, amended the exhibited GRDCP changes in response to submissions, adopted Amendment No.7, and required public notice and notification to submitters.
  Affects development controls and environmental protection settings in scenic and foreshore areas.
• Heritage study work to begin with existing budget
  Council agreed to commence the thematic history review as the first stage of a broader heritage study using existing 2026/27 budget allocations.
  Could lead to future heritage listings or planning controls affecting properties and places of heritage interest.

Discussion

• Zero Litter to Georges River progress update
  The committee received an update on work towards the council’s litter reduction target for Georges River, with no new implementation decision beyond noting progress.
  Residents benefit through cleaner foreshore and river environments.
• State planning submissions on faster home assessments
  Council endorsed submissions on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s exhibition about assessing homes in 50 days or less, including comments on complying development and low-rise housing assessment pathways.
  Potentially changes approval processes for housing and small-scale development in the area.
• Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal
  The committee supported finalising the proposal and associated management plan amendments after public hearing outcomes and exhibition submissions were considered.
  May affect the future form and operation of the golf course clubhouse and surrounding open space.
• Biodiversity, Character and Foreshore Scenic Protection Area planning controls
  Council supported forwarding the planning proposal unchanged, while adjusting the draft DCP amendment to address issues raised in submissions before adoption.
  Could influence what can be built and how land is managed in protected scenic and foreshore areas.
• Heritage study scope and funding
  Council noted the scope, methodology, timeframes and resourcing for a broader heritage study and agreed to start with a thematic history review using current budget.
  May inform future heritage protection and planning decisions affecting local sites.

Impacts

• Potentially faster or changed development assessment pathways for new housing applications.
• Possible changes to environmental and scenic protection controls in foreshore and biodiversity areas.
• Progress on the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse proposal may affect local recreation facilities and adjacent land use.
• A heritage study could lead to future planning constraints or heritage recognition for certain places.
• Ongoing anti-litter work supports waterway health and public amenity in the Georges River catchment.

Places

• Georges River (waterway / local government area)
  Target area for litter reduction and environmental protection work.
• Cooks River (river / catchment)
  Subject of the alliance membership reconsideration report.
• Hurstville Golf Course (facility / project area)
  Planning proposal for the clubhouse and related management plan amendments.
• Georges River Local Government Area (local government area)
  Area covered by the litter reduction target and planning controls.
• Biodiversity, Character and Foreshore Scenic Protection Area (planning area)
  Area affected by the planning proposal and GRDCP Amendment No.7.

Next

• Forward the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal to DPHI for finalisation
  Immediately after the meeting / during finalisation process
• Submit endorsed council submissions on housing assessment reforms to DPHI
  After final editorial amendments, as authorised
• Publish public notice of the amended GRDCP decision and notify submitters
  Within 28 days
• Send the amended GRDCP to DPHI once effective
  After the LEP amendment is gazetted
• Begin the thematic history review as stage one of the heritage study
  Using 2026/27 budget allocations
• Reconsider Cooks River Alliance membership only after business plan and legal status are resolved
  When outstanding governance issues are finalised

Extract

MINUTES Environment and Planning Committee Tuesday, 09 June 2026 Dragon Room Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Environment and Planning Committee Meeting - 9 June 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Peter Mahoney (Chair), 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 Tu...