Environment and Planning Committee - 9 Jun 2026

Topics

• Council adopts changes to foreshore and biodiversity planning controls
  Planning controls for biodiversity and foreshore scenic protection areas have moved forward after public exhibition, with amendments adopted and the proposal sent on for finalisation.
  This could directly affect development rights, environmental protection and design requirements in sensitive waterfront areas.
• Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse proposal sent for finalisation
  The clubhouse proposal for Hurstville Golf Course has cleared committee review and is being forwarded for state finalisation alongside management plan changes.
  It advances a notable local development and may change the future use and management of a major community recreation site.
• Council pauses Cooks River Alliance membership review
  Georges River Council will not reconsider joining the Cooks River Alliance until the group fixes its business plan and legal structure.
  The decision signals frustration with river governance arrangements and could affect future catchment cooperation.

Decisions

• Cooks River Alliance membership not to be reconsidered yet
  Council will not revisit Cooks River Alliance membership until the alliance has a finalised business plan and resolved its legal entity status.
  Affects how council collaborates on river management and environmental advocacy for the Cooks River catchment.
• Council submissions endorsed on NSW planning reform proposals
  Council endorsed submissions on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s proposals relating to complying development and low-rise housing assessment pathways, and authorised the Director to finalise and submit them.
  Could influence future housing approval processes and development assessment rules across the local area.
• Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal forwarded for finalisation
  The planning proposal for the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse was sent to DPHI for finalisation, and Council adopted related amendments to the Generic Plans of Management for sportsgrounds and general community use.
  Affects the future use and management of the Hurstville Golf Course precinct and associated community facilities.
• Biodiversity and Foreshore Scenic Protection controls amended and adopted
  Council endorsed the Biodiversity, Character & Foreshore Scenic Protection Area planning proposal for finalisation, adopted Amendment No.7 to the Georges River DCP with changes made after exhibition, and set out notification steps for the amended controls.
  May affect development controls, design expectations and environmental protection settings in foreshore and scenic areas.
• Heritage study progressed to first stage
  Council noted the scope and methodology for a broader heritage study and agreed to proceed with a thematic history review as stage one using existing 2026/27 budget allocations.
  Supports future heritage protections and may shape which buildings, places or areas receive formal investigation.

Discussion

• Zero Litter to Georges River progress update
  Council noted progress towards its 2030 target to eliminate litter entering the Georges River from terrestrial sources above the high-water mark.
  Relevant to river health, local pollution reduction and catchment management.
• Ministerial action plan on development assessment timeframes
  Council endorsed the Action Plan provided by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for development assessment timeframe reforms.
  Could affect how quickly development applications are processed and assessed.
• Public exhibition submissions on housing assessment pathways
  Council endorsed submissions on proposed changes to complying development and low-rise housing assessment pathways, and authorised final submission after minor amendments.
  May influence residential development rules and approval pathways in Georges River.
• Public exhibition outcome for biodiversity and foreshore planning controls
  The committee considered submissions, amended the exhibited draft DCP changes in response, and moved the planning proposal and DCP amendment towards finalisation.
  Impacts planning standards in protected scenic and foreshore areas.

Impacts

• Planning and development rules may change for housing, complying development and low-rise housing assessments.
• Foreshore, scenic and biodiversity controls may become stricter or more clearly defined for affected land.
• The Hurstville Golf Course precinct is moving closer to final planning and management approvals.
• Council's future work on the Cooks River may pause until governance and business planning issues are resolved.
• A heritage study is starting, which may lead to future identification of historically significant places.

Places

• Georges River Local Government Area (local government area)
  Area covered by the Zero Litter target and planning changes.
• Cooks River (river/catchment)
  Subject of alliance membership reconsideration.
• Hurstville Golf Course (facility/precinct)
  Planning proposal for a clubhouse and related management plan amendments.
• Georges River foreshore areas (environmental/planning area)
  Covered by the Biodiversity, Character & Foreshore Scenic Protection Area proposal.
• Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville (civic venue)
  Meeting location.

Next

• Forward the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal to DPHI for finalisation
  After the committee decision
• Implement and publish the adopted biodiversity and foreshore DCP amendment and notify submitters
  Within 28 days for public notice; after the LEP amendment is gazetted for commencement
• Finalise and submit endorsed planning reform submissions to DPHI
  Following minor editorial/non-substantive amendments
• Begin the thematic history review for the broader heritage study
  Using 2026/27 budget allocations
• Reconsider Cooks River Alliance membership only after outstanding business plan and legal status issues are resolved
  Deferred until those matters 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...