Environment and Planning Committee - 9 Nov 2026

Topics

• Georges River to exhibit new housing and heritage controls for at least 28 days
  Council has backed public exhibition of a broad DCP amendment affecting low-density housing, heritage, local character and Mortdale Centre planning.
  The proposed controls could influence future development, renovations and heritage outcomes across affected areas, and residents can comment before final decisions.
• Riverwood Master Plan adopted, but key pedestrian and infrastructure projects remain subject to future funding
  Council has adopted the Riverwood plan after exhibition while leaving proposed public spaces, active-transport links and infrastructure delivery dependent on later processes and funding.
  The plan will shape development and transport around Riverwood, but residents may not see all proposed facilities delivered without future approvals and funding.
• Mortdale planning proposal stopped, with any replacement requiring a fresh start
  The current Mortdale planning proposal will not proceed, while revised DCP controls move towards exhibition.
  The decision changes the immediate outlook for development and growth in the Mortdale Centre and resets the process for any future rezoning or planning proposal.

Decisions

• Georges River Development Control Plan Amendment No. 8 to go on exhibition
  The committee endorsed public exhibition for at least 28 days of proposed changes covering low-density residential development, heritage, local character areas, Mortdale Local Centre controls and housekeeping amendments to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021. A further report will follow exhibition.
  Residents, property owners and developers will have an opportunity to comment on proposed planning and heritage controls before they are finalised.
• Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan adopted
  The committee adopted the amended Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan and associated studies following public exhibition. Changes include reviewing a proposed pedestrian connection affecting Homes NSW land at 17–27 Hardwicke Street, correcting mapping and built-form guidance, and clarifying that proposed public spaces, active-transport links and recreational facilities remain indicative and depend on future planning, funding and approvals.
  The plan will guide future development, transport, public spaces and infrastructure in Riverwood, but implementation will depend on later planning processes, infrastructure funding and budget decisions.
• Mortdale planning proposal will not proceed
  The committee noted that the current Mortdale planning proposal, recorded as PP2026/0001 by Council and PP-2025-2192 on the NSW Planning Portal, will not proceed further. Any future proposal must be submitted as a new proposal following additional strategic and technical investigations. Revised Mortdale DCP controls will be exhibited as part of Amendment No. 8.
  The existing proposal will not deliver further planning changes, while future growth and development controls for Mortdale may be reconsidered through later strategic planning work.
• Council to lobby for unattended-property law reform
  The committee criticised the NSW Government evaluation that found the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 fit for purpose, despite concerns about dumped shopping trolleys, share bikes, abandoned vehicles, public amenity, parking and council costs. Council will write to the Local Government Minister and Shadow Minister seeking bipartisan support for a comprehensive review within six months of the statutory review due in 2027.
  Councils and residents will continue operating under the current rules for now, with no immediate legislative change to address unattended property in public places.

Discussion

• Riverwood implementation and infrastructure
  Implementation work may include an infrastructure Works Schedule, possible amendments to Council’s Contributions Plan, transport and active-transport assessment, and coordination with government agencies. These steps are subject to future planning, funding and separate Council decisions.
  Future roads, pedestrian links, public spaces and community infrastructure are not yet fully funded or guaranteed.
• Heritage and local character controls
  The proposed DCP amendment includes a new standalone heritage chapter, low-density residential controls, local character areas and a Heritage Conservation Areas Review report.
  These changes may affect development expectations, renovation requirements and heritage considerations for affected properties.
• Development and building service performance
  The committee noted the Development and Building Team’s quarterly metrics report for July to September 2026.
  The report provides an update on Council’s development and building assessment functions, but the supplied minutes do not include the underlying figures.

Impacts

• Public submissions will be invited on Georges River DCP Amendment No. 8 for a minimum of 28 days.
• The adopted Riverwood Master Plan will guide future local-centre planning, but proposed facilities and infrastructure remain subject to later approvals, funding and implementation work.
• The existing Mortdale planning proposal will not proceed and any replacement proposal would require fresh investigations and assessment.
• Current NSW rules for abandoned shopping trolleys, share bikes, unidentified vehicles and other unattended property remain in place while further reform is deferred.
• Requests about traffic management, pedestrian improvements, footpaths, lighting and other operational matters raised during Riverwood consultation will be referred to relevant Council business units through existing programs and future capital planning.

Places

• Riverwood Local Centre (local centre and master-plan area)
  Subject of the adopted amended Riverwood Local Centre Master Plan and future infrastructure, transport and public-space planning.
• 17–27 Hardwicke Street, Riverwood (road address and development area)
  A proposed through-site pedestrian connection affecting Homes NSW land will be reviewed, with alternatives to be investigated.
• Mortdale Local Centre (local centre)
  Subject of revised DCP controls and a planning proposal that will not proceed in its current form.
• Georges River local government area (local government area)
  Area covered by the Georges River Development Control Plan and Council’s unattended-property advocacy.
• Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville (civic facility)
  Meeting venue.

Next

• Exhibit draft Georges River DCP Amendment No. 8 and the revised Mortdale Local Centre controls.
  For a minimum of 28 days; a further Council report is to follow.
• Notify organisations and individuals who made Riverwood submissions of Council’s decision.
  Following adoption of the Master Plan.
• Refer Riverwood operational requests, including traffic, footpaths, lighting and pedestrian improvements, to relevant Council business units.
  Through existing operational programs, asset management processes and future capital works planning.
• Prepare implementation work, including consideration of an infrastructure Works Schedule and possible Contributions Plan changes.
  Through future planning and implementation processes, subject to funding and separate Council consideration.
• Write to the NSW Local Government Minister and Shadow Minister seeking support for a comprehensive unattended-property law review.
  Following the committee decision; requested review within six months of the statutory review due in 2027.

Extract

MINUTES Environment and Planning Committee Monday, 09 November 2026 Dragon Room Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Environment and Planning Committee Meeting - 9 November 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Kathryn Landsberry (Chair), Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Elaina Anzellotti, Councillor Tom Arthur, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Oliver Dimoski, Councillor Gerard Hayes, Councillor Christina Jamieson, Councillor Nancy Liu, Councillor Peter Mahoney, Councillor Natalie Mort, Councillor Leon Pun, Councillor Sam Stratikopoulos, and Councillor Ben Wang. COUNCIL STAFF General Manager – David Tuxford, Director Ass...