Finance and Governance Committee - 10 Aug 2026

Topics

• Taylors Reserve right-of-way decision delayed pending development details
  Council deferred a proposed right of way over land near Taylors Reserve and requested more information about the future use and development of the benefiting property.
  The decision could affect access and future development of nearby land in Lugarno, but Council will not determine the request until more information is supplied.
• Georges River Council moves to adopt artificial intelligence policy
  Georges River Council moved to adopt a new Artificial Intelligence Policy after community consultation.
  The policy will guide how Council uses and governs artificial intelligence in its operations, with implications for accountability and public services.
• Unspent capital works money proposed for carryover into 2026/27
  Unspent allocations from the 2025/26 Capital Works Program were proposed to be carried into the 2026/27 program.
  The carryovers may change the timing of Council projects, although the minutes provided no project-by-project amounts or revised delivery dates.

Decisions

• Capital works budget carryovers
  The committee recommended adopting the proposed carryover of unspent 2025/26 Capital Works Program allocations into the 2026/27 program.
  Project timing and spending may change as unspent funds are moved into the next financial year.
• Artificial Intelligence Policy adoption
  The committee recommended adopting the draft Artificial Intelligence Policy after noting the community consultation results.
  Council’s future use of artificial intelligence will be governed by the adopted policy.
• Right of way deferred
  Consideration of the proposed right of way over land at Taylors Reserve, Lugarno, was deferred to the August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
  No final decision has been made on the access proposal; the applicant must first provide further information about the benefiting land’s future use and development.
• Financial and property reports noted
  The Investment Report as at 30 June 2026 and the Quarterly Commercial Property Portfolio Report for April to June 2026 were recommended to be received and noted.
  The reports were recorded for Council oversight, with no new resident charge or direct service change identified in the supplied extract.

Discussion

• 2025/26 Capital Works Program carryovers
  Council considered proposed carryovers of unspent 2025/26 capital works allocations into the 2026/27 Capital Works Program.
  Carryovers may affect when local infrastructure projects are delivered, but no individual project amounts or dates were provided.
• Artificial Intelligence Policy
  The draft Artificial Intelligence Policy was recommended for adoption after community consultation.
  The policy is intended to guide Council’s use of AI and may affect how residents interact with Council services and decisions.
• Proposed right of way at Taylors Reserve
  The proposed right of way over Lot 2 in DP1200178 in favour of Lot 1 in DP506903 was deferred, with further information requested about the intended future use and development of the benefiting land.
  The matter concerns access and possible future development near Taylors Reserve in Lugarno.
• Council investment and commercial property reporting
  The Investment Report as at 30 June 2026 and the Quarterly Commercial Property Portfolio Report for April to June 2026 were recommended to be received and noted.
  These reports provide financial and property oversight but the supplied minutes do not identify a new charge, sale, acquisition or other immediate resident impact.

Impacts

• Unspent capital works allocations may be moved from 2025/26 into the 2026/27 program, potentially affecting project timing.
• Council’s use of artificial intelligence will be guided by a new policy following community consultation.
• The proposed right of way at Taylors Reserve, Lugarno, remains undecided and will return to Council after further information is provided.
• No rates, fees, levies, utility charges or direct service changes were identified in the supplied extracts.

Places

• Taylors Reserve, Lugarno (reserve/property area)
  Proposed right of way over land associated with Taylors Reserve
• Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville (civic facility)
  Meeting venue only; no specific service or project outcome was tied to this location

Next

• Incorporate the proposed 2025/26 capital works budget carryovers into the adopted 2026/27 Capital Works Program, subject to the relevant Council decision.
  2026/27 program
• Progress adoption of the draft Artificial Intelligence Policy following consideration of the consultation results.
  Following the committee recommendation
• Request additional information from the right-of-way applicant about the intended future use and development of the benefiting land.
  Before the August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting
• Reconsider the proposed right of way over Lot 2 in DP1200178 at the August 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
  August 2026

Extract

MINUTES Finance and Governance Committee Monday, 10 August 2026 Dragon Room Georges River Civic Centre Hurstville Georges River Council - Minutes of Finance and Governance Committee Meeting - 10 August 2026 PRESENT COUNCIL MEMBERS The Mayor, Councillor Elise Borg, Councillor Christina Jamieson (Chair), Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Elaina Anzellotti, Councillor Tom Arthur, Councillor Oliver Dimoski, Councillor Thomas Gao, Councillor Gerard Hayes, 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 Tuxfor...