Ordinary Meeting of Council - 27 July 2026

Topics

• Council moves to rethink The Priory's future and seek restoration funding
  Council will investigate ending the existing agreement, plan adaptive reuse and launch advocacy for State restoration funding.
  The decision could change the management, public use and financial future of a prominent local heritage site.
• Buffalo Creek AFL plan adopted, but upgrades still depend on grants
  Council has adopted a strategic concept plan and backed AFL NSW's pursuit of external funding for future reserve improvements.
  The plan sets the direction for a recreation-area upgrade while making clear that delivery and funding remain unresolved.
• Hunters Hill adopts disclosure rules for material Council use of AI
  Council's new policy requires disclosure when AI contributes to public-facing content, service delivery or decisions affecting residents.
  The policy creates a local transparency standard for AI-assisted government work.

Decisions

• The Priory
  Council will investigate terminating the agreement with Priory Settlement Pty Ltd, retain its role as Crown Land Manager, prepare a business plan and funding options within three months, consult the community, investigate a new adaptive-reuse expression of interest, and advocate for State funding for restoration works.
  The future use, restoration and community access arrangements for this heritage site will be reconsidered, with residents invited to help shape its vision and support an advocacy campaign.
• Buffalo Creek Reserve upgrade concept
  Council adopted the Buffalo Creek AFL Concept Plan as a strategic document, supported AFL NSW seeking external grant funding, and required further reports before major project steps or preparation of a Plan of Management.
  The plan guides future investigations and potential recreation improvements, but does not itself approve construction or funding delivery.
• AI Usage Policy
  Council adopted its AI Usage Policy with an added transparency requirement. Council must disclose AI involvement when it contributes to public-facing content, service delivery or decisions affecting individuals or community outcomes, subject to a limited exception for grammar, clarity and formatting only.
  Residents should be able to identify when AI has materially contributed to Council communications, reports or decisions.
• Community Grants Policy
  Council adopted the Community Grants Policy and program dates, increasing application ranges to $500–$2,000 and $200–$750 for the two grant categories. Councillors Carla Kassab and Ross Williams were appointed to the advisory panel, and funding recommendations are due in October 2026.
  Community groups can apply for higher maximum grants, with project funding recommendations expected later in the year.
• Henley Community Centre and Eastern Green
  Council endorsed inviting four preferred expression-of-interest proponents to provide further information and attend due-diligence meetings. Assessment will cover financial capacity, feasibility, community access, delivery timeframes, development approvals, capital works, maintenance, leases and risks. Council made clear that no proponent, lease, development outcome or funding commitment has yet been approved.
  The project is moving to a more detailed assessment stage, while Council retains the option not to proceed and prefers a flexible, multi-use community facility.

Discussion

• The Priory heritage site
  Council is reconsidering the existing agreement and exploring adaptive reuse, restoration funding and future Crown Land management.
  The outcome could affect the site's preservation, public use, cost to Council and community access.
• Buffalo Creek Recreation Area
  The Buffalo Creek AFL Concept Plan will guide future funding applications and investigations, subject to Crown Land management arrangements and community consultation.
  Residents may see further consultation and potential recreation upgrades, but implementation depends on grants and later approvals.
• AI transparency in Council
  The adopted policy requires disclosure of material AI use in public-facing content, service delivery and decision-making.
  The policy establishes a new accountability expectation for Council's use of AI.
• Community grant funding
  Grant ceilings were amended for cost escalation and a new advisory panel was confirmed.
  Eligible community organisations may seek larger grants under the revised program.
• Henley facility due diligence
  Four preferred proponents will be assessed further for a possible multi-use facility at Henley Community Centre and Eastern Green.
  The next report should provide more information about options, finances, property implications and delivery pathways.
• Arts Advisory Committee
  Richa Panicker, Twinkle Jayachandran and Amy Pang were approved as artist members for the current Council term, with changes to the committee's terms of reference if needed.
  The appointments broaden community and artist representation in Council's arts advisory work.

Impacts

• Residents will be consulted on the future vision and possible adaptive reuse of The Priory.
• Community groups will be able to apply for revised grants of up to $2,000 or $750, depending on the grant category.
• Material use of AI in Council-facing work and decisions will require disclosure.
• Buffalo Creek Reserve planning may lead to future grant-funded investigations or improvements, but no construction was approved at this meeting.
• Four proponents will undergo further due diligence for the Henley Community Centre and Eastern Green project without any current commitment to select or fund one.

Places

• The Priory (heritage site/facility)
  Subject of agreement review, Crown Land management, restoration advocacy and adaptive-reuse planning.
• Buffalo Creek Reserve (reserve/recreation area)
  Subject of the adopted Buffalo Creek AFL Concept Plan and potential future improvements.
• Buffalo Creek Recreation Area (recreation area)
  Potential site for grant-funded investigations, design development and delivery of improvements.
• Henley Community Centre (community facility)
  Part of the expression-of-interest assessment and proposed future multi-use facility.
• Eastern Green (open space/project area)
  Part of the Henley Community Centre expression-of-interest outcomes and next steps.

Next

• Investigate termination of the Priory Settlement Pty Ltd agreement and retain Crown Land Manager responsibilities for The Priory.
  To be reported or progressed following the 27 July 2026 resolution.
• Prepare a business plan and funding options for activating The Priory and consult the community about its future vision.
  Business plan and funding options to be reported within three months.
• Investigate a new expression of interest for adaptive reuse of The Priory and provide specifications and cost estimates for proposed building works.
  Future Council reporting; no specific date stated.
• Pursue external grant funding and further investigations for Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
  Subject to grant funding and Crown Land management consultation.
• Apply the adopted AI disclosure requirements to relevant Council outputs and decisions.
  Following adoption on 27 July 2026.
• Assess community grant applications and return a recommended funding list.
  October 2026.
• Invite four preferred Henley proponents to provide further information and participate in face-to-face due diligence meetings.
  Next project stage; timing not specified.
• Present a further report on Henley due-diligence findings, options, financial and property implications, and the procurement or negotiation pathway.
  After due diligence is completed.

Extract

Hunter's Hill Council | Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting 4559 | 27 July 2026 1.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY AND PRAYER 2.ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Zac Miles, Deputy MayorJulia Prieston, Councillor Carla Kassab, Councillor Carol Tannous-Sleiman, Councillor Tatyana Virgara, Councillor Ross Williams, Councillor Marc Lane ALSO PRESENT General Manager Nick Tobin, Director Planning and Infrastructure Sally Hamilton, Director Community and Corporate Chris Sleiman, Property and Project Specialist Jeff Ellis, ions and Events Shery Demian, Manager Digital and Information Jade Reed, IT officer Liam Spindler and Office Manager Sarah Valentine 3.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Nil 4.CON...