Council - 10 Nov 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Inner West’s new development rulebook starts 1 January after Council rejects parking and housing amendments
  Council adopted the 2026 DCP and Solar Panels Policy, but rejected proposed amendments on small-car spaces and additional bicycle, boarding-house and co-living controls.
  The rules will shape future development applications and resident participation across the Inner West.
• Council forecasts smaller surplus while adding $6 million to capital works
  The Quarter 1 review cuts the forecast surplus from $3.5 million to $3.4 million while increasing the capital budget by $6 million.
  The figures show the Council’s changing financial capacity and reliance on $3.8 million in projected capital grants.
• New 12-month trial targets boat, trailer and caravan storage on Inner West streets
  Council added streets in Dulwich Hill, Petersham, Lewisham and Dulwich Hill to a proposed trial restricting long-term storage of large vehicles.
  The trial could free kerbside space but will directly affect vehicle owners and streetside parking patterns.

Decisions

• Inner West Development Control Plan 2026 adopted
  Council adopted the draft Inner West Development Control Plan 2026 and Solar Panels Policy, including changes relating to the Seaview Street car park, adaptable dwellings, development notifications, post-determination surveys and a review report 12 months after commencement. The DCP is to commence on 1 January 2027.
  The new controls will affect future development applications, housing design, parking, solar panels and community notification across the Inner West.
• Development assessment and neighbour notification changes
  Council adopted a Development Advisory and Assessment Policy requiring applicants to provide additional information within 14 days for single residential applications and 21 days for more complex applications. Council also endorsed continued use of the Statewide Community Participation Plan and a new Notice to Neighbours for development types not covered by existing exhibition requirements.
  Applicants may face clearer information deadlines, while neighbours may receive notification for some development applications that previously had limited or no notice.
• Quarter 1 budget review adopted
  Council adopted the 2026/27 Quarter 1 Budget Review Statement, including a $0.1 million reduction in the forecast surplus from $3.5 million to $3.4 million and a $6.0 million increase in the capital budget, partly funded by $3.8 million in additional projected capital grants.
  The changes alter Council’s financial position and fund additional capital works, while leaving a smaller forecast operating surplus.
• Enmore Park pathway lighting approved
  Council endorsed an upgrade to pathway lighting between Enmore Road, Victoria Road and the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre. Detailed design will occur in 2026/27, with $30,000 included in the Quarter 2 budget review; a further $470,000 is to be considered in the 2027/28 budget.
  The project is intended to improve safety, accessibility and amenity for people walking through Enmore Park, although construction funding beyond design remains subject to the future budget.
• 12-month trial for boat, trailer and caravan parking restrictions
  Council endorsed a proposed 12-month trial preventing boats, trailers and caravans from parking in selected streets, adding The Parade in Dulwich Hill, Station Street near Petersham Park, and parts of Eltham Street and The Boulevarde to the proposed locations. Residents, businesses and sporting organisations will be consulted before final restrictions are presented for approval.
  People storing large vehicles on streets may face new restrictions, while residents may see improved parking availability and streetscape conditions.
• Tempe rail-corridor open-space proposal progressed
  Council approved entering a licence agreement with the Australian Rail Track Corporation for an approximately 80-square-metre section of rail corridor beside Tillman Park and Unwins Bridge Road, Tempe, subject to due diligence and arrangements for delivery.
  The decision could enable additional public open-space use near Tillman Park, subject to final agreement and project funding.
• King Street Carnival partnership supported
  Council approved a partnership with Music and Booze Co to transition the King Street Crawl into the King Street Carnival in 2028 and approved $300,000 over three financial years for Council’s role as lead sponsor. The agreement must address road closures, pedestrian safety, waste, use of Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, artist payments and event reporting.
  The partnership may create a larger or changed event in the King Street area, with implications for residents, venues, traffic and public-space use.
• Mardi Gras sponsorship approved
  Council agreed to partner with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for the 2027 and 2028 programs, providing $150,000 sponsorship for 2027 and provisionally including a further $150,000 for 2028. Council’s in-kind fee support and partnership benefits will also be negotiated.
  The decision provides continued Council support for LGBTQIA+ cultural programming, with funding drawn from current and future budgets.
• Haberfield anniversary festival cannot proceed as planned
  Council noted that required road-closure and event permits had not been issued because traffic-management issues remained unresolved, meaning the Haberfield 125th Anniversary Festival could not proceed on 22 November in its proposed form. Staff were authorised to consult on a possible Council-run alternative.
  Residents, organisers and local businesses may see changes to the event arrangements, timing or format.
• Leichhardt Oval and aquatic-centre projects remain on track
  Council noted that Leichhardt Oval site establishment was complete, with the project within its approved budget and expected to finish in early 2028. At Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, major demolition and bulk earthworks were complete and piling for the 50-metre pool had finished.
  The projects remain active and will affect access, facilities and construction activity in Leichhardt, with completion of the oval forecast for early 2028.

Discussion

• Planning controls and development notification
  The adopted DCP and related assessment policy introduce updated controls, information deadlines and neighbour-notification arrangements, with the DCP commencing 1 January 2027.
  Residents, property owners, developers and community groups will need to use the new planning controls and notification rules.
• Financial position and capital works
  The first-quarter review forecasts a $3.4 million surplus and adds $6.0 million to the capital budget, supported partly by $3.8 million in projected grants.
  The review affects Council’s capacity to deliver infrastructure and future services.
• Transport, parking and pedestrian safety
  Council progressed the large-vehicle parking trial, requested further work on long-term boat, caravan and trailer storage near Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt, and sought discussions with Transport for NSW about parking restrictions and a raised crossing on Balmain Road near Callan Park.
  Several neighbourhoods may experience parking changes or future pedestrian-safety works.
• Community facilities and local initiatives
  Council requested updates on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Hub, supported further investigation of O’Hara Street Playground upgrades, and considered a Pride Centre survey and future plans for 1A Bedford Street, Newtown.
  These actions create follow-up work on facilities and services for Aboriginal communities, children, young people and LGBTQIA+ residents.
• Events, tourism and night-time economy
  Council supported King Street Carnival, Mardi Gras sponsorship and further review of the Marrickville Music Festival, while tourism campaigns reported significant digital reach and continued promotion of the Inner West night-time economy.
  Events can bring cultural and economic benefits but also affect traffic, noise, public space, businesses and residents.
• Climate and reconciliation planning
  Council deferred the Inner West Climate Strategy pending Councillor briefings and approved public exhibition of the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026–2028 for 28 days.
  Residents will have opportunities to engage with future climate and reconciliation priorities.
• Access to services and cultural programs
  Council supported investigation of bicycle recycling expansion, a possible zine collection in Inner West libraries, and a potential self-service library book-locker trial.
  The initiatives could improve access to recycling, library collections and library services.

Impacts

• Development applications will be assessed under a new DCP from 1 January 2027, with revised controls for matters including adaptable dwellings, solar panels, parking and public-space outcomes.
• Some residents and businesses may be consulted about new restrictions on storing boats, trailers and caravans on selected streets.
• Enmore Park pathway lighting has moved to detailed design, with construction funding to be considered in 2027/28.
• The King Street area may host a new King Street Carnival from 2028, subject to final partnership arrangements and event planning.
• The Haberfield 125th Anniversary Festival could be rescheduled or replaced because required permits were not issued.
• Leichhardt Oval and Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre construction works are continuing, with the oval project forecast for completion in early 2028.
• Residents will be able to comment on the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan during a 28-day exhibition period.

Places

• Inner West local government area (local government area)
  Affected by the DCP, development-assessment, budget, event, transport and community-service decisions.
• Enmore Park (park)
  Site of the endorsed pathway lighting upgrade linking Enmore Road, Victoria Road and the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.
• Tempe rail corridor, Tillman Park and Unwins Bridge Road (open-space project area)
  Subject of a proposed licence agreement with ARTC for approximately 80 square metres of land.
• King Street and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park (event area)
  Potential location for the King Street Carnival partnership and associated road, safety and waste arrangements.
• Leichhardt Oval (sporting facility)
  Refurbishment is under construction and forecast for completion in early 2028.
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (aquatic facility)
  Upgrade works have progressed through demolition, earthworks and 50-metre pool piling.
• Marrickville and Petersham (festival area)
  Marrickville Music Festival arrangements will be reviewed, including possible expansion towards Petersham Road.
• Balmain Road, Lilyfield and Callan Park (road and pedestrian area)
  Council will seek Transport for NSW discussions about parking management and pedestrian safety.

Next

• Publish and commence the Inner West Development Control Plan 2026 and Solar Panels Policy.
  From 1 January 2027
• Undertake detailed design for Enmore Park pathway lighting and consider construction funding.
  Design in 2026/27; construction funding considered in 2027/28
• Consult residents, businesses and sporting organisations before finalising large-vehicle parking trial locations and restrictions.
  Before the trial proceeds
• Bring the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026–2028 back to Council after public exhibition.
  After a 28-day exhibition period
• Provide a joint report on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Hub, including delivery timeframes, governance and consultation.
  December 2026 Council meeting
• Report on Marrickville Music Festival options, including footprint, licensing, closing time and promotion.
  March 2027 Council meeting
• Report on bicycle recycling expansion in the Inner West.
  March 2027 Council meeting
• Report on the implementation and review of the new DCP, including community and industry feedback.
  12 months after commencement
• Consult on a possible Council-run alternative to the Haberfield 125th Anniversary Festival.
  Following the unresolved permit and traffic-management issues

Extract

Council Meeting 10 November 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 10 November 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 6:33pm Present: Darcy Byrne Philippa Scott Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Olivia Barlow Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Chloe Smith Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer Mayor (Entered the meeting at 6:47pm) Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:59pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Peter Shields Aleksan...