Council - 17 Feb 2026 7:30 PM

Topics

• Council opens Tempe Lands Masterplan for public comment
  Draft masterplan for the former Sydney Gateway site will be exhibited for 28 days, with a community engagement report due later in the year.
  Residents can influence the future of a major redevelopment area in Tempe.
• Council backs $20,000 Bondi recovery donation
  Inner West Council approved funding support for the Unite for Bondi Appeal after the Bondi Beach attack.
  It is a direct public spending response to a major community tragedy and recovery effort.
• Budget review trims capital works program by $8.4 million
  Council adopted a quarterly budget update that reduced the capital works program from $128.0 million to $119.6 million while improving the operating position.
  The revised budget affects the timing and delivery of local projects and contracts.

Decisions

• Tempe Lands Masterplan to go on public exhibition
  Council endorsed exhibition of the draft Tempe Lands Masterplan for 28 days and asked for a report on community engagement outcomes by the May 2026 meeting.
  Residents around Tempe and the former Sydney Gateway site can review and comment on the future of the land.
• $20,000 donation to Bondi recovery appeal
  Council supported a $20,000 donation to the Unite for Bondi Appeal, with funding to be identified in the next quarterly budget review.
  This is a public spending decision in response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and its community impacts.
• Major Capital Projects Committee terms updated
  Council approved revised terms of reference for the Major Capital Projects Committee, including the Director Property and Major Projects as a non-voting member.
  This affects how major projects are overseen and managed.
• Car share parking fees to be publicly exhibited
  Council endorsed exhibition of proposed car share parking fees for inclusion in the 2026/27 Fees and Charges.
  Residents and car share operators may see changes to parking costs and availability.
• Quarterly budget update adopted
  Council adopted the Quarter 2 budget review, increasing the projected net operating position, reducing the capital works program from $128.0 million to $119.6 million, and increasing projected capital grants by $3.8 million.
  This affects how Council funds and schedules capital works across the LGA.
• Junior Parkrun investigation requested
  Council asked staff to investigate a Junior Parkrun in the Inner West, including possible sites, consultation with Parkrun Australia, and a report back within two months.
  Families may gain a new free weekly children’s running event if a suitable site is found.

Discussion

• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre upgrade
  Council noted Stage 1 is due by mid-February 2026, Stage 2 tendering has closed, and modifying the design for elite water polo standards was found to create unacceptable cost and schedule risks.
  Residents should expect the pool upgrade to proceed without an elite water polo redesign.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment
  Council noted the state significant development application has been lodged and publicly exhibited, with schematic design complete and detailed development continuing.
  The oval redevelopment continues to move through planning and design stages.
• Crystal Street Petersham Roundtable action plan
  Council endorsed the action plan and asked for a June 2026 progress report on longer-term actions.
  Local improvements in Petersham will continue to be tracked and reported.
• Flood management advisory recommendations
  Council received and adopted recommendations from the 26 November 2025 Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting.
  This may influence local flood preparedness and mitigation work.
• Park fire risk management
  Council noted additional maintenance and monitoring measures to strengthen park fire risk management.
  This is relevant to safety in local parks and bushland areas.
• Community Recycling Centres review
  Council requested a broader review of CRC operations, access, hours, partnerships, training, signage and communication, with a report due by August 2026.
  Residents using Leichhardt and St Peters CRCs may see service changes.
• Pedestrian safety at Unwins Bridge Road and Hillcrest Street, Tempe
  Council requested a safety review of the intersection, with urgent works if needed and a report to the Local Traffic Forum within three months.
  Pedestrians and cyclists in Tempe could see crossing upgrades or other safety treatments.
• Vegetation and waste at Cooks River foreshore, Thornley Street, Marrickville
  Council asked staff to investigate vegetation, weeds and waste on council-managed land near 50–54 Thornley Street and report back within one month.
  Nearby residents may see rehabilitation and maintenance works.
• Shared e-bike geofencing for ovals
  Council will meet shared e-bike providers to ask for geofencing to keep bikes off oval playing surfaces and report back in April.
  Could reduce damage and conflicts on sports fields across the LGA.
• GreenWay events and communications
  Council will prepare a report on possible Council-run events on the GreenWay and a communication plan showing current use.
  The GreenWay may see more organised events and promotion.
• Athol Street cul-de-sac maintenance
  Council referred parking, tree trimming and footpath maintenance issues at Athol Street, Leichhardt, to the Local Transport Forum and staff.
  Local access and pedestrian safety may improve.
• Seniors Morning Teas on the GreenWay
  Council supported expanding the Seniors Morning Tea program to Johnson Park and Richard Murden Reserve with GreenWay tours in autumn and spring 2026.
  Older residents may get new social and active transport events.

Impacts

• Potential changes to Tempe land use and public access after exhibition of the masterplan.
• Possible new free Junior Parkrun options for children and families.
• Likely budget and timing changes to Council capital works following the quarterly budget review.
• Future safety works may be investigated at Unwins Bridge Road and Hillcrest Street, Tempe.
• Service review may change operating hours, access or communications at Community Recycling Centres.
• Potential restrictions on shared e-bikes entering oval playing surfaces.
• GreenWay programming, signage and community events may expand.
• Parks and foreshore maintenance may increase at sites affected by fire risk, weeds and waste.

Places

• Tempe (suburb)
  Tempe Lands Masterplan and pedestrian safety review at Unwins Bridge Road and Hillcrest Street.
• Sydney Gateway Site (project area)
  Former site covered by the draft Tempe Lands Masterplan.
• Bondi Beach (locality)
  Referenced in the mayoral condolence motion and donation to the Unite for Bondi Appeal.
• Leichhardt (suburb)
  Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Leichhardt Oval and Athol Street matters.
• St Peters (suburb)
  Airspace land adjacent to St Peters Town Hall and Community Recycling Centre.
• Petersham (suburb)
  Crystal Street Petersham Roundtable action plan.
• Marrickville (suburb)
  Cooks River foreshore vegetation and waste investigation near Thornley Street.
• Johnson Park (park)
  Proposed venue for Seniors Morning Teas celebrating the GreenWay.

Next

• Exhibit the draft Tempe Lands Masterplan for 28 days and report community engagement outcomes by May 2026.
  By May 2026 meeting
• Identify funding for the $20,000 Bondi donation in the next quarterly budget review.
  Next quarterly budget review
• Investigate a Junior Parkrun in the Inner West and report back on feasibility, locations, resourcing and costs.
  Within two months
• Bring back the CRC review with data and recommendations for improvement.
  By August 2026
• Report to the Local Traffic Forum on the Unwins Bridge Road/Hillcrest Street safety review.
  Within three months
• Provide a briefing note on Thornley Street foreshore rehabilitation options.
  Within one month
• Return to Council on Council-run GreenWay events and related costs.
  April Council meeting
• Report on longer-term Crystal Street Petersham actions.
  June 2026 Council meeting

Extract

Council Meeting 17 February 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 February 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 7:35pm Present: Darcy Byrne Chloe Smith Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Olivia Barlow Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Vittoria Raciti Philippa Scott Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Peter Shields Ryann Midei Matthew Pearce Megan Jenkins Man...