Council - 17 Mar 2026 7:30 PM

Topics

• Great Inner West Walk deferred for redesign
  Council has paused the current walk proposal and wants a new north-south route concept plus a committee to reshape the project.
  This could materially change a major pedestrian network proposal across the Inner West.
• Haberfield parking dispute escalates to enforcement and State lobbying
  Council is moving from complaints to enforcement, resident briefings and State advocacy over business parking and EV charging impacts.
  Could affect parking availability, compliance action and future EV charging rollout on local streets.
• Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre to be supported during renovation
  Council pledged help finding temporary premises, ideally rent-free Council space, while a $2.07 million health centre upgrade proceeds.
  Patients and staff may face a relocation period, but the upgrade could expand service capacity.

Decisions

• Great Inner West Walk deferred for redesign
  Council deferred the public exhibition report and asked for an amended report in August 2026 proposing one continuous route, with possible spurs, plus a new committee to advise on route options, infrastructure, communications and expansion.
  May change how walking links are planned across the Inner West and shape future pedestrian access improvements.
• Balmain Road and Callan Park Cycleway priority to be reconsidered
  Council asked for the cycleway priority to be reconsidered as part of the forthcoming review of the Inner West Cycling Strategy and Action Plan, including route options and recent stakeholder consultation.
  Could affect cycling infrastructure timing and route choices for Balmain and Callan Park users.
• Heritage assessment proposed for I Have a Dream Mural
  Council resolved to engage a heritage consultant to assess the mural for a State heritage listing.
  May influence preservation and future works affecting the mural in Newtown.
• Resident parking and business parking enforcement in Haberfield
  Council directed officers to undertake targeted ranger enforcement, seek stronger State compliance tools, brief residents on the EV charging proposal and parking impacts, and raise the issue with the local MP and relevant Ministers.
  Directly affects on-street parking, compliance action and EV charging arrangements in the neighbourhood.
• Graffiti Management Policy to be prepared
  Council requested a harmonised Graffiti Management Policy for public exhibition by June 2026 covering prevention, reporting, removal and coordination across the LGA.
  Could change how graffiti is reported and removed on streets, shops and public assets.
• LPAC children’s pool staffing review
  Council requested a review of staffing levels and operational measures to prevent avoidable closures, with a goal that the children’s pool be reliably open every weekend during summer.
  Aims to improve access to the children’s pool at Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre.
• Albert Parade Reserve to be prioritised
  Council reaffirmed that Albert Parade Reserve should be progressed in parallel with the Pocket Parks Plan of Management and asked staff to prepare to start works this financial year or as soon as possible.
  Signals movement on long-awaited park upgrades in Ashfield.
• Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre renovation support
  Council committed to help facilitate planning approval and to work on temporary premises, preferably rent-free Council premises, while renovations proceed from September 2026 to early 2027.
  Important for access to women’s health services during the works period.

Discussion

• Confirmation of minutes and disclosures
  Council noted disclosure of interests and confirmed minutes from previous meetings.
  Administrative only; no direct service change.
• Investment report and councillor expenses
  Council noted the investment report showing an annualised return of 4.52% and received the public reporting of councillor expenses and an updated pecuniary interest return.
  Transparency and financial reporting matters.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment update
  Council received an update noting the SSD application exhibition had closed, design work had progressed and procurement for a contractor had commenced.
  Relevant to future changes at Leichhardt Oval and potential construction impacts.
• Tourism Action Plan and Inner West Tech Startup updates
  Council received and noted progress reports on the Tourism Action Plan and endorsed updates on the Inner West Tech Startup initiatives via briefing notes.
  Impacts local economic development and support for businesses and start-ups.
• Native plantings at Thornley Street retained cutting
  Council supported clearing and replanting the overgrown garden bed with native drought-resistant species using existing maintenance budgets.
  May improve local amenity and weed control in Marrickville.
• Hammond Park upgrade celebration
  Council noted the park upgrade is nearing completion and committed to a community celebration with user groups and residents.
  Relevant to park users in Ashfield and local sporting groups.
• Aboriginal student program at Whites Creek Valley Park
  Council asked for a feasibility briefing on a weekly Aboriginal student program in the Indigenous Garden, including supervision, insurance and maintenance issues.
  May create a new education and cultural program in the park.

Impacts

• Walking and cycling route planning may change, especially around Balmain Road, Callan Park and the broader Inner West network.
• Residents in Haberfield may see stronger parking enforcement and clearer information about EV charging locations.
• Families using Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre may benefit from improved pool staffing and fewer closures.
• Albert Parade Reserve in Ashfield may move closer to works after years of consultation.
• People using women’s health services in Leichhardt may need temporary accommodation during renovations.
• Graffiti response across the Inner West may become more consistent if a new policy is adopted.
• Newtown residents may see stronger heritage protection efforts for the mural site.

Places

• Inner West (LGA)
  Whole-of-area policies and programs including walking, cycling, graffiti, and development reporting.
• Balmain Road (road)
  Cycleway priority reconsideration as part of cycling strategy review.
• Callan Park (park)
  Included in the cycleway reconsideration and route planning.
• Newtown (suburb)
  Location of the I Have a Dream Mural subject to heritage assessment.
• Leichhardt Oval (sports venue)
  Monthly refurbishment project update and design/procurement progress.
• Haberfield (suburb)
  Parking enforcement, EV charging and resident parking concerns.
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (facility)
  Children’s pool staffing review and summer opening reliability.
• Ashfield (suburb)
  Albert Parade Reserve prioritisation and Hammond Park upgrade.

Next

• Bring back an amended Great Inner West Walk report and establish the advisory committee
  August 2026
• Engage a heritage consultant to assess the I Have a Dream Mural
  As soon as practicable
• Prepare and report a harmonised Graffiti Management Policy for public exhibition
  By June 2026
• Report back on Sister Alison Bush recognition options at Marrickville Library and Pavilion
  By August 2026
• Provide a briefing note on the Whites Creek Valley Park Aboriginal student garden proposal
  By end of April 2026
• Report back to the Mayor on LPAC staffing review findings and closure prevention measures
  No date specified
• Commence or prepare for works at Albert Parade Reserve
  This financial year or as soon as possible
• Support temporary premises planning for Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre
  Ahead of works starting in September 2026

Extract

Council Meeting 17 March 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 March 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 7.34pm 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 Manod Wic...