Council - 19 May 2026 7:30 PM

Topics

• Council backs live music and major events at Henson Park
  Council has endorsed live music and major events at Henson Park, but only after safety, crowd control and venue management measures are completed.
  This could change how the park is used and may increase noise, traffic and local event activity.
• Council reduces capital works budget and lifts operating surplus
  A quarterly budget review cut the capital works program by nearly $20 million while improving the projected operating surplus.
  Project timing and delivery across the Inner West may shift, affecting contractors, residents and planned works.
• Traffic and safety upgrades sought for Marrickville and Carrington Road
  Council ordered investigations into a pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road and further safety fixes for the Carrington Road cycleway.
  These could lead to new crossings, traffic changes and safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians.

Decisions

• Live music and major events endorsed for Henson Park
  Council endorsed live music and major events at Henson Park, subject to fire and life safety assessment, stakeholder engagement, operational controls, venue management planning, fee updates and scheduling around sport and maintenance.
  May increase event activity at Henson Park while requiring safety, noise, traffic and crowd management measures.
• Watercraft management policy to be publicly exhibited
  Council resolved to exhibit the Draft Watercraft Management Policy for 28 days and bring it back in September 2026 for further consideration.
  Residents and water users can give feedback on future rules for watercraft use and management.
• Weed management and sponsorship policies adopted
  Council adopted the Weed Management Policy and the revised Sponsorship Policy, with both to be added to the policy register and published.
  Affects how weeds are managed across Council land and how Council sponsorship is administered.
• Investment report received
  Council received the March 2026 investment report, noting the $178 million non-fossil fuel portfolio returned 4.53% annualised for the month against a 3.81% benchmark.
  Shows the performance of Council funds and may affect financial capacity for services and projects.
• Quarter 3 budget and operational report endorsed
  Council endorsed the Quarter 3 operational plan report and adopted budget review changes, including lifting the projected operating surplus from $0.16m to $0.52m and reducing the capital works program from $119.6m to $100.1m.
  Signals changes to project timing and Council finances that may affect delivery of local works.

Discussion

• Design Excellence LEP amendment deferred
  Council deferred the planning proposal to amend clause 6.9 Design Excellence in Inner West LEP 2022 to June 2026 for a further report explaining the role of a Design Review Panel when Council is not the consent authority.
  Delays a planning rule change affecting major residential development assessment.
• Return and Earn item deferred
  Council deferred consideration of the Return and Earn proposal to June 2026, with more detail requested on container access, venue protocols and communications.
  Could affect recycling access arrangements for residents and community groups.
• Tourism promotion expanded
  Council noted influencer collaborations already launched and backed further digital and outdoor advertising for the Inner West Ale Trail, distillery trail and Special Entertainment Precincts.
  May increase visitor activity and business exposure in targeted precincts.
• Microforests planned in Ashfield Ward
  Two microforests are planned for O'Dea Reserve and Bruce Street Reserve, with planting expected before the end of June 2026.
  Adds new greening and habitat projects in local reserves.
• Cooks River water testing and contingency funding raised
  Council supported exploring a catchment-wide contingency fund for emergency water quality testing and investigating whether Sydney Airport fund money could support monitoring and water quality management.
  Could improve pollution response and river health across the catchment.
• Traffic and pedestrian safety investigations ordered
  Council asked staff to investigate a pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road, Marrickville, and a range of safety improvements on Carrington Road cycleway.
  Could lead to new crossings, safer cycling conditions and traffic changes.
• Haberfield festival support requested
  Council resolved to provide in-kind and possible financial support for Haberfield's 125th anniversary festival, including event planning help and potential road closures.
  May affect local roads, amenities and Council event resources in Haberfield.
• Vietnamese refugee memorial process reset
  Council requested urgent consultation with residents and Vietnamese community stakeholders, plus a renewed report before the June meeting on the memorial project scope and consultation plan.
  Affects the shape and timing of a public memorial project in Marrickville.

Impacts

• Event activity and venue management at Henson Park may change, including safety, noise and traffic controls.
• New or revised policies on weeds, sponsorship and watercraft may affect how Council sites and waterways are managed.
• Planned works and investigations could improve pedestrian and cycling safety on Victoria Road, Carrington Road and Grosvenor Crescent.
• Local environmental projects include microforests in Ashfield Ward and possible catchment funding for Cooks River water testing.
• Council finances and capital works timing were updated, which may shift when some projects are delivered.
• Community groups and residents in Haberfield, Marrickville and Balmain may see support actions or consultation on local projects.

Places

• Henson Park (facility)
  Venue for endorsed live music and major events, subject to safety and operational requirements.
• Ashfield Ward (ward)
  Location of planned microforests at O'Dea Reserve and Bruce Street Reserve.
• O'Dea Reserve (reserve)
  One of the planned microforest sites.
• Bruce Street Reserve (reserve)
  One of the planned microforest sites.
• Marrickville (suburb)
  Affected by the Vietnamese refugee memorial process and Victoria Road pedestrian crossing request.
• Carrington Road (road)
  Cycleway safety concerns and business parking enforcement issues.
• Haberfield (suburb)
  Location of the proposed 125th anniversary festival support.
• Cooks River (waterway)
  Shared catchment area where emergency water quality testing and contingency funding were raised.

Next

• Exhibit the Draft Watercraft Management Policy for 28 days and return it to Council in September 2026.
  By September 2026
• Prepare further report on Design Excellence LEP amendment explaining Design Review Panel role.
  June 2026
• Bring back deferred Return and Earn report with requested access, protocol and communications details.
  June 2026
• Complete Henson Park safety assessment and develop event compliance and venue management arrangements.
  As soon as practicable
• Report back on Carrington Road cycleway safety, Victoria Road pedestrian crossing and LPAC swimming alternatives.
  Before October 2026 / next possible reporting cycle
• Hold urgent consultation on the Vietnamese refugee memorial and prepare a renewed project scope and consultation plan.
  Before the June 2026 council meeting
• Trial further bike valet parking at council events and report back with a plan.
  August 2026

Extract

Council Meeting 19 May 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 19 May 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 8:07 pm 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 (Entered the meeting at 8:11 pm) Councillor (Entered the meeting at 8:10 pm) Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman P...