Council - 20 Oct 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Inner West backs $30 million Iron Cove Creek GreenWay investigation
  Council has committed to planning a second 3.5-kilometre GreenWay after the existing corridor recorded more than 2,500 daily movements.
  The project could reshape cycling and walking links across Ashfield, Croydon and Haberfield, but major funding remains unresolved.
• Falls Street Reserve dog park plan heads to 42-day public consultation
  A proposal for a full-time fenced off-leash area will be tested with residents before a February 2027 decision.
  The change would alter how a local reserve is used and could involve $48,000 in council funding.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment on track for early 2028 completion
  Kane Constructions has mobilised at Leichhardt Oval, with council reporting the project remains within its approved budget.
  The major sports-facility project will affect local users for more than a year and has a clear construction milestone.

Decisions

• Affordable housing policy adopted
  Council adopted the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy and Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, with a review report due 12 months after implementation.
  The policy is intended to increase affordable housing secured through development contributions and will be reviewed after its first year.
• Financial statements placed on exhibition
  Council endorsed the 2025–26 financial statements for seven days. The reported operating surplus before capital grants and contributions was $2.3 million, with net assets of $3.5 billion.
  Residents can inspect and comment on the council’s annual financial results during the exhibition period.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment progresses
  Kane Constructions Pty Ltd has commenced mobilisation and site establishment. The project remains within budget and is scheduled for completion in early 2028.
  Leichhardt Oval remains unavailable or affected by construction while the major refurbishment proceeds.
• Iron Cove Creek GreenWay advanced
  Council reaffirmed support for a second 3.5-kilometre Iron Cove Creek GreenWay and requested staged delivery and funding investigations for an estimated $30 million program.
  The project could create a future active-transport connection through Ashfield, Croydon and Haberfield, but funding and delivery timing remain unresolved.
• New Ashfield–Leichhardt SES facility supported in principle
  Council supported progressing a long-term lease at Callan Park, subject to due diligence, a memorandum of understanding, concept designs and further investigations.
  A consolidated facility is intended to improve emergency-response capacity for the Inner West.
• Falls Street Reserve dog off-leash proposal goes to consultation
  Council approved 42 days of public exhibition and engagement on a proposal to make Falls Street Reserve a full-time, fully fenced dog off-leash area. A further report is due in February 2027, with an estimated $48,000 allocation proposed if supported.
  Residents will have an opportunity to comment before any change to the reserve’s use is decided.
• Traffic and pedestrian safety investigations approved
  Council approved traffic monitoring around Warren Road and Schwebel Street, a Local Transport Forum study of South Marrickville laneways, and investigation of a pedestrian crossing on Fitzroy Street near Chapel Street and Lilian Fowler Place.
  The investigations will examine traffic displacement, congestion, walking and cycling safety, and possible low-speed or shared-zone treatments.
• Pride Centre activations funded
  Council approved the proposed use of the $75,000 2026–27 Pride Centre activations budget, including $10,000 for Twenty10.
  The funding supports additional LGBTQIA+ community activities and services during 2026–27.

Discussion

• GreenWay expansion
  The existing Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay is recording more than 2,500 daily movements and is expected to approach one million visits in its first year. Council directed further work on the Iron Cove Creek extension.
  The proposed corridor could materially affect active-transport access and future capital spending.
• Recreation and community facilities
  Council progressed works and planning for Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Annandale Town Hall heating, Balmain civic spaces, Wicks Park and Gladstone Park handball courts.
  These projects may affect facility access, local amenity and future recreation opportunities.
• Planning and development
  The Draft Inner West Development Control Plan and Solar Panels Policy was deferred to the next Ordinary Council meeting. Council also scheduled a December extraordinary meeting on Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 engagement outcomes.
  Planning controls, solar-panel rules and proposed future planning changes remain under consideration.
• Veterans’ concessions
  A motion recognised veterans and proposed free access to Council sport, recreation and aquatic programs for eligible DVA Gold and White Card holders, with a report to amend the Fees and Charges framework due in December 2026.
  Eligible veterans may receive expanded access concessions if the proposed amendments are approved.
• Blister-pack recycling
  Council will map participating pharmacies, investigate collection points at community recycling centres and promote existing HomeCycle and pharmacy options.
  Residents will receive clearer information and may gain more local options for recycling medicinal blister packs.
• Sydney Harbour emissions
  Council endorsed a Local Government NSW conference motion supporting investigation of an Emissions Control Area for Sydney Harbour and noting planned shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
  The proposal concerns air quality and emissions affecting harbour-side communities, although implementation depends on state and federal action.
• Pop-up plazas and parklets
  Council requested a February 2027 report on a Pop Up Plaza program, including possible street-closure sites, consultation, costs and communications. Existing residential protections and a 10pm maximum trading time for parklets were retained.
  Future temporary street closures and parklets could change public-space use, local trading conditions and residential amenity.
• Investment position
  Council received the September 2026 investment report, recording a portfolio market value of $208.5 million and an annualised monthly return of 4.90 per cent, above the 4.41 per cent benchmark.
  The report provides a public update on the management and performance of council funds.

Impacts

• Residents can comment on the proposed Falls Street Reserve dog off-leash area during a 42-day exhibition.
• Planning controls and the Solar Panels Policy remain unresolved after deferral to a future meeting.
• Traffic counters and safety studies will be undertaken in parts of Marrickville, including Warren Road, Schwebel Street and surrounding streets.
• A possible Fitzroy Street pedestrian crossing will be investigated, with findings due to the Local Transport Forum by March 2027.
• Veterans may receive expanded sport, recreation and aquatic concessions if a future Fees and Charges amendment is adopted.
• Council projects at Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Annandale Town Hall and other facilities will continue, with some works extending into 2028.

Places

• Inner West local government area (local government area)
  Area covered by the council’s policies, services and projects.
• Leichhardt Oval (sports facility)
  Refurbishment construction has commenced and is scheduled for completion in early 2028.
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (aquatic centre)
  Demolition, earthworks and foundation piling are progressing.
• Callan Park (park and civic site)
  Preferred location for a proposed consolidated Ashfield–Leichhardt SES facility.
• Falls Street Reserve (reserve)
  Proposed full-time, fully fenced dog off-leash area subject to consultation.
• Marrickville (suburb)
  Traffic, pedestrian safety, clearway, crossing and Randall Street matters were considered.
• Iron Cove Creek GreenWay (active-transport project)
  Proposed 3.5-kilometre second GreenWay corridor, with an estimated $30 million staged-delivery requirement.
• Annandale Town Hall (community facility)
  Two 9kW reverse-cycle air-conditioning units were endorsed at an estimated $30,000 cost.

Next

• Place the 2025–26 financial statements on public exhibition.
  Seven days after the meeting.
• Report proposed amendments extending veterans’ concessions through the Fees and Charges framework.
  December 2026 Ordinary Council meeting.
• Exhibit and consult on the Falls Street Reserve dog off-leash proposal.
  42-day exhibition; further report in February 2027.
• Report on the Pop Up Plaza program, sites, costs, consultation and communications plan.
  February 2027 Council meeting.
• Report findings on a possible Fitzroy Street pedestrian crossing and the Fitzroy Street–Sydenham Road intersection.
  By the March 2027 Local Transport Forum meeting.
• Prepare staged-delivery and funding options for the Iron Cove Creek GreenWay.
  Future report; timing not specified.
• Hold an extraordinary meeting on Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 engagement outcomes.
  15 December 2026 at 6:30pm, Ashfield Service Centre.

Extract

Council Meeting 20 October 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 October 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 6.43pm 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 Vittoria Raciti Chloe Smith Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:51pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:08pm) Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bow...