Council - 21 Apr 2026 7:30 PM

Article-worthy topics

• Christmas in the Inner West program endorsed
  Council approved Christmas decorations from mid-November 2026, new key decorations for Dulwich Hill Station Plaza, Leichhardt Town Hall, Annandale and Alex Trevallion Plaza, plus Light Up Fest, reusable bunting, festive grants and community workshops.
  Residents and local businesses can expect seasonal decorations, events and grant-supported activation in late 2026.

Key decisions

• Christmas in the Inner West program endorsed
  Council approved Christmas decorations from mid-November 2026, new key decorations for Dulwich Hill Station Plaza, Leichhardt Town Hall, Annandale and Alex Trevallion Plaza, plus Light Up Fest, reusable bunting, festive grants and community workshops.
  Residents and local businesses can expect seasonal decorations, events and grant-supported activation in late 2026.
• Lackey Street, Summer Hill event-ready improvements approved
  Council endorsed making Lackey Street event-ready and approved ongoing free traffic management services at four Plug and Play venues up to six times per year, adding $76,000 to the 2026/27 operational budget.
  Supports local events and street activations in Summer Hill, with direct budget impact.
• Australia Street parklets endorsed
  Council approved two new parklets in Australia Street, Newtown, with construction planned by the end of June 2026 subject to final design and approvals.
  Changes street layout and adds public seating/public realm improvements for local users and nearby businesses.
• Stanmore Library community space concept to be developed
  Council endorsed further development of a concept design for a new community centre at Stanmore Library and adjacent public space, with costs and timeline to return by December 2026.
  Could lead to expanded community facilities and public space in Stanmore.
• Complaints Handling Policy adopted
  Council adopted a revised Complaints Handling Policy and will update the policy register and publish the final policy.
  Affects how residents can raise complaints and how Council handles them.
• Road and pedestrian safety works requested
  Council approved actions or investigations for Victoria Road underbridge safety, Charlotte Street pedestrian safety, pedestrian crossings at Norton Street and William Street in Leichhardt, and a South Dulwich Hill traffic review.
  Residents may see maintenance, safety upgrades and future traffic calming or crossing proposals in these locations.
• FOGO expansion planning for multi-unit dwellings
  Council reaffirmed a goal of FOGO access for every household where practicable and requested a report by September 2026 on barriers, targets, communications, costs and expansion options for multi-unit dwellings.
  Apartment and unit residents may gain wider access to food organics and garden organics recycling.
• Metro precinct activation planning requested
  Council requested a plan for activations around Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill stations ahead of the Metro opening, including wayfinding, business support, events and public domain measures, with a report back in June 2026.
  Local businesses and residents near Metro stations may see promotional activity, improved wayfinding and precinct upgrades.

Important topics

• Land classification at 3-7 Regent Street, Petersham
  Council resolved to classify specified lots and parking spaces at 3-7 Regent Street, Petersham as Operational Land under the Local Government Act 1993.
  Affects how this Council-owned land can be used and managed.
• Local Transport Forum recommendations adopted
  Council adopted recommendations from the Local Transport Forum meeting of 16 March 2026.
  Transport issues raised through the forum may progress into Council action.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment update noted
  Council noted progress on planning approvals, detailed design and contractor procurement for the Leichhardt Oval refurbishment.
  Residents and sports users can expect the project to keep progressing, with further procurement reporting.
• Street cleansing service update
  Council noted successful operation of new cleansing standards in special entertainment precincts and premium laneways, and rollout of the 'Love your Lanes' education initiative in Enmore, Stanmore and Newtown.
  May improve cleanliness and waste practices in busy laneways.
• Junior Parkrun work continuing
  Council noted Parkrun Australia is reviewing Junior Parkrun nationally while officers continue work to establish one in the Inner West and seek grant support.
  Families may see a future junior running program, but no start date was confirmed.
• Investment report received
  Council received the February 2026 investment report, noting a 4.52% annualised monthly return against a 3.76% benchmark.
  Relevant to Council financial management but with no direct immediate service change.
• Legal status update noted
  Council noted 84 active litigation matters, 21 finalised Land and Environment Court Class 1 appeals, 5 Local Court convictions with $25,514 in fines, and $981,150 in recovered professional costs this financial year.
  Shows the scale of Council legal enforcement and litigation activity.

Resident impacts

• Christmas decorations, grants and festive activations are planned across multiple Inner West centres for 2026.
• Summer Hill event infrastructure and traffic management funding will support recurring local activations.
• New parklets in Newtown are planned by June 2026, changing local public space use.
• Stanmore residents may see a future community centre and new public space proposal returned later in 2026.
• Updated complaints handling rules will shape how residents lodge and resolve complaints with Council.
• Safety and traffic investigations may lead to repairs, lighting, crossings and traffic calming in several suburbs.
• Apartment residents may benefit from expanded FOGO recycling access if future implementation barriers are resolved.
• Businesses near Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill stations may receive support and promotion tied to the Metro opening.

Places affected

• Lackey Street, Summer Hill (street/precinct)
  Event-ready improvements and funded traffic management support
• Australia Street, Newtown (street)
  Two new parklets endorsed for delivery by June 2026
• Stanmore Library, Stanmore (facility)
  Concept development for a new community centre and public space
• 3-7 Regent Street, Petersham (property)
  Specified lots classified as Operational Land
• Victoria Road underbridge between Charlotte Avenue and Meeks Road (road corridor)
  Safety repairs and assessment requested
• Norton Street and William Street, Leichhardt (intersection)
  Pedestrian crossing investigation requested
• South Dulwich Hill (suburb/local area)
  Traffic review, counts and possible calming measures requested
• Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill station precincts (transport precincts)
  Metro opening activations and business support planning

Next steps

• Provide a briefing note on additional Christmas initiatives including event calendar, communications strategy and webpage
  By August 2026
• Report developed concept, cost estimates and timeline for Stanmore Library community centre and public space
  By December 2026
• Prepare report on heating options for Annandale Community Centre including budget and funding source
  Future report requested
• Investigate pedestrian crossings at Norton Street and William Street through the Local Transport Forum
  At the next opportunity
• Report to the Local Traffic Forum on South Dulwich Hill traffic volumes, safety and possible treatments
  Within 6 months
• Report on workshops to support transition away from vehicle ownership
  June 2026
• Report on plan to expand FOGO uptake in multi-unit dwellings
  September 2026
• Report on Metro precinct activations around Sydenham, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill stations
  June 2026

Extracted minutes text

Council Meeting 21 April 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 21 April 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 7:31pm Present: Chloe Smith Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Olivia Barlow Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Philippa Scott Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:33pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Peter Shields Manod Wickramasinghe Matthew Pearce Director Corporate Acting D...