Council - 22 Sep 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Council backs larger St Peters mixed-use scheme with affordable housing requirement
  Inner West Council has endorsed a planning proposal that would rezone 75–85 Crown Street and 116 Princes Highway, raise development capacity to 4:1 FSR and require at least 2% affordable housing in perpetuity.
  The proposal could materially change building scale, housing supply and local amenity in St Peters.
• $814,092 Inner West grants package approved for 76 community projects
  Council approved more than $814,000 for 76 projects through its 2026 Annual Grant Program.
  The allocation directly affects community organisations, local events and service projects across the Inner West.
• Marrickville Library to trial late-night and extended weekend access
  Marrickville Library will extend staffed hours for 12 months, including Thursday opening to 10pm, while Council explores 24/7 book lockers for suburbs without a physical library.
  The trial changes when residents can access library staff and services outside conventional hours.

Decisions

• 2026 Annual Grant Program approved
  Council approved $814,092 for 76 recommended projects under the 2026 Inner West Council Annual Grant Program and requested a February 2027 report on improving councillor information and Circular Economy grant eligibility.
  Community organisations and grant applicants will receive funding for approved projects, subject to the program attachments.
• Planning proposal for Crown Street and Princes Highway endorsed
  Council endorsed amendments to the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022 for 75–85 Crown Street and 116 Princes Highway, St Peters, including MU1 Mixed Use zoning, a 4:1 floor space ratio, a maximum building height of RL 51 metres and site-specific provisions including at least 2% affordable housing in perpetuity.
  The proposal could enable a substantially larger mixed-use development and affordable housing contribution in St Peters. It will be forwarded to the NSW Government for finalisation.
• Marrickville Library hours to be extended on trial
  Council approved a 12-month trial of longer staffed hours at Marrickville Library, including evening hours to 10pm on Thursdays and extended weekend service, commencing in October 2026. Progress reports are due at six and 12 months.
  Library users will have more staffed access outside standard business hours. Council will also investigate 24/7 self-service book lockers in areas including Newtown, Summer Hill and Lewisham.
• FOGO expansion to multi-unit dwellings endorsed
  Council endorsed staged expansion of Food Organics Garden Organics services to multi-unit dwellings, with planning from October 2026 and universal access targeted by December 2027. Peer-to-peer support between buildings will also be investigated.
  Residents in apartments and other multi-unit buildings are expected to gain access to FOGO services, supported by education, signage and performance feedback.
• FOGO in parks trial concluded
  Council resolved to end Phase 1 of the FOGO in parks trial and not proceed to Phase 2 because participation was low and contamination levels were high. Data and lessons will be provided to the NSW EPA.
  The current public-park FOGO trial will not continue, while the findings may inform future organics programs.
• Sun-screen stations trial approved
  Council approved free sunscreen stations in selected parks from November 2026 to March 2027, with resident and park-user feedback collected through QR codes. The trial will cover locations including Gladstone Park, Mort Bay Park, Rozelle Parklands, Camperdown Park, Petersham Park, Enmore Park and other listed parks.
  Park users will be able to access free sunscreen during summer, with the trial evaluated by April 2027.
• Pratten Park club upgrade advanced
  Council noted the feasibility design and cost estimate for the Pratten Park Community Sports and Bowling Club, requested an immediate Development Application and committed to completing the upgraded facility by mid-2028, with funding to be determined through a quarterly budget review.
  The project is intended to deliver an upgraded community and sports facility at Pratten Park, subject to future funding decisions.
• Punch Park pickleball trial approved
  Council approved six months of pickleball line marking on the existing multipurpose court at Punch Park. Play will be limited to 9am–7pm, with noise-reduction measures encouraged; proposed changes to the tennis operator's licensed hours were deferred for 12 months.
  Residents can expect a limited pickleball trial with specified operating hours and noise controls, while tennis arrangements remain unchanged for now.
• Leichhardt Park Wharf report deferred
  Council deferred the post-exhibition report on the Leichhardt Park Wharf Project until alternative designs that align with the current budget allocation can be considered.
  The wharf project design and timing remain unresolved while lower-cost or budget-aligned options are developed.
• Summer Hill Neighbourhood Centre to be considered for Council operation
  After receiving no responses to an expression of interest, Council asked staff to develop a proposal for direct Council operation of the Summer Hill Neighbourhood Centre, focused on youth and neighbourhood services, while exploring partnerships. A briefing note is due by December 2026.
  The centre's future operating model is being reconsidered, with potential implications for local youth and neighbourhood services.

Discussion

• Transport safety and traffic management
  Council requested reports and follow-up action on pedestrian safety at Toelle Street and Victoria Road, heavy vehicle impacts and possible truck restrictions on Fawcett Street, and safety concerns including vehicle burn-outs in Smith Street, Tempe.
  Residents may see investigations, street meetings and future traffic-management proposals in Rozelle, Balmain East and Tempe.
• Temporary Metro cycling routes
  Council agreed in principle to retain useful and safe temporary cycling routes created during the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro works and will seek permanent wayfinding signage funded by Transport for NSW.
  Cyclists could retain routes and signage that may otherwise be removed after the temporary transport plan ends.
• Park maintenance and drainage concerns
  Council actions include an additional bin and more frequent cleaning at Camdenville Park, investigation of vermin reports, urgent drainage assessment at Peter Bulger Wetlands and work with Transport for NSW on a gross pollutant trap.
  The measures respond to litter, overflowing bins, vermin, odour and algae concerns affecting nearby residents and park users.
• Affordable housing and development controls
  The endorsed St Peters planning proposal includes rezoning, increased development capacity and a requirement for at least 2% of new residential gross floor area as affordable housing in perpetuity.
  The proposal may change the scale and mix of development in the Crown Street and Princes Highway precinct.
• Brick footpath heritage mapping
  Council requested a report within six months identifying and mapping known Depression-era brick footpaths, assessing their condition and considering their historical significance and protection options.
  Heritage brick footpaths across the Inner West may receive clearer documentation and potential protection from damage or removal.
• Urban forest and tree canopy
  Council noted that the Urban Forest Policy is operating as intended, tree removals subject to notification have fallen by 60% year-on-year, and annual planting of 1,000 trees has helped increase canopy cover to 19.6%.
  The policy and planting program continue to shape tree retention and canopy outcomes across the local government area.
• Gambling harm advocacy
  Council endorsed a submission to the Local Government NSW 2026 Annual Conference supporting fewer poker machines, a midnight-to-10am statewide shutdown, a statewide self-exclusion register and publication of venue-level gambling data.
  This is advocacy rather than a direct local regulatory change, but it seeks stronger gambling safeguards affecting Inner West communities.
• Circular economy and community events
  Council committed to a 2027 Inner West Full-Circle Flea Market and requested a February 2027 report on locations, costs, funding and involvement of local circular economy organisations.
  Residents and reuse-focused organisations may gain a new community market and platform for extending product life.

Impacts

• $814,092 will be allocated to 76 community grant projects.
• Marrickville Library will trial longer staffed opening hours from October 2026.
• FOGO access for multi-unit dwellings is targeted for universal rollout by December 2027.
• Free sunscreen will be trialled in selected parks during summer 2026–27.
• Transport, parking and pedestrian-safety investigations will continue in Toelle Street, Fawcett Street and Smith Street.
• The St Peters planning proposal could increase development capacity and require affordable housing contributions.
• The Punch Park pickleball trial will operate between 9am and 7pm for six months.
• The Leichhardt Park Wharf decision has been deferred pending budget-aligned designs.

Places

• 75–85 Crown Street and 116 Princes Highway, St Peters (development site)
  Planning proposal endorsed for mixed-use rezoning, increased FSR and height, and affordable housing provisions.
• Marrickville Library (library)
  Site of a 12-month extended-hours trial.
• Camdenville Park, St Peters (park)
  Additional bin, cleaning, vermin investigation and other maintenance actions.
• Peter Bulger Wetlands (wetland)
  Drainage, odour, algae and litter-control actions requested.
• Punch Park (park and sports facility)
  Six-month pickleball line-marking trial with noise controls.
• Pratten Park (community sports facility)
  Community Sports and Bowling Club upgrade to be progressed towards mid-2028 delivery.
• Toelle Street, Rozelle (street)
  Pedestrian-safety, traffic-calming and speed-limit reports requested.
• Fawcett Street, Balmain East (street)
  Heavy-vehicle impacts, property damage and possible truck-ban options to be investigated.

Next

• Commence planning for staged FOGO access to multi-unit dwellings and investigate peer-learning support.
  Planning from October 2026; universal access targeted by December 2027.
• Begin the Marrickville Library staffed-hours trial and provide evaluation reports.
  Trial from October 2026; reports at six and 12 months.
• Install and operate the Inner West Sun Stations trial and report results.
  November 2026 to March 2027; report by April 2027.
• Prepare a Development Application and acceleration report for the Pratten Park club upgrade.
  Next Ordinary Council meeting; construction commitment is for mid-2028.
• Report on Toelle Street pedestrian safety and Fawcett Street heavy-vehicle options.
  Next available Local Transport Forum and subsequent forum reporting.
• Develop the Summer Hill Neighbourhood Centre Council-operated model and explore partnerships.
  Briefing note due by December 2026.
• Forward the St Peters planning proposal to the NSW Government for finalisation.
  Following Council endorsement; no specific date stated.
• Map and assess Inner West Depression-era brick footpaths.
  Report requested within six months.

Extract

Council Meeting 22 September 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 22 September 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 6:33pm 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 (Attended Remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:36pm) Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:36pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:27pm) Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:36pm) C...