Council - 25 Aug 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Inner West parking strategy freezes meter expansion and proposes cheaper resident permits
  Council adopted a revised parking strategy while proposing CPI-capped resident permit increases, free visitor permits and continued pensioner concessions through the next budget process.
  The changes could affect parking costs, visitor access and parking supply for households across the Inner West.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment reaches tender decision stage
  After development approval and a completed select tender process, Council scheduled a special meeting to consider the construction recommendation.
  The tender decision will determine the next major step for a significant local sporting facility project.
• Waste contract variation could expand recycling services into Inner West’s West area
  Council accepted a proposed recycling-contract variation but deferred final cost implications pending a detailed operational budget review.
  The decision may change service arrangements and costs for households in the West service area.

Decisions

• Revised parking strategy adopted
  Council adopted the revised Inner West Parking Strategy and Public Domain Parking Policy, including no expansion of parking meters, replacement of public parking where car parks are converted to social housing, investigation of public parking through planning agreements, improved bicycle-parking planning, and advocacy for public transport improvements.
  The strategy affects parking supply, parking meters, resident permits, bicycle parking and future transport planning across the Inner West.
• Parking-cost measures referred to the 2027-28 budget
  Council resolved to consider no increase to resident parking permit fees above CPI for three years, 30 free visitor permits per eligible household each year, and continuation of a 50% concession for eligible pensioners and concession-card holders.
  Eligible households may receive greater certainty about permit costs, visitor permits and concessions, subject to the future budget process.
• Waste collection transition advanced
  Council noted the Waste Management Working Group's completed term and the harmonisation of waste collection across the local government area. Council accepted a proposed variation to expand the recycling contract into the West service area and requested a detailed operational budget review before final cost implications are reported.
  Waste services in the West area and future recycling arrangements may change, with final costs still to be reported.
• FOGO collection transition noted
  Council noted work to transition FOGO collection to morning collection alongside other waste streams.
  Collection timing and the organisation of household waste services may change.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment moved towards tender decision
  Tender submissions for the design and construction project were being evaluated after a select tender process. Council received State Significant Development Application approval and scheduled an extraordinary meeting for 15 September 2026 to consider the tender recommendation.
  The project has reached a major procurement milestone, but the tender outcome and final project decision were not yet made.
• Asbestos policy put on public exhibition
  Council resolved to publicly exhibit the draft Inner West Council Asbestos Policy for 28 days before considering adoption after feedback.
  Residents and organisations can comment on the proposed approach to asbestos-related matters.
• Investment policy and portfolio reviewed
  Council adopted the draft Investment Policy for exhibition and noted a $206.5 million investment portfolio as at 31 July 2026, with a three-month annualised marked-to-market return of 4.65% compared with a 4.47% benchmark.
  The policy governs the management of council funds and the portfolio represents public money.
• Unwins Bridge project planning supported
  Council welcomed planning for a pedestrian and cycling bridge across the Cooks River between Richardsons' Crescent, Marrickville, and Bayview Avenue, Earlwood, agreed to support Canterbury-Bankstown Council with design information, and act as lead agency for future grants. A report is due in December 2026.
  The project could provide a new active-transport connection across the Cooks River, although funding, design and timing remain unresolved.
• Local traffic and cycling projects progressed
  Council supported further work on a separated pedestrian and cycle path in Robert Street, Rozelle, continued advocacy for a route on Port Authority land, and required broader parking study and consultation before deciding on restrictions in Alberto Street, Lilyfield.
  The resolutions affect cycling safety in Rozelle and parking planning in Lilyfield and surrounding streets.
• Community facilities and recreation investigations commissioned
  Council requested investigations or reports on additional handball courts at Gladstone Park, lighting at Enmore Park, a dog park at Falls Street Reserve, weekend access to Graham Green, and the LPAC creche during the aquatic centre renovation.
  These actions may improve access to parks, recreation facilities and community services, but most require further reports, consultation or funding decisions.
• Affordable housing tracker requested
  Council requested an annual analysis of housing affordability across the Inner West, including data from the NSW Affordable Housing Register, median rents and median sale prices by suburb. The initial report is due once the state register is public.
  The tracker is intended to give residents and decision-makers clearer local information about rents, sales and affordable housing.

Discussion

• Bicycle valet parking
  Council endorsed a trial partnership with Bike Marrickville to provide bicycle valet services at the Festival of Balmain, Summer Hill Social and Celebrate 2044, with $1,500 additional funding per event to be added through the next quarterly budget review.
  The trial supports cycling access at community events and increases the relevant event budgets.
• Public bicycle parking
  The adopted parking policy includes investigation of bicycle-parking demand and provision, targets for publicly accessible bicycle parking, a resident and business request mechanism, and investigation of privately owned e-bike charging and parking.
  Residents and businesses will have a clearer pathway to request bicycle parking, with priority for town centres, transport interchanges, parks, libraries and community facilities.
• Ann Street and Stephen Street traffic changes
  Council noted the proposed one-way conversion of Ann Street, Balmain, with an opposing one-way arrangement on Stephen Street, and asked that implementation be prioritised if supported by public exhibition and later approvals. Additional traffic calming is also to be investigated.
  The proposal could alter traffic flow, parking and pedestrian safety in Balmain.
• GreenWay celebration and planting
  A report is due in September 2026 on a December 2026 GreenWay first-birthday celebration and community spring planting day, including possible locations, activities and guest speakers.
  Residents may be invited to participate in public events and planting activities along the GreenWay.
• Henson Park ticket gates
  Council requested plans to upgrade the historic Woodland Street ticket gates, consider restoring the original turnstiles, consult user clubs and report by December 2026 on uses, designs, costs and funding.
  The project may improve a prominent heritage and park-access feature at Henson Park.
• Public street bins
  Council reaffirmed increasing public street bins and collection frequency as a council priority and requested a December 2026 report on locations, operational impacts, costs, funding and timing.
  Residents may see more bins or more frequent servicing, but delivery and funding are not yet settled.
• Lunar New Year event at Quong Tart Plaza
  Council resolved to work with ASHbiz on a major 2027 Lunar New Year event in Hercules Street and Ashfield Plaza, following approval of the dual naming of Quong Tart Plaza.
  The event is intended to support Ashfield businesses and celebrate local cultural identity.

Impacts

• Parking permit fees, visitor permits and pensioner concessions are proposed for consideration in the 2027-28 budget, but the measures are not yet the final budget.
• Waste collection arrangements may be harmonised further, including recycling expansion into the West service area and a transition to morning FOGO collection.
• Residents will have opportunities to comment on the draft asbestos policy during a 28-day exhibition.
• Transport and public-domain changes are being investigated in Balmain, Rozelle, Lilyfield, Marrickville, Earlwood and Enmore.
• Several park, recreation and community-service proposals require further reports, consultation or funding before implementation.

Places

• Inner West local government area (local government area)
  Affected by parking, waste, investment, housing, bicycle-parking and public-bin decisions.
• Leichhardt Oval (sports facility)
  Refurbishment tender recommendation scheduled for an extraordinary council meeting on 15 September 2026.
• Balmain (suburb)
  Ann Street and Stephen Street one-way proposal; Festival of Balmain bicycle-valet trial.
• Marrickville and Earlwood (suburbs)
  Proposed Unwins Bridge pedestrian and cycling connection across the Cooks River.
• Rozelle (suburb and road area)
  Robert Street separated pedestrian and cycle path proposal.
• Lilyfield (suburb and street area)
  Alberto Street parking restrictions paused pending broader study and consultation.
• Enmore Park (park)
  Lighting options to be investigated.
• Ashfield and Summer Hill (town centres and event areas)
  Lunar New Year and bicycle-valet event activity.

Next

• Hold an extraordinary council meeting to consider the Leichhardt Oval refurbishment tender recommendation.
  15 September 2026
• Exhibit the draft Asbestos Policy and consider it again after public feedback.
  28-day exhibition; date for adoption not specified
• Report on GreenWay first-birthday celebration arrangements.
  September 2026 Council meeting
• Report on the Unwins Bridge project, including design, budget and indicative timing.
  December 2026 Council meeting
• Report on the Falls Street Reserve dog-park proposal, including costs, consultation and use of the $20,000 Pocket Parks allocation.
  October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting
• Report on Henson Park ticket-gate options, consultation, costs and funding.
  December 2026
• Report on public street-bin expansion and collection frequency.
  December 2026 Council meeting
• Report on expanding the vehicle-ownership transition program to the broader car-owning population.
  February 2027 Council meeting
• Consider parking-cost measures through the budget process.
  2027-28 budget process

Extract

Council Meeting 25 August 2026 1 Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 25 August 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 6.33pm Present: 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 Deputy Mayor (Chairperson) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 6:36pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Manod Wickramasinghe Peter Shields...