Extraordinary Council - 15 Sep 2026 6:30 PM

Topics

• Inner West housing plan approved for public exhibition across 15 suburbs
  Council will seek public feedback on a new housing approach covering suburbs from Annandale and Ashfield to St Peters and Rozelle.
  The plan could shape future housing capacity and development patterns across a large part of the Inner West.
• Council appoints Kane Constructions for Leichhardt Oval refurbishment
  A tender decision clears the way for a major Leichhardt Oval upgrade, including new amenities, an additional lift, upgraded lighting and a rebuilt surface.
  The project will change facilities at a prominent community sporting venue and create a significant construction contract, although the public extract does not state its value.
• Public exhibition and community engagement
  Council resolved to exhibit the plan and supporting studies and report engagement outcomes back in December 2026.
  Residents, landowners and other community members will have an opportunity to make submissions.

Decisions

• Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 to go on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the plan and supporting studies for exhibition across Annandale, Ashfield, Balmain, Dulwich Hill, Croydon including the future Ashfield to Iron Cove GreenWay, Enmore, Leichhardt, Lewisham, Lilyfield, Marrickville, Newtown, Petersham, Stanmore, Rozelle and St Peters. The Director Planning was authorised to make editorial, formatting and technical changes before exhibition.
  Residents and property owners in the listed areas will be able to review and comment on proposed changes to Council’s approach to new housing.
• Engagement program and December 2026 report
  The exhibition and engagement program includes Your Say Inner West, public information sessions, online and in-person sessions, and service-centre drop-ins. Council will receive a detailed engagement outcomes report in December 2026 before the plan is submitted to the NSW Government for implementation.
  Community feedback can influence the final plan before it proceeds to the NSW Government.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment tender approved
  In closed session, Council endorsed the evaluation panel’s recommendation to appoint Kane Constructions Pty Ltd to deliver the Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment Project, subject to finalising contractual terms. The General Manager was authorised to execute the contract and approve variations within Council-approved funding.
  The project will proceed with additional scope including a new amenities building, an additional lift, upgraded lighting and rebuilding the oval surface.

Discussion

• Housing planning framework
  Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 sets out Council’s approach for new housing in identified Inner West suburbs and areas.
  The plan may affect future housing capacity, development patterns and planning expectations in multiple suburbs.
• Public exhibition and community engagement
  Council resolved to exhibit the plan and supporting studies and report engagement outcomes back in December 2026.
  Residents, landowners and other community members will have an opportunity to make submissions.
• Leichhardt Oval refurbishment
  A construction tender was approved for the refurbishment project, with scope covering amenities, accessibility, lighting and the playing surface.
  The works are expected to improve facilities and the usability of Leichhardt Oval, although the final project sum was not stated in the public extract.

Impacts

• Residents and landowners in the listed suburbs can participate in the six-week public exhibition and engagement process for the housing plan.
• Council plans to publish an engagement outcomes report in December 2026 before progressing the plan to the NSW Government.
• Leichhardt Oval will proceed towards refurbishment, including a new amenities building, an additional lift, upgraded lighting and rebuilding of the oval surface.

Places

• Annandale (suburb)
  Included in the Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 exhibition area.
• Ashfield (suburb)
  Included in the plan exhibition area.
• Balmain (suburb)
  Included in the plan exhibition area.
• Croydon and Iron Cove (suburbs/area)
  Included in the plan, including the future Ashfield to Iron Cove GreenWay area.
• Marrickville (suburb)
  Included in the plan exhibition area.
• Newtown (suburb)
  Included in the plan exhibition area.
• St Peters (suburb)
  Considered separately because of a declared pecuniary interest; the exhibition recommendation was approved.
• Leichhardt Oval (sporting facility)
  Subject of the approved refurbishment tender.

Next

• Place Our Fairer Future Plan Stage 2 and supporting studies on public exhibition and conduct the listed engagement activities.
  During the planned six-week exhibition period.
• Prepare and present a detailed engagement outcomes report, including any proposed amendments, to Council.
  December 2026.
• Submit the Council-led plan to the NSW Government for implementation after Council considers the engagement outcomes.
  After the December 2026 Council report.
• Finalise the contract with Kane Constructions and commence delivery arrangements for the Leichhardt Oval refurbishment.
  After contract finalisation; project timing was not stated.

Extract

Extraordinary Council Meeting 15 September 2026 1 Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 15 September 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 6:45 pm 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 Chloe Smith Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer Mayor Deputy Mayor (Attended remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Attended remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Manod Wickramasinghe Al...