Extraordinary Council - 28 Apr 2026 7:30 PM

Article-worthy topics

• Draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy to go on public exhibition
  Council agreed to publicly exhibit the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy for at least 35 days beginning in May 2026, with broad community and stakeholder consultation and a report back to the August 2026 Council meeting.
  Residents, renters, key workers, artists, older people and housing providers will be able to review and comment on a policy intended to shape affordable rental housing outcomes in the Inner West.

Key decisions

• Draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy to go on public exhibition
  Council agreed to publicly exhibit the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy for at least 35 days beginning in May 2026, with broad community and stakeholder consultation and a report back to the August 2026 Council meeting.
  Residents, renters, key workers, artists, older people and housing providers will be able to review and comment on a policy intended to shape affordable rental housing outcomes in the Inner West.
• Draft Inner West Development Control Plan and solar panels heritage policy endorsed for exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft Inner West Development Control Plan, including a Solar Panels Policy for front roof planes in Heritage Conservation Areas, for at least a 35 day consultation period, with multiple engagement methods and a post-exhibition report to return to Council.
  This could affect future planning controls, development expectations, heritage area rules and the ability to install solar panels on street-facing roof planes.
• Solar panels policy to be trialled in heritage conservation areas
  Council resolved to update the draft DCP to reflect community support for solar panels on street-facing roof planes, hold information sessions with Inner West Community Energy, and trial the new policy for 12 months followed by an impact report.
  Owners in heritage conservation areas may see easier pathways for rooftop solar, subject to the final policy after consultation.
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Stage 2 contractor appointed in confidential session
  Council endorsed appointing FDC Construction (NSW) Pty Limited to deliver the Leichhardt Aquatic Centre Stage 2 Project, subject to final contract terms, and delegated authority for necessary variations within approved funding.
  This is a major step in progressing the aquatic centre upgrade, with ongoing reporting promised to Council and the Major Capital Works Committee.

Important topics

• Affordable housing contribution settings debated
  An amendment seeking to reinforce Council's flexibility on accepting affordable housing contributions as completed units or cash, support all community housing providers regardless of size, and reserve the right to seek more than a 10% contribution through some planning pathways was lost.
  The exhibition draft proceeds without those added directions, but the consultation period gives residents and stakeholders a chance to comment on how affordable housing contributions should work.
• Expanded consultation methods were proposed but not adopted
  An amendment to require separate letterbox notification to every dwelling in the LGA and at least one town hall meeting in every ward on the draft DCP and draft Affordable Housing Policy was lost.
  Consultation will still occur through the adopted engagement methods, but not with the extra mandatory outreach proposed in the amendment.
• Further planning reports sequenced
  Council resolved that the post-exhibition report for the Draft Parking Strategy and Draft Parking Policy should come to Council before the post-exhibition report for the Draft Inner West Development Control Plan.
  Residents interested in parking and broader planning controls should expect the parking matters to be considered first.

Resident impacts

• Public consultation on the draft Affordable Housing Policy is to begin in May 2026 for at least 35 days.
• A report on the affordable housing policy and consultation outcomes is scheduled to return to Council in August 2026.
• Residents across the Inner West can comment on the draft Development Control Plan through online, email, phone, drop-in and workshop channels.
• People living in Heritage Conservation Areas may be affected by proposed changes to rules for solar panels on front roof planes.
• The Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre upgrade is moving into its next delivery stage under an appointed contractor.

Places affected

• Inner West (local government area)
  Area covered by the affordable housing policy and draft development control plan consultation.
• Ashfield Service Centre (council facility)
  In-person discussion point for the affordable housing policy during exhibition.
• Heritage Conservation Areas (planning area)
  Location type affected by the proposed solar panels policy on front roof planes.
• Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (facility)
  Site of the Stage 2 upgrade project considered in confidential session.

Next steps

• Exhibit the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy and collect community and stakeholder feedback
  At least 35 days beginning in May 2026
• Bring the affordable housing policy, engagement outcomes report and any recommended changes back to Council
  August 2026 Council meeting
• Exhibit the draft Inner West Development Control Plan and associated solar panels policy and report back on consultation outcomes
  After at least 35 days of consultation
• Trial the new Solar Panels Policy and prepare a formal impact report
  12 months after implementation
• Provide an update report on execution of the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Stage 2 agreement
  Next Ordinary Council meeting

Extracted minutes text

Extraordinary Council Meeting 28 April 2026 1 Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 28 April 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 7.30pm 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 Councillor (Attended remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:31 pm) Councillor General Manager Director Planning Ruth Callaghan Director Community Sharon Bowman Peter Shie...