Council - 18 May 2026

Topics

• Liverpool budget and rates plan opened for public comment
  Council has put its draft 2026-27 Budget, fees and charges, and long-term financial plan on public exhibition, with extra funding proposed for parks services and Ernie Smith Reserve.
  Residents can influence spending, service levels and fees before the budget is finalised.
• Planning policy and DCP changes move to exhibition
  Council has advanced changes to its Planning Agreements Policy and Liverpool Development Control Plan 2008, opening the door for public submissions before any final adoption.
  These controls can shape how new development is negotiated and built across the city.
• Council explores Liverpool as host for major Rural Fire Service awards
  Liverpool City Council is seeking to attract the NSW Rural Fire Service annual awards ceremony to Liverpool Powerhouse.
  A successful bid would bring a significant civic event, local visitation and profile benefits to the city.

Decisions

• Internally restricted cash reserves reviewed
  Council adopted revised reserve settings and removed the Moorebank Intermodal Ex-Gratia Payments Reserve from the adopted recommendations after debate and a successful amendment.
  Affects how Council sets aside and uses money for services, assets and future projects across the city.
• Draft 2026-27 budget and long-term financial plan placed on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft 2026-27 Budget, Revenue Pricing Policy and Long-Term Financial Plan for 28 days of public exhibition, including proposed funding for parks services and the Ernie Smith Reserve upgrade.
  Residents can review and comment on next year’s rates, fees, spending priorities and capital works.
• Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan placed on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the 2025-2029 Delivery Program and 2026-2027 Operational Plan for 28 days of public exhibition, with a further report to return after submissions close.
  Sets Council’s service priorities and project delivery commitments for the next four years.
• Planning Agreements Policy to be publicly exhibited
  Council endorsed proposed amendments to the Planning Agreements Policy for public exhibition, with delegation to the CEO if no submissions are received.
  May affect how developer contributions and planning agreements are negotiated and applied in future developments.
• Liverpool Development Control Plan amendments advanced
  Council endorsed proposed amendments to Liverpool Development Control Plan 2008 for public exhibition and asked for a post-exhibition report to come back to Council.
  Could affect development standards, building design and planning controls for local properties and projects.
• NSW Rural Fire Service awards ceremony partnership explored
  Council agreed to continue pursuing the annual NSW Rural Fire Service awards ceremony for Liverpool Powerhouse.
  Could bring a major civic event and visitor activity to Liverpool if successful.
• Council grants and sponsorship funding endorsed
  Council endorsed grants including $15,000 for Autism Advisory and Support Service and $6,992 for the City of Liverpool & District Historical Society.
  Supports local community services and heritage programming.
• CBA bank guarantee facility increase approved
  Council approved increasing its bank guarantee facility with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
  Improves Council’s financial capacity for guarantees tied to projects, contracts or development-related arrangements.

Discussion

• Condolence motions
  Council formally acknowledged the deaths of Dr Bryan Cowling, Barry “Bo” Seton, Milorad Vidovic and Eddy Zu, with a minute’s silence observed.
  Community recognition and civic condolences; no operational service change.
• Hats off to Oscar fundraiser support
  Council considered a $1,000 donation request for a local fundraiser to support a seriously ill child’s family.
  Direct support for a local family in hardship.
• Appointments to committees deferred
  Vacancy-only appointments to committees and affiliated bodies were deferred to the next meeting.
  Delays filling some representative roles, but no immediate service impact.

Impacts

• Budget and rate-setting documents are going on public exhibition, giving residents a chance to make submissions.
• Council’s reserve decisions affect how money is held for parks, property, insurance, loans and major projects.
• Planning policy and DCP amendments may influence future development standards and developer contributions.
• Some community organisations will receive grant funding to deliver programs and exhibitions.
• Possible future hosting of a major NSW Rural Fire Service event at Liverpool Powerhouse could increase civic activity and visitation.

Places

• Liverpool (local government area)
  Primary council area for all decisions and civic matters discussed.
• Ernie Smith Reserve (reserve)
  Named in the draft budget as receiving upgrade funding.
• Moorebank (suburb)
  Referenced through the Moorebank Intermodal Ex-Gratia Payments Reserve and local road/hall naming context.
• Casula (suburb)
  Mentioned in relation to a resident and a historical community venue name issue.
• Liverpool Powerhouse (civic venue)
  Potential host site for the NSW Rural Fire Service annual awards ceremony.
• Black Muscat Park, Chipping Norton (park)
  Venue for the Hats off to Oscar fundraiser.
• Hammondville (suburb)
  Referenced in debate about a precinct reserve and masterplan options.
• Liverpool DCP 2008 area (planning area)
  Citywide development control plan subject to proposed amendments.

Next

• Place the draft 2026-27 Budget, Revenue Pricing Policy and Long-Term Financial Plan on public exhibition.
  20 May to 16 June 2026
• Place the Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2026-2027 on public exhibition.
  19 May to 15 June 2026
• Bring back a report on public submissions to the budget and delivery program.
  By the June 2026 Council meeting / before 30 June 2026
• Undertake public exhibition of the proposed Planning Agreements Policy amendments.
  Minimum 28 days
• Undertake public exhibition of the proposed Liverpool Development Control Plan 2008 amendments.
  Minimum 28 days
• Return to Council with options for committee and affiliated body vacancies.
  Next Council meeting
• Continue discussions with the NSW Rural Fire Service about hosting the annual awards ceremony in Liverpool.
  Ongoing

Extract

1 Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday, 18 May 2026 and confirmed on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 ........................................... Chairperson MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY 2026 PRESENT: Mayor Ned Mannoun Deputy Mayor Harle Councillor Adjei Councillor Ammoun Councillor Harte Councillor Ibrahim (retired from the meeting at 8.34pm) Councillor Karnib (expelled from the meeting at 8.19pm) Councillor Macnaught Councillor Munjiza (retired from the meeting at 8.34pm) Councillor Monaghan (expelled from the meeting at 8.30pm) Councillor Ristevski (retired from the meeting at 8.36pm) Mr Jason Breton, Chief Executive Officer Mr Farooq Portelli, Director Corpora...