Council - 25 Feb 2026

Topics

• Council backs $2,500 transport support for Connection Camp
  Urgent motion passed to help a youth program with branding and bus transport support.
  Shows direct council backing for a community program and immediate resident-facing support.
• Woodward Park activation trial moves ahead
  Council endorsed an EOI for a 24-month activation trial and long-term use at Woodward Park.
  Could change park use, attract operators and reshape local events or investment plans.
• Macquarie Street Mall retail revival debate put on the table
  A notice of motion called for options including one-way vehicle access and short-stay parking to revive retail activity.
  Any change to access or parking could directly affect traders, shoppers and the city centre layout.

Decisions

• Holy Mother Mary project reinstated for Bigge Park
  Council adopted a recommendation to reinstate the Holy Mother Mary project for delivery across the 2025/26 and 2026/27 budget cycle, delegate delivery to the CEO as required, and hold an unveiling ceremony on 15 August.
  Affects public art and cultural events in Bigge Park and sets a timeline for delivery.
• Connection Camp urgent funding and branding support approved
  Council treated the motion as urgent and unanimously supported Connection Camp and Wanderers Foundation, including Council branding and funding support of up to $2,500 for Council buses, with the Mayor to write a letter of support.
  Supports a youth/community program and provides transport assistance for attending families.
• Community grants and sponsorship funding endorsed
  Council approved $23,580 in community grants and $28,950 in community sponsorships for several local projects and events.
  Direct funding for community organisations, cultural events and women’s health activity.
• Draft Busking Policy adopted
  Council adopted the updated Busking Policy after review and public exhibition, with no feedback received.
  Sets the rules for busking activity in public spaces.
• Liverpool Powerhouse Board appointments made
  Council noted the vacancy created by Dr Betty Green’s resignation and appointed Clr Macnaught and Clr Ibrahim as councillor representatives from the next scheduled meeting.
  Changes representation on a key cultural board that may influence local programming.
• Woodward Park activation trial advanced
  Council agreed to run an expression of interest process for a 24-month activation trial and long-term use at Woodward Park, with in-principle support for relocating the Major Events Program to a temporary activation site once established.
  Could change how Woodward Park is used and introduce new events or commercial activity.
• Quarter 2 budget review approved
  Council approved the budget variations in the FY 2025/26 Quarter 2 budget review and noted the projected income and expenditure results.
  Affects council spending priorities and service delivery for the rest of the financial year.
• Case study for circular economy entity shifted to Waste Levy Reserve
  Council approved a $100,000 case study and options analysis for commercialising circular economy activities, and later altered the resolution to fund it from the Waste Levy Reserve rather than the Environmental Levy Reserve.
  Uses levy funds for a new waste and recycling-related business model study.

Discussion

• Macquarie Street Mall retail revitalisation motion
  A notice of motion sought an options report including reopening the mall to one-way vehicle traffic and short-stay parking to boost retail trade, but the item was brought forward as a motion to adopt rather than a final decision summary in the extract.
  Could affect access, parking and the future layout of the retail centre.
• Code of Conduct complaints to remain in open session rejected
  A motion to require code of conduct investigations tabled for Council determination to be debated in open session was lost.
  Keeps some complaint processes from being debated publicly at Council meetings.
• Overseas travel compliance motion defeated
  A notice of motion about unauthorised overseas travel, reporting requirements and tighter travel controls was lost.
  No new travel compliance changes were adopted despite the governance concerns raised.
• Niland Way traffic and parking concerns raised
  A notice of motion was introduced about traffic and parking problems linked to a childcare centre in Niland Way, Casula, though the extract cuts off before the final decision is shown.
  Signals continuing resident concern about traffic, parking and safety in a residential street.

Impacts

• More community events and projects will receive council support, including grants, sponsorship and transport assistance.
• Bigge Park will host the reinstated Holy Mother Mary project and future unveiling ceremony.
• Busking rules have been updated, affecting performers in public spaces.
• Woodward Park may see new activation and long-term use options after an EOI process.
• Council has committed levy funds to study a circular economy entity model, which may influence waste services and recycling initiatives.
• The budget review may alter council spending and service delivery over the year.

Places

• Bigge Park (park)
  Site of the reinstated Holy Mother Mary project and unveiling ceremony.
• Liverpool (local government area)
  Council area affected by funding, policy and planning decisions.
• Woodward Park (park)
  Subject of an activation trial and long-term use EOI.
• Macquarie Street Mall (retail centre)
  Subject of a notice of motion about access, parking and retail revival.
• Casula (suburb)
  Location of the Niland Way traffic and parking concerns.
• Niland Way (road)
  Residential street raised in a parking and traffic motion.
• Hoxton Park Road (road)
  Part of the site-specific DCP amendment area.
• Civic Place Car Park (car park)
  Subject of a 12-month parking fees and operations review.

Next

• Deliver the Holy Mother Mary project and schedule the unveiling ceremony
  15 August 2026 and across the 2025/26-2026/27 budget cycle
• Write to Connection Camp acknowledging the program and its benefits
  As soon as practicable after the meeting
• Allocate approved community grant and sponsorship funding
  Following Council approval
• Run the Woodward Park EOI process
  Following the Council resolution
• Bring the revised Busking Policy into effect
  Immediately after adoption
• Undertake the circular economy case study using the Waste Levy Reserve
  To be reported back to Council later
• Prepare and submit the approved NGA Conference motions
  By 27 February 2026

Extract

1 Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 and confirmed on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 ........................................... Chairperson MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 25 FEBRUARY 2026 PRESENT: Mayor Ned Mannoun Deputy Mayor Harle Councillor Adjei Councillor Ammoun Councillor Harte Councillor Ibrahim (arrived at 5.10pm) Councillor Karnib (arrived at 5.06pm) Councillor Macnaught Councillor Monaghan (arrived at 5.19pm) Councillor Ristevski Mr Jason Breton, Chief Executive Officer Mr Farooq Portelli, Director Corporate Support Ms Tina Bono, Director Community & Lifestyle Ms Lina Kakish, Director Planning & Compliance Mr Peter Scicluna, Director O...