Council - 26 Aug 2026

Topics

• Woodward Park netball courts protected in new management plan
  Council adopted a new park plan but guaranteed netball will remain until an acceptable alternative is found.
  Netball users and other sporting groups receive a clear commitment during future redevelopment or reallocation discussions.
• Liverpool park project budget jumps by $6.7 million after asbestos remediation
  Council approved a $6.698 million increase funded through the Liverpool Contributions Plan, with asbestos remediation identified as the main driver.
  The cost escalation affects infrastructure delivery, developer contributions and future park and open-space investment.
• Religious organisations could receive cheaper Council facility hire
  Council backed moving religious organisations from Fee Category A to Category C and acknowledged a loss of forecast income.
  The change could reduce venue costs for religious and community groups while affecting Council revenue.

Decisions

• Woodward Park Plan of Management adopted
  Council adopted the Woodward Park Plan of Management and classified the land containing the netball courts as general community use. It directed that affected sporting groups, particularly netball, continue to be consulted and that netball remain at Woodward Park until a suitable alternative is agreed.
  Provides a framework for future use of Woodward Park while protecting the current netball arrangement during ongoing planning.
• Religious organisation hire fees proposed for reduction
  Council supported changing religious organisations from Fee Category A to Category C, amended bookings from 1 August 2026, and placed the revised Community Facilities Hire Policy and Fees and Charges on public exhibition. Community facilities cannot be subleased, and Council noted forecast income losses.
  Eligible religious organisations may face lower facility-hire charges, subject to the exhibition and adoption process.
• Park and Infrastructure Delivery Committee established
  Council adopted the committee charter after public exhibition, with no submissions reported. Community representatives are to be appointed by Council resolution, and Councillors Adjei, Ammoun, Macnaught and Munjiza were appointed. The committee will be resourced from the existing CEO budget.
  Creates a formal oversight structure for park and infrastructure delivery.
• Liverpool infrastructure project budget increased
  Council noted a $6.7 million project-cost escalation, mainly due to asbestos remediation, and approved an additional $6,698,000 from the Liverpool Contributions Plan 2018 for external park and open-space components, allocated in 2027/2028. The CEO was authorised to finalise negotiations and execute a contract within the approved budget.
  The increase affects the cost and delivery of a major Liverpool City Centre park and open-space project.
• Capital works funding partly deferred
  Council approved carrying $21,951,275 of remaining 2025/2026 capital-works budgets into 2026/2027. Consideration of a further $729,500 allocation for Libraries and Museum Services was deferred for a report on cash reserves and the long-term financial plan.
  Most approved capital works can continue, while the additional library and museum funding remains unresolved.
• Light Horse Park tender negotiations authorised
  Council declined all tenders for Light Horse Park Major Works and authorised negotiations with the first- and second-ranked tenderers, subject to development consent and final negotiations.
  The project will proceed through a revised procurement step rather than immediate contract award, with timing linked to grant deadlines.
• Road maintenance resources expanded
  Council reported that two pothole-patching trucks had been replaced, a Jetpatcher commissioned, three road-maintenance vacancies were being filled, and cold-planer and broom attachments had been ordered. Additional funding may be considered through quarterly budget reviews.
  The measures are intended to improve the speed, consistency and durability of pothole repairs.
• Electricity procurement delegated to CEO
  An interim electricity arrangement with Origin Energy covers 1 July to 31 December 2026. The CEO was authorised to negotiate and execute the longer-term Electricity Sale Agreement within the approved budget, with the tender outcome to be reported later.
  Council’s electricity supply will remain covered while a longer-term contract is procured.
• Governor Macquarie Drive works varied
  Council approved a revised scope and project cost for the upgrade of Governor Macquarie Drive between the Hume Highway and Munday Street, Warwick Farm, and delegated implementation to the CEO. The variation price remains confidential.
  The road upgrade scope and cost have changed, although the exact financial impact was not publicly detailed.

Discussion

• Community grants and sponsorship
  Council approved $12,000 in community grants and $27,676.69 in community sponsorships for local programs and events, including CORE Community Services, Carers for Kids NSW, Festival of Chariots, Ganeshotsava and Care for a Walk?
  The funding supports community events, carers, families and health-related activities. A further report will examine increasing funding for long-standing community events.
• Graffiti and vandalism prevention
  Council directed an investigation into lighting, technology and other cost-effective measures to deter vandalism and graffiti at parks, including Local Park 2 in Austral and Cameron Park in Wattle Grove. Further discussion is scheduled for the September Governance Committee meeting.
  Residents may see proposed prevention measures in parks with recurring damage, alongside analysis of installation and maintenance costs.
• Street names proposed
  Council endorsed public exhibition of Norma Street and Ingham Avenue for a new subdivision at 475 Badgerys Creek Road, Bradfield, and Nakhoul Street for a subdivision at Lot 3 DP 1275478 McFarlane Road, Edmondson Park. Proposed names will then be referred to the NSW Geographical Names Board.
  Residents can comment during the 28-day exhibition periods before names are formally approved.
• South West Sydney Academy of Sport partnership
  Council confirmed ongoing support for the South West Sydney Academy of Sport for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 and agreed to re-enter a memorandum of understanding setting out service obligations and Council contributions.
  Maintains Council support for sporting development and services delivered through the Academy.
• Ireland Park masterplan deferred
  Consideration of the Ireland Park Master Plan was deferred to the September Governance Committee meeting following further consultation with Liverpool Rangers Soccer Club.
  The final plan for Ireland Park has not yet been settled.
• Waste disposal and illegal dumping
  Council raised concerns that rising State-set landfill disposal fees are increasing pressure on households, businesses and councils and may contribute to illegal dumping. It supported reducing the metropolitan waste levy and increasing State grants, and noted the NSW asbestos disposal trial commencing in 2027.
  The issue concerns disposal costs, illegal dumping and future access to free asbestos-waste collection for eligible households.

Impacts

• Netball will remain at Woodward Park until an agreeable alternative is established, with affected sporting codes to be consulted.
• Religious organisations may receive a lower community-facility hire fee category, subject to public exhibition and final adoption.
• Road maintenance capacity is being increased through new equipment and recruitment, with more proactive inspections expected as vacancies are filled.
• Residents can comment on proposed street names in Bradfield and Edmondson Park during 28-day exhibitions.
• Park vandalism and graffiti prevention options will be investigated for locations including Austral and Wattle Grove.
• The Ireland Park masterplan decision is delayed until the September Governance Committee meeting.
• Community groups and event organisers will receive approved grants and sponsorships, while longer-term event funding will be reviewed.

Places

• Woodward Park (park and sporting facility)
  Plan of Management adopted; netball use protected pending a suitable alternative.
• Liverpool City Centre (project area)
  External park and open-space project budget increased by $6.698 million, primarily for asbestos remediation.
• Light Horse Park (park and major works project)
  All tenders declined and negotiations authorised with the two highest-ranked tenderers.
• Austral (suburb and local park area)
  Local Park 2 identified as experiencing recurring vandalism and graffiti.
• Wattle Grove (suburb and park area)
  Cameron Park identified as experiencing recurring vandalism and graffiti.
• Bradfield (new subdivision)
  Norma Street and Ingham Avenue proposed for public exhibition.
• Edmondson Park (suburb and development area)
  Nakhoul Street proposed for a new subdivision; land at 45 Dalmatia Avenue approved for purchase for road and public recreation.
• Warwick Farm (suburb and road project area)
  Governor Macquarie Drive upgrade scope and cost varied between the Hume Highway and Munday Street.

Next

• Place the revised religious-organisation fee category and Community Facilities Hire Policy on public exhibition, then adopt them if no submissions require further consideration.
  Following the required exhibition period
• Continue consultation with sporting codes, particularly netball, during Woodward Park masterplan implementation.
  As the masterplan process continues
• Report on the four service areas requiring attention: development assessment, land development, financial management and city maintenance.
  Next Governance Committee meeting
• Report on graffiti and vandalism prevention options, costs and potential trial sites.
  Further discussion at the September Governance Committee meeting
• Reconsider the Ireland Park Master Plan.
  September Governance Committee meeting
• Report on the cash-reserve and long-term-financial-plan impacts of the proposed $729,500 Libraries and Museum Services allocation.
  Next Governance Committee meeting
• Exhibit proposed street names and refer them to the NSW Geographical Names Board if no objections are received.
  28-day exhibition periods, then referral
• Provide the outcome of the electricity tender.
  After completion of procurement
• Negotiate Light Horse Park tenders and award a contract after development consent and negotiations are complete.
  After development consent and tender negotiations

Extract

1 Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 and confirmed on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 ........................................... Chairperson *` MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 26 AUGUST 2026 PRESENT: Mayor Ned Mannoun Deputy Mayor Harle Councillor Adjei – attended remotely Councillor Ammoun Councillor Harte Councillor Ibrahim Councillor Karnib Councillor Macnaught Councillor Monaghan Councillor Munjiza Mr Jason Breton, Chief Executive Officer Mr Farooq Portelli, Director Corporate Services Ms Tina Bono, Director Community & Lifestyle Ms Lina Kakish, Director Planning & Compliance Mr Peter Scicluna, Director Operations Mr David Galpin, General Cou...