Extraordinary Council - 12 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs modelling of major budget and service changes
  Council has ordered new modelling on staffing, waste, parks and reserve funding before finalising its key budget papers.
  The outcome could affect council finances, service levels and resident charges.
• Waste service changes put on the table
  Council is considering extra bin services, more frequent household pickups and new eligibility rules for large red bin upgrades.
  Residents could see changes to kerbside waste services and how they qualify for bin upgrades.
• Ordinary Council meeting date moved forward by one day
  Council rescheduled its next ordinary meeting from 19 May to 18 May 2026.
  Residents, applicants and stakeholders may need to adjust attendance or submission timelines.

Decisions

• Closed session motion lost
  Council rejected a motion to move into closed session under s10A(2)(a) for personal matters concerning particular individuals.
  The meeting remained public, keeping the decision-making process open to residents.
• Draft budget and policy changes to be modelled
  Council resolved to have the CEO model a set of proposed changes for the Draft Delivery Program 2026-2030, Operational Plan 2026-2027, Long-Term Financial Plan and Revenue Pricing Policy, including increased employee costs, reserve-funded service upgrades, waste service changes, and park and reserve funding.
  These proposals could affect rates, fees, waste services, parks services, staffing and local reserve upgrades.
• Ordinary Council meeting rescheduled
  The Ordinary Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday 19 May 2026 was moved to Monday 18 May 2026, starting at 6pm.
  Residents planning to attend or watch Council meetings should note the date change.

Discussion

• Budget modelling and financial plan changes
  Council asked for modelling of a higher employee cost figure, a comparison scenario, and possible allocations from reserves before finalising budget documents.
  Budget decisions may affect council spending, staffing and future service levels.
• Waste service and bin policy changes
  Proposals included funding an extra yellow bin service from the Domestic Waste Levy, increasing household pickups from 2 to 4 per year, and changing the large red bin upgrade eligibility from six family members to five.
  Households could see changes to waste collection access, frequency and charges.
• Parks, compliance and reserve funding
  Council asked for modelling for additional Parks team funding, a neighbourhood compliance model, and an upgrade to Ernie Smith Reserve from the General Property Reserve.
  These items could affect open space maintenance, local amenity and reserve improvements.
• Council governance and meeting practice
  Council noted NSW Government changes to the Model Code of Meeting Practice banning councillor briefing sessions, and the CEO advised decisions must be made as resolved positions of Council.
  This affects how council business is debated and decided in public.

Impacts

• Potential changes to waste collection services and bin eligibility
• Possible increase in staffing costs and council budget pressure
• Additional funding may improve parks services and reserve upgrades
• Council meeting dates changed for the following week

Places

• Ernie Smith Reserve (reserve)
  Proposed upgrade funding was included in the modelling request.

Next

• CEO to model the proposed budget, staffing, waste, parks and reserve changes
  Before the next council meeting
• Council to consider the revised DP/OP, LTFP and Revenue Pricing Policy
  At the next council meeting and during the public exhibition period
• Ordinary Council meeting to be held on Monday 18 May 2026 at 6pm
  18 May 2026

Extract

1 Minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 and confirmed on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 ........................................... Chairperson MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 12 MAY 2026 PRESENT: Mayor Ned Mannoun Deputy Mayor Harle Councillor Adjei Councillor Ammoun Councillor Harle Councillor Ibrahim Councillor Karnib Councillor Macnaught Councillor Monaghan Councillor Munjiza 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 Operations Mr David Galpin, General Counsel Mr E...