Extra Ordinary Council - 29 Sep 2026

Topics

• Clare Willington elected Randwick City Mayor for new council term
  Randwick City has a new Mayor for the 2026–2028 term.
  The Mayor will lead Council and set political priorities for the next two years.
• Masoomeh Asgari elected Randwick Deputy Mayor
  Councillor Masoomeh Asgari was elected Deputy Mayor until September 2027.
  The Deputy Mayor is part of the council’s new leadership arrangement and may act for the Mayor.
• Randwick Council backs statewide safety protections for councillors
  Council unanimously called for a statewide framework to protect councillors from threats, stalking, harassment and intimidation.
  The proposal could affect councillor security, support costs, training and participation in local democracy across NSW.

Decisions

• Mayor elected for 2026–2028 term
  Council used open voting and elected Councillor Clare Willington as Mayor for the term beginning 29 September 2026 and ending in September 2028.
  The Mayor leads Council and represents Randwick City during the new council term.
• Deputy Mayor elected
  Councillor Masoomeh Asgari was elected Deputy Mayor for a term ending in September 2027.
  The Deputy Mayor supports the Mayor and may act in that role when required.
• Committee delegates appointed
  Council approved the committee delegate list for September 2026 to September 2027, with Councillor Said as the SSROC alternate delegate.
  Delegates represent Randwick City on committees and regional local-government bodies.
• Councillor safety motion submitted to Local Government NSW
  Council unanimously agreed to submit a motion calling for a statewide Councillor Safety and Wellbeing Framework, risk-response protocols, access to appropriate support and security, training, and monitoring of safety and wellbeing issues.
  The proposal seeks stronger protections and support for councillors facing bullying, harassment, intimidation, stalking or threats.
• Constable Mia Lay commemorated
  Council acknowledged the death in the line of duty of Constable Mia Lay in Redfern on 25 September 2026, recognised her Randwick community connections and observed a minute’s silence.
  The resolution recognised a local connection and expressed condolences to Constable Lay’s family, friends and NSW Police colleagues.

Discussion

• New civic leadership
  Councillor Clare Willington became Mayor and Councillor Masoomeh Asgari became Deputy Mayor following the council election process.
  Residents will engage with the new leadership team through the next council term.
• Councillor safety and wellbeing
  Council backed a submission to Local Government NSW seeking statewide standards, reporting protocols, training and support for councillor safety risks.
  The proposed measures address risks that can affect elected representatives and participation in local democracy.
• Committee representation
  Council approved committee appointments for the year to September 2027, including an SSROC alternate delegate.
  Committee representation can influence regional advocacy and cooperation on issues affecting Randwick City.

Impacts

• A new Mayor will lead Randwick City Council until September 2028.
• Councillor Masoomeh Asgari will serve as Deputy Mayor until September 2027.
• Council will advocate to Local Government NSW for stronger safety and wellbeing protections for councillors.
• Council’s approved committee delegate arrangements will apply from September 2026 to September 2027.

Places

• Randwick City (local government area)
  Council governance decisions and elected leadership apply across the local government area.
• Redfern (suburb)
  Location where Constable Mia Lay died in the line of duty.
• Malabar (suburb)
  Location of St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School, attended by Constable Mia Lay.
• Randwick (suburb)
  Location of Brigidine College, attended by Constable Mia Lay, and seat of Randwick City Council.

Next

• Local Government NSW to consider Randwick Council’s proposed councillor safety and wellbeing motion.
  Submission deadline was 30 September 2026; further timing is not stated.
• The elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor to serve their approved terms.
  Mayor: 29 September 2026 to September 2028; Deputy Mayor: 29 September 2026 to September 2027.
• Approved councillor delegates to undertake committee representation.
  September 2026 to September 2027.

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 September 2026 MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2026 AT 6.10PM Present: The Mayor, Councillor D Parker (Central Ward) Central Ward - Councillors D Gordon & D Rosenfeld East Ward - Councillors M Asgari, C Martin & M Wilson North Ward - Councillors C Hamilton, A Magner & C Willington (Deputy Mayor) South Ward - Councillors B Burst, N D’Souza & D Said West Ward - Councillors A Hay, A Luxford & P Veitch Officers Present: General Manager Mr R Brownlee Director City Planning Ms M Bishop Director City Services Mr T Clarke Acting Director Community & Culture Mr R Heddle Director Corporate Se...