Ordinary Council - 30 Jun 2026

Topics

• Randwick Council freezes beach visitor pay parking after community backlash
  Council has ditched the beach visitor pay parking proposal and kept existing parking arrangements at beach and on-street areas.
  This affects access to Coogee and other beach precincts and shows residents pushed back successfully on paid parking expansion.
• Rates and charges set for 2026-27 as Randwick adopts budget
  Council locked in its 2026-27 budget, fees and charges, including residential and business rates, waste charges, stormwater charges and a 9.5% overdue rate interest setting.
  Households, pensioners and businesses will feel the impact in their bills from the start of the financial year.
• Randwick endorses revised 19% tree canopy target by 2060
  Council accepted that its previous 22% canopy target by 2040 was not feasible and switched to a 19% city-wide target by 2060.
  The new target will influence tree planting, development rules and long-term cooling and greening strategies across the city.

Decisions

• 2026-27 budget, operational plan, fees and charges adopted
  Council adopted the 2026-27 Operational Plan, Budget and Fees and Charges, including the ordinary Residential Rate, Business Rate, Port Botany Business rate, Environmental Levy, waste charges, stormwater charges, overdue rate interest at 9.5% and a further pensioner rebate. Minor administrative changes were delegated to the General Manager.
  Sets the rates and charges households and businesses will pay in 2026-27, including waste, stormwater and pensioner concessions.
• Beach visitor pay parking proposal rejected
  After community consultation, Council resolved not to proceed with the Beach Visitor Pay Parking Proposal and retained existing parking arrangements at affected beach and on-street areas.
  Beachgoers and nearby residents will not face expanded paid visitor parking at Council beaches.
• 5 Dutruc Street, Randwick recommended for heritage listing
  Council noted the heritage assessment for No. 5 Dutruc Street and endorsed its inclusion in a planning proposal to amend the Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2012, supporting a formal heritage listing and interim heritage order.
  Strengthens protection for a heritage property in Randwick and may affect future development options.
• Randwick Development Control Plan Stage 2 adopted
  Council adopted the revised DCP Stage 2 sections after exhibition, with amendments covering local character, heritage, landscaping, tree preservation, parking, water management, laneway widening, public artwork, active transport and other planning controls.
  Changes the planning rules used to assess future development across Randwick City.
• Revised urban tree canopy target adopted
  Council accepted the Tree Canopy Target Feasibility Study and endorsed a revised LGA-wide tree canopy target of 19% by 2060, with milestone targets for streets, parks and private land.
  Sets the long-term urban greening target that will influence street trees, parks and development expectations.
• Special Entertainment Precinct trials endorsed for Coogee and The Spot
  Council endorsed a staged rollout of Special Entertainment Precinct trials, starting with concurrent trials at Coogee and The Spot for at least 12 months, with a later trial proposed for Kingsford (Anzac Parade).
  Could change nightlife rules, trading conditions and noise management in the nominated precincts.
• Coastal Walkway project advanced
  Council supported an accessible pathway and whale-watching platform as the first stage of the southern Coastal Walkway, endorsed the proposed route through Randwick Golf Club, the Coast and St Michael’s Golf Course sections, and requested a funding strategy for delivery within five years.
  Moves a major coastal access and recreation project closer to construction.
• Judge Lane partial road closure to be investigated
  Council endorsed progressing investigations, subject to Local Transport Forum referral, into a partial road closure of Judge Lane, Randwick during school hours to improve traffic management and safety.
  May affect school-time traffic, access and local safety around Judge Lane.
• Illegal rubbish removal service review adopted
  Council endorsed the Illegal Rubbish Removal Service Review and its recommendations, and will investigate adding an extra scheduled household hard rubbish clean-up from FY 27/28.
  Could improve illegal dumping response and increase hard rubbish collection options for residents.
• Social cohesion and multicultural plan adopted
  Council endorsed the Building Connection, Trust and Belonging in Randwick City: Social Cohesion and Multicultural Plan 2026-2031 after public exhibition.
  Shapes future multicultural, inclusion and community-belonging programs and funding.
• Mobile food vending policy amended
  Council approved minor amendments to the Mobile Food Vending Vehicles Policy following its first year of operation.
  Affects where and how food trucks and mobile vendors can operate in the city.
• Voluntary planning agreement for Kensington site endorsed
  Council endorsed entering into a Voluntary Planning Agreement for 77-103 Anzac Parade and 59A-71 Boronia Street, Kensington, with authority for minor drafting changes.
  Influences the planning outcome and potential community benefits from a major Kensington development site.

Discussion

• Pensioner rebate and charge settings
  The 2026-27 rates package includes the existing statutory pensioner rebate plus an additional Council rebate split between waste and environmental levy charges.
  Relevant to eligible pensioners facing Council charges in the new financial year.
• Coogee shark attack response and mitigation measures
  Council acknowledged the June shark attack response, praised lifeguards and volunteers, donated to the recovery fundraiser, and will hold a joint public information session with the NSW Government on shark mitigation technologies and behaviour.
  Important for beach users and the Coogee community concerned about beach safety.
• Randwick Stables fire safety works
  Council received the project update, confirmed funding is available and endorsed immediate essential fire safety measures, including a structural engineer assessment and notification to Heritage NSW.
  Affects the safety and preservation of the Randwick Stables, Newmarket.
• Heffron Park AFL Facility consultant procurement
  In closed session, Council endorsed suppliers to be invited to the next stage of the lead design consultant process for Heffron Park AFL Facility Stage 1.
  Signals progress on a major sporting infrastructure project, though supplier details were confidential.
• Coral Sea Park water bubbler
  Council supported installing a new bubbler near the synthetic field at Coral Sea Park, subject to budget review and consultation with Maroubra United Football Club.
  Improves amenities for park users and local sporting clubs.
• Street banner approach for Easter and Orthodox Easter
  Council selected option 3 following a review of street banners commemorating Easter and Orthodox Easter.
  Minor cultural recognition decision affecting public streetscape messaging.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030
  The minutes indicate this plan was on the agenda, but the provided extraction does not include the final resolution text.
  Potentially relevant to access and inclusion services, but details are incomplete in the source extract.

Impacts

• Higher or lower household and business costs through adopted 2026-27 rates, waste charges, stormwater charges and fees.
• No expansion of paid visitor parking at Council beaches.
• Possible new heritage protections for 5 Dutruc Street, Randwick.
• Future development assessments will use updated DCP controls, including parking, trees, heritage and active transport rules.
• Long-term canopy and greening targets will shape street-tree planting and development expectations.
• Night-time economy rules may change in Coogee and The Spot if SEP trials proceed.
• Coastal access and recreation improvements may advance through the Southern Coastal Walkway.
• School-hour traffic around Judge Lane may change if the partial closure proceeds.
• Residents may benefit from an additional hard rubbish clean-up if the service change proceeds.
• Eligible pensioners receive an extra rebate on top of the statutory concession.

Places

• Randwick City (local government area)
  Overall rates, budget, planning, services and strategic policy apply across the LGA.
• Coogee (suburb/beach precinct)
  Beach parking decision, shark response, Special Entertainment Precinct trial, and coastal walkway works.
• The Spot (precinct)
  Proposed Special Entertainment Precinct trial location.
• Kingsford (suburb)
  Future Special Entertainment Precinct trial area on Anzac Parade.
• Randwick (suburb)
  Heritage item, development control plan changes and local traffic management matter.
• Kensington (suburb)
  Voluntary Planning Agreement site on Anzac Parade and Boronia Street.
• Judge Lane, Randwick (road)
  Partial road closure investigation for school hours traffic management.
• Coral Sea Park (park)
  Bubbler installation request and sporting amenities.

Next

• Implement the adopted 2026-27 rates, fees, charges and pensioner rebate settings.
  From 1 July 2026
• Prepare alternative funding and parking management options for beaches and coastal infrastructure.
  Report back to Council
• Advance the heritage planning proposal for 5 Dutruc Street, Randwick.
  Future council/planning process
• Progress the Special Entertainment Precinct planning proposal, precinct management plan and working group arrangements.
  Before and during the trial period
• Undertake detailed design and funding strategy work for the Southern Coastal Walkway.
  Prior to FY 27/28 and over the next five years
• Refer Judge Lane partial closure investigations to the Local Transport Forum.
  Before implementation
• Consider an additional household hard rubbish clean-up from FY 27/28.
  Future budget/service review

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 30 June 2026 MINUTES OF ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 30 JUNE 2026 AT 6:50PM 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 Director Community & Culture Ms K Anderson Director Corporate Services Mr J Frangoples Ma...