Public Forum - 24 Feb 2026

Topics

• Randwick forum raises housing pressure, parking and gambling-harm issues
  Public forum items signalled a broad set of local policy concerns, including co-living/student housing, Searle Avenue parking, social housing, and gambling harm.
  These are live civic issues with direct impacts on residents, neighbourhood amenity and council planning priorities.

Decisions

• Public forum motions recorded without detailed outcomes
  The extracted minutes list several notices of motion and public forum items, but the provided text does not include the full motion wording, debate, or any final resolutions beyond the record that the forum proceeded and closed.
  Residents can see the issues raised, but the extract does not show any adopted policy changes or service commitments.

Discussion

• Co-living / student housing in Randwick City
  A public address was made on co-living housing (student housing) trends and planning responses in Randwick City.
  This relates to housing pressure, planning controls, and potential impacts on local neighbourhood character.
• Searle Avenue parking
  A response to a notice of motion on parking in Searle Avenue, Randwick was listed among the items considered.
  Parking changes can affect access, congestion, and day-to-day convenience for nearby residents.
• Social housing stock in the Randwick LGA
  A notice of motion from Cr D'Souza on social housing stock in the Randwick local government area was listed.
  This is relevant to housing supply, affordability, and support for vulnerable residents.
• Public speaking rights at council meetings
  A notice of motion from Cr Willington sought to allow members of the public to speak, indicating discussion about participation rules.
  This affects how residents can engage directly with council decisions.
• Civic standards, community safety and hate-based anti-Semitic intimidation
  A notice of motion from Cr Rosenfeld addressed civic standards, community safety, and condemnation of hate-based anti-Semitic intimidation.
  This concerns community safety, inclusion, and council’s public stance on hate incidents.
• Minimising gambling harm
  A notice of motion from Cr Veitch focused on minimising gambling harm in the Randwick LGA.
  This may affect local venues, community wellbeing, and support services for affected households.

Impacts

• Potential planning debate around higher-density or student housing.
• Parking and access issues may affect residents near Searle Avenue, Randwick.
• Social housing and gambling harm discussions may influence future council advocacy or policy.
• Public participation rules may affect how residents can address council meetings.
• Community safety and anti-hate measures may shape council messaging and local programs.

Places

• Randwick City (local government area)
  Overall meeting area and housing/planning focus.
• Randwick LGA (local government area)
  Referenced in motions on social housing and gambling harm.
• Randwick (suburb)
  Named in relation to Searle Avenue parking.
• Searle Avenue (road)
  Parking issue referenced in a notice of motion.

Next

• Wait for any full council report or resolution arising from the listed motions
  Not stated in the extract
• Monitor follow-up on housing, parking, public speaking, community safety and gambling harm items
  Ongoing

Extract

This is of the Record of the Public Forum held on 24 February 2026 RECORD OF PUBLIC FORUM HELD ON TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2026 AT 6.45PM 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 Acting Director Corporate Services Mr S Wong Manager Governance...