Council Briefing - 14 Apr 2026 6:00 PM

Key decisions

• Farr Avenue petition response endorsed
  Council noted the petition about parking, traffic and amenity on Farr Avenue, supported continued monitoring of heavy vehicle activity and parking behaviour, increased enforcement where needed, ongoing communication with Beatty Park staff and patrons about parking requirements, and reassessment if conditions materially change.
  Residents near Farr Avenue and Beatty Park may see continued monitoring, parking enforcement and possible future review rather than immediate infrastructure changes.
• Bulwer Street grouped dwellings amendment approved
  Council approved an amendment to the approval for three grouped dwellings at 389 Bulwer Street, West Perth, with updated conditions including wall finish requirements, heritage-related materials and damp remediation controls, landscaping, and stormwater management.
  This affects nearby residents through redevelopment of the site and conditions intended to manage heritage presentation, visual amenity and drainage.
• Community engagement policy changes released for consultation
  Council approved proposed amendments to the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy for the purpose of community consultation.
  Residents may be able to comment on how the City consults the community and stakeholders on future decisions.
• Council member professional development policy changes released for consultation
  Council approved proposed amendments to the Council Member Continuing Professional Development Policy for community consultation.
  This may influence expectations for councillor training and governance standards, with public consultation to follow.
• Electoral reform position confirmed for WALGA consultation
  Council confirmed its position in response to WALGA's sector consultation on electoral reform.
  This contributes to sector advocacy on how local government elections may be reformed in Western Australia.
• Draft governance framework adopted
  Council adopted an updated Governance Framework in draft form and noted the CEO would settle final editorial, design and formatting before publication.
  This shapes how the City manages governance, accountability and decision-making practices.
• Climate change advocacy submission endorsed
  Council endorsed a submission to WALGA supporting the draft Climate Change Advocacy Position in principle and recommending stronger recognition of local government priorities including urban tree canopy, water sensitive urban design, biodiversity protection and circular economy measures.
  This supports advocacy on climate issues that can affect local sustainability programs and environmental planning.
• Heritage and character area guideline amendments to be advertised
  Council resolved to prepare and publish notice to advertise amendments to the Heritage Area Guidelines, including the Lacey Street Heritage Area, and amendments to the Character Area Guidelines, with submissions to return to Council later.
  Property owners and residents in heritage and character areas may be affected by future planning guidance changes and can make submissions during advertising.

Important topics

• Financial statements and expenditure for February 2026
  Council received the February 2026 financial statements and the list of accounts paid under delegated authority, totalling $5,911,059.38 for the month.
  Provides transparency on council spending and financial position.
• Investment report noted
  Council noted the investment statistics for the month ended 28 February 2026.
  Relevant to oversight of public funds but with no direct service change announced.
• New privacy and information item listed
  The agenda included an item on the outcome of advertising and adoption of new privacy and information arrangements, but the extracted text does not provide the final decision details.
  Potentially relevant to how resident information is handled, but the available extract is incomplete.
• Design Review Panel appointment discussed
  Discussion notes indicate the current Design Review Panel has 14 members and 11 sought reappointment, but the extract does not clearly state the final Council resolution.
  The panel influences design quality advice on development applications, though the final outcome is unclear from the extract.

Resident impacts

• Farr Avenue residents should expect ongoing traffic and parking monitoring and enforcement rather than an immediate physical traffic treatment.
• Beatty Park Leisure Centre and Beatty Park Reserve users may receive continued communication about parking expectations.
• Residents near 389 Bulwer Street, West Perth may be affected by approved dwelling changes subject to heritage, landscaping and stormwater conditions.
• Community members may be invited to comment on proposed changes to engagement and councillor professional development policies.
• Owners and residents in heritage or character areas, including Lacey Street, may be able to comment on advertised planning guideline changes.
• City spending and payments for February 2026 were publicly reported, including total payments of $5.91 million.

Places affected

• Farr Avenue, North Perth (road)
  Petition response on parking, traffic, amenity, monitoring and enforcement.
• 389 Bulwer Street, West Perth (property)
  Approved amendment to grouped dwellings development approval.
• Beatty Park Leisure Centre (facility)
  Parking communication linked to Farr Avenue concerns.
• Beatty Park Reserve (reserve)
  Parking communication linked to Farr Avenue concerns.
• Lacey Street Heritage Area (heritage area)
  Proposed inclusion in advertised heritage guideline amendments.
• West Perth (suburb)
  Location of the approved Bulwer Street development.
• North Perth (suburb)
  Location of Farr Avenue petition impacts.
• South Ward (ward)
  Ward listed for the Bulwer Street planning item.

Next steps

• Continue monitoring Farr Avenue traffic, heavy vehicle activity and parking behaviour, with increased enforcement where required.
  Ongoing
• Continue communicating with Beatty Park staff and patrons about parking requirements.
  Ongoing
• Reassess Farr Avenue if conditions materially change.
  As needed
• Undertake community consultation on proposed amendments to the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy.
  Next consultation period
• Undertake community consultation on proposed amendments to the Council Member Continuing Professional Development Policy.
  Next consultation period
• Publish and advertise proposed amendments to heritage and character area guidelines, then return submissions to Council.
  After advertising period
• Finalize editorial, design and formatting of the draft Governance Framework before publication.
  After adoption

Extracted minutes text

NOTES Council Briefing 14 April 2026 COUNCIL BRIEFING NOTES 14 APRIL 2026 Table of Contents 1 Declaration of Opening / Acknowledgement of Country .................................................................... 3 2 Apologies / Members on Approved Leave of Absence ...................................................................... 3 3 Public Question Time and Receiving of Public Statements .............................................................. 4 4 Declarations of Interest ......................................................................................................................... 4 Reports with Discussion ...............................................................