Ordinary Council - 27 Oct 2026 6:00PM

Topics

• Addison Park petition set for November Council response as accessible pathway is promised for January
  A 163-signature Merriwa petition seeking a change to Addison Park’s recreation classification will receive a Council report next month, while an accessible pathway is scheduled for January 2027.
  The petition has substantial local support and the pathway is a concrete accessibility commitment affecting park users.
• Wanneroo’s Girrawheen Hub budget rises by nearly $1 million amid construction-cost pressures
  The Girrawheen Hub budget is increasing from $30.356 million to about $31.318 million after the initial construction tender exceeded the quantity surveyor’s estimate.
  The increase affects a major community project and raises questions about construction inflation, contingency and delivery confidence.
• Neerabup resource recovery project faces continued scrutiny over $46.5 million projected cost and approvals
  Public questions challenged the planning basis, past expenditure and approvals for Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct, while the City reported projected expenditure of $46.5 million subject to future financial planning.
  The project combines a large potential ratepayer commitment with ongoing disputes about land use, environmental approvals and governance.

Decisions

• Addison Park petition to be reported in November
  Council received a 163-signature petition seeking restoration of Addison Park, Merriwa, to the ‘Neighbourhood Recreation’ classification. Administration intends to present a response at the November 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
  Merriwa residents should expect a formal Council report next month rather than a multi-year deferral through the Community Infrastructure Plan.
• 2026/27 Fees and Charges Schedule amended
  Council approved by absolute majority amendments to the City’s 2026/27 Fees and Charges Schedule. The amendments include charges for commercial, community and school use of stadium courts and associated equipment set-up services at the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
  Some users of the stadium and aquatic and recreation facilities may now face charges, while community and school users receive discounts against commercial rates.
• Budget amendments approved
  Council approved additional funding of $98,000 to complete added scope at the Aquamotion building, including the hydropool, and $7,000 from the Assets Replacement Reserve to replace the Carramar Golf Course machinery diesel fuel tank.
  The changes support completion and maintenance of existing community facilities but increase or reallocate project funding.
• Recording-access policy progressed
  Council considered a policy setting out how Council meeting recordings can be accessed by Council Members, the community, government bodies and other stakeholders. Public access may involve staff and digital-copy costs set through the annual Fees and Charges Schedule, while Council Members may request recordings without charge.
  Residents will have a defined process for accessing meeting recordings, with any public-copy costs published through the City’s fee schedule.
• Leave of absence granted
  Council granted Cr Coetzee leave of absence from 3 December to 24 December 2026 inclusive.
  The absence affects Council representation during that period but does not itself change a resident service.

Discussion

• Financial performance and capital works
  For the period ended 31 August 2026, operating results were favourable overall, including higher rates, interest earnings, grants and fees, and lower employee, finance and utility costs. These benefits were partly offset by higher materials and contract costs. Capital expenditure was $17.1 million against a $145.1 million adopted budget at 31 August, rising to $29.3 million by 21 October.
  The figures indicate the pace of delivery of the City’s capital program and the areas where future budget adjustments or project delays may occur.
• Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct
  Public questions focused on the planning, environmental approvals, expenditure and legal basis for Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct at Lot 600, Wattle Avenue, Neerabup. Administration maintained that the Waste Transfer Station and Community Recycling Centre are public works and that Stage 1 does not include waste-to-energy. Current committed expenditure was reported as $2,355,034.92, with $574,482.62 outstanding; projected total expenditure is subject to the Long Term Financial Management Plan and was reported as $46.5 million.
  The project remains a major potential ratepayer expenditure and planning issue, with outstanding State approvals and continuing community concern about land use, costs and governance.
• Waste strategy and recycling target
  The City’s waste planning work includes a target of a 70% recycling rate by 2030 and a proposed stronger focus on circular-economy principles, beyond collection, segregation and recycling systems.
  The strategy may affect future waste services, recycling outcomes, resource recovery facilities and waste-related expenditure.
• Major infrastructure delivery
  The Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre reached practical completion. The Mayor described it as an $88 million project delivered on time and under budget. The Girrawheen Hub budget was reported as increasing from $30.356 million to approximately $31.318 million after higher-than-expected construction costs and value engineering.
  Residents gain access to a completed major recreation project, while the Girrawheen Hub faces a material cost increase.
• Planning and development matters
  Council considered a petition response concerning multiple-dwelling development at Lot 1493, 90 Jindalee Boulevard, Jindalee, and a withdrawn development application for multiple dwellings at 5 Crowsnest Way, Jindalee. A separate report concerned a proposed telecommunications site at Caraway Park, Two Rocks; the proposal remains preliminary and further investigations and discussions are planned.
  Affected residents may see further planning decisions, consultation or assessment for development and telecommunications proposals in Jindalee and Two Rocks.
• Accessible pathway at Addison Park
  Administration advised that an accessible pathway to the barbecue and picnic setting at Addison Park is scheduled for January 2027. The broader petition response is intended for the November 2026 Council meeting.
  The pathway provides a specific accessibility improvement for Addison Park users, while other park upgrades remain under consideration.
• Financial and operational expenditure
  The payments presented included major waste, infrastructure, maintenance and construction costs, including $203,857.51 for kerbside bin collection and transport, $450,029.65 for construction of the Abbeville Park sports amenities building, and $111,053.22 for emergency works at Quarkum Street and Buckingham Drive.
  The payments show where public funds were being spent on waste services, community infrastructure and emergency works.

Impacts

• A formal report on the Addison Park classification petition is expected at the November 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting.
• An accessible pathway at Addison Park is scheduled for January 2027.
• Fees for some Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre stadium uses were amended, with discounted rates for community clubs and schools.
• The $88 million Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre reached practical completion.
• The Girrawheen Hub budget increased by approximately $961,501 to about $31.318 million.
• The Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct remains subject to further approvals, financial planning and public scrutiny.
• Public access to Council meeting recordings will follow a defined policy and may attract costs set through the annual fee schedule.

Places

• Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road (civic facility)
  Venue for the Council meeting.
• Addison Park, Merriwa (park)
  Subject of a 163-signature classification petition and planned accessible pathway.
• Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre (recreation facility)
  Practical completion announced; fees and charges were amended for stadium use.
• Girrawheen Hub (community infrastructure project)
  Project budget increased to approximately $31.318 million.
• Lot 600, Wattle Avenue, Neerabup (resource recovery project area)
  Location of Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct.
• Carramar Golf Course (golf facility)
  Machinery diesel fuel tank replacement received additional funding.
• Caraway Park, Two Rocks (park)
  Preliminary telecommunications site proposal requiring further investigation.
• Jindalee (suburb)
  Subject of development petition and multiple-dwelling planning matters.

Next

• Administration to present a report responding to the Addison Park classification petition.
  November 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting
• Deliver the accessible pathway to the Addison Park barbecue and picnic setting.
  Scheduled for January 2027
• Continue investigations and discussions regarding the proposed Caraway Park telecommunications site.
  Before any future decision or development application determination
• Complete the additional operational risk assessment for the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre and provide it to Council Members.
  Expected December 2026
• Continue progressing required approvals and financial planning for Stage 1 of the Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct.
  Ongoing; further outcomes anticipated through future Council and agency processes

Extract

COUNCIL MINUTES Unconfirmed Minutes Ordinary Council Meeting 6:00PM 27 October 2026 Council Chamber (Level 1), Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo wanneroo.wa.gov.au RECORDING AND ACCESS TO RECORDINGS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS POLICY 1. POLICY STATEMENT All Ordinary and Special Meetings of Council, Agenda Briefing Forums and meetings of Electors will be live streamed and digitally recorded, consistent with the objectives of the Local Government Act 1995, section 1.3 (2)(c), which promotes greater accountability of local governments to their communities. This policy does not apply to any part of the meeting which is closed to the public in accordance with section 5.23 of the Local Government...