Council - 16/06/2026

Topics

• Council adopts 2026–27 budget and fees
  Council has locked in its annual budget, pricing policy and councillor remuneration for the next financial year.
  Directly affects rates-style charges, service funding and how much residents pay for council services.
• Bondi Junction Master Plan exhibition extended amid calls for more modelling
  Council extended the public exhibition period for the Bondi Junction Master Plan to allow 3D modelling and shadow diagrams to be prepared.
  The extension affects consultation timing on a major precinct plan with height and density implications.
• Council backs public land transparency report for Bondi Junction
  A Bondi Junction public land governance motion was defeated then passed on the Chair’s casting vote.
  The report could shape future decisions on council-owned land, valuations and redevelopment talks in the precinct.

Decisions

• 2026–27 budget, pricing and fees adopted
  Council adopted the Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges 2026–27 and the 2026–27 budget. It also authorised the General Manager to make editorial and content changes before publication. One councillor asked for their vote against the motion to be recorded.
  Sets council charges, service fees and the annual budget that affect household costs and funding for services.
• Councillor and mayoral fees fixed for 2026–27
  Council set annual fees from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 at $24,080 for councillors, $52,520 extra for the Mayor, and $4,648 extra for the Deputy Mayor.
  Determines elected official remuneration funded through council budgets.
• Planning proposal for dual occupancies to be exhibited
  Council agreed to publicly exhibit the planning proposal and draft DCP amendment for the construction and subdivision of dual occupancies, and requested officers report back after exhibition.
  Could affect housing supply, development controls and neighbourhood form in Waverley.
• Planning agreement for 10 Carlisle Street, Tamarama approved
  Council approved a planning agreement for 10 Carlisle Street, Tamarama with a total monetary contribution of $1,333,447.30 to be allocated to the Coastal Parks Plan of Management, and authorised the General Manager to execute it.
  Brings developer contributions into local coastal park management and may affect development at the site.
• Australia Day celebrations to be expanded
  Council committed to increasing Council-run Australia Day celebrations and asked for a report on options for an event in 2027–2028, including live music, food stalls, themed attractions, sponsorship and budget needs.
  May change the scale and cost of future public holiday events for residents.
• Bondi Junction Master Plan exhibition extended
  Council extended the exhibition period for the Bondi Junction Master Plan to 10 July 2026 so 3D modelling and shadow diagrams can be produced and the community is properly informed.
  Gives residents more time to review and respond to planning changes affecting Bondi Junction.
• Bondi Junction public land governance report carried on casting vote
  Council requested a report on public land valuation, governance and transparency for the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan. The motion was initially lost but then carried on the Chair’s casting vote.
  Could influence future decisions about council-owned or public land, valuations and redevelopment negotiations in Bondi Junction.

Discussion

• Investment portfolio noted as compliant
  Council noted the May 2026 investment summary and the Responsible Accounting Officer advised investments complied with the Local Government Act and policy.
  Provides assurance on how council funds are being managed.
• Affordable housing tenancy policy put on exhibition
  Council agreed to publicly exhibit the draft Affordable Housing Program Tenancy Policy and Operating Guidelines for 28 days and then receive a follow-up report.
  May affect how affordable housing is allocated and managed.
• Short-term rental accommodation review deferred
  Council deferred consideration of the short-term rental accommodation impacts and review item to a July councillor workshop.
  Delays any decision on short-term rental regulation or response.
• Hollow-bearing wildlife habitat measures adopted
  Council endorsed several actions on habitat protection, nest boxes, wildlife organisation trials in parks, and further investigation of off-leash areas and water access for companion animals, with a report due in August.
  Affects local environmental management, parks use and companion animal access.
• Flickerfest granted extra financial assistance
  Council granted Flickerfest Pty Ltd an additional one-off $4,610 from the operational budget in response to the impact of the Bondi terror attack on the 2026 festival.
  Small direct funding decision for a local cultural event.
• Bondi Beach Cottage support motion passed
  Council recognised Bondi Beach Cottage’s role and advocated for Federal and State funding to support its ongoing caseload management and resilience work following the 14 December 2025 tragedy.
  Could affect community recovery services and future funding advocacy.

Impacts

• Household fees, charges and the council budget for 2026–27 were set.
• Planning controls for dual occupancies and Bondi Junction may change after exhibition and reports.
• Residents in Tamarama may see coastal park funding supported by a planning agreement contribution.
• Australia Day programming may expand, with possible budget implications.
• Community organisations such as Flickerfest and Bondi Beach Cottage received or sought support.
• Housing policy, short-term rental rules and affordable housing governance are still under review.
• Wildlife habitat, park design and companion animal access are being considered for future park planning.

Places

• Waverley (local government area)
  Council-wide budget, fees, planning and service decisions.
• Bondi Junction (town centre / precinct)
  Multiple Master Plan motions on exhibition timing, modelling, public land governance and consultation.
• Tamarama (suburb)
  Planning agreement at 10 Carlisle Street.
• Carlisle Street (road)
  Site of the approved planning agreement.
• Bondi Beach (suburb / beach precinct)
  Flickerfest support and Bondi Beach Cottage funding advocacy linked to community recovery.
• Waverley local government area (local government area)
  Habitat, parks and companion animal access measures.

Next

• Publish the adopted 2026–27 pricing policy, fees, charges and budget
  Before 1 July 2026
• Exhibit the affordable housing tenancy policy and operating guidelines
  For 28 days
• Exhibit the dual occupancy planning proposal and draft DCP amendment
  Following Gateway conditions / DPHI process
• Prepare a report on short-term rental accommodation impacts
  July councillor workshop
• Report back on habitat, nest boxes and companion animal access measures
  August 2026 Council meeting
• Provide Bondi Junction 3D modelling and shadow diagrams and extend consultation
  By 10 July 2026
• Bring a report on Australia Day event options for 2027–2028
  August 2026 Council meeting

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Council meeting on held on 16 June 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 16 JUNE 2026 Present: Councillor Will Nemesh (Mayor) (Chair) Hunter Ward Councillor Keri Spooner (Deputy Mayor) Waverley Ward Councillor Ludovico Fabiano Waverley Ward Councillor Dov Frazer Hunter Ward Councillor Steven Lewis Hunter Ward Councillor Paula Masselos Lawson Ward Councillor Margaret Merten Bondi Ward Councillor Joshua Spicer Waverley Ward Councillor Michelle Stephenson Bondi Ward Councillor Lauren Townsend Lawson Ward Councillor Katherine Westwood Lawson Ward Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak Bondi Ward Staff...