Council - 24/02/2026

Key decisions

• 2025–26 Q2 budget review adopted
  Council adopted variations to the 2025–26 operating and capital budgets and noted the projected financial position is satisfactory.
  Affects delivery and funding of council services, projects and capital works.
• Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee appointment and remuneration update
  Council appointed Lisa Berwick as an independent ARIC member until 15 March 2030 and increased meeting remuneration for the Chair and members.
  Supports council oversight, governance and financial accountability.
• Telephony and contact centre contract extension approved
  Council approved a procurement exemption to extend the current contract with Generation-E Productivity Solutions Pty Ltd for the Customer Service Contact Centre and Enterprise Telephony System for three years.
  Helps maintain council customer service and telephony operations without interruption.
• Code of Conduct advisory services tender outcome approved
  Council dealt with a confidential tender evaluation for the SSROC panel for Code of Conduct and associated advisory services.
  Relates to governance, complaint handling and standards of conduct across council processes.
• National advocacy motion on antisemitism and social cohesion endorsed
  Council agreed to submit an ALGA National General Assembly motion calling on the Australian Government to initiate and fund a national framework and civic education program to combat antisemitism, racism, hatred and bigotry and promote social cohesion.
  May influence future federal support for local community cohesion and anti-racism initiatives.
• National advocacy motion on active transport endorsed
  Council agreed to submit an ALGA National General Assembly motion seeking Commonwealth recognition of walking, cycling and micromobility as essential transport infrastructure and calling for coordinated funding support.
  Could support future local investment in safer walking, cycling and micromobility networks.

Important topics

• Impact of the Bondi Beach terror attack
  Council noted the significant impact of the attack on the Waverley local government area, including increased operational demands and disruption to community events and services.
  Signals ongoing service and community impacts being considered in council budgeting and operations.
• Councillor interests and expenses reporting
  Council noted councillor expenses and facilities for 1 July to 31 December 2025 and noted returns disclosing councillor interests.
  Improves transparency about elected representatives’ spending and declared interests.
• Investment portfolio reporting
  Council noted investment summary reports for November 2025 and January 2026 and recorded that investments complied with legislative and policy requirements.
  Shows council is monitoring public funds and reporting on compliance.
• Waste management advocacy motion withdrawn
  A proposed ALGA motion on nationally consistent product stewardship and support for local government waste and resource recovery services was withdrawn.
  No advocacy position was adopted on this issue at this meeting.

Resident impacts

• Budget changes may affect the timing or scope of council projects and services.
• Customer contact centre and telephony services are set to continue under an extended contract.
• Council is pursuing federal advocacy on social cohesion and active transport that may shape future funding and policy.
• Governance and audit oversight arrangements were updated through an independent committee appointment.

Places affected

• Bondi Beach (locality)
  Referenced in relation to the terror attack and its impact on the area.
• Bondi Junction (locality)
  Meeting held at The Boot Factory on Spring Street.
• Spring Street, Bondi Junction (road)
  Location of The Boot Factory, where the meeting was held.
• Waverley local government area (council area)
  Area affected by budget decisions, service impacts and advocacy positions.

Next steps

• Submit the endorsed motions on social cohesion and active transport to the 2026 ALGA National General Assembly
  Following the meeting
• Finalise negotiations and execute documentation for the telephony and contact centre contract extension
  Following council approval
• Implement the adopted Q2 budget variations for 2025–26
  During the 2025–26 financial year
• Commence Lisa Berwick's term as independent ARIC member and apply updated remuneration rates
  From appointment, until 15 March 2030

Extracted minutes text

This is of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 February 2026 MINUTES OF THE WAVERLEY COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 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 S...