Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee - 01/09/2026

Topics

• Dudley Page Reserve to get public AED by end of 2026
  Council approved an externally accessible defibrillator at Dudley Page Reserve and began planning wider AED coverage across busy parks.
  Rapid access to an AED can be critical during cardiac emergencies, and the broader plan may determine where future units are installed.
• Council rejects fast-track for electric waste trucks amid fuel-shortage planning
  Council declined to fast-track emerging electric-vehicle technology for waste trucks while noting fuel-crisis measures in the 2026–27 budget.
  The decision shapes the future emissions, procurement and fuel-resilience strategy of a highly visible public service.
• Waverley flags tighter controls after capital-works program update
  Council noted completion of the 2025–26 Capital Works Program and proposed stronger controls for capital projects and program management.
  The changes may affect how residents track major works, project risks, delivery performance and future infrastructure spending.

Decisions

• Microplastic pollution
  Council noted that existing stormwater-network maintenance and litter-management programs help limit microplastics entering the coast and waterways.
  Supports ongoing measures to protect local beaches, waterways and public amenity.
• Capital Works Program update
  Council noted completion information for the 2025–26 Capital Works Program, updates on key projects and Strategic Asset Management Plan programs, and proposed improvements to capital-project and program-management controls.
  Provides accountability for major council projects and how future delivery risks will be managed.
• Fuel shortages and waste-collection vehicles
  Council decided not to fast-track the purchase of emerging electric-vehicle technologies for waste-collection trucks. It noted that potential fuel-crisis impacts were addressed in the 2026–27 budget and that on-site fuel storage at the Alexandria Integrated Facility was investigated but found not feasible.
  Waste-collection vehicle technology and fuel resilience will continue under existing plans rather than an accelerated electric-truck purchase or new on-site fuel storage.
• Automated external defibrillator at Dudley Page Reserve
  Council approved installation of an externally accessible AED at Dudley Page Reserve, aimed for completion by 31 December 2026. It also required Council-owned AEDs to be registered on the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and directed officers to prepare an AED coverage plan for other high-visitation and active-recreation parks and reserves.
  Improves access to emergency lifesaving equipment in public recreation areas and sets a process for identifying further locations.
• Draft financial statements
  Council noted the briefing paper on the draft Financial Statements 2025–26.
  Residents will have a clearer public record of Council’s financial position once the financial reporting process is completed.
• Lets Go Surfing licence amendment
  In confidential session, Council amended Milwac Trust’s licence for the operation of a surf school at Bondi Beach. The decision passed with one councillor voting against it.
  Changes the operating arrangements for a surf-school business at Bondi Beach, although the detailed commercial terms were confidential.
• General Manager performance and remuneration
  Council endorsed the assessment that the General Manager’s 2025–26 performance exceeded expectations, endorsed the 2026–27 performance agreement, and noted a 5% increase in the total remuneration package inclusive of the percentage determined by the Statutory and Other Officers Remuneration Tribunal.
  The decision affects senior council administration and the cost of the General Manager’s remuneration package.

Discussion

• Public AED coverage
  The committee approved a new AED at Dudley Page Reserve and requested a broader coverage plan based on visitation, recreation use, proximity to existing units, ambulance response times and power availability.
  Could lead to additional AED installations in parks and reserves across the local government area.
• Capital project oversight
  The committee received a completion update for the 2025–26 Capital Works Program and noted proposed improvements to project and program-management controls.
  May improve delivery, monitoring and reporting of infrastructure projects.
• Fuel resilience and waste services
  Council did not accelerate adoption of emerging electric waste-collection trucks and found on-site fuel storage at Alexandria Integrated Facility infeasible.
  The outcome affects the future resilience, procurement and environmental direction of waste services.
• Waterway and coastal pollution
  Existing stormwater maintenance and litter-management programs were recognised as important controls against microplastic pollution.
  Relates to the condition of local waterways and coastal areas.

Impacts

• An externally accessible AED is intended for Dudley Page Reserve by 31 December 2026.
• Council-owned AEDs must be registered on the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM platform.
• A future report is expected to prioritise AED coverage in other busy parks and reserves, including indicative costs and maintenance requirements.
• Waste-collection vehicle procurement will not be fast-tracked towards emerging electric technologies on the basis set out in the report.
• The proposed on-site fuel-storage investigation at Alexandria Integrated Facility will not proceed because it was found infeasible.
• The Bondi Beach surf-school licence has been amended, with detailed commercial terms kept confidential.
• The General Manager’s remuneration package will increase by 5% inclusive of the applicable SOORT percentage.

Places

• Dudley Page Reserve (reserve)
  Location approved for an externally accessible AED, targeted for installation by 31 December 2026.
• Alexandria Integrated Facility (waste facility)
  On-site fuel storage was investigated and found not feasible.
• Bondi Beach (beach)
  Location of the surf school operated by Milwac Trust trading as Lets Go Surfing.
• Bondi Junction (suburb and commercial centre)
  Confidential lease matter concerning 422 Oxford Street.
• North Bondi (suburb)
  Confidential lease matter concerning 63A Wairoa Avenue.
• local coast and waterways (service area)
  Affected by Council’s stormwater maintenance and litter-management programs addressing microplastics.

Next

• Install an externally accessible AED at Dudley Page Reserve.
  Targeted by 31 December 2026.
• Register all Council-owned AEDs on the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM platform.
  Required following the decision; no specific deadline stated.
• Prepare an AED coverage plan for remaining high-visitation and active-recreation parks and reserves, including indicative costs, installation sequencing and maintenance requirements.
  Report to Council in the next asset-planning cycle.
• Continue the 2026–27 budget response to potential fuel shortages and manage waste-collection vehicle procurement without fast-tracking emerging electric technologies.
  During the 2026–27 budget and procurement cycle.
• Implement proposed improvements to controls around capital project and program management.
  Timing not stated in the minutes.

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee meeting held on 1 September 2026 MINUTES OF THE FINANCE, OPERATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 Present: Councillor Katherine Westwood (Chair) Lawson Ward Councillor Will Nemesh (Mayor) Hunter 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 Keri Spooner Waverley Ward Councillor Michelle Stephenson Bondi Ward Councillor La...