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Waverley Council

Strategic Planning and Development Committee - 02/06/2026

The committee adopted a new footpath goods policy, refused private removable pot plants on public land, deferred heritage policy implementation for briefing and a planning extension request, and reappointed/appointed members to the Waverley Local Planning Panel.

2 June 2026Strategic Planning and Development CommitteeSummary available
Read the original minutes

Articles

environment Waverley rejects private pot plants on public land

Related

Issue Roads, traffic and parking Issue Projects and capital works Issue Planning, development and housing Area Bondi Junction Project Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Topics

  • Council adopts footpath goods policy
    New rules now govern how goods can be displayed on footpaths.
    Impacts shopfront trading, footpath use and compliance for local businesses.
  • Private pot plants on public land rejected
    Council declined to allow informal removable pot plants in the public domain.
    Clarifies what residents can and cannot place on verges and in laneways.
  • Heritage planning decision delayed
    Council deferred heritage policy implementation and sought more time from the State Government.
    Could delay changes affecting heritage-related planning decisions and development pathways.

Decisions

  • Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy adopted
    Council adopted the Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy and Guidelines.
    Affects how businesses can place goods on footpaths and may change street use in shopping areas.
  • Private pot plants on public land not permitted
    Council decided not to amend planning documents to allow private removable pot plants on public land, including footpath verges and laneways, and reaffirmed support for compliant verge gardens under existing policy.
    Residents cannot place informal private pot plants in the public domain; existing verge garden rules remain in place.
  • Heritage policy implementation deferred
    The planning proposal on heritage policy implementation was deferred to a Councillor briefing and Council requested a three-month extension from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, moving the deadline from 16 June 2026 to 16 September 2026.
    Delays decisions affecting heritage planning controls and may affect future development assessments.
  • Waverley Local Planning Panel membership renewed
    Council treated a panel membership attachment as confidential and reappointed expert members and appointed community representatives to the Waverley Local Planning Panel until 30 June 2029.
    Affects who will hear and decide some planning matters in the area.

Discussion

  • Waverley Business Forum minutes noted
    Council noted the minutes of the Waverley Business Forum meeting held on 5 March 2026.
    Provides background on local business engagement but did not change policy.
  • Confidential WLPP attachment
    A report attachment relating to WLPP membership was kept confidential because it contained commercial information.
    No public detail on the confidential material, but it related to panel appointments.

Impacts

  • Footpath trading and goods displays are now governed by the adopted policy and guidelines.
  • Private pot plants on footpaths, verges and laneways are not being allowed under current rules.
  • Heritage-related planning work has been pushed back while Council seeks more time from the State Government.
  • The Waverley Local Planning Panel’s membership has been refreshed through to June 2029.

Places

  • Bondi Junction (locality)
    Meeting held at The Boot Factory, Spring Street, Bondi Junction.
  • Waverley (local government area)
    Council policies and planning matters discussed for the area.
  • Footpath verges (public realm)
    Included in the refusal to permit private removable pot plants.
  • Laneways (public realm)
    Included in the refusal to permit private removable pot plants.

Next

  • Implement the adopted Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy and Guidelines
    Immediately after adoption
  • Seek a three-month extension from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
    From 16 June 2026 to 16 September 2026
  • Schedule a Councillor briefing on heritage policy implementation
    Before the extended deadline
  • Apply the renewed Waverley Local Planning Panel membership terms
    Up to 30 June 2029

Extract

This is of the minutes of the Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting held on 2 June 2026 MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON TUESDAY, 2 JUNE 2026 Present: Councillor Michelle Stephenson (Chair) Bondi Ward Councillor Will Nemesh (Mayor) 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 Lauren Townsend Lawson Ward Councillor Katherine Westwo...