Strategic Planning and Development Committee - 02/06/2026

Topics

• Council adopts footpath goods display policy
  New rules set how goods can be displayed on footpaths in the Waverley area.
  Affects traders, footpath use and compliance across the local centre network.
• No private pot plants allowed on public land
  Council rejects a push to allow removable private pots on verges and laneways.
  Clarifies what residents can place in the public domain and reinforces current verge gardening rules.
• Heritage planning proposal delayed for briefing
  A heritage policy implementation proposal has been pushed back and needs extra time from the state planning department.
  Delays potential planning changes and keeps heritage rules under active review.

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 in public areas, with implications for street amenity and trader compliance.
• Waverley Local Planning Panel membership reappointed
  Council treated the membership attachment as confidential and reappointed expert members and community representatives to the Waverley Local Planning Panel until 30 June 2029.
  Maintains the panel that helps determine significant planning matters in the local area.
• Private removable pot plants on public land not permitted
  Council decided not to amend the Waverley DCP, Public Gardening Policy or Verge Garden Guidelines to permit private removable pot plants in the public domain, including on footpath verges and in laneways.
  Residents and businesses cannot place private removable pot plants on public land outside existing approved gardening arrangements.
• Heritage policy planning proposal 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.
  Delays any immediate change to the heritage planning framework and pushes the matter into further councillor consideration.

Discussion

• Waverley Business Forum minutes noted
  Council noted the minutes of the Waverley Business Forum meeting held on 5 March 2026.
  Administrative note only; no direct service or policy change recorded.
• Previous minutes confirmed
  Council confirmed the minutes of the Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting held on 5 May 2026 as a true record.
  Routine governance item with no direct resident impact.

Impacts

• Footpath trading and goods display rules have been formally updated.
• The Local Planning Panel remains in place with reappointed members through June 2029.
• Private removable pot plants on public land will not be allowed under current policy.
• Existing compliant verge gardens remain supported, but informal additions to public land are not permitted.
• Heritage policy changes will be delayed pending councillor briefing and a requested extension.

Places

• Bondi Junction (locality)
  Meeting held at The Boot Factory in Spring Street, Bondi Junction.
• Waverley (local government area)
  Policies and planning matters relate to Waverley Council area.
• Spring Street (road)
  Venue location for the committee meeting at The Boot Factory.
• Footpath verges (public realm)
  Referenced in the decision not to allow private removable pot plants.
• Laneways (public realm)
  Referenced in the decision not to allow private removable pot plants.

Next

• Implement the adopted Display of Goods on the Footpath Policy and Guidelines
  Immediately after adoption
• Proceed with reappointments to the Waverley Local Planning Panel until 30 June 2029
  As resolved by Council
• Maintain current rules against private removable pot plants on public land
  Ongoing
• Refer the heritage policy item to a councillor briefing and seek an extension from the Department
  Before 16 June 2026, with extension requested to 16 September 2026

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...