Ordinary Council Meeting - 27 July 2026

Topics

• Council challenges Rose Bay tower approval over traffic, parking and groundwater risks
  Woollahra Council will lobby state political leaders over the approval of a nine-storey, 54-unit development at 2-16 Spencer Street.
  The Council says unresolved concerns include 110 basement car spaces, cumulative traffic, deep excavation, groundwater drawdown, settlement and flooding across a heavily developing part of Rose Bay.
• Bellevue Hill traffic calming and parking restrictions near Scots College to be investigated
  Council approved in principle a pedestrian refuge and kerb extensions while investigating parking restrictions on streets around Scots College.
  The outcome could change pedestrian safety measures, parking access and school-related traffic management for nearby residents and families.
• Paddington flood-mitigation plan goes to 28-day public exhibition
  Council has released a draft concept design for the Cecil Street to Trumper Park flood-mitigation project for public comment.
  The exhibition gives affected residents an opportunity to influence a project intended to address local flood risk before a further report is prepared.

Decisions

• Housing SEPP contributions
  Council noted Homes NSW correspondence about allocating Woollahra Housing SEPP developer contributions to the Women’s Housing Company for affordable housing in Maroubra. Council noted the allocation is consistent with the relevant ministerial direction and requested continued consultation about future contributions generated within Woollahra.
  Affordable-housing contributions generated locally may be spent in Woollahra or adjoining areas under the applicable state direction.
• Cranbrook Road traffic measures
  Council approved in principle traffic-calming measures, including a pedestrian refuge with kerb extensions, at Cranbrook Road and Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill. It also sought investigation of possible parking restrictions and traffic-management options around Scots College, subject to community consultation and further action after the relevant development consent period.
  Residents may see design work and consultation about pedestrian safety, traffic calming and parking near Bellevue Hill streets and Scots College.
• Rose Bay development objection
  Council resolved to object to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces regarding approval of SSD-86122958 at 2-16 Spencer Street, Rose Bay. The motion raised concerns about traffic, parking, affordability, groundwater, settlement, flooding, basement excavation and the cumulative impact of other developments.
  The approved nine-storey, 54-unit development and related cumulative impacts may affect traffic, parking, construction risks and surrounding properties in Rose Bay.
• Flood-mitigation concept design exhibition
  Council endorsed the draft concept design for the Cecil Street, Paddington to Trumper Park Flood Mitigation Project for 28 days of public exhibition. A further report will consider submissions after the exhibition.
  Residents can review the proposal and make submissions during the public exhibition period.
• Construction traffic management guideline
  Council endorsed the 2026 Guideline for Construction Traffic Management Plans. Council will update its standard development condition, investigate whether City of Sydney guidance contains material additions, and examine whether on-the-spot fines can be imposed.
  Future construction projects may face clearer traffic-management requirements and potentially stronger enforcement.
• Local-government elections and conduct reforms
  Council endorsed an in-principle response to the NSW Electoral Commission survey on election costs, with the General Manager authorised to finalise it. Council also endorsed a submission on the draft Model Code of Conduct subject to deleting Part M, and authorised submission by 7 August 2026.
  These decisions contribute to state-level discussions about election costs, councillor conduct and local-government administration.

Discussion

• Strategic and Corporate Committee delegations
  Council adopted the Delegations Framework for the Strategic and Corporate Committee, subject to an administrative amendment.
  The framework sets how authority is exercised and decisions are handled through the committee.
• Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026
  Council asked the Mayor to write to state political leaders about the perceived inefficiencies and impracticalities of the regulation changes and resolved to raise the concerns at the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference.
  The changes may affect how Council meetings and local decisions are conducted.
• Monthly financial report
  Council received and noted the Monthly Financial Report for June 2026.
  The report provides an update on Council’s financial position, but the extracted minutes do not include specific financial figures or new spending decisions.

Impacts

• A 28-day public exhibition will be held for the Cecil Street, Paddington to Trumper Park flood-mitigation concept design.
• Traffic-calming and pedestrian-safety measures are proposed in principle at Cranbrook Road and Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill.
• Possible parking restrictions around Scots College require investigation and consultation with affected residents before implementation.
• Council will pursue state-level representations about the approval and potential cumulative impacts of development at 2-16 Spencer Street, Rose Bay.
• Construction projects may be subject to updated traffic-management information requirements and possible future on-the-spot fines.
• Council’s submissions on election costs and councillor conduct reforms will be lodged with state agencies, with the conduct submission due by 7 August 2026.

Places

• Woollahra local government area (local government area)
  Source area for Housing SEPP developer contributions and the Council’s local-government policy positions.
• Maroubra (suburb)
  Location identified for the affordable housing units proposed to be purchased using Woollahra contributions.
• Cranbrook Road and Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill (intersection/project area)
  Location of proposed traffic calming and pedestrian refuge measures.
• Scots College vicinity (school precinct)
  Area covered by investigation of parking restrictions and traffic-management strategies.
• Cecil Street, Paddington to Trumper Park (flood-mitigation project area)
  Location of the draft concept design released for public exhibition.
• 2-16 Spencer Street, Rose Bay (development site)
  Approved SSD-86122958 development subject to Council’s objection.
• Rose Bay (suburb)
  Area identified as facing cumulative traffic, groundwater, settlement and flooding concerns from multiple developments.

Next

• Place the Cecil Street to Trumper Park flood-mitigation concept design on public exhibition for 28 days.
  Following the 27 July 2026 resolution
• Prepare a further report for the Finance, Community & Services Committee after exhibition submissions are assessed.
  After the public exhibition period
• Investigate parking restrictions and related traffic-management measures around Scots College, including consultation requirements.
  Further investigation; no specific date stated
• Write to the Headmaster of Scots College about reducing the parking burden on local roads.
  Following the 27 July 2026 resolution
• Update the standard construction traffic-management condition and investigate City of Sydney guidance and possible on-the-spot fines.
  Future administrative investigation; no specific date stated
• Finalise and lodge the Council’s NSW Electoral Commission survey response.
  No specific date stated
• Finalise and lodge the councillor conduct reform submission.
  By 7 Aug 2026
• Send representations about the Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 and submit a motion to the 2026 Local Government NSW Conference.
  Before the 2026 conference; exact dates not stated

Extract

Ordinary Council Monday, 27 July 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Ordinary Council 27 July 2026 Page | 2 Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes of the Meeting of Ordinary Council held at the Council Chambers, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, on 27 July 2026 at 6:30 PM. Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Sean Carmichael (Deputy Mayor) Alexander Andruska James Ardouin Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price (via Zoom, joined and left meeting at 6:43pm during Item 11.1) Lucinda Regan Mark Silcocks Torsten Merrill Witt Hugh Woodgate Toni Zeltzer Note:On 25 May 2026, Council resolved to grant Councill...