Ordinary Council Meeting - 28 September 2026

Topics

• Woollahra Oval courts advance to environmental review after community consultation
  Council will commission a Review of Environmental Factors for proposed netball and basketball courts at Woollahra Oval 2 and 3, focusing on traffic, parking, noise and amenity.
  The project could change evening activity and neighbourhood conditions near Manion Avenue and Kent Road, but has not yet received final approval.
• Council escalates opposition to Rose Bay development and groundwater risks
  Council challenged State planning outcomes involving hundreds of potential Rose Bay dwellings, citing cumulative traffic, excavation, groundwater drawdown, flooding and building-damage risks.
  Rose Bay is facing significant development pressure, while Council says existing roads and local groundwater conditions may not be adequately assessed cumulatively.
• 806-signature Paddington bench petition prompts simpler approval review
  Council referred an 806-signature petition opposing removal of a William Street bench and will investigate a simpler approval pathway for public-domain seating.
  The issue combines a visible local amenity dispute with concerns about cost, complexity and administrative barriers for businesses and residents.

Decisions

• Mayor elected
  Councillor Sarah Dixson was elected Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council through to 8 September 2028 after being the sole nomination.
  Residents have a new elected Mayor for the remainder of the council term.
• Deputy Mayor elected
  Councillor Hugh Woodgate was elected Deputy Mayor through to 8 September 2028, defeating Councillor Matthew Robertson by 10 votes to 4.
  The Deputy Mayor will support the Mayor and Council leadership until September 2028.
• Outdoor fitness station preferred for Cooper Park
  Council endorsed Cooper Park Amphitheatre as the preferred location for an outdoor fitness station and authorised detailed design and community consultation using funding from the 2026/27 Capital Works Program.
  Residents will have a further opportunity to comment before the proposed fitness equipment proceeds.
• Public-tree vandalism response strengthened
  Council adopted an addendum to the Woollahra Tree Management Policy covering responses to tree vandalism and poisoning, including signage, temporary screening, replacement planting, surveillance, education, enforcement and restoration measures.
  The policy provides additional tools to protect public trees and respond to deliberate damage.
• Netball and basketball courts move to environmental assessment
  Council noted consultation outcomes for proposed courts at Woollahra Oval 2 and 3 and resolved to prepare a Review of Environmental Factors, including technical and specialist studies. The assessment must consider traffic, parking, noise and amenity impacts, including activities occurring concurrently and evening operating times, with a further report to follow.
  The project has not received final approval. Its environmental, traffic, parking and neighbourhood impacts will be assessed before Council considers whether to proceed.
• Development contributions amendment to be exhibited
  Council resolved to publicly exhibit Amendment 5 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022.
  Residents and developers will have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to development contribution arrangements.
• Kiaora Place advertising tender rejected and negotiations authorised
  Council rejected all tenders for internal advertising at Kiaora Place Shopping Centre, Double Bay, and authorised the General Manager to negotiate with Cartology, oOh!media, VMO, QMS Media and JCDecaux.
  Council will seek a commercial outcome through negotiations rather than immediately awarding the tender.
• Artwork donations accepted
  Council approved 11 artwork donations by Martin Sharp, indicatively valued at $34,500, and Diego Latella's Sun Disks, valued at $50,000.
  The donations will add publicly owned artworks to Council's collection, although the minutes excerpt does not specify display locations.
• Victoria Road pedestrian crossing investigation requested
  Council asked the General Manager to investigate a pedestrian crossing on Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, between Riddell Street and Birriga Road, and other options near Bellevue Hill Public School, the Bellevue Hill shops and Cooper Park.
  A future report will examine safer crossing options for children, pedestrians and park users.
• William Street bench petition referred for action
  Council tabled a petition with 806 signatures opposing removal of the community bench outside a shop on William Street, Paddington. It referred the petition to the relevant department and requested a report on simplifying approvals for bench seating in the public domain.
  Council will investigate whether businesses and communities can obtain approvals for public bench seating more simply.
• Council objects to Rose Bay State Significant Development
  Council recorded concerns about the State Significant Development proposal at 11-31 Hamilton Street and 36-56 Dover Road, Rose Bay, which proposes three buildings of 8 to 12 storeys with 433 dwellings, including 5% affordable housing, alongside rezoning.
  Council raised cumulative traffic, flooding, groundwater, excavation and infrastructure concerns as Rose Bay faces multiple development proposals.
• Council objects to approval at 23-31 Dover Road
  Council opposed DPHI's approval of an eight-storey, 49-apartment development at 23-31 Dover Road, Rose Bay, including nine affordable housing apartments and two basement parking levels. Council's concerns included groundwater drawdown, excavation impacts, vibration limits and the lack of cumulative groundwater modelling.
  The decision highlights ongoing concerns about construction-related damage, flooding and groundwater risks in Rose Bay.

Discussion

• Rose Bay development pressure and environmental risk
  Council cited more than 20 development applications or State Significant Development applications already lodged or approved in Rose Bay under the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, potentially delivering over 500 dwellings, and raised concerns about traffic capacity, groundwater, flooding, excavation and building damage.
  Residents may see substantial additional housing and construction activity while Council continues to seek broader traffic and hydrogeological studies.
• Sports facilities at Woollahra Oval
  The proposed netball and basketball courts will undergo a Review of Environmental Factors following community consultation. The assessment is to address traffic, parking, noise and amenity impacts.
  Residents near Woollahra Oval, Manion Avenue and Kent Road will be affected by the assessment and any later decision on the courts.
• Protection of public trees
  Council adopted a policy addendum allowing a coordinated response to tree vandalism and poisoning, including replacement planting, monitoring, deterrence and enforcement.
  The changes aim to protect street and park trees and improve restoration after damage.
• Public-domain seating
  An 806-signature petition called for the William Street, Paddington bench to remain. Council requested options for a simpler approval process for bench seats and acknowledged the administrative burden raised by petitioners.
  The follow-up could affect small businesses, shoppers, older residents and people who rely on informal seating in local centres.
• Rose Bay traffic and pedestrian safety
  Council requested a report on a new pedestrian crossing or other safety measures on Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, and separately cited capacity concerns at the Dover Road/New South Head Road intersection in its Rose Bay planning objections.
  The actions address both local pedestrian safety and the cumulative transport effects of development.
• Kiaora Place commercial advertising
  Council rejected all advertising tender responses and moved to direct negotiations with five media operators to seek a better financial result.
  The outcome may affect Council revenue from its Double Bay shopping centre.

Impacts

• A proposed outdoor fitness station at Cooper Park Amphitheatre will proceed to detailed design and community consultation.
• The Woollahra Oval courts remain subject to environmental and technical assessment rather than final approval.
• Residents can comment on the proposed amendment to the Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan during public exhibition.
• Council will investigate safer crossing options near Bellevue Hill Public School, Bellevue Hill shops and Cooper Park.
• Council will investigate a simpler process for approving community or business-supported bench seating in Paddington and elsewhere.
• Council is continuing to oppose or scrutinise State-led Rose Bay developments because of traffic, groundwater, flooding, excavation and amenity concerns.

Places

• Cooper Park Amphitheatre (park/facility)
  Preferred location for a proposed outdoor fitness station.
• Woollahra Oval 2 and 3 (sports facility)
  Proposed location for netball and basketball courts subject to a Review of Environmental Factors.
• Manion Avenue (road)
  Neighbouring area identified in relation to noise and screening impacts from the proposed courts.
• Kent Road (road)
  Neighbouring boundary where planting and screening were discussed for the proposed courts.
• William Street, Paddington (street/local centre)
  Location of the community bench subject to an 806-signature petition.
• Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill (road)
  Area proposed for investigation of a pedestrian crossing between Riddell Street and Birriga Road.
• Rose Bay (suburb)
  Area affected by proposed and approved residential developments and Council's planning objections.
• Kiaora Place, Double Bay (shopping centre)
  Location of the internal advertising procurement.

Next

• Undertake detailed design and community consultation for the Cooper Park Amphitheatre outdoor fitness station.
  During the 2026/27 Capital Works Program; timing for consultation was not specified.
• Prepare a Review of Environmental Factors and associated technical and specialist studies for the proposed Woollahra Oval courts.
  Before a further Council report on whether the project should progress.
• Exhibit Amendment 5 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022.
  Public exhibition; dates were not specified.
• Investigate pedestrian crossing and other safety options on Victoria Road near Bellevue Hill Public School, the Bellevue Hill shops and Cooper Park.
  A future report to Council; timing was not specified.
• Investigate options for simplifying approval of public-domain bench seats and report back to Council.
  Future report; timing was not specified.
• Negotiate with the five shortlisted advertising operators and delegate contract authority to the General Manager.
  Following rejection of all tender responses; timing was not specified.

Extract

Ordinary Council Monday, 28 September 2026 6:30 PM Minutes UNCONFIRMED Woollahra Municipal Council Ordinary Council 28 September 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 28 September 2026 at 6:30 PM. Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Alexander Andruska James Ardouin Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Matthew Robertson Mark Silcocks Torsten Merrill Witt Hugh Woodgate Toni Zeltzer Staff:Craig Swift-McNair - General Manager Jennifer Chenhall - Manager, Governance & Risk James Dolton - Chief Finan...