Strategic & Corporate Committee - 12 October 2026

Topics

• Woollahra committee backs six-month geotechnical trial amid basement excavation concerns
  Council’s committee has recommended specialist geotechnical oversight as basement development expands in Rose Bay, Double Bay and Bellevue Hill.
  The trial will affect how development applications are assessed and addresses resident concerns about excavation, ground conditions and groundwater.
• Double Bay parking changes to add permit spaces and alter Bay Street layout
  Several parking changes will reshape permit parking and parking orientation across Double Bay while keeping Bay Street two-way.
  Residents, businesses and visitors will be directly affected by new permit spaces, replacement restrictions and angled parking.
• Committee flags speed-compliance and traffic-calming review for Guilfoyle Avenue
  Guilfoyle Avenue will be examined for compliance with its 40km/h limit and possible traffic-calming measures.
  The review could lead to safety works or enforcement changes on a local street connected to pedestrian-safety concerns.

Decisions

• Specialist geotechnical expertise trial
  The Committee recommended noting a six-month trial secondment of a geotechnical engineer to assess development applications against Council controls. It also supported retaining additional qualified experts when needed and requested a report after the trial.
  The trial responds to concerns about basement excavation, groundwater flows and the cumulative effects of development, particularly in Rose Bay, Double Bay and Bellevue Hill.
• Parking changes in Woollahra and Double Bay
  The Committee resolved to replace and reinforce a No Parking sign in Australia Lane, Woollahra; convert a redundant mobility parking bay in Cross Street, Double Bay to permit-holder parking; and expand permit parking by about eight spaces in Manning Road, Double Bay.
  Residents and visitors will see changes to parking restrictions, signage and permit-parking availability in these streets.
• Bay Street traffic and parking arrangements retained
  The Committee resolved to retain two-way traffic in Bay Street, Double Bay between Cooper Street and New South Head Road, while approving angled parking on the western side, with two spaces remaining parallel near the intersections.
  The decision changes parking orientation while retaining the current traffic direction arrangements.
• High Pedestrian Activity Area review and safety actions
  The Committee noted the assessment criteria and post-implementation review for 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Areas in Rose Bay Centre and Queen Street, Woollahra. It also requested examination of compliance and possible traffic calming on Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay, and an audit of existing entry and exit treatments at HPAAs.
  The actions may lead to further speed-compliance measures or traffic-calming work in busy pedestrian areas.
• 2025–2026 audited financial statements
  The Committee recommended that Council note completion of the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 and thanked the presenting representatives.
  The statements provide residents with the completed annual financial reporting for Council.

Discussion

• Development excavation and groundwater oversight
  The Committee noted that several development applications, including six State Significant Development Applications, had been lodged or approved in Rose Bay under the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with further applications in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill. It also noted a study into cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow impacts.
  The issue is relevant to residents concerned about construction impacts, ground conditions, basements and groundwater.
• Monthly financial reporting
  The Committee recommended that Council receive and note the Monthly Financial Report for September 2026.
  The report is part of Council’s regular public financial accountability.

Impacts

• Parking signs and restrictions will change in Australia Lane, Woollahra, Cross Street, Double Bay and Manning Road, Double Bay.
• Bay Street, Double Bay will retain two-way traffic, with angled parking introduced on most of the western side.
• Council will examine speed-limit compliance and possible traffic calming on Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay.
• Geotechnical expertise will be trialled in development application assessments, with a follow-up report due after six months.
• Council is studying cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow impacts linked to basement construction in Double Bay and Rose Bay.

Places

• Australia Lane, Woollahra (road)
  No Parking signage near property No. 141 Edgecliff Road will be replaced to reinforce statutory restrictions.
• Cross Street, Double Bay (road)
  A redundant mobility parking restriction near No. 74 Cross Street will be replaced with permit-holder parking restrictions.
• Manning Road, Double Bay (road)
  Permit parking restrictions will be expanded by approximately eight spaces north of Wallaroy Crescent.
• Bay Street, Double Bay (road)
  Two-way traffic will remain; angled parking will be approved on the western side except for two spaces near New South Head Road and Cooper Street.
• Guilfoyle Avenue, Double Bay (road)
  Speed-limit compliance and possible traffic-calming measures will be examined.
• Rose Bay Centre (activity area)
  Subject to a post-implementation review of its 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area.
• Queen Street, Woollahra (activity area)
  Subject to a post-implementation review of its 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area.
• Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill (development areas)
  Affected by development applications and the geotechnical and groundwater-impact discussion.

Next

• Conduct the six-month geotechnical engineer secondment trial and assess development applications against adopted controls.
  Six-month trial period
• Table a report on the outcome of the geotechnical trial.
  After the six-month trial
• Continue the study of cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow impacts from basement construction in Double Bay and Rose Bay.
  Ongoing
• Implement the resolved parking-sign, parking-restriction and parking-layout changes.
  Timing not specified in the minutes
• Examine Guilfoyle Avenue speed-limit compliance and potential traffic-calming measures, and audit HPAA entry and exit treatments.
  Timing not specified in the minutes

Extract

Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 12 October 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 12 October 2026 Strategic & Corporate Committee Meeting Minutes of the Meeting of Strategic & Corporate Committee held at the Council Chambers, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, on 12 October 2026 at 6:30 PM. Present:Deputy Mayor, Councillor Hugh Woodgate Councillors:Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Matthew Robertson Mark Silcocks Torsten Toni Zeltzer Staff:Craig Swift-McNair - General Manager Emilio Andari - Manager, Engineering Services Rosemary Bullmore - General Counsel (via Zoom) Jennifer Chenha...