Strategic & Corporate Committee - 14 September 2026

Topics

• Woollahra Oval basketball proposal cut back to netball-only courts
  Council has limited the proposed new courts at Woollahra Oval 2 and 3 to netball, citing concerns about training access and basketball noise.
  The decision affects nearby residents, sporting clubs and future users of the oval, while the project still requires environmental assessment.
• Environmental review to test parking, traffic and noise impacts of Woollahra Oval courts
  A formal Review of Environmental Factors will investigate parking redesign, traffic controls, acoustic impacts, lighting, trees and access before the proposed courts proceed.
  The review creates a further decision point for residents concerned about evening activity, traffic, noise and pedestrian safety.
• Developers’ public art rules head to 28-day exhibition
  Woollahra Council will publicly exhibit draft Public Art Guidelines for Developers before returning with a report on submissions.
  The guidelines could shape public art requirements and expectations for future development projects across the municipality.

Decisions

• Netball courts proposed for Woollahra Oval 2 and 3
  The committee resolved to prepare a Review of Environmental Factors for proposed netball courts. The assessment is to cover technical and specialist studies, parking redesign opportunities, traffic and parking management, additional tree planting, acoustic impacts, access improvements, consultation with sporting groups, and lighting limited to no later than 9.00pm with low poles. The proposal was limited to netball only; basketball courts were excluded.
  Residents will have further opportunities to comment on the environmental, traffic, parking, noise, lighting and access impacts before the project proceeds.
• Draft Public Art Guidelines for Developers placed on exhibition
  The committee endorsed the draft Public Art Guidelines for Developers for 28 days. A further report will consider submissions received during the exhibition period.
  Residents, developers and artists can review the proposed guidelines and make submissions during the exhibition period.
• Artwork donations recommended for approval
  The committee recommended approval of 11 artwork donations by Martin Sharp, indicatively valued at $34,500, and the artwork Sun Disks by Diego Latella, valued at $50,000.
  If approved, the donations would add significant artworks to Council’s collection without a reported purchase cost.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan annual report noted
  The committee received and noted the 2025/26 annual report for the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026.
  The report provides an update on Council’s work to improve inclusion and accessibility for people with disability, older people and carers.
• Monthly financial report noted
  The committee received and noted the Monthly Financial Report for August 2026.
  The report provides a regular update on Council’s financial position and performance.

Discussion

• Environmental assessment for Woollahra Oval courts
  A Review of Environmental Factors will be prepared for proposed netball courts at Woollahra Oval 2 and 3, including specialist investigations into environmental and community impacts.
  The assessment is intended to inform whether and how the courts should proceed.
• Traffic, parking, noise and lighting controls
  The resolution requires investigation of additional parking, traffic and parking management, acoustic impacts, tree planting, improved pathways and gates, and lighting that ends by 9.00pm.
  These controls directly address likely impacts on nearby residents and existing oval users.
• Public exhibition of developer public art guidelines
  Draft guidelines will be publicly exhibited for 28 days before a later report on submissions.
  The guidelines may influence public art associated with future development in the municipality.
• Council finances and annual accounts
  The committee noted the August 2026 monthly financial report and considered the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026, prepared under applicable local-government and accounting requirements.
  These reports provide transparency about Council’s financial position and annual performance.

Impacts

• The proposed Woollahra Oval courts are limited to netball rather than both netball and basketball.
• A formal environmental review will examine parking, traffic, noise, lighting, landscaping and pedestrian access before the project progresses.
• Court lighting is to be unavailable after 9.00pm under the resolved recommendation.
• Residents and other stakeholders can comment on the draft Public Art Guidelines for Developers during a 28-day exhibition.

Places

• Woollahra Oval 2 and 3 (recreation facility)
  Site of the proposed netball courts and associated parking, access, lighting and landscaping investigations.
• Mannion Avenue (road)
  Adjacent to the proposed court site; referenced in a councillor’s conflict-of-interest declaration.
• Rose Bay (suburb)
  28 Kent Road, Rose Bay was referenced in a conflict-of-interest declaration.
• Council Chambers, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay (civic facility)
  Venue of the meeting.

Next

• Prepare a Review of Environmental Factors and specialist studies for the proposed netball courts.
  Before any further decision on the court proposal.
• Investigate parking redesign, traffic and parking management, acoustic impacts, tree planting, lighting and access improvements for Woollahra Oval 2 and 3.
  As part of the environmental review and project development.
• Place the draft Public Art Guidelines for Developers on public exhibition.
  For 28 days after endorsement.
• Report back on submissions to the draft Public Art Guidelines.
  At a future Strategic & Corporate Committee and Council meeting.
• Consider final approval of the recommended artwork donations and unaudited annual financial statements.
  At the relevant subsequent Council decision point.

Extract

Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 14 September 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 14 September 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 14 September 2026 at 6:30 PM. Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio (via zoom, joined the meeting at 6:46pm, and in person at 6:52pm during Item 6) Councillors:Sean Carmichael (Deputy Mayor) Alexander Andruska (via zoom, joined the meeting at 8:09pm during Item 9.3) James Ardouin Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harri...