Strategic & Corporate Committee - 15 June 2026

Topics

• Woollahra’s 2026-27 rates and annual charges package totals $77.95 million
  The committee advanced a rates and annual charges package totalling $77,949,211 for 2026-27.
  Ratepayers and households will be affected by the Council’s new revenue settings.
• Small businesses could receive 50% off footway and parklet approval fees
  A proposed 12-month fee reduction would halve approval fees for eligible small local businesses from 1 July 2026.
  The measure directly reduces operating costs for businesses using footways and parklets, subject to eligibility checks.
• Second parking permit fee increase removed from Woollahra budget changes
  The committee amended the financial plan to remove proposed changes to the second car parking permit fee increase.
  Residents with additional parking permits will not face the proposed budget change, subject to final adoption.

Decisions

• 2026-27 budget, rates and long-term financial plan
  The committee recommended adopting the 2026-27 Operational Plan and budget, the Long Term Financial Plan 2026-27 to 2035-36, and the 2026-27 rating structure. The package records total rates of $57,497,461, total annual charges of $20,451,750 and total rates and annual charges of $77,949,211. Amendments included removing proposed changes to the second car parking permit fee increase and continuing to explore pedestrianisation of Knox Street and/or Knox Lane in Double Bay.
  Residents will be affected by the adopted rates and annual charges, parking permit settings and future planning for Double Bay’s centre.
• Operational Plan amendments
  Recommended amendments included installing a rain garden and gross pollutant trap, supporting greater uptake of rooftop solar and batteries—particularly in apartment buildings—and establishing a mechanism to manage the distribution of affordable housing contributions.
  The changes concern local stormwater pollution, household energy options and affordable housing outcomes.
• Small local business fee reduction program
  The committee recommended a 50% fee reduction for eligible small local businesses holding footway or parklet approvals. Eligibility would use a gross annual turnover threshold of $3 million per individual premises, an opt-in application process and independent financial verification. The reduction would operate for 12 months from 1 July 2026, with the General Manager authorised to finalise the administrative arrangements and a January 2027 budget review to assess uptake and financial impact.
  Eligible local businesses may pay half the relevant footway or parklet approval fee for the specified 12-month period.
• 2026-27 grants and outgoing sponsorships
  The committee approved the staff selection committee’s recommendations for the 2026-27 Council Grants Program and Outgoing Sponsorship Program. Successful recipients were to be invited to a grants awards presentation on 20 August 2026. An amendment seeking to remove grants of $5,870 to Kincoppal Rose Bay, $9,750 to the Paddo Collective and $7,950 to the Paddington Chamber was lost.
  Community organisations and sponsorship recipients will receive funding under the approved program recommendations.
• Section 7.12 development contributions plan amendment
  The committee recommended approving the draft Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 (Amendment 4) following public exhibition.
  The plan sets the development contributions framework that can affect development costs and funding for local infrastructure.
• Councillor and mayoral fees
  The committee recommended setting the 2026-27 annual Councillor fee at the maximum rate of $24,080 and the Mayor’s additional fee at the maximum amount of $52,520, for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
  These payments are funded through Council’s budget.

Discussion

• Rates and annual charges
  The 2026-27 rating structure records $57,497,461 in rates, $20,451,750 in annual charges and $77,949,211 in total rates and annual charges.
  The figures form part of the 2026-27 revenue package affecting ratepayers and charge payers.
• Double Bay pedestrianisation and parking permits
  The committee removed proposed changes to the second car parking permit fee increase and amended the plan to continue exploring pedestrianisation of Knox Street and/or Knox Lane in Double Bay centre.
  Parking permit costs and the future layout and movement of Double Bay centre may be affected.
• Environmental infrastructure
  The Operational Plan was amended to include a rain garden and gross pollutant trap.
  The project is intended to improve stormwater management and reduce gross pollutants entering waterways.
• Rooftop solar and batteries
  The plan was amended to continue work supporting uptake of rooftop solar and batteries across the local government area, particularly in apartment buildings.
  Apartment residents may benefit from future Council support or facilitation measures.
• Affordable housing contributions
  The plan was amended to establish a mechanism to manage the distribution of affordable housing contributions.
  The mechanism may influence how affordable housing funds generated through development are allocated.

Impacts

• 2026-27 rates and annual charges are recorded at a combined $77,949,211.
• The proposed second car parking permit fee increase was removed from the budget changes.
• Eligible small local businesses with footway or parklet approvals may receive a 50% fee reduction for 12 months from 1 July 2026.
• Community grants and sponsorships for 2026-27 were approved under the staff selection committee recommendations.
• Development contributions settings may change if the Section 7.12 plan amendment is subsequently approved by Council.

Places

• Double Bay centre (town centre)
  Knox Street and/or Knox Lane pedestrianisation is to remain under exploration; second car parking permit fee changes were removed.
• Knox Street (street)
  Identified for possible pedestrianisation in Double Bay.
• Knox Lane (lane)
  Identified for possible pedestrianisation in Double Bay.
• Plumer Road, Rose Bay (road/locality)
  Listed in the 2026-27 rating structure.
• Queen Street, Woollahra (road/locality)
  Listed in the 2026-27 rating structure.
• Watsons Bay (locality)
  Listed in the 2026-27 rating structure.
• Grafton Street car park (car park)
  An amendment proposed further investigations into alternate uses, but the amendment was lost.
• Woollahra local government area (local government area)
  Area covered by the budget, rates, solar and battery uptake, and development contributions decisions.

Next

• Place the adopted 2026-27 rates, annual charges, budget and related documents on Council’s website and provide the relevant link to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government.
  Following adoption and statutory publication requirements.
• Implement the Small Local Business Fee Reduction Program, including opt-in applications and independent financial verification.
  Program to commence 1 July 2026 and operate for 12 months.
• Report on fee-reduction uptake and financial impacts as part of the January 2027 budget review.
  January 2027.
• Hold the grants awards presentation for successful 2026-27 recipients.
  20 August 2026 at 2:00 PM.
• Progress the draft Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 Amendment 4 for Council approval.
  After the committee recommendation and post-exhibition process.

Extract

Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 15 June 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee Agenda 15 June 2026 Strategic & Corporate Committee Minutes Monday, 15 June 2026 Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Alexander Andruska James Ardouin Sean Carmichael Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Mark Silcocks (via Zoom) Torsten Merrill Witt Hugh Woodgate Staff:Craig Swift-McNair - General Manager Rosemary Bullmore - General Counsel Petrina Duffy - Coordinator, Strategy and Performance Fiona Calverley - Governance & Meetings Officer Jennifer Chenhall - Manager, Governance & Risk Olivia Fr...