Strategic & Corporate Committee - 7 September 2026

Topics

• Cooper Park fitness station moves to design and consultation
  Council has selected Cooper Park Amphitheatre as the preferred site for a new outdoor fitness station and allocated 2026/27 capital-works funding.
  Residents will be affected by the facility and will have a chance to comment on its design.
• Woollahra proposes tougher response to vandalised public trees
  A proposed Tree Management Policy addendum would introduce a coordinated response including surveillance, replacement planting, signage, education and enforcement.
  The measures could change how Council responds when public trees are poisoned or vandalised across streets and parks.
• Woollahra development contributions amendment set for public exhibition
  The committee recommended exhibiting Amendment 5 to the municipality’s Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022.
  Development contributions can affect development costs and the infrastructure funding available to the local community.

Decisions

• Cooper Park outdoor fitness station
  The committee endorsed Cooper Park Amphitheatre as the preferred location for an outdoor fitness station and supported detailed design and community consultation using funding from the 2026/27 Capital Works Program Exercise Station Project (02079). The vote recorded was 12–0.
  Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed facility before detailed design proceeds.
• Response to public-tree vandalism
  The committee recommended adopting an addendum to the Woollahra Tree Management Policy covering signage and banners, temporary screening, replacement planting, surveillance and monitoring, community education, deterrence, enforcement and restoration measures for tree vandalism and poisoning.
  The policy would give Council a formal framework for responding to damage to public trees in streets and parks.
• Development contributions plan exhibition
  The committee recommended exhibiting Amendment 5 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 for public comment.
  Residents, developers and other interested parties will be able to review and comment on the proposed changes to development contributions.
• Kiaora Place advertising tender negotiations
  Council rejected all tenders for internal advertising at Kiaora Place Shopping Centre and authorised negotiations with Cartology Pty Limited, oOh!media, VMO, QMS Media and JCDecaux. The General Manager was delegated authority to negotiate and enter into a contract with the preferred vendor. New tenders will not be invited because they were considered unlikely to produce a favourable result.
  Advertising arrangements at the Double Bay shopping centre will be determined through negotiations rather than a new tender round.

Discussion

• Cooper Park Master Plan implementation
  The report noted additional locations for consideration through future capital works budgets and external grant funding, and ongoing engagement with Greater Sydney Parklands about recreation and open-space opportunities accessible to Woollahra residents.
  Some future recreation projects may depend on later budget decisions, grant funding and discussions with Greater Sydney Parklands.
• Public consultation and future funding
  The outdoor fitness station will proceed to detailed design and community consultation using an allocation in the 2026/27 Capital Works Program. Other locations identified in the Cooper Park report remain subject to future funding deliberations.
  The preferred fitness-station site is progressing, while other potential improvements are not yet funded or approved.

Impacts

• A proposed outdoor fitness station at Cooper Park Amphitheatre will move to detailed design and community consultation.
• Council is considering a broader set of measures to deter and repair vandalism or poisoning of public trees.
• Amendment 5 to the Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan will be placed on public exhibition if the recommendation is adopted.
• Advertising at Kiaora Place will be procured through negotiations with five named market participants after all submitted tenders were rejected.

Places

• Cooper Park Amphitheatre (park facility)
  Preferred location for the proposed outdoor fitness station.
• Cooper Park (park)
  Subject of the master plan implementation and future recreation opportunities.
• Kiaora Place Shopping Centre, Double Bay (shopping centre)
  Location of the internal advertising procurement.
• Woollahra (municipality)
  Area covered by the Tree Management Policy and Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan.
• Greater Sydney Parklands (open-space network)
  Organisation involved in discussions about recreation and open-space opportunities accessible to Woollahra residents.

Next

• Prepare detailed design and undertake community consultation for the Cooper Park Amphitheatre outdoor fitness station.
  Following the committee decision; funded in the 2026/27 Capital Works Program.
• Consider additional Cooper Park locations through future capital works budget deliberations and external grant opportunities.
  Future budget and grant funding processes.
• Exhibit Amendment 5 to the Woollahra Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2022 for public comment.
  Following adoption of the committee recommendation by Council.
• Negotiate with the five advertising vendors and select a preferred vendor for Kiaora Place.
  Following the committee authorisation; the General Manager has delegated contracting authority.

Extract

Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 7 September 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 7 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 7 September 2026 at 6:30 PM. Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Alexander Andruska James Ardouin (via Zoom, joined meeting at 6:54pm during item 9.4) Mary-Lou Jarvis (via Zoom, joined meeting at 6:31pm during item 4) Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price (joined meeting at 6:32pm during item 5) Lucinda Regan Mar...