community services · Georges River Council
Georges River Council puts AI and verge rules on exhibition
Georges River Council endorsed draft artificial intelligence and verge management policies for at least 28 days of public exhibition at its 25 May meeting.
Georges River Council has put draft rules for artificial intelligence and verge management on public exhibition after unanimous votes at its meeting on 25 May 2026 in Hurstville.
The council endorsed the draft Artificial Intelligence Policy and the Draft Verge Management Policy for at least 28 days before they return for further consideration.
The verge policy is likely to draw attention from residents who look after nature strips. The AI policy will set the framework for how council uses automated tools in its own work.
The minutes say council wants feedback from residents, stakeholders and experts in environmental sustainability before it makes a final decision on the verge policy.
Mayor Elise Borg also moved a response to the expansion of Lime shared e-bike operations. Council noted the rollout and resolved to work with Lime on service levels, including parking compliance and operator responsiveness, launch a community awareness campaign, advocate for clearer regulation and funding for micromobility, and hold a councillor briefing or workshop.
Council also backed a formal submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry on emergency services funding reform before 19 June 2026. It wants reform of the Emergency Services Levy so the model is fairer, more transparent and more equitable, and it opposes councils acting as the primary collection agency through rate notices.
The meeting also adopted the quarterly budget review for the period ending 31 March 2026 and approved the proposed 2025/26 budget amendments.
Council adopted the 2025-2026 Round 2 community grants recommendations and approved a $10,000 outgoing sponsorship for the Kingsway Community Care fundraising dinner.
Other matters included a council-led Beverly Hills Local Centre Master Plan, concerns about proposed changes to the Peakhurst West Public School swimming pool, and the poisoning of three turpentine trees and one tallowwood tree at Boundary Reserve, Peakhurst. Council said it would continue investigations and seek police assistance on the tree matter.
Council condemned the tree poisoning and said it would continue investigations and seek police assistance. It also reaffirmed the Beverly Hills plan and asked for regular progress updates while noting delays linked to state planning processes and hazard assessment work.
Reference minutes
Source: Georges River Council Council Meeting - 25 May 2026 minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council endorsed the draft Artificial Intelligence Policy for public exhibition for at least 28 days.
- Council endorsed the Draft Verge Management Policy for public exhibition for at least 28 days.
- The motions on Lime shared e-bikes, emergency services funding reform and the policy exhibitions were carried unanimously.
- Council will submit a response to the emergency services funding inquiry before 19 June 2026.
- Council approved a $10,000 outgoing sponsorship for the Kingsway Community Care fundraising dinner.
- Council condemned the poisoning of three turpentine trees and one tallowwood tree at Boundary Reserve, Peakhurst.
- Council adopted proposed 2025/26 budget amendments after receiving the quarterly budget review ending 31 March 2026.
Why it matters
- Residents can comment on how council uses AI and manages verges, while the meeting also advanced e-bike rules, budget changes, emergency services funding reform and local planning disputes.