planning · Georges River Council
Georges River backs foreshore controls, sends plan to state
Georges River Council adopted amended biodiversity and foreshore scenic protection controls at its 9 June meeting in Hurstville, with the vote carried 13-1 and the proposal forwarded to the state department for finalisation.
Georges River Council has adopted amended biodiversity and foreshore scenic protection planning controls after public exhibition, with the Environment and Planning Committee carrying the item 13-1 at the Georges River Civic Centre in Hurstville on 9 June 2026.
The committee endorsed the Biodiversity, Character & Foreshore Scenic Protection Area planning proposal for finalisation and adopted Amendment No. 7 to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021 after changes were made in response to submissions.
Council also resolved to forward the planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation and plan-making under section 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The amended DCP must be publicly notified on Council’s website within 28 days. It will take effect when the related Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 amendment is gazetted.
Councillors were split only on this item. Councillor Wang voted against the motion, while the rest of the committee supported it. Before the vote, several councillors declared interests connected to the current or proposed foreshore protection area, including Mayor Elise Borg, Councillor Peter Mahoney, Councillor Matthew Allison, Councillor Nancy Liu and Councillor Ben Wang.
The committee also endorsed submissions to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on proposed changes to complying development and low-rise housing assessment pathways, and authorised the Director, Planning and Environment to finalise and submit them with minor non-substantive amendments.
A separate item sent the Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse planning proposal to the department for finalisation, and Council adopted related amendments to the Generic Plans of Management for sportsgrounds and general community use.
The meeting also advanced a broader heritage study, with Council noting the proposed scope, methodology, timeframes and resourcing and agreeing to begin a thematic history review as stage one using existing 2026/27 budget allocations.
Council said all submitters to the foreshore planning proposal and DCP amendment will be advised of the decision.
Reference minutes
Source: Georges River Council Environment and Planning Committee - 9 Jun 2026 minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- The committee met on 9 June 2026 at the Georges River Civic Centre, Hurstville.
- The biodiversity and foreshore item was carried 13 votes to 1, with Cr Wang voting against.
- Council endorsed the Biodiversity, Character & Foreshore Scenic Protection Area planning proposal for finalisation.
- Council adopted Amendment No. 7 to the Georges River Development Control Plan 2021 as amended after exhibition.
- The amended DCP must be publicly notified on Council’s website within 28 days.
- The adopted DCP will begin when the related Georges River Local Environmental Plan 2021 amendment is gazetted.
- Council resolved to notify all submitters of its decision.
Why it matters
- The adopted foreshore and biodiversity controls affect how development is assessed in sensitive riverfront areas of Georges River, while the separate housing and clubhouse planning items also progress through the state process.