Liverpool Council backs fortnightly meetings at $154,113 cost

Liverpool City Council has backed more frequent meetings from September 2026, with approximately $154,113 to be drawn from the General Fund for meeting operations, staffing and on-costs.

The revised meeting dates are subject to Council adopting an amended Code of Meeting Practice at its August 2026 meeting. The change would amend clause 3.2 of the code.

The alternate motion was carried on a six-to-four division. Mayor Ned Mannoun, Councillor Adjei, Councillor Ammoun, Deputy Mayor Harle, Councillor Harte and Councillor Macnaught voted for it. Councillors Ibrahim, Karnib, Monaghan and Munjiza voted against it.

The proposed arrangements are intended to commence in September. The resolution does not take effect unless the code change is adopted in August.

The extra meetings would increase the direct cost of running Council meetings, including staffing and associated on-costs. The funding provision is approximately $154,113 from General Funds.

The change was backed during a meeting that also dealt with major Liverpool-area projects and planning matters, including an alternative design for Fifteenth Avenue, the proposed Wianamatta name for the suburb currently known as Badgerys Creek, and proposed Serbian-themed street names for Edmondson Park.

Council rejected the current June 2026 Transport for NSW design for Fifteenth Avenue and sought an additional $239 million from the State and Federal governments for its alternative six-lane transit boulevard proposal. It also approved a $50,000 General Fund communications campaign for residents along or near the corridor.

The proposed Wianamatta suburb name and the Edmondson Park street names were separate decisions from the meeting-frequency vote. Wianamatta will be referred to the NSW Geographical Names Board, subject to any required consultation, while the 21 proposed Edmondson Park names will undergo a 28-day public exhibition before referral to the board.

Council's August meeting will determine whether the Code of Meeting Practice is amended. If adopted, the revised meeting arrangements will begin from September 2026.