community services · Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Council backs $35,145 in grants and elects new deputy mayor
Liverpool City Council approved $15,145 in community grants and $20,000 in sponsorships at its 4 February meeting, then elected Councillor Harle as deputy mayor after Dr Betty Green resigned.
Liverpool City Council approved $35,145 in community funding at its 4 February meeting and filled a leadership vacancy after accepting the resignation of Deputy Mayor Dr Betty Green. With no further nominations, Councillor Harle was elected deputy mayor for the term from 4 February 2026 to September 2026, and the council’s Register of Delegations will be amended.
The council endorsed $15,145 in community grant funding and $20,000 in community sponsorship funding for named local projects. In the same report, Councillor Harte declared a non-pecuniary, less than significant interest because he works with the daughter of one recipient organisation and knows a director of another. He remained in the chamber for the item.
Council also agreed to enter an election arrangement with the NSW Electoral Commissioner for a by-election to fill the casual vacancy created by Dr Green’s resignation. The minutes say the by-election should be held as soon as possible, and that its cost will come from general funds. Council authorised the CEO or a delegate to take the steps needed to carry out the resolutions.
The resignation was treated as urgent because the Local Government Act requires a by-election no later than three months after a vacancy occurs. Dr Green’s resignation took effect on 30 January. The council thanked her for her service and authorised the mayor to write to her on behalf of council.
Woodward Park was also before councillors. The minutes say an unsolicited proposal for the precinct will not proceed. Council instead agreed to run an expression of interest process and reaffirmed support for Woodward Park as an entertainment location, including New Year’s Eve and Australia Day celebrations.
On finance and governance, council authorised the CEO or delegate to begin negotiations with NSW Treasury Corporation to refinance the existing $23 million loan for the Liverpool Civic Place Development Project. It also agreed to engage a contractor and allocate $120,000 from general funds for work on payments equivalent to rates with WSIA, with a further report to come back.
Council also adopted a motion for a report on options for a civic crest or similar identity element in the Liverpool Civic Place forecourt.
For residents, the immediate changes are a new deputy mayor, a by-election process for the vacant seat, new funding for community groups and a change of direction for Woodward Park. The meeting also put Liverpool Civic Place and the WSIA rates-equivalent negotiations back on the council agenda.
Reference minutes
Based on Liverpool City Council Council - 4 Feb 2026 minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council accepted the resignation of Deputy Mayor Dr Betty Green and thanked her for her service.
- Cr Harle was elected deputy mayor for the term 4 February 2026 to September 2026.
- Council endorsed $15,145 in community grants and $20,000 in community sponsorships.
- Council agreed to an election arrangement with the NSW Electoral Commissioner for a by-election and asked for it to be held as soon as possible.
- Woodward Park’s unsolicited proposal will not proceed; council will run an expression of interest process instead.
- Council authorised negotiations with TCorp to refinance a $23 million loan for Liverpool Civic Place.
- Council allocated $120,000 from general funds for work on payments equivalent to rates with WSIA.
Why it matters
- The meeting reshaped council leadership, triggered a by-election and directed money to community projects, while also advancing decisions on Woodward Park, Liverpool Civic Place and WSIA negotiations.