funding · Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Council backs grants, by-election and $120,000 rates project
Liverpool City Council approved $15,145 in community grants, $20,000 in sponsorships and $120,000 for a project to test payments equivalent to rates.
Liverpool City Council has approved $15,145 in community grants, $20,000 in sponsorship funding and $120,000 for a project to examine payments equivalent to rates, while also accepting the resignation of Deputy Mayor Dr Betty Green and arranging a by-election.
At its ordinary meeting on 4 February 2026, councillors endorsed the grants and sponsorships for named projects and events. They also agreed to engage a contractor for the WSIA payments-equivalent-to-rates project, with the money to come from general funds and negotiations to begin on an agreement.
Dr Green’s resignation was noted and accepted. The minutes say council authorised the Mayor to thank her for her service and agreed to enter an arrangement with the NSW Electoral Commissioner for a by-election, with the cost met from general funds.
Councillor Harle was elected Deputy Mayor for the term 4 February 2026 to September 2026, and the Register of Delegations is to be updated. The resignation was treated as urgent because the Local Government Act requires a by-election within three months of a vacancy.
Council also dropped the unsolicited proposal for Woodward Park and agreed to run an expression of interest process instead. It reaffirmed support for Woodward Park as an entertainment precinct for New Year’s Eve and Australia Day celebrations.
Other decisions included authorising the CEO or delegate to begin negotiations with TCorp to refinance the existing $23 million loan for the Liverpool Civic Place Development Project. Council also considered planning agreement items for Precincts 3, 5 and 9 in Edmondson Park.
A notice of motion was adopted seeking a report on options for a civic crest or other identity feature in the Liverpool Civic Place forecourt, with a report due to the March 2026 council meeting. Council also deferred the draft memorials policy to the Civic Advisory Committee for comment before it returns to council.
Reference minutes
Source: Liverpool City Council ordinary meeting minutes, 4 February 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council endorsed $15,145 in community grants and $20,000 in community sponsorship funding.
- Council allocated $120,000 from general funds for a WSIA project on payments equivalent to rates.
- Cr Dr Betty Green resigned as deputy mayor due to health reasons.
- Council agreed to an arrangement with the NSW Electoral Commissioner for a by-election, with costs from general funds.
- Cr Harle was elected deputy mayor for the term 4 February 2026 to September 2026.
- Council will run an expression of interest process for Woodward Park after the unsolicited proposal will not proceed.
- Council authorised the CEO or delegate to begin negotiations with TCorp to refinance the existing $23 million Liverpool Civic Place loan.
Why it matters
- The meeting locked in money for local groups, started the process for a Liverpool by-election and approved new spending for a project to examine payments equivalent to rates.