planning · Liverpool City Council
Liverpool backs Austral indoor recreation proposal at 495 Fourth Avenue
Liverpool City Council has endorsed, in principle, a planning proposal for 495 Fourth Avenue, Austral, to allow an indoor recreation facility and send it to state planners for Gateway Determination.
Liverpool City Council has endorsed, in principle, a planning proposal for 495 Fourth Avenue, Austral, that would allow a recreation facility (indoor) as an additional permitted use. The Governance Committee met on 10 February 2026 and unanimously backed the site-specific change.
Councillors also resolved to forward the proponent-initiated proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway Determination. If Gateway is granted, the proposal will go on public exhibition, with community consultation and a post-exhibition report to come back to council.
The amendment would change Schedule 1 of Appendix 4 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts - Western Parkland City) 2021 for the site at 495 Fourth Avenue, described in the minutes as Lot 121 DP 1220414.
Mayor Ned Mannoun declared a non-pecuniary, less than significant interest in the item because his children attend the school across the road from the property. He remained in the boardroom for the item.
The committee also received and noted the advice of the Liverpool Local Planning Panel.
For residents around Austral, the next step is a state Gateway Determination. If approved, the proposal would be exhibited publicly before councillors see a further report on the consultation results.
The same meeting also dealt with a separate planning proposal for 330-350 Eighth Avenue, Austral, which was endorsed in principle and sent through the same Gateway process.
Beyond planning, councillors approved a $100,000 allocation from General Funds for a case study and options analysis on the best operating model for commercialising circular economy activities. The committee noted that no separate entity will be established without further approvals.
Members also requested a workshop on strategic financial decisions in March, preferably aligned with existing training where possible.
A streetscape update for George Street and Moore Street, Liverpool, was received and noted, but progress of the detailed design was deferred to the next Governance Committee meeting.
Reference minutes
Based on Liverpool City Council Governance Committee minutes for 10 February 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Liverpool City Council's Governance Committee met on 10 February 2026.
- The committee endorsed, in principle, a planning proposal for 495 Fourth Avenue, Austral.
- The proposal seeks to allow a recreation facility (indoor) as an additional permitted use.
- Council will forward the proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway Determination.
- If Gateway is granted, the proposal will go on public exhibition and community consultation.
- Mayor Ned Mannoun declared a non-pecuniary, less than significant interest in the item because his children attend the school across the road.
- Councillors voted unanimously for the Austral item.
Why it matters
- The Austral proposal has cleared council’s first step and is now headed for state assessment, with public exhibition and community submissions likely if Gateway Determination is granted.