Randwick residents to weigh 19 per cent urban canopy target after council vote The Draft Urban Forest Strategy will be exhibited for at least 28 days, with council requiring comparisons to its former 22 per cent target and a 40 per cent NSW benchmark. Council: Randwick City Council Meeting: 22 Sep 2026 Recorded status: mixed BRIEF According to unconfirmed minutes, Randwick City Council voted to exhibit a draft urban forest strategy for at least 28 days. The minutes refer to a proposed 19 per cent tree-canopy target for 2060 under a strategy titled 2026-2040, without explaining the different years. Exhibition materials must compare the proposal with council’s previous 22 per cent by 2040 target and the NSW Government’s 40 per cent by 2040 benchmark. Councillors also endorsed an updated Significant Trees Register, while an amendment seeking a criteria review and a report on stronger protections was defeated. KEY FACTS - Council resolved to place the Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2040 on public exhibition for at least 28 days. - The minutes refer to a proposed 19 per cent canopy target by 2060, despite the strategy title ending in 2040; they do not explain the different years. - Exhibition materials and the post-exhibition report must compare that proposal with the previous 22 per cent by 2040 policy target and the NSW Government’s 40 per cent by 2040 benchmark. - Council must include baselines, target amounts or percentages, and target years for all outcomes and action points after community feedback. - The council minutes say an amendment seeking a Significant Trees Register criteria review, consideration of ongoing nominations and a report on stronger protections was lost, while the updated 2026 register was endorsed. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The source supports reporting approval for exhibition and a later council report, not final adoption of the strategy or its canopy target. - The source records the comparison requirements but does not state the current canopy baseline, the calculation behind the 2060 figure, or the exhibition dates and location. - The strategy title ends in 2040 while the target cited in the resolution is for 2060. The article reports both labels and explicitly states that the minutes do not explain the different years. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - What current canopy baseline will council use to assess the proposed 19 per cent target? - When and where will the Draft Urban Forest Strategy be exhibited? - What changes, if any, will council recommend after considering submissions? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Place the Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2040 on public exhibition for at least 28 days, as resolved. - Report the exhibition outcomes back to council after consultation. - Explain the required target comparisons in the exhibition materials and post-exhibition report. - Include baselines, target amounts or percentages, and target years for all outcomes and action points following community consultation feedback. SOURCE PASSAGES Council endorsed public exhibition of the Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2040 for a minimum of 28 days and required a later report on consultation outcomes; the motion was carried. "MINUTES OF ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 This is page 6 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 22 September 2026 CP42/26 Director City Planning Report - Draft Urban Forest Strategy for Public Exhibition (F2023/00189) 251/26 RESOLUTION: (Magner/Veitch) that Council: a) endorse placing the Draft Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2040 on public exhibition; b) endorse that the public exhibition period run for a minimum of 28 days; c) receive a report on the outcomes of the public exhibition following the consultation period; d) request that the exhibition materials and the post-exhibition report explain how the 19% by 2060 target compares to Council's previous 22% by 2040 policy target and the NSW Government's 40% by 2040 canopy benchmark; and e) ensure that baselines, target amounts/percentages and target years are included for all outcomes and action points following feedback from the community consultation. MOTION: (Magner/Veitch) CARRIED - SEE RESOLUTION." (CP42/26, resolution 251/26 and carried motion) The quoted text calls for exhibition materials and the post-exhibition report to explain how the 19 per cent by 2060 target compares with Council's previous 22 per cent by 2040 policy target and the NSW Government's 40 per cent by 2040 canopy benchmark. "b) endorse that the public exhibition period run for a minimum of 28 days; c) receive a report on the outcomes of the public exhibition following the consultation period; d) request that the exhibition materials and the post-exhibition report explain how the 19% by 2060 target compares to Council's previous 22% by 2040 policy target and the NSW Government's 40% by 2040 canopy benchmark;" (Resolution 251/26(d)) Council required baselines, target amounts or percentages and target years for all outcomes and action points following community consultation feedback. "and e) ensure that baselines, target amounts/percentages and target years are included for all outcomes and action points following feedback from the community consultation. MOTION: (Magner/Veitch) CARRIED - SEE RESOLUTION." (Resolution 251/26(e)) Council endorsed the updated Register of Significant Trees 2026, and the motion was carried. "CP43/26 Director City Planning Report - Register of Significant Trees - Update (F2025/00420) 252/26 RESOLUTION: (Magner/D'Souza) that Council: a) note the outcomes of the review and community consultation for the update to the Register of Significant Trees; and b) endorse the attached updated Register of Significant Trees 2026. MOTION: (Magner/D'Souza) CARRIED - SEE RESOLUTION. AMENDMENT: (Willington/Veitch) that Council: a) note the outcomes of the review and community consultation for the update to the Register of Significant Trees;" (CP43/26, resolution 252/26 and carried motion) An amendment concerning the Register of Significant Trees 2026 sought a criteria review to include trees contributing to biodiversity, conservation and urban cooling, consideration of ongoing nominations and interim listing, and a report on additional protection measures; it was declared lost. "and b) endorse the attached updated Register of Significant Trees 2026. MOTION: (Magner/D'Souza) CARRIED - SEE RESOLUTION. AMENDMENT: (Willington/Veitch) that Council: a) note the outcomes of the review and community consultation for the update to the Register of Significant Trees; b) endorse the attached updated Register of Significant Trees 2026; c) commence a review of the nominated and significant tree criteria to include trees and groups of trees that contribute to biodiversity, conservation and urban cooling and report back to Council by June 27; d) ensure that the review also considers a mechanism for trees to be added to the register on an ongoing basis when new nominations are received, including a provision for interim listing as is the case for heritage listed buildings; and e) calls for a report on additional measures to provide increased protection for trees listed on the register. The AMENDMENT was put to the vote and declared LOST. The DIVISION was taken and the names of the Councillors voting FOR and AGAINST were as follows: FOR AGAINST Councillor Willington Councillor Hamilton Councillor Veitch Councillor Magner Councillor Asgari Councillor Hay Councillor Luxford Councillor Gordon Councillor Martin Councillor Wilson MINUTES OF ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 This is page 7 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 22 September 2026 Councillor Said Councillor Burst Councillor D'Souza" (CP43/26, Willington/Veitch amendment and declared result) The amendment was declared lost, and its division totals are recorded as 3 for and 11 against. "and e) calls for a report on additional measures to provide increased protection for trees listed on the register. The AMENDMENT was put to the vote and declared LOST. The DIVISION was taken and the names of the Councillors voting FOR and AGAINST were as follows: FOR AGAINST Councillor Willington Councillor Hamilton Councillor Veitch Councillor Magner Councillor Asgari Councillor Hay Councillor Luxford Councillor Gordon Councillor Martin Councillor Wilson MINUTES OF ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 This is page 7 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 22 September 2026 Councillor Said Councillor Burst Councillor D'Souza Councillor Parker Total (3) Total (11) CP44/26 Director City Planning Report - Heritage Assessment - 11A Dudley Street, Randwick (F2016/00475) 253/26 RESOLUTION: (Wilson/Martin) that Council: a) note the findings of the heritage assessment and recommendations for No." (CP43/26, amendment division and concluding totals) SOURCES https://randwick.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/09/OC_22092026_MIN_4129_AT.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/randwick-infocouncil-ordinary-council-22-sep-2026-22-sep-2026-minutes-randwick-residents-to-weigh-19-urban-forest-target-by-2060/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. 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