Woollahra notes commencement of six-month geotechnical assessment trial The unconfirmed minutes record six State Significant Development Applications among Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy applications in Rose Bay, with further applications noted in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill. Council: Woollahra Municipal Council Meeting: 26 October 2026, 6:30 PM Recorded status: approved Source status: Draft minutes; recorded wording may change when confirmed. BRIEF Unconfirmed minutes record that Woollahra Council noted the commencement of a six-month trial seconding a geotechnical engineer to assess development applications against current adopted controls. The minutes record six State Significant Development Applications among Rose Bay applications lodged or approved under the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with further applications in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill. The resolution also notes work has commenced on a separate cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow study and requests a report after the trial. KEY FACTS - Council noted the commencement of a six-month trial seconding a geotechnical engineer to assess development applications against its current adopted controls. - The minutes record six State Significant Development Applications among applications lodged or approved in Rose Bay under the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with further applications in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill. - The resolution records that council has commenced work on a study of cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow impacts linked to basement construction in Double Bay and Rose Bay. - Additional qualified and experienced experts will be retained where deemed necessary, and council requested a report after the six-month trial. - The motion was carried 11-0, according to the recorded division. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The resolution notes that the temporary six-month trial has commenced; it does not resolve to commence a new trial. It also provides for additional expert advice where deemed necessary and requests a post-trial report. - The resolution does not itself create a permanent position or change the council's adopted development controls. - The applications are described together as lodged or approved, so the minutes do not establish how many are approved, under construction or otherwise active. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - When did the six-month secondment begin, and when will the post-trial report be presented? - What criteria will determine when additional experts are retained? - How many of the applications noted in Rose Bay, Double Bay and Bellevue Hill are lodged, approved or under construction? - What is the timetable for completing or releasing the cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow study? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Continue the six-month geotechnical engineer secondment trial noted as having commenced. - Retain additional qualified and experienced experts where deemed necessary for development application assessment and advice on development consent conditions. - The General Manager is requested to table a report after the six-month trial period. - Continue work on the study into cumulative excavation and groundwater flows associated with basement construction in Double Bay and Rose Bay. SOURCE PASSAGES The quoted text describes the commencement of a six-month trial involving a geotechnical engineer seconded from a specialist engineering firm to assess applications against Council's current adopted development controls. "Note the commencement of a trial involving the secondment of a geotechnical engineer from a specialist engineering firm for a period of 6 months and that the seconded geotechnical engineer is to assess applications against Council's current adopted controls in relation to development." (Resolution 699/2026, Part A) The quoted text states that development applications, including six State Significant Development Applications, have been lodged or approved in Rose Bay under the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, almost all involving basement excavation, with further LMR applications in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill. "B. Receive and note the report, thank staff for commencing the secondment trial, and note: i.that a number of development applications (including 6 State Significant Development Applications (SSDAs)) have been lodged or approved in Rose Bay under the Low and Mid-Rise (LMR) Housing Policy, almost all involving basement excavation with further LMR development applications in Double Bay and Bellevue Hill;" (Resolution 699/2026, Part B(i)) The quoted text describes the trial as the first of many steps responding to Council's 23 March 2026 resolution and states that work has commenced on a cumulative excavation and groundwater-flow study for basement construction associated with the LMR reforms in Double Bay and Rose Bay, requested in July 2025 and approved in August 2025. "and ii.that the trial is the first step of many in responding to Council's 23 March 2026 resolution; and iii.that Council has commenced work on a study on the cumulative impact of excavation/groundwater flows arising from the basement construction in Double Bay and Rose Bay associated with the LMR reforms, as requested in its resolution of the ordinary meeting of Council of 28 July 2025 and approved at its ordinary meeting of 25 August 2025." (Resolution 699/2026, Parts B(ii) and B(iii)) The quoted text calls for confirmation that additional qualified and experienced experts will be retained where deemed necessary for development application assessment and advice on development consent conditions. "Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Ordinary Council 26 October 2026 Page | 21 C. Confirm that where deemed necessary, additional qualified and experienced experts will be retained to provide expertise for development application assessment and to advise in relation to development consent conditions." (Resolution 699/2026, Part C) The General Manager was requested to table a report after the six-month trial period. "Request the General Manager table a report post the trial 6-month period. The Motion was put and Carried. Note:In accordance with Council's Code of Meeting Practice a Division of votes is recorded on this matter." (Resolution 699/2026, Part E) The quoted text lists court matters involving expert geotechnical advice, recording consent following section 34 agreements at 28 Hamilton Street and in the first matter at 28-32 Dover Road in Rose Bay. It lists ongoing matters at 37 Newcastle Street, 35-37 Wilberforce Avenue and 7 Collins Avenue in Rose Bay, and 342-350 New South Head Road in Double Bay. "D. Note the following Court matters have included expert geotechnical advice: Case nameAddressStatus MD Living Pty Ltd v WMC28 Hamilton Street, Rose BayConsent granted by the Court following s34 agreement. Council's conditions for geotechnical matters included in development consent. Aurora Rose Bay 2 Pty Limited v WMC 37 Newcastle Street, Rose BayOngoing – Hearing scheduled for 22 October 2026. Applicant amended its proposal to remove one level of basement car parking. RM (No.4) Pty Ltd v WMC 342-350 New South Head Road, Double Bay Ongoing – Hearing on 4 and 5 February 2027 Fyve Developments Pty Ltd v WMC 28-32 Dover Road, Rose BayFirst matter – Consent granted by the Court following s34 agreement. Council's conditions for geotechnical matters included in development consent. Second matter – modification seeking to amend geotechnical conditions – awaiting conciliation. Independence Pty Ltd v WMC35-37 Wilberforce Avenue, Rose Bay Ongoing – awaiting conciliation Jonathon Kontopos v WMC 7 Collins Avenue, Rose BayOngoing – awaiting hearing dates E." (Resolution 699/2026, Part D) The motion was recorded as carried, with 11 councillors listed for and none against. "Request the General Manager table a report post the trial 6-month period. The Motion was put and Carried. Note:In accordance with Council's Code of Meeting Practice a Division of votes is recorded on this matter. For the MotionAgainst the Motion Councillor Ardouin, Councillor Dixson, Councillor Jarvis, Councillor Mitchell, Councillor Parmegiani, Councillor Price, Councillor Regan, Councillor Robertson, Councillor Silcocks, Councillor Torsten, Councillor Woodgate None 11/0 14.Rescission Motion NIL Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Ordinary Council 26 October 2026 Page | 22 15.Notices of Motion 15.1." (Resolution 699/2026, motion outcome and voting division) The source identifies itself as unconfirmed minutes of Woollahra Municipal Council's Ordinary Council Meeting held on 26 October 2026. "Ordinary Council Monday, 26 October 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Ordinary Council 26 October 2026 Page | 2 Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes of the Meeting of Ordinary Council held at the Council Chambers, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, on 26 October 2026 at 6:30 PM." (Document title and meeting details) SOURCES https://woollahra.resolve.red/web/Player.aspx?id=2887 https://minutesradar.com/news/woollahra-infocouncil-ordinary-council-meeting-26-october-2026-26-oct-2026-6-30-pm-minutes-woollahra-notes-commencement-of-six-month-geotec-a51767fbca/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. 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