Woollahra committee notes August finances, recommends annual accounts audit The August monthly report was received and noted, while the committee recommended sending Council’s unaudited annual statements to the Audit Office of NSW. Council: Woollahra Municipal Council Meeting: 14 Sep 2026 6:30 PM Recorded status: mixed Source status: Draft minutes; recorded wording may change when confirmed. BRIEF Woollahra’s Strategic & Corporate Committee noted its August 2026 monthly financial report and recommended referring unaudited accounts for the year ended 30 June 2026 to the Audit Office of NSW. The recommendation proposed 26 October for public presentation, subject to receipt of the Auditor’s Reports. The unconfirmed minutes declare both votes carried 15-0, but inconsistent councillor naming prevents verification of the actual tallies. KEY FACTS - The unconfirmed minutes record that the August 2026 Monthly Financial Report was received and noted on 14 September 2026. - The report covers the month ended 31 August 2026. - The committee recommended referring the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 to the Audit Office of NSW; the supplied record does not establish that Council adopted the recommendation. - The recommendation proposed 26 October 2026 for public presentation of the audited statements and Auditor’s Report, subject to receipt of the reports. - The minutes declare both financial-item votes carried 15-0, but list Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately despite naming Torsten Merrill Witt as one councillor in the attendance list. The actual tallies cannot be verified from this record. - The minutes are labelled unconfirmed, and the annual financial statements item was a recommendation to Council rather than a final Council decision in this record. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The source distinguishes the monthly report, which was resolved by the committee, from the annual accounts item, which was listed for submission to Council with a recommendation. - The proposed 26 October presentation was conditional on receipt of the Auditor's Reports, and the supplied record does not show whether that condition was met. - Each financial-item division contains 15 listed entries and declares 15/0, but lists Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately. The attendance list identifies Torsten Merrill Witt as one councillor, so the declared totals cannot be verified as distinct councillor votes. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - Did Council later adopt the annual financial statements recommendation? - Were the Auditor's Reports received before the nominated 26 October public presentation? - What financial results or variances were contained in the August monthly report? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - If Council adopts the recommendation, the annual financial statements would be referred to the Audit Office of NSW for audit. - The recommendation proposes public presentation of the audited financial statements and Auditor's Report at the 26 October 2026 Ordinary Council meeting, subject to receipt of the Auditor's Reports. - If Council adopts the proposed delegation, the General Manager would be authorised, following receipt of the Auditor's Reports, to fix the Council meeting date and give the required public notice. SOURCE PASSAGES The minutes heading labels the Strategic & Corporate Committee meeting record for 14 September 2026 unconfirmed. "Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 14 September 2026 6:30 PM Minutes Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 14 September 2026 Strategic & Corporate Committee Meeting Minutes of the Meeting of Strategic & Corporate Committee held at the Council Chambers, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay, on 14 September 2026 at 6:30 PM." (Minutes heading) The Monthly Financial Report item is dated 31 August 2026. Resolution 601/2026 receives and notes the August 2026 report, and the motion is recorded as carried with a declared 15/0 division. The voting list names Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately. "Monthly Financial Report - 31 August 2026 (Councillor Jarvis/Councillor Price) 601/2026 Resolved: THAT Council receive and note the Monthly Financial Report – August 2026. 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 Andruska, Councillor Ardouin, Councillor Carmichael, Councillor Dixson, Councillor Jarvis, Councillor Mitchell, Councillor Parmegiani, Councillor Price, Councillor Regan, Councillor Robertson, Councillor Silcocks, Councillor Torsten, Councillor Witt, Councillor Woodgate, Councillor Zeltzer None 15/0 9.Items to be Submitted to the Council for Decision with Recommendations from this Committee 9.1." (Item 8.6, resolution 601/2026 and its division) The attendance list identifies Torsten Merrill Witt as one councillor. "Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio (via zoom, joined the meeting at 6:46pm, and in person at 6:52pm during Item 6) Councillors:Sean Carmichael (Deputy Mayor) Alexander Andruska (via zoom, joined the meeting at 8:09pm during Item 9.3) James Ardouin Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Matthew Robertson Mark Silcocks Torsten Merrill Witt (left the meeting at 8:41pm during Item 8.3, didn't vote on this Item, and returned at 8:44 prior to commencing Item 8.5) Hugh Woodgate (left the meeting at 6.41pm at the conclusion of Item 5, and returned at 8:35pm during Item 8.3) Toni" (Attendance list) Recommendation 602/2026 proposes that Council refer the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 to the Audit Office of NSW for audit. "Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 (Councillor Jarvis/Councillor Ardouin) 602/2026 Recommendation: THAT Council: A. Notes the following in respect of Section 413(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993 as to its Annual Financial Statements: i.Council's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 have been prepared in accordance with: the Local Government Act 1993 and the regulations made thereunder; the Australian Accounting Standards issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board; and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting. ii.The Statements present fairly the Council's operating result and financial position for the year. iii.The Statements accord the Council's accounting and other records. iv.Council is not aware of any matter that would render these statements false or misleading in any way. B. Authorises the signing of the "Statements by Councillors and Management" by the Mayor, one other Councillor, the General Manager, and the Responsible Accounting Officer. Unconfirmed Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 14 September 2026 C. Refers the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026, contained in Attachment 1 to the report, for audit by the Audit Office of NSW." (Item 9.1, recommendation 602/2026, heading and clauses A–C) The recommendation proposes that Council note preparation of the annual statements under the Local Government Act 1993, Australian Accounting Standards and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting, and authorise signing of the Statements by Councillors and Management. "Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 (Councillor Jarvis/Councillor Ardouin) 602/2026 Recommendation: THAT Council: A. Notes the following in respect of Section 413(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993 as to its Annual Financial Statements: i.Council's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026 have been prepared in accordance with: the Local Government Act 1993 and the regulations made thereunder; the Australian Accounting Standards issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board; and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting. ii.The Statements present fairly the Council's operating result and financial position for the year. iii.The Statements accord the Council's accounting and other records. iv.Council is not aware of any matter that would render these statements false or misleading in any way. B. Authorises the signing of the "Statements by Councillors and Management" by the Mayor, one other Councillor, the General Manager, and the Responsible Accounting Officer." (Item 9.1, recommendation 602/2026, clauses A–B) The proposed public presentation of the audited financial statements and Auditor's Report was intended for the Ordinary Council meeting on 26 October 2026, subject to receipt of the Auditor's Reports. "D. Nominates the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 26 October 2026 as the intended meeting for presentation of the audited financial statements and Auditor's Report to the public, subject to receipt of the Auditor's Reports." (Item 9.1, recommendation 602/2026, clause D) The text proposes delegating authority to the General Manager, following receipt of the Auditor's Reports, to fix the Council meeting date and give the required public notice. "E. Delegates authority to the General Manager, following receipt of the Auditor's Reports, to fix the date of the Council meeting in accordance with section 418(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1993 and to give public notice required by section 418(1)(b)." (Item 9.1, recommendation 602/2026, clause E) The motion is recorded as carried with a declared 15/0 division. Its voting list names Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately among those for the motion, with none against. "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 Andruska, Councillor Ardouin, Councillor Carmichael, Councillor Dixson, Councillor Jarvis, Councillor Mitchell, Councillor Parmegiani, Councillor Price, Councillor Regan, Councillor Robertson, Councillor Silcocks, Councillor Torsten, Councillor Witt, Councillor Woodgate, Councillor Zeltzer None 15/0 9.2." (Item 9.1, division following recommendation 602/2026) SOURCES https://woollahra.resolve.red/web/Player.aspx?id=3047 https://minutesradar.com/news/woollahra-infocouncil-strategic-corporate-committee-14-september-2026-14-sep-2026-6-30-pm-minutes-woollahra-council-records-august-finances-7bb2789bdf/ 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. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.