Community & places · Woollahra Municipal Council
Woollahra draft libraries plan approved for public exhibition
A revised 2027 - 2030 strategy was approved for exhibition across December, January and February, with changes including ‘short’ timeframes for two actions and exploration of customer service facilities in libraries.
Reporting from draft minutes. Recorded wording may change when confirmed. How this article was prepared
Woollahra library users will be able to comment on a draft 2027 - 2030 strategy after the Strategic & Corporate Committee approved public exhibition during December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027, according to unconfirmed minutes of its 9 November meeting.
The plan would introduce a new vision for Woollahra Libraries: “A leading library service for everyone, creating community by connecting people and ideas throughout life”. It would also set the timeframes for actions 1.3 and 1.6 to ‘short’, change action 4.2 to a medium timeframe, add a reference to Woollahra Gallery and explore introducing customer service facilities in libraries.
The minutes record an alternative amendment omitting the timeframe changes as lost 5-7 and the full amended motion as carried 12-0. However, the attendance list identifies Torsten Merrill Witt as one councillor, while the voting lists name Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately, including on opposing sides of the amendment vote. This inconsistency prevents verification of the actual tallies from the supplied record.
The exhibition approval is not final adoption of the plan. The resolution calls for a further report on submissions, followed by presentation of a final Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan to Council for adoption.
The minutes do not give exact exhibition dates or explain how submissions will be lodged. They also do not define what customer service facilities might be introduced.
What deserves a closer look
The recorded resolution approves public exhibition, not final adoption of the libraries plan.
The attendance list identifies Torsten Merrill Witt as one councillor, while the voting entries list Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately. The article reports the declared outcomes without treating the actual tallies as verified.
The source specifies the three exhibition months but does not state exact dates or a submission method.
Questions for follow-up reporting
When will Woollahra Municipal Council publish the exact exhibition dates and submission channels?
What would the proposed customer service facilities involve, and at which libraries might they be considered?
When will the submissions report and final plan be presented to Council?
What happens next
Under the recorded resolution, the amended draft Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027–2030 is to be exhibited during December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027.
Following the exhibition period, the resolution calls for a report detailing submissions and presentation of the final Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027–2030 to Council for adoption.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
Resolution 742/2026 approves the draft Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027–2030 for public exhibition during December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027, subject to a revised vision, specified timeframes, a Woollahra Gallery reference and exploration of customer service facilities.
(Councillor Torsten/Councillor Robertson) 742/2026 Resolved: THAT Council: A. Approve the draft Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027-2030 for public exhibition during December 2026, January 2027, and February 2027 subject to amending the vision statement to read: "A leading library service for everyone, creating community by connecting people and ideas throughout life", and the following amendments: i.The timeframes at 1.3, 1.6 are amended to 'short'; ii.The timeframe at 4.2 is amended to 'medium' ; iii.The words 'Woollahra Gallery' are added to 1.10; iv.Add 'Explore introducing customer service facilities to our libraries' at 4.5 B.
Item 8.2, Resolution 742/2026, Part A
Open original minutes ↗The amendment proposed the revised vision, a Woollahra Gallery reference and exploration of customer service facilities.
Amendment moved by Councillor Silcocks Seconded by Councillor Jarvis THAT Council: A. Approve the draft Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027-2030 for public exhibition during December 2026, January 2027, and February 2027 subject to amending the vision statement to read: "A leading library service for everyone, creating community by connecting people and ideas throughout life", and the following amendments: i.The words 'Woollahra Gallery' are added to 1.10; and ii.Add 'Explore introducing customer service facilities to our libraries' at 4.5 B. Note that a further report be prepared following the public exhibition period detailing any submissions received and presenting the final Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027-2030 to Council for adoption.
Item 8.2, alternative amendment
Open original minutes ↗The minutes record the amendment as lost 5-7 and the motion as carried; the amendment voting list places Councillor Torsten for it and Councillor Witt against it.
The Amendment was put and Lost. 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 Jarvis, Councillor Mitchell, Councillor Parmegiani, Councillor Silcocks, Councillor Torsten Councillor Woodgate, Councillor Dixson, Councillor Price, Councillor Regan, Councillor Robertson, Councillor Witt, Councillor Zeltzer 5/7 The Motion was put and carried.
Item 8.2, amendment voting record and motion outcome
Open original minutes ↗The voting entry records 12/0, with none against, and lists Councillor Torsten and Councillor Witt separately among those for the motion.
For the MotionAgainst the Motion Councillor Woodgate, Councillor Dixson, Councillor Jarvis, Councillor Mitchell, Councillor Parmegiani, Councillor Price, Councillor Regan, Councillor Robertson, Councillor Silcocks, Councillor Torsten, Councillor Witt, Councillor Zeltzer None 12/0 8.3.
Item 8.2, voting record following Resolution 742/2026
Open original minutes ↗The attendance list includes the text "Torsten Merrill Witt" under Councillors.
Present:Her Worship the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Dixson, ex-officio Councillors:Hugh Woodgate (Deputy Mayor) Mary-Lou Jarvis Jeanette Mitchell Julian Parmegiani Harriet Price Lucinda Regan Matthew Robertson Mark Silcocks Torsten Merrill Witt Toni Zeltzer (via Zoom, left meeting at 8:10pm during item 8.5) Staff:Sue Meekin - A/General Manager Richmond Alcorn - Civil Works Coordinator Emilio Andari - Manager, Engineering Services Jennifer Chenhall - Manager, Governance & Risk James Dolton - Chief Financial Officer David Franco - Manager, Property Services Paul Fraser - Manager, Open Space & Trees Micaela Hopkins - Team Leader Environment & Sustainability
Meeting attendance list
Open original minutes ↗The quoted text calls for a further report after public exhibition detailing submissions and presenting the final Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027–2030 to Council for adoption.
Note that a further report be prepared following the public exhibition period detailing any submissions received and presenting the final Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027-2030 to Council for adoption.
Item 8.2, Resolution 742/2026, Part B
Open original minutes ↗The meeting heading labels the minutes unconfirmed and identifies the Strategic & Corporate Committee meeting as held on 9 November 2026.
Strategic & Corporate Committee Monday, 9 November 2026 6:30 PM Minutes UNCONFIRMED Woollahra Municipal Council Strategic & Corporate Committee 9 November 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 9 November 2026 at 6:30 PM.
Meeting heading
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the unconfirmed minutes of Woollahra Municipal Council’s Strategic & Corporate Committee meeting of 9 November 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The unconfirmed minutes record approval of the draft Woollahra Libraries Strategic Plan 2027 - 2030 for public exhibition during December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027.
- The approved amendments include a revised vision, ‘short’ timeframes for actions 1.3 and 1.6, a ‘medium’ timeframe for action 4.2, a Woollahra Gallery reference and exploration of customer service facilities in libraries.
- The minutes record the alternative amendment as lost 5-7 and the main motion as carried 12-0, but inconsistent councillor names prevent verification of the actual tallies.
- The resolution calls for a further report on submissions and presentation of a final plan to Council for adoption after the exhibition period.
- The supplied minutes are labelled unconfirmed.
Why it matters
- Public exhibition would allow library users to comment on proposed service priorities, timeframes and possible customer service facilities before Council considers a final plan.