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Supplementary AGENDA 1R |
Council Meeting
TUESDAY 26 MAY 2020
6.30pm
In the spirit of open, accessible and transparent government, this meeting of the Inner West Council is being streamed live on Council’s website. Any part of this meeting that is held in closed session will not be recorded.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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MEETING AGENDA – PRECIS SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS |
The following reports appear as late items with Mayoral approval as information required for the preparation of the reports was not available at the time of distribution of the Business Paper.
1 Mayoral Minutes
ITEM Page
C0520(2) Item 17 Mayoral Minute: Restarting Local Sporting Competitions 3
C0520(2) Item 18 Mayoral Minute: Road Network Changes in Haberfield, Ashfield and Leichhardt 5
C0520(2) Item 19 Mayoral Minute: Support for the Arts and Creative Sectors 13
C0520(2) Item 20 Mayoral Minute: Inner West Drive-In Concerts 14
C0520(2) Item 21 Mayoral Minute: Virtual Town Hall Meeting Expression of Interest 17
C0520(2) Item 22 Mayoral Minute: Promoting Reconciliation Week 18
C0520(2) Item 23 Mayoral Minute: Supporting Inner West NGOs and Charities 20
C0520(2) Item 24 Mayoral Minute: Callan Park Trust 21
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Restarting Local Sporting Competitions
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Acknowledges that many adults and children are keen to resume playing community sport on Council’s sporting grounds and fields;
2. Notes the patience sporting club members have shown while they wait for a health directive that allows Council’s sports fields to reopen for community sport;
3. Notes that due to the lack of open green space in the LGA, the majority of community sports clubs have to share fields and sporting grounds and that their sporting codes have traditionally been divided into summer and winter seasons. We believe that winter sports should not bear the full burden of shortened playing seasons as a result of the COVID-19 closure;
4. Liaise with the NSW Office of Sport and neighbouring Councils on any proposed extension date to the winter sporting season, noting that a proposed extension will impact on other Council grounds outside of the Inner West LGA (including Canterbury Bankstown and Canada Bay);
5. Be guided by an agreement between Cricket NSW, AFL (NSW), NSWRL, Football NSW, Hockey NSW & NSW Rugby Union on recommended competition dates for the 2020/21 seasons and ground changeover dates; and
6. Submit a report to the 23 June Council Meeting on which sporting grounds have capacity for additional training or games given the rest the fields have had over the COVID-19 period.
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Background
The Inner West Council is fortunate to have a great number of not-for-profit community organised and managed grass roots sports clubs. These clubs are affiliated with regional associations that are then affiliated with State-wide associations.
These clubs provide opportunities for healthy activities that also create and build community links.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the summer sporting season and has dramatically affected the winter season, sports clubs are very keen to get back on the field.
We understand that the key State sports associations have be working towards an agreement to provide for a unified and fair approach to allow them to return to the field of play. This currently looks like extending to winter season.
The cooperative approach by the State associations is a welcome development as it addresses the issue of many local sporting codes using grounds across a number of local
government areas.
A number of sporting grounds seem to be in great condition and perhaps have capacity for some additional use including evening games and training under lights and this could be a
negotiated feature of a revised winter sporting season when winter sports resume.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Road Network Changes in Haberfield, Ashfield and Leichhardt
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council writes to residents in Leichhardt, Lilyfield, Haberfield and Ashfield explaining Council’s total opposition to the proposed road network changes to key intersections in Haberfield, Ashfield and Leichhardt located at: City West Link, Norton Street and James Street; Dobroyd Parade and Waratah Street; City West Link, Mortley Avenue and Timbrell Drive and; Parramatta Road and Dalhousie Street (Attachment 1): a) The letter should also urge residents to make a submission in opposition to the proposed road network changes at ni@rms.nsw.gov.au. b) Notes that Transport for NSW officers have made a commitment to review and assess late submissions made after the deadline of 24 May. c) The cost of the letter’s production, printing and distribution to be funded by the budgeted funds that have been allocated to Council’s communications department in part 7(f) (Attachment 2) of the Mayoral Minute: Actions to Address Community Concerns around COVID-19 at the Extraordinary Council Meeting on 7 April.
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Background
Attachment 2
7. Notes the vital importance of communication with the community and between community members during the crisis, recognises Council’s leadership role in facilitating this, and undertakes the following actions immediately:
a) Makes Inner West Council’s social media channels available, upon request, to not-for-profit community organisations and local service providers to promote resources, services, donations and volunteerism in response to the crisis;
b) The Mayor to write to all residents explaining the ways that Council can assist them during the crisis and include information about local resources that are available to them, this should be done through letterboxing rather than direct mail. A “Hi Neighbour” postcard based on that already distributed by City of Canada Bay Council and other Councils (See Attachment 3) should be included in the distribution;
c) Recognise the need for information to be made accessible in community languages and liaise with Multicultural NSW and local ethnic community organisations to make sure that Council’s communication of health and other messages are accessible to all;
d) Note the cancellation of the paper edition of the Inner West Courier by News Corp Australia;
e) Write to the NSW Government seeking clarification about how Council’s statutory notification requirements can be carried out as there is no longer a local newspaper to advertise in;
f) Discontinue all existing advertising with the Inner West Courier and reallocate those budgeted funds to resource Council’s ongoing communication with the community during the crisis in the first instance and to communications generally in subsequent budgets;
g) Allocate $20,000 to social media expenditure to promote critical information and public health messages through the crisis;
h) Collaborate with Australia at Home (See Attachment 4), the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, community radio and other relevant bodies on a partnership to utilise new methods of communication to ensure our Inner West community is informed and connected during the crisis, with a report on the potential partnership to be tabled at the April 28 Council meeting;
i) Liaise with the local RSLs about ways to conduct ANZAC Day commemorations with the population in isolation;
j) Condemn in the strongest terms the hurtful and racist remarks and actions targeted at people of Asian descent amid the Covid-19 outbreak; and
k) Express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all nations, particularly those who have suffered a significant number of deaths during the pandemic.
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1.⇩ |
Transport for NSW newsletter outlining road network changes |
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2.⇩ |
Notice of termination - Rozelle 20203103 |
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Support for the Arts and Creative Sectors
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Notes that the recently discovered additional $60 billion allocated to JobKeeper provides funding that should be made available to workers previously excluded from the scheme;
2. Writes to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers asking them to broaden the JobKeeper scheme so that the freelance, casual and contract artists, journalists and other creatives, who are presently excluded from accessing the scheme will be eligible to receive the government payments;
3. Convenes a regional Arts and Creatives Forum, via teleconference, that will look at how best to support independent artists and small-to- medium arts, cultural and media organisations impacted by COVID-19 within the next two weeks. a) Invites Chris Keely, Executive Director of Create NSW, and the Mayors of Blacktown City Council; Burwood Council; Canterbury-Bankstown Council; City of Canada Bay Council; City of Parramatta Council; City of Ryde Council; City of Sydney Council; Cumberland City Council; Fairfield City Council; Inner West Council; Liverpool City Council; Penrith City Council; Randwick City Council; Strathfield Council; Waverley Council; Woollahra Municipal Council or their representatives to take part in the Arts and Creatives Forum. 4. Retrospectively endorses the Creative and Cultural Resilience Grants program, which offers $300,000 in new grant funding to support the Inner West’s creative and cultural sector through the impacts of COVID19; and
5. Requests advice in the form of an update from the officers on how the recently announced $50 million arts packaged from the NSW Government can be of benefit to the Inner West arts sector.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Inner West Drive-In Concerts
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Notes the drive-in concert that was held at the Robyn Webster Centre in Tempe Reserve last week (See Attachment 1), in an innovative attempt to allow for live music performance to be undertaken safely during the current restrictions on physical distancing; 2. Notes that the organisers, Drive-In Entertainment Australia (a subsidiary of Action Reaction Entertainment), have dates locked in for future concerts in NSW in July and are seeking to negotiate with local governments across the country to extend the program; 3. Write to the NSW Government seeking permission and direction for how Inner West can become a hub for such events at other locations throughout the local government area; and 4. Seek a meeting with the organisers to discuss the how future events can be held in the Inner West LGA. |
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1.⇩ |
Drive in Article |
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Virtual Town Hall Meeting Expression of Interest
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT:
1. Council opens an Expression of Interest (EOI) for external providers to deliver a three- month trial to establish teleconference capabilities to substitute for the loss of face-to-face consultation and engagement between Council and the community. The anchor point of this project would be the capability for Council to hold virtual town hall style, community meetings on plans of management, infrastructure upgrades, State Government infrastructure projects, public contributions at Council meetings and other issues of public significance;
2. The EOI is promoted through all of Council’s communication channels; and
3. The results of the EOI be reported to the 23 June Ordinary Council meeting. |
Background
In an incredibly short period of time the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the regular community engagement model that local governments have relied on and utilised. Street corner meetings, face-to-face consultation sessions and public meetings have all been eliminated as a result of physical distancing requirements.
This represents a huge reduction in engagement, consultation and notification to the community. It is vital that Inner West Council continue to keep a direct connection between Council and our community during this time.
The decision by the publishers to cease distributing hard copies of the Inner West Courier has also further reduced the direct communication channels between Inner West Council and the community.
Establishing the capability for Council to hold virtual town hall style, community meetings would provide residents with the ability to both see and hear advice and updates from Council, which could normally be gained from either one-on-one or public meetings.
As with Council Meetings, the content from these virtual town hall meetings could also be recorded to enable viewing after sessions. This method could also allow Councillors to interact directly with constituents as they would in a public meeting.
Resource Implications
Council has already resolved at the meeting on 7 April to redirect unspent money in the communications budget, currently set aside for the now cancelled advertising in the Inner
West Courier, to cover the costs of the trial.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Promoting Reconciliation Week
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Promotes National Reconciliation Week through all of Council’s communication channels;
2. Promotes and invites residents to celebrate Reconciliation Week by watching a virtual cinema screening of the documentary film, In My Blood It Runs. The screening of the film should be promoted through all of Council’s communication channels;
3. Acknowledges and reflects on Reconciliation Australia’s theme for National Reconciliation Week, which is “In this together”; and
4. Notes it is the 20th anniversary of the Reconciliation Walks, when tens of thousands of Australians came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation to show their support for a more reconciled Australia in May 2000.
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Background
National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each and every one of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Reconciliation Walks of 2000.
As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past.
Today we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country.
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We strive towards a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another. On this journey, Australians are all In This Together; every one of us has a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.
The timing of the week from 27 May to 3 June commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider
Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Council is a partner of the Eastern Region Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum (ERLGATSIF), a network of six Councils: Waverley, Bayside, City of Sydney, Randwick, Inner West, and Woollahra.
Every year Reconciliation Week is marked by the Pauline McLeod Awards, which are hosted by an ERLGATSIF member Council. The awards recognise the “silent achievers” who have worked diligently in promoting Reconciliation through selfless acts.
Unfortunately, the Awards have been cancelled this year.
Residents can celebrate Reconciliation Week by watching a virtual cinema screening of the documentary film, In My Blood It Runs, and then tune in to a livestream interactive Q&A afterwards on Wednesday 3 June, 6.30pm and Thursday 4 June, 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/in-my-blood-it-runs-virtual-cinema-w-filmmaker-qa-tickets-103071266934.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Supporting Inner West NGOs and Charities
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Immediately makes available the $250,000 which was allocated to establishing a large-scale volunteer coordination service in the Inner West at the 7 April Extraordinary Council Meeting to local NGOs and charities to be used as grants to cover operational costs incurred by these organisations as result of them providing vital services during the COVID-19 crisis;
2. Meets with local NGOs, including but not limited to Addison Road Community Centre, the Exodus Foundation, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, Inner West Neighbour Aid, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, St Vinnies Rozelle and the Asylum Seekers Centre, within one week to discuss how the $250,000 can be distributed to these organisations within 14 business days of this resolution; and
3. Notes that a report detailing the allocation of $250,000 for the funding and the establishment of the volunteer service has not been tabled for consideration at a Council meeting nor has been it tabled for subsequent Council meetings.
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Background
At the 7 April Extraordinary Council meeting, Councillors unanimously passed a mayoral minute allocating $250,000 as an initial investment in establishing a large-scale volunteer coordination service in the Inner West, which would be aimed at mobilising the community to help alleviate hunger and isolation.
The motion also stated that following Council consultation with local NGOs and charities, a report with the details of the volunteer plan be tabled at the April 28 Council meeting. The report is yet to be tabled.
A number of staff and volunteers at these organisations have contacted me seeking to understand why these funds have not been allocated as required by the resolution of Council.
It is clear to me from my ongoing liaison with these organisations that Inner West NGOs and charities have an urgent need for additional resources to address unprecedented community need.
Given that a report and recommendations on how the funding could be used for volunteer coordination has not been produced in the intervening period and the funding commitment has been made already, it is now necessary to simply make the funds available for costs incurred by these organisations in responding to the crisis.
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Council Meeting 26 May 2020
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Subject: Mayoral Minute: Callan Park Trust
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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Motion:
THAT Council:
1. Notes the University of Sydney’s decision to vacate the heritage listed Kirkbride Buildings in Callan Park from April 30 2020;
2. Writes to the NSW Government: a) Registering its disappointment that the they have encouraged the University to leave and have not arranged for a new tenant or use of the Kirkbride precinct and concerns that buildings. b) Seeking clarification about the process and timeline for attracting a new tenant for the site. 3. Calling for the immediate establishment of a Callan Park Public Trust to secure the future of Callan Park and protect it in perpetuity.
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Background
Council received correspondence dated 1 April 2020 from Dr Michael Spence AC, Vice- Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney, informing Council of the University’s decision to permanently depart the Kirkbride Buildings from 30 April 2020.
With no new tenancy agreement secured, these amazing heritage buildings are now at risk of the same demolition by neglect that has seen the rest of the park fall into shocking disrepair over the past decade.
The establishment of the Callan Park Trust to protect and maintain Callan Park has been a long running request from the Inner West community and was a central tenant
of the award-winning Callan Park Master Plan.
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1.⇩ |
Letter from Dr Michael Spence AC, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney (which included a copy of the Notice of Termination sent to NSW Health) |
