AGENDA R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting

                            

TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2020

 

6.30pm

 

 

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Live Streaming of Council Meeting

 

In the spirit of open, accessible and transparent government, this meeting of the Inner West Council is being streamed live on Council’s website. By speaking at a Council meeting, members of the public agree to being recorded and must ensure their speech to the Council is respectful and use appropriate language. A person who uses defamatory, discriminatory or offensive language may be exposed to liability for which Council takes no responsibility. Any part of this meeting that is held in closed session will not be recorded

 

Pre-Registration to Speak at Council Meetings

 

Speaking at a Council Meeting is conducted through an online software application called Zoom. Members of the public must register by 2pm of the day of the Meeting to speak at Council Meetings. If you wish to register to speak please fill in a Register to Speak Form, available from the Inner West Council website, including:

• your name;
• contact details;
• item on the Agenda you wish to speak to; and
• whether you are for or against the recommendation in the agenda.

 

Are there any rules for speaking at a Council Meeting?

The following rules apply when addressing a Council meeting:

• keep your address to the point, the time allowed for each speaker is limited to three minutes. This time limit applies, no matter how many items are addressed by the speaker;
• when addressing the Meeting you must speak to the Chairperson;
• the Chairperson may curtail public participation where the information being presented is considered repetitive or irrelevant; and
• only 3 speakers for and against an Agenda Item are allowed.

 

What happens after I submit the form?

You will be contacted by Governance Staff and provided with a link to the online meeting. Your request will then be added to a list that is shown to the Chairperson on the night of the meeting. Public speakers will be allowed into the Meeting when it is their time to speak.

 

Where Items are deferred, Council reserves the right to defer speakers until that Item is heard on the next occasion.

 

 

 

   

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

 

 

PRECIS

 

 

1          Acknowledgement of Country

 

2          Apologies

 

3          Notice of Webcasting

 

4          Disclosures of Interest (Section 451 of the Local Government Act
and Council’s Code of Conduct)  

 

5          Moment of Quiet Contemplation

 

6          Confirmation of Minutes                                                                                          Page

Minutes of 28 July 2020 Council Meeting                                                                        5

 

7          Public Forum – Hearing from All Registered Speakers

8          Condolence Motions

 

Nil at the time of printing.

9          Mayoral Minutes

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                     Page

 

C0820(1) Item 1       Mayoral Minute: Ashfield Aquatic Centre EOI                                       14

C0820(1) Item 2       Mayoral Minute: Inquiry into the Stronger Communities Fund              15

 

10        Reports with Strategic Implications

 

Nil at the time of printing.

11        Reports for Council Decision

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                     Page

 

C0820(1) Item 3       Community Gardens Policy                                                                    17

C0820(1) Item 4       Eurobodalla Community Relationship Development                             28

C0820(1) Item 5       776 Parramatta Road Lewisham - Voluntary Planning Agreement      29

C0820(1) Item 6       Request for Sponsorship of Inner West Peninsula Partnership            44

C0820(1) Item 7       Draft Lobbying Policy                                                                             45

 

12        Reports for Noting

 

Nil at the time of printing.

 

 

13        Rescission Motions

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                     Page

 

C0820(1) Item 8       Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0419(1) Item 5 Local Traffic Committee Meeting: Ltc0419 Item 6 - Gannon Lane, Tempe - 30 April 2019                        50

 

14        Notices of Motion

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                     Page

 

C0820(1) Item 9       Notice of Motion: Council’s Commitment to the Elimination of Domestic and Family Violence                                                                                      51

C0820(1) Item 10     Notice of Motion: The Bower and Reverse Garbage                             53

C0820(1) Item 11     Notice of Motion: Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms And Equality) Bill 2020                                                                                   57

 

15        Questions From Councillors

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                     Page

 

C0820(1) Item 12     Question on Notice: The use of Glyphosate by Inner West Council     59

C0820(1) Item 13     Question on Notice: Various Questions                                                 64

C0820(1) Item 14     Question on Notice: Tree Application Update                                       65

 

16        Reports with Confidential Information

 

Reports appearing in this section of the Business Paper are confidential in their entirety. The confidential information has been circulated separately.

 

ITEM                                                                                                                                             

C0820(1) Item 15     Update - Rent Relief for Tenants - Covid 19 Coronavirus

 

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

 

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held remotely and livestreamed on Council’s website on 28 July 2020

 

Meeting commenced at 6.30pm

 

 

 

Present:
Darcy Byrne Marghanita Da Cruz Mark Drury Lucille McKenna OAM Colin Hesse Tom Kiat Pauline Lockie Victor Macri Julie Passas John Stamolis Louise Steer Anna York Michael Deegan Elizabeth Richardson	Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer, Director Development and Recreation
Cathy Edwards-Davis Melodie Whiting Daryl Jackson	Director Infrastructure Director Corporate Chief Financial Officer
Ian Naylor	Manager Governance
Katherine Paixao	Governance Coordinator

 

APOLOGIES:   

 

Motion: (Byrne/Lockie)   

 

THAT apologies from Councillors Iskandar, Porteous and Raciti be accepted and leave of absence granted for Councillor Porteous for the month of August 2020 due to personal reasons.

 

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis and York

Against Motion:          Nil

 

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:    Nil

 

Councillor Steer entered the meeting at 6:33pm.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

Motion: (Drury/Stamolis) That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 23 June 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.   Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 PUBLIC FORUM

 

The registered speakers were asked to address the meeting. The list of speakers is available on the last page of these minutes.

 

C0720(1) Item 1         Mayoral Minute: Callan Park and the Greater Sydney Parklands           Agency

Motion: (Byrne)   THAT Council:   1.    Notes the announcement by the NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes of a new Greater Sydney Parklands (GSP) government agency that brings together the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, Parramatta Park Trust, and Western Sydney Parklands Trusts, as well as the parklands of Callan Park and Fernhill Estate;   2.    Welcomes the NSW Government’s $10 million investment in repairing Callan Park;   3.    Write to Minister Stokes and Michael Rose, Chair of the GSP, restating Council’s longstanding proposal for the establishment of a Callan Park Trust and seeking, at a minimum for the creation of a Callan Park Board to include representatives of Council, local community organisations and local residents to ensure a local role in the governance of Callan Park; and   4.    Letterbox residents in Rozelle, Lilyfield, Balmain, Annandale and Leichhardt informing them of the Government’s funding commitment and surveying their priorities for the $10million in expenditure and the new governance arrangements in Callan Park. Convene a zoom meeting for all interested residents in the Inner West to survey their views. This it to be funded from the funds quarantined from saving following the loss of local newspaper advertising.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 21       Mayoral Minute: Anthony Hassett

Motion: (Byrne)   THAT Council Commends Council bus driver Anthony Hassett, Community Facilities Services Officer - Community Bus, for his service to Council and wish him all the best on his retirement.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

 

 

 

C0720(1) Item 2         Adoption of the combined Delivery Program 18-22, Operational           Plan 2020/21 and Budget 2020/21. Fees and Charges 2020/21 and            Long-Term Financial Plan 2020-30.

Motion: (Drury/Byrne)   THAT Council:   1.    Adopts the combined IWC Delivery Program 2018-22, Operational Plan 2020/21 and Budget 2020/21, the IWC Fees and Charges 2020/21, and IWC Long Term Financial Plan 2020-30;   2.    Make and levy the Rates and Charges for 2020/21 from August 2020, as contained in the Delivery Program and Operational Plan;   3.    Continue to develop a consistent Inner West Council rating structure by July 2021, as required by the NSW Government;   4.    Adopt the rates of interest as the interest rate to apply on outstanding rates, in accordance with section 566(3) of the Local Government Act 1993:-   ·    1 July to 31 December 2020 - 0.0%; and ·    1 January to 30 June 2021 - 7.0%.   5.    Quarantine the savings from the cancelled Dulwich Hill, Summer Hill and Marrickville Festivals, totalling $138,000, notionally to be used for economic development;   6.    Write to Transport for NSW seeking a matching contribution towards this economic development fund in order to support local economies affected by Transport for NSW construction projects. This would include suburbs across the Inner West LGA including Haberfield, Tempe, St Peters, Marrickville, Newtown, Leichhardt and the Balmain peninsula;   7.    Pending the agreement of Transport for NSW, consult with the Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Recovery Taskforce on how the combined funds can be used immediately to support local businesses;   8.    Write to the relevant state MPs, including the Members for Balmain, Heffron, Newtown, Strathfield and Summer Hill asking for their support, inviting their participation in any subsequent meetings and request they lobby the government to back this proposal; and   9.    Notes the supplementary report (Item 20) providing particular advice requested in relation to the budget, and that with respect 'Initiatives' identified by staff to correspond with 'Strategies' 1.1.4 and 2.4.1, that these be included in the adopted budget.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Cr Passas

 

 

C0720(1) Item 3         Planning Proposal - 13-55 Edinburgh Road, Marrickville

Motion: (Macri/Da Cruz)   THAT Council:   1.    Endorse and forward the planning proposal prepared by Council Officers for 13-55 Edinburgh Road Marrickville (Attachment 1) to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) for a Gateway Determination in accordance with Section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979;   2.    Request delegation of the plan-making functions for this planning proposal; and   3.    Following receipt of a favourable Gateway determination, place the planning proposal on public exhibition and receive a post exhibition report for its consideration.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 4         Public Exhibition of Planning Proposal – 466-480 New   Canterbury Road and 26-38 Hercules Street, Dulwich Hill

Motion: (Drury/Passas)   THAT Council note the outcomes of community consultation and recommends to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces that the planning proposal should not proceed for reasons outlined in Attachment 1.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 5         Post Exhibition Report - Draft Section 7.12 Development          Contributions Plan for the Former Leichhardt Council Area

Motion: (Passas/Da Cruz)   THAT Council adopt the amended draft Former Leichhardt Local Government Area Section 7.12 Development Contributions Plan 2020 shown as Attachment 1 and publish the document on Council’s website.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Steer and York Against Motion:          Cr Stamolis

 

 

 

C0720(1) Item 6         Local Traffic Committee Meeting - July 2020

Motion: (Macri/McKenna OAM)   THAT the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meetings held in July 2020 be received and the recommendations be adopted.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 7         Local Government Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2020

Motion: (Drury/Lockie)   THAT the Mayor and Councillor Fees for 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 be set at the maximum level for a Metropolitan Large Council.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 8         Council Membership to Resilient Sydney

Motion: (Passas/Macri)   THAT Council not join Resilient Sydney.

Motion Lost For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Macri and Passas Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York

Foreshadowed Motion (Hesse/Lockie)   THAT Council take up a membership of Resilient Sydney, being $20,000 a year for the next 4 financial years.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Crs Da Cruz, Kiat, Macri and Passas

Amendment (Kiat/Da Cruz)   THAT Council defer this item for further information.

Motion Lost For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Kiat and Stamolis Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas,                                       Steer and York

 

C0720(1) Item 20       Supplementary Report - Adoption of the combined Delivery     Program 18-22, Operational Plan 2020/21 and Budget 2020/21.            Fees and Charges 2020/21 and Long-Term Financial Plan 2020- 30.

Council noted this report in point 9 of Item 2 Adoption of the combined Delivery Program 18-22, Operational Plan 2020/21 and Budget 2020/21.    Fees and Charges 2020/21 and Long-Term Financial Plan 2020- 30.   Motion: (Byrne/Kiat)   THAT Council defer this item to the next Ordinary Council meeting.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 9         Rebate on Domestic Waste Charges for Jobseeker and             Jobkeeper Recipients

Motion: (Passas/Drury)   THAT Council receive and note report.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 10       Ashfield Aquatic Centre - Project Update

Motion: (Drury/Steer)   THAT Council receive and note the report.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

C0720(1) Item 11       Investment Report as at 30 June 2020

Motion: (Lockie/Stamolis)   THAT the report be received and noted.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

 

C0720(1) Item 12       Notice of Motion: Investments Policies

Motion: (Da Cruz/Kiat)   THAT a report be brought back to Council clearly stating the policies being applied to each of the “Socially Responsible Investments” Instruments in our Portfolio in which we invested  $137.6 million and that the information be published on our website alongside the monthly investment reports.

Motion Tied For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Stamolis and Steer Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas and York   The Chairperson used his Casting Vote against the MOTION and the MOTION was lost.

 

C0720(1) Item 13       Notice of Motion: Keep the Rate

Motion: (Kiat/Byrne)   THAT Council: 1.   Notes the supplemented rate of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance has pulled 1.85 million people out of poverty, and that no permanent raise, in real terms, occurred since 1994. The pre-COVID-19 rate of $40 a day caused immense hardship for unemployed people and students, with recipients struggling to keep a roof over their head, pay bills, put food on the table, and cover the cost of medicines and other essential expenses; 2.   Notes the Australian Bureau of Statistics data from May 2020 show roughly 11,000 in the LGA are either on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance rising from 4671 in December 2019, that to national unemployment rose to 7.1% and the underutilisation rate rise to 20.2%; 3.   Notes that the Disability Support Pension and Carers Payment were not supplemented despite COVID-19 having significant financial strain on recipients; 4.   Notes that the government have begun reintroduced mutual obligations despite the job vacancy rate dropping 43.2% since February 2020, and acknowledges reports that note the stress that these obligations place on Inner West residents and businesses; 5.   Notes a reduction in Newstart and YA rates on the 24th of September will plunge thousands into poverty, and that the 24th of September is being referred to as ‘Poverty Day'; 6.   Notes that on the 23rd of July the Federal Government has the opportunity to confirm a permanent raise to welfare payments in line with the supplemented JobSeeker and Youth Allowance rates And keep 1.8m unwaged, underemployed, insecure workers and students above the poverty line; 7.   To call upon the Federal Government to commit to retaining the supplemented rates to JobSeeker and Youth Allowance, permanently increase the Disability Support Pension and Carers Payment; 8.   To campaign with AUWU, Addison Rd Community Centre, and Inner West Raise the Rate activists to Keep the Rate. Council will write to the AUWU, Addison Rd Community Centre, ACTU, ACOS and Unions NSW to further explore mutual aid and campaign options; and 9.   Write to the Prime Minister, Federal Opposition Leader, relevant ministers, and shadow ministers to share this motion.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Crs Macri and Passas

 

C0720(1) Item 14       Notice of Motion: Covid-19 Racism

Motion: (Drury/Kiat)   THAT Council:   1.   Expresses its opposition to all forms of racism and the growing anti-Asian racism that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and stands in solidarity with the Asian Australian community;   2.   Endorses the work done by the Asian Australian Alliance to collect information on incidents of anti-Asian racism and encourages Inner West residents to fill out the COVID-19 Coronavirus Racism Incident Report Survey; and   3.   Endorses the Chinese Australian Forum’s #UnityOverFear campaign and agrees to add its logo to a Letter of Support.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Councillor Passas left the Meeting at 9:16 pm.

C0720(1) Item 15       Notice of Motion: Greater Sydney Parklands Agency: Callan Park

Motion: (Stamolis/Byrne)   THAT:   1.    Council make a submission to the DPIE consultation 50 Year Vision for Sydney’s Open Space and Parklands; with a specific focus on Callan Park, in particular:   -       its history and heritage significance -       the exceptional beauty of its landscape -       the need for funding -       summarise the uses of Callan Park which makes this place so important for our community -       recognition that the Callan Park Act will remain in place to protect this site from privatisation or commercialisation.   2.    The submission should refer to the proposed Greater Sydney Parklands agency and how this agency will need to carefully manage the unique and diverse areas under its governance; and   3.    The submission be provided to Councillors for comment.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil Absent:                        Cr Passas

Councillor Passas returned to the Meeting at 9:17 pm.

C0720(1) Item 16       Notice of Motion: Food Recycling

Motion: (McKenna OAM/York)   THAT Council:   1.    Notes that the roll out of weekly Food Organics Only (FOO) collection service to multi-unit apartments in the former Marrickville LGA will now begin in September rather than July as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;   2.    Develops a comprehensive communications plan to inform residents in the former Marrickville LGA of the roll out and availability of the new FOO service; and   3.    Writes to the NSW Environment Minister noting his refusal since September 2019 to meet with interested Councils to discuss the establishment of a metropolitan-wide food recycling scheme and requesting an urgent meeting with Councils now to progress planning for the expansion of food recycling in Sydney.

Motion Carried For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Stamolis, Steer and York Against Motion:          Nil

 

Meeting closed at 9.23pm.

 

 

Public Speakers:

 

 

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 4:	Mark Skelsey Jud Agius	Dulwich Hill Dulwich Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 1

Subject:         Mayoral Minute: Ashfield Aquatic Centre EOI           

From:             The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne   

 

Motion:   THAT:   1.   Council notes the importance of recognising the heritage of Ashfield Pool and the Ashfield community through the new Ashfield Aquatic Centre;   2.   Council initiates an expression of interest process to consider proposals for naming sections of the new facility in recognition of local citizens and sports people with an association to the Pool and the community. This should include consideration of commemorating Warwick Webster whom a grandstand at the Pool has previously been named after; 3.   The Ashfield Swimming Club, Wests Water Polo Club and Ashfield Historical Society and Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group each be invited to nominate a representative to adjudicate on a panel assessing the expressions of interest and make recommendations about the naming of sections of the facility to Council; and 4.   The recommendations of the panel be tabled for consideration at an Ordinary Council meeting.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 2

Subject:         Mayoral Minute: Inquiry into the Stronger Communities Fund           

From:             The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne   

 

Motion:   THAT:   1.   Notes that the NSW Parliament’s Public Accountability Committee has launched an inquiry titled Integrity, efficacy and value for money for NSW Government grant programs. As per the terms of reference (Attachment 1) this includes an investigation into the Stronger Communities Fund;   2.   Makes a submission to the inquiry articulating the following: a)   Inner West Council received no funds under the second round of Stronger Communities Grant funding. b)   The failure of the Office of Local Government or the Local Government Minister to even inform amalgamated Councils such as the Inner West that the grant scheme existed. c)   The overtly biased and improper allocation of funds from the Fund in which $241 million of the $252 million of monies were awarded to projects in Liberal and National Party electorates. d)   The fact that approximately half of all funds were allocated to Councils that were not in fact amalgamated including $90 million awarded to Hornsby Council.   3.   Recommits to fighting for Inner West Council to receive this fair share of the funds our community missed out on which, if granted to amalgamated councils on a simple per capita basis, would have amounted to $24 million.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Terms of Reference - Integrity of NSW Government grant programs

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 3

Subject:         Community Gardens Policy           

Prepared By:      Kate Jackson - Coordinator Community Sustainability  

Authorised By:  Jon Stiebel - Urban Sustainability Manager

 

 

RECOMMENDATION   THAT:   1.      The draft Community Gardens Policy be placed on public exhibition; and   2.      The results of the public exhibition are presented to Council along with a final Community Gardens Policy for adoption.

 

 

DISCUSSION

Community gardens are community-managed spaces for non-commercial food growing and other gardening activities that benefit the local community. There are 19 well-established community gardens in the Inner West, including eight gardens and a food forest located in Council parks. Council has enabled local groups to establish and maintain these community gardens through licences and other agreements.

 

The draft Community Gardens Policy creates a framework for Council to support community gardens. It will enable the renewal of existing agreements for community gardens on Council land, many of which are in hold-over, and the future establishment of new community gardens.

 

Council staff have been developing the policy for some time with a view to harmonising the former council policies into one document and engaging with stakeholders including Council’s Environment Advisory Committee, Denison Road Community Garden, Ashfield Community Garden, Marlborough Street Veggie Patch, Francis Street Community Garden, Mort Bay Community Garden, Punch Park Community Garden, Whites Creek Valley Park Food Forest, Whites Creek Community Garden, Taringa Street Community Garden, Summer Hill Community Garden.

 

It is recommended that the draft Policy be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.  The Inner West community garden network will be advised of the public exhibition, including all groups managing community gardens on council land. Notices will be placed at all community garden sites located on Council land.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Nil

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Draft Community Gardens Policy

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 4

Subject:         Eurobodalla Community Relationship Development           

Prepared By:      Johanne Gallagher - Community and Cultural Planning Coordinator 

Authorised By:  Caroline McLeod - Acting Director City Living

 

 

RECOMMENDATION   THAT discussions on a formal Community to Community Relationship between the Inner West and Eurobodalla Councils be initiated.

 

 

DISCUSSION

The previous Leichhardt and Ashfield councils both had domestic Community to Community relationships. Ashfield was paired with Parkes City Council and the local Peak Hill Aboriginal community. Initial discussion with Eurobodalla Council supports development of a Community to Community Relationship with Inner West Council. Initial ideas for further exploration include the following:

 

1.   Mutual sharing on:

·    Policies

·    Sustainable procurement

·    Managing bushland reserves

·    Public and environmental health, particularly in the COVID era.

 

2.   Opportunities for mentoring in the development of internal services for example Inner West Council might advise on the development of support for Aboriginal staff. It may also be that a relationship could be established between local Aboriginal people and families at Eurobodalla and those in the Inner West.

 

3.   Tourism, event and business development with the potential of promoting Eurobodalla to Inner West residents.

 

Feedback from Eurobodalla Council on the secondment of four Planning Officers following the summer bush fires, and the experience of the officers themselves, indicates that professional development opportunities would also benefit both Councils and their communities.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Nil

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 5

Subject:         776 Parramatta Road Lewisham - Voluntary Planning Agreement            

Prepared By:      Bojan Sodic - Strategic Investments Manager  

Authorised By:  Elizabeth Richardson - Chief Operating Officer, Director Development & Recreation

 

 

RECOMMENDATION   THAT Council enter into the Voluntary Planning Agreement shown as Attachment 1 for 776 Parramatta Road Lewisham with Moweno Pty Ltd (the proponent) where the proponent will provide Council with a monetary contribution of $10,000.

 

 

DISCUSSION

The site is located at 776 Parramatta Road, Lewisham. The site contains a three-storey residential building and is located near the intersection of Carrington Street and Parramatta Road. Development Application (DA201800240) sought to demolish part of the premises and carry out alterations and additions to the existing building and to use the premises a boarding house. The matter was appealed to the NSW Land and Environment Court. Council entered into a Section 34 agreement which includes a deferred commencement consent condition to enter into the VPA:

 

PART A – DEFERRED COMMENCEMENT CONSENT 

A.   This consent is not to operate until the Applicant satisfies the Council, within 4 months of the date of this consent that: 

 

1.   Deferred Commencement condition

 

In accordance with the letter of offer dated 3 September 2019 made by on behalf of the Applicant by its legal representative, the Applicant is to enter into a Planning Agreement under section 93F of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 with Council to make a monetary contribution to the Council in the amount of $10,000.00 in lieu of the applicant’s proposal providing no car parking for the proposal.

The following conditions of consent will be included in the development consent after fulfilment of the deferred commencement condition.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The VPA value is a monetary contribution of $10,000.

 

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The VPA has been on Public Exhibition for 28 days and Council did not receive any submissions from the public

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	776 Parramatta Road - VPA

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 6

Subject:         Request for Sponsorship of Inner West Peninsula Partnership           

Prepared By:      Ian Naylor - Manager Governance  

Authorised By:  Michael Deegan – Chief Executive Officer

 

 

RECOMMENDATION   THAT Council give consideration to a request from the Inner West Peninsula Partnership for sponsorship funding of $25,000.

 

 

DISCUSSION

Council has received correspondence from Christopher Brown of the Taylor Street Advisory representing the Inner West Peninsula Partnership. The Peninsular Partnership is comprised of representatives from the Balmain and Rozelle community with the aim of providing Council with an authoritative advocacy and advisory body to address a range of issues facing the Rozelle/Balmain area, most notably the revival of high street retail and patronage of Darling Street.

 

The Peninsula Partnership is requesting sponsorship of $25,000 from Council.

The former Leichhardt Council provided a grant to the Peninsula Partnership to undertake a data analysis of spending patterns in the Darling Street catchment in 2016. The Peninsular Partnership have been successful in generating media engagement as an advocacy group for the area, with the Sydney Morning Herald running a story that same year.

The Peninsula Partnership is proposing that these funds would be used towards:-

1.   Facilitating a high-level civic leadership group comprising local leaders from the business, government and community sectors. This cohort will workshop local issues and potential solutions, positions and approaches for the Council to put forward to the local community;

2.   Assist Council in the curation of public forums to discuss relevant local projects and issues at the wider community level; and

3.   Providing ongoing advisory services to the Mayor and CEO as required on State and Federal Government, media and major project issues of relevance to the Peninsula.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The request is for sponsorship of $25,000.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 7

Subject:         Draft Lobbying Policy           

Prepared By:      Ian Naylor - Manager Governance 

Authorised By:  Michael Deegan - Chief Executive Officer

 

 

RECOMMENDATION   THAT the amended Draft Lobbying Policy shown as Attachment 1 be adopted and published on Council’s Website along with a Lobbying Register and Lobbyist Registration Form.

 

 

DISCUSSION

The Draft Lobbying Policy was publicly exhibited late last year and nine submissions were received. The submissions raised concerns with the concept of lobbying of Council Officials, the need to strengthen the Policy and include stronger links to the Code of Conduct. The Policy has been amended in response to this feedback. The Engagement Outcomes report can be viewed at: https://yoursay.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/49686/widgets/261866/documents/175255

 

The implementation of the Policy will include the creation of a lobbyist registration form and lobbyist register on Council’s website.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Draft Lobbying Policy

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

 

 

 

  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 8

Subject:         Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0419(1) Item 5 Local Traffic Committee Meeting: Ltc0419 Item 6 - Gannon Lane, Tempe - 30 April 2019           

From:             The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne   

 

Motion:   I, the abovementioned Councillor, hereby submit a Notice of Motion to rescind Council’s resolution of C0419(1) Item 5 Local Traffic Committee Meeting: Ltc0419 Item 6 - Gannon Lane, Tempe, and propose the alternative Motion be adopted as follows:   The installation of 10m ‘No Stopping’ signage on the eastern side of Gannon Lane, Tempe, between the rear access of property Nos.767 & 769 Princes Highway (replacing the current ‘No Parking 5am-10am Fridays’ signage) be APPROVED.

 

 

Officer’s Comments:

 

Coment from Traffic and Transport Planning Manager:

 

Staff recommended and the Traffic Committee approved ‘No Stopping’ signage in April 2019 and Council resolved to not adopt this recommendation at its Meeting of 30 April 2019.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 9

Subject:         Notice of Motion: Council’s Commitment to the Elimination of Domestic and Family Violence                 

From:             Councillor Pauline Lockie   

 

Motion:   THAT Council:   1.   Notes its long-standing and ongoing commitment to working in partnership with local community groups, organisations, networks and key national associations to reduce domestic and family violence across the Inner West;   2.   Develops a gender equity strategy in collaboration with peak bodies, the Inner West Council domestic and family violence strategic reference group, and the domestic and family violence liaison committee to ensure that Council works to address gender inequality, a key driver of domestic and family violence. The draft of this strategy to be reported to Council no later than July 2021; and   3.   Continues its coordination of initiatives that enable a whole of community response to domestic and family violence.

 

Background

 

Domestic and family violence continues to impact our community in devastating ways. Council plays a critical role in addressing domestic and family violence in our local area through initiatives such as 16 Days of Activism, Love Bites, the Inner West Domestic and Family Violence Liaison Committee, and the Speak Out Campaign.

 

These initiatives have been supported by a funding commitment of $78,000 per year, which has been allocated in Council’s four-year Operational Plan until 2020/21. Developing a gender equity strategy that builds on the work and progress made to date will help shape Council’s funding priorities from 2021/22, as well as the strategic leadership and support we provide in this area.

National and international research shows that gender inequality is a key driver of violence against women. Data shows that countries with greater equality between women and men tend to have lower levels of violence against women.^[1]

A gender equity strategy will help Council identify and address the complex social norms that enable domestic and family violence in the Inner West. It will provide a framework for addressing the drivers of domestic and family violence, including actions to: 

 

●     Challenge the condoning of violence against women.

●     Promote women’s independence and decision-making in public life and relationships.

●     Foster positive personal identities, and challenge gender stereotypes and roles.

●     Strength positive, equal and respectful relationships between women and men, and girls and boys.

●     Promote and normalise gender equality in public and private life.

 

While reducing domestic and family violence is imperative for Council at any time, it’s particularly pressing now given the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on people at risk and survivors of domestic and family violence. 

 

New research from the Australian Institute of Criminology has provided strong evidence of an increase in incidents of violence against women since the pandemic began.^[2] There is evidence to suggest restrictions designed to enforce social distancing have made it more difficult for people to seek the help they need, which may explain why incidents reported to police have not increased.^[3] Our Watch has also reported that Google searches on domestic violence have increased by 75% since March.^[4]

There is also increasing evidence that the economic impact of the pandemic is hitting women harder than men, which will further entrench gender inequality. For example, industries and job types dominated by women among those most badly affected by the downturn.^[5] Twice as many women as men will see their JobKeeper payments halved when the federal government reduces these subsidies from September.^[6] The end of free childcare and removal of JobKeeper subsidies for the sector will also leave women worse off.^[7]

Council is in a position to continue to be a leader and innovator in this space by creating a strategic framework that can work across our diverse and unique community. By doing so, we can create a safer community that promotes gender equity, healthy relationships and active bystanders.

 

Officer’s Comments:

 

Staff have no comment.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 10

Subject:         Notice of Motion: The Bower and Reverse Garbage           

From:             Councillor Marghanita Da Cruz  

 

Motion:   THAT Council:   1.    Notes the Sustainability Advisory Committee feedback March 2020: ◦   Stronger targets to get to zero waste ◦   Support for organics services ◦   Preference for scheduled clean-up for scavenging ◦   Greater focus on reuse and repair ◦   More local drop-offs for problem wastes   2.    Recognises the niche the Bower and Reverse Garbage make in the local reuse and repair eco-system;   3.    Notes that Inner West Council is looking into establishing a partnership with the two Not for Profit Organisation;   4.    Notes officer’s advice that COVID-19 Grants of $25,000 to each organisation from the Domestic Waste Management Reserves is not possible at this time; and   5.    Encourages the two organisations to apply for the next round of environmental grants to the amount of $10,000 in October 2020.

 

Background

 

During the COVID-19 Lockdown Reverse Garbage and the Bower both continued to deliver their essential waste services at the Addison Road Community Centre. Both are registered charities who extend the life of manufactured goods by diverting items from the recycling and landfill streams to their repair, re-use and educational programs.

 

The Bower is on track to divert 500 tonnes of working, repairable and reusable tools, cables, electronics, electrical appliances, furniture, garden and building materials from landfill in 2020.The Waste Levy for 20/21 is set at $146.00 per tonne, plus tip and logistics costs this provides real savings to councils and residents. The Bower has collected 70 tonnes from the Inner West which translates to a savings of $26,600 (at $380/tonne which is the advertised tip fee at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre at Terrey Hills) from landfill alone leaving aside the value of the goods.

Inner West Council pays the Bower about $5,000pa to provide a free pickup service to residents. Items can also be dropped of at the Bower’s Addison Road HQ.

A Commonwealth Government commissioned report found “The market security and pricing for recyclables is strongly linked to the availability of markets back into new product, either as packaging or durable goods. There is a recognition that government and major brands have a role in procuring recycled content product in order to create the market pull for a healthy circular outcome” Recycling market situation, Sustainable Resource Use Pty Ltd report for Dept. of Environment and Energy, September 2019.

The bower runs a House to Home program under which it provides free gift vouchers to:

 

•     the Asylum Seeker’s Centre in Newtown to pass on to their clients;

•     Bonnies who provide support and/or accommodation to women and their children who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping domestic and family violence;

•     Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) provides support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants;

•     Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre supporting women, children and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and/or domestic and family violence;

•     Mary’s House provides a quality refuge for women and their children escaping domestic violence.

 

•     Parramatta Mission Community Housing provides short to medium term accommodation while you work with your support provider to find permanent housing;

•     The House of Welcome exists to welcome, shelter and empower people seeking asylum and refugees regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, nationality or religion;

•     SSI is also the lead partner of a consortium called the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP), which comprises 22 organisations. The NSP partnership delivers settlement services across most of NSW, under the Department of Social Services’ Settlement Services Program (SSP).The SSP delivers core settlement support for humanitarian entrants and migrants in their first five years in Australia.;

 

•     Life Without Barriers provides care and support services to young people who are temporarily unable to live with family or foster carers, immediate and safe accommodation for people experiencing abuse or violence in their relationship and Supported Accommodation

The Bower provides free “gift vouchers” to humanitarian service organisations which pass them on to their clients asylum seekers and survivors of domestic violence to the Bower stores with a “gift certificate” to select and collect at no cost the items that suit their individual needs and preferences. The Bower will source, collect and deliver those items at no cost to the individuals.

The Bower has seen an increase in demand for their House to Home program which furnishes homes for refugees and asylum seekers and survivors of domestic violence, according to individual needs and preferences by facilitating the re-homing of household goods, furniture and appliances, and help turn a ‘house’ into a ‘home’. Since its inception in September 2016, the Bower has helped 325 families and gave away goods to the value of

$96,000. In addition to the partnerships with humanitarian organisations the Bower has also established a ‘Subsidised Goods Program’ whereby the Bower covers the entire cost to assist individuals who are neither a refugee nor a survivor of domestic violence but still need access to household goods.

In addition to the partnerships with humanitarian organisations the Bower has also established a ‘Subsidised Goods Program’ to support individuals. In 2018-19 there were 4 requests and $1,260 worth of goods was provided.

Prior to the lockdown the Bower provided placements under the work for the dole program which has been suspended. Under the program the organisations providing a placement received funding. The Bower is also working with the Australian Unemployed Workers Union to disseminate information about the alternatives, to Work for the Dole, to meet the Mutual Obligation Requirements

The Bower’s Banga electrical workshop has opened its doors at Sydney’s Green Square (City of Sydney) to provide space for people to meet, learn, and share skills. The shed houses a tool library and hosts a weekly repair café, electronic skills workshops, and testing and tagging services.

The Bower partners with City of Parramatta Council and Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) to operate the Parramatta Women’s Shed. The Shed provides a safe and supportive space for women to learn skills such as using power tools, doing basic plumbing and carpentry.

The Bower runs Woodworks at Redfern. Woodworks is a Men’s Shed which works on reuse and repair projects using recycled materials. Many of their materials and projects are sourced from The Bower, and finished products are offered for sale at the bower’s retail outlets.

Reverse Garbage

 

Reverse Garbage was founded in 1974 to save materials from going to waste in landfill and to renew their value by making them available for reuse by families, students, artists and community groups. Every time a product is thrown away, all the materials and energy that went into its initial production go to waste.

 

Each Year Reverse Garbage accepts around 100 football fields’ worth of industrial off-cuts, over-runs, art and craft materials, stage props, knick-knacks, furniture and other odds and ends, which would otherwise have gone to landfill. The items are made available at low cost via the Reverse Garbage warehouse at Addison Road and online.

To increase the market for these rescued items, Reverse Garbage runs workshops for community members on how to make the most of the rescued resources. Artists also provide educational workshops to a range of ages, abilities and needs. Grants of donated materials, service-in-kind, mutual benefit projects and small financial sponsorship are also available to community, creative and educational groups.

 

Reverse Garbage partners with

•     Addison Road Child Care Centre to show external educators their Loose Parts Play resources in action;

•     provides free materials to Palletable Furniture for training disadvantaged youths in wood working and retail outlet for the furniture they make.;

•     Golden Letter Club to provide stationary for its members to hand write letters to isolated and socially marginalised people;

•     Boomerang Bags who run sewing bees to make reusable bags and encourage the community to avoid single use carry bags.

•     Jamestown Junk Percussion Collective who reuse resources ro create positive awareness of African culture through their sustainable workshops and performances.

 

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 Pandemic revealed a dangerous shortage of Personal Protective Equipment – Reverse Garbage put their network into action and delivered 2,500 face shields to medical staff masks for frontline health workers.

 

Reverse Garbage diverts 250 tonnes from Landfill each year.

 

Reverse Garbage and the Bower provide rare reuse and repair services and reduce illegal dumping on Inner West Streets and Laneways.

 

Officer’s Comments:

 

Staff have no comment.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 11

Subject:         Notice of Motion: Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms And Equality) Bill 2020           

From:             Councillor Pauline Lockie   

 

Motion:   THAT Council:   1.   Note its support for fair and equal discrimination laws that unite, rather than divide, the community, and its recent endorsement of Equality Australia’s Freedom from Discrimination Statement;   2.   Makes a submission to the Parliament of NSW Joint Select Committee on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 that: a)   Reflects the position noted in point (1); and   b)   Requests that unbalanced provisions in the Bill that threaten safe and inclusive workplaces, schools, universities, and services be removed.   3.   Circulates the draft submission to Councillors, Council’s LGBTIQ Working Group, and other local democracy groups as appropriate for feedback before it is finalised.

 

Background

 

The NSW Government has established an inquiry into the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 introduced by NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham MLC, and co-sponsored by Rev Fred Nile MLC and Rod Roberts MLC.

 

In the second reading speech for the Bill, Mr Latham said that:

 

 

“The fastest growing form of discrimination in our society is against people of religious faith, especially Christians. We have all seen the high-profile cases of Israel Folau and Margaret Court, outstanding Australians treated like second-class citizens because they take a literal interpretation of the Bible...Every letter of the alphabet seemingly has a flag, a network, a special ceremony to affirm and celebrate its identity, except the letters C and H: Christians and heterosexuals.”

 

 

Much like the Federal Government’s proposed Religious Discrimination Bill, the One Nation Bill in its current form elevates religious expression above other human rights, allowing people and institutions to use religion to exclude or hurt others (including other people of faith). It provides special protections to religious activities that may breach laws and harm others.

 

 

If it were to pass, these unbalanced provisions could adversely impact the rights of many Inner West residents - including LGBTIQ+ people, women, people with disability, and people of faith. It also poses a significant risk to Council’s ability to operate as an inclusive, cohesive and trusted organisation, employer and service provider.

 

Equality Australia has identified five fundamental issues with the Bill as follows:

1.   Religion overrides government rules. Faith-based organisations and commercial bodies which define themselves as religious will be able to challenge NSW government programs, policies, contracts and decisions which contradict their particular religion.

2.   No consequences for conduct. It will be almost impossible for government and non-government employers, educators and professional and licencing bodies to foster inclusive cultures, or meet shareholder, customer or community expectations, when their employees or members use their religion privately to hurt others.

3.   Double standards in employment, education and service delivery. Faith-based organisations will be able to discriminate on the grounds of religion in these areas, even when receiving public funding.

4.   Religion above the law. It gives protection to religious activities which may be unlawful, such as religious activity that vilifies others or breaches civil obligations.

5.   Religion above human rights. Freedom of religion will be prioritised above all other rights and freedoms when applying NSW’s anti-discrimination laws.

The One Nation Bill stands in clear conflict with Council’s support for fair and equal discrimination laws that unite, rather than divide, the community. It’s particularly dangerous during the time of COVID-19, when political focus and parliamentary resources should be on strengthening our connections in the name of mutual support.

 

Submissions to the parliamentary inquiry are due by 21 August 2020. More detail about the inquiry and the proposed Bill can be found at https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/listofcommittees/Pages/committee-details.aspx?pk=267

 

Officer’s Comments:

 

Staff have no comment.

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 12

Subject:         Question on Notice: The use of Glyphosate by Inner West Council           

From:             Councillor Rochelle Porteous  

 

 

Question

 

1.   In what form are records kept on the use of glyphosate to control weeks on IWC lands?

 

Answer

 

The operations team use daily work sheets to log areas where glyphosate has been used for weed control. The team also use a pesticide usage record sheet for all sites that herbicide application has taken place, this records the amount of herbicide used, location of use and the weather (wind, rain and temperature) when the application is taking place.

 

Question

 

 

2.   Who is responsible for checking these records and how often are they checked?

 

 

Answer

 

 

The relevant operational coordinators are responsible for the daily review of each of the work sheets.

 

Question

 

 

3.   What oversight occurs to ensure the accuracy of these records?

 

Answer

 

The relevant operational coordinators are responsible for the daily review of each of the work sheets.

 

 

Question

 

 

4.   What is the procedure where a breach of relevant policies occurs?

 

Answer

 

As this is a newly adopted Policy, any incidents have been used as a learning experience to develop improved work methods and staff awareness.

 

 

 

 

 

Question

 

5.   From the records kept by IWC, how often has glyphosate been used on IWC lands in the last 6 months?

 

 

Answer

 

Unless contrary to the Policy (eg. weather conditions), glyphosate is generally used daily.

 

Question

 

6.   Please provide details of each use of glyphosate for December and January by IWC.

 

 

Answer

 

Unless contrary to the Policy (eg. weather conditions), glyphosate is generally used daily.

 

Question

 

7.   The IWC Pesticide Notification Plan only requires one of the following notification methods to be used to notify the use of glyphosate:

·    Signs

·    Notice within a local community newspaper

·    Letters

·    Phone contact and/or Fax/email

·    Letterbox drops and/or door knocking

·    Inner West Council's web page

 

As part of the record keeping procedures, are records kept on the notification methods used for each use of glyphosate?

 

Answer

 

Notification of the use of pesticides is undertaken in accordance with the IWC Pesticide Notification Plan.

 

Question

 

8.   According to the IWC Pesticide Notification Plan council staff are not required to inform the public that they are spraying glyphosate locally if the application is

Spraying of glyphosate using a hand spray bottle, wand, or spray lance

 

As part of the record keeping procedures, are records kept where glyphosate has been used and the public has not been informed?

 

Answer

 

The operations staff only use hand spray bottles, wands or a spray lances for the application of glyphosate based herbicides.

 

 

 

 

Question

 

9.   Feb 26 2019 Council adopted as part of the adoption of the Weed Management Policy to go out on exhibition the following:

Council engage a consultant to review existing herbicide use and make recommendations on improved risk mitigation as outlined in the report

a)   Has Council engaged a consultant to do this work? If not why not?

Answer

 

Yes.

 

Question

 

b)   Assuming council has engaged this consultant, what recommendations has the consultant brought to council to improve risk mitigation?

 

Answer

 

The consultant found that the Inner West Council’s herbicide practices were generally very good.  A number of improvements were recommended, which have been implemented.

 

Question

 

10. May 28 2019 Council as part of the adoption of the Weed Management Policy, the following was adopted:

Only use glyphosate as a matter of last resort where other methods cannot be applied and spot control of persistent weeds that resist other treatments occur.

a)   What decision-making process do council staff undertake to ensure Glyphosate is only used as a last resort?

 

b)   Where is it clearly outlined in the current policies that glyphosate must only be used as a last resort?

Answer

 

As per the Weed Management Policy, Council takes a hierarchical approach to weed management.  Council utilises glyphosate to a limited extent, only where other methods cannot be applied, and for spot control of persistent weeds that resist other treatments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question

 

11. May 28 2019 also adopted was the following:

Any use of glyphosate must be done in a way that avoids it running off into stormwater drains and our waterways.

a)   What steps are council staff taking to ensure that when glyphosate is used, it is not running off into stormwater, drains and our waterways?

Answer

 

Staff have developed maps of the LGA with the areas 50m each side of waterways marked to indicate no spray areas.

 

 

Question

b)   Where is this wording for this found in the current policies?

Answer

 

This is addressed in operational procedures.

 

Question

 

c)   Have there been any breaches regarding this directive from council in the last 6 months?

Answer

 

There has been one breach.  As this is a newly adopted Policy, the incident was used as a learning experience to develop improved work methods and staff awareness.

 

Question

 

12. In Leichhardt Council most weed control was undertaken by non-chemical means with use of steam weeding, snipping the weeds and hand weeding. Glyphosate was only used for spot control of weeds where all other methods were not effective. It was reported at the February 2019 council meeting that the Leichhardt Council weed management contract would end in September 2019.

 

a)   Has the Leichhardt Council contract with most of the weed control being undertaken by non-chemical means been renewed with the same frequency of non-chemical weed removal and assurances regarding glyphosate only being used as a last resort?

 

 

 

Answer

 

Council is no longer utilising a contractor for weed management in the former Leichhardt area.  The Council adopted Weed Management Policy is being utilised throughout the Inner West.

 

Question

 

b)   Has the use of glyphosate increased in the Leichhardt Council area since September 2019? If it has please provide details.

Answer

 

Yes.  The former Leichhardt Council policy did not permit the use of glyphosate.  The Council adopted Weed Management Policy is being utilised throughout the Inner West.  The Policy utilises glyphosate to a limited extent, only where other methods cannot be applied, and for spot control of persistent weeds that resist other treatments.

 

 

Question

c)   Has the use of glyphosate increased in the Inner West Council area over the last 12 months? If it has please provide details.

 

Answer

 

Yes.  Glyphosate is now being utilised to a limited extent in the former Leichhardt Council area.

 

Question

 

 

13. The General Secretary of the United Services Union, the industrial body representing Council’s staff, wrote to Councillors in May last year to notify Council that the USU has recently engaged with Safework NSW to further discuss the potential risks of Glyphosate to their workers. What work has the CEO done to follow up with the USU on this matter and to implement any worker safety recommendations?

 

 

Answer

 

Council has written to the USU outlining Council’s relevant weed management policies and procedures.  The independent contractor review of herbicide was tabled at the internal staff Work, Health & Safety Committee.

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 13

Subject:         Question on Notice: Various Questions           

From:             Councillor Julie Passas   

 

Question

 

When Council voted to engage a Multicultural, Pride and Sport officers. A report was meant to come back to Council in 12 months to review positions. When is this report coming?

 

Answer

 

A report on the Office of Sport position was provided to Councillors through a Briefing Note on 2 June. A Briefing Note on the Multicultural and Pride Officer roles will be provided as a Briefing Note within the next month.

 

 

Question

 

The General Manager took on notice that he was going to give Councillors a copy of a photo of councillor’s corflute that was blocking/obstructing footpath. Can the General Manager provide the Councillors with that photo?

 

Answer

 

The photo will be distributed to Councillors via email.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.  

Council Meeting 11 August 2020

 

Item No:         C0820(1) Item 14

Subject:         Question on Notice: Tree Application Update           

From:             Councillor John Stamolis  

 

Question

 

The following data request is aimed at identifying whether or not the newly adopted Tree DCP has caused a material change in the number of applications for removal of trees across the Inner West Council.

The data items requested are:

 

-     Applications - this is the number of applications for tree removal whether by DA, the new permit system or other.  If the data can be split, it would be useful for these categories of data to be provided.

 

-     Approvals - this is the number of applications for tree removal which have been approved.

 

Any other additions to this data request, which can be provided so that Councillors can be more informed would also be appreciated.

 

 

Answer

 

Trees	February	March	April	May	June	Total
2018
Application	48	51	36	44	27	206
Approvals	34	38	24	30	20	146
2019
Applications	54	55	36	44	51	240	16.5% increase
Approvals	45	46	31	35	34	191
2020
Applications	43	74	109	99	104	429	78.75% increase
Approvals	32	54	83	72	34	275
Refusals	6	11	13	8	4	42
Current	1	1	4	13	63	82
Withdrawn/Cancelled	4	8	9	6	3	30

 

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.