Council Meeting 8 March 2022

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held remotely and livestreamed on Council’s website on 8 March 2022

Meeting commenced at 6.32pm

Present:
Darcy Byrne Jessica D’Arienzo Liz Atkins Marghanita Da Cruz Mark Drury Dylan Griffiths Mathew Howard Justine Langford Pauline Lockie Philippa Scott Kobi Shetty Chloe Smith John Stamolis Timothy Stephens Zoi Tsardoulias Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer	Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (6.34pm) Councillor (6.42pm) Councillor Councillor (6.34pm) General Manager Director Planning
Cathy Edwards-Davis	Director Infrastructure
Ruth Callaghan Peter Livanes Beau-Jane De Costa Matthew Pearce Daryl Jackson	Director Community Director Corporate Senior Manager Governance and Risk General Counsel Chief Financial Officer
Katherine Paixao	Governance Coordinator

APOLOGIES:     Nil

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:

Clr Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 4 Local Traffic Committee Meeting – 7 February 2022 as he works in the Office of the State Member who has a representative on the Local Traffic Committee. He will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting as the vote of the State Member is exercised through a representative.

Clr Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 19 Notice of Motion: Railway Terrance and West Street Petersham Intersection as he works in the Office of the State Member for Summer Hill. He will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting as he did not attend the meeting referenced in the motion and he has no other conflict.

Councillor Stamolis entered the meeting at 6.42pm

Councillors Smith and Tsardoulias entered the meeting at 6.34pm

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Motion: (Drury/Howard)

That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 8 February 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

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.

C0322(1) Item 26         Mayoral Minute: Flood Response

Motion: (Byrne)

That Council:

1.   Acknowledge and thank the Marrickville and Ashfield State Emergency Services Units, local Police and Council officers for their work protecting our community during the current floods;

2.   Receive an urgent written briefing from the General Manager about the ongoing response to flooding as well as the recovery and clean up operations that Council and other agencies will undertake;

3.   Write to councils in flooding affected areas of northern NSW to ask what assistance the Inner West can provide to their communities, to help in their recovery from the disaster; and

4.   Write to the NSW and Federal Governments advocating for direct financial assistance to local governments to undertake the works identified in the flood mitigation plans, which councils are statutorily required to prepare and adopt.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 27         Mayoral Minute: An Inner West Arts and Music Crisis Summit

Motion: (Byrne)

That Council:

1. Convene an Inner West Arts and Music Crisis Summit, in partnership with the Sydney Fringe Festival and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, with the objective of mobilising local artists, creative businesses and supporters of the arts, to resuscitate the sector. The summit is to be held at Marrickville Town Hall;

2. Write to the Premier, Treasurer and the Minister for the Arts inviting their participation in the summit, with the date of the event to be determined in consultation with the NSW Government;

3. Invite a broad and representative cross section of the Inner West arts and music sectors including artists, organisations, creative businesses, live performance venue operators and academics, to help plan, coordinate and participate in the summit;

4. Invite all state and federal parliamentarians representing electorates in the Inner West local government area to attend and participate in the summit;

5. Design the agenda of the summit with the aim of producing an Inner West arts and music recovery plan that Council can contribute to and advocate for. The plan should include specific actions to be undertaken by local, state and federal government as well as the business community and relevant peak bodies;

6. Write to all relevant state and national arts peak bodies and advocacy organisations to notify them of the summit and invite interested stakeholders to attend; and

7. Invite all councillors to attend the Inner West Arts and Music Crisis Summit.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 28         Mayoral Minute: Fair Grant Funding and Ending the NSW   
          Government’s Bias Against the Inner West

Motion: (Byrne)

That Council:

1.   Write to the Premier, Treasurer and Local Government Minister requesting that following the findings of the Auditor General about the maladministration of the $252 million Stronger Communities program, that a compensation fund of $24 million be established to pay for infrastructure in the Inner West local government area;

2.   Write to the Premier and Treasurer insisting that as the local government area which has experienced most of the disruption from Westconnex construction, the Inner West must be allowed to apply for funds from the $5 billion WestIvest program, which is funded by the sale of Westconnex;

3.   Write to the Premier and the Minister for Local Government seeking a commitment that the Inner West will no longer be improperly prevented from applying for grants schemes which we are eligible for, and that the recommendations of the Auditor General to improve the probity and transparency of public grant allocations will be implemented in full; and

4. Prepare a proposal outlining Council's need for funds for infrastructure and other public needs, as a result of lack of funding for the merger, and forward this proposal to the Premier and Minister of Local Government.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Procedural Motion (Scott/Griffiths)

That Items 1, 8, and 10 be moved in globo and the recommendations contained within  the  report  adopted  and  that  Council  change  the  order  of  business  to  bring forward these items.

● Item 1 Communicating with the Inner West community;

● Item 8 Council's response to COVID-19 and the Omicron wave; and

● Item 10 Notice of Motion: Amendment to NSW Public Libraries Association Councillor Representation.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 1       Communicating with the Inner West community

Motion: (Scott/Griffiths)

That Council:

1.   Commence a Request for Quote (RFQ) process in accordance with Council’s Procurement Policy to advertise a regular Council news page in one or more free, locally distributed print publications;

2.   Receive a briefing to consider the results of the RFQ process and potential expansion of Inner West Council News editions; and

3.   Receive a report and determine the mix of advertising and Inner West Council News editions at a Council meeting on completion of the RFQ process.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 8  Council's response to COVID-19 and the Omicron wave

Motion: (Scott/Griffiths)

That Council receive and note the report.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 10         Notice of Motion: Amendment to NSW Public Libraries    
         Association – Councillor Representation

Motion: (Scott/Griffiths)

That Council appoint Councillor Shetty as the alternative representative for the NSW Public Libraries Association.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 2       Code of Meeting Practice

Procedural Motion (Lockie/Scott)

That points of the motion be voted on separately.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Motion: (Scott/Drury)

That Council:

1. Place the Draft Code of Meeting Practice in Attachment 1 on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, subject to amending the following:

a) Amend Clause 5.28 A Councillor must give their full attention to the business and proceedings of the meeting when attending a meeting by audio-visual link. The Councillor’s camera must be on at all times during the meeting, except where it is impracticable to do so or as may be otherwise provided for under this code;

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

b) Include an additional Clause 9.19 ‘A Councillor may ask up to 3 questions per item on the agenda’; and

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Lockie, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Shetty and Stamolis

c) Amend Clause 10.22 ‘A Councillor must not, without the consent of the Council, speak more than once on a motion or an amendment, or for longer than 2 minutes at any one time.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Lockie, Shetty and Stamolis

d) That Clause 4.2 be amended to “Public Forums are to be chaired, in accordance with Clauses 6.1 and 6.2”.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

2. Consider the results of the public exhibition process when adopting a final Code of Meeting Practice.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Amendment (Shetty/Scott)

That Clause 4.2 be amended to “Public Forums are to be chaired, in accordance with Clauses 6.1 and 6.2”.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

As this amendment was carried, it was incorporated into the primary motion.

C0322(1) Item 3       National General Assembly of Local Government 2022

Motion: (Scott/Da Cruz)

That Council:

1. Determine the Councillors attending the National General Assembly of Local Government 2022 will be:

a) Cr Byrne

b) Cr Drury

c) Cr Scott

d) Cr Atkins

e) Cr Da Cruz

f) Cr Griffiths

g) Cr Lockie

2. Note that individual Council members have submitted on behalf of Council motions 1 and 2 as detailed in Attachment 4, and motion 3 as detailed below, and support them going to the NGALA:

● Motion 1:Yes to the Circular Economy and No to Incinerators

● Motion 2: Uluru Statement from the Heart

● Motion 3: Tax Code

Motion title

Tax code

Motion details:

That the NGALA

1. Notes that in many cases throughout our society, the tax system specifically rewards activities and purchases that are worse for public health, are more expensive for households, result in worse domestic energy security, and worsen climate change;

2. Call on the Federal Government to change the taxation code to address this, including:

3. Support residential and commercial landlords to improve the health, comfort, and energy security of their tenants by changing the status of energy efficient, water efficient, and renewable appliances and structures so that they qualify for accelerated depreciation or extension of the Temporary Full Expensing Measures for Landlords for a period through to 2030;

4. Amend the taxation system such that when a landlord replaces an appliance that has poor air quality outcomes with a cleaner system (e.g. gas cooktop with induction cooktop, or a gas heater versus reverse cycle air conditioner), this is also captured through the Temporary Full Expensing Measures for Landlords rather than a capital expense that is to be depreciated over its effective useful life;

5. Increase the effective useful lives for those appliances that actively contribute to poor indoor air quality and worsened health outcomes such that the depreciation claim will be smaller in each year;

6. Factoring in the weight and energy source of a vehicle when deciding the allowable depreciation, in recognition that the damage done to roads is proportional to the fourth power of the weight, and thus increases rapidly for heavier vehicles (using a different scale for electric vehicles);

7. In order to improve public health due to air pollution and lack of physical activity, phase in changes to the way that motor vehicle expenses can be deducted to encourage the uptake of bicycles, e-bikes, and electric cargo bikes for commuting and business purposes, and in those cases where cars or other motor vehicles are required, make changes to ensure that electric vehicles are favoured over petrol and diesel vehicles; and

8. Call on the Federal Government to make these amendments to the relevant tax legislation to give effect to these measures as soon as possible.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 4      Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 7 February 2022

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Griffiths)

THAT the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 7 February 2022 be received and the recommendations be adopted with the following additions:

a) That a briefing of ward Councillors be held on the Dulwich Hill Station Precinct Public Domain Improvements project prior to advertising for tender; and

b) That a community meeting of local businesses and resident be held on site, before finalising the tender process.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 5      2021/22 Second Quarter Budget Review

Motion: (Drury/D’Arienzo)

THAT:

1. The Second Quarter Budget Review for 2021/22 be adopted; and

2. Council notes that the format of the Quarterly Reports is a work in progress and following the recent special conference, LGNSW will be pursuing templates, KPIs for more transparency with the NSW Government.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 6      Investment Report at 31 January 2022

Motion: (Stamolis/Lockie)

That Council receive and note the report.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 7      Dawn Fraser Baths - Internal Audit Report

Procedural motion (Da Cruz)

That points of the motion be voted on separately.

The procedural motion lapsed for want of seconder.

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

That Council:

1. Receive and note the report;

2. Establish a Major Capital Projects Committee, that will be chaired by the Mayor, meet monthly to review progress on major projects and discuss the Project Assurance report and shall comprise of no more than 5 councillors, being Councillors:

a) Clr Darcy Byrne;

b) Clr Mark Drury;

c) Clr Jess D’Arienzo;

d) Clr Pauline Lockie; and

e) Clr Kobi Shetty

3. Determine that for all future major capital projects, the Inner West Council will engage external Project Assurance and they shall report monthly to the General Manager and a Major Capital Projects Committee of councillors and quarterly to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC);

4. The Project Assurance shall provide advice and support to Council on the management of the external contractor and assess the contractors compliance with the contract.  They will provide early identification of potential risks and assist with mitigation and assist Council and contractor with securing in a timely fashion the necessary approvals to complete projects; and

5. Bring back a Terms of reference for the Major Capital Projects Committee to the April 2022 Council meeting. 

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Crs Da Cruz and Stamolis

Amendment (Stamolis/Da Cruz)

That Council receive a briefing from ARIC and Ernst and Young in order to make future decisions on a way forward.

Motion Lost

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Lockie, Shetty and Stamolis

Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Amendment (Da Cruz/Stamolis)

That the membership of the Major Project committee be open to all councillors and subject to a Terms of Reference.

Motion Lost

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Lockie, Shetty and Stamolis

Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

C0322(1) Item 9      Six monthly progress report

Motion: (Stephens/D’Arienzo)

That Council

1. Receive and note the Six Monthly Progress report; and

2. Undertakes to improve:

a) measures (statistics) to show progress on strategies and alignment of 
actions with strategies; and

b) community reporting and consultation on the community strategic plan 
and delivery program to ensure they align with community's changing needs.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Procedural Motion (Byrne)

That the meeting be adjourned for 10 minutes.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

The meeting was adjourned at 8.58pm

The meeting resumed at 9.09pm

C0322(1) Item 11         Notice of Motion: Stanmore Station Upgrade

Motion: (Atkins/Smith)

That Council:

1. Note the very welcome progress on design of the Stanmore Station upgrade and the most recent Transport for NSW community consultation which closed on 15 February 2022;

2. Notes that Stanmore Station is one of only 10 state heritage listed locations in the former Marrickville LGA and that site specific, sympathetic architectural/engineering form has not been demonstrated;

3. Notes that the design currently includes removal of one mature Syzigium (Lilly Pilly, 2.3m trunk diameter, 10m high) and 5 small Orange Jessamine shrubs to accommodate the lift shaft on platform 3;

4. Notes that the lift locations proposed show small side tunnels to reach the lifts rather than opening directly into the underpass;

5. Notes that there is no canopy proposed over the stairs to the underpass on platform 3;

6. Notes the level of graffiti along the walls owned by Transport for NSW along the railway on Trafalgar St, Stanmore;

7. Agree to write to the Minister for Transport and Transport for NSW seeking a revised design which:

a) accommodates retention of the mature Lilly Pilly;

b) if that is not possible, commits to new large sapling plantings as replacements;

c) has the lifts opening directly on to the underpass;

d) includes an additional canopy to cover the stairs to the underpass on platform 3;

e) includes a mural or vertical gardens to be installed on the walls along Trafalgar Street, Stanmore, to be paid for by Transport for NSW;

f) defaults the traffic lights at the Trafalgar St entrance to the station to pedestrians, with cars needing to trigger a change of lights to pass; and

g) That an on-site meeting with TFNSW occur as soon as possible to clarify all issues and better inform ongoing design development.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 12         Notice of Motion: Gender Inclusion

Motion: (Atkins/Howard)

That Council:

1. Acknowledges the fundamental right of all people to live free from discrimination and condemns any attempt to target, exploit or entrench discrimination against transgender and gender diverse people in our parliaments or in the community;

2. Commits to sport for everyone; assures the diverse Inner West community that it does not support the blanket banning of transgender athletes in all settings; and supports and encourages those sporting organisations in the Inner West seeking to be more inclusive;

3. Reaffirms its commitment to providing safe and accessible gender neutral public toilets as set out in the Public Toilet Strategy;

4. Calls on the NSW Government to amend the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 to enable legal gender recognition without the requirement of surgical intervention; and

5. Consults with the LGBTQ working group about hosting events and actions to mark Transgender Day of Visibility and Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 13         Notice of Motion: Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme and
         an audit of Council land for affordable housing

Motion: (Griffiths/Smith)

That Council:

1.   Audit public Council land that could be used by Council, in partnership with community housing providers, to develop new Affordable Housing units;

2.   Pursue the development and approval of an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme in this term of Council;  and

3.   Receive a briefing on the results of point 1, potential sites where an Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme could be implemented, and any prospective updates to Council's Affordable Housing policy. 

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 14         Notice of Motion: Rainbow Pathway For World Pride

Motion: (Lockie/Atkins)

That Council:

1.   Commences immediate planning work with its LGBTQ Working Group to deliver a rainbow pathway in Newtown in time for World Pride 2023, noting that the proposal will be put to the community for consultation before it is implemented;

2.   Notes that initial discussions with the LGBTQ Working Group and Council staff have raised several viable options, including lighting one of the existing pathways in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park with rainbow lights; painting one of the existing pathways in this park in rainbow colours; or a painting a rainbow pathway outside Newtown Town Hall;

3.   Looks to incorporate elements that would share and celebrate our LGBTQ history as part of the project;

4.   Develops options for funding this initiative as part of the 2022/23 Budget;

5. Submit a request to the Geographical Names Board to rename the public square outside Newtown Town Hall "Pride Square" in advance of Sydney World Pride; and

6. Establish a World Pride Committee for the period of a year, tasked with working towards including Inner West Council venues and programs in Sydney World Pride, consisting of 3 councillors (Chair: Deputy Mayor Jessica D'Arienzo, Clr Pauline Lockie and Clr Liz Atkins), 2 representatives of the LGBTQ working group and relevant staff.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 15         Notice of Motion: Annette Kellerman and Fanny Durack Aquatic  
         Centres: Transition to Council management, current Belgravia   
         staff, and recruitment

Motion: (Griffiths/Smith)

That Council:

1. Note Annette Kellerman and Fanny Durack Aquatic Centres are due to return to Council management on the 1st of July 2022;

2. Note that the staff at these facilities continue to make an immense contribution to the Inner West community;

3. Officers investigate the prospect of recognising service of current Annette Kellerman and Fanny Durack staff for purposes of the local government award; and

4. Produce a report to the April 2022 Council meeting outlining the transition process.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 16         Notice of Motion: Dulwich Hill Station Crossing

Motion: (Griffiths/D’Arienzo)

That:

1. Council note there is significant community support for works that will increase safety at the intersection of Wardell Rd and Dudley St including the Dulwich Hill station crossing (Wardell Road / Dudley Street);

2. Council note the council has approved a raised, signalised intersection at Wardell Road / Dudley Street which is pending final approval from Transport NSW; 

3. The works for this intersection are a council priority; 

4. The Mayor write to the relevant minister addressing this motion and advocating for approval of traffic improvements currently awaiting assessment by Transport for NSW; and

5. Council receive a briefing on whether there are other significant traffic improvement works across the Local Government Area, including in the Dulwich Hill station precinct, which are currently behind schedule because they are awaiting Transport for NSW approval, or other issues.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 17         Notice of Motion: Demerger of Inner West Council

Motion: (Langford/Stamolis)

That:

1. A timeline be developed for preparation of the business case for demerger;

2. Council receive a progress report at each Council meeting on preparation of the business case for demerger, the first in April 2022 to include the above timeline, required resources, and proposals for involving the community; and

3. A regular update on the demerger be included in the Inner West News.

Motion Lost

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Lockie, Shetty and Stamolis

Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

C0322(1) Item 18         Notice of Motion: Consultation on Projects of Significant Interest

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Shetty)

That Council:

1. Commits to community consultation and will develop consultation plans that include a range of mediums to improve accessibility and to encourage engagement and participation across our broad and diverse community; and

2. Develops a consultation plan for projects of significant community interest, inclusive of public community forums attended by the Executive team, to provide whole of council approach to the project, discuss local issues, encourage open community dialogue and identify preferred solutions.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 19         Notice of Motion: Railway Terrace and West Street Petersham
          Intersection

Motion: (Smith/Atkins)

That Council:

1. Notes the serious concerns of residents, particularly parents and caregivers of local school children, about safety issues at the Railway Terrace and West Street, Petersham intersection, and their long-term campaigning on this issue;

2. Notes the recent on-site meeting on 23 February 2022 between representatives of Inner West Council, Transport for NSW, the Office of Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill, Petersham Public School, and Petersham Public School P&C, which resulted in the following:

a) Further investigation by Transport for NSW into the possibility of a school crossing supervisor at the site to reinforce driver compliance and reduce danger to pedestrians, and

b) Discussion of long-term options for addressing safety concerns, including possible investigation to install a scramble crossing to reduce the amount of times pedestrians are required to cross at the busy intersection.

3. Notes that two thirds of children are now driven to school, compared to 70% who walked or rode a bike to school 40 years ago, and that encouraging more families to take active transport to and from school will help reduce congestion, improve public health, reduce emissions, and improve air quality;

4. Notes that Inner West Council is committed to supporting interconnected active transport networks and walkability as per Strategic Direction 2 and Strategic Direction 4 of the Community Strategic Plan;

5. Writes to the Minister for Metropolitan Roads concerning safety issues at the Railway Terrace and West Street, Petersham intersection, requesting immediate investigation of the options discussed at the 23 February 2022 meeting and that a prompt update be provided on what is being done to address the concerns of residents; and

6. Commits to working with local schools, P&Cs, and residents on measures to support safe walking and cycling to and from schools, and commences immediate planning work to identify and cost potential safety measures for implementation as part of the 2022-23 budget.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 20         Notice of Motion: Inner West Council Anti-Racism Strategy

Motion: (Howard/Lockie)

That Council:

1. Acknowledges racism exists in all communities and that councils have a role and responsibility to confront and eliminate it;

2. Develop a local Inner West Council Anti-Racism Strategy by engaging a reputable third party and in consultation with the Inner West Council Multicultural Advisory Committee and Inner West Multicultural Network; and

3. Continues to host and/or support events on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Confidential Session

Motion: (Lockie/Da Cruz)

That Council enter into Confidential session.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

That in accordance with Section 10A(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, the following matters be considered in Closed Session of Council for the reasons provided:

C0322(1) Item 23 RFT 06-21 Greenway In-Corridor Works Design and Construction   
Tender Further Advice (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business. 

C0322(1) Item 24 Licence of Leichhardt Oval to Counter Ruck Pty Ltd (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

C0322(1) Item 25 Licence of Leichhardt Oval to Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

Motion: (Da Cruz/Smith)

That Council move back into the Open Session of the Council Meeting.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Reports with Confidential Information

C0322(1) Item 23         RFT 06-21 Greenway In-Corridor Works Design and Construction   
         Tender Further Advice

Motion: (Drury/Stephens)

That:

1. In accordance with Clause 178(1)(b) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, Council decline to accept any of the tenders due to the tendered prices being above the allocated budget;

2. In accordance with Clause 178(3)(e) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, enter into negotiations with one or more of the tenderers with a view to entering into a contract with one or more of these parties for the staged delivery of the Greenway In-Corridor D&C works, as set out in the report, subject to Council receiving a works access deed from Transport for NSW that is substantially complete and with terms satisfactory to Council;

3. The works be staged as follows: Stage 1 is to include design and construction of the Central Links and design (only) of the Southern Links; and Stage 2 is to include construction of the southern links subject to successfully receiving grant funding.   The scope is to be generally in accordance with Scenario 2 for both the Central and Southern Links, as set out in the report;

4. Pending completion of negotiations with the tenderers under resolution 2 and 3 above on terms satisfactory to Council, Council delegate authority to the General Manager to enter into a Contract (or Contracts) for the Greenway In-Corridor D&C works;

5. Council  allocates  an  additional  $3,400,000  (excluding  GST)  funding  from         Council parks forward works budgets to the Greenway project;

6. Council engages the Department of Regional NSW, Public Works Advisory, to perform a Project Assurance and Advisory role in relation to the Greenway; and

7. The advisor will:

a) produce a monthly report on the progress of the project with emphasis on risk management, budget issues, meeting key and critical milestones, and how the project risk issues could be mitigated;

b) Provide advice on contract negotiations;

c) assist Council and contractor with securing the necessary approvals to complete the project; and

d) report to the General Manager, Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) and a Major Capital Projects Committee.

8. Council receive quarterly progress reports covering project assurance, risks and mitigation.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 24         Licence of Leichhardt Oval to Counter Ruck Pty Ltd

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

That Council as the land manager of Leichhardt Park (D500207):

1.       Resolves to grant a one-year temporary licence (Licence) of Leichhardt Park Oval No.1 to Counter Ruck Australia Pty Ltd (Counter Ruck) for rugby matches and training for the Fijian Drua rugby team; and

2.       Authorises the General Manager or delegate to negotiate terms and execute the Licence.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

C0322(1) Item 25         Licence of Leichhardt Oval to Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

That Council as the Crown land manager of Leichhardt Park (D500207):

1.       Resolves to grant a one-year temporary licence (Licence) of Leichhardt Park Oval No.1 to Waratahs Rugby Pty Ltd (the Waratahs) for rugby matches and training; and

2.       Authorises the General Manager or delegate to negotiate terms and execute the Licence.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Lockie)

That the Councillor Representation – Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel be considered urgently.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Griffiths, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stamolis, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Nil

The Chair, Councillor Byrne ruled this matter urgent.

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

That Council Officers appoint two (2) alternate external members to the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.   

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Langford, Lockie, Scott, Shetty, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion:          Crs Griffiths and Stamolis

Amendment (Griffiths/Stamolis)

That the following wording be added to the end of the motion ‘for the Tempe Bunnings matter’.

Motion Lost

For Motion:                 Crs Atkins, Da Cruz, Griffiths, Langford, Lockie, Shetty and Stamolis

Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, D'Arienzo, Drury, Howard, Scott, Smith, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Meeting closed at 10.35pm.

Public Speakers:

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 1:	Belinda Daly	Lilyfield
Item 3:	Chris Hanson Lisa Saunders Marina Antoniozzi	Little Bay Marrickville Erskineville
Item12:	Jody Toomey Evan Gray	Dulwich Hill Marrickville
Item 13:	Ben McGowan John Engeler	Marrickville Sydney
Item 15:	Dominic Thomas Adam Tanazefti	Dulwich Hill Croydon
Item 16:	Mark Skelsey	Dulwich Hill
Item 17:	Alice Kershaw	Rozelle
Item 20:	Yiana Roumeliotis Kween Kibone Wael Sabri	Carlton Marrickville Marrickville

Unconfirmed minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 8 March 2022.