Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 12 September 2023

Council Meeting

12 September 2023

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 8 August 2023 at Ashfield Service Centre

Meeting commenced at 6.32 pm

Present:

Darcy Byrne

Philippa Scott

Liz Atkins

Marghanita Da Cruz

Jessica D’Arienzo

Mark Drury

Dylan Griffiths

Mathew Howard

Justine Langford

Pauline Lockie

Kobi Shetty

Chloe Smith

John Stamolis

Timothy Stephens

Zoi Tsardoulias
Peter Gainsford

Simone Plummer

Mayor

Deputy Mayor (attended via audio-visual link)

Councillor

Councillor (7:10pm)

Councillor

General Manager

Director Planning

Manod Wickramasinghe

Acting Director Infrastructure

Ruth Callaghan

Kelly Loveridge

Beau-Jane De Costa

Matthew Pearce

Daniel East

Scott Mullen

Chris Sleiman

Helen Bradley

Director Community

Director Corporate

Senior Manager Governance and Risk

General Counsel

Acting Senior Manager Strategic Planning

Strategic Investments and Property Manager

Acting Chief Financial Officer

Resource Recovery Planning Manager

Katherine Paixao

Pamela MacIntyre

Business Paper Coordinator

Business Paper Officer

APOLOGIES:

Motion: (Howard/Stephens)

That apologies for lateness from Councillor Griffiths be accepted.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Motion: (Howard/Stephens)

That Council accept Councillor Scott’s request to attend tonight’s Council meeting via audio-visual link due to being interstate.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:

Councillor Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 15 May 2023 as he works in the Ministerial Office of the Minister for Transport, who in her capacity as the Member for Summer Hill 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

Councillor Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 3 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 19 June 2023 and 17 July 2023 as he works in the Ministerial Office of the Minister for Transport, who in her capacity as the Member for Summer Hill 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

Councillor Shetty declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 15 May 2023 as she is the State Member for Balmain and has a representative on the Local Traffic Committee. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting as the vote of the State Member is exercised through a representative.

Councillor Shetty declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 3 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 19 June 2023 and 17 July 2023 as she is the State Member for Balmain and has a representative on the Local Traffic Committee. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting as the vote of the State Member is exercised through a representative.

Councillor Lockie declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 35 Notice of Motion: Newtown Festival as she works at the City of Sydney in the Office of the Lord Mayor. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

Motion: (Stephens/Smith)

That Council note the disclosures of interest.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Motion: (Drury/D’Arienzo)

That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Atkins, Byrne, Da Cruz, D'Arienzo, Drury, 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.

Councillor Griffiths entered the Meeting at 7:10 pm.

Procedural motion (Byrne/Drury)

That Council allow 1 additional public speaker to speak on Item 39.

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

Councillor Griffiths left the Meeting at 7:14 pm.

Councillor Griffiths returned to the Meeting at 7:22 pm.

Procedural motion (Byrne/Drury)

That Council allow 1 additional public speaker to speak on item 3.

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

C0823(1) Item 61 Mayoral Minute: Inner West Council advocating for the Yes
campaign

Motion: (Byrne)

1. That Council advocate for the Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on constitutional recognition of Indigenous people through a Voice to Parliament.

2. That Council cooperate with Yes 23, the Uluru Dialogue and other Indigenous organisations to support their campaigns for Yes.

3. That Council make available in-kind support for local citizens advocating for the Yes campaign including through the free use of Council facilities, existing communications channels and space on Council buildings and flag poles for Yes campaign messages can be displayed.

4. That Council approach Yes 23 and the Uluru Dialogue about convening a “Walking together for Yes” march at a central Inner West location.

5. That Council write to all non-government organisations within the Inner West proposing ways that they can hold an event promoting the Yes campaign.

6. That Council write to every Mayor and Council across Australia outlining the ways that Council is advocating for the Yes campaign through in-kind support and proposing that they undertake similar actions and advocacy in their communities.

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

Councillor Stephens left the Meeting at 8:09 pm.

Councillor Stephens returned to the Meeting at 8:10 pm.

C0823(1) Item 62 Mayoral Minute: Reuse of White Bay Power Station for the arts

Motion: (Byrne)

1. That Council write to the NSW Premier and Planning Minister proposing a partnership between Council and the NSW Government to activate the White Bay Power Station for the arts and creative industries including the possible expansion of Council’s EDGE artistic program into the Power Station precinct.

2. That Council convene a meeting with interested local arts organisations and invite Placemaking NSW to present on the potential artistic uses for the Power Station.

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

C0823(1) Item 63 Mayoral Minute: Bringing South by South West to the Inner West

Motion: (Byrne)

1. That Council write to John Graham, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism proposing that the Inner West be included as a host location for future South by South West Sydney events.

2. That Council seek a meeting with Minister Graham and the relevant NSW Government agencies to discuss how this proposal can be progressed.

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/D’Arienzo)

That Council Suspend Standing Orders to bring forward the following items to be dealt with at this time:

1. Item 1 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Minutes

2. Item 24 Councillor Expenses for 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

3. Item 25 Updated Annual Disclosure of Interest Return

4. Item 43 Notice of Motion: Haberfield Association ICOMOS Seminar

5. Item 44 Notice of Motion: Roads around Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre

6. Item 45 Notice of Motion: Newtown Town Hall Sub Committee – Pride Centre

7. Item 46 Notice of Motion: Cooks River Investment

8. Item 47 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Safety at Cardinal Freeman Village

9. Item 60 Notice of Motion: No step access from Esplanades and Escarpments to Elliot Park

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/D’Arienzo)

That the following items be moved in globo and the recommendations contained within the report be adopted.

1. Item 1 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Minutes

2. Item 24 Councillor Expenses for 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

3. Item 25 Updated Annual Disclosure of Interest Return

4. Item 43 Notice of Motion: Haberfield Association ICOMOS Seminar

5. Item 44 Notice of Motion: Roads around Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre

6. Item 45 Notice of Motion: Newtown Town Hall Sub Committee – Pride Centre

7. Item 46 Notice of Motion: Cooks River Investment

8. Item 47 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Safety at Cardinal Freeman Village

9. Item 60 Notice of Motion: No step access from Esplanades and Escarpments to Elliot Park

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

C0823(1) Item 1 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Minutes

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

1. That the minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) Meetings held on 5 April and 17 May 2023 be adopted.

2. That Council thank Mr John Gordon, Chair of the ARIC, for his six years of service to the Inner West.

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

C0823(1) Item 24 Councillor Expenses for 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

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

C0823(1) Item 25 Updated Annual Disclosure of Interest Return

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

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

C0823(1) Item 43 Notice of Motion: Haberfield Association ICOMOS Seminar

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

That Council provide catering for the Haberfield Association ICOMOS Seminar to be held at Haberfield Library on 31 August 2023.

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

C0823(1) Item 44 Notice of Motion: Roads around Marrickville Metro Shopping
Centre

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

That Council note the concerns of residents about pedestrian, cyclist and road safety around the upgraded Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre, including:

a) Poor visibility of, lighting and signage for zebra crossings;

b) Uneven footpaths around the Centre, particularly on Victoria Road and Edinburgh Road;

c) Potholes on the roads around the Centre;

d) The need for bus stop upgrades;

e) Plantings around the zebra crossing on the Edgeware Road side of the Centre is inadequate (one side is planted, one is often washed away) and requires attention;

f) The prevalence of shopping trolleys left on local streets around the Centre; and

g) The left hand turn only lane from Edinburgh Road to Smidmore Street continues to cause confusion and concern, with motorists often using the lane to proceed ahead and turn immediately left into the upgraded Centre.

That Council request Council staff investigate these concerns, engage with residents and relevant stakeholders, and provide a report on these matters to the Local Traffic Committee.

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

C0823(1) Item 45 Notice of Motion: Newtown Town Hall Sub Committee – Pride
Centre

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council thank and acknowledge the community members who participated in the Newtown Town Hall Sub Committee.

2. That Council thank and acknowledge the Council staff who provided their time, expertise and care to support the work of the Sub Committee.

3. That Council note that with the Expression of Interest process being tabled to Council for consideration, the work of the Sub Committee is completed.

4. That Council endorses the report of the Sub Committee tabled as the background to this notice of motion.

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

C0823(1) Item 46 Notice of Motion: Cooks River Investment

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council welcomes the Albanese Labor Government’s $10 million investment in the Cooks River and thanks Minister Tony Burke and Minister Tanya Plibersek for allocating $500,000 of the funding to Camdenville Park Wetlands in St Peters.

2. That Council as a Member Council of the Cooks River Alliance commits to submitting an application for the Federal Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments Program when the second round of funding opens.

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

C0823(1) Item 47 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Safety at Cardinal Freeman Village

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

That Council notes the notice of motion carried at the March 2023 Council meeting and progress to date.

That Council prioritises work to investigate and install pedestrian crossings that will improve pedestrian safety for residents at Cardinal Freeman Village.

That Council continues engagement with the residents of Cardinal Freeman Village to identify and implement pedestrian safety improvements.

That Council supports a reduced warrant approach in line with Inner West Council policy for pedestrian crossings at or near Cardinal Freeman Retirement Village.

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

C0823(1) Item 60 Notice of Motion: No step access from Esplanades and
Escarpments to Elliot Park

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council confirm the legal advice that was issued by the Inner West Council General Counsel in 2018 that the construction of a ramp from Elliot Park to the Balmain Cove Esplanades and Escarpments is allowable.

2. That pending confirmation of the 2018 advice Council provide landowners consent for the Owners Corporation to submit a DA to construct the ramp.

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

C0823(1) Item 2 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 15 May 2023

Motion: (Lockie/Griffiths)

That the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 15 May 2023 be received and the recommendations be adopted.

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

C0823(1) Item 3 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 19 June 2023 and 17 July 2023

Motion: (Griffiths/Byrne)

That the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 19 June 2023 and 17 July 2023 be received and the recommendations be adopted subject to the following amendment:

a) 19 June 2023 LTC0623 (1) Item 12 be deferred pending an onsite meeting to identify alternative 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

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Drury)

That Council allow Clr Smith to speak for 1 additional minute on Item 4.

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

C0823(1) Item 4 Tree Canopy Report

Motion: (Smith/Howard)

1. That Council adopt an inspection process for development sites that certifies tree, landscape works and deep soil provisions – this would apply to new dwellings, multiunit residential accommodation, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments.

2. That Council exhibit a new inspection and reinspection fee structure for new dwellings, residential accommodation, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments based on development size and type, as part of the fees and charges.

3. That Council write to the NSW Premier and relevant Minister/s to:

a) Outline the extensive tree losses that have occurred throughout the Inner West as a result of NSW State Government infrastructure projects;

b) Request an audit of replacement tree plantings that have taken place on these infrastructure projects to confirm that they have been carried out as required, and that the trees have survived; and

c) Request confirmation of plans for upcoming replacement tree plantings, including tree sizes and timelines for planting.

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 (Da Cruz)

That Council to implement in road Shoulder plantings of trees where appropriate.

That Council review the basis of the public tree planting fee, in the light of the expenditure of tree planting budget.

The Mayor ruled the amendments out of order as they are not relevant to the primary motion.

Procedural Motion (Howard/D’Arienzo)

That Council allow Clr Drury to speak for 1 additional minute on Item 5.

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

C0823(1) Item 5 Re-Establishment of Alcohol Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited
Areas for Balmain New Year's Eve 2023 - 2026

Motion: (Drury/D’Arienzo)

That Council not proceed with the re-establishment of Alcohol free zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas for Balmain New Year’s Eve 2023-2026.

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

C0823(1) Item 6 Draft Plan of Management-Neighbourhood and Pocket Parks

Motion: (Howard/Lockie)

That Council publicly exhibit the Draft Plan of Management for Neighbourhood and Pocket Parks for a period of 42 days and seek public feedback on the proposed plan of management and master plan for the parks.

That prior to placing on public exhibition, staff incorporate the establishment of sensory gardens in suitable pocket parks as part of table 6.1:3 An Inclusive and Collective Design, in accordance with the councillor priority listed in the Community Strategic Plan adopted in June 2022 (4.3.2)

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

C0823(1) Item 7 Crown Lands Procedural Requirement: Adoption of Park Plans of
Management for Pratten Park, Petersham Park and Ashfield Park

Motion: (Drury/Griffiths)

1. That Council as land manager of Ashfield Park (Lot 2 DP607316) adopt the Plan of Management for Ashfield Park.

2. That Council as land manager of Petersham Park (D500070 & D500430) adopt the Plan of Management for Petersham Park.

3. That Council as land manager of Pratten Park (Lot 1 DP64579, Lot 1 DP1169472, Lot 1 DP1169473, Lot 585 DP752049 & Lot 7041 DP93370) adopt the Plan of Management for Pratten Park.

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 (Drury/Stephens)

That Council allow the Mayor, Clr Byrne to speak for 3 additional minutes on Item 8.

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

Councillor Griffiths left the Meeting at 8:56 pm.

Councillor Griffiths returned to the Meeting at 9:04 pm.

Councillor Drury left the Meeting at 9:04 pm.

Councillor Drury returned to the Meeting at 9:05 pm.

Procedural motion (Griffiths/Byrne)

That Council allow the Clr Shetty to speak for 2 additional minutes on Item 8.

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

C0823(1) Item 8 Draft Rozelle Public Domain Masterplan - Community Consultation
Commencement

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

That Council note the comprehensive preparation of the draft Rozelle Town Centre Masterplan and thank the staff involved for their diligence.

That Council note that the Masterplan is predicated on assertions from the previous NSW Liberal / National Government that Traffic volumes on Victoria Road would be reduced by 50% when Westconnex stage 3 was completed, and that no data has as yet made publicly available to demonstrate that this will be the case.

That Council express frustration and disappointment at the revelation that no funding was budgeted by the former NSW Government for public domain improvements for Victoria Road.

That Council write to the NSW Minister for Roads seeking:

a) The urgent release of data about what the traffic will be on Victoria Road, the ANZAC Bridge and our local traffic network when Westconnex Stage 3 opens.

b) Clarification about why no funding was budgeted by the former Government for public domain improvements on Victoria Road.

That Council write to the Minister for Roads restating the Council’s long standing request (to the former Government) for a transparent Masterplan to be undertake for the Rozelle Parklands jointly between Transport for NSW and Council and requesting that this be committed to urgently.

That Council publicly exhibit the draft Rozelle Public Domain Masterplan pending the disclosure by the NSW Government of the traffic data and modelling for our local traffic network when Westconnex Stage 3 opens.

That Council notify residents in Rozelle, Lilyfield and Annandale of the Masterplan that has been prepared and the ongoing concerns that Council has about the lack of transparency about traffic impacts and the deficiencies in the Rozelle Parklands.

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 Stamoli

Procedural Motion (Byrne/D’Arienzo)

That the meeting be adjourned for 10 minutes.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.21pm

The meeting recommenced at 9.30pm

C0823(1) Item 9 Post Exhibition - Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct
Planning Proposal and Development Control Plan

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Atkins)

1. That Council note the engagement outcomes and government agency referrals from the public exhibition of the Planning Proposal and the associated site-specific Marrickville Development Control Plan 2011 as detailed in Attachment 1.

2. That Council endorse the amendments to the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022, Marrickville Development Control Plan 2011 and Sound Management Plan as detailed in Attachment 2, 3 and 4.

3. That Council submit the Planning Proposal to the Department of Planning and Environment, to make the amendment under Section 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

4. That Council adopt the site-specific chapter to the Marrickville Development Control Plan 2011 and for it to come into effect on the same date as the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022 amendment is published on the NSW legislation website.

5. That Council authorise the General Manager to make minor/technical modifications to the Planning Proposal, Development Control Plan, and Special Entertainment Precinct Management Plan, during finalisation.

That Council continue to work with key stakeholders to give full effect to the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct and explore future developments.

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

C0823(1) Item 10 Draft Leichhardt Oval Masterplan for Public Exhibition

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

That Council endorse the public exhibition of the Draft Leichhardt Oval Masterplan.

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

C0823(1) Item 11 387-389 Illawarra Rd Marrickville Works in Kind Agreement

Motion: (Smith/Howard)

That Council endorse entering into a Works in Kind Agreement (WIK) with Fresh Hope Housing incorporated for 387-391 Illawarra Road, Marrickville in lieu of payment of S7.11 contribution required as a condition of development consent.

That Council delegate the General Manager to finalise negotiations for the WIK Agreement and the final design of the works with Fresh Hope Housing
Incorporated.

That Council investigate opportunities to work with churches and other religious organisations and charities that own land in the Inner West Local Government Area on how this land could be utilised to deliver affordable and community-based housing.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Abstain: Cr Da Cruz

C0823(1) Item 12 Additional Ordinary Council meeting date for Mayoral Election

Motion: (Byrne/D’Arienzo)

That an additional Ordinary Council meeting be held on 19 September 2023 to hold the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Election, with the Meeting Schedule on Council’s website to be updated accordingly.

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

C0823(1) Item 13 Local Government NSW Board Election and Annual Conference
2023

Motion: (Scott/Atkins)

That Council nominate the following Councillors to attend the 2023 Local Government NSW Conference.

a) Clr Byrne;

b) Clr D’Arienzo;

c) Clr Drury;

d) Clr Howard;

e) Clr Scott;

f) Clr Smith;

g) Clr Da Cruz;

h) Clr Langford; and

i) Clr Atkins

That Council determine those Councillors are the 9 voting delegates for the LGNSW Board Election.

That Council determine those Councillors are the 9 voting delegates for voting on motions at the 2023 Local Government NSW Conference

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/Stephens)

That Council Suspend Standing Orders to bring forward the following items to be dealt with at this time:

1. Item 18 Update on Reconciliation Action Plan

2. Item 22 Mandatory Reporting of Fire Safety Reports referred to Council from Fire and Rescue NSW

3. Item 27 Notice of Motion: Leading a Reform Agenda on Waste

4. Item 41 Notice of Motion: Affordable Housing Fund and Land Audit

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/Stephens)

That the following items be moved in globo and the recommendations contained within the report be adopted.

1. Item 18 Update on Reconciliation Action Plan

2. Item 22 Mandatory Reporting of Fire Safety Reports referred to Council from Fire and Rescue NSW

3. Item 27 Notice of Motion: Leading a Reform Agenda on Waste

4. Item 41 Notice of Motion: Affordable Housing Fund and Land Audit

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

C0823(1) Item 18 Update on Reconciliation Action Plan

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

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

C0823(1) Item 22 Mandatory Reporting of Fire Safety Reports referred to Council
from Fire and Rescue NSW

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

That Council receive and note the correspondence from Fire and Rescue NSW in relation to 161 Princes Highway St Peters.

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

C0823(1) Item 27 Notice of Motion: Leading a Reform Agenda on Waste

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council notes councils have a key role to play in reducing waste and its impact on the environment.

2. That Council notes across the Sydney metropolitan area, 55 per cent of household and commercial waste goes to landfill each year, resulting in loss of valuable resources, costing businesses and households more than $750 million in waste levies each year.

3. That Council will work with other Sydney councils to:

a) reduce waste;

b) improve environmental outcomes where waste has to be processed;

c) find solutions for the residue that is left; and

d) coordinate our advocacy, communications and collective buying power to bring the benefits of scale, efficiency and industry confidence.

4. That Council write to the NSW Government to invest the revenue from its waste levy for council and industry initiatives that:

a) accelerate the transition to a circular economy;

b) build the waste infrastructure needed to meet the growing pressures of population growth, loss of landfill capacity and a lack of competition in the sector;

c) educate and support communities to reduce waste; and

d) set the waste levy at an appropriate level with realistic hypothecation allocation, to streamline planning approvals for infrastructure, and to increase clarity and efficiency of licensing procedures.

5. That Council write to the Commonwealth Government to expedite bans on materials that cannot be recycled or recovered, and to increase extended producer responsibilities including labelling to specify recycled content in product and packaging.

6. That Council work with the other tiers of government to ensure the delivery of infrastructure solutions locally to reduce waste hauled long distances or to landfill.

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

C0823(1) Item 41 Notice of Motion: Affordable Housing Fund and Land Audit

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council note that an audit of Council land for affordable housing was commissioned in March 2022 by Notice of Motion C0322(1) Item 13.

2. That Council will receive a report that features the completed audit of Council land for affordable housing by the November 2023 Council meeting.

3. That in consultation with the Housing and Affordability Action Committee (HAAC), will develop a webpage about the Council’s affordable housing fund. The webpage will be updated quarterly and feature the amount of money in the fund, expenditure from the fund, revenue into the fund including funds from VPAs.

4. That Council investigate moving the affordable housing fund into a high-interest account. The investigation is to be reported to the November Council meeting alongside the land audit.

5. That Council consider direct investment into the affordable housing fund in each annual budget cycle.

6. That Council investigate partnerships with neighbouring councils and Resilient Sydney to share resources including Council land and funds with the aim to boost Sydney's affordable housing stock.

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

C0823(1) Item 14 Planning Industry Professional Workshop Summary

Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council receive and note the report.

2. That Council undertake an external review of planning and compliance customer service, with the General Manager to bring Terms of Reference for a review in a report to the September 2023 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

C0823(1) Item 15 Investment Report at 31 May 2023

Motion: (Smith/Drury)

That Council receive and note the report.

That Council call upon the major banks to review their current investments on offer and provide real green investment options.

That given there appears to be a market failure, Council write to the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, to consider what powers are available to ensure green investment options are provided by financial institutions, for Local Governments and other organisations who want green investments.

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

C0823(1) Item 16 Investment Report at 30 June 2023

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

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, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion: Cr Stamolis

C0823(1) Item 17 Delivery Program 22-26 & Operational Plan 22-23 Quarter 4
Report

Motion: (Griffiths/Scott)

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

C0823(1) Item 19 Arts and Music Recovery Plan Update (including Town Hall
Activations)

Motion: (Smith/Howard)

That Council receive and note the report.

That Council continue to report bi-monthly on the activation of town halls for artistic purposes.

That Council consult the Marrickville Town Hall Steering Committee to present a list of items Council could purchase to activate our town halls and provide a consistent, professional experience for hirers and audiences.

That Council include this information in its next report to Council on the activation of town halls, as well as costs and funding options.

That Council also include in its next report to Council on the activation of town halls options to designate specific town halls for particular art forms or activities.

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

C0823(1) Item 20 FOGO - Food Recycling Update

Motion: (Howard/Byrne)

That Council receive and note the report.

That Council engage Craig Reucassel, Costa Georgiadis or other high profile individual to assist with promoting the Councils roll out of FOGO-food Recycling.

That Council report monthly on the FOGO-Food Recycling roll out commence immediately.

That Council prior to the sunset of the existing supply of compostable bags, report back to Council with accurate costings, budget options and an operational plan to provide compostable bags for free to every household beyond the planned 4-6 months.

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

C0823(1) Item 21       Department of Planning and Environment advice regarding a
         Local Government Area wide Local Environmental Plan
         approach

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Scott)

That Council receive and note the report.

That Council write to the Minister for NSW Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully advocating for a local government wide LEP process.

That Council bring a report to the next meeting outlining the phases for the Council led planning proposed to amend the Inner West LEP. That the report outlines our progress on the 0 - 5 year state government dwelling target (2016 - 2021) from the Local Housing Strategy, broken down by dwelling types: including secondary dwellings, boarding houses, student accommodation, infill affordable housing, senior living and residential care bed facilities and market dwellings.

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 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

Confidential Session

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:

C0823(1) Item 57 Expression of Interest - Newtown Town Hall Pride Centre (Section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it.

C0823(1) Item 58 Update on the Audit of Council Land for Affordable Housing (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.

C0823(1) Item 59 Tender Recommendation Report for RFT 09-23 Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrade Architect Services (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 and (Section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it.

Procedural Motion (Griffiths/D’Arienzo)

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

resolutions passed during closed session

C0823(1) Item 57 Expression of Interest - Newtown Town Hall Pride Centre

Motion: (Howard/Atkins)

That Council approves the issue of the Expression of Interest from LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+ friendly organisations to manage and operate the Newtown Town Hall as the Inner West Pride Centre.

That Council amends clause 6.4 of the EOI to stipulate that Council will pay for utilities.

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

C0823(1) Item 58 Update on the Audit of Council Land for Affordable Housing

Motion: (Smith/Griffiths)

That Council receive and note the report.

That Council write to the NSW Minister for Housing and Federal Minister for Housing to invite the State and Federal Government to work with Council and housing providers to investigate opportunities for development of public housing at the 10 sites identified as “high value” in the preliminary audit.

That Council brief the Housing Affordability and Action Committee on the outcomes of the preliminary audit at the next Committee meeting.

That Council recommit to delivery of the final report by the November 2023 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

C0823(1) Item 59 Tender Recommendation Report for RFT 09-23 Leichhardt Park
Aquatic Centre Upgrade Architect Services

Motion: (Drury/Lockie)

That Council accepts the tender submitted by C.STUDIO (NSW) Pty Ltd (or CO.OP Studio Pty Ltd) Suite 406, 46-56 Kippax Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, for the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrade Architect Services for the lump sum amount of $2,647,343 including GST.

That Council approves the contingency noted in the confidential 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

C0823(1) Item 23 Major Capital Projects Committee and Project Summary Report

Motion: (Drury/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

Procedural Motion (Howard/Stephens)

That Council Suspend standing orders to bring forward item 51

Motion Carried

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

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

Abstained: Cr Griffiths

Councillor Griffiths retired from the Meeting at 10:39 pm.

C0823(1) Item 51 Question On Notice: Council Flyer “We Are About Respect”

This item was discussed at the meeting.

C0823(1) Item 26 Notice of Motion: Cycling Infrastructure Signage, Designation
and Enforcement

Motion: (Da Cruz/Shetty)

That Council provide information on the website clarifying enforcement of moving bikes and cars on footpaths and roads is with NSW Police and parked bikes and cars, trailers etc is with Council.

That Council provide more training to front line service request staff and the online systems to refer calls about moving bikes and cars to police.

That Council receive a report at the November 2023 meeting on:

a) Regulatory cycling signage and markings for Roads and Paths [requires investigation by officers; and

b) cost and scope to undertake an audit of Cycling Infrastructure and Routes including safety, signage, road markings, shade and crash barriers etc.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Griffiths

C0823(1) Item 28 Notice of Motion: Council to Display First Nations Map, State
from the Heart and Torres Strait Flag in Council Chambers

Motion: (Da Cruz/Drury)

That Council display the Map of Indigenous Australia in the Council Chamber and at local libraries.

That Council display the image of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in the Council Chamber.

That Council fly the Torres Strait Islander Flag in the chamber alongside the Aboriginal Flag.

That Council bring back a report on adopting traditional place names in our correspondence.

That Council fly the Aboriginal flag along Marrickville Road and on other mainstreets where possible, during Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week each year.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Griffiths

C0823(1) Item 29 Notice of Motion: Customer Service

Motion: (Scott/Byrne)

1. That Council note that further to the Customer Service Charter on this agenda, the Customer Experience Strategy, will be provided to Council in September 2023 for endorsement to go on public exhibition.

2. That Council note that further to the recent training opportunities for staff, a key item in the Customer Experience Strategy will need to be an organisational-wide culture uplift to be highly responsive, highly flexible, and highly empathetic, with metrics that include:

a) Quick responses to emails, phone calls, and online service requests, with information provided in clear, plain English;

b) Making proactive phone calls when residents reach out in other ways, both to understand and to follow up on issues raised;

c) Requests assigned to a single case manager who is responsible for gathering and assessing information, following up interim information, keeping residents informed at regular intervals, and finding and confirming solutions; and

d) Qualitative review of customer interactions for their consistency with our stated values of being here to serve the community, with an emphasis on responsiveness, flexibility and empathy.

3. That Council establish a Facebook Online Customer Service page to exist separately from the Inner West Council’s organisational Facebook page. The purpose of the Online Customer Service page is to:

a) Respond to resident requests on Facebook when “tagged”;

b) Join local resident groups and respond to issues; and

c) Note the Customer Advocate page is not a communications and promotions tool, but a customer service tool.

A report is to be brought back to Council in August on how this will operate in
considering points a, b and c above.

That Council establish a mobile customer service outreach team: a team of staff and a branded van to bring Council administration directly to ratepayers, with a roving schedule for Council staff to be accessible in locations such as shopping centres, Council recreation facilities such as libraries, aquatic centres, sporting grounds, festivals, and major transport stops such as train stations and ferries during peak travel time. The outreach team will cover not only 9am-5pm Monday to Friday but also after hours and weekends.

5. That Council increase the customer service stalls from 26 to 48 per year, and rotate them into new locations including shopping precincts and transport stops as well as the town squares and parks:

a) Note that with more regularised activity, and providing the forward schedule in our monthly newsletters, letterboxing promotion may not be needed which would decrease the cost per annum; and

b) Note that reporting on the engagement with the stalls is to continue through the Customer Service Committee, and if changes to the schedule are recommended, they will come to Council.

6. That Council note that further investment $350,000 will be necessary to cover the increased activity in points 4 and 5, which will be moved as an amendment to the budget.

7. That staff report in September 2023 with the Customer Experience Strategy, on the adoption of new technologies to improve transparency around maintenance schedules so residents can know when and where maintenance is due to occur in their neighbourhood, beginning with an immediate update to the way that mowing and street sweeping schedules are made public.

8. That in 2024, request the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service (IOSS) conduct a 12-month review of customer service to determine what improvements have been made and where there are further opportunities.

Motion Carried

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

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

Absent: Cr Griffiths

C0823(1) Item 30 Notice of Motion: Emergency Services Levy increase

Councillor Lockie withdrew this Notice of Motion.

C0823(1) Item 31 Notice of Motion: Webcasts

Motion: (Stamolis/Da Cruz)

That Council look at ways to increase public accessibility and use of its webcasts for its Ordinary Council meetings and report back in September 2023.

Motion Lost

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

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

Absent: Cr Griffiths

C0823(1) Item 32 Notice of Motion: Unoccupied Dwellings Rise by 35%

Motion: (Stamolis/Da Cruz)

That Council investigate the stock of unoccupied dwellings in the Inner West and report initial data back by November 2023.

Motion Lost

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

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

Absent: Cr Griffiths

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Stephens)

That Items 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 42 be deferred to the 12 September 2023 Ordinary Council meeting.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Griffiths

Meeting closed at 11.01pm.

Public Speakers:

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 3:	Firdous Majeed Joseph Atailah	Lilyfield Summer Hill
Item 6:	Jurate Janavicius	Haberfield
Item 7:	Rick Wayde	Croydon
Item 8:	Francis O’Neill Neil Tonkin Ben Prag	Sydney Lilyfield Balmain
Item 11:	Daniel Dwyer Dan Mckenna John Engeler	Rhodes Brunswick Darlinghurst
Item 39:	Michele Hacking Les Johnston Kevin Crawshaw Stephen Young	Rozelle Balmain Birchgrove Balmain
Item 41:	David Collins-White	Croydon
Item 52:	Elizabeth Birch	Camperdown
Item 60:	Doctor Rob Gillespie Professor William McCarthy Desmond Kennedy	Rozelle Rozelle Rozelle

Council Meeting

12 September 2023

Item No: C0923(1) Item 2

Subject: Draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy - Public Exhibition

Prepared By: Daniel East - Acting Senior Manager Planning

Authorised By: Simone Plummer - Director Planning

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Council publicly exhibit the draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed Strategy.

2. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:

1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West

2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has engaged independent technical consultants to prepare a Blue-Green Grid Strategy for the Inner West LGA. The project is being jointly funded by Council and the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and must be completed by December 2023.

In March and April of this year, a wide-reaching community engagement program was undertaken to help inform the drafting of the Strategy. The approach taken to increase the health of blue and green assets was well received by the community, with broad recognition that this network would provide a suitable opportunity for planning an efficient and effective active transport network. Over the last few months, the technical consultants have reviewed all feedback received and have now prepared a draft Strategy ready for public exhibition. Public exhibition of the draft Strategy will allow the community to review the proposed blue and green grid links and give valuable feedback to Council on the draft Strategy.

In order to meet critical project milestones as outlined in the Funding Agreement, it is essential that the draft Strategy is placed on public exhibition in September/October 2023.

BACKGROUND

The development of a green grid is a priority under the Greater Sydney Region Plan and the Eastern City District Plan. An action in the Inner West Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) commits Council to the development of a Blue-Green Grid Strategy as follows:

Action 3.3: Develop a Blue/Green Grid Strategy to protect and increase habitat and the urban forest, embed water sensitive urban design principles and prioritise the routes based on function and connectivity

Feedback received from the 2019 LSPS community engagement indicated that development of this Strategy was overwhelmingly supported by the community with over 91% of respondents supporting Council’s proposal to develop a Blue-Green Grid.

To assist with the timely delivery of this project work, Council applied for and was successful in receiving matched grant funding as part of DPE’s 2021/22 Metropolitan Greenspace Funding Program. The Strategy must be finalised by December 2023 in accordance with the terms of the signed Funding Agreement.

DISCUSSION

Outcomes of the Stage 1 engagement period – information gathering

In March and April 2023 Council undertook its first round of community engagement on this project. The purpose of this first round was to gather information from internal and external stakeholders including the community to gather place specific suggestions, and opportunities as well as better understand local needs and priorities for blue and green grid connections across Inner West.

The engagement period was a huge success for Council and the project team. In line with the high level of support that was expressed by the community during the LSPS consultation, this project specific Blue-Green Grid consultation was warmly welcomed by the community.

Snapshot of engagement success:

· 409 participants contributing over 1,800 comments:

· 355 social pinpoint contributions

· 25 written submissions

· 5 x face to face pop up events held across the Inner West

· 10 workshops and focus groups held with Council’s Local Democracy Group Members, community groups, neighbouring Councils, state government agencies and schools interested in contributing to the project

The three most common themes captured across the engagement were:

1. Effective Active Transport Networks: Participants acknowledged the great work of delivering the network to date but wished to see pathways and active transport routes better equipped to handle capacity and diverse uses.

2. It was highlighted that speed was the number one barrier to encouraging new users to the network. Respondents stated that an effective network should identify the type of users that would utilise particular routes with the aim of catering for a broader range of needs through suitable separation or other safety measures.

3. Access to Water: Participants from all suburbs wished to see a long-term plan for enabling residents across the LGA to interact with the blue grid. In the short to medium term there is a common vision to naturalise the creeks and rivers in the LGA and activate the banks. In the long term, our community wish for more opportunities to swim within the Inner West.

4. Rewilding Open Spaces: Participants didn’t wish to simply see biodiversity increasing across the LGA but wanted the Strategy to take a considered approach on where and how these assets are delivered and maintained. The community want natural assets across the Inner West to remain for generations to come, despite our growing community. Our community commonly identified the opportunity for more dense and planned planting in open spaces that would not only increase biodiversity in our existing green spaces but enable the community to connect with nature.

A copy of the Public Facing Engagement Outcomes Report for the Stage 1 engagement period in included as Attachment 1.

Overview of the draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy

The draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy (draft Strategy) comprises of approximately 84 key links which connect key areas across the Inner West and into neighbouring Council areas.

The draft Strategy provides an aspirational vision for creating a multi-purpose network of interconnected green and blue spaces aimed at:

· enhancing access to recreational open space, routes for walking, cycling, play and social interaction along green leafy streets and pathways

· expanding the urban tree canopy and vegetation and integrating water into the landscape to reduce urban heat, improve air quality and provide natural habitat for native fauna

· providing adequate shade to protect the community from over exposure to UV radiation

· protecting and enhancing ecological communities and increasing their resilience

· improving hydrology – incorporating water sensitive urban design (WSUD) elements, treating stormwater, reducing flood risk and managing water quality

· promoting art, cultural (including Aboriginal culture and heritage) and scenic features across the Inner West

Mapping in the draft Strategy has been based on a large amount of existing evidence. Over 30 data sets have been analysed and five key grid functions have been identified that have guided the overall development of the Inner West Blue-Green Grid network. The grid networks include:

· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culture and Heritage Grid

· Recreational Grid

· Ecological Grid

· Hydrological Grid

· Connected Grid

The evidence base in addition to the huge amount of community input provided as part of the first round of engagement have been utilised to identify the grid links and opportunities presented in the draft Strategy (Attachment 2).

To assist in providing a place-based response and localising what opportunities and improvements could be made along proposed blue-green grid connections, the grid has been divided into ten (10) precincts (using LEP map tiles as a basis for each precinct).

The Blue-Green Grid (precincts 1 – 10)

Zoom in of Precinct 6

Within each precinct, captured information includes:

· Blue-Green Grid links and identification numbers

· Key places of interest within the precinct

· Association with particular grid function (culture, ecological, connected, recreational or hydrological)

· Identified opportunities and improvements based on:

- Mapped evidence

- Community and stakeholder input

· Plans, polices and current project work relevant to each grid precinct

Link example - Precinct 7

Link Name

Suburbs

Description

Possible Opportunities and Improvements

Balmain Road at Glover Street to Balmain East Ferry wharf via Darling Street

Rozelle, Balmain, Balmain East

The link is a key route along the spine of the Balmain Peninsula connecting with Callan Park, the Rozelle and Balmain Town Centres and through to the Balmain East ferry wharf and harbour foreshore area. The link connects with the historical Tom Uren Trail and link 91 know as the Balmain Peninsula harbour walk.

Darling Street was commonly identified by the community as a missing active transport link within the northern part of the Inner West. This link would benefit from improved footpaths and crossing and cycle infrastructure within the town centres. The link would also benefit from increased tree canopy cover along the eastern side of Darling Street and Balmain Road to increase shade cover and improve amenity along these popular high streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

Additional opportunities for improvements to Darling Street at the intersection with Victoria Road will be made possible through opportunities identified as part of the Rozelle Town Centre Master Plan (as identified as part of link 72).

Grid networks link is connected to
Cultural Grid	Ecology	Connectivity	Hydrology	Recreation
X		X		X

The draft Strategy includes a high-level implementation and delivery plan only. This is deliberate in order to give Council staff the opportunity to further refine the inclusions of this part of the Strategy and ensure alignment with delivery of high priority connections and routes being investigated by other teams across Council that are also in line with community feedback. For example, aligning with work being completed for the Iron Cove Creek Master Plan, Marrickville Parks and Golf Course and the GreenWay.

Stage 2 Engagement – Exhibition of the draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy

It is proposed that the Stage 2 engagement period will run from September - October 2023 (approximately 5 weeks).

Stage 2 of the engagement program is aimed at seeking feedback from the community on the draft Strategy and the grid connections – did we get them right?

Engagement and promotion of the draft Strategy will be undertaken as follows:

· Have Your Say project page with project survey

· Social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

· Council’s news and announcements page

· Council’s what’s on page

· Email to registered Your Say Inner West users

· Email to all those who engaged with Stage 1 engagement program (including Your Say Inner West users, Local Democracy Group members and Focus Group participants)

· Face to face pop-up promotion

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

This project is being funded by matched grant funding Council has received from DPE. To gain access to the full amount of project funding made available for this project, the draft Strategy must be exhibited in September/October with the final Strategy endorsed by Council in December 2023.

NEXT STEPS AND KEY DATES

Task	Target date
Public exhibition of the draft Strategy	September - October 2023
Council endorsement of final Blue-Green Grid Strategy to meet final funding milestone with DPE	December 2023

Attachment 1 has been published separately in the Attachments Document on Council’s Website https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings/current-council-meetings

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇨	Early Engagement Outcomes Report - Published separately on Council’s website
2.⇩	Draft Blue-Green Grid Strategy

Council Meeting

12 September 2023

Item No: C0923(1) Item 7

Subject: Draft Customer Experience Strategy - Public Exhibition

Prepared By: Melanie Gurney - Senior Manager Business Excellence and Customer Experience and Michael Spikmans - Manager Customer Service and innovation

Authorised By: Kelly Loveridge - Director Corporate

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Council publicly exhibit the Draft Inner West Customer Experience Strategy for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed Strategy.

2. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the draft Strategy be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:

5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Delivering a great customer experience is Council’s priority. Over the past two years there has been a continuous focus on improving service delivery. The work already undertaken lends to improving the community’s experience with Council. The operational initiatives implemented include additional Customer Service resourcing to uplift call centre performance to meet service standards, fortnightly customer service stalls, streamlining the complaints management and other feedback processes, development of a Service Charter, improvements to the website, service portal and customer correspondence and development of service dashboards to drive continuous improvement.

The next stage of delivering on this priority is the development of the Customer Experience Strategy (Strategy). The Strategy has been built by a dedicated team allocated to work with the community, staff and local committees to gain their insights and input. The result is the first Inner West Council Customer Experience Strategy delivered in-house within five months.

An extensive engagement process went into the development of the Strategy. Nine workshops were conducted with all Council staff along with five community workshops, 400 Inner West residents participating in a telephone survey and an online survey through ‘Your say Inner West’ which gathered feedback from a further 974 community members.

The Customer Service Review Sub-committee (CSRS) established in June 2022, were also involved through the progressive development of the Strategy and were an insightful sounding board through the process.

Based on the feedback gathered through the engagement process, the strategy developed provides a comprehensive five-year plan for the improvement of the community’s experience with Council. It is built on priorities which inform measurable and defined outcomes through the delivery of specific actions for a better experience for every customer, every time.

The four strategic priorities of the Strategy are:

1) Supporting our staff to excel

2) Council anywhere, anytime

3) Embedding access and inclusion

4) Monitor, improve, measure, repeat.

The next step in the development of the Strategy is to provide our community the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the document. This will be done through a 28-day public exhibition period with feedback submissions invited through ‘Your Say Inner West’.

Following the completion of the public exhibition period, council staff will analyse and assess the feedback and make any necessary adjustments to the strategy. The final step in the development of the strategy is expected to be realised in November 2023, when it will be brought back to Council with the public exhibition outcomes, to consider the adoption of the strategy.

BACKGROUND

The development of a Customer Experience Strategy is a principal activity in Council’s current Delivery Program within the Community Strategic Plan under the strategic direction of ‘Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership’ and objective of ‘Council is responsive and service-focused’.

The need for a Strategy was identified by the Elected Council as a priority for Council to continue to build and establish trust within the Community. It aligns with Council’s ‘Purpose’ statement “We are here to be service to our local community and make the Inner West a great place to be” and the Service Charter which is our service promise to the community.

Work on the development of the Strategy commenced in April 2023 with desktop research, benchmarking studies and planning the consultation processes in line with Council’s Community Engagement Strategy 2022-24.

DISCUSSION

Customer Experience Improvements

Preceding the development of the Strategy work has been undertaken over the past two years to improve our customer and overall community’s experience, through operational initiatives to make it easier for people to interact with Council.

Following are some of the key initiatives implemented:

· Call Centre Service Level improvements: Solutions included resourcing in line with benchmarks to improve call centre performance, establishment of individual performance standards and a standardised training program to progressively improve knowledge. The result of this work is the service standard of 80% of calls answered in 60 seconds being exceeded since 24 April 2023. This improvement will be finalised in September.

· Development of a Service Charter: A Service Charter has been developed to outline the operational standards of service the community can expect. The Service Charter is aligned with Council's overarching Customer Experience Strategy.

· Customer Service Stalls: Fortnightly customer service stalls held at various locations throughout the Local Government Area to provide opportunities for the community to interact with Council staff and get help with their queries. This initiative has been expanded to weekly stalls which are commencing September 2023.

· Improvements to the website and online service portal: The website and online service portal are being continuously improved to make them user-friendly and adaptable to the needs of the community. The improvements to date include updating Google Analytics, fixing the website search functionality and redesigning the online service portal.

· Improvements to customer correspondence: There has been a focus on improving customer correspondence as the quality of written correspondence is crucial to delivering a good service experience. These improvements include revising customer request standard templates, delivering staff training in writing with a customer focus, building standard response libraries in the customer request management system, and supporting managers to track and improve the quality of outgoing correspondence.

· Improved feedback tracking and reporting: Feedback tracking and reporting has been improved to provide a more effective means of assessing customer feedback. These improvements include introducing a new category for feedback which includes compliments, suggestions and complaints. To effectively monitor and manage this feedback processes have also been put in place to enable ongoing review.

A large part of the work undertaken to date has been enabled by the establishment of a dedicated resource to case manage feedback, streamline the complaints management process and align to the policies and practices of the Ombudsman’s office.

One of the next steps in the customer experience journey includes developing and displaying clear and transparent service performance to the community. Council’s website will include a section dedicated to reporting current service performance such as the below examples, drawn from August 2023 data:

- 94% of calls answered within 60 seconds

- 91% of customers served within three minutes at Council’s Service Centres

- 150 customers served at the three Customer Service Stalls held

- Average time to fix a pothole was 2.8 days, with 81% of potholes fixed within 3 days

Community and Staff Engagement Outcomes

Through the months of May and June 2023, community and staff engagement were carried out with over 1,400 residents and 1,200 staff engaged through a variety of methods:

- Three in-person community workshops from 18 to 31 May (52 participants)

- An online survey from 27 April to 11 June (974 respondents)

- A Local Democracy Group workshop on 14 June (8 groups represented)

- A representative phone survey from 22 to 29 June (400 respondents)

- Nine staff engagement sessions (1,200 participants)

- A community focus group to review the draft strategic priorities (10 participants).

In the main, the majority of community participants reported they were satisfied overall with their customer experience with Council and highlighted areas for continued improvement. Similar areas for improvement and focus to improve customer experience were gathered through the staff engagement workshops conducted through June and July.

The broad and deep engagement undertaken provided valuable insights into the community’s experience as well as staff and community challenges interacting with physical and digital touchpoints, across all types of communication channels.

Three priority areas emerged through the consultative process which framed the Customer Experience Strategy:

1. Build an organisational culture of service excellence by:

- Improving first contact resolution

- Responding to requests more quickly across all channels

- Getting back to customers to let them know how their request is progressing

- Ensuring all staff are trained and supported in delivering a high quality customer experience.

2. Enable quick and easy access to information and services by:

- Ensuring the way Council communicates with the community is clear and easy to understand

- Integrating Snap/Send/Solve into Council’s request management system

- Consolidating all Council digital platforms into a single online portal with one log-in

- Providing a Council app for smartphones

- Providing tools to further enable residents to personally raise and track requests

- Improving the website so it is easy to find the correct information.

3. Focus on continuous improvement and adapting to future needs by:

- Identifying the top issues that generate complaints and fixing the root cause

- Benchmarking and measuring performance across all touchpoints against key industry standards

- Ensuring Council keeps pace with new and emerging technologies in line with demand and to continue to improve customer experience.

The feedback and insights gained through this process helped to create a Customer Experience Strategy which encompassed the communities’ feedback into four strategic priorities that truly reflects their needs and expectations.

The four strategic priorities proposed in the draft Strategy are:

1) Supporting our staff to excel

2) Council anywhere, anytime

3) Embedding access and inclusion

4) Monitor, improve, measure, repeat.

Strategic Priorities Implementation Plan

An implementation plan (Plan) comprising the goals and actions aligned to the four strategic priorities, and specifying the timelines for delivery was developed as a part of the strategy. The Plan provides a practical direction to the community on the key deliverables associated with providing a great customer experience, improving online services, embedding access and inclusion and continuous improvement.

The Plan includes continuously maximising Council’s digital capabilities in line with community feedback by harnessing intelligent service solutions and maintaining current and relevant information on all communication channels.

As part of this effort, Council's Assets team is continuing to develop mobile technology solutions to improve maintenance scheduling for operational teams. The completion schedules in their current format, while available to the community on Council’s website, will be improved and expanded as the technology solutions are implemented, for residents wanting to know when the next service is scheduled in their area.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

All operational initiatives planned for the current financial year will be delivered within the existing adopted operational budget. The Digital Experience Platform (DXP) which will be delivered through Council’s capital program over this, and next financial year also has an existing budget allocation in the adopted capital budget.

The actions and deliverables outlined in future years of the Implementation Plan will be considered and incorporated into budget planning on an annual basis.

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Draft Customer Experience Strategy
2.⇩	Draft Customer Experience Strategy - Easy Read
3.⇩	Community Engagement Outcomes Report

Council Meeting

12 September 2023

Item No: C0923(1) Item 12

Subject: Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study & Plan and Flood Management Advisory Committee Minutes 27 July 2023

Prepared By: David Paton - Road Access Manager

Authorised By: Ryann Midei - Director Infrastructure

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Council adopt the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.

2. That Council officers write directly to impacted residents within the study area notifying them of the adoption of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.

3. That a future flood education strategy for the wider local government area be developed and presented to the Flood Management Advisory Committee.

4. That the Minutes of the Flood Management Advisory Committee held on the 27 July 2023 be received.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:

2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Inner West Council has a responsibility and obligation under the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy to carry out studies to understand flood risk, examine options to manage flood risk, keep community informed about flooding, and support emergency management planning.

This is undertaken through the Floodplain Risk Management Process, which includes

- Flood Studies to identify existing flood risk across the Council area

- Flood Risk Management Studies & Plans to outline and assess proposed measures to manage and mitigate the flood risk across the flood affected areas

To date, Council has nine adopted Flood Studies, encompassing approximately 90% of the Local Government Area and three adopted Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans (FRMSP) for approximately 50% of the Local Government Area.

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan covers two of the largest catchments within Inner West Council and will increase the coverage of Flood Risk Management Plans to 80% of the Inner West Local Government Area.

The Flood Risk Management Plan includes measures to help mitigate and manage flooding to reduce existing and future flood damages:

- Hazard Mapping & Emergency Response classification

- Support for renewed Flood Response Plans including mapping of vulnerable populations

- Evacuation recommendations

- Proposed future community education strategies

- A prioritised list of five mitigation projects

The adoption of the Flood Risk Management Plan does not commit Council to a prescribed schedule of delivery, however it provides Council with opportunity to:

- Prioritise further review and design of projects that have merit in reducing flood levels

- Seek grant funding for design & implementation of flood mitigation projects

- Deliver updated planning information for SES operations

- Develop a process of ongoing flood awareness & education within the community

It is recommended that Council adopt the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan.

BACKGROUND

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan represents a comprehensive review of flood behaviour in the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal catchments of Inner West Council, as well as a suite of measures to mitigate and manage the risks resulting from flood events. These reports form the basis of long-term planning for stormwater capacity upgrades, development controls and contribution schemes, as well as emergency management planning.

To date, Council has completed and adopted 9 Flood Studies, encompassing approximately 90% of the Local Government Area. These studies identify existing flood risk across the Council area and map out flood affected properties.

Council has completed three Flood Risk Management Studies and Plans (FRMSP) for approximately 50% of the Local Government Area. These studies are the second stage of the Floodplain Risk Management Process outlined in the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy. These studies outline proposed measures to manage and mitigate the flood risk across the flood affected areas through a range of flood modification, property modification and emergency management options.

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan covers two of the largest catchments within Inner West Council totalling approximately 30% of the Inner West Local Government Area. With adoption, this will means the total coverage of Flood Risk Management Plans will be increased to 80% of the Inner West Local Government Area. The combined catchments extend to the south and west from New Canterbury Road and Crystal Street to Council’s boundaries with Canada Bay, Burwood and Canterbury-Bankstown. An overall map of the Inner West Council catchments is provided in Attachment 2.

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal catchments include 2454 land parcels identified under the previously adopted Flood Studies, containing 2335 houses and 3319 units within the suburbs of Haberfield, Ashfield, Summer Hill and Lewisham, as well as parts of Croydon, Dulwich Hill and Petersham.

The Flood Risk Management Study does not propose any changes to the current flood mapping, property tagging, or development controls previously adopted by Council, nor does it make any proposals for property acquisition.

The Flood Risk Management Study provides a comprehensive and independent assessment of proposed measures to manage and mitigate the established flood risk across the flood affected areas.

Options were developed by identifying key “hotspot” areas of flooding across the catchments and developing initial proposals to reduce these impacts. The study included an assessment of 56 structural flood modification options including pipe upgrades, detention basins, and improved overland flow paths across the study area. These were then assessed for overall damage reduction, community benefit and feasibility. Many of the proposed options did not indicate any meaningful reduction in hazard or property inundation and were not assessed further.

Only five of the structural flood modification options showed appreciable reduction in property inundation and overall hazard across the hotspot areas. These, and a range of non-structural options, were then subjected to a multi-criteria analysis including cost-benefit analysis, technical complexity, community impact, and emergency management benefit. The multi-criteria analysis resulted in a comparative ranking for the structural modification, community awareness, and property management options, as listed below.

- Development of Community Education Programs

- Update flood mapping with SES and the Local Flood Emergency Management Plan

- Floor level controls on new development

- Flood proofing measures for new and existing developments

- Proposed detention basin beneath Pratten Park

- Proposed pipe upgrade within Sloane Street

- Review potential flood warning systems

- Proposed detention basin within Darrell Jackson Skate Park

- Proposed pipe upgrade within Nowranie Street

- Proposed above ground detention basin within Petersham Park

Note that the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is not the end of the Floodplain Management process. All proposed structural mitigation options progress to detailed feasibility study prior to inclusion within a capital works program. These further studies include targeted consultation with impacted residents and community stakeholders before progressing to detailed design and implementation.

At the Council Meeting held on 9 May 2023, Council resolved that:

Council defer the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Plan until such a time as the plan can be duly considered by the Inner West Council Flood Management Advisory Committee.

A meeting of the Flood Management Advisory Committee was held on 27 July 2023, which considered the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Plan. The minutes of this meeting are included as Attachment 3.

The committee accepted and endorsed the recommendations of the Study and Plan, with following the resolution:

1. That the Flood Management Advisory Committee endorse the Final Draft Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan to Council for adoption.

2. That Council receive a report on options of further community engagement or notification on the study and plan, noting that new residents may wish to be informed of the recommendations of the study and plan. (This is discussed below)

DISCUSSION

Community Engagement to Date

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan follows the Dobroyd Canal Flood Study (2014) and the Hawthorne Canal Flood Study (2015).

The Dobroyd Canal Flood Study was placed on public exhibition by Ashfield Council between April and June 2014 and was adopted by Council in December 2014.

The Hawthorne Canal Flood Study was placed on exhibition by Ashfield Council and Marrickville Council between April and September 2014. The Hawthorne Canal Flood Study was adopted by Ashfield Council in December 2014 and by Marrickville Council in February 2015.

The two studies identified a total of 2454 land parcels as Flood Control Lots – properties that are located within the flood affected area and are subject to development controls to reduce the impact and risk of flooding.

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan was commenced in 2016 by Inner West Council with initial community consultation in 2017. The Draft Study and Plan was placed on public exhibition from 22 July to 30 August 2019. The plan was made available on Council’s ‘Your Say Inner West’ webpage and the exhibition promoted through Council’s newsletter and website. In addition, letters were also sent to all residents of the 2454 properties identified as Flood Control Lots in the previous studies.

Community members were invited to view the plan and indicate the extent of their support for the plan. Community members were also able to provide comment on which options they support, which options they do not support and whether there was any other flood affected area not addressed in the plan.

During the exhibition period the webpage was had 541 unique visitors with project documents downloaded 187 times. A total of thirteen submissions were received through the Council’s website. Of these submissions, eight were overall supportive of the plan, 3 submissions raised concerns that were addressed within the plan or resolved through consultation, and two submissions that were not supportive of the plan.

Further Community Engagement

In response to the resolution of the Flood Management Advisory Committee, Council officers have undertaken a review of:

- Residential composition and change around Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal

- Response to the initial community engagement in 2019

- Scope of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

- Ongoing flood notification and education

Residential Composition

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorn Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan covers the suburbs of Ashfield, Dulwich Hill, Haberfield, Lewisham, and Summer Hill.

The 2021 Australian Census identifies a total number of 10,264 single or semi-detached dwellings and 12,900 units housing 25,160 and 24,838 people respectively within these suburbs.

Approximately 50% of residents within these suburbs reported that they had changed their address of usual residence within the previous 5 years.

This is contrasted with a review of Property Sales Data from the NSW Valuer General, which identified that approximately 18% of houses had transferred ownership between 2019 and 2023. Further review notes that 10% of houses within the Flood Affected Area of Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal exchanged ownership in this time.

These statistics indicate, that while there is a generally high mobility of residents within the catchment area, a significant majority of homeowners within the affected areas are long term residents and have had the opportunity to contribute throughout the process.

Response to the initial Community Engagement

The Draft Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan was placed on public exhibition from 5 August to 30 August 2019. The plan was made available on Council’s ‘Your Say Inner West’ webpage and the exhibition was promoted through Council’s newsletter and website. Letters were also sent directly to residents located within flood affected areas.

Council’s Engagement team notes that this response rate is typical for a report of this nature, which does not directly impact residents at this time, however it would be expected that further direct engagement on individual projects would generate greater engagement.

This response rate also provides an indication of the limited interest in and experience of flooding that many residents have. Though this study was undertaken prior to the heavy 2022 rainfall and flooding, community engagement undertaken this year for studies currently in progress show similar levels of engagement and response despite more recent experiences of flooding.

Scope of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

The Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is the second stage of the NSW Floodplain Risk Management Process which builds upon the Dobroyd Canal Flood Study and Hawthorne Canal Flood Study previously adopted by Council. The Flood Risk Management Study does not propose any changes to the previously adopted flood mapping, risk modelling, property zoning, or development controls that that would change the impact to any property in the study area.

The Flood Risk Management Study provides an independent assessment of the benefit of proposed measures to manage and mitigate the established flood risk across the flood affected areas. The study included an assessment of 56 structural flood modification options including pipe upgrades, detention basins, and improved overland flow paths across the study area, which was reduced to five final recommendations based on a feasibility review and impact assessment.

During the initial exhibition of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan in 2019 the community submissions and drop-in questions did not result in new options that had not been previously assessed. Similarly, further community exhibition is not expected to present new structural modification options for review.

It should be noted that the adoption of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan is not the end of the Floodplain Management process. All proposed structural mitigation options progress to detailed feasibility study prior to inclusion within a capital works program. These further studies include targeted consultation with impacted residents and community stakeholders before progressing to detailed design and implementation.

Ongoing Flood Education

Council’s property records identify 2335 houses and 3319 units across 2454 land parcels located within the Flood Affected Area of Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal. These properties were previously identified, mapped, and included within Council’s DCPs as part of the Dobroyd Canal Flood Study and Hawthorne Canal Flood Study adopted by the Councils in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Since the adoption of Flood Studies and their incorporation into Council’s DCPs any new property purchaser that obtains a Planning Certificate for the property is notified that the property is within a flood affected area. The Section 10.7 Planning Certificate currently includes the following for flood affected properties:

Through the 10.7 Certificate a potential owner is notified of the flood classification of the property, provided with a link to find out more information and invited to contact Council for further information.

In addition, Council supports more general flood awareness and preparedness through the support of the Leichhardt Ashfield and Marrickville branches of the NSW SES. These branches take park in stalls in shopping centres, community events, and other public avenues including branch open days. The exact information at these events can vary, however typically includes an overview of flooding in an area and provides sample measures that individual residents can take up to protect themselves, their families, and their belongings in a flood event.

Beyond general notification, the proposed Flood Risk Management Study and Plan notes that although several flood modification measures are available to reduce flood risk, communities living and working in the floodplains in the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal study area will never be totally protected from the impacts of flooding. Consequently, it is vital that the flood-affected communities are aware of the flood risk and are prepared for floods through ongoing programs rather than one-off, un-integrated campaigns.

The Flood Risk Management Study and Plan makes four recommendations for ongoing community awareness:

- Provide site specific flood information to residents

- Enhance the usability of the flood pages of Council’s website

- Installing signage at four road low-points

- Run meet-the-street events at regular intervals to build and sustain a culture of flood preparedness

It is not considered that one-off additional engagement and notification for a single study would provide substantial benefits. Greater benefit can be provided to the local community by developing a long-term program of events, information provision and education.

Conclusion

It is not expected that further community engagement prior to the adoption of the report would have a significant impact on the recommendations of the report for the following reasons:

- The Flood Risk Management Plan is comprehensive in its scope provides an independent assessment of potential mitigation options.

- The initial exhibition in 2019 did not result in any new options that had not already been considered and assessed for inclusion within the Plan. The study reviewed an initial list of 56 proposals reduced to 5 following an assessment of feasibility and wider catchment impact.

- A majority of submissions to the 2019 exhibition were from owner-occupiers within the study area.

- A review of sales records within Valuation NSW notes that less than 10% of properties in the flood affected area covered by this plan were exchanged to new owners between 2019 and 2023.

- New property purchasers are informed of the Flood Affected Property classification through Section 10.7 Planning Certificates and can contact Council for further specific information

- The Study and Plan makes no recommendation to update mapping of Flood Affected Properties previously adopted by Council under the Dobroyd Canal Flood Study or Hawthorne Canal Flood Study

- The Flood Risk Management Study identifies that ongoing education beyond the one-off notification of a Flood Risk Management Study provides greater benefit to the community in developing long-term awareness and resiliency.

For these reasons it is recommended that further engagement directly associated with the outcomes of the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal is not required to be undertaken and the Plan is suitable for adoption at this time. In lieu of further engagement, Council officers propose the following activities:

- Council officers write directly to impacted residents within the study area notifying them of the adoption of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan

- Council’s stormwater engineers are available to be contacted by the community to discuss impacts.

- Council officers develop a future flood education strategy for the wider local government area to be presented to the Flood Management Advisory Committee in November.

It is noted that adoption of the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan supports these actions by providing opportunity for:

- Grant funding for feasibility assessment & implementation of flood mitigation options

- Grant funding for ongoing flood awareness & education campaigns

- Updated planning information distributed to SES operations

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no direct financial implications associated with the adoption of the proposed report however there are limited funds to undertake the upgrade and mitigation measures identified in the Flood Risk Management Plan

The upgrade and mitigation measures represent a potential capital outlay of approximately $17.5M. The proposed options include:

- Pratten Park detention basin - $12.7 million

- Darrell Jackson Skate Park above ground detention basin - $970,000

- Sloane Street pipe upgrade - $800,000

- Nowranie Street pipe upgrade - $2.1 million

- Petersham Park above ground detention basin - $900,000

Given the level of conceptual detail within the flood risk management plan and the need for further detailed design and consultation, they do not present a prescribed schedule for implementation. Rather, this Plan identifies mitigation measures that have merit for implementation as funding becomes available, or the opportunity arises from major development.

Council engineers will review allocations within Council’s existing $1.5 million Stormwater Upgrade program to include further design and feasibility assessment of mitigation measures coming from the plans adopted by Council to date, with a design pipeline to be prepared as part of the ongoing budgetary process.

The NSW Department of Planning currently facilitate several supporting grants for between 50% and 75% of the project cost for works identified in an adopted Floodplain Risk Management Plan.

These two grant schemes are competitive grants with authorities across the State competing for a relatively small pool of funds.

The adoption of the Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan will provide Council with support to seek further funding opportunities for both capital works upgrades as well as the development of community engagement and education programs.

Attachment 1 has been published separately in the Attachments Document on Council’s Website https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings/current-council-meetings

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇨	Dobroyd Canal and Hawthorne Canal Flood Risk Management Study and Plan - Published separately on Council’s website
2.⇩	Map of Inner West Council Flood Catchments
3.⇩	Minutes of the Flood Management Advisory Committee - July 27 2023

Dwelling Type

Total approved between 2016 - 2021

Standard market dwellings

4677

Secondary dwellings

146

Boarding rooms including student accommodation

1037

Infill affordable development

185

Seniors living and residential care bed facilities

245

Total

6290

	Times
Monday	Rest Day
Tuesday	4:30pm – 9pm
Wednesday	4:30pm – 9pm
Thursday	4:30pm – 9pm
Friday	4:30pm – 9pm
Saturday	8am – 5pm
Sunday	9am – 5pm

1.⇩	Hammond Park Plan of Management
2.⇨	Community Engagement Report Hammond Park - Published separately on Council’s website

1.⇩	Creative Development
2.⇩	Arts Project
3.⇩	Community History Grants
4.⇩	Community Wellbeing Grants
5.⇩	Community Wellbeing Two Year Grants
6.⇩	Multicultural Grants
7.⇩	2022-2024 Community, Environment, Recreation Two-Year Grants(second year funding)
8.⇩	Annual Grants Round summary

Ward	Item
Baludarri (Balmain)	Jaggers Lane, Balmain - Proposed Permanent Full Road Closure
	Ellen Street Carpark, Rozelle - Proposed Extension of ‘2p 8.00am-8.00pm’Timed Parking Restrictions to ‘4P 8.00am8.00pm’
	Part Yeend Street, Birchgrove - road closure & sale
Gulgadya (Leichhardt)	Nil.
Midjuburi (Marrickville)	Carrington Road, Marrickville - Cycleway Upgrade
	Marrickville Road, Marrickville – Temporary Full Road Closures for Marrickville Music Festival - Sunday 15 October 2023
	Carrington Road at Cary Street, Marrickville – Pedestrian Safety Improvement Works – Raised Pedestrian Crossing
	Ewart Street, Dulwich Hill; Illawarra Road, Marrickville; Burrows Avenue, Railway Road, Gleeson Avenue And (Lower) Railway Parade, Sydenham - Temporary Parking Changes During Major Rail Shutdown of T3 Line For Sydney Metro Upgrade Works - Bus Replacements Saturday 23 September To Thursday 5 October 2023 And Tuesday 26 December 2023 To Thursday 25 January 2024
	Holbeach Avenue, Tempe – Temporary Full Road Closures for Ms Sydney To The Gong Bike Ride On Sunday 5 November 2023
Djarrawunang (Ashfield)	Hurlstone Avenue, Summer Hill- Proposed Kerb blister narrowing of Hurlstone Avenue at Prospect Road and No Left Turn 7.309.30am.,3-5pm Mon-Fri from Prospect Road into Hurlstone Avenue.
Damun (Stanmore)	Percival Road, Stanmore – Temporary Full Road Closures for Stanmore Music Festival – Saturday 18 November 2023
	West Street Near Brighton Street, Petersham – Proposed New Kerb Blister and Footpath Realignment
	Trafalgar Street, Enmore - Proposed installation of 'No Parking' restrictions outside No.35-39A Trafalgar Street
All Wards	Nil.

Financial Year	No. Consultants Used	Consultants cost ($,000)
2017/18	109	2,756
2018/19	101	3,237
2019/20	86	3,252
2020/21	97	3,315
2021/22	106	4,507
2022/23	105	4,001

1.⇩	NSW Ombudsman - Overview of the new Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022
2.⇩	Public Interest Disclosure Policy

1.⇩	Inner West Council Investment Report - July 2023
2.⇩	Inner West Council Economic and Investment Portfolio Commentary - July 2023

1.⇩	Inner West Council Investment Report - August 2023
2.⇩	Inner West Council Economic & Investment Portfolio Commentary - August 2023

Name of Consultants	Purpose of Consultancy	Second Term of Council to 30 June 2023 ($,000)
ARUP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD	Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precincts	70
Assetic Australia Proprietary Limited	Asset Condition Survey, Assets Fair Valuation Review, Assets Management Plan and Asset Revaluation Review.	200
CONSARA PTY LTD	Various investigation and consulting works for park projects across Council.	63
CRED COMMUNITY PTY LTD	Update to Council's Recreational Study, Development Contributions Community Engagement Program, Community Assets Needs Strategy and Local Environmental Plan Stage	81
Greenaway Architects	Review of Indigenous History and Archaeology in the Inner West LGA	82
HECTOR ABRAHAMS ARCHITECTS	Pioneers Memorial Park Consultancy and other various heritage impact studies and architectural services.	112
KERRY GORDON PLANNING SERVICE PTY LTD	Various planning services across properties in the LGA.	157
MORRISON LOW CONSULTANTS PTY LTD	Consulting on De-amalgamation business base, rates harmonisation, trade service review and other matters.	100
NEURAL NETWORKS CONCEPTS PTY LTD	Authentic leadership and emotional intelligence assessment of staff.	430
NOBLE WORKS PTY LIMITED	Authentic leadership program including Enneagram.	162
PSM CONSULT PTY LTD	Engineering Design, Documentation Services and Construction Supervision for Dibble Avenue Waterhole Bank Stabilisation and Ancillary Works	114
SGS ECONOMICS & PLANNING	Various consultation regarding anchors, review of existing strategic development and policy material, Economic Analysis Peer Review and other matters.	136
SJB Architects	Urban Design Study and North Ashfield Urban Design Study.	150
SMART CONNECTION CONSULTANCY PTY LTD	Synthetic Turf Feasibility Study	128
SYSTEMS THINKING CONSULTING PTY LTD	Various Technology One consulting services.	320
TANNER KIBBLE DENTON ARCHITECTS PTY LTD	Consulting services for Marrickville Town Hall, St Peters Tow Hall and Dawn Fraser Baths.	270
TEF CONSULTING	Balmain Precinct Local Area Traffic Management Study, pedestrian counts and analysis, Rozelle North Local Area Traffic Management Study, Balmain Precinct Local Area Traffic Management Study	80
The trustee for GLN Planning Unit Trust	Draft Inner West s7.11/7.12 Local Infrastructure Contribution Plan 2022 and other works.	202
URBIS PTY LTD	Updating comparison modelling and recommendations, data analysis and Anti Racism Strategy	99
Wattblock	Solar for strata	56
WEBB AUSTRALIA GROUP PTY LTD	Synthetic Turf Investigation, lighting assessments and other works.	52
WELSH & MAJOR ARCHITECTS	Development of Park Plans of Management and Master Plans.	195
WORKWIZE PTY LTD	Human resources consultant.	107

Property	Installation Date (d/m/y)
Annandale Community Centre	1/1/2011
Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre	8/17/2011
Ashfield Aquatic Centre	8/21/2020
Balmain Depot	6/1/2015
Balmain Library and Town Hall	8/1/2016
Balmain Occasional Care	6/23/2022
Blackmore Oval	3/13/2013
Cavendish Early Learning Centre	3/31/2016
Cavendish Early Learning Centre	4/27/2021
Chrissie Cotter Gallery	6/7/2012
Deborah Little Early Learning Centre	6/9/2021
Deborah Little Early Learning Centre	9/1/2021
Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre	3/12/2020
Former Dulwich Hill Branch Library/ Marrickville Legal Centre	4/29/2010
Foster Street Family Day Care	1/1/2011
Haberfield library	4/1/2021
Hannaford Centre	1/1/2011
Jimmy Little Community Centre aka Lilyfield Community Centre	1/1/2012
John McMahon Early Learning Centre	5/12/2021
Leichhardt Administration Building	7/1/2000
Leichhardt Children's Centre	4/1/2014
Leichhardt Children's Centre	5/18/2021
Leichhardt Depot	6/1/2016
Leichhardt Oval #1	5/1/2015
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Gym	7/1/2016
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Program Pool	2/1/2018
Leichhardt Park Children's Centre	7/1/2018
Leichhardt Park Children's Centre	4/28/2021
Leichhardt Park Playground	7/1/2016
Leichhardt Town Hall	5/7/2012
Marrickville Town Hall	5/20/2021
Marrickville Town Hall (former library)	5/20/2021
May Murray Early Learning Centre	12/14/2019
Mervyn Fletcher Hall	Sep-19
Petersham Administration Building	7/4/2014
Petersham Town Hall	2019
Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery	8/1/2012
Seaview Street Hall	12/6/2019
St Peters Depot (Building B)	10/1/2010
St Peters Depot (Building A + B-expansion)	12/20/2021
Summer Hill Works Depot	1/1/2016
Tillman Park Early Learning Centre	4/8/2020
Tom Foster Community Centre	6/18/2015
Yirran Gumal Early Learning Centre	6/1/2018
Yirran Gumal Early Learning Centre	6/7/2021
King George Park Amenities	2017
Bridgewater Park Amenities	2018

	Major	Minor	Total	Approved	Refused	Withdrawn	Cancelled
Feb-20	39	4	43	29	6	1	3
Mar-20	59	15	74	41	11	0	9
Apr-20	69	40	109	56	13	1	9
May-20	55	46	101	60	10	0	9
Jun-20	72	34	106	64	16	1	7
Jul-20	71	39	110	63	14	1	15
Aug-20	80	46	126	69	20	1	15
Sep-20	94	47	141	81	19	1	10
Oct-20	62	40	102	48	17	4	5
Nov-20	63	41	104	53	11	7	6
Dec-20	55	35	90	40	6	4	10
Jan-21	39	22	61	24	7	4	3
Feb-21	44	17	61	27	12	0	4
Mar-21	74	35	109	39	13	2	8
Apr-21	60	37	97	30	13	1	6
May-21	63	52	115	38	16	1	6
Jun-21	53	26	79	37	10	1	3
Jul-21	61	28	89	37	14	1	6
Aug-21	52	39	91	28	14	0	14
Sep-21	64	29	93	30	17	0	12
Oct-21	73	41	114	47	10	2	9
Nov-21	56	40	96	32	17	1	7
Dec-21	41	20	61	21	9	0	4
Jan-22
Feb-22
Mar-22
Apr-22
May-22
Jun-22
Jul-22
Aug-22
Sep-22
Oct-22
Nov-22
Dec-22
Jan-23
Feb-23
Mar-23
Apr-23
May-23
Jun-23