Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Council Meeting

21 November 2023

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 10 October 2023 at Ashfield Service Centre

Meeting commenced at 6.30pm

Present:

Darcy Byrne

Chloe Smith

Liz Atkins

Marghanita Da Cruz

Jessica D’Arienzo

Mark Drury

Dylan Griffiths

Mathew Howard

Justine Langford

Pauline Lockie

Philippa Scott

Kobi Shetty

John Stamolis

Timothy Stephens

Zoi Tsardoulias
Peter Gainsford

Simone Plummer

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

Councillor

Councillor (attended via audio-visual link) (attended in person from 6.54pm)

Councillor (attended via audio-visual link)

Councillor

Councillor (6.32pm)

General Manager

Director Planning

Ryann Midei

Director Infrastructure

Ruth Callaghan

Kelly Loveridge

Matthew Pearce

George Georgakis

Erin White

Chris Sleiman

David Daniels

Scott Mullen

Daniel East

Ken Welsh

Melanie Gurney

Manod Wickramasinghe

Director Community

Director Corporate

General Counsel

Governance Manager

Manager Resource Recovery and Fleet Services

Acting Chief Financial Officer

Audit Office NSW

Strategic Investments and Property Manager

Acting Senior Manager Strategic Planning

Coordinator Strategic Transport Planning

Senior Manager Customer Experience and Service Transformation

Traffic and Transport Planning Manager

Katherine Paixao

Pamela MacIntyre

Business Paper Coordinator

Business Paper Officer

APOLOGIES AND REQUEST FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION:

Motion: (Lockie/Stephens)

1. That apologies for lateness from Councillor Tsardoulias be accepted.

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

3. That Council accept Councillor Shetty’s request to attend tonight’s Council meeting via audio-visual link (6.30pm until 6.54pm) whilst returning back from her sitting in parliament.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Councillor Tsardoulias entered the Meeting at 6:32 pm.

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:

Motion: (Stephens/D’Arienzo)

Councillor Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 18 September 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 Item 34 Notice of Motion: Mitigating the Impact of Bankstown Train Line Closures as he works in the Office of the Minister for Transport, and in that capacity he has been directly engaged in work around the Temporary Transport Plan. With an abundance of caution, and to avoid any perception of conflict, he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

Councillor Shetty declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 18 September 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.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

**The below disclosures of interest were made during the meeting**

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 16 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 18 September 2023 as Item 8 of the Local Traffic Committee meeting minutes relates to a Motor Bike parking zone in William Street Leichhardt and he is the joint owner of a property in Allen Street, which adjoins William Street. Out of an abundance of caution, he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

Councillor Shetty declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club as one of the proposed motions was writing to her in her capacity as the Member for Balmain and applying for Community Building Partnerships grants through her State Office. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Smith declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club as she works in the Office of the Premier of NSW. The Premier’s Department manages the Community Partnerships Grants program on behalf of the Premier. Successful grant applications are decided by the Premier. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Motion: (Griffiths/Scott)

That the Minutes of the Council held on Tuesday, 12 September 2023 and Tuesday, 19 September 2023 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

- 12 September 2023, Item 55 Mayoral Minute: Alcohol-free zone at Loyalty Square Balmain to be corrected t reflect Councillor Griffiths voting against the motion. – Clr Griffiths voted against the item.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

PUBLIC FORUM

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

Councillor Shetty left the Meeting at 7:13 pm.

Councillor Shetty returned to the Meeting at 7:26 pm.

C1023(1) Item 43 Mayoral Minute: Food Recycling Service

Motion: (Byrne)

1. That no additional fee be charged for upsizing a red lid garbage bin for 2023-2024 and review fees for future years after the roll out of the service.

2. That Council ensure that information about the availability of the free, larger 240L red lid bin is communicated to all residents who contact Council to express concern about how they will manage with the fortnightly red lid bin collection.

3. That Council make additional stock of FOGO-Food recycling caddies, compostable bin liners and printed waste calendars available at all libraries, customer service centres, customer service stalls, festivals and other locations as a matter of priority.

4. That Council make hard copies of the Frequently Asked Questions document prominently available at libraries, customer service centres, customer service stalls, festivals and other locations as a matter of priority.

5. That Council in the next week, write to residents and distribute material to every household, outlining the specific assistance council is providing to help residents through the transition to FOGO-Food recycling services.

6. That Council contact local businesses asking them to stock additional compostable bags that are accredited for use in FOGO and encouraging them to be prominently displayed.

7. That Council double expenditure on the promotion of social media assets related to FOGO budgeted for the next month, funded through the Domestic Waste Fund.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Cr Da Cruz

C1023(1) Item 44 Mayoral Minute: Referendum Day Event

Motion: (Byrne)

That Inner West Council host a referendum night event at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club making use of the auditorium there. The likely cost of food and beverages for the evening will be approximately $5000, funding for which is to be identified in the next quarterly review.

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

C1023(1) Item 45 Mayoral Minute: Bairro Português

Motion: (Byrne)

1. That Council hold the 2024 Bairro Portuguese festival as an evening event.

2. That Council collaborate with representatives of the Portuguese community and local businesses in Petersham to arrange Portuguese-themed Christmas decorations in 2023, to be funded from existing main street improvement budgets.

3. That Council convene a meeting with Portuguese community representatives to consult them on the location and design of the signage and artwork being developed for the Little Portugal Precinct.

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 1 Privacy, Data Breaches and Access to Information Policies

2. Item 4 Public Exhibition - Draft Complaints Handling Policy

3. Item 11 Post Exhibition - Darrell Jackson Garden - Park Plan of Management

4. Item 13 Yeo Park Rotunda - Conservation Management Plan

5. Item 15 Draft Site Specific Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013 - 122-130 Pyrmont Bridge Road and 206 Parramatta Road, Annandale

6. Item 19 2022-2023 Annual Disclosures of Interest and Designated Persons Disclosures of Interest

7. Item 24 Development Assessment Information Sessions

8. Item 30 Notion of Motion: Council Services

9. Item 32 Notion of Motion: Marrickville District Lawn Tennis Club

10. Item 40 Petersham Park - Lease of Cafe at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

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 1 Privacy, Data Breaches and Access to Information Policies

2. Item 4 Public Exhibition - Draft Complaints Handling Policy

3. Item 11 Post Exhibition - Darrell Jackson Garden - Park Plan of Management

4. Item 13 Yeo Park Rotunda - Conservation Management Plan

5. Item 15 Draft Site Specific Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013 - 122-130 Pyrmont Bridge Road and 206 Parramatta Road, Annandale

6. Item 19 2022-2023 Annual Disclosures of Interest and Designated Persons Disclosures of Interest

7. Item 24 Development Assessment Information Sessions

8. Item 30 Notion of Motion: Council Services

9. Item 32 Notion of Motion: Marrickville District Lawn Tennis Club

10. Item 40 Petersham Park - Lease of Cafe at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

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

C1023(1) Item 1 Privacy, Data Breaches and Access to Information Policies

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council publicly exhibit the following three draft policies, for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed policies:

a) Data Breach Policy;

b) Privacy Policy; and

c) Public Access to Information Policy.

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

a) Data Breach Policy;

b) Privacy Policy; and

c) Public Access to Information Policy.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

C1023(1) Item 4 Public Exhibition - Draft Complaints Handling Policy

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council publicly exhibit the draft Complaints Handling Policy for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed Policy.

2. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the draft Complaints Handling Policy be brought back to Council to consider for adoption.

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

C1023(1) Item 11 Post Exhibition - Darrell Jackson Garden - Park Plan of Management

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

That Council adopt the Plan of Management (Attachment 2) for Darrell Jackson Gardens as legally described and listed in Table 1.0.

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

C1023(1) Item 13 Yeo Park Rotunda - Conservation Management Plan

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

That Council adopt Yeo Park Rotunda Conservation Management Plan.

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

C1023(1) Item 15 Draft Site Specific Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013 - 122-130 Pyrmont Bridge Road and 206 Parramatta Road, Annandale

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council endorse the revised site-specific amendments to the Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013 for 122-130 Pyrmont Bridge Road and 206 Parramatta Road, Annandale as outlined in this report and contained in Attachment 2.

2. That Council delegate authority to the General Manager to make administrative changes and minor amendments to correct any errors, omissions or inconsistencies that may arise during the finalisation of the Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013 amendment.

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

C1023(1) Item 19 2022-2023 Annual Disclosures of Interest and Designated Persons Disclosures of Interest

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

C1023(1) Item 24 Development Assessment Information Sessions

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

C1023(1) Item 30 Notice of Motion: Council Services

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council ensure verge mowing and street cleaning public data spreadsheets are accurately and frequently updated, with data cleaned and summarised so as to be more easy to read and interpret by the community.

2. That Council investigate ways to improve the accuracy and accessibility of these records for the public and report back on planned and possible improvements on or before February 2024.

3. That Council explore what other data on regularly delivered council services (including weeding, tree and garden bed plantings, number of public bins, street beautification, etc) can be made public on the website in a similar way to verge mowing and street cleaning and report back to Council on or before February 2024.

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

C1023(1) Item 32 Notice of Motion: Marrickville District Lawn Tennis Club

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council notes the centenary celebration of the Marrickville District Lawn Tennis Club.

2. That Council writes to the President and Board of the Club to congratulate them on the significant milestone.

3. That Council includes the milestone in an upcoming Inner West Community News.

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

C1023(1) Item 40 Petersham Park - Lease of Cafe at Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

1. That Council resolves to grant a five (5) + five (5) year lease of the Petersham Park Café.

2. That Council authorises the General Manager or delegate to negotiate, finalise terms and execute the Lease documentation.

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 item 5 Public Exhibition – Draft Media Policy for Staff and Councillors.

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

C1023(1) Item 5 Public Exhibition - Draft Media Policy for Staff and Councillors

Motion: (Scott/Stephens)

That Council defer Item 5 Public Exhibition - Draft Media Policy for Staff and Councillors.

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

C1023(1) Item 2 Procurement Policy, Disposals Policy and Statement of Business Ethics

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

1. That Council publicly exhibit the following documents as attached, for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed policies:

a) Procurement Policy;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

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

a) Procurement Policy;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

3. That Council receive a progress report at the November 2023 meeting on how we are meeting our resolved targets in ethical and local procurement.

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

C1023(1) Item 3 Draft Annual Financial Statements for the financial year 2022/23

Motion: (Drury/Scott)

That Council endorse the financial statements to be placed on public exhibition.

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

C1023(1) Item 6 Post Exhibition - Social Media Policy for Councillors

Motion: (Stephens/Scott)

1. That Council adopt the Social Media Policy for Councillors.

2. That Council update the Policy Register and publish, as applicable, internally, and externally the adopted Social Media Policy for Councillors.

Motion Carried

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

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

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Stephens)

That Council allow Clr Smith speak for 2 additional minutes on item 7.

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 (Shetty/Stephens)

That Council allow Clr Griffiths speak for 1 additional minute on item 7.

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

C1023(1) Item 7 Post Exhibition - Living Streets Verge Garden and Adopt-A-Spot Policy

Motion: (Smith/Scott)

1. That Council adopt the Living Street Verge Garden and Adopt a Spot Policy and the associated Policy Guidelines (Attachment 2 and 3), subject to the following amendments:

a) 4.3 Application

            Individual residents who want to establish a new verge garden adjoining
            their    property must submit an application and be given written approval by           Council. Approvals for verge gardens are given under
           section 138 of the Roads Act 1993 (NSW).

b) the removal of the final bullet point in clause 8.6 which states “Structures or items must be removed as soon as practical to ensure public safety.”

2. That Council set a target of 100 new verge gardens to be established in the next 12 months.

3. That a progress report against the target be provided to Council in three months and a review of the program in six 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

Amendment (Da Cruz)

That Council adopt the Living Street Verge Garden and Adopt a Spot Policy and the associated Policy Guidelines (Attachment 2 and 3), subject to the following amendments:

a) Change “Volunteer” to “Community Member” throughout document.

b) Produce simple to read online and printed document explaining restrictions to
avoid trip hazards, avoid contamination of food and road safety as
covered by Council’s Insurance Policies.

This amendment lapsed for want of seconder.

Amendment (Griffiths/Shetty)

That Council adopt the Living Street Verge Garden and Adopt a Spot Policy and the associated Policy Guidelines (Attachment 2 and 3), subject to the following amendments:

a) Amend 6.8 of the policy to read:
‘6.8 Hard landscaping will only be approved following risk assessment. Verge gardening in the Inner West operates in limited and confined space with competing stakeholder requirements.

There are significant risk factors to the community associated with hard landscaping. The Verge Garden and Adopt-a-Spot program is focussed on greening the streetscape and small areas of Council land, it is not focussed on public art or landscape structures which could pose a trip hazard or inherent health and safety issues to the community.

Motion Lost

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

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

b) Amend 3 (d) of the Living Streets Verge Garden and Adopt-a-Spot Guidelines (p.322) to read:
‘Raised garden beds, stakes, fencing, rocks, sculptures, pots, ornaments, all above ground edging, above or below ground compost and irrigation systems will only be approved after a council conducted risk assessment’.

Motion Lost

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

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

C1023(1) Item 8 Post Exhibition - Draft Leichhardt Oval Masterplan

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

1. That Council adopt the Draft Leichhardt Oval Masterplan.

2. That Council incorporate provision for public access to the Wayne Pearce Hill for passive recreation based on the same principles as the existing, successful use of Henson Park. This to commence with a trial of weekday access, including evenings, to be undertaken from December 2023 to February 2024.

3. That Council write to the relevant State and Federal Government Ministers providing them a copy of the Masterplan and seeking a joint funding partnership between all three levels of Government to save Leichhardt Oval and fund the implementation of the Masterplan.

4. That Council continue with planning of the Inner West Museum of Rugby League and incorporate into the 2024 Budget funds to establish the museum. A further report is to be tabled at the February 2024 Ordinary Council meeting identifying models on which the museum could operate and entities that Council could partner with on the project.

5. That noting the recently announced decision of Wests Tigers to play five NRL home games at Leichhardt Oval in 2025, write to Wests Tigers welcoming this decision and seeking their ongoing advocacy for long-overdue funding to upgrade Leichhardt Oval.

6. That Council reach out to local organisations in the adjacent precinct to share the Masterplan and seek feedback.

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/D’Arienzo)

That the meeting be adjourned for 10 minutes.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

The meeting was adjourned at 8.48pm

The meeting recommenced at 9.00pm

C1023(1) Item 9 Post Exhibition - Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2025

Motion: (Howard/Da Cruz)

1. That Council approve the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2025.

2. That progress on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2025 be regularly reported to the Access Advisory Committee and ongoing consultation and engagement be undertaken with the Access Advisory Committee on projects and programs contained in the DIAP 2023-2025.

3. That Council amend the measure for Action 1.2 to read “People with a range of disability and needs participate in emergency management planning”.

4. That Council amend the measure for Action 4.9 to accurately reflect that “An inclusive playground is created in King George Park by August 2024”.

5. That from December 2023, Council officers report bi-monthly on the progress of work to increase direct employment of people with disability (Action 3.2) and other economic inclusion actions.

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 approve the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2025 with the following amendment:

a) Capitalise Accessibility throughout Plan.

This amendment lapsed for want of seconder.

C1023(1) Item 10 Post Exhibition - Recreation Strategy and Ten Year Action Plan 2023-32

Motion: (Smith/Drury)

1. That Council adopts the Recreation Strategy and Action Plan 2023-32 (Attachment 1) and notes that this will form the basis of a ten-year action plan for recreation
delivery within the Inner West.

2. That the strategy include a commitment to Council scoping a pool in South Marrickville.

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/Langford)

1. That Council change section 3.16 “managing climate change” to “Adapting to Climate Change”.

2. That Council notes that increasing temperatures will make surfaces at outdoor
facilities including Playgrounds, Pools and Sporting fields dangerous
and unusable.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz and Langford

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

C1023(1) Item 12 Plan of Management - Elkington Park and Fitzroy Avenue Reserve

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

1. That Council defer the adoption of the Plan of Management for Elkington Park and Fitzroy Avenue Reserve with a report addressing concerns about repair of the rotunda, ramps around the rotunda, and bollards and new paths, and demolishing of the caretakers cottage to come back to the December 2023 Council meeting.

2. That Council prepare a report for the December 2023 meeting on the estimated costs and timeline for making the Caretakers Cottage in Elkington Park available for community use, including options for short term activation, use for events, exhibitions and as a social enterprise.

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

C1023(1) Item 14 Parramatta Road Corridor Stage 1 - Post Gateway and Community Engagement

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Scott)

1. That Council endorses a six week community consultation for the Planning Proposal for Parramatta Road Corridor - Stage 1, associated draft amendments to Development Control Plans (DCPs) (Leichhardt, Marrickville and Comprehensive Inner West Development Control Plan 2016 (former Ashfield) and supporting studies with:

a) A 'meet the planner' drop-in weekend sessions in each precinct (Leichhardt, Taverners Hill, Kings Bay/ Croydon); and

b) A community meeting in each precinct (Leichhardt, Taverners Hill, Kings Bay/ Croydon).

2. That Council write to the Department of Planning and Environment seeking alteration of the Gateway Determination to amend the timeframes for finalisation of the proposed Local Environmental Plan amendment by March 2024.

3. That Council delegate the authority to the General Manager to make any minor changes to correct any omissions, errors or inconsistencies to the Planning Proposal and supporting draft Development Control Plan amendments prior to exhibition.

4. That Council receive a post exhibition report for its consideration.

5. That Council receive a final Planning Proposal for endorsement no later than its March 2024 Ordinary meeting.

6. That the stakeholder engagement report for the community consultation include demographic data including age, gender, disability, resident suburb, employment and home ownership or renter status.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 16 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 18 September 2023 as Item 8 of the Local Traffic Committee meeting minutes relates to a Motor Bike parking zone in William Street Leichhardt and he is the joint owner of a property in Allen Street, which adjoins William Street. Out of an abundance of caution, he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne left the Meeting at 9:27 pm. Deputy Mayor, Councillor Smith assumed the chair.

C1023(1) Item 16 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 18 September 2023

Motion: (Howard/Scott)

1. That the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 18 September 2023 be received and the recommendations be adopted.

2. That the report Item 10 - Management of Disabled Parking in the Inner West be submitted to the Access Advisory Committee for consideration and input, and that this feedback and any subsequent amendments be considered by the Local Traffic Committee.

3. That Council note the report and thank Council staff and members of the Traffic Committee for addressing residents' concerns about pedestrian and cyclist safety and accessibility on Wardell Road Bridge and Unwin’s Bridge across the Cooks River.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne returned to the Meeting at 9:32 pm. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Smith vacated the chair and the Mayor, Councillor Byrne assumed the chair.

C1023(1) Item 17 InnerWest@40 Study

Motion: (Stephens/Lockie)

1. That Council publicly exhibit the InnerWest@40 Study for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed Strategy.

2. That Council forward the InnerWest@40 Study to the minister responsible, the Hon John Graham MLC, Minister for Roads, his support for the project.

3. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the InnerWest@40 Study be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption

4. That Council prioritise the roll out of the strategy in close proximity to aged care homes and childcare centres, along with schools and hospitals.

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/Atkins)

That Council note that in 2022: 6 people killed; 77 were seriously
injured; 118 people suffered moderate injuries and 104 people suffered
minor injuries on Inner West roads in 2022.

Motion Lost

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

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

C1023(1) Item 18 Local Democracy Group Progress Report

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Langford)

1. That Council note the update on the Local Democracy Groups and approve the composition of the Planning and Heritage Advisory Committee.

2. That Council host an end of year reception to thank the local democracy group members for their contributions.

3. That the local democracy groups are invited to share a brief update at the end of year reception.

4. That Council invites the Local Democracy groups to provide formalised feedback to Council on how it is performing in the relevant area and how it could do better.

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/Smith)

That Council allow Clr Howard speak for 1 additional minute on item 20.

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

C1023(1) Item 20 FOGO Service (Food Recycling) Monthly Update

Motion: (Howard/Byrne)

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

Amendment (Da Cruz)

That Council notes the size of the FOGO rollout 48,000 houses + extra 27,000 apartments. The rollout has involved:

a) distributing 5800 FOGO Wheelie 120l Green lidded bins and 19,000
Kitchen Top Caddies Starter Kits have been delivered so far, with remaining 29,000 Caddies being delivered at 1,000 day over the next month; and

b) Changes to collection of 150,000.

The amendment lapsed for want of seconder.

C1023(1) Item 21 Sustainable Fleet Update

Motion: (Smith/Griffiths)

That Council receive and note the report.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

C1023(1) Item 22 Establishment of a Facebook Online Customer Service Page

Motion: (Scott/Byrne)

1. That Council receive and note the report, subject to an update in the implementation plan to indicate that the Customer Service page can post original content on its own page or in groups, and can proactively respond to comments in groups.

2. That Council note that the Communications and Customer Experience team referenced in the report have significant responsibilities beyond the Facebook page including the customer service outreach program and managing inquiries through the Council service centres.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Cr Da Cruz

C1023(1) Item 23 Customer Service in Development Assessments

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

Amendment (Da Cruz/Stamolis)

That Council undertake a review of the Council website and DA system and
implement improvements identified.

Motion Lost

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

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

C1023(1) Item 25 Recreational Fishing - Balmain Foreshore Reserves

Motion: (Shetty/Drury)

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

C1023(1) Item 26 Callan Point Swim Site

Motion: (Drury/Byrne)

1. That Council receive and note the report.

2. That Council write to Penny Sharpe MLC the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment welcoming the $2 million commitment from the NSW Government for the Callan Point swimming site project and seeking a timeline for council receiving it.

3. That Council write to Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces seeking his assistance in establishing a high-level reference group to work with Council to expedite the completion of the Callan Point swimming site.

4. That Council write to Jo Haylen MP, Minister for Transport to thank her for Maritime’s support of the project so far and seeking her assistance in asking key staff to participate in the working group to facilitate the expedited completion of the Callan Point swimming site.

5. That Rowing NSW, local rowing clubs and the Dobroyd Aquatic Club (sailing) be consulted early in the 2023 engagement process.

6. That Council receive an update at the December 2023 Ordinary meeting on progress with regard to the funding, timeline and implementation of the swim site.

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

C1023(1) Item 27 Arts and Music Recovery Plan Update

Motion: (Smith/Howard)

1. That Council receive and note the report.

2. That Council receive a list of technical fit-out suggestions from the Marrickville Town Hall Steering Committee and report to the November 2023 meeting with a list of recommendations and indicative cost.

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

C1023(1) Item 28 Outcomes of Council's Mental Health Forum

Motion: (Howard/Atkins)

1. That Council receive and note the report.

2. That Council officers formally capture and translate the discussion emerging from the Mental Health Forum in the Inner West Wellbeing Strategy into measurable actions.

3. That Council hold a Mental Health Forum every two years.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Lockie)

That Council allow Clr Atkins speak for 2 additional minutes on item 29.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Motion 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/Stephens)

That Council allow Clr Howard speak for 2 additional minutes on item 29.

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

C1023(1) Item 29 Notice of Motion: Trans Day of Remembrance/Resistance 2023

Motion: (Atkins/Lockie)

1. That Council note that the international Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on 20 November 2023.

3. That Council note that Trans Day of Resistance rallies have taken place annually in Newtown on the last weekend of November in recent years, both to pay respect to and remember trans people who have lost their lives to transphobia, and to draw attention to the ongoing struggle for trans rights.

4. That Council note that this year, Trans Day of Resistance will be marked by a National Day of Action, with rallies happening around the country at the end of November, including in Sydney on November 25.

5. That Council agree to fly the Trans Flag for the whole of Transgender Awareness Week and through to the Trans Day of Resistance rally, in addition to flying it at half-mast on Trans Day of Remembrance, every year.

6. That Council agree to endorse the Trans Day of Resistance rally to be held in Newtown on 25 November 2023 and promote it on Council social media and in the November 2023 edition of Inner West Council News.

Motion Lost

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

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

Foreshadowed Motion (Howard/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council note that the international Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on 20 November 2023.

2. That Council note that under previous Council decisions the Trans Flag will be flown at the Town Hall sites on 20 November and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park lighting will be lit pale blue pink and white from 13 to 19 November (Transgender Awareness Week) and agree to fly the Trans Flag for the whole of Transgender Awareness Week and this year, through to 25 November 2023, and that the flag be flown at half-mast on the Trans Day of Remembrance, every year.

3. That Council notes other work that Inner West Council is doing to support transgender and gender diverse people in our community, including but not limited to the establishment of an Inner West Pride Centre, programming Trans and Gender Diverse Swim nights, supporting our LGBTQ Working Group, advocating for significant law reform, and activation and support offered through the Pride Inner West program.

4. That Council highlight the work of local trans and gender diverse activists and organisations in the November edition of Inner West Council News to mark Trans Day of Remembrance

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

C1023(1) Item 31 Notice of Motion: Soft Plastics

Motion: (Howard/Shetty)

1. That Council notes the recent decision by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to introduce mandatory packaging design standards for recycled content.

2. That Council write to Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and local independent supermarkets advocating for:

a) the return of soft plastics recycling services in inner west supermarkets;

b) the reduction of plastics in packaging and implementation of product stewardship measures; and

c) the trial of compostable barrier bags in supermarkets across the Inner West as we roll out FOGO-food recycling.

3. That Council investigate options to enable soft plastics to be recycled through the yellow-lid recycling bin, as is the case in some other local government areas, and to report back to Council in March 2024.

4. That subject to securing a suitable location, Council investigate and seek funding from the Environmental Protection Agency for polystyrene recycling plant and equipment and report back to Council in March 2024.

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

C1023(1) Item 33 Notice of Motion: Proposed Quong Tart Plaza

Motion: (D’Arienzo/Drury)

That the Inner West Council commence consultation with the Ashfield resident community, AshBiz Chamber of Commerce, the Ashfield and District Historical Society, and local Chinese community organisations in order to lodge an application to the Geographical Names Board to allow for Quong Tart Plaza to be an additional name given to Hercules Street Ashfield in recognition of the long contribution of people of Chinese backgrounds to Ashfield.

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 Howard left the Meeting at 10:34 pm as he declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 34 Notice of Motion: Mitigating the Impact of Bankstown Train Line Closures as he works in the Office of the Minister for Transport, and in that capacity he has been directly engaged in work around the Temporary Transport Plan.

C1023(1) Item 34 Notice of Motion: Mitigating the Impact of Bankstown Train Line Closures

Motion: (Langford/Griffiths)

That in response to the decision of the NSW Government to convert the railway line between Sydenham and Bankstown to a Metro, Council write to the NSW Minister for Transport and Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen, on the following matters:

a) That Council notes the significant impact on travelling times to work, school and recreation that the closure of the Bankstown rail line is having on residents along the line;

b) That Council expresses its concern to the Minister for Transport as to the effect the closure of the Bankstown line on people who are elderly and people with disabilities;

c) That Council expects that many residents of South Marrickville in particular, also of Dulwich Hill, Undercliffe and Earlwood are catching the train from Tempe station because of the closure of the Bankstown line;

d) That Council seeks an urgent review of both peak and off-peak rail services to Tempe and Sydenham stations, and that extra services be provided to accommodate increased rail patronage from these stations;

e) That Council seeks assurances from the Minister for Transport that services to and from Tempe Station be increased significantly on weekends and after 9pm each evening given the poor level of current service;

f) That Council seeks a commitment from the Minister for Transport that closure for track maintenance on the Illawarra line only be carried out between midnight and 4am for the duration of the conversion of the Bankstown line to limit further inconvenience to users of the rail system;

g) That Council ensure additional and adequate rail bus replacement services are provided for the increased volume of commuters who are disembarking at Sydenham station;

h) That Council urgently reviews parking around Sydenham and Tempe train stations in consultation with residents and Transport for NSW; and

i) That Council work with businesses located around Marrickville and Dulwich Hill train stations to monitor the effect of the rail shut down, and where appropriate seek support for business negatively affected.

Motion Lost

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

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

Absent: Cr Howard

Foreshadowed Motion (Drury/D’Arienzo)

1. That Council notes comments from the Minister for Transport that the Temporary Transport Plan for the extended closure of the Bankstown Line will be more than just replacement buses, and rather a comprehensive and dedicated transport solution that brings together replacement buses, train services, the local bus network, and new active transport and cycling infrastructure.

2. That Council notes Transport for NSW is meeting with Council staff in the coming weeks to provide feedback and input into the development of the Temporary Transport Plan.

3. That Council calls on Council staff to work with Transport for NSW to deliver a Temporary Transport Plan that is accessible, reliable and frequent, and which reduces any impact on inner west residents and passengers.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Howard

Procedural Motion (Scott/ Byrne)

That Council recommit the vote for the Primary motion and the Foreshadowed motion for Item 34.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Howard

Primary Motion (Langford/Griffiths)

Motion Tied

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

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

Absent: Cr Howard

The Chairperson used his Casting Vote against the MOTION and the MOTION was lost.

Vote for Foreshadowed motion (Drury/D’Arienzo)

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Howard

Councillor Howard returned to the Meeting at 10:43 pm.

Procedural Motion (Scott/Lockie)

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:

C1023(1) Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club (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.

C1023(1) Item 42 Public EV Charging Proposal (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.

resolutions passed during closed session

Councillor Shetty declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club as one of the proposed motions was writing to her in her capacity as the Member for Balmain and applying for Community Building Partnerships grants through her State Office. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

Councillor Shetty left the Meeting at 10:47 pm.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Smith declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club as she works in the Office of the Premier of NSW. The Premier’s Department manages the Community Partnerships Grants program on behalf of the Premier. Successful grant applications are decided by the Premier. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for this item.

Councillor Smith left the Meeting at 10:50 pm.

Councillor Stamolis retired from the Meeting at 10:51 pm.

C1023(1) Item 41 Lease of Gladstone Park Bowling Club

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

1. That Council approve the grant of a ten (10) + ten (10) year Lease of the Gladstone Park Bowling Club Limited for use as bowling club, as per the proposed lease terms and conditions contained in the report.

2. That Council approves a 75% Accommodation Grant to be applied to the rent in accordance with Council’s Land and Property Policy.

3. That Council authorises the General Manager or delegate to negotiate, finalise terms and execute the Lease documentation.

4. That Council seek consent from the Minister for Lands and Property to execute the attached lease under Section 70(2)(d) Crown Land Management Regulation 2018, to Gladstone Park Bowling Club Limited ACN: 001 042 691 as a not-for-profit organisation.

5. That Council approves the public notification of the proposed lease for a minimum of 28 days in accordance with the Crown Lands Management Act 2016 and Local Government Act 1993.

6. That Council work with the Club to install lighting in the largest tree at the venue to be funded through the main streets decorations budget.

7. That Council write to the Member for Balmain proposing that capital upgrades to the Club be funded through the Community Building Partnerships grant for the Balmain electorate.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Shetty, Smith and Stamolis

Councillor Shetty returned to the Meeting at 10:52 pm.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Smith returned to the Meeting at 10:52 pm.

C1023(1) Item 42 Public EV Charging Proposal

Motion: (Byrne/Scott)

1. That Council approve Council Officers to work with PLUS ES (Ausgrid Group) to explore opportunities to develop a public charging network for electric vehicles separately but complimentary to the existing Request for Quotation process for kerbside public charging.

2. That Council incorporate Balmain Depot as proposed location for electric vehicle charging stations in current procurement processes and in the exploration of opportunities with AUSGRID group.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Stamolis

Amendment (Langford/Griffiths)

That Council work with Plus ES to commence a pilot program that prioritises areas in the LGA where there is higher take up of EVs, limited off-street parking and current lack of public charging infrastructure.

Motion Lost

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

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

Absent: Cr Stamolis

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Scott)

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, Stephens and Tsardoulias

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Stamolis

Meeting closed at 11.01pm.

PUBLIC SPEAKERS:

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 7:	David Baxter Mike Roberts Michael Lal	Leichhardt Ashfield Ashfield
Item 8:	Cynthia Nadai	Lilyfield
Item 12:	Deborah Yates	Balmain
Item 14:	Helen Jones Leanne Elsworthy Mary Lafferty Justin Simon Sharon Carey	Leichhardt Leichhardt Leichhardt Summer Hill Leichhardt
Item 16:	Jennifer Aaron	Leichhardt
Item 17:	Rachel Davies Joy Camilleri Neil Tonkin	Ashfield Leichhardt Lilyfield
Item 29:	Yasmin Andrews Honey Christensen Dr Jess Hooley	Leichhardt Lewisham Newtown
Item 33:	Francis Lee	Zetland
Item 34:	Colin Hesse	Marrickville
Item 41:	James Heeks	Birchgrove

Unconfirmed Minutes of Ordinary Council meeting held 10 October 2023.

Council Meeting

21 November 2023

Item No: C1123(1) Item 4

Subject: Post Exhibition Report - Procurement Policy, Disposals Policy and Statement of Business Ethics

Prepared By: Beau-Jane De Costa - Senior Manager Governance and Risk and Marea Getsios - Procurement Manager

Authorised By: Kelly Loveridge - Director Corporate

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Council adopt the following three policies:

a) Procurement Policy, with the outlined amendments, as detailed in the report;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

2. That Council update the Policy Register and publish, as applicable, internally, and externally the following adopted policies:

a) Procurement Policy;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

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

Amendments to Council’s Procurement Policy and Statement of Business Ethics and the development of a Disposals Policy have been undertaken recognizing the criticality of the framework that underpins procurement activities across the organisation, as well as the ethical standards expected to be upheld by all Council Officials. By undertaking a review and developing these documents together all elements seamlessly integrate with one another providing a best practice, ethically sound landscape for Council.

The amended procurement policy sets out the essential aspects of procurement and clearly communicates Council’s position on probity, conflicts of interest, gifts, benefits and hospitality and fraud and corruption. The policy also sets out the minimum market engagement thresholds as required by legislation and refers to the procurement procedure which sets out the specific steps to be followed by Council Officials when procuring goods and services. The policy and the procedure together form a fit-for-purpose framework for Council Officials to follow. Additionally as part of the exhibition process, minor amendments have been proposed to address the feedback received by the community as outlined in the report.

The new Disposals Policy provides a systematic and accountable method for the disposal of surplus assets, excluding land. It strives to ensure the process for the disposal of assets is transparent and complies with the Model Code of Conduct, particularly with respect to conflicts of interest.

The Statement of Business Ethics was amended to reflect the principles of the Model Code of Conduct and the tendering thresholds. An ‘open and effective competition’ section was inserted to reflect Council’s stance on corrupt conduct and requiring conflicts of interest to be disclosed. A ‘social procurement’ section was also included which summarises Council’s sustainable and social procurement practices, including with respect to modern slavery. These practices align with what is set out in the procurement framework. Reporting obligations were also updated to align with legislation and other Council policies and procedures.

Accordingly, the amended Procurement Policy and Statement of Business Ethics and new Disposals Policy are provided to Council for consideration for adoption, following the public exhibition of these documents.

BACKGROUND

At the Council meeting held on 10 October 2023, Council resolved the following:

1. That Council publicly exhibit the following documents as attached, for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed policies:

a) Procurement Policy;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

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

a) Procurement Policy;

b) Disposals Policy; and

c) Statement of Business Ethics.

3. That Council receive a progress report at the November 2023 meeting on how we are meeting our resolved targets in ethical and local procurement.

The draft Procurement Policy, Disposals Policy and Statement of Business Ethics were subsequently placed on public exhibition.

DISCUSSION

The three draft policies were placed on public exhibition from 12 October 2023 to 8 November 2023. The table below shows the number of downloads for each Policy from the Your Say Inner West project page during public exhibition:

Policy	Downloads
Procurement Policy	20
Disposals Policy	14
Statement of Business Ethics	11

Three separate submissions were received in total during the public exhibition period.

One submission was received regarding both the draft Procurement Policy and draft Statement of Business Ethics.

Another submission was received regarding the draft Disposals Policy, draft Procurement Policy and draft Statement of Business Ethics.

The third submission received was regarding the Procurement Policy.

Details of the submissions and staff comments are outlined below:

Support (Yes or No)	Public Exhibition Comment/Explanation	IWC Comment
Yes with amendment proposed	Given the council’s resolution committing to becoming Australia’s leading Community Wealth Building (CWB) council at its September 2022 meeting & progressive procurement being a key pillar of CWB, the procurement policy and statement of business ethics should reflect those aims. The social procurement sections should be amended to explicitly refer to community wealth building and reflect its principles. Elements are consistent with it but it needs to be more specific. Furthermore, while the procurement policy talks about in-house bids, it does not provide any framework for making assessments. A paragraph about the assessment criteria as to whether a decision to do an in-house bid or outsource should be added. It should outline that an assessment must occur before any decision to outsource & the social, economic, industrial relations and environment criteria that is used to make a judgement so there is confidence that decisions are not arbitrary but are in the public interest.	The following inclusions are proposed to the Procurement Policy to address the feedback: Add on Page 4 under Purpose: Progressive procurement of goods and services in accordance with the framework of community wealth building. Add on page 6 under Definition: Progressive Procurement: Progressive procurement of goods and services: procurement processes and decision making to deepen local supply chains and socially virtuous business development, spending and investment. Add under on page 9 under Social Procurement: Progressive procurement is spending that reflects progressive principles, rather than a strict focus on purchasing within the local area. The shift now is to move the procurement focus from “value for money” to “public value”. The integration of ESG principles into spending decisions – for example, only purchasing from suppliers who demonstrate adherence to just, inclusive labour practices, environmental sustainability, indigenous ownership, or broader community concerns. Add under In-house Bids on page 9 to be included as last paragraph: The Procurement Procedure outlines the correct processes to ensure a high level of probity and record management are followed. Statement to be included in the Procurement Policy under Summary as the last sentence. Council is committed to socially responsible progressive procurement and the mitigation of fraud and corruption.
Yes with amendments proposed	*Disposals Policy* -Donations to a registered charity or community organisation - REQUEST addition = special consideration for public schools (only public schools) within the LGA. *Statement of Business Ethics* - Procurement Principles - REQUEST addition = explicit inclusion of "community wealth building" as a principle, consistent with IWC commitment adopted in September 2022. Including a definition so the community can see and understand this includes encouraging local small and medium enterprises, co-operatives and also strengthening public ownership through insourcing and the reduction of outsourcing. *Statement of Business Ethics* - Procurement Principles - Social procurement - REQUEST addition = Integrity in tax matters. This is about ensuring any Council spend on third party goods and services continues to support our local community through associated tax contributions. Ensure any third party provider of goods and services is wholly Australian owned and registered in Australia for tax purposes; that is, it is not a subsidiary, division or franchise of an international business, nor is it registered outside Australia for tax purposes (most obviously in known tax havens such as, but not limited to, Seychelles, Cyprus, Nauru, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Malta, Malta, Marshall Islands, Curacao, Liechtenstein, Samoa, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Jersey, Taiwan, and the British Virgin Islands). *Statement of Business Ethics* - Procurement Principles - What we expect of you - REQUEST addition = Be able to demonstrate your tax bona fides within Australia. Procurement Policy - Purpose - REQUEST addition = explicit mention and incorporate community wealth building principles into the procurement policy. Statement - In-House Bids - REQUEST = Prioritise in-house bids. Any decision to outsource should first require passing a public interest assessment to demonstrate that it will deliver actual benefits for the community and build the future capacity of the Council to deliver for the community, not simply reduce costs through lower wages and conditions through outsourcing.	The Disposals Policy has been updated to reflect public schools in the LGA, in accordance with the feedback received. The Statement of Business Ethics specifically requires the consideration of the Procurement Framework, amongst others, it is recommended that the proposed amendment to the Procurement Framework addresses the feedback received regarding the Statement of Business Ethics and as such the Statement of Business Ethics is proposed to remain as publicly exhibited. The Community Wealth Building statement will not be included in the statement of business ethics. The statement of business ethics provides guidance on IWC’s ethical standards and expectations. It outlines the acceptable behaviours by both council and our contractors and suppliers. Its purpose is to reduce risk of inappropriate business activities and any conflict of interests.
Yes with amendment proposed	The Procurement Policy should have a greater focus on a reduction of external contracts where practical, and on community wealth building. Council voted in 2022 to focus on community wealth building. The best and easiest way to do this is through contracts being prioritised to providers within the council itself or within the LGA. A reduction in external contracts mean that less council money is leaving the LGA.	Council has addressed this through the above comments.

In light of the comments received it is proposed that minor amendments, as outlined above, be made to the Procurement Policy and Disposals Policy.

As the Statement of Business Ethics specifically requires the consideration of the Procurement Framework, amongst others, it is recommended that the proposed amendment to the Procurement Framework addresses the feedback received and the Statement of Business Ethics can remain as publicly exhibited.

Ethical and Local Procurement

At the meeting held on 10 October 2023 meeting, Council also resolved that an update be provided in November on how we are meeting our resolved targets in ethical and local procurement.

Each quarter spend analysis is undertaken by our procurement team, and this includes review of how we are meeting our goals on local spend and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spend. We do this through the reporting of local suppliers identified on our database by postcode in our LGA, and of both Supply Nation businesses, and businesses we have identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, on our supplier data base.

In Quarter 1 of FY23/24 there has been a year-on-year increase from 0.31% to 0.56% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spend. This has been increased in parallel to the development of the draft Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Strategy (also tabled in this November meeting) which will set a target of 1% of total addressable procurement expenditure per annum.

Preventing modern slavery has also been addressed in this procurement policy, and we have updated contract documents to reflect our commitment to ensuring we mitigate modern slavery and receive modern slavery statements from suppliers as well as documented evidence to demonstrate their commitment against modern slavery practices.

Council also remains committed to local procurement with a year-on-year increase of 7.2% in Quarter 1 of F23/24 up from 4.88% the previous year for local spend.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Procurement Policy
2.⇩	Disposals Policy
3.⇩	Statement of Business Ethics

Feedback

Alignment to draft Strategy

· Develop a Council smartphone app sooner than FY25/26

The delivery of a Council app is dependent on improvements to our core digital platforms that are being undertaken between 2023-2025.

The integration of ‘Snap, Send, Solve’ is intended to improve raising requests via mobile devices whilst these improvements take place.

· Share more information on services being delivered at a ward level

· Publish statistics on SLAs by request type

This feedback will be considered in the delivery of action 4.2.1 - “Develop and display monthly customer experience performance to the community.”

· Improve the Council request form

· Improve the DA search/submission form

· Implement the latest reCAPTCHA technology

· Stay logged in on trusted devices

This feedback will be considered in the delivery of action 2.1.6 – “Redesign the customer service portal to easily capture requests and track progress.”

· Ensure that someone answers the phone when residents call

This feedback will be considered in the delivery of action 1.1.1 - “Develop and implement an ongoing internal education campaign to promote understanding and application of Council’s Purpose, Service Promise and Customer Experience Strategy across all service units.”

· Advocate for the community with the NSW Government and Transport NSW

This feedback aligns with Strategic Direction 5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership within our Community Strategic Plan, and more specifically, is covered through the current Action Item 5.4.1 Advocate for emerging community issues.

· “Dementia-friendly community” should be mentioned in any report of the Engagement Outcome including the final strategy document

Becoming a dementia-friendly organisation is one of Council’s key priorities outlined in the Healthy Ageing Strategy 2022 – 2025.

This is an important consideration in delivering all aspects of Strategic Priority 3 – “Embedding Access and Inclusion”.

Council Meeting

21 November 2023

Item No: C1123(1) Item 8

Subject: Draft Planning Proposal: Heritage Pubs

Prepared By: Daniel East - Acting Senior Manager Planning

Authorised By: Simone Plummer - Director Planning

RECOMMENDATION

1. That the draft Planning Proposal be submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment for a Gateway Determination pursuant to section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

2. That the planning proposal is placed on community consultation should it receive a favourable Gateway Determination.

3. That Council receive a post exhibition report for its consideration.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

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

2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport

3: Creative communities and a strong economy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to:

· update Council on the outcomes of preliminary engagement held in relation to the proposal to list 26 pubs across the Inner West as new items of local heritage significance

· update Council on the recommendations provided by the Inner West Local Planning Panel (IWLPP) on the proposed heritage amendments

· seek its approval to proceed with a Planning Proposal to amend Schedule 5 and the Heritage Map of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022 (IWLEP 2022).

Inner West Council is committed to protecting places of heritage significance. The adopted Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) and Local Housing Strategy (LHS) contain actions requiring Council to review heritage significance across the local government area (LGA) and inform amendment to the IWLEP 2022 and DCPs. This report details the pubs component of the heritage review. The draft Planning Proposal (refer to Attachment 1) responds to recommendations provided by expert consultants, GML Heritage, in the Inner West Heritage Study – Pubs (May 2023) (Heritage Study).

The proposed amendments include new items of local heritage significance on 26 pub sites across the Inner West. It is recommended that Council agrees to proceed with the plan-making process to make these amendments, including seeking a Gateway Determination from DPE and undertaking a concurrent review of relevant DCP provisions.

BACKGROUND

At the Council meeting held on 3 July 2018, Council resolved the following:

1. Provide information on which pubs in the Inner West Council local government area have heritage protection and which do not;

2. Identify a program for an investigation into which pubs in the area have the highest architectural, historical and social heritage and are most in need of further heritage protection; and

3. Liaise with architectural schools and departments to enquire whether they would be interested in carrying out pro bono heritage assessments as a study of this niche area of Sydney history.

In 2021, after an initial review of existing pubs, Council engaged heritage consultants to prepare a more detailed study and provide recommendations on pubs that warrant heritage listing. The resulting Heritage Study recommends 27 pubs for listing as items of local heritage significance and includes detailed heritage assessments of each venue.

At the Council meeting held on 25 October 2022, Council resolved the following:

1. Note the Inner West Heritage Study – Pubs report prepared by GML Heritage that responds to the Council resolution dated 3 July 2018;

2. Commence community engagement with landowners and patrons on the proposed heritage listing of the 27 pubs identified in the report; and

3. Prioritise the preparation of a standalone Council-led planning proposal that gives effect to the heritage protections identified in the report.

The 27 pubs recommended in GML’s study for listing include the 26 properties subject of this draft Planning Proposal, as well as Lewisham Hotel (794 Parramatta Road, Lewisham), which is being considered separately under Council’s Planning Proposal for Parramatta Road Corridor (Stage 1), currently at formal public exhibition stage.

Detailed heritage assessments were carried out for each property identified, against NSW Heritage Council criteria for assessing heritage significance. Draft inventory sheets for the proposed heritage items, prepared by GML Heritage, are enclosed in the Heritage Study (refer to Attachment 2).

This Heritage Study and the broader heritage review implement the following actions of Inner West’s LSPS and LHS:

· LSPS Planning Principle 6, Action 6.2: Continue to protect the heritage and character values of the Inner West by: ensuring significant existing or desired character is identified and protected through LEP and DCP provisions:

- Undertaking targeted heritage studies to identify new heritage items and conservation areas across the LGA and use these studies to inform future LEP and DCP provisions for their protection.

· LHS Principle 2, Action 1B: Continue to identify and conserve items of environmental heritage, and heritage conservation areas:

- Identify this action in the Local Strategic Planning Statement

- Undertake a heritage review across the LGA in conjunction with place-based studies

- Consult with the community and other key stakeholders

- Amend LEP Schedule 5 and LEP heritage maps as needed

DISCUSSION

Draft Planning Proposal

The draft Planning Proposal seeks to amend the Heritage Map of the IWLEP 2022 to introduce the following new items of local heritage significance:

Suburb	Item name	Address
Annandale	North Annandale Hotel*	105 Johnston Street
Annandale	Annandale Hotel*	17-19 Parramatta Road
Balmain	Dick’s Hotel*	89 Beattie Street
Balmain	Cricketers Arms Hotel*	255 Darling Street
Balmain	Unity Hall Hotel*	292-294 Darling Street
Balmain	Town Hall Hotel*	366 Darling Street
Balmain	Cat & Fiddle Hotel*	456 Darling Street
Balmain	The Balmain Hotel*	72-74 Mullens Street
Balmain East	East Village Hotel*	82-84 Darling Street
Enmore	Duke of Enmore Hotel*	148 Enmore Road
Enmore	Queens Hotel	167 Enmore Road
Enmore	Warren View Hotel*	2 Stanmore Road
Leichhardt	The Milestone Hotel*	140 Marion Street
Marrickville	Vic on the Park Hotel*	2 Addison Road
Marrickville	The Royal Exchange Hotel*	203 Marrickville Road
Newtown	Carlisle Castle Hotel*	17 Albermarle Street
Newtown	Kelly’s on King	283-285 King Street
Newtown	Websters Bar	323 King Street
Newtown	Sandringham Hotel (former)*	387 King Street
Petersham	Livingstone Hotel*	116 New Canterbury Road
Rozelle	The Welcome Hotel*	91 Evans Street
Rozelle	3 Weeds Hotel*	197 Evans Street
Rozelle	Sackville Hotel*	599 Darling Street
Rozelle	Garry Owen Hotel*	778 Darling Street
Rozelle	Native Rose Hotel*	68 Victoria Road
Rozelle	Bridge Hotel*	119 Victoria Road

* Including interiors

The specific amendments to Schedule 5 and the Heritage Map of the IWLEP 2022 are contained in the draft Planning Proposal at Attachment 1 (refer to Part 2 – Explanation of Provisions and Part 4 – Mapping of the Planning Proposal) and the Proposed Heritage Maps are included at Attachment 3.

Review of DCPs

This draft Planning Proposal will be accompanied by a review of DCPs for the former Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils (where the proposed 26 items are located). This will ensure consistency between the proposed IWLEP 2022 amendments and any relevant DCP provisions and will result in a future consolidated set of DCP provisions.

The review of DCPs will also take into account a recommendation that the relevant DCPs be amended to reflect the listings to be identified in the IWLEP 2022.

Merit Assessment

The draft Planning Proposal has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Government’s Local Environmental Plan Making Guideline (August 2023). This includes an assessment of:

· Site specific merit – a proposal’s demonstrated environmental, social and economic impact on the site and surrounds and ability to be accommodated within the capacity of the current and/or future infrastructure and services; and

· Strategic merit – a proposal’s demonstrated alignment with the NSW strategic planning framework or current government priority.

This assessment is contained in the draft Planning Proposal (at Attachment 1) and a more detailed assessment of the proposal against State and local strategic planning frameworks is contained in Attachment 4.

Relevance to other Strategic Planning projects

This draft Planning Proposal is part of Council’s broader heritage review, which includes a separate standalone draft Planning Proposal for Residential Heritage (subject of a separate future report).

Preliminary Engagement

In May-June 2023, preliminary engagement was undertaken with owners and operators of the pubs identified in GML’s study. Concurrently, a broader ‘Love Your Pub’ campaign was run on Council’s Your Say Inner West website, seeking community feedback on the Inner West’s pubs and pub culture.

In total, there were 840 visitors to the Your Say website and 20 contributions during the Love Your Pub campaign. Contributors expressed support for vibrancy and sense of community in pubs, as well as some improvements to pub culture and safety, but raised concerns about the loss of live music, noise impacts and loss of atmosphere to gambling areas. One contributor urged Council to recognise important elements without resorting to heritage listing.

The consultation with owners and operators of pubs identified for heritage listing resulted in responses from three owners. Feedback received included concern over potential restrictions to development and refurbishment potential and impacts on property values as a result of the proposed heritage listings.

The preliminary engagement comments do not preclude the draft Planning Proposal from proceeding to Council for consideration. The matters raised will continue to inform the proposal as it progresses, including at post-Gateway and statutory public exhibition stages.

Local Planning Panel Recommendations

The draft Planning Proposal was considered by the IWLPP at its meeting on 14 September 2023. The IWLPP supports the draft Planning Proposal. The minutes to this meeting are included at Attachment 5.

Conclusion

The draft Planning Proposal implements the recommendations of the Heritage Study, prepared by GML Heritage, and also responds to Council’s resolution of 25 October 2022. Part of the broader Inner West heritage review, it addresses LSPS Planning Principle 6, Action 6.2, and LHS Principle 2, Action 1B. In doing so, the proposal will help to preserve the historic significance of the Inner West’s pubs. It is recommended that Council agrees to forward this proposal to the DPE for a Gateway Determination.

Next Steps

Submit to DPE for Gateway Determination	November 2023
Gateway Determination issued	February 2024
Completion of DCP review and any further justification required by Gateway Determination	February 2024
Commencement and completion for public exhibition period	March-April 2024
Completion of post-exhibition review	April 2024
Council Meeting (post-exhibition) to determine whether to adopt the proposed amendments	June 2024
Submission to DPE to finalise the LEP	June 2024
Gazettal of LEP amendment	July 2024

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.

Attachments 2, 3 and 4 have 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.⇩	Planning Proposal - Heritage Pubs
2.⇨	Heritage Study – Pubs - Published separately on Council’s website
3.⇨	Heritage Pubs – Maps - Published separately on Council’s website
4.⇨	Consistency with Strategic Planning Framework - Published separately on Council’s website

Council Meeting

21 November 2023

Item No: C1123(1) Item 13

Subject: Inner West FOGO Food Recycling Monthly Update

Prepared By: Helen Bradley - Manager Resource Recovery Planning

Authorised By: Peter Gainsford - General Manager

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

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

1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report provides the monthly update to Council on the new FOGO Food Recycling service rolled out to houses across the Inner West, commencing 9 October 2023.

BACKGROUND

Council requested monthly updates for the first year of the new service.

DISCUSSION

Council commenced the FOGO food recycling service on 9 October 2023 and as of 10 November had collected over 1500 Tonnes of FOGO. Whilst the environmental benefits of the new service are self-evident and everyone in our community is able to contribute to a more sustainable future by participating in the service, there are challenges in the roll out of any new service. Experience from other councils suggest that it can take up to six months to embed a new service.

Inner West Council has 50,600 single dwellings (houses) and 31,800 multi-units and picks up approximately 178,000 bins per week across all waste streams. The implementation has required a realignment of our waste calendar to better align the new service, including the accommodation of the multi-unit dwellings being serviced weekly (garbage and FOO) through the entire area. This requires adjustment for not only our waste collection staff and contractors but also residents. Industry standard for missed bins is 0.5% of total services which for Inner West is 700 missed services per week. In the first week of November Council had 876 missed bin requests.

We always anticipated that a change of this magnitude would be a challenge and so we put several supports in place prior to the rollout to help our residents during the transition.

Additional staff were added to Council’s call centre and staff from across the organisation have assisted in taking waste call during peak times. The number of phone calls have reduced by more than half since we commenced the service and continue to reduce each week. A number of Council teams have been focussing on the management of customer requests to help with provide a higher level of customer service.

Council has been promoting access to the online waste calendar as the single source of truth for residents confirming their bin collection details, with the web page receiving in excess of 170,000 visits. This is now reflected in the number of residents presenting their red or yellow bin on the wrong week for collection which was reduced to 10 – 15%.

Staff have been actively attending customer service stalls and events to ensure a presence in the community, answering questions and providing advice around FOGO which has been well received by the community.

Social media has been the greatest difficulty with negative comments and misinformation. This was addressed by Inner West Council joining community groups/discussions to comment on FOGO.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other than missed bins which were discussed above most issues being raised at the present time are listed below;

1. Upsizing Red Lid Garbage bins

2. Booked Overflow Red Lid Garbage Bin collection

3. Supply of starter kits and liners

4. Rebate for Reusable Nappies and sanitary items

5. Nappy drop off

6. Community Education via waste busters

1. Upsizing Red Lid Garbage Bins.

To help assist residents who are struggling with a fortnightly collection of the 120-litre red lidded bin, Council is offering a 240-litre bin. The plan was to allow residents a month to adapt to the new service before offering the larger bin. Council has had 2,189 requests for a 240-litre red lidded bin out of the 50,600 households and has so far delivered 789 and it is envisaged that the current requests will be delivered in the next three weeks. In the meantime, if residents require an additional support they can book an extra collection which has been done through the Optimo service.

2. Booked Overflow Red Lid Garbage Bin Collection

Optimo, Council’s current booking system for clean-up bookings, has been active since 9 October 2023 to support residents that would like to book the alternate week collection. Council clean-up and extra red-lid bin collection - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

The booked system gives residents opportunity to adapt waste sorting behaviour before committing to an upsizing of bin. Cumulative bookings:

3. Supply of starter kits and liners

Home delivery of caddies and liners, with supply also made available at customer service stalls, libraries and service centres. Council can deliver starter kits to households who may not have received them.

4. Rebate for Reusable Nappies

$30,000 was allocated by council resolution for the nappy and sanitary rebate which opened on 9 October to enable households to try subsidised reusable nappies or sanitary products and reduce the amount of garbage in their red lid bin. Residents buy the items of their choice and submit their simple application and their receipt to qualify for the rebate (up to $150 for reusable nappies and $100 for sanitary products).

Inner West Council's Rebately | Reusable Cloth Nappies

At 6 November 2023, seventy-seven rebates had been claimed ($4,554 of $30,000 available);

Reusable cloth nappies – 20 claims to the value of $1,441.39

Reusable sanitary products – 57 claims to the value of $3,112.92

5. Nappy Drop Off

Excess nappies can be dropped off at the following locations:

Community Recycling Centre – 50-54 Moore Street, Leichhardt. Open Saturday and Sunday 7:45am to 11.30am and 1pm to 3:45pm.

Community Recycling Centre – 15-17 Unwin's Bridge Road, St Peters (entry via Bolton Street). Open Saturday and Sunday 8am – 1pm.

Inner West Sustainability Hub – 7 Prospect Road, Summer Hill. Open Weekdays 9am-5pm

Community recycling centres - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

Inner West Sustainability Hub - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

6. Waste Busters Waste Busters - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

The Waste Busters and resource recovery officers are attending community events and stalls. The focus has been on reactive education to date, when the enquiries settle waste busters will proactively be contacting households with contaminated or overflowing red lid garbage bins.

One waste audit has been completed as another was cancelled by the resident as they found they adjusted to FOGO better than expected and four more are in progress.

FOGO weekday customer service stalls 9.30am to 5.30pm:

10,11, 12, 13 Oct – Ashfield Aquatic

17,18,19, 20 Oct – Marrickville Library

23 Oct - Loyalty Square, Balmain

24, 25 Oct - Marketplace Leichhardt

26, 27 Oct – Loyalty Square, Balmain

31 Oct – Haberfield Library

1 Nov – Summer Hill Piazza

3 Nov – Ashfield Aquatic

FOGO Weekend customer service stalls (9:30-1:30):

9 Sept – Tempe Recreation Reserve

16 Sept – Dulwich Hill Library

17 Sept – Dulwich Hill Festival

23 Sept – Ashfield Town Hall

30 Sept – Enmore Park

7 Oct – Pioneer Memorial Park, Leichhardt

14 Oct – Yeo Park, Ashfield

15 Oct – Marrickville Festival

21 Oct – Steel Park, Marrickville

28 Oct – Tillman Park, Sydenham (Early Learning event)

28 Oct – Elkington Park, Balmain

29 Oct – Italian Festa, Norton Street, Leichhardt

4 Nov – Summer Hill Piazza

Communications and Engagement

FOGO Community Champions

Cornersmith Workshops and social media commenced mid-October and will be completed by mid-December 2023.

Facebook and Instagram – by 6 November 3 reels have been posted by Cornersmith using FOGO Fridge Check and featuring the kitchen benchtop bin and compostable liners. These posts received up to 888 likes and have been shared by Inner West.

Cornersmith workshops

Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill – Thursday 26 October (35 attendees)

Balmain Town Hall – Sat 4 November cancelled due to presenter illness (currently being rescheduled as 28 had booked)

Marrickville Pavilion – Sat 2 December (33 booked)

Workshop Summer Hill Thursday 26 October (35 attendees)

Adventure Kids Entertainment have undertaken FOGO performances across the Inner West Primary schools and have booked in schools, inner West Early learning centres and libraries through to March 2024. Feedback has been positive with children loving the interactive approach and FOGO songs.

Primary Schools

Marrickville Public – 17 October (38 children)

Marrickville West Public – 17 October (65 children)

Wilkins Public – 19 October (45 students)

Birchgrove Public – 24 October (45 students)

Balmain Public – 26 October (40 students)

Dulwich Hill – 30 October

Leichhardt Public – 3 November

Ashfield Public – 21 November

Inner West Early Learning Centres;

Annandale – 20 October (20 children)

Cavendish Street – 24 October (40 children)

Balmain-Rozelle – 25 October

Deborah Little – 25 October (52 children)

Leichhardt – 26 October

Addison Road – 7 October (45 students)

Leichhardt Park – 1 November

Enmore – 10 November

Inner West Libraries

Haberfield - 5 December

Marrickville - 6 December

Leichhardt -10 January

St Peters – 11 January

Ashfield – 15 January

Dulwich Hill – 13 February

Balmain – 14 February

Engaging a high-profile individual to help promote FOGO

Craig Reuscassel has shared reels on social media and supported the FOGO Hero campaign. FOGO (Food organics garden organics) - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

Communications and Engagement

Social media has been active with organic posts and boosted ads achieving great reach and engagement. As the campaign has continued there has been a marked downward trend in negative comments.

	Ads	Reach	Impressions	Engagement	Engagement Percentage
2/11/2023
1/09/2023	FB	FB Ads – pre-launch	234,349
1/09/2023	FB	FB Ads – post-launch	125,632
8/09/2023	FB	FB video boost	13,817	4,756	34.42%
11/09/2023	Insta	Introducing FOGO	5,318	213	4.01%
12/09/2023	FB	Longform post	1,626	320	19.68%
13/09/2023	FB	FOGO is coming (red tile)	5,303	993	18.73%
13/09/2023	Insta	FOGO is coming (red tile)	4,578	174	3.80%
14/09/2023	Insta	FOGO red tile (story)	963	2	0.21%
16/09/2023	FB	Did you hear the news	738	24	3.25%
19/09/2023	FB	Be a FOGO Hero (orange tile)	1,682	205	12.19%
21/09/2023	FB	Every hero needs a sidekick (blue tile)	7,679	1,686	3.44%
21/09/2023	Insta	Every hero needs a sidekick (blue tile)	5,227	128	2.45%
23/09/2023	Insta	Did you hear the news (ep 1)	2,811	70	2.49%
27/09/2023	FB	There is a new home for your food scraps (ep 2)	640	9	1.41%
27/09/2023	Insta	There is a new home for your food scraps (ep 2)	1,925	36	1.87%
29/09/2023		Google Ad	68,400	11,900	17.40%
2/10/2023	FB	What to FOGO?	3,815	141	3.70%
2/10/2023	Insta	What to FOGO?	2,497	43	1.72%
3/10/2023	FB	With the expansion of food recycling	58,523	14,287	24.41%
3/10/2023	Insta	With the expansion of food recycling	9,161	762	8.32%
5/10/2023	FB	Wondering what goes in your different coloured bin?	2,511	465	18.52%
8/10/2023	FB	EPA FOGO video	1,503	95	6.32%
8/10/2023	Insta	EPA FOGO video	3,766	129	3.43%
9/10/2023	FB	It's official - Our new FOGO service starts today (check your calendar)	36,188	9,351	25.84%
9/10/2023	Insta	It's official - Our new FOGO service starts today	7,681	293	3.81%
11/10/2023	FB	Discover eco-friendly kitchen hacks	664	6	0.90%
11/10/2023	FB	Sustainable kitchens (event)	739		100.00%
11/10/2023	Insta	Craig Reucassel (story)	840	13	1.55%
11/10/2023	FB	FOGO food recycling is	1,951	133	6.82%
11/10/2023	Insta	FOGO food recycling is	5,413	125	2.31%
12/10/2023	FB	Craig Reucassel ad	13,538	1,680	12.41%
13/10/2023	FB	Your FOGO starter pack is on its way!	3,482	627	18.01%
13/10/2023	Insta	Your FOGO starter pack is on its way!	5,518	145	2.63%
16/10/2023	FB	The FOGO waste revolution	1,136	183	16.11%
16/10/2023	Insta	The FOGO waste revolution	2,559	49	1.91%
19/10/2023	FB	What goes where in FOGO?	6,952	896	12.89%
19/10/2023	Insta	Discover ecofriendly kitchens	2,130	105	4.93%
20/10/2023	FB	GOOD NEWS Tea bags are now accepted	1,933	285	14.74%
20/10/2023	Insta	GOOD NEWS Tea bags are now accepted	6,476	231	3.57%
24/10/2023	FB	Remember, when using your FOGO bin remove	2,155	295	13.69%
24/10/2023	Insta	Remember, when using your FOGO bin remove	2,670	59	2.21%
27/10/2023	Insta	Introducing FOGO Friday Fridge Check	5,856	198	3.38%
27/10/2023	FB	Introducing FOGO Friday Fridge Check	2,090	334	15.98%
28/10/2023	Insta	FOGO doesn't have to be spooky story	411		0.00%
28/10/2023	Insta	FOGO doesn't have to be spooky	41	6	14.63%
28/10/2023	FB	FOGO doesn't have to be spooky	3,054	150	4.91%
29/10/2023	Insta	FOGO has been in the inner west for almost 3 weeks	9,121	309	3.39%
29/10/2023	FB	FOGO has been in the inner west for almost 3 weeks	846	116	13.71%
31/10/2023	Insta	The new combined food organics	1,232	31	2.52%
31/10/2023	FB	The new combined food organics	631	60	9.51%
2/11/2023	FB	Darcy red bin video	5,645	219	3.88%
2/11/2023	FB	Darcy red bin video	227	74	32.60%
			307,853	51,029	10.91%
		TOTAL REACH (including ads)	696,988	51,029

Compostable liner supply and delivery

Council has compostable liners (bags) available at Inner West Customer Service Centres and libraries. The process needs to be consistent for residents in apartments and houses.

The current on-demand order for apartments is resource intensive and inefficient and will need to be reconsidered as part of our long-term approach with houses.

Other metro councils offer ongoing bag supply:

· Randwick Council currently offers 6 monthly delivery of bags and encourages residents to buy their own, use paper or go bag free in the interim Order new FOGO caddy liners - Randwick City Council (nsw.gov.au)

· Penrith offers quarterly delivery (opt-in) and promotes pick up from council offices and libraries. FOGO FAQ - Penrith City Council (nsw.gov.au)

In a 2021 publication of industry news, Waste Management, a study of the use of compostable liners by MRA Consulting found that councils which supplied liners had on average 30 per cent more FOGO capture than those without. While the study noted that those councils not supplying liners did so to save costs, modelling showed that the avoided landfill gate fees for the additional food waste captured because liners were provided, resulted in savings well exceeding the cost of providing liners.

It is proposed to provide the delivery of compostable bag liners to the 50,600 houses single dwellings by the end of the year and the supply of these bags is estimated at $165,000 and the delivery of the bags will be undertaken by Council's waste staff.

In future a report will be presented to Council that considers a number of delivery models like the Penrith or Randwick examples or offering a pick-up service as costs could be reduced or avoided by offering free collection from the three Customer service centres, eight libraries and the Inner West Sustainability Hub. They could also be provided from the mobile Customer service stalls.

There must be a strong focus on take only one pack to discourage the stockpiling of bags due to the 12-month shelf life of bags and them beginning to compost and deteriorate over time, particularly if stored in damp areas or exposed to sunlight.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Fully funded via Domestic Waste Budget for ongoing operational costs and implementation funded via the NSW EPA (Environment Protection Authority) Grant and any additional costs to the above budget for example the additional compostable liners will be funded from the Domestic Waste Reserve.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

Activity

Date

Funding

Stepping On

Falls Prevention for LGBTQ Seniors partnership with SLHD & ACON

Oct – Nov 2023

Wellbeing

Intersex Awareness Day

Town Hall flags and lighting of Camperdown Mem. Park

26 Oct – 2 Nov

Wellbeing

Trans and Gender Diverse swim event

Trans friendly swimming night

3 Nov 23

Aquatics

“Feel the Love” event

Family friendly event

10 Feb (tbc)

Wellbeing

Drag Storytime

Drag storytime for under fives

10 Mar 24

Library

Screening of Mardi Gras Parade

Public screening of Mardi Gras Parade

2 Mar 24

Events

Rainbow Storytime

Inclusive stories at the Library

Feb / Mar

Library

Author talk (tbc)

An LGBTQ author talk in the library

Feb / Mar

Library

LGBTQ / Rainbow friendly swim event

Family friendly swim event in an aquatics centre (not exclusive use)

Feb / Mar

Aquatics

Mardi Gras themed recreation classes

Classes with Mardi Gras theme

Feb / Mar

Aquatic

Camperdown Park lighting

Rainbow lighting

11 Feb – 9 Mar

Parks

Pride Progress Flags

Town Hall flags

16 Feb – 3 Mar

Wellbeing

Wrapping poles Marrickville Library

Marrickville Library with Pride Progress Flags

16 Feb – 3 Mar

Wellbeing

Transgender Day of Visibility

Town Hall flags and lighting of Camperdown Mem. Park

30 Mar – 1 Apr

Wellbeing

Trans and Gender Diverse swim event

Trans friendly swimming night

Apr 24

Aquatics

Youth week pride event

Pride Prom delivered as part of Youth Week

Apr 24

Wellbeing

IDAHOBIT Day

Town Hall flags and lighting of Camperdown Mem. Park

17 – 24 May 24

Wellbeing

Polly’s Group

Cash support for their Mardi Gras float

Annual

Wellbeing

Grant funding*

Projects in support of LGBTQ+ community

Ongoing

Wellbeing

Pride Progress Flag

Town Hall flags and lighting of Camperdown Mem. Park

Council Meeting

21 November 2023

Item No: C1123(1) Item 24

Subject: Notice of Motion: Ongoing Delays with the WestConnex St Peters Interchange Parkland

From: Councillor Pauline Lockie

MOTION

1. That Council notes the parkland that was supposed to be delivered at the WestConnex St Peters Interchange site remains largely inaccessible to the public more than three years after the opening of the WestConnex M8.

2. That Council notes Transport for NSW has yet to confirm an opening date for the parkland, despite its delivery being a condition of approval for the WestConnex M8.

3. That Council notes serious public health, safety and environmental concerns about the former landfill site on which the proposed parkland is based have been raised consistently since construction began on the WestConnex St Peters Interchange.

4. That Council has previously resolved that the NSW Government should retain responsibility for the remediation, ownership and management of the parkland, and for the NSW Government to work with Council to identify an alternative site to provide parkland as compensation for WestConnex.

5. That Council writes to the Premier and relevant Ministers to request that Transport for NSW shares any reports ordered by the EPA, including those prepared by the accredited site auditor and any other relevant reports and information about ongoing contamination at the WestConnex St Peters Interchange site, with Council as soon as possible.

6. That Council writes to the Premier and relevant Ministers to request that the EPA takes enforcement action on any non-compliance issues and licence breaches at the site to protect our local community, and for Council to be kept updated on such actions.

7. That Council writes to the Premier and relevant Ministers to ask that they work with Council to identify an alternative site to provide genuine compensatory parkland for the community.

Background

In September 2021, Council resolved the following in relation to the WestConnex St Peters Interchange park:

THAT Council:

1. Writes to the Premier and relevant Ministers to request that the NSW Government:

a. Conducts an immediate investigation into potential contamination at the site of the WestConnex St Peters Interchange;

b. Retains responsibility for the remediation, ownership and management of the parkland within the Inner West Council local government area, due to the ongoing challenges and financial costs Council would face if it were to take this on;

c. Works with Council to identify an alternative site to provide genuine open space and parkland as compensation for the impact WestConnex has had and continues to have on the surrounding area.

Following reports that Transport for NSW had concealed serious contamination issues at the site from Council, Council further resolved the following in June 2022:

THAT Council:

1. Requests an urgent briefing from Transport for NSW about the reports ordered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) about the WestConnex St Peters Interchange, and the remediation works being carried out at the site;

2. Writes to the Premier and relevant Ministers to:

a. Request that Transport for NSW shares the reports ordered by the EPA with Council, along with any other relevant reports and information about investigations into ongoing contamination the WestConnex St Peters Interchange site;

b. Request that the EPA takes enforcement action on any non-compliance issues and licence breaches at the site in order to protect our local community;

c. Seek confirmation that the NSW Government will take responsibility for the care, control and management of the St Peters Interchange parkland, and work with Council to identify an alternative site to provide genuine open space and parkland as compensation for the impact of WestConnex.

The only response Council received from the NSW Government to either of these resolutions was a letter from the then-Minister for Environment and Heritage in August 2022, which simply confirmed information that was already known, and did not respond to the requests raised by the resolution. A copy of this letter is provided at Appendix A.

At that time, there were deeply concerning signs of ongoing contamination at the site, including monitoring reports that showed methane levels at explosive levels and high levels of groundwater contamination.

Environmental chemist and local resident Charlie Pierce, who addressed Council when the second motion was originally tabled, has continued to monitor the situation at the site. Last month, he wrote an article for the Community Environmental Monitoring website that made it clear there are still serious public health, safety and environmental concerns at the site. This article is reproduced with permission in Appendix B.

On 3 October, The Sydney Morning Herald also reported that the promised parkland at the site is still years away, in a story titled This is supposed to be Sydney’s newest park. It’s still a wasteland. Delivering this parkland by July 2024 is a condition of approval for the WestConnex M8. However, these continued delays highlight yet again that ongoing contamination and stability issues at the site mean it is unlikely to ever provide the kind of parkland that was promised to the community in St Peters and the surrounding area as compensation for the impacts of WestConnex.

The change of government that has taken place since those resolutions were made provides an opportunity to seek the openness and transparency around this site that has been missing to date, and secure the genuine open space the community was promised.

APPENDIX A: LETTER FROM MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE

APPENDIX 2: REPORT BY CHARLIE PIERCE, COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PTY LTD

Poor environmental monitoring at WestConnex St Peters Interchange

WestConnex St Peters Interchange is a massive site bounded by Campbell Road, Princes Highway, Canal Road and Burrows Road in St Peters approximately 6 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD. It links the M8 tollway with the M5. It was built on a recently closed landfill and for this reason requires careful environmental monitoring. This post reports on that monitoring.

Historical Errors

Transport for NSW holds the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO)Licence Number 4627 for the St Peters Interchange for Road Construction. This licence was previously held for the Alexandria Landfill in St Peters which was compulsorily acquired by the NSW government for the WestConnex St Peters Interchange in 2014.

Most of the conditions in the current licence remains focused on managing adverse environmental outcomes associated with a putrescible waste landfill.

Community Environmental Monitoring Pty Ltd (CEM) have been evaluating data reported for this landfill since the WestConnex tollway project took over the site. Transport for NSW and their contractors CPB Contractors have been responsible for a large number of both reporting errors and adverse environmental consequences. Previous problems were associated with uncontrolled release of ammonia and sulphide odours and mistakes in gas monitoring.

During construction the contractors were not able to control water infiltration into the waste which caused uncontrolled release of both ammonia and sulphide gas, ruining local amenity for 6 months in 2018. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ultimately gave CPB contractors a penalty notice (No: 3173526144) for these failures. In 2019, the company pleaded guilty in the NSW Land and Environment Court and was fined $500,000.

CEM finds high levels of methane and measurement errors

In 2022, CEM reviewed the methane monitoring and found that there were both extremely high levels of methane and errors in methane measurements. The high levels included 68 % methane at 1 Canal Road, nearly 7 times the warning level.

The gas analysis in gas monitoring wells reported high methane concentrations; some higher than physically possible. During the height of the Methane Fermentation stage of landfill stabilisation, it is common to have high methane levels up to 60 %. Environment contractors hired by Transport for NSW reported methane at 99 % with carbon dioxide at 11 % in gas monitoring well LDS-GM-028 May 2022 monitoring. It is neither possible for methane to be above 70 % in a landfill or for any gas mixtures to be over 100 %. These errors were not identified by either Transport of NSW nor the NSW Environmental Protection Authority who are responsible for monitoring the accuracy of POEO licence monitoring.

The EPA added Condition U2 Hazardous Ground Gases Risk Assessment (HGGRA) Implementation Program to Transport NSW’s the POEO licence. In September 2023, the EPA extended the deadlines associated with the implementation of HGGRA program.

Current Mistakes

The groundwater/leachate monitoring in POEO licences has two separate frequencies – quarterly and annual monitoring.

Quarterly monitoring is for indicator analytes (chemical substances). These are low-cost analytical testing requirements to provide evidence that there have not been significant changes in the quality of the groundwater.

Annual Monitoring requires the testing for the presence of toxic compounds such as heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc), Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Organochlorine and Organophosphate Pesticides, and the Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbons (benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene and xylene associated with petroleum contamination).

Transport NSW is required to publicly report all monitoring results. CEM reviewed the results back to March 2021 and found that they had not been published. In accordance with section 66(6) of the POEO Act and written requirements issued by the EPA, licensees are required to publish pollution monitoring data that has been collected as a result of a licence condition. This represents an omission reporting violation. There is no evidence that Transport NSW has ever publicly reported the annual groundwater and leachate monitoring parameters. There is also no indication that the EPA has recognised or taken action on this reporting violation.

CEM has identified errors whenever CEM has assessed the data in monitoring reports on the Transport for NSW Alexandria Landfill reporting web page and these have been reported to NSW EPA’s Pollution line via emails.

There are a couple of analytical checks that the environmental testing industry uses to assess whether there were errors made in the in situor in the laboratory analysis of groundwater. These checks are found in analytical reference Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA 24th ed. Washington DC) which all accredited laboratories use when testing water. The data quality checks include ionic balance (the negative ions and positive ions being equal in solution), calculated total dissolved solids (TDS) being similar to measured TDS, and agreement between the conductivity measured in the field and TDS measured in the laboratory. The reported water quality results sampled in December 2022 (the most recent available) for the following monitoring wells failed at least one of these simple quality assurance checks: LDS-BH-3089A, LDS-BH-3090, LDS-GW-MW3, and WCX-BH157A. This level of incompetence is particularly disturbing because there are only monitor 7 groundwater wells in total.

Future Concerns

Landfills go through well identified stages and looking at leachate is a good way to assess the current landfill stage. The neutral pH, high ammonia concentration and high alkalinity observed in the Alexandria landfill’s leachate indicates that it is still in the Methane Fermentation Stage and will remain so for the next 10-20 years. The presence of methane is also an indicator, of course. This means the putrescible waste is still decomposing with ongoing potential human health and environmental degradation concerns. As the waste decomposes there will be further settling of the existing ground surface. The NSW Landfill Guidelines (NSW EPA, 2016) stipulate that steep gradients greater than 20 % (roughly 10 degrees) should be avoided to reduce the risk of erosion. The settling coupled with the steep slopes found at the Alexandria Landfill poses a continued serious risk for erosion.

There continues to be visible erosion continuing on the surface of the waste pile by Canal Road (see photos). This erosion could affect the protection structures such as final cover allowing water infiltration exacerbating contamination and greater uncontrolled gas movement.

Since there is no oversight on the reporting or quality of the data by either Transport for NSW or the EPA, the Alexandria Landfill remains a serious environmental risk. It is recommended that the site monitoring data be constantly reviewed by a professional environmental chemist with a focus on complying with the POEO licence.

In 2022, Transport for NSW attempted to give the Inner West Council over six hectares of this site as “parkland” as compensation for the impact on residents and the environment of the WestConnex interchange which carved 19,294 square meters from the adjacent Sydney Park. The green space was due to be completed in 2019 but most of the site remains closed to the public today. CEM believes that the Inner West Council would be unwise to take any ownership of this site until the final decomposition of waste has finished.

Promotion Method	Stakeholders engaged
Project page on ‘Your say Inner West’ (YSIW)	· 344 people viewed the project page · 95 downloads of the draft Strategy
Direct email to key stakeholders	· 540 registered members of the ‘Your Say Inner West’ platform · 194 community members who participated in the earlier engagement sessions · 13 Local Democracy Group convenors
Social Media	· 8 Organic Posts across Facebook and Instagram · 5,545 people reached · 227 people engaged (likes, comments and shares)
Posters, physical copies, digital screens and intercept surveys	· 7 Libraries · 3 Service Centres · 3 Aquatic Centres · 4 Saturday Customer Service Stalls · 12 Mobile outreach Customer Service Stalls
Website	· 10 days live on the Inner West homepage banner · 1 web announcement

1.⇨	Community Engagement Outcomes Report - Published separately on Council’s website
2.⇩	Draft Customer Experience Strategy

*Clause*	*Change*	*Reason*
C4	New control	To make it clear that subdivision of existing allotments is not permitted as it would be detrimental to the heritage significance of the Garden Suburb by changing its historic pattern.
C20	Updated control	To clarify when basement levels are permitted
C29	New control	To make it clear that face brick and commons brick walls shall not be rendered with cement or plaster.
C41	New control	The use of box section, aluminum doors and windows using pre-finished colours is permitted in extensions and new dwellings, but not in original parts of rooms of existing houses.
C56	Amended control	Garage doors are to be simple timber or metal cladding in a recessive dark colour.
2.33(d)	Delete control	Carports forward of the building line are not permitted elsewhere Inner West
C95-C107	Added – New Dwellings	There are currently no controls in Ashfield DCP that relate to the form of new dwellings for Haberfield.
2.3.1	Added – controls for 140a Hawthorne Parade, Haberfield	A consistent front setback of 4m is proposed – while this is less than the typical front setback within Haberfield it is considered sufficient to allow the other development standards to be met – a greater setback would make compliance with these difficult to achieve. Driveways for lots 16 and 17 are required to be on the southern side of the dwellings to allow for adequate manoeuvering.

Ward	Item
Baludarri (Balmain)	McCleer Street, Rozelle - Traffic Review
	Darling Street & Elliott Street, Balmain - Proposed Streetscape Improvements
	Evans Street, Balmain - Resident Parking Scheme Expansion
	Fawcett Street, Balmain - Proposed 'No Parking' Restrctions
Gulgadya (Leichhardt)	Nil.
Midjuburi (Marrickville)	Brereton Avenue, Marrickville - Proposed kerb extensions
Midjuburi (Marrickville)	Smidmore Street, Marrickville - Proposed installation of linemarking of the existing Taxi Zone
Djarrawunang (Ashfield)	Lackey Street, Summer Hill - Temporary Full Road Closure - 'Summer Hill Opera' Event on Sunday 17 December 2023
Damun (Stanmore)	Reiby Street, Newtown - Proposed Parking Changes: Adjustment to Existing 'No Parking' and '1/2P 8.30am-6pm Mon-Fri , 8.30am-12.30pm Sat' Restrictions
	Laura Street, Newtown - Proposed Raised Pedestrian Crossing
	Old Canterbury Road, Lewisham, North of Summer Hill Street - Proposed Kerb Extensions
	Metropolitan Road, Enmore – Accessible Parking Improvements
	Morton Park LATM Study
All Wards	Nil.

Reserves	October 2023
External Restrictions	121,228,541
Internal restrictions	152,986,265
Working Funds	14,058,178
Total	288,272,984

Reconciliation	October 2023
Bank & Cash	72,715,230
Investments	215,557,654
Total	288,272,884

1.⇩	September 2023 QBRS Financial Statements
2.⇩	Quarter one progress report - Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2023-24

Policy	Downloads
Data Breach Policy	10
Privacy Policy	9
Public Access to Information Policy	12

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

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

Number of Complaints
1	a	The total number of complaints received in the period about councillors and the General Manager (GM) under the code of conduct	1
	b	The total number of complaints finalised in the period about councillors and the GM under the code of conduct	0
Overview of Complaints and Cost
2	a	The number of complaints finalised at the outset by alternative means by the GM or Mayor	0
	b	The number of complaints referred to the Office of Local Government under a special complaints management arrangement	0
	c	The number of code of conduct complaints referred to a conduct reviewer	1
	d	The number of code of conduct complaints finalised at preliminary assessment by conduct reviewer	0
	e	The number of code of conduct complaints referred back to GM or Mayor for resolution after preliminary assessment by conduct reviewer	0
	f	The number of finalised code of conduct complaints investigated by a conduct reviewer	0
	g	The number of finalised complaints investigated where there was found to be no breach	0
	h	The number of finalised complaints investigated where there was found to be a breach	0
	i	The number of complaints referred by the GM or Mayor to another agency or body such as the ICAC, the NSW Ombudsman, OLG or the Police	0
	j	The number of complaints being investigated that are not yet finalised	1
	k	The total cost of dealing with code of conduct complaints within the period made about councillors and the GM including staff costs	$6179.25
Preliminary Assessment Statistics
3	The number of complaints determined by the conduct reviewer at the preliminary assessment stage by each of the following actions:
	a	To take no action	0
	b	To resolve the complaint by alternative and appropriate strategies	0
	c	To refer the matter back to the GM or the Mayor, for resolution by alternative and appropriate strategies	0
	d	To refer the matter to another agency or body such as the ICAC, the NSW Ombudsman, OLG or the Police	0
	e	To investigate the matter	0

Investigation Statistics
4	The number of investigated complaints resulting in a determination that there was no breach, in which the following recommendations were made:
	a	That the council revise its policies or procedures	0
	b	That a person or persons undertake training or other education	0
5	The number of investigated complaints resulting in a determination that there was a breach in which the following recommendations were made:
	a	That the council revise any of its policies or procedures	0
	b	In the case of a breach by the GM, that action be taken under the GM’s contract for the breach (clause 7.36(h) of the 2018 Procedures or clause 7.37(a) of the 2020 Procedures)	0
	c	In the case of a breach by a councillor, that the councillor be formally censured for the breach under section 440G of the Local Government Act 1993 (clause 7.36(i) of the 2018 Procedures or clause 7.37(b) of the 2020 Procedures)	0
	d	In the case of a breach by a councillor, that the councillor be formally censured for the breach under section 440G of the Local Government Act 1993 and that the matter be referred to OLG for further action (clause 7.36(j) of the 2018 Procedures or clause 7.37(c) of the 2020 Procedures)	0
6	Matter referred or resolved after commencement of an investigation under clause 8.20 of the Procedures and clause 7.20 of the new Procedures		0
Categories of misconduct
7	The number of investigated complaints resulting in a determination that there was a breach with respect to each of the following categories of conduct:
	a	General conduct (Part 3)	0
	b	Non-pecuniary conflict of interest (NMCC Part 5)	0
	c	Personal benefit (FMCC Part 5 / NMCC Part 6)	0
	d	Relationship between council officials (FMCC Part 6 / NMCC Part 7)	0
	e	Access to information and resources (FMCC Part 7 / NMCC Part 8)	0
Outcome of determinations
8	The number of investigated complaints resulting in a determination that there was a breach in which the council failed to adopt the conduct reviewers recommendation		0
9	The number of investigated complaints resulting in a determination that there was a breach in which the council's decision was overturned following a review by OLG		0

No	Description	Budget	Performance Status
No	Description	Budget	Budget	Schedule
1	Callan Park Swim site	$200,000
2	Newtown - Lord St Trunk drainage duplication	$1,810,000
3	Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan - PAMP	$8,000,000
4	Elkington Park Cottage restoration works	$1,216,170
5	Not Used
6	St Peters, Mary St to Sydenham Cycleway Westconnex	$1,689,386
7	Marrickville Rd (East) Design and Implementation	$3,475,000
8	Dulwich Hill Station Centre Upgrade	$6,407,647
9	King George Park Amenities	$1,700,000
10	Greenway capital budget	$23,709,722
11	Greenway Central Links Construction	$19,569,020
12	HJ Mahoney Reserve Sporting Ground Upgrade	$2,158,452
13	HJ Mahoney Amenities Refurbishment	$1,180,000
14	Lambert Park synthetic field replacement	$2,000,000
15	Not Used
16	Main Street Local Placemaking	$1,180,000
17	Camdenville Park Upgrade	$4,715,000
18	3 Cahill St & Lewis Herman Reserve	$2,940,000
19	Petersham Town Hall upgrade works	$2,012,000
20	Newtown Town Hall renewal works	$3,220,000
21	Inclusive Playgrounds	$8,050,000
22	Marrickville Town hall internal refurbishment	$2,600,000
23	Annandale Town Hall Community Centre refurbishment	$1,508,000
24	AKAC Upgrade Works	$8,364,515
25	LPAC Major Project	$40,545,000
26	Birchgrove Park renewal works	$1,590,000
27	Mackey Park Sporting Ground Upgrade	$2,150,000
28	Tempe Reserve Amenities Building	$2,750,000
29	Balmain Town Hall Site renewal works	$3,970,000
30	Henson Park Grandstand Upgrade	$1,000,000
31	Dawn Fraser Bath Northern Pavilion Upgrade	$2,000,000
32	Herb Greedy Hall Renewal	$1,170,000
33	Pyrmont Bridge Road (PRUAIP)	$5,625,924
34	Main Street Revitalisation	$7,500,000

1.⇩	Major Capital Projects Committee - Meeting Minutes 24 July 2023
2.⇩	Major Capital Projects Committee - Meeting Minutes 23 September 2023
3.	Major Capital Projects Committee - Meeting Minutes 23 October 2023 - Confidential This attachment is confidential in accordance to information (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 commercial information of a confidential nature (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; AND commercial information of a confidential nature (Section 10A(2)(d)(ii) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the council.
4.⇩	Major Capital Projects Committee Project Summary Report as October 2023