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AGENDA R |
Extraordinary Council Meeting
TUESDAY 4 JUNE 2024
6:30 PM
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Live Streaming of Council Meeting
In the spirit of open, accessible and transparent government, this meeting of the Inner West Council is being streamed live on Council’s website. By speaking at a Council meeting, members of the public agree to being recorded and must ensure their speech to the Council is respectful and use appropriate language. A person who uses defamatory, discriminatory or offensive language may be exposed to liability for which Council takes no responsibility. Any part of this meeting that is held in closed session will not be recorded.
Council meetings are streamed live on Council’s website. This allows our community greater access to Council proceedings, decisions and debate.
Pre-Registration to Speak at Council Meetings
Members of the public must register by 2pm of the day of the Meeting to speak at Council Meetings. If you wish to register to speak please fill in a Register to Speak Form, available from the Inner West Council website, including:
Are there any rules for speaking at a Council Meeting?
The following rules apply when addressing a Council meeting:
What happens after I submit the form?
You will be contacted by Governance Staff to confirm your registration. If you indicated that you will speak online, you will be provided with a link to the online meeting. Your request will then be added to a list that is shown to the Chairperson on the night of the meeting.
Where Items are deferred, Council reserves the right to defer speakers until that Item is heard on the next occasion.
Accessibility
Inner West Council is committed to ensuring people with a disability have equal opportunity to take part in Council and Committee Meetings. At the Council Chambers at Ashfield, there is a hearing loop service available to assist persons with a hearing impairment. If you have any other access or disability related participation needs and wish to know more, call 9392 5536.
Persons in the public gallery are advised that under the Local Government Act 1993, a person may NOT record a Council meeting without the permission of Council.
Any persons found recording without authority will be expelled from the meeting.
“Record” includes the use of any form of audio, video and still camera equipment or mobile phone capable of recording speech.
An audio recording of this meeting will be taken for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the minutes.
Statement of Ethical Obligations
The Mayor and Councillors are bound by the Oath/ Affirmation of Office made at the start of the Council term to undertake their civic duties in the best interests of the people of the Inner West Council and to faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act or any other Act, to the best of their skill and judgement.
It is also a requirement that the Mayor and Councillors disclose conflicts of interest in relation to items listed for consideration on the Agenda or which are considered at this meeting in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
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AGENDA |
1 Acknowledgement of Country
2 Apologies and Request for Remote Attendance
3 Notice of Webcasting
4 Statement of Ethical Obligations
5 Disclosures of Interest (Part 4 (Pecuniary Interests) and Part 5 (non-pecuniary conflicts of interest) of Council’s Code of Conduct)
6 Moment of Quiet Contemplation
7 Public Forum – Hearing from All Registered Speakers
Note: Items not considered and deferred from the 21 May 2024 Ordinary Council meeting will not form part of the Public Forum session.
8 Condolence Motions
Nil at the time of printing.
9 Mayoral Minutes
ITEM Page
C0624(1) Item 1 Mayoral Minute: Renovating Leichhardt Oval & Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre 6
10 Reports for Council Decision
Nil at the time of printing.
11 Reports for Noting
Nil at the time of printing.
12 Rescission Motions
ITEM Page
C0624(1) Item 2 Notice
of Motion to Rescind: C0524(1) Item 18 Update on Parramatta Road Corridor
Urban Transformation Strategy
State 1 Planning Proposal 8
13 Notices of Motion
ITEM Page
C0624(1) Item 3 Notice of Motion: Inner West Council Rozelle Interchange Committee 10
C0624(1) Item 4 Notice of Motion: Rozelle Parklands Masterplan Funding 11
C0624(1) Item 5 Notice of Motion: Use of aliases on Facebook by Councillors 12
C0624(1) Item 6 Notice of Motion: Format of Council Media Releases 13
C0624(1) Item 7 Notice of Motion: Unoccupied Dwellings and the Housing Crisis 17
C0624(1) Item 8 Notice of Motion: Demerger of Inner West Council 18
C0624(1) Item 9 Notice of Motion: Improving the Demerger Process 19
C0624(1) Item 10 Notice of Motion: Demerger Plan for Inner West Council 21
C0624(1) Item 11 Notice of Motion: Tackling cost-of-living by cutting energy bills for households (Motion for National General Assembly) 22
C0624(1) Item 12 Notice of Motion: Inclusive Events 24
C0624(1) Item 13 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian safety on Lilyfield Road - Rozelle Parklands and Easton Park 25
C0624(1) Item 14 Notice of Motion: Violence Against Women 26
C0624(1) Item 15 Notice of Motion: ‘Safe Cycling in the Inner West’ petition 30
C0624(1) Item 16 Notice of Motion: Housing 32
C0624(1) Item 17 Notice of Motion: MOOD Tea 34
C0624(1) Item 18 Notice of Motion: Pritchard Street Annandale impacts from Rozelle Interchange 36
C0624(1) Item 19 Notice of Motion: Richard Murden Reserve 37
C0624(1) Item 20 Notice of Motion: Extended Lighting of Sports Grounds 39
14 Questions From Councillors
ITEM Page
C0624(1) Item 21 Question on Notice: Subminimum wages 40
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Mayoral Minute: Renovating Leichhardt Oval & Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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MOTION
That Council amend the 2024/25 budget, to be adopted at the June 2024 Council meeting, to incorporate $50 million in funding for the upgrades of Leichhardt Oval and Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre and to support the Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation Precinct. $10 million of this funding is to be dedicated to the implementation of the Leichhardt Oval Masterplan.
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Background
Saving Leichhardt Oval
It’s crunch time in the long
struggle to save Leichhardt Oval.
Since Council adopted the Leichhardt Oval Masterplan last December there has been much speculation about funding that could be made available to renovate the ground but as yet no investment has been allocated.
Council has invested more than $7.2 million over recent years to maintain and improve the ground but without a major upgrades in the immediate future Leichhardt Oval will become unsafe for use as a sporting facility that hosts large crowds.
It is time for Inner West Council to commit to the funding that we can provide to save Leichhardt Oval and implement our Masterplan.
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
Council is also well advanced in planning for the renovation of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (LPAC). The main Olympic pool, having been built in the 1960’s, has reached the end of it’s lifecycle.
There is $40 million allocated in the draft budget over the next 3 years to renovate LPAC. This includes the following upgrades:
· construction of new heated 8-lane 50 meter pool
· refurbishment of the outdoor children’s pool,
· a new 25 meter pool with a moveable floor, spectator seating and shade structures
· a new BBQ and picnic area, and new outdoor water playground
· energy efficient heating and filtration system throughout the facility
With final design of the renovation yet to be completed there is time for the LPAC renovation plans to be strengthened to maximise the utility of the Aquatic Centre to support sporting users of a renovated Leichhardt Oval.
This could include the provision of swimming, rehabilitation, and gymnasium facilities for use by sporting clubs that are training and playing at Leichhardt Oval.
Funding for the Leichhardt Sport and Recreation Precinct
The Chief Financial Officer advises that due to Council’s strong financial position Inner West Council is able to allocate $10 million for the upgrade Leichhardt Oval to be funded from existing reserves.
Council has also allocated $40 million in our draft Budget, over the next three years, to fund the upgrade Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre.
The combination of these two major projects would see a $50 million funding commitment from Inner West Council for the Leichhardt Park Sport and Recreation precinct.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0524(1) Item 18 Update on Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy State 1 Planning Proposal
From: Councillors Marghanita Da Cruz, John Stamolis and Liz Atkins
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MOTION
We, the above mentioned Councillors, hereby submit a Notice of Motion to rescind Council’s resolution of 21 May 2024 C0524(1) Item 18 Update on Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy State 1 Planning Proposal, and propose the alternative Motion:
That Council receive and note the report.
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Background
Council resolved on 21 May 2024:
1. That Council receive and note the report.
2. That Council note the correspondence received from Transport for NSW on 21 May 2024 in response to letters sent on 20 February 2024 and table the responses as an attachment to the minutes of this meeting.
3. That Council return to the Planning Minister Paul Scully in relation to the letter sent to him on 4 March 2024 asking that the government purchase for public and affordable housing 657-673 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, and request a response.
4. That Council officers immediately send the PRCUTS Planning Proposal to the NSW State Government for finalisation and gazettal.
It is unprecedented and against both policy and custom for Councillors to adopt a planning proposal without a report on the number of public submissions, their source and concerns. The Community Participation in Planning policy requires those steps (see page 32). To invite public submissions and then not even consider them before proceeding to ratify a proposal is extraordinary. The EP&A Act mandates public participation.
There are a number of outstanding issues, reported in the Agenda of Council Meeting 21 May 2024, and
reproduced below:
Letters were sent to Minister of Roads, Minister of Transport and Minister for Planning regarding road
widening, TfNSW owned car park and provision
of improved public transport along Parramatta Road as per the above Council resolution on 20
February 2024 (refer to /Attachment 1).
No response has been received yet in response to these letters.
A meeting was organised with the DPHI on 15 March 2024 to discuss the matters in the Council resolution and
seek DPHI’s assistance in expediting
the issues relating to resolving State Agency referrals received during the engagement period
of the Parramatta Road Planning Proposal.
At the meeting, the Deputy Secretary acknowledged the letter sent to Council by DPHI in October 2023 which
identified March 2024 as the date set
by the Department for Council to finalise this Planning Proposal. At the meeting the Deputy Secretary
noted that Council subsequently received
referral responses from state agencies and is not able to progress the Planning Proposal while
these state agency referrals remain
unresolved.
The major concerns raised by state agencies relate to
· Biodiversity
· Flooding
· Drinking water capacity to service new residents
· Traffic Access (acquisition of land by TfNSW along Parramatta Road)
The Secretary of DPHI also contacted the Secretary of TfNSW to seek an update on response regarding the Parramatta Road widening matter.
Council officers requested that DPHI provide written confirmation from the State Agencies regarding the
resolution of all matters raised in the submissions
by early April. Following this Council is enabled to progress finalisation of the Planning
Proposal which includes reporting
the detailed engagement outcomes to Council.
In mid-April Council officers received correspondence from the DPHI advising that many of the matters
raised in the referrals can be dealt with
at the DA stage, this correspondence was silent on the requirement for additional flood modelling.
Subsequently Council officers have had additional meetings with the staff at DPHI in April and May 2024 to
seek an update on the resolution of
the state agency referrals. DPHI have requested additional time to resolve these issues, particularly in
relation to the TfNSW submission. The flood modelling also remains
unresolved.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Inner West Council Rozelle Interchange Committee
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
1. That Council note that the Rozelle Interchange Committee has held only one introductory meeting since the committee was announced four months ago.
2. That Council note that there are no Terms of Reference for this Committee.
3. That Council provide a Terms of Reference and meeting schedule as soon as practicable. |
Background
In response to the traffic chaos caused by the opening of the Rozelle Interchange, a public meeting was held at Balmain Town Hall in early December 2023. During this meeting Council said that it would set up a committee involving community members and others who would meet regularly to discuss issues needed to assist in resolving impacts of the Rozelle Interchange on the wider community. To date, this meeting has met only once, for the purposes of introduction. This has been the only meeting in four months.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Item No: C0624(1) Item 4
Subject: Notice of Motion: Rozelle Parklands Masterplan Funding
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
That Council reserve the $20 million funding envelope received from the Minister of Transport until the Rozelle Parklands Masterplan has been finalised. |
Background
The new Rozelle Parklands provides the Inner West with the biggest increase in open space and sporting amenity in many decades.
More so, this land provides essential amenity to the communities of Rozelle, Lilyfield and Annandale whose open space ratios are some of the lowest in Sydney and, in fact, NSW.
The Rozelle Parklands is an historic and one-off increase in amenity for these communities. It is imperative that any funds which are available and needed to finalise these parklands are committed to these parklands in the first instance and are not spent elsewhere.
The Rozelle Parklands Masterplan will allow all groups: sporting clubs, cyclists, bushcare groups, schools, community groups and local residents to identify the key needs and priorities for the parklands.
The financial plan associated with the Rozelle Parklands Masterplan process will be the guide for the prioritisation, implementation and funding of these needs.
Without the masterplan, Council cannot determine whether it will need $10 million, $20 million or $30 million to achieve the best outcomes for these parklands so that it will meet the needs of the community into the future.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Use of aliases on Facebook by Councillors
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
That Council to consider the following amendments to
the Social Media Policy when this policy is next scheduled for review: a) That
councillors should not use aliases when they are Administrators of community
Facebook Groups. b) That councillors should not use aliases when commenting on community Facebook pages.
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Background
Many councillors and political parties operate Facebook pages. The administrators of these pages are known and transparent to the community. Also, when Councillors are administrators of community Facebook pages, most identify themselves.
It is vital for transparency that Councillors who administer or actively participate on community Facebook pages do not use aliases. It could be fairly suggested that this sort of activity brings Council into disrepute.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Format of Council Media Releases
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
1. That Council note that, to date in 2024, Council has largely departed from its usual format/presentation of its Media Releases.
2. That Council return to its established format and presentation of Media Releases. |
Background
Of the 32 Council media releases in 2024 to date, 23 appear to show that these releases are from the Mayor. There are 5 examples of this below.
In previous years, the number of media releases ‘attributed to the Mayor’ has amounted to, at most, only 1 or 2 releases of the first 32 for any given year. There are 3 examples of these releases below, from 2023, which reflect the usual format and presentation of Council media releases and which do not highlight that these are from the Mayor.
Councillors have not been advised of these changes to the presentation of media releases nor why such a large proportion are attributed to the Mayor.
Officer’s Comments:
Comment from Senior Manager Governance and Risk:
Additionally, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, the role of the Mayor is to be the principal member and spokesperson of the governing body, including representing the views of the Council as to its local priorities.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Unoccupied Dwellings and the Housing Crisis
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
1. That Council advocate to NSW State Government toward investigation of the number of unoccupied dwellings across Metropolitan Sydney – noting our interest in the Inner West.
2. That Council to ask City of Sydney and other inner-city Councils if they would like to participate in advocating and research and investigation into unoccupied dwellings with State Government.
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Background
The media are starting to pick up on the number of unoccupied houses/units across Sydney, especially in the inner-city, during this housing crisis. On both this term and last term of Inner West Council, motions have been put seeking an investigation of the growing stock of empty dwellings in the Inner West. One motion was put during this current housing crisis.
It might be expected that a high proportion of dwellings are vacant for legitimate reasons. The reasons could include travel, temporary or short-term relocation for work, holidays, and dwellings being renovated.
Based on 2021 Census data, even if 90% of unoccupied dwellings had legitimate reasons for being unoccupied, the Inner West would have possibly over 800 dwellings which are lazy unoccupied stock which might be returned for use. This is a very material number, especially during this housing crisis.
On the same basis, for City of Sydney Council, of the 18,700 unoccupied dwellings, almost 2,000 might be lazy unoccupied stock.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Demerger of Inner West Council
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
1. That Council note that many residents across the Inner West are greatly disappointed that the Minister has overturned a democratic vote as conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission. The poll of over just over 102,000 voters resulted in a huge 63% majority to demerge Inner West Council.
2. That Council note that the business case prepared by Council was supported by Labor Councillors only. All 7 Green and Independent Councillors voted against Councils submission as the proposal was inadequate, lacked a transition plan, used a flawed methodology.
3. That Council to note that the Boundaries Commission Report said that the absence of a detailed, and costed, implementation plan inhibits the Commission from confidently predicting outcomes and thus can only support the status quo. As such, Council have failed to deliver a key requirement for decision-making on behalf of over 63,000 residents of the Inner West who voted to demerge. |
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Improving the Demerger Process
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
1. That Council note that the Boundaries Commission Report said that:
a) Inner West Council has not yet realised significant economies of scale since the merger. b) excluding capital grants and the sale of Tempe Land ($49.4m) to the State Government, IWC has reported deficits across the seven-year period post-merger. c) the cost base of Inner West Council has increased by 27% relative to the former Councils since the merger.
2. That Council note that the Minister and the Boundaries Commission did not respond to numerous concerns that they have relied on highly questionable data to come to a determination about the demerger. That is, all costs relating to the demerger and the impact on ratepayers are grossly inflated.
3. That Council write to the Minister and Boundaries Commission expressing concerns about a lack of confidence in this process.
4. That Council supports those amendments currently being put proposed to the LGA Act which will see democratic polls of communities take precedence over processes which can be flawed, lack integrity, are not transparent and cannot compel core decision-making materials to be provided. |
Officer’s Comments:
Comment from Director Corporate:
The Local Government Boundaries Commission engaged Deloitte to provide advice on the financial implications of the proposal. In doing so, the analysis included both a review of the business case submitted by council and an independent analysis of financial and other information of council.
In the Boundaries Commission’s Summary of Key Findings from Deloitte’s Analysis of the Financial Implications Deloitte estimated that one off-demerger costs could be in the range of $31.3 to $39.1 million, and total ongoing costs would equate to $114.1 million over the four-year forecast period.
Those independent cost estimates are higher than what was calculated by Morrison Low in the Business Case submitted by Council to the Minister for Local Government.
The Minister for Local Government advised that he accepted the Commission’s view that, “the financial disadvantage associated with a de-amalgamation significantly outweigh any potential financial benefits from a de-amalgamation” and that there is compelling evidence that the business case presented by Council will cost the community more money than it saves.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Demerger Plan for Inner West Council
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor John Stamolis
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MOTION
That Council provide the Minister with a detailed, and costed, implementation plan for demerger so that a full, proper and accurate determination of the Inner West Council demerger can take place. This will properly respect the wishes of the voters In the Poll where they voted to support a demerger.
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Background
The Boundaries Commission process was severely compromised by Council failing to submit a detailed and fit for purpose demerger plan. The Commissioners said that “the absence of a detailed, and costed, implementation plan inhibits the Commission from confidently predicting outcomes.” These observations should have deemed the submitted business case not fit for purpose.
It is vital that the Minister will now allow Inner West Council to produce accurate and appropriate documentation as he has done so with Cootamundra Gundagai Council (CGRC).
The Minister proposed that CGRC submit an implementation Plan that shows how two sustainable Councils would be created by a demerger. The Minister would then submit this plan to a public Inquiry and for a Boundaries Commission examination concurrently.
The Office of Local Government outlined the pathway and how it can lead the dissolution of the merged Council and proclaim the two new councils.
This pathway should also be available to Inner West Council or any other Council such as Snowy Valleys or Bayside who are proceeding to prepare proposals.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Tackling cost-of-living by cutting energy bills for households (Motion for National General Assembly)
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith
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MOTION
That Council endorse the following motion for submission to the 2024 National General Assembly for Local Government:
This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to:
1. Note the multiple reports by energy analysts demonstrating that all-electric homes are cheaper to run than those connected to gas.
2. Provide cost-living-relief to households by requiring newly built homes to be fully electric by updating the National Construction Code.
3. Coordinate and assist states and territories to implement these changes via their respective planning and building regulations.
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Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
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1.⇩ |
National General Assembly Proposed Motion |
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Inclusive Events
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Mathew Howard
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MOTION
1. That Council reaffirm its commitment to hosting inclusive events including the Trans and Gender Diverse Swim Night and Drag Story Time.
2. That Council acknowledge publicity for these events can attract offensive online commentary or negative contact with council that can be traumatising and threatening for vulnerable communities and staff.
3. That Council thank staff for their deep commitment to running safe and inclusive events and for navigating challenging interactions.
4. That Council convene a meeting between the General Manager, Directors or relevant staff, interested councillors, and key organisations representing vulnerable communities to formalise a safety protocol on how these events are promoted and run.
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Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Pedestrian safety on Lilyfield Road - Rozelle Parklands and Easton Park
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Kobi Shetty
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MOTION
1. That Council note the concern of the community with the reopening of the Rozelle Parklands around pedestrian safety for people crossing Lilyfield Road between Easton Park and Rozelle Parklands, with the high volume of children and families now crossing at this location.
2. That Council urgently investigate pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures that can be implemented in this location to protect local residents from dangerous traffic and bring them to the Traffic Committee for review and approval.
3. That Council write to Transport for NSW and the Minister for Roads requesting a permanent speed limit reduction on Lilyfield Road between Cecily Street and Victoria Road. |
Background
The Rozelle Parklands has reopened recently after several months closure due to the asbestos contamination discovered only a few weeks after opening in December last year. Since the reopening a large number of people, particularly children and families as well as people walking their dogs, are moving between Rozelle Parklands and Easton Park and crossing Lilyfield Road. There is currently no safe place for people to cross, and this section of Lilyfield Road is on a bend with limited visibility between parked cars, and a 50km/h speed limit. It is incredibly dangerous for people to cross, and several residents have reported seeing close calls between pedestrians and vehicles.
Council is looking at this precinct as part of the Rozelle Parklands Masterplan, but there is currently no finalised plan in place for the installation of a safe crossing, and this process could take many months to complete. It is critical that council and Transport for NSW take urgent action to rectify the situation and make this area safe for people to cross between the two parklands.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Violence Against Women
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Liz Atkins
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MOTION
1. That Council notes that May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and 28 May is LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.
2. That Council notes the recent increase in public discussion about violence against women and children/domestic and family violence.
3. That Council notes that NSW domestic and family violence services have been funded at levels significantly below demand for decades and measures to prevent, respond to and aid recovery from domestic and family violence have not received adequate funding from state or federal governments.
4. That during the remainder of May, Council promote Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month on social media and on 28 May do a social media post and fly the Progress Pride Flag on its Town Halls to mark LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.
5. That Council commits to working with the NSW Government to provide short and long term social housing to those seeking refuge from domestic violence.
6. That Council, in the context of community engagement on the Community Safety Action Plan, hold a roundtable with relevant organisations about what more Council can do to support women’s refuges and other services in the Inner West in supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence.
7. That Council continue to increase and strengthen the capability of its workforces, especially its early childhood education and care workforce, so that everyone feels safe at work and on Council premises, and children are supported and protected.
8. That Council calls on the Federal and State governments to ensure the measures in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 are fully funded.
9. That Council calls on the NSW Government to commit to providing funding in the 2024-25 Budget to tackle the domestic and family violence crisis at a level at least comparable to the Victorian Government.
10. That Council calls on the Federal Government to raise the rate of Jobseeker to at least the level during COVID.
11. That Council write to the Premier, the NSW Minister for Domestic Violence Prevention, the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Social Services informing them of the calls in this motion.
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Background
Everyone has the right to live free from harassment, fear, violence and abuse both inside and outside their homes. According to the Counting Dead Women project, 28 women have died this year, 27 of them alleged to be at the hands of men. This compares to 15 by this point in 2023, 18 by the same point in 2022, 14 in 2021, and 16 in 2020.
Both the Federal and State governments have announced packages which go some way to dealing with the issues, but not far enough. It is unclear how much of these packages is genuinely new additional money, and how much is to continue funding existing programs or continuing pilots. It also has to be acknowledged that there are still huge systemic issues: a national housing crisis and a drastic underfunding of refuges that means women choose between remaining in a violent relationship and homelessness; a lack of funding for women seeking legal help; a scarcity of services particularly for rural and Indigenous women and women with disability. Experts have also pointed to bail laws and inadequate and sometimes downright harmful policing practices, to show there is much that needs to change before women are safe.
In its 2023-24 budget submission, Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) called for an annual funding increase of $176.35 million, to which the NSW Government responded by providing barely 20% of that recommended amount. Ahead of the 2024-25 budget, DVNSW has called on the NSW Government for measures including:
a. a funding increase of $145 million annually for existing domestic and family violence services to meet current demand;
b. an additional $80 million annually to expand specialist services to respond directly to women, children and young people impacted by domestic and family violence, so nobody seeking assistance ever needs to be turned away;
c. $100 million over the next four years to stop the violence before it starts by releasing, funding, and implementing the NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2027;
d. the immediate construction of 7,500 new social and affordable homes in NSW each year for 20 years and an exit pathway out of crisis refuges by building an additional transitional homes for women, children and young people; and
e. an increase to the core funding of DVNSW and additional funding to assist it in its support and advisory functions.
On 17 October 2022, the Australian, state and territory governments released the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (National Plan).
The National Plan is the overarching national policy framework that will guide actions towards ending violence against women and children over 10 years.It highlights how all parts of society, including governments, businesses and workplaces, media, schools and educational institutions, the family, domestic and sexual violence sector, communities and all individuals, must work together to achieve the shared vision of ending gender-based violence in one generation.
The National Plan outlines what needs to happen to achieve the vision of ending violence in one generation, across four domains:
1. Prevention – working to change the underlying social drivers of violence by addressing the attitudes and systems that drive violence against women and children to stop it before it starts.
2. Early intervention – identifying and supporting individuals who are at high risk of experiencing or perpetrating violence and prevent it from reoccurring.
3. Response – providing services and supports to address existing violence and support victim-survivors experiencing violence, such as crisis support and police intervention, and a trauma-informed justice system that will hold people who use violence to account.
4. Recovery and healing – helping to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation, and supporting victim-survivors to be safe and healthy to be able to recover from trauma and the physical, mental, emotional, and economic impacts of violence.
Six cross-cutting principles are included to be applied when delivering policies, programs and services:
1. Advancing gender equality;
2. The diverse lived experiences of victim-survivors are informing policies and solutions;
3. Closing the Gap;
4. Person-centred coordination and integration;
5. Intersectionality;
6. People who choose to use violence are held accountable.
Progress under the plan and its underlying Action Plans and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, is to be monitored through a performance measurement plan. As a starting point 6 national-level targets have been developed to measure progress against:
· Female intimate partner homicide;
· Knowledge of behaviours that constitute family, domestic and sexual violence;
· Community attitudes towards violence against women; rejecting gender inequality; and rejecting sexual violence; and
· Closing the Gap Target 13 (by 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced by at least 50 per cent, as progress towards zero).
Violence and abuse is not just an issue in heterosexual relationships. 28 May each year is LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day. Silence and lack of awareness about domestic, family and intimate partner abuse in LGBTQ communities plays a large part in why the violence persists and this day is intended to start a conversation to change this.
ATTACHMENTS
https://www.dss.gov.au/ending-violence
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: ‘Safe Cycling in the Inner West’ petition
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Dylan Griffiths
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MOTION
1. That Council note the Inner West Bicycle Coalition’s ‘Safe Cycling in the Inner West’ petition, which calls on council to build a safe, separated, and connected bike network, specifically: a) Start designs on 5 priority routes & trial 5 popup cycleways this year b) Accelerate construction on planned projects, such as Lilyfield, Addison & Marrickville Roads. c) Commit to quality designs, learning from mistakes on Livingstone & Carrington Roads.
2. That Council will prepare a report in response to the petition, to be considered at the June meeting outlining: a) Statuses of any designs on the priority routes that are currently being developed, and the feasibility of starting new designs in the 24-25 FY. b) Opportunities for pop-up cycleways; including during the upcoming closure of railway stations. c) The status of Addison Rd, Lilyfield Road and Marrickville Road proposed cycleways and any opportunities for acceleration.
3. That Council note positive community feedback on recent works to improve the Carrington Rd cycleway.
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Background
Petition text:
The Inner West Council has adopted a Cycling Strategy & Action
Plan; however, progress is painfully
slow. Around 60% of car trips in the Inner West are under 5km, a short distance
to ride; but the cycling environment needs to improve, so that school kids,
commuters, and cargo-bikes with toddlers, pets, or groceries get to their
destinations safely.
While Mayor Darcy Byrne fights for improvements to the Rozelle Interchange, a missed opportunity is active transport! Choosing to ride can help reduce traffic problems throughout the Inner West. Especially while the T3 train line is closed for upgrades.
The City of Sydney has proven that high quality cycleways can rapidly be built, and that safe infrastructure increases ridership dramatically, reduces congestion, supports population health, and increases independence for students and mobility scooter users.
To build a safe, separated, and connected bike network, we want Inner West Council to:
· Start designs on 5 priority routes & trial 5 popup cycleways this year.
· Accelerate construction on planned projects, such as Lilyfield, Addison & Marrickville Roads.
· Commit to quality designs, learning from mistakes on Livingstone & Carrington Roads.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Housing
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Liz Atkins
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MOTION
1. That Council notes that the NSW Government has announced that instead of the Department of Planning rezoning areas around Ashfield, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and Croydon stations, the Council will be allowed to continue progressing its own local planning to deliver more homes in these precincts.
2. That Council immediately develop and deliver a community engagement process that informs Inner West residents about Council’s plans to progress local planning, how this affects the application of the Government’s proposed Housing Reforms to the Inner West LGA and gives them the opportunity to provide input on Council's proposed rezoning around Ashfield, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill and Croydon train stations.
3. That Council explain to the community how the proposed planning changes will increase housing supply and meet housing targets for our LGA, including affordable and public housing.
4. That Council investigate setting up an information resource to assist residents who need support and advice regarding potential sale of their home to developers due to planning changes.
5. That Council write to the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to ask them to provide the dwelling target for the Inner West LGA and seek to understand how Council can work collaboratively with the NSW Government towards an appropriate application of the Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy in the Inner West LGA.
6. That Council write to The Hon Julie Collins MP, the Federal Minister for Minister for Housing, Homelessness, and Small Business to seek a commitment from the government to build quality public housing in the Inner West LGA and convey that Inner West Council would be a willing partner and collaborator.
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Background
There is much confusion among community members regarding the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development SEPP and the associated housing reforms announced recently. That confusion relates to a number of issues, including how the Inner West is affected by the reforms, whether housing to rent or buy will be cheaper, whether new housing will include social or public housing, where changes to zoning will apply, the height of buildings allowable under the new SEPPs, what kind of buildings will be allowed and whether new residential buildings will be built to the best environmental and design standards, what infrastructure will be needed to support increased population density and how that infrastructure will be paid for, and ultimately how the new rules will affect the look at feel on the affected areas and whether or not the community will be consulted about the proposed changes.
It is well understood that an informed community makes better decisions, and feels less reactive or defensive about change. With significant community concern and declining trust in government generally, including local government (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/councils-are-our-favourite-government-but-hardly-anyone-wants-more-of-them-20240425-p5fmhu.html) supplying quality independent analysis of the NSW Government’s SEPPs would promote an informed discussion and potentially see both refinement of potential planning outcomes and a focus on the collective outcomes of planning changes. Education also removes doubt from community members, and helps focus the community toward mutually agreed outcomes.
Inner West Council and its predecessors have a long history of quality staff-run public outreach programs which educate and inform community members. Such outreach can lead to refinement and improvement in decisions of Council. Community information stalls and workshops would help identify issues of concern to the community and allow Council to develop a more nuanced response to the NSW Government’s planning requirements.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: MOOD Tea
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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MOTION
That Council receive a report to the June Ordinary meeting about procuring MOOD Tea product to support local charities. |
Background
See attachment.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
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1.⇩ |
Letter from Mood Tea to Inner West Council |
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Pritchard Street Annandale impacts from Rozelle Interchange
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
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MOTION
1. That Council write to the NSW Government seeking mitigations to reduce noise impacts for residents in Pritchard Street Annandale, including increasing the height of the noise wall and providing noise insulation for affected homes.
2. That Council consult residents in Pritchard Street about tree planting that Council can undertake to help reduce noise impacts from the Rozelle Interchange.
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Background
Residents in Pritchard Street Annandale have been experiencing ongoing noise impacts following the opening of the Rozelle Interchange.
The noise wall adjacent to the roadway is not high enough to protect residents in Pritchard Street and they have not been provided with support to insulate their homes.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Richard Murden Reserve
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Councillor Philippa Scott
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MOTION
1. That Council investigate the history of the industrial equipment in the garden bed in Richard Murden Reserve adjacent to the Hawthorne Light Rail footbridge and add an information plaque to the garden.
2. That Council work with the netball clubs that use the Richard Murden Reserve netball courts to investigate re-opening the canteen / storage block at the southern side of the courts while work on the ten-year Plan of Management underway.
3. That as part of the Plan of Management, investigate naming the courts after a prominent local netball player, coach, administrator or club volunteer.
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Background
Council is in the process of developing a ten year Plan of Management (POM) for Richard Murden Reserve, and also developing an inclusive playground as part of the flagship inclusive playgrounds program with Touched by Olivia.
Richard Murden Reserve is a well-used and well-loved park running the length of Hawthorne Canal from Marion St to Iron Cove with playgrounds, netball, tennis and multipurpose courts, walking and cycling paths, public barbecues and picnic tables, an off-leash dog park and dog-friendly cafe, gardens and excellent access to public transport with a light rail stop located at the reserve’s entrance.
There is one large and mysterious piece of industrial equipment located in a garden at the western end of the Hawthorne Light Rail footbridge, that has been presumably placed there as a tribute to the inner west’s industrial past. The community appreciates this inclusion in the park but would like an explanatory plaque located in the garden as well, describing what the equipment is and why it symbolises our proud heritage.
Richard Murden Reserve also has been a home for netball in the inner west for decades, and the resurfacing of the courts and upgraded amenities will be part of the ten year POM. In the interim, clubs have been asking for a small former canteen and storage block to be re-opened for their use at training. Council staff have indicated they are willing to do this, however there may be some remediation required. Staff should work with the clubs to take this up before the POM is finalised and funded.
As part of the POM, as a tribute to the many generations of netballers who have trained and competed on the courts at Richard Murden Reserve, and the clubs and their members who have supported womens’ sport for decades, the courts should be named for a prominent local player, coach, volunteer or administrator, of which are many deserving honorees.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Notice of Motion: Extended Lighting of Sports Grounds
Council at its meeting on 21 May 2024 resolved that the matter be deferred to the next Council meeting.
From: Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith
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MOTION
1. That Council note that sports grounds in the Inner West are widely used by the community for organised and casual leisure and exercise year round, however not all sports grounds provide lighting after dusk.
2. That Council note that adequate lighting of parks and sports grounds is important to facilitate community safety, wellbeing and equal access for residents and visitors, and a lack of lighting can curtail use particularly during winter months.
3. That Council commit to extended hours for lighting at all council-managed sports grounds during winter months, allowing lights to remain on until at least 9:00pm between July 1 and October 1 annually.
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Background
Sports grounds are widely used for a range of both organised and casual leisure and exercise activities year round. This use is essential to facilitating community health and wellbeing and should be encouraged and supported by council.
Currently, not all sports grounds in the Inner West Local Government Area (LGA) provide lighting after dusk. This can particularly curtail use during winter months when the sun sets shortly after 5:00pm.
Adequate lighting of parks and sports grounds is important to facilitate community safety, wellbeing and equal access to these public spaces.
Last year, Council undertook a successful trial of extended lighting hours at Henson Park. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and has resulted in permanent extended lighting hours during winter months until 9:00pm. This should be standardised at similar grounds across the Inner West.
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
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Extraordinary Council Meeting 4 June 2024 |
Subject: Question on Notice: Subminimum wages
From: Councillor Marghanita Da Cruz
Comment by the General Manager:
Answers to questions will be provided at the Ordinary Council meeting in June 2024.
“It's legal for disabled people to be paid as little as $2.90/hr, even though the minimum wage is $23.23/hr.
The Guardian had an article about the issue in January 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/28/larry-was-paid-420-an-hour-in-australia-its-not-enough-to-live-on-but-its-completely-legal.
200 national and state organisations, over MPs & Councillors and over 2000 individuals have signed an Abolish Subminimum Wage - Open Letter. Available at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dj4N8NtD9RKJj7eypPgKkIPggKI2aONCrwBOEzjrEIg/edit?pli=1
Question
Do we have any positions, which are offered in the 'supported wage system'?
Question
Do we employ any staff under 'the supported wage system'?
Question
There are at least two Australian Disability Enterprises(ADE) operating in LGA. Are we providing any subsidies (eg rent or peppercorn leases, complementary or discounted room hires in Council venues, rate exemption or discounted rates, and favourable consideration in tender and procurement processes) to any ADEs?
