Council Meeting
TUESDAY 19 MAY 2026
7:30 PM
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
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. 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.
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.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
|
AGENDA |
1 Acknowledgement of Country
2 Apologies and Request for Remote Attendance
3 Statement of Ethical Obligations
4 Disclosures of Interest (Part 4 (Pecuniary Interests) and Part 5 (non-pecuniary conflicts of interest) of Council’s Code of Conduct)
5 Moment of Quiet Contemplation
6 Confirmation of Minutes Page Page
Minutes of 21 April 2026 Council 6
Minutes of 28 April 2026 Extraordinary Council 33
7 Condolence Motions
Nil at the time of printing.
8 Mayoral Minutes
Nil at the time of printing.
9 Reports for Council Decision
ITEM Page
C0526(1) Item 1 Quarter 3 Report on Operational Plan and Budget 2025/26 41
C0526(1) Item 2 Design Excellence LEP Amendment 175
C0526(1) Item 3 Inner West Return and Earn for public places, offices, venues and targeted Council events 209
C0526(1) Item 4 Live Music and Major Events at Henson Park 218
C0526(1) Item 5 Post Exhibition - Centenary Park Sporting Ground Upgrade 223
C0526(1) Item 6 Public Exhibition - Camperdown Memorial Rest Park - Draft Plan of Management and Draft Master Plan 231
C0526(1) Item 7 Public Exhibition - Draft Watercraft Management Policy 333
C0526(1) Item 8 New public plaza adjacent to Balmain Town Hall 346
C0526(1) Item 9 Dive In Events at Dawn Fraser Baths 359
C0526(1) Item 10 Robyn Webster Upgrade 363
C0526(1) Item 11 Public Kerbside EV Chargers Utilisation 370
C0526(1) Item 12 GreenWay Activation 400
C0526(1) Item 13 Post Exhibition - Weed Management Policy 407
C0526(1) Item 14 Local Transport Forum Meeting - 20 April 2026 419
C0526(1) Item 15 Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting - 4 March 2026 435
C0526(1) Item 16 Post Exhibition - Sponsorship Policy 441
C0526(1) Item 17 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - 19 March 2026 Minutes 462
10 Reports with Confidential Information
Reports appearing in this section of the Business Paper are confidential in their entirety or contain confidential information in attachments.
The confidential information has been circulated separately.
ITEM
C0526(1) Item 18 Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrade – Monthly Update
This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993, as if it were disclosed, it would confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business with.
11 Reports for Noting
ITEM Page
C0526(1) Item 19 Supporting Visual Artists and Writers to Find Affordable Spaces to Work in the Inner West 473
C0526(1) Item 20 Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment - Project Status Update 478
C0526(1) Item 21 Investment Report at 31 March 2026 484
C0526(1) Item 22 Local Democracy Group Bi-Yearly Report 541
C0526(1) Item 23 Tourism Action Plan Bi-monthly Update 557
C0526(1) Item 24 Microforests in Ashfield Ward 563
C0526(1) Item 25 Mandatory Reporting to Council of Reports Received from Fire & Rescue NSW for 2 Properties 567
12 Notices of Motion
ITEM Page
C0526(1) Item 26 Notice of Motion: 2SER 576
C0526(1) Item 27 Notice of Motion: Protecting swimming during the LPAC renovation 578
C0526(1) Item 28 Notice of Motion: Beautifying Macquarie Terrace Reserve, Balmain 580
C0526(1) Item 29 Notice of Motion: Support for Haberfield’s 125th Anniversary Festival 582
C0526(1) Item 30 Notice of Motion: Improving the intersection of Marion Street, Darley Road and Foster Street, Leichhardt 585
C0526(1) Item 31 Notice of Motion: Cooks River Water Quality Testing 587
C0526(1) Item 32 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Crossing - Victoria Road, Marrickville 589
C0526(1) Item 33 Notice of Motion: Safety on Carrington Road Cycleway 591
C0526(1) Item 34 Notice of Motion: Bicycle Valet Parking 593
C0526(1) Item 35 Notice of Motion: Tillman Park Mural 595
C0526(1) Item 36 Notice of Motion: 100th Anniversary of Marrickville Croquet Club 597
C0526(1) Item 37 Notice of Motion: Creating a Dulwich Hill Village Masterplan 599
C0526(1) Item 38 Notice of Motion: Lighting at Gadigal Greenway entry 602
C0526(1) Item 39 Notice of Motion: Vietnamese Refugee Memorial 603
13 Questions From Councillors
ITEM Page
C0526(1) Item 40 Question on Notice: Vietnamese Refugee Memorial Timeline & Next Steps 638
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 21 April 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre
Meeting commenced at 7:31pm
|
Present: |
|
|
Chloe Smith Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Olivia Barlow Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Philippa Scott Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer |
Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:33pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Director Planning |
|
Ruth Callaghan |
Director Community |
|
Sharon Bowman Peter Shields Manod Wickramasinghe Matthew Pearce |
Director Corporate Acting Director Property and Major Projects Acting Director Engineering General Counsel |
|
George Georgakis Erin White Aleksandar Spasenovski Sajjad Ali Katherine Paixao Tia Camelin |
Administration Manager Resource Recovery and Fleet Manager Major Projects Manager Acting Chief Financial Officer Business Paper Coordinator Business Paper Officer |
APOLOGIES AND REQUEST FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION:
Motion: (Macri/Scott)
That leave of absence for the Mayor, Councillor Byrne and Councillor Raciti be granted.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Fergusson
Councillor Fergusson entered the Meeting at 7:33 pm.
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST:
Councillor Blake declared a significant, pecuniary interest in Item 32 – Notice of Motion: Local Tradies Live & Work Parking Permits as this plan would enable him to receive financial benefit and to avoid a conflict of interest he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Tastan declared a significant, pecuniary interest in Item 32 – Notice of Motion: Local Tradies Live & Work Parking Permits as this plan would enable him to receive financial benefit and to avoid a conflict of interest he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Barlow declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 7 – Local Transport Forum Meeting – 16 March 2026 as she works in the Office of Kobi Shetty MP, who in her capacity as the Member for Balmain, has a representative on the Transport Forum. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the vote is exercised through a representative.
Councillor Howard declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 26 – Expansion of Senior’s Morning Teas as he works for one of the organisations that is partnering with Inner West Council to deliver the project. He will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
|
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 17 March 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.
Motion Carried For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan Against Motion: Nil |
Councillor Macri left the Meeting at 7:37 pm.
Procedural Motion (Howard/Atkins)
That Council Suspend Standing Orders to bring forward the following items to be dealt with at this time:
1. Item 5 Christmas in the Inner West
2. Item 7 Local Transport Forum Meeting - 16 March 2026
3. Item 8 Post Exhibition - Land Classification - 3-7 Regent Street, Petersham
4. Item 9 Post Exhibition - Lackey Street, Summer Hill improvements
5. Item 11 Australia Street Parklets
6. Item 13 Stanmore Library - New Community and Public Space
7. Item 14 Post Exhibition - Complaints Handling Policy
8. Item 15 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - 26 November 2025 Minutes
9. Item 16 Legal Status Update
10. Item 20 Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment - Project Status Update
11. Item 24 Street Cleansing Service Update
12. Item 25 Junior Parkrun in the Inner West
13. Item 27 Investment Report at 28 February 2026
14. Item 30 Notice of Motion: Greening Jesmond Avenue
15. Item 34 Notice of Motion: Victoria Road Underbridge Safety
16. Item 35 Notice of Motion: Charlotte Street Pedestrian Safety
17. Item 36 Notice of Motion: Heating the Annandale Community Centre
18. Item 37 Notice
of Motion: Pedestrian Crossings at Norton Street and
William Street intersection, Leichhardt
19. Item 38 Notice of Motion: Centenary Park cricket net upgrades
20. Item 39 Notice of Motion: South Dulwich Hill Traffic Review
21. Item 41 Notice of Motion: Transitioning to Independence from Vehicle Ownership
22. Item 42 Notice of Motion: Expanding FOGO to Multi-Unit Dwellings
23. Item 43 Notice of Motion: Metro Activations in Marrickville and Dulwich Hill
24. Item 45 Notice of Motion: Supporting LGBTQ+ Businesses in the Inner West
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Macri
Procedural Motion (Howard/Atkins)
That the following items be moved in globo and the recommendations contained within the reports be adopted:
1. Item 5 Christmas in the Inner West
2. Item 7 Local Transport Forum Meeting - 16 March 2026
3. Item 8 Post Exhibition - Land Classification - 3-7 Regent Street, Petersham
4. Item 9 Post Exhibition - Lackey Street, Summer Hill improvements
5. Item 11 Australia Street Parklets
6. Item 13 Stanmore Library - New Community and Public Space
7. Item 14 Post Exhibition - Complaints Handling Policy
8. Item 15 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - 26 November 2025 Minutes
9. Item 16 Legal Status Update
10. Item 20 Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment - Project Status Update
11. Item 24 Street Cleansing Service Update
12. Item 25 Junior Parkrun in the Inner West
13. Item 27 Investment Report at 28 February 2026
14. Item 30 Notice of Motion: Greening Jesmond Avenue
15. Item 34 Notice of Motion: Victoria Road Underbridge Safety
16. Item 35 Notice of Motion: Charlotte Street Pedestrian Safety
17. Item 36 Notice of Motion: Heating the Annandale Community Centre
18. Item 37 Notice
of Motion: Pedestrian Crossings at Norton Street and
William Street intersection, Leichhardt
19. Item 38 Notice of Motion: Centenary Park cricket net upgrades
20. Item 39 Notice of Motion: South Dulwich Hill Traffic Review
21. Item 41 Notice of Motion: Transitioning to Independence from Vehicle Ownership
22. Item 42 Notice of Motion: Expanding FOGO to Multi-Unit Dwellings
23. Item 43 Notice of Motion: Metro Activations in Marrickville and Dulwich Hill
24. Item 45 Notice of Motion: Supporting LGBTQ+ Businesses in the Inner West
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Macri
|
C0426(1) Item 7 Local Transport Forum Meeting - 16 March 2026
|
|
That Council receive and adopt the recommendations of the Local Transport Forum meeting held on 16 March 2026.
Motion Carried For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Scott, Smith and Tastan Against Motion: Nil Absent: Cr Macri |
Councillor Macri returned to the Meeting at 7:38 pm.
Procedural Motion: (Antoniou/Carlisle)
That Council enter into Confidential Session.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Council entered into Confidential Session at 8:17 pm.
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:
C0426(1) Item 17 Fuel Continuity Plan (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.
C0426(1) Item 18 Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrade - Project Status Update (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business AND (Section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it AND (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.
C0426(1) Item 19 Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment - Construction Works Expression of Interest (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business AND (Section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it AND (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.
resolutions passed during closed session
Councillor D'Arienzo left the Meeting at 8:17 pm.
Councillor D'Arienzo returned to the Meeting at 8:19 pm.
Council moved back into Open Session at 8:39pm following the adoption of the Procedural Motion below:
Procedural Motion: (Scott/D’Arienzo)
That Council move back into the Open Session of the Council Meeting.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Councillor Tastan left the Meeting at 8:50 pm.
Councillor Tastan returned to the Meeting at 8:53 pm.
Procedural Motion (Antoniou/D’Arienzo)
That the meeting be adjourned for 15 minutes.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm
The meeting recommenced at 9:10 pm
|
C0426(1) Item 29 Notice of Motion: Parramatta Road Corridor – State led rezoning
|
|
Clr Atkins withdrew the Notice of Motion and as such it was not considered at the meeting. |
|
C0426(1) Item 31 Notice of Motion: New Inner West Council Limited Time Parking Schemes
|
|
That Council supports an overall recommendation that new limited time parking schemes to be introduced as a result of Metro Rail Development and the implementation of the TOD and Town Centre State Environment Planning Provisions, should contain many of the existing parking regulations already implemented in areas of the Inner West Council, particularly; a) That single residences be entitled to at least 1 parking permit for the relevant street or scheme; b) That new schemes be restricted to one side of the street only; c) Reaffirms its commitment under the Fairer Future Plan that any redevelopment of Council-owned land currently used for public car parking, including for the purposes of social housing, is to be premised on the full replacement of all existing public car parking spaces within the development; d) Extends this commitment to include: i. The development of affordable housing on Council-owned or controlled land that is currently used for public car parking and is proposed to be repurposed or redeveloped, and ii. Any redevelopment of Council-owned or controlled car parks located within local shopping strips, town centres, and commercial areas. e) Ensures that replacement parking is: i. Located on-site or, where this is demonstrably unfeasible, within a proximate location that maintains equivalent access; ii. Equivalent in number to the existing public parking spaces removed; and iii. Designed to maintain accessibility and functionality for residents, local businesses, and visitors. f) Requires that this principle be embedded in all relevant planning controls, project briefs, and negotiations relating to redevelopment of Council-owned car park sites.
Motion Lost For Motion: Cr Macri Against Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Scott, Smith and Tastan
The following Motion was then put forward.
Motion (Howard/D’Arienzo)
That Council note consultation is currently underway on the Draft Parking Strategy and revised Parking Policy, including consideration of the arrangements around resident parking schemes and permits, and considers amendments to these schemes as part of that process.
Motion Carried For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Scott, Smith and Tastan Against Motion: Cr Macri |
Councillor Blake left the Meeting at 9:29 pm as he had declared a pecuniary interest on Item 32 as the plan would enable him to receive financial benefit.
Councillor Tastan left the Meeting at 9:29 pm as he had declared a pecuniary interest on Item 32 as the plan would enable him to receive financial benefit.
Councillor Tastan returned to the Meeting at 9:31 pm.
Councillor Blake returned to the Meeting at 9:31 pm.
Councillor Macri retired from the Meeting at 9:31 pm.
Meeting closed at 9:56 pm.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 28 April 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre
Meeting commenced at 7.30pm
|
Present: |
|
|
Chloe Smith Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Olivia Barlow Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Vittoria Raciti Philippa Scott Ismet Tastan Peter Gainsford Simone Plummer |
Deputy Mayor Councillor (Attended remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Entered the meeting at 7:31 pm) Councillor General Manager Director Planning |
|
Ruth Callaghan |
Director Community |
|
Sharon Bowman Peter Shields Manod Wickramasinghe Matthew Pearce |
Director Corporate Acting Director Property and Major Projects Acting Director Engineering General Counsel |
|
George Georgakis Daniel East Esther Cheong Rory Toomey Jarrad Sheather Kendall Banfield Lynne Sheridan
Aleksandar Spasenovski Megan Jenkins Katherine Paixao Tia Camelin |
Administration Manager Senior Manager Strategic Planning Consultant - Director - Atlas Economics City Architect Senior Strategic Planner – Planning Policy Senior Strategic Transport Planner Consultant – Executive Director Planning and Special Projects - Berrys Bay Studio Major Projects Manager Senior Lawyer Business Paper Coordinator Business Paper Officer |
APOLOGIES AND REQUEST FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION:
Motion: (Macri/Atkins)
1. That leave of absence for the Mayor, Councillor Byrne be granted.
2. That Council accept Councillor Antoniou’s request to attend tonight’s Council meeting via audio-visual link due to personal reasons.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Raciti, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Scott
Councillor Scott entered the Meeting at 7:31 pm
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST:
Councillor Macri declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as his relatives own property in the Local Government Area. He will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such that it will not influence him carrying out his public duty.
Councillor Raciti declared a significant pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as she has investment property in the Local Government Area. She will leave the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Barlow declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her family member owns property in the Local Government Area. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such that it will not influence her carrying out her public duty.
Councillor Atkins declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as they own property in Stanmore which is their Principal Place of Residence. They will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such, it will not influence them in carrying out their public duty.
Councillor D'Arienzo declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her Principal Place of Residence is located in the Local Government Area and her sister and her wife hold interests in a residential property in the Local Government Area. As these interests do not reasonably influence any decision she makes on voting on the Development Control Plan, she will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Carlisle declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her Principal Place of Residence is located in the Local Government Area and she has an indirect business interest through her partner in the Local Government Area. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such that it will not influence her carrying out her public duty.
Councillor Scott declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her Principal Place of Residence is located in the Local Government Area. As this is a non-significant non-pecuniary interest, she will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Clay declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her primary residence is in the Stanmore-Damun Ward. She will remain in the meeting for discussion and voting as the conflict is such that it will not influence her in carrying out her public duty.
Councillor Howard declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as he holds interest in a residential property in the Local Government Area that is his Principal Place of Residence and his brother and his husband hold interest in a residential property in the Local Government Area which he rents. These interests do not reasonably influence any discussion he makes in relation to voting on the Development Control Plan. He will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
Councillor Fergusson declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as her Principal Place of Residence is within the Local Government Area. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such that it will not influence her carrying out her public duty.
Councillor Antoniou declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as familial associates of hers are connected to Century Venues, which operates multiple sites in the Local Government Area and therefore hold business interests. As this is an indirect interest and will not influence her carrying out her public duty, she will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter.
The Deputy Mayor Councillor Smith declared a non-significant non-pecuniary interest in Item 2 - Public Exhibition - Draft Inner West Development Control Plan as she holds interest in a residential property being her Principal Place of Residence within the Local Government Area and her mother and sister also hold interests which are their Principal Place of Residence located in the Local Government Area. She will remain in the meeting during discussion and voting on the matter as the conflict is such that it will not influence her in carrying out her public duty.
Councillor Raciti retired from the Meeting at 8:39 pm as she declared a significant pecuniary interest in Item 2 as she has an investment property in the Local Government Area.
Procedural Motion: (Howard/Blake)
That Council enter into Confidential Session.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Raciti
Council entered into Confidential Session at 9:10 pm
Councillor Clay left the Meeting at 9:11 pm
Confidential Session
That in accordance with Section 10A(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, the following matter be considered in Closed Session of Council for the reasons provided:
C0426(2) Item 3 Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre – Project Update (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business AND (Section 10A(2)(d)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it AND (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.
Councillor Clay returned to the Meeting at 9:14 pm.
resolutions passed during closed session
Council moved back into Open Session at 9:19 pm following the adoption of the Procedural Motion below:
Procedural Motion: (D’Arienzo/Blake)
That Council move back into the Open Session of the Council Meeting.
Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Antoniou, Atkins, Barlow, Blake, Carlisle, Clay, D'Arienzo, Fergusson, Howard, Macri, Scott, Smith and Tastan
Against Motion: Nil
Absent: Cr Raciti
Meeting closed at 9:20 pm.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Quarter 3 Report on Operational Plan and Budget 2025/26
Author: Sharon Bowman - Director Corporate
|
1. That Council endorse the Quarterly Progress Report for Quarter 3 on the Operational Plan 2025/26, noting that: a) 95% of the actions were completed or on track, and 81% of measures were on target or within tolerance; and b) Highlights for the quarter included the official opening of the Henson Park redevelopment; Council’s debut participation in Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; various festivals, events and cultural celebrations including Bairro Português and Summer Hill social; FOGO expansion into schools and early learning centres; and launch of a new Inner West Council website. 2. That Council adopt the Quarterly Budget Review Statement including the recommended changes detailed therein for Quarter 3 2025/26, as follows: a) Increasing Council’s net operating surplus excluding capital grants from $0.16m to $0.52m; b) Decreasing the Capital Works Program from $119.6 million to $100.1m, primarily to realign budget to future years in line with expected project timelines; and c) Increasing projected capital contributions by $12.2m. |
Executive Summary
· This report updates Council on quarterly progress against the Operational Plan 2025/26 as at 31 March 2026 and presents the Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) for Quarter 3.
· 95% of Operational Plan actions were completed or on track.
· 81% of measures were on target or within 10% tolerance of the target.
· The Quarterly Budget Review Statement recommends changes that would result in the following projected year end results:
o Net operating surplus before capital grants and contributions increasing from $0.16m to $0.5m,
o Total capital expenditure decreasing
from $119.6m to $100.1m.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on Council’s performance in the third quarter of 2025/26 and progress against its adopted Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Key Performance Measures, as well as Budget.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
|
|
Background
The Inner West Delivery Program 2025-29 (year 1) and Operational Plan and Budget 2025/26 details the actions that will be undertaken in the year ended 30 June 2026 to achieve the commitments made in the Delivery Program 2025-29 in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 (s404 and 405). Council receives quarterly progress reports to monitor performance and progress in achieving Council’s commitments to the community as outlined in the plan.
The Quarterly Budget Review Statement is a regular progress report prepared and tabled to Council in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (s404(5)) and Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (s202). Each quarter (except June), the Responsible Accounting Officer must prepare and submit a Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS) to Council that updates Council’s financial outlook and clearly states whether Council is financially on track. The QBRS shows the revised estimates of income and expenditure for the financial year, compared to the original budget in the Operational Plan.
Discussion
Operational Plan 2025/26 progress
The quarterly progress report at Attachment 1 outlines progress against the 172 actions in the Operational Plan 2025/26, and tracks measures (KPIs) achieved against annual targets. Council is tracking well against the Operational Plan 2025/26 in this third quarter.
Highlights for the quarter include:
· Officially opened the $20 million redevelopment of Henson Park, with the Prime Minister, Mayor and local representatives in attendance. Building on the upgraded grandstand delivered last year, this project delivered a new multipurpose building behind the historic grandstand, complete with a gym, community function space and modern player facilities.
· Council made its debut marching in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, featuring a float designed in-house to celebrate equality and diversity. This milestone was further marked by a live broadcast of Mardi Gras at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park and the introduction of the Inner West Pride Walk in February.
· More than 25,000 people attended Bairro Português on 14 March, enjoying a showcase of Portuguese food, culture, music and arts in Petersham.
· Two weeks of cultural celebrations across Ashfield and Marrickville, celebrating the Year of the Horse with Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Korean communities.
· On 8 March, Summer Hill Social returned with roving performances, DJs, dancing, market stalls and food from around the world.
· Sustainability efforts also gathered momentum, with the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) program continuing its expansion into schools and early learning centres, including community-run early learning centres.
· On 24 March, Council introduced an updated Inner West Council website. This new site was developed with the help of over 700 community members and a review of more than 9,000 pages, resulting in a digital experience that is now more accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Actions – as at 31 March 2026
· 95% (164) are ‘Completed’ or ‘On Track’
· 5% (8) are ‘Behind Schedule’, ‘On Hold’ or ‘Rescheduled’
Measures – as at 31 March 2026:
· 81% (44) are ‘On Target’ or ‘Within Tolerance’ (defined as +/- 10% of target)
· 19% (10) are ‘Below Target’
All actions off track or measures below target are monitored by the relevant manager and Director. These include:
· The percentage of private tree permit applications assessed was lower than targeted due to ongoing staff and contractor shortages.
· The number of booked clean ups are lower than expected due to seasonal variations over the summer holidays.
· While system improvements have enabled improvements in the lodgement of development applications that is currently averaging 3 days, the year-to-date average is slightly lower than target.
· The percentage of neighbour notifications posted within 7 days was impacted by downtime in the mapping software and investigations are underway into alternative solutions.
· Verge maintenance was impacted by wet weather events and machinery breakdowns; the service methodology is being reviewed and machinery replacement accelerated to address these issues.
· Local area traffic management (LATM) expenditure is tracking below forecast due to delays in Ausgrid approvals for lighting on new pedestrian crossings.
Quarterly Budget Review Statement
This report provides an update of Council’s financial position as at 31 March 2026. During the quarter, a detailed review of both operating and capital budgets was undertaken, revising the budget projections for the current financial year. Attachment 2 presents the detailed March 2026 QBRS.
Council has updated its projected operational budget result (excluding capital grants and contributions) to a surplus of $0.52 million, an increase of $0.36m from the December budget surplus of $0.16 million.
The operating result from continuing operations also includes capital revenue. This surplus is now forecast at $53.2 million, an increase of $12.6 million from the December budget. The capital revenue increase is primarily related to a developer contribution from The Timberyards for redevelopment of the site for a rental housing precinct in Marrickville.
Summary of Budget Movements
Operational Budget
The graph in Figure 1 summarises the key operating budget movements proposed in this QBRS, with a brief explanation provided below.
Figure 1 Q3 changes in the full year operating budget result before capital grants and contributions
The $0.36m increase is the net result of a number of variances, which include:
· Adjustments to the revenue budget
o User Charges & Fees increase of $1.9m, mainly because of increased construction zone fees and road restoration income.
o Operating Grants and Contributions increase of $1.7m, primarily due to the ECEC Worker retention grant which has been passed on to workers and is reflected in additional Employee costs.
o Net Gain from Sale of Assets increase of $3.5m due to sale of former roadway (Bignell Lane, Annandale).
· Adjustments to the expenditure budget
o Depreciation expenses increase of $2.5m, to reflect the actual depreciation anticipated this financial year, due to additional assets and current replacement costs.
o Employee Costs net increase of $0.8m, comprising ECEC Worker retention payments being passed on to staff, which offsets savings from vacancies across various service units.
o Material & Services increase of $3.2m including:
§ Increased use of agency temporary staff to ensure appropriate resourcing and back-fill vacancies and staff on extended leave.
§ Consultancy costs related to Fairer Future Phase 2.
Capital Budget
The graph in Figure 2 reflects the proposed changes in the capital works program budget. The decrease in Capital Expenditure by $19.5m is primarily due to the realignment of the elements of the capital projects named in Figure 2 to the next financial year.
Figure 2 Changes in the full-year capital budget
Cash flow forecasts for major projects are being monitored to keep spending within budget. Year-to-date capital expenditure as of March 2026 totals about $51.3m. The capital budget will be regularly reviewed with capital works managers through year-end.
Responsible Accounting Officer Budget Review Statement
The following statement is made in accordance with Section 203(2) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 which requires a report by Council’s responsible accounting officer regarding the Council’s financial position at the end of each quarter.
“It is my opinion that the Budget Review Statement for Inner West Council for the period ending 31 March 2026 indicates that Council’s projected financial position at 30 June will be satisfactory, having regard to the projected estimates of income and expenditure and the original budgeted income and expenditure.”
Sajjad Ali, Acting Chief Financial Officer (Responsible Accounting Officer)
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications arising from the report that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act.
Financial Implications
Financial implications for the quarter are listed above and detailed in the attached Quarterly Budget Review Statement
Conclusion
The report indicates that during the third quarter of 2025/26, Council has made strong progress regarding its Operational Plan actions, key performance indicators, and budget targets.
|
1.⇩ |
Operational Plan Quarterly Progress Report Q3 2025-26 |
|
2.⇩ |
March 2026 QBRS |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Design Excellence LEP Amendment
Author: Simone Plummer - Director Planning
|
That:
1. Council endorse the Planning Proposal (Attachment 1) – Clause 6.9 Design Excellence to amend the Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022.
2. Council forward the Planning Proposal to the Minister for Planning for a Gateway Determination in accordance with section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
3. Council request the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to authorise Council to be the Local Plan Making Authority (LPMA), and if Council is authorised as the LPMA, Council delegate the plan making functions to the General Manager, or nominee to exercise the function in accordance with the LEP Making Guideline.
4. Following receipt of an affirmative Gateway Determination and compliance with its conditions, Council agree to place the updated Planning Proposal and supporting documentation on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days and consult with public authorities.
5. Delegation be given to the General Manager, or nominee to address the conditions of the Gateway Determination.
6. Delegation be given to the General Manager, or nominee to amend minor errors and/or procedural matters.
7. Following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the Planning Proposal be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption. |
Executive Summary
This report seeks Council endorsement to:
· Forward a planning proposal to amend Clause 6.9 Design Excellence of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan (IWLEP) 2022 for Gateway determination.
· Strengthen the clause so that independent, expert design review is consistently applied where design excellence must be demonstrated.
Purpose
To propose a change in the Inner West Local Environmental Plan to strengthen the design excellence framework.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport |
|
|
Background
Clause 6.9 of the Inner West Local Environmental Plan (IWLEP2022) is an existing clause that requires design excellence in multi dwelling development proposals. With significant housing delivery anticipated across the Inner West, strengthening Clause 6.9 helps ensure that new development contributes positively to neighbourhood character, amenity and the public domain, and that design expectations are applied consistently across all relevant proposals.
While Council routinely seeks advice from its Architectural Excellence and Design Review Panel (AEDRP), Clause 6.9 does not currently require a referral. This creates inconsistency and reduces transparency about when independent design scrutiny will occur. It also means that for State Significant Development—where Council is not the consent authority—there is no LEP-based requirement to obtain independent urban design advice.
The Inner West Local Planning Panel considered the proposal on 17 March 2026 and supported it progressing.
Discussion
Clause 6.9 Design Excellence of the IWLEP 2022 requires the consent authority to have regard to design excellence for development that will result in a new building that is 14m or more in height. The clause also specifies the matters that must be considered.
Below is a copy of the current LEP clause:
6.9 Design excellence
1) The objective of this clause is to ensure that development to which this clause applies exhibits the highest standard of architectural and urban design as part of the built environment.
2) This clause applies to development involving the construction of a new building, or external alterations to an existing building, that will result in a building that is equal to, or greater than, 14m in height.
3) Development consent must not be granted for development to which this clause applies unless the consent authority considers that the development exhibits design excellence.
4) In considering whether the development exhibits design excellence, the consent authority must have regard to the following matters—
a) whether a high standard of architectural design, materials and detailing appropriate to the building type and location will be achieved,
b) whether the form and external appearance of the development will improve the quality and amenity of the public domain,
c) whether the development detrimentally impacts on view corridors and landmarks,
d) whether the development detrimentally impacts on land protected by solar access controls established in the relevant development control plan,
e) the requirements of the relevant development control plan,
f) how the development addresses the following matters—
i. the suitability of the land for development,
ii. existing and proposed uses and use mix,
iii. heritage issues and streetscape constraints,
iv. the relationship of the development with other existing or proposed development on the same site or on neighbouring sites in terms of separation, setbacks, amenity and urban form,
v. bulk, massing and modulation of buildings,
vi. street frontage heights,
vii. environmental impacts, including sustainable design, overshadowing, wind and reflectivity and visual and acoustic privacy,
viii. the achievement of the principles of ecologically sustainable development,
ix. pedestrian, cycle, vehicular and service access, circulation and requirements, including the permeability of any pedestrian network,
x. the impact on, and proposed improvements to, the public domain, including landscape design,
xi. the relationship of the development with the street and building frontage.
5) In this clause—
relevant development control plan means one of the following development control plans, as in force on the commencement of this clause, that applies to the land—
a) Inner West Comprehensive Development Control Plan 2016,
b) Leichhardt Development Control Plan 2013,
c) Marrickville Development Control Plan 2011.
Council currently gives effect to Clause 6.9 by referring relevant applications to its Architectural Excellence and Design Review Panel (AEDRP) for independent advice on urban design, architectural quality and design excellence.
However, referral for independent design review is not currently mandated by the LEP. This can lead to inconsistent practice and reduces transparency regarding when expert advice will be sought and considered. There is also a key gap for State Significant Development applications, where Council is not the consent authority—meaning an LEP-based requirement to obtain independent design review advice does not apply in the same way.
The planning proposal addresses these issues by formalising independent design review as part of the assessment process wherever Clause 6.9 is triggered, including for matters where Council is not the consent authority.
Specifically, the proposed amendment to the IWLEP 2022 will:
· require applicable development applications to be referred to a design review panel for independent expert review and advice where design excellence must be demonstrated;
· require the relevant consent authority to formally consider that advice when assessing proposals;
· strengthen the requirement to consider landscape quality (as recommended by the Inner West Local Planning Panel); and
· insert a definition of “design review panel” as “a panel of at least 3 persons established by the consent authority or Council”.
The Planning Proposal - Amendment to Inner West LEP Clause 6.9 Design Excellence is provided at Attachment 1.
The City Architect in his previous role was principal responsible for Design Excellence within the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure and has comprehensive knowledge of design excellence best practice throughout NSW. He has reviewed the existing clause and accompanying referral processes and made recommendations that have been included in the new draft clause, with a view to supporting good design without negatively impacting on timeliness and efficiency with the assessment process.
The proposed amendment to the Design Excellence clause follows a similar pathway to other Councils, such as Willoughby and Bayside Councils (Attachment 4), that have also mandated in their LEP the requirement of design review panels in the assessment of development applications.
From an assessment timeframe and resourcing perspective, Council already refers relevant applications to the AEDRP, so the amendment is not expected to impact Council assessment timeframes. Where Council is not the consent authority, the Department of Planning’s State Design Review Panel is established to support the assessment of State Significant Development applications; the key change is that the amended clause will make design review mandatory.
Inner West Local Planning Panel Advice
In accordance with Division 2.5 (2.19) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A) 1979, the Planning Proposal was referred to the IWLPP on 17 March 2026. The IWLPP Meeting Report and Minutes are provided in Attachment 2 and 3. The IWLPP resolved that the Planning Proposal should be supported and provided the following advice:
a) The proposed amendment to improve the design excellence provisions in Inner West Local Environmental Plan 2022 has strategic and local merit.
b) It supports forwarding the Planning Proposal – Amendment to Inner West LEP 2022 Clause 6.9 Design Excellence to the Minister for Planning in accordance with Section 3.34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for Gateway determination.
c) In clause 6.9, greater significance be given to matters of landscape quality as it is an integral part of design excellence, by including “landscape design” in clauses 6.9(1) and 6.9(4).
d) Clause 6.9(2) be amended by deleting the words “that will result in a building” to simplify that clause.
IWLPP’s advice has been taken into consideration and relevant updates have been made to the Planning Proposal in Attachment 1 in response to the Panel’s advice.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
Conclusion
The Planning Proposal to amend Clause 6.9 (Design Excellence) of the IWLEP 2022 has been prepared in accordance with the EP&A Act and relevant guidelines. The Planning Proposal is consistent with regional, district and local plans and policies.
The Planning Proposal will strengthen Clause 6.9 (Design Excellence) by formalising independent expert design review as a consistent requirement where design excellence must be demonstrated. The amendment will improve certainty and transparency in decision-making and addresses the current gap for State Significant Development where Council is not the consent authority.
It will also gives effect to established Council practice (including referral to the AEDRP), strengthens consideration of landscape quality, and defines “design review panel” to provide clarity. The Inner West Local Planning Panel has supported the proposal progressing, and Council endorsement is therefore sought to forward the planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for Gateway determination.
|
1.⇩ |
Planning Proposal - Design Excellence |
|
2.⇩ |
Inner West Local Planning Panel Report |
|
3.⇩ |
Inner West Local Planning Panel Advice |
|
4.⇩ |
Design Excellence Clause Examples for other councils |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Inner West Return and Earn for Public Places, Offices, Venues and Targeted Council Events
Author: Simone Plummer - Director Planning
|
That Council endorse: 1. The proposed trial Return and Earn initiative to be run throughout 2026/27. The trial is the distribution of funds raised by Return and Earn at Council run events to local not-for-profit community based organisations, with an update to be provided to Council with recommendations after the trial is completed. This trial includes; a) The installation of Return and Earn bins at Council venues, offices and selected events. b) The establishment of an Expression of Interest to identify not-for-profit community based recipients for a share of the income generated through Return and Earn eligible containers collected from Council venues and events. 2. The roll out of the first 100 peer to peer donation baskets with a comms plan and online map to show public place Return and Earn donation basket locations and redemption points across the Inner West. |
Executive Summary
This report proposes a Council-wide Return and Earn (R&E) initiative across public places, Council offices/venues and targeted Council events, making container donation and redemption easier and safer, and support residents and community participation by:
· Continuing to investigate additional R&E locations in those areas with limited access in the north (Balmain and Birchgrove) and south/southwest (Tempe and Dulwich Hill).
· Installing R&E donation baskets/bins across the LGA
· Creating a revenue stream from eligible containers to be distributed to Inner West not-for-profit organisations via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to summarise actions so far regarding implementation of R&E in the Inner West and outline systems and processes already in place and those in development to expand the R&E service as both a waste reduction measure and its creation as an income stream for community and not-for-profit organisations.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities 5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
Background
At the Council meeting held on 28 October 2025, Council resolved the following C1026(1) Item 33 in part:
3. That Council conduct an audit of all existing TOMRA Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and other Return & Earn collection points within the Inner West LGA, to identify gaps in coverage (spatial, hours, capacity), and on the basis of that audit, prepare a priority list for new sites.
5. That Council request staff investigate options for how Council may assist residents who collect eligible used beverage containers as a form of income supplement, to make collection and redemption more accessible. Possible assistance may include (but is not limited to) partnership with community groups or options for residents to purchase and use additional crates or garbage bins for eligible containers.
6. That Council request that Council develop a protocol to assist residents who collect eligible used beverage containers for income supplement purpose to more easily access outdoor events at Council venues, properties and ovals for this purpose, consistent with health, safety and security requirements, with the intention that the protocol inform how residents collecting beverage containers are engaged with at large-scale outdoor events.
7. That Council request that staff report back to Council within six months with:
a) the results of the RVM / collection point audit (including map of gaps & priority sites;
b) correspondence related to the issue;
c) update on a protocol for access at Council venues as per clause 6;
d) an advocacy plan to present to TOMRA / NSW Government for securing additional infrastructure; and
e) communications strategy to raise awareness among Inner West residents and community organisations about the expanded eligibility and about opportunities under Return & Earn.
At the Council meeting held on 17 February 2026, Council resolved the following C0226(1) Item 52 in part:
3. That Council include in the report required by resolution C1025(1) options for how eligible containers could be collected and recycled at this outlet with the purpose of Council processing and donating the proceeds to local organisations and community groups, scoping but not limited to the following collection points:
a) Inner West Council events and festivals that host external food/drink vendors:
b) Inner West Council offices and venues on an ongoing basis; and,
c) Incorporating Return and Earn into the new Leichhardt oval stadium development to lead the way in making it a low waste/zero waste venue and minimising waste.
4. That the report consider how these options would interact with the protocol that supports residents who collect eligible containers at council events as a form of income supplement.
5. That Council develop a draft EOI process to determine which local groups and organisations Council will support with donations associated with each event or venue. The EOI process should clearly outline:
a) Eligibility of groups;
b) How factors including location and connection to an event or venue may be prioritised and weighted in the process; and
c) A rotation timeframe.
6. That Council draft and provide any policy updates required in order to support the trial in relation to fundraising to be examined simultaneously to the report.
Discussion
Return and Earn
Since the launch of Return and Earn (R&E) in December 2017, access by Inner West residents has continued to expand such that the following opportunities are now available;
· 1 drive through bulk depot in Marrickville (orange dot) – open 7am-6pm
· 5 Reverse Vending Machines (green dots) – open 7am-8.30pm (some are open to 10pm)
· 1 express shopfront in Haberfield (pink dot) – open 7am-6pm
· 6 over-the-counter store returns (blue dots) – opening hours align with specific store retail hours
Figure 1 – Return and Earn locations across the Inner West
Figure 1 illustrates there is good coverage of Return and Earn across the mid-section of the Inner West, but there is limited access in the north (Balmain and Birchgrove) and south/southwest (Tempe and Dulwich Hill).
Opportunities to Expand
Council has an ongoing partnership with TOMRA Cleanaway (who manage Return and Earn locations as the scheme operator) to identify new sites.
Challenges to the placement of new return points include:
· noise impact in residential areas
· traffic congestion, two-way access is required and truck access for servicing
· hard substrate required
· access to power (240V standard)
· hours of operation need to be a minimum of 35 hours per working week, 9hrs on weekend days
Sites previously investigated but rejected include:
· Leichhardt Park car park (car parking spaces, truck access and safety/line of sight)
· Tempe Reserve pre Tempe Lands Masterplan (car spaces and safety/line of sight)
· Marrickville PCYC (car space removal, truck access and safety/line of sight)
· Summer Hill (truck access for servicing, residential noise and safety/line of sight)
Noting the shortfall for the northern and south/southwestern ends of the LGA, work to identify suitable locations continues. The Council resolution is to install R&E at Leichhardt Oval and Council is investigating opportunities with TOMRA for both this and for installation at Tempe Lands (identified by red triangles on the map).
Supporting Resident Participation at Home
The average number of eligible R&E containers remaining in Inner West residential kerbside recycling bins is 3.8 per bin, compared to the state average of 6.4 containers per bin. This demonstrates either very high recovery of eligible containers by our community or low generation of eligible containers.
The new R&E depot located at Smidmore Street, Marrickville opened in November 2025, enabling the return of bulk quantities via drive through where loads are tipped into a hopper for mechanical counts and sorting. This reduces pressure on local Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) where containers are fed into the machine one-by -one by users. Council promotes this new opportunity in printed and online newsletters, our waste app push notifications and social media reels.
Local R&E opportunities enable the community to retain the 10c refund per eligible container or donate funds to a nominated charity or community group. Local organisations already contact TOMRA Cleanaway to be listed as charitable partners on existing Reverse Vending Machines to receive donation funds.
Scavenging eligible containers from kerbside recycling is not recommended due to risk of injury from sharps, broken glass, littering, trespass on private property, manual handling, potential conflict and public liability.
Council’s R&E webpage provides relevant information regarding the R&E scheme, how it works, identifying eligible drink containers, with links to the official NSW Government R&E webpages.
Return and Earn in Public Places for Peer to Peer Donation
Following the successful trial of eligible
container donation stations at both Enmore and Pioneer Park in 2025,
installation of Australian Standard Return and Earn baskets is now being rolled
out across the Inner West. This first roll out is via a grant for 100 baskets
from Exchange for Change (the Return and Earn scheme coordinator)
received in Dec 2025. The baskets will be fixed to garbage bins
in selected parks and main streets by mid-year to facilitate
safer peer-to-peer donation and collection to benefit individuals as
income generation
Other Councils including Sutherland and Strathfield have these baskets installed and they also report its successful operation.
As the roll out proceeds a communications campaign will promote the program and locations, including webpage updates, social media, print and e-newsletters and service centre/ library/ aquatics digital screens.
Council Return and Earn Trial at Events
The collection of R&E eligible containers was trialled in July and August 2023 at ten Women’s World Cup soccer matches and our Footprints Eco Festival. Significantly less than expected containers were collected for refunds. Learnings included:
· R&E-branded bins needed secure storage at the event location once full as bins and contents had been scavenged by event attendees and bins empty when collected.
· Bins required separate transport or collection systems (not recycling compactors) and safe storage at depots between use.
Inner West Council Return & Earn funding to community-based organisations
Council will trial collection of Return and Earn eligible containers from selected Council-run events and locations in 2026/27 and report recommendations back to Council.
The trial includes:
1. Council events with external food/drink vendors
2. Inner West Council offices and venues
3. Leichhardt oval stadium redevelopment
Events generating large numbers of eligible bottles and cans will be targeted.
An external R&E provider will be engaged for provision of bins and collection which is self-funded through a portion of the refund per container as this is more cost-competitive rather than the use of Council staff and flatbed trucks. Council will undertake a procurement for provision of identified R&E bins and servicing.
Generated income will be collected within an Inner West account at TOMRA’s Marrickville bulk drive through depot and distributed annually to local not-for-profit, community-based organisations identified through an Expression of Interest (EOI).
EOI for Donation Recipients
Council will develop and release an EOI for donation recipients using an online platform which shortlists and pre-qualifies organisations that meet the criteria. Participating in this EOI will not exclude recipients from the annual Inner West grants program.
After the initial trial year, the IWC R&E income stream will be reviewed to identify an appropriate number of recipients or dollar amount of donation. Recipients will be rotated on an annual cycle for equity.
Draft eligibility criteria requires organisations to be:
· operating in the Inner West
· legally incorporated not-for-profit organisation (or auspiced)
· directing donations for the benefit of the Inner West community
The proposed criteria and weighting include:
· Local Connection and Geographic Alignment (35%)
· Community Benefit (40%)
· Community Strategic Plan Alignment (15%)
· Governance and Organisational Capacity (10%)
A rotation of recipient organisations avoids a single organisation receiving more donations over time and ensures broad community benefit. Funds collected across a complete financial year must be divided equally among approved recipients for equity. An annual release of funds smooths out seasonal differences in containers collected from offices, venues and events.
Next steps
An implementation and communication plan will be prepared, a procurement process will commence to engage a collection contractor, and an internal project control group will be established with internal stakeholders across council. Internal stakeholders include Events, Corporate Sustainability, Resource Recovery Services & Fleet, Community Wellbeing, Communications, Facilities, Properties and Governance.
Bin locations, servicing needs, and key contacts will be managed for each location at Council offices, venues, and Leichhardt Oval.
Legal and Risk Implications
The first year will be a trial to identify and manage unforeseen legal issues and risks. Council policies and procedures will be updated to support this initiative including Governance, Procurement, Events, Waste and Sustainability.
Due process around procurement and governance will be followed at all stages in this initiative.
A risk matrix and register will be developed to cover offices/venues and public events.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report as this Return and Earn initiative is self-funded through a proportion of the 10c refund per eligible container.
Conclusion
Promoting locations and community access to R&E baskets funded through Exchange for Change enables individuals to donate or benefit from container refunds in a safe and accessible way. These baskets have already proved successful across other Australian councils.
Implementing systems and collection of eligible containers from Council offices, venues and targeted events provides an opportunity to source separate containers (reducing waste) whilst generating an income stream for not-for-profit community organisations to be recipients of.
The process and systems will be evaluated after the twelve-month trial in 2026/27 to identify opportunities for improvement and the future of these Return and Earn initiatives.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Live Music and Major Events at Henson Park
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
1. That Council endorse live music and major events at Henson Park, subject to the following actions: 1. Complete a fire and life safety assessment for Henson Park and identify any required egress upgrades.
2. Implement stakeholder engagement and an event compliance framework (noise, traffic, crowd and operational controls).
3. Progress with a Venue Management and Operational Plan for Leichhardt Oval and Henson Park.
4. Review and update Fees and Charges for commercial live music and major events at Henson Park.
5. Schedule events around oval availability, seasonal sport and ground maintenance requirements. |
Executive Summary
· Henson Park is suitable for live music and major events due to its scale, location and existing facilities.
· The Jets have proposed multiple events under their current venue hire agreement, including planning for a major event in December 2026.
· Recent NSW Government reforms support outdoor entertainment without development applications where organisers meet safety, noise and amenity compliance requirements. Key requirements include community engagement, noise management, traffic and crowd safety planning, a fire and life safety assessment and scheduling around seasonal sport and ground maintenance.
· Council is arranging for a Venue Management and Operational Plan for Leichhardt Oval and Henson Park that includes live music and major events.
· This
report recommends that Council gives in-principle endorsement of live music at
Henson Park subject to the completion of all proposed actions referenced in the
report.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s in-principle support for hosting live music events at Henson Park and to outline the considerations, requirements and next steps necessary to facilitate such activations in a safe and compliant manner.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
|
|
Background
At the 23 September 2025 Council meeting it was resolved C0925(1) Item 39:
That Council convene a meeting with the Newtown Jets to discuss their proposal for a live music cultural event at Henson Park.
Henson Park has been identified as a potential venue for live music events given its size, location and current role as a major sporting facility. The Jets have approached Council with a proposal for multiple live music events under their existing venue hire agreement. Council has previously considered activating major open-space venues, drawing on lessons from other jurisdictions. Initial assessments highlight the need for detailed planning on community engagement, traffic management and safety measures before progressing with formal approvals.
Henson Park Plan of Management and Master Plan
The Henson Park Plan of Management and Master Plan (September 2022) permits community events and entertainment, including live music, where undertaken under a short‑term licence or event approval and subject to appropriate conditions. Live music is not prohibited and is consistent with the land categorisation, objectives of the Plan, and the permitted short‑term uses for community festivals and entertainment events.
The Jets’ Proposed Live Music Events
A program of smaller live music events has already been delivered through existing hire arrangements. The Jets have introduced 'Scoreboard Sessions', featuring a DJ before, during, and after each home game, scheduled for 30 May; 6 June; 11, 18 July; and 1, 15, 27 August 2026. The annual Beer, Food and Footy Festival will be held on 18 July 2026.
The Jets are interested in planning for a major live music event in February 2027, subject to negotiations with the event organiser and Council. The Jets have engaged an experienced promoter (Destroy All Lines) for operational planning covering including traffic and safety considerations.
Discussion
Council officers have engaged with potential event partners including The Jets and industry promoters, who have expressed interest in staging multiple events across the year. Key success factors include comprehensive traffic and crowd management planning, fire and life safety assessments, and mitigation strategies for noise and amenity impacts on local residents.
Recent NSW Government reforms have removed the need for development applications for outdoor live music events when organisers follow simple compliance guidelines relating to safety, noise, and public amenity. This regulatory shift is designed to boost cultural activation across public spaces and supports the feasibility of activations like those proposed for Henson Park.
Comparable guidelines from other major councils, such as the City of Sydney, emphasise early submission of event plans, noise management strategies, and accessibility measures to ensure safe, inclusive, and sustainable events. These practices align with the proposed approach for Henson Park, which will require patron management through controlled entry points, dedicated egress routes, and engagement with adjacent residents.
Additionally, infrastructure considerations include temporary shade shelters, preservation of the playing field through protective ground covers, and risk controls around on-site utilities such as fire boosters.
Financial settings currently provide a daily hire charge and bond for commercial events. However, it is proposed Council review these settings to ensure pricing reflects market conditions for live music and major events. This will position the Council competitively while ensuring cost recovery and public benefit.
Availability Constraints
Council’s Office of Sport and Parks Liaison have been consulted and have provided support for the proposal, noting that there are constraints relating to ground availability and maintenance for the playing field.
Availability of the oval for events is constrained by seasonal sporting and competition requirements. The oval is booked on Saturdays from mid‑March to September to support winter sports, followed by use associated with the potential for the AFL Women’s Grand Final through to the end of November. Even with the use of a protective covering the playing surface is required to undergo annual remediation and recovery works to maintain turf quality and safety standards. These factors significantly limit event availability across the year, with December presenting the primary opportunity for events, subject to confirmation of ground condition.
Operational next steps
Operational next steps include confirming site suitability through technical advice, particularly regarding fire and evacuation requirements, and engaging with stakeholders to finalise logistics, licensing, and community engagement plans.
A consultant will be engaged to undertake a fire and life safety assessments and provide recommendations, similar to what is being prepared for Leichhardt Oval. This is expected to be delivered by the end of June 2026 and will be used to prepare a schedule of capital works required to upgrade egress pathways from the playing field.
Operation and Management including Live music and major events
Council is progressing with a Venue Management and Operational Plan that includes Live Music to support the next phase of service delivery at Leichhardt Oval and Henson Park. The report is due to be delivered by the end of October 2026.
The consultancy aims to confirm both oval’s:
· Current roles and future positioning as community, sporting and cultural assets;
· Assess the effectiveness of the current operating model and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, resilience and role clarity across operations, bookings, maintenance, cleaning and security;
· Establish a fit‑for‑purpose governance and risk management framework aligned with Council’s asset owner responsibilities; and
· Review and recommend a sustainable commercial strategy encompassing pricing, benchmarking, revenue streams and partnerships; and evaluate future management models, supported by a practical ongoing operations for both ovals that will include hosting live music and major events.
Legal and Risk Implications
Henson Park (the oval) is operational land and other parcels of land in and around Henson Park are community land (under a Plan of Management which permits such events). The promoter will be required to make an Activity Application under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 for the event for the use of the operational and community land. Event planning will include consideration of the following:
· Compliance with crowd safety and emergency management requirements under relevant legislation
· Potential noise and amenity impacts on surrounding residents
· Need for traffic and pedestrian management planning
· Risk of damage to playing surface and infrastructure without appropriate protection measures
· Requirement for fire and life safety assessments prior to events
· Obligations to meet licensing, insurance and public liability coverage for organisers
Financial Implications
The Jets currently hold a licence that permits them to host events. No additional income is expected from their proposed activations. Other commercial live music events currently would be subject to Council’s Fees and Charges, set at $2,997.40 (including GST) per day, with an additional $5,000 bond payable for each event. It is proposed that Council reviews and amends its Fees and Charges to ensure they are more commercially aligned with the market for live music and major events.
Conclusion
Henson Park presents a strong opportunity for cultural activation through live music events. With appropriate risk management, community engagement, and regulatory compliance, these activations can deliver economic and social benefits. Council’s in-principle support will enable planning and stakeholder engagement to proceed.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Post Exhibition - Centenary Park Sporting Ground Upgrade
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
That Council endorses the proposed scope of works for the Centenary Park Sporting Ground Upgrade, which includes the renewal of turf areas, hybrid turf in the sports field goal mouths and centre circles, improved field drainage, additional trees and enhancements to cricket nets, furniture, fencing, signage, pathways and waste facilities. |
Executive Summary
· The Centenary Park sporting ground has areas of high deterioration during periods of intense use. In recent years Council has introduced numerous maintenance strategies to keep the playing surface in good condition, however the field surface remains in poor condition during periods of intense use.
· An upgrade of the Centenary Park sporting ground is proposed in the 2027/28 financial year. After substantial consideration, it is proposed that hybrid turf is installed in areas of high-wear, being approximately 3% of the entire turf surface. Hybrid turf is comprised of 95% natural turf and 5% synthetic fibres. This option balances durability, cost efficiency and environmental considerations.
· Recent consultation with sporting clubs and the community showed general support for planned upgrade scope of works. This includes the hybrid turf, improved field drainage, more park furniture and tree canopy enhancements. Concerns regarding hybrid turf’s environmental impacts will be addressed in detailed design.
· This report recommends Council endorse the scope of work for proposed for Centenary Park Sporting Ground Upgrade and proceed with detailed design and further consultation. The upgrade will ensure the park remains a high-quality recreation space, supporting health and community well-being.
Purpose
To present outcomes of stakeholder consultation regarding Centenary Park’s sporting ground upgrade and to outline the proposed scope of works.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities 5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
Background
Centenary Park, Croydon is a large district level park within the Inner West Council local government area. The park includes sporting grounds, basketball courts, a playground, and a children’s bike track, and is an important recreational asset for the local community.
At the Council meeting held on 19 August 2025, Council resolved the following C0825(1) Item 50:
1. That Council amend the sporting fields renovation schedule so that Centenary Park is upgraded in 2027/2028 at the same time as the inclusive playground construction already scheduled for Centenary Park, with planning to be completed in 2026/2027. All designs remain under consideration.
2. That Council bring forward the planned renovation of Ashfield Park to be upgraded in 2026/2027 with planning to be completed in 2025/2026.
3. That Council commence new consultation on the Centenary Park upgrade with stakeholders including Ashfield Cricket Club, Burwood Football Club, Western Suburbs District Cricket Club, Super Six-a-side Soccer, park users, and Croydon residents, and keep the Mayor and General Manager informed about the consultation and the recommendation for upgrade before it comes to Council.
4. That Council approve that this new schedule and new consultation will supersede the report deferred for consideration at the March 2025 Council meeting, which should not be brought back to Council.
In accordance with the above Council resolution, the Inner West Council sporting ground upgrade program now has Centenary Park scheduled for an upgrade in the 2026/27 financial year to align with the flagship inclusive playground construction already planned for that year.
In addition, the delivery of the Ashfield Park sporting ground upgrade has been brought forward from 2027/28 to 2026/27, replacing the original Centenary Park upgrade scheduled for that period.
This report provides further information on activities undertaken by Council officers following the August 2025 resolution to progress planning and community consultation for the Centenary Park Sporting Ground Upgrade.
Discussion
Sports Ground Demand
Population growth and limited availability of sporting grounds are imposing high levels of demand for Council-managed facilities. In addition, certain sports are growing in popularity which is further adding pressure to existing sports fields. Seasonal crossover between winter and summer competitions, such as six-a-side soccer and school holiday clinics is also adding further pressure.
Sports Ground Usage
The nationally recommended usage for sporting grounds is 25 hours per week for training and games combined. During winter, Inner West Council sporting grounds typically exceed this standard, averaging approximately 32 hours per week. This high level of use is predominantly football-oriented and is further compounded by clubs training with unrestricted player numbers. The currently is no requirement that limits player number usage.
Sports Ground Condition
While the growth in sport and high usage supports community health and wellbeing, it has resulted in adverse impacts to the condition of the sports ground playing surface. The increased use accelerates turf deterioration and increases maintenance challenges. Council is receiving frequent feedback from residents and sporting associations regarding adverse ground conditions. These issues are prominent at Centenary Park.
Current Management Strategies
To address the increased wear, Council has implemented enhanced maintenance programs and infrastructure upgrades, including:
· Acquisition of an aerating machine for deep aeration to improve drainage and relieve compaction
· Regular soil testing and targeted fertiliser applications
· Installation of improved irrigation systems
· Progressive replacement of outdated floodlighting with modern 200-lux sports lighting, where practicable
These measures have delivered partial relief, however the impacts of heavy usage persist and Council continues to explore additional strategies to further improve field performance and durability.
Sports Surface Options
Council officers have investigated possible options to improve the resilience of the Centenary Park sporting ground playing surface as part of the planned surface upgrade and have commenced consultation on the upgrade with key stakeholders.
When selecting a suitable turf solution for sporting grounds, it must balance durability, maintenance, cost and community expectations. Three primary options are available to consider, being Natural Turf, Hybrid Turf, and Full Synthetic Turf. Each option has distinct benefits and limitations:
· Natural Grass: Best for low-traffic parks but expensive to maintain for high-wear areas.
· Hybrid Turf: Ideal for high-wear areas within a natural field. It combines durability with natural aesthetics at a moderate cost.
· Full Synthetic: Best for fields with extremely high usage demands, where there are limited opportunities for additional new fields in the vicinity. Requires significant initial and ongoing funding.
Sports Surface Proposal
Centenary Park is predominately used by soccer clubs in the winter sports season and cricket clubs in the summer season, with passive use by residents and dogs all year round. Whilst usage of the sports field is considered high, by comparison it is not extremely high when compared to some other sports grounds such as Callan Park. The current level of usage of Centenary Park does not justify consideration of a full synthetic sports field.
After substantial investigation, it is proposed that a hybrid turf option is trailed in the goal mouths and centre circle areas of the sports field (Refer to Figure 1). This recommended approach is considered the most balanced solution, delivering cost efficiency, durability, and maintaining a predominantly natural playing field. A hybrid turf surface is also suitable for all sports and passive uses at Centenary Park, including exercising of dogs.
There is over 23,000 square metres of natural turf at Centenary Park. The proposed hybrid turf installation would be for 540 square metres which equates to less than 3% of the sports turf surface at Centenary Park.
Hybrid turf combines natural grass with synthetic fibres. These fibres are stitched or injected vertically into the existing turf using specialised equipment. As the natural grass grows, its roots wrap around the fibres, creating a reinforced surface that is more resilient and better able to withstand heavy use. When hybrid turf is installed, approximately 95% of the grass blades are natural turf. The synthetic turf grass fibres are shorter in height than the natural grass to ensure they are not cut during mowing. The synthetic fibres are not highly visible due to the short height and as they comprise typically 5% of the turf surface.
The benefits of hybrid turf, when compared to natural turf, are:
· Supports a living grass environment
· Lower long-term maintenance costs
· Stronger and more resilient playing surface
· Fewer closures and more consistent playability
· Better performance in all weather conditions
Figure 1 – Areas of Centenary Park Proposed to Hybrid Turf
Sporting Club Engagement
In December 2025, Council engaged with sporting clubs who use Centenary Park on planned upgrades to the fields. The clubs supported installation of hybrid turf in high wear areas on the soccer fields which includes the centre circles and goal boxes leaving natural grass throughout the majority of the field.
Community Consultation
Council has consulted with the community to seek input on preferences for upgrade works to the park whilst Council is improving the sports ground surface.
Community feedback was sought between 25 February and 25 March 2026, with opportunities to participate provided through the Your Say Inner West engagement platform. During the consultation period, 1,278 people visited the project page, with 45 participants completing the online survey. Supporting documents available on the project page, including a letter to residents, were downloaded 39 times.
An on-site, drop-in information session was held on Saturday, 21 March 2026, from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, and was attended by approximately 30 people. A total of 40 comments were received through ‘post it’ notes during this session.
Community feedback indicated support for the provision of additional facilities within Centenary Park, including:
· Additional seating, particularly shaded seating;
· Improvements to pathways and active transport access;
· Enhanced recycling and waste facilities; and
· Increased tree canopy cover.
There was also strong support for further upgrade works to the sports ground, including:
· Improved field drainage; and
· Cricket net upgrades, including raising the existing roof height, provision of additional nets, and improved fencing for safety.
As part of the consultation, Council also received feedback on the proposed use of hybrid turf in high use areas of the two soccer fields. A mix of views were expressed, with both support and opposition identified.
Respondents who supported the hybrid turf proposal described it as a balanced approach that would accommodate multiple sporting codes, improve field durability, and support the social, health, and community benefits associated with participation in organised sport. Written submissions were also received from Ashfield Cricket Club and Burwood Football Club, both expressing support for the proposed hybrid turf.
Respondents who did not support the hybrid grass proposal were concerned about potential environmental impacts, microplastic pollution, injury risks, reduced access to natural green space, urban heat effects, and end of life waste management requirements associated with hybrid turf. In response to these concerns, Council notes the following:
· Limited and targeted use: The proposal involves the installation of hybrid turf in only 3% of all turf areas in the park. Hybrid turf is comprised of 95% natural turf. 100% natural turf will be retained across the remainder of the fields. This approach seeks to balance durability and usability with the preservation of natural green space.
· Environmental considerations: The use of hybrid turf will be further considered through the detailed design and assessment phase, which will include environmental investigations to assess potential impacts, including microplastic management, drainage performance and heat mitigation. Findings from these assessments will inform final design decisions.
· Player health and safety: Hybrid turf systems are 95% natural grass and they are designed to meet relevant sporting and safety standards. Council will continue to consult with sporting bodies and consider best‑practice guidance to mitigate an injury risk.
· Urban heat mitigation: Urban heat impacts will be considered as part of the detailed design, including retention of natural turf, tree canopy, and other shade and cooling measures within the park.
· End‑of‑life and disposal: Long‑term maintenance and disposal requirements will be assessed as part of the project’s lifecycle planning to ensure responsible management consistent with Council’s environmental objectives.
Further details on the community engagement can be found in the Community Engagement Outcomes Report in Attachment 1.
Scope Of Works
The scope of works for the forthcoming sporting ground upgrade has been developed by Council staff after considering community needs and consultation feedback. The following scope is recommended for the project:
1. Renewal of sports field natural turf areas
2. Upgrade to hybrid turf for sports field goal mouths and centre circle (3% of total turf area)
3. Improved field drainage
4. Upgrade of existing cricket nets to raise roof height
5. Additional trees
6. Additional seating, particularly in shaded locations
7. Sporting ground floodlighting upgrade
8. Review and any adjustment of current waste bins allocation
Next Steps
It is recommended that Council approve the planned scope of works. Once approved, the project will proceed to detailed design. All feedback received to date will be considered when preparing the design. A Review of Environmental Factors will be prepared which considers all planned works. Project progress will continue to be updated on the Your Say Inner West project page.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
Council has allocated $2.5m in the capital works budget to deliver this project in the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years. This is adequate to fund the proposed scope of work. The use of hybrid turf in targeted locations is anticipated to have a mild reduction in operational expenditure due to reduced turf maintenance requirements. There are no other financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
Attachment 1 has been published separately in the Attachments Document on Council’s Website https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings/current-council-meetings
|
1.⇨ |
Centenary Park Engagement Outcomes Report – Published Separately on Council’s Website |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Public Exhibition - Camperdown Memorial Rest Park - Draft Plan of Management and Draft Master Plan
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
1. That Council publicly exhibit the Draft Plan of Management and Master Plan for Camperdown Memorial Rest Park subject to endorsement by the Crown Lands for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed documents.
2. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, a further report summarising outcomes and recommended next steps of the Camperdown Memorial Rest Park Draft Plan of Management and Master Plan be brought back to Council.
|
Executive Summary
· A draft Plan of Management and Master Plan for Camperdown Memorial Rest Park has been prepared. These documents will assist with guiding future development of the park.
· The draft Plan of Management has assessed parkland use and responds to expressed community needs. The draft park Master Plan includes a landmark playground, a fitness and youth area, sensory gardens, a small Amphitheatre stage, furniture improvements, enhanced gardens and heritage interpretation. All proposed improvements are supported by a detailed costing which foreshadows a commitment of approximately $4.5 million in improvements over the lifespan of the Plan.
· Subject to Council and Crown Land endorsement, a Public Exhibition will proceed. Community engagement will include an onsite engagement session at the park, a webpage on Council’s YourSay platform, on-site promotional signage and letterbox flyers delivered to nearby households.
· The report recommends that the Plan of Management and Master Plan for Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is placed on public exhibition subject to endorsement from Crown lands before returning to Council for final adoption.
Purpose
To seek Council endorsement to proceed with the public exhibition of the Draft Plan of Management and Master Plan for Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, subject to endorsement by the Crown Lands.
Strategic Direction
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 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities 5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
Background
A Plan of Management (POM) for a park is a guiding framework which directs the future vision, planning, management and use of the park. It is also used to inform the development of the park over the next ten years. The POM is typically accompanied by a Master Plan which is a design report outlining the actions required for improvement. The Master Plan is intended to guide the physical upgrade of the parkland over the next ten years. It achieves this outcome by defining how the strategies set out in the Plan of Management can be translated into site specific improvement opportunities for use and enjoyment of the park.
Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is located in the Stanmore – Damun ward in the suburb of Newtown. The park is bounded by Federation Road on the north and Australia Street on the west, Lennox Street on the south, and a cemetery and Church Street on the east. The park is characterised by open lawn areas surrounding a high cemetery wall. The park features a playground, a public amenities building, connected footpaths and mature trees. One section of the park is currently a timed dog off leash space. The parkland is of high community value. Figure 1 highlights the location of the parkland.
Figure 1. Location Plan - Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
 |
Discussion
Camperdown Memorial Rest Park has continued to evolve over many years. Between 1848 and 1948, the park was Camperdown Cemetery. In 1948, the Camperdown Cemetery Act was established and the site was subdivided into two lots. The smaller lot of 4 was retained as Camperdown Cemetery, while the larger lot of 8 acres was converted into community parkland.
Camperdown Memorial Rest Park as it is today, is one of the most well-known and popular parks within the Inner West. This is largely due to it’s central location within the heart of Newtown, its popularity with residents, students and families. The parkland provides a restful open space which is supported by public amenities and community events which are held regularly. Figure 2 highlights the evolution of the parkland and its greening from 1941 to present day.
Figure 2. Evolution and Greening of Camperdown Memorial Rest
Park
The park POM (Attachment 1) has carefully assessed the use of the parkland and in response to expressed community needs, future master plan initiatives have been developed which focus on the following key themes:
· Sperate bicycle paths
· Expanded Public Amenity
· Upgrading Elements of Value
· Provision of Multipurpose Fitness and Youth Area.
· Recognising Heritage.
A proposed master plan has been attached to this report as Attachment 2.
In terms of the bicycle paths, a new designated bike lane is proposed for Church Street and Federation Road as an alterative route for cyclists and one which is aimed at reducing the number of bicycles (mainly delivery riders) which use the parkland and its footpath areas. This proposal is however subject to a future review of Council’s Strategic Council’s Cycling Action Plan Review and a future study of parking demand within this area.
In reference to the park and its heritage, heritage interpretation is also recommended with regards to the evolution of the park and significant events which transformed the park including recognition of the terrible murder of 11-year-old Joan Norma Ginn in June 1946. This event led to the partitioning of the parkland and the creation of the modern-day park and the separated and walled cemetery area.
License Agreements
The Draft Plan of Management includes provision for an approved hire agreement alongide182 Australia Street, Newtown to hire a section of the park approximately 7 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. The hire agreement relates to an existing hardstand area that enables park users to obtain takeaway food from the servery of the adjoining café which operates from the Australia Street boundary of the parkland.
Crown Lands Approval
Council is the appointed Crown land manager of Camperdown Memorial Rest Park and is required to manage Camperdown Park in accordance with the legislation and conditions imposed by the Minister administering the CLMA (Crown Lands Management Act).
The proposed Plan of Management for Camperdown Memorial Rest Park must be referred to Crown Lands for approval prior public exhibition.
Next Steps
Council is requested to endorse the public exhibition of the draft Plan of Management and Master Plan once Crown Lands approval is obtained. The Plan of Management and Master Plan will be exhibited for a period of 42 days and feedback requested from the community.
Stakeholder engagement will be facilitated through Council’s YourSay Engagement Platform. On-site signage will be installed to promote the community engagement process, and flyers will be distributed via a letterbox drop to neighboring households.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
A comprehensive cost analysis of the Plan of Management and Master Plan has been completed considering the key design improvements and delivery options for the parkland over the lifespan of the Plan. Over the ten-year span of the Master Plan, delivery costs are projected to total around $4.6 million.
|
1.⇩ |
Draft Plan of Management Camperdown Memorial Rest Park |
|
2.⇩ |
Draft Master Plan Camperdown Memorial Rest Park |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Subject: Public Exhibition - Draft Watercraft Management Policy
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
1. That Council publicly exhibit the Draft Watercraft Management 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 Watercraft Management Policy be brought back to Council in September 2026 for consideration.
|
Executive Summary
· Council has no adopted policy for the management and storage of watercraft in local foreshore parks.
· The management of watercraft in Council parks must be carefully managed for public safety and amenity and to ensure equity of access to storage for all members of the community.
· A policy framework has been developed to assist Council with the future management of watercraft in parks, including a clear policy framework confirming how all watercraft storage will be administered and controlled.
· This report recommends the draft Watercraft Management Policy in Attachment 1 is placed on public exhibition, and that a further report is then put to Council in September 2026 summarising the outcomes of the community engagement and next steps.
Purpose
To seek Council’s endorsement to proceed with the public exhibition of the Draft Watercraft Management Policy to ensure Council effectively manages watercraft left unattended in public parks.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities 5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
Background
Council manages an extensive portfolio of public open space along our foreshores. These spaces serve an important purpose to facilitate the use of watercraft in our waterways. Some members of the community choose to leave watercraft in public spaces out of convenience. Council has over many years managed this issue by providing watercraft storage facilities and regulating any unattended watercraft.
Council has legislative powers under the NSW Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 No 38 to impound unattended property and the removal of this property in parks and open spaces under its care control and management.
Existing Watercraft Storage Facilities
Council currently provides six designated watercraft storage sites, each equipped with storage racks available for public licensing, allowing community members to securely store their watercraft. Storage locations include:
· Leichhardt Park, Lilyfield – 55 bays
· King George Park, Rozelle – 49 bays
· Fitzroy Avenue, Balmain – 33 bays
· Cove Street, Balmain – 20 bays
· Yeend Street, Mort Bay – 18 bays
· Propeller Park, Balmain – 13 bays
At most park facilities equipped with storage racks, compliant access to the harbour foreshore is also provided, typically through the installation of a floating pontoon or a dedicated boat launching ramp. A floating pontoon typically costs in the order of $320,000 to install. Council has installed five floating pontoons and continues to provide regular inspections and maintenance.
Storage Facility License Fees
Council operates the storage facilities on a user pays basis with license fees contributing a small amount of income which assists in partially subsidising the administration of the service and maintaining the racks themselves.
Council currently applies an annual license fee for a resident/ratepayer for a watercraft storage bay of $213.50 (annually) and for non-residents, a fee of $320.30 is applicable. This is not a pro rata-based fee.
Council’s fees and charges for watercraft storage are comparable to other Council’s which offer a similar service. North Sydney Council for example charges an annual license fee of $300.00 for watercraft storage in local parks while Woollahra Council charges $330.00 resident/ratepayer and $543.00 for non-residents. To store a kayak or dingy in a private storage unit in a commercial premise cost up to $290 per month ($3480.00 annually).
Discussion
Council has no formally adopted watercraft management policy for the management and storage of watercraft in storage racks which are in place in local foreshore parks. A draft Watercraft Management Policy (Attachment 1) has been developed by Council officers to address this. The primary purpose of the policy framework is to ensure mooring holders accessing moored boats on Sydney Harbour or within Iron Cove have a safe location in which to store watercraft in a tidy and accessible manner. Additionally, it aims to maintain the adjoining open spaces along the harbour foreshore so that they remain safe and accessible for public enjoyment. The policy framework also establishes guidelines for the storage of equipment used by other recreational users, such as provisions for kayak storage.
Waiting Lists and Abandoned Watercraft
At the time of preparing this report, Council has a relatively short waiting list of seven individuals seeking access to watercraft bays in local parks. Council staff have been actively addressing this waiting list through ongoing management of the watercraft storage service. This has included regular inspections of watercraft storage areas. If watercraft are found stored in foreshore locations without Council authorisation, they are tagged to notify owners, and, if necessary, removed and impounded. Similarly, watercraft that are derelict, awaiting repair, abandoned, or improperly installed in a storage facility are also removed and impounded by Council Rangers in accordance with the Impounding Act 1993. Additionally, any watercraft without a valid permit sticker and stored on a facility will be removed under the Impounding Act 1993.
At present, there are no plans to introduce additional watercraft storage facilities within Council’s foreshore parks. The provision of such facilities will be considered strategically as part of Parks Plan of Management and master plan as required. This approach ensures that residents and the wider community are consulted on any proposed new facilities, and that master planning is conducted in a coordinated manner, taking into account the function, use, and accessibility of all park areas.
Internal Engagement
Internal engagement has been held with Financial Services, Parks Assets, Legal Services and Governance on the development of this policy.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
License fees are established and reviewed annually through Council’s Operational Plan. These fees contribute a small amount of income which assists in partially subsidising the administration of the service. Council’s annual license fee for a resident/ratepayer is $213.50 (annually) and for non-residents, a fee of $320.30 is applicable.
|
1.⇩ |
Inner West Draft Watercraft Management Policy |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: New Public Plaza Adjacent to Balmain Town Hall
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
1. That Council endorse the public exhibition of design plans for a new public plaza adjacent to Balmain Town Hall and its proposed naming as ‘Wran Place’.
2. That the outcomes of the public exhibition of design plans and the naming proposal for the new public plaza adjacent to Balmain Town Hall are reported back for consideration by Council in August 2026.
|
Executive Summary
· Council has resolved to improve the plaza space adjacent to the Balmain Town Hall and consult with the community on the design and a naming proposal for this space.
· A preliminary concept design for the area beside the Balmain Town Hall has been developed which addresses poor pedestrian links, vehicle conflicts, clutter, low visibility and ageing furniture. The proposal creates a contemporary paved plaza that provides a safe and cohesive civic space by removing vehicles from routinely entering the area, improving parking arrangements on Darling Street and enhancing connectivity with the neighbouring courthouse frontage.
· The concept proposes short term works and opportunities for interpretation relating to the naming proposal. Long term works are identified but subject to further investigation and future funding.
· Consultation is now ready to proceed seeking endorsement for community engagement which will seek community views on support for both the concept design and the naming of the space as ‘Wran Place’.
· Subject to the outcomes of future community engagement, it is envisaged that a report to the August 2026 Council will seek support for an endorsed name to be referred to the Geographic Names Board, whilst the short term works in the plaza space are completed in 2027. The report recommends that capital funding of $350,000 for short term works is provisioned within the 2026/27 financial year budget.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek direction from Council on a planned strategy for community engagement for the design and naming of new public plaza space beside Balmain Town Hall.
Strategic Direction
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 |
|
4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
|
|
Background
At the Council meeting held on 5 December 2023, Council resolved the following in part C1223(1) Item 13:
1. That Council consult with local business and the community on the design of a new pedestrian space surrounding the Balmain Town Hall and other short-term improvements in the precinct. These considerations to be included in the 2024/2025 Budget.
At the Council meeting held on 11 March 2025, Council resolved the following in part C0325(1) Item 22:
1. That Council undertake community consultation about naming the public area at the frontage of the Balmain Court House and Balmain Town Hall as Wran Square in honour of one of Balmain’s most famous citizens, former Premier of NSW, Neville Wran.
The space adjacent to the Balmain Town Hall serves as both a thoroughfare and gathering area for the community. The area is flanked by the Balmain Town Hall to the west, Darling Street to the north, Balmain Police Station and Courthouse to the east and the Balmain-Rozelle Occasional Care Centre to the south.
There have been numerous additions and changes made to this space over time, and it currently contains public toilets, a glass house, a shelter, outdoor furniture, an access driveway, pathways and vegetation. The space in its current configuration lacks cohesion and its prescribed community purpose as a public domain space could be significantly improved through the development of a public domain intervention plan.
Discussion
Concept Design
The current location is heavily utilised by pedestrians to reach the buildings in the vicinity. Pedestrian links are poor, with pedestrian links conflicting with vehicles using the space. The space also suffers from narrowing paths and uneven surfaces. The plaza space presently with high levels of clutter, poor visibility, inconsistent materiality and furniture which requires replacement. Views of the Glass House are obscured, and the building curtilage is compromised.
A preliminary concept design has been developed to create a contemporary, safe and cohesive space for the area adjacent to Balmain Town Hall. Refer to Attachment 1.
The design seeks to:
· Provide an attractive paved plaza that opens up views to the Glass House and improves access to the public toilets, the occasional care centre and the Balmain Library meeting rooms.
· Celebrate the design character of the glass house by removing visual clutter from the existing bus shelter and vegetation, creating a new space where pedestrians can meet.
· Improve and frame the setting of the Glass House,
· Provide a complementary and cohesive plaza space extending from the area in front of the courthouse at one end through to the Balmain Town Hall.
The design proposes to discontinue two parking spaces within the site. This will improve pedestrian safety outcomes for users of the space. It is proposed that two existing kerbside parking spaces in front of the Town Hall building become short stay 15 minute parking spaces, and the disabled parking on Darling Street is upgraded and made compliant. These changes will accommodate drop off needs for the occasional care centre and library. The proposal also includes relocation of bin storage to a position to the rear of the town hall that is away from the plaza space.
These short term works have been developed to complement potential longer-term precinct works that could include expanding the paved area and opening the library into the plaza space. This would provide visual and physical connections between the Glass House and library, providing an opportunity to further activate the plaza and Glass House.
A new plaza will create opportunities to present interpretive material on the Glass House, courthouse and Town Hall.
Consultation
It is proposed that Council undertake community engagement to inform and capture feedback on both the plaza concept design and the naming proposal. Council will initially conduct direct consultation and will then proceed to engage with the community.
Direct consultation has occurred with the Wran family who are supportive of the concept design but have requested that the name is changed to ‘Wran Place’. As part of any future design works further consultation will also be undertaken with the family regarding interpretive works.
Council will also consult with the NSW Police and NSW Department of Justice to gain agreement to undertake improvements to the landscaped frontages of the Courthouse and Police Station and construct a new pathway across the police station frontage.
It is proposed that the community engagement framework will include:
· Exhibition of a dedicated Your Say Inner West page for a minimum of 28 days
· Seeking feedback via an online survey on the concept design for the space and the naming proposal which is recommended to be changed to ‘Wran Place’
· Holding a pop-up on-site where community members, nearby property owners and local businesses have the opportunity to discuss the proposals directly with Council officers
· Letterbox drops to nearby properties.
· Social media
Council’s Your Say Inner West web page will include information relating to proposed short and long term improvements as well as the concept design included in Attachment 1.
All engagement relating to the naming proposed shall be in keeping with Council’s community engagement protocols and Council’s Naming Policy. Upon completion of the engagement, feedback will be analysed and any updates associated with the design or naming proposal can then be made. A report will then be submitted to Council in August 2026 recommending next steps.
Naming of the Plaza Space
In New South Wales, the naming of squares generally requires the approval and official assignment of the Geographical Names Board (GNB) to be formally recognised as a "place". This procedure was followed with the naming of Pride Square in Newtown. Council will need to follow a similar approach to seek for the naming to be Wran Place, with:
a) formal Council resolution on the name; and
b) an Engagement Outcomes Report indicating community support for any name change application.
Should the concept design be approved, Council will then proceed with the detailed design and all necessary approvals. It is envisaged that construction works are completed by late 2027.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There is $350,000 in the draft 2026/27 financial year budget for the Balmain Town Hall frontage.
|
1.⇩ |
Plans for a New Public Plaza Adjacent to Balmain Town Hall |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Dive in Events at Dawn Fraser Baths
Author: Ruth Callaghan - Director Community
|
That: 1. Council note the success of the trial Dive in Movie Night at Dawn Fraser Baths in April 2026. 2. A report on the proposed dates and activities for Dive in Movies and Sunday Sessions for Summer 2026/2027 be brought to the August 2026 Council meeting. |
Executive Summary
Staff have actioned Council’s February 2026 resolution to enhance community engagement at aquatic centres.
· A trial movie night was held at Dawn Fraser Baths on 18 April, coinciding with the end of the summer season and the conclusion of daylight saving. This event attracted 120 attendees and received highly positive feedback.
· The Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre will pilot an indoor "Dive-in Movie" event in July as part of the school holiday program.
· Business sponsorship opportunities remain limited due to existing lease agreements. Subject to licensing approvals, Dawn Fraser Baths could host adult-focused “Sunday Session” live music events featuring local food and beverage options.
· Council will expand programs for Dive In Movie Nights and live Sunday music sessions for the summer of 2026/2027, with staff currently developing detailed plans.
· A proposed program will be presented to Council in August 2026, with anticipated costs of approximately $40,000 accommodated within the current budget allocations.
Purpose
To provide an overview of the implementation of Council’s resolution to extend the offerings at aquatic centres to include Dive in Movie Nights and Sunday Sessions.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
|
|
Background
At the Council meeting 17 February 2026, Council resolved the following C0226(1) Item 44:
1. That Council notes the popularity and importance of our local aquatic centres as low-cost venues for leisure, social events and community connection, and cooling centres during extreme heat, in a fun, family-friendly, and inclusive setting.
2. That Council notes Council’s ongoing efforts to activate and diversify public infrastructure for community benefit, including the Creative Town Halls program, Inner West Film Festival, and investigations for live music events at Henson Park and Leichhardt Oval.
3. That Council investigates establishing a ‘Dive-In Cinema’ event program for family-friendly movie screenings held at Inner West aquatic centres in the evening during summer, with the intention to establish a trial event as part of the remaining 2026 swim season.
4. That Council investigates establishing a program of small-scale live music events at Inner West aquatic centres to showcase local artists during summer, in the style of ‘Sunday sessions’.
5. That Council receives a report to the May Council Meeting on feasibility and cost of the above initiatives, including logistics considerations across all five aquatic centres, opportunities for local businesses to sponsor food and entertainment, consideration of similar events hosted by other councils, and a focus on family-friendly entertainment and accessibility.
Following Council’s resolution, staff conducted an evaluation to determine whether other Councils organise events such as Dive-in Movie Nights and Sunday Sessions. Feedback from multiple Councils—including Sutherland, Northern Beaches, North Sydney, Canterbury, Maitland, Central Coast, Bayswater, Willoughby, Burwood, Blue Mountains, Campbelltown, Parramatta, and Hornsby—showed that the majority do not currently host regular music or movie events, though some may consider them in the future. Most aquatic facilities tend to feature open days and ‘splash day’ activities, while movie screenings and live music are generally infrequent and specialised.
IWC is recognised as an industry leader for its practice of hosting regular open days with live music and other free community activities across its five aquatic centres. The Council’s recent resolution presents an opportunity to consolidate existing initiatives and strategically develop additional targeted activities for summer 2026/2027.
Discussion
In accordance with Council’s resolution, a pilot movie event was held at Dawn Fraser Baths on 18 April to mark the conclusion of the summer swimming season. This family-oriented event featured a late afternoon swim followed by a screening of the Minecraft Movie. Attendance exceeded 120 participants, primarily children and families, and feedback was highly positive. It is important to acknowledge logistical challenges for summer movie screenings resulting from daylight saving time. While the trial event commenced at 6:00pm due to the end of daylight saving, it would not be feasible to host movie nights at Aquatic Centres during peak summer months, as sunset occurs around 8:30pm.
To evaluate an alternative model, a Dive-in Movie event is scheduled at Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre during the July school holidays. A family-friendly film will be screened at 6:45pm following pool closure at 6:30pm, thereby minimising any impact on regular operations.
Regarding opportunities for local businesses to participate in food and entertainment sponsorship, options will depend on the specific facility. Currently, four of Council’s five aquatic centres have established café providers onsite with formal lease agreements granting exclusive rights. In contrast, Dawn Fraser Baths does not have such an arrangement, presenting a potential opportunity to introduce a bespoke “Sunday Session” event for adults. This event could feature pop-up food and beverage offerings from local businesses and suppliers. With the appropriate licensing, participation could extend to local breweries and distilleries.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications arising from this report.
Financial Implications
Based on preliminary estimates, hosting a year-long program of Dive-in Movie Nights and Sunday Sessions would cost approximately $40,000. Individual event expenses may differ according to the logistics at each location. These costs can be accommodated within the Aquatics operating budget for 2026/2027.
Conclusion
A report will be presented at the August 2026 Council meeting with a schedule for five Dive-in Movie Nights in summer 2026/2027, considering daylight saving and family-friendly entertainment, alongside a bespoke Sunday Session at Dawn Fraser Baths featuring live music and small business food and beverage. These additional activities could be branded as a new program, the “Cool Pools” program, funded by around $40,000 from existing budgets.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Robyn Webster Upgrade
Author: Ruth Callaghan - Director Community
|
That a report be provided to the September 2026 Council meeting including preliminary concept drawings and initial costings for the upgrade of the Robyn Webster Sports Centre at Tempe. |
Executive Summary
This report provides an update on progress toward the significant upgrade of Robyn Webster Indoor Sports Centre Tempe, in line with Council’s resolution of 3 December 2024.
· Council has completed early repair works, undertaken targeted consultation with residents, hirers and Robyn Webster’s family, improved the Centre’s management model and commissioned independent strategic recreation advice.
· Engagement and technical analysis confirm the facility is operating at capacity and that a larger, multicourt indoor redevelopment is required to meet current and future demand.
· To address immediate pressures, Council has allocated $300,000 in the 2025/26 capital works program for outdoor court upgrades, including expanded pickleball use and new options for basketball (which is in high demand from the community).
· These works will deliver short-term capacity and activation benefits while planning continues for the building upgrade.
· The next phase will be to progress site analysis and concept design (with the assistance of external quantity surveyor and architect) to support future funding and decision-making on the upgrade.
· A report will be brought to Council in September 2026 including initial concept designs.
Purpose
To provide Councillors with a progress report on the key issues raised through community consultation to be considered in the upgrade of the Robyn Webster Sports Centre, how Council is considering these and preparing a site analysis, business case and concept drawings so that the building upgrade responds to identified community need whilst anticipating future demographic demands and enabling a cost effective response.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
Background
At the Council meeting held on 3 December 2024, Council resolved the following C1224(1) Item 30:
1. That Council commences work to undertake a significant upgrade of the Robyn Webster Indoor Sports Centre, Tempe, with the objective of construction work commencing within this term of Council.
2. That Council thanks staff for their work to repair and upgrade flooring and insulation and undertake other works in 2023.
3. That Council note the Robyn Webster Sports Centre is one of the only large-scale indoor sports centres in the Inner West and is being used more and by a broader selection of sports and other users.
4. That Council in the first quarter of 2025:
a) host a roundtable of regular hirers of the Sports Centre and outdoor courts, as well as potential future hirers, to determine the specific needs of local sports clubs and opportunities for upgrades;
b) write to all residents of Tempe inviting them to a public meeting, to be held at the Sports Centre, to determine community needs and opportunities for upgrades; and
c) hold a meeting between the Director for Infrastructure and the family of Robyn Webster to seek their feedback and input, if desired.
5. That Council commence the process of seeking grant and other funding from State and Federal governments to upgrade the Centre.
6. That Council add the upgrade of the Robyn Webster Indoor Sports Centre to the regular reporting to the Major Projects Committee.
The Robyn Webster Sports Centre (RWSC) is a large indoor sporting complex located at Tempe Recreation Reserve. It is available for hire by schools, clubs, sporting teams, cultural groups and members of the public for activities such as netball, indoor soccer, pickleball, roller sports, volleyball and badminton.
In the late 1990’s, the building and site was a concrete batching plant for the Airport railway link. Then in the early 2000’s, the building was retained and became the Robyn Webster Sports Centre.
The Centre has become the long-term home for a number of community groups representing a unique variety of sports. It has two indoor courts and 11 outdoor courts.
Inner West Council’s Recreation Needs Action Plan and the Recreation Needs Study (2021) identified a significant shortfall in indoor sport and recreation facilities across the Inner West LGA. The study estimated that, by 2036, an additional seven multipurpose indoor courts will be required to meet projected population growth and industry benchmarks. To further support findings highlighted by the community engagement process and the recreation needs action plan, Council also engaged a suitably qualified recreation consultant to provide strategic advice on options for the RWSC upgrade.
RWSC was historically managed under a ‘Memoranda of Understanding’ with Sydney University Sport and the City of Sydney Netball Association. These agreements had been in place since 2002. In 2024, Council transitioned to a more direct management model, using 6 or 12 month hire agreements with user groups to improve transparency and access. In addition, Council has also enhanced direct programming (including pickleball and school sport). This has resulted in better service to community, with 7-day access and an average increase in utilisation of 13.5 hours per week.
Community Engagement
Council staff have completed the initial phase of community engagement to inform planning for the RWSC upgrade, consistent with Council’s resolution at Item 30(4). Engagement activities included:
· Community meeting (8 May 2025): Tempe residents were invited by letter to a public meeting at the Centre, supported by broader promotion via Council social media, website and onsite signage. Eighteen (18) community members attended.
· Hirers roundtable (14 May 2025): Existing and prospective hirers participated in a facilitated discussion to identify operational needs and opportunities. Twelve (12) representatives from community groups attended with Council staff.
· Your Say Inner West (29 April–26 May 2025): Online ideas page invited feedback on “ideas and opportunities for upgrades to the Robyn Webster Sports Centre”. The page received 798 views, with 37 ideas submitted and 286 up-votes recorded here.
· Robyn Webster family: Council staff maintained regular contact throughout April and May. The family welcomed the updates and will continue to be consulted as the project progresses.
The Engagement Outcome Report, capturing full feedback and themes, is available in Attachment 1.
Discussion
Across all engagement channels, the most consistent theme was strong support for adding basketball facilities, which are currently unavailable at the centre. Key engagement results included:
· 70% (262 of 375) of "Your Say" comments requested basketball facilities.
· Current users consistently reported that the centre is operating at or above capacity (as noted at both the community meeting and hirers roundtable).
· 82% (9 of 11) of current hirers want five or more courts in the upgraded facility to meet ongoing demand.
This feedback highlights a shortage of indoor sports infrastructure in the Inner West, especially for popular, all-ages sports like basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. Participants emphasized that the centre is a unique and valued venue for activities not offered elsewhere, such as roller derby, roller skating, pickleball, and German wheel.
The community also raised concerns about the facility’s limitations. Of "Your Say" comments, 12% (45 of 375) and 16% (5 of 32) of community meeting comments focused on improving building amenities. Main issues included:
· Poor temperature control and ventilation
· Inadequate change rooms and amenities, including gender‑inclusive options
· Limited seating and spectator facilities
There was also strong interest in additional spaces, such as a café and gym—each requested by 19% (6 of 35) of community meeting respondents.
Sports Centre Upgrade Management Plan
To ensure the community’s feedback was accurately reflected and to strengthen the business case for the proposed facility upgrade, Council staff engaged external specialists. The consultant’s approach involved a thorough review of various forms of evidence, including historical utilisation data, hirer profiles, financial records, and community engagement outcomes. Additionally, the assessment incorporated findings from recreation demand analysis and other relevant sources. Key inputs in this process included data from recreation planning and facility usage, Basketball NSW, and the Australian Government Sport Commission. This comprehensive review was designed to inform recommendations and support preparation of the facility upgrade.
Key themes:
· Interest in sports such as basketball is strong and continues to grow.
· More people are getting involved, either through organised clubs or informal games, which highlights the need for flexible, multi-purpose indoor courts.
· Existing court facilities are not sufficient to meet this rising demand.
· Limited space and high competition mean some potential users miss out, indicating that additional courts or upgraded venues could help address this gap.
· Opportunity to include a health and fitness facility: Within a 15-minute drive of Robyn Webster, around 50,000 residents have similar health and fitness needs to those served by Annette Kellerman, Ashfield, and Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centres. Enhancing these services with improved facilities could enhance community wellbeing and open up new revenue opportunities if health and fitness offerings are included.
· Indoor facilities allow reliable participation throughout the year. Unlike outdoor options, indoor courts ensure consistent use no matter the weather, leading to greater utilisation and steady involvement.
· There is increasing demand for multi-use, inclusive facilities which accommodate multiple sports and all age groups and inclusive programs.
The consultants have determined that Inner West Council is experiencing a significant and substantiated deficiency in indoor recreation infrastructure. With only five indoor courts serving approximately 193,000 residents, the local government area is notably under-resourced when compared with benchmark standards and adjacent councils. This gap can be attributed to ongoing population growth, rising urban density, and high participation rates in indoor court sports, especially basketball as well as increasing interest in flexible and social activities such as pickleball. Concurrently, there remains an unmet need for accessible, community-oriented fitness and recreation programs, despite the presence of a robust private gym sector.
Council officers are also gathering more detailed information about the site where Robyn Webster is located. The goal is to identify any issues related to flooding, the layout of amenities, site boundaries, the M8 tunnel, or other factors that could affect the design and build of the upgrade. This information will help guide future design options including additions to the existing footprint of the building.
Outdoor Court Upgrade to meet short-term needs
Council has allocated $300,000 in the 2025/26 Capital Works budget (Tempe Reserve and Tempe Lands) to undertake upgrades to the outdoor courts at Robyn Webster. This funding will enable:
· Two (2) netball courts to receive a surface upgrade and new line marking to support netball and six (6) pickleball courts.
· A surface upgrade and new line marking to support netball and one (1) basketball court.
· All remaining courts to continue to support outdoor netball on existing surfaces.
These works are planned for completion by July 2026 and will respond to growing demand for pickleball and casual outdoor basketball, while supporting improved precinct activation and service delivery.
Next steps
The next steps for the upgrade project are to:
· May 2026: Recreation and Indoor Sports Centre Upgrade and Management Plan provided by external consultants to assist with project scope
· By July 2026: Complete outdoor court upgrades already funded through the 2025/2026 capital works program, including new surface treatments and line markings to increase the number of courts available to community
· May-July 2026: Undertake detailed site analysis including flooding, services, boundaries and M8 tunnel interface
· September 2026: Report back to Council on site analysis outcomes and present preliminary concept designs for building upgrade and initial costings.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications arising from this report.
Financial Implications
Council has allocated $300,000 in the 2025/26 Capital Works budget. Further detailed costings will be undertaken once the business plan, site analysis and concept drawings are available.
Conclusion
The project is progressing according to Council’s December 2024 resolution to undertake a significant upgrade of the Robyn Webster Sports Centre, Tempe, with the objective of construction work commencing within this term of Council. A report will be provided to the September 2026 meeting including initial concept drawings and costings for consideration. An external architect will be procured to assist with this work.
Attachment 1 has been published separately in the Attachments Document on Council’s Website https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings/current-council-meetings
|
1.⇨ |
Engagement Outcomes Report 2025 - Robyn Webster - Published Separately on Council’s website |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Public Kerbside EV Chargers Utilisation
Author: Manod Wickramasinghe - Acting Director Engineering
|
That Council adopt the following recommendations:
1. That Council continue planning for and working with Electric Vehicle (EV) charging partners to install public EV chargers to keep pace with increasing demand.
2. That charging providers should be requested to institute idle fees for AC chargers.
3. That Council gradually transition non-dedicated EV charging spaces to dedicated charging spaces, once overstay fees have been implemented and their impacts analysed.
4. That Council work with Council’s kerbside charging providers to include DC fast chargers on the kerbside at strategic locations. |
Executive Summary
· In February 2025, Council resolved in part to conduct a usage review of the public kerbside EV chargers being installed across the Inner West.
· The attached EV Utilisation Study examines use of kerbside public chargers in the Inner West between August 2025 and January 2026.
· The key findings of the Study include:
o EV uptake is rising quicker than the provision of public charging and is currently concentrated in areas with access to off-street charging opportunities. To assist the two-thirds of our residents who do not have off-street charging opportunities, additional public charging should be provided.
o Idle fees should be implemented at all public chargers to deter overstay.
o Ports with dedicated spaces are used four times more than without dedicated spaces.
o The charging peak is from 8.00am-10.00am, with a more spread-out peak in the evening.
o The DC fast charging ports are attracting roughly three times more use than slower chargers.
· Based on this analysis, the Study recommends four key actions to optimise effective use of kerbside public chargers, while balancing the parking needs of all road users. These are; planning and collaborating with EV charging partners to install public chargers in line with growing demand, require charging providers to introduce idle fees for AC chargers, progressively transition non‑dedicated charging bays to dedicated EV spaces following assessment of overstay fee impacts, and work with kerbside providers to deliver DC fast chargers at strategic locations.
· Council is also progressing the installation of higher speed (DC) charging in 13 public car parks. Design and approvals are progressing with installation anticipated for the end of the year.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to present the outcomes of the EV Utilisation study, outlining results of the study and recommendations to improve utilisation as EV uptake increases.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport |
|
|
Background
In May 2023, Inner West Council adopted its Electric Vehicle Encouragement Strategy, which included principles and actions recommending that Council initiate partnerships with charging providers to install kerbside public charging across the Inner West.
In response, Inner West Council has supported its three kerbside charging partners (PLUS ES, EVX and EVSE) in rolling out kerbside public charging infrastructure throughout the Inner West.
These partners were successful in receiving grant funding for public kerbside chargers under Round 1 of the NSW EV Kerbside Charging Grant. This funding has resulted in the installation of 146 kerbside public charging ports in 2024 and 2025.
At the Council meeting held on 18 February 2025, Council resolved the following in part C0225(1) Item 4:
4. That Council conduct a usage review six months from the end of the rollout, including the uptake at each location and consideration of whether any changes are recommended to maximise effective and efficient use of the chargers, and report back to Council with the results of the review.
In response, the attached EV Utilisation Study was prepared which examines use of kerbside public EV chargers in the Inner West, between 1 August 2025 to 31 January 2026.
This report provides a summary of the Study.
Introduction
Transitioning from Internal Combustion Engined (ICE) vehicles to Electric Vehicles (EVs) plays a significant role in Federal, State and Local Governments’ plans to achieve the internationally recognised Net Zero 2050 goals, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Timeline of State and Federal Government Targets (NSW EV Strategy, 2021 & Australian National Electric Vehicle Strategy, 2023)
As EV adoption rises, access to reliable charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly important, particularly in areas such as the Inner West, where private charging is not an option. In the Inner West, approximately 65% of residents do not have access to off-street parking or live in older apartment buildings that cannot readily support EV charging infrastructure.
While Council’s adopted Road User Hierarchy (Figure 2) prioritises active and public transport as the most sustainable ways to move people, it also recognises that some trips may be best suited to private car travel. Within its 5th category, the hierarchy prioritises EVs over non-EVs, for sustainability and liveability reasons.
To support this hierarchy and the nationally required transition to EVs, in combination with the Inner West housing and socio-demographic composition, it is essential to support the Community in accessing public charging.
Figure 2: IWC's Road User Hierarchy (Integrated Transport Strategy, 2020)
Discussion
Recognition of demand
In considering the analysis provided in the attached Study, it is important to note that the EV Ecosystem is a constantly changing environment and, that since the Study was prepared, factors such as escalating petrol/diesel prices and fuel-security concerns have contributed to accelerated EV uptake compared with the Study period.
As an example, the February data used in the Study shows 3,476 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEVs) registered in the Inner West, whereas current data (early April 2026) shows that there are now 4,703 BEVs; an increase of 35% in one month. In terms of fleet composition, this means that the BEVs in the Inner West have exceeded 4% of all registered vehicles.
The Study only examines BEVs; excluding hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Consequently, its demand estimates should be considered conservative.
Figure 3 shows growth in EV ownership across the Inner West between March 2024 and February 2026.
In comparison to the actual vehicle numbers shown above, Figure 4 shows the projected growth between 2021 and 2050. Again, this represents conservative estimates as it does not include recent exponential increases in uptake.
Figure 3: Number and percentage of BEV in Inner West's passenger fleet (Registration snapshot)
Figure 4: Projected number of vehicles in Inner West by technology type (CSIRO). Note that the projections included postcodes that are fully and partially in Inner West LGA.
In establishing generalised demand for public chargers, the internationally accepted target equates to 1 public charging port for every 10 EVs (including PHEVs). Based on this target, the Inner West’s current provision of 146 kerbside public charging ports, and some 40 additional public ports available on private property, equates to approximately 40% of the existing requirement.
Additionally, Council’s 146 kerbside spaces currently allocated to EV charging (78 dedicated[1] spaces and 68 non-dedicated spaces) equates to less than 0.3% of kerbspace in the Inner West.
Methodology
The final ports installed under the State Government’s Stage 1a and 1b charging grant commenced operation in July 2025. Accordingly, the Study’s analysis commences from August 2025.
Utilisation data, for August 2025 to January 2026, was collected from Council’s charging partners, including:
· Location of chargers for each connection;
· Connection start date-time;
· Connection end date-time; and
· Idle session start date-time (if applicable).
Analysis
Connections:
The data provided indicates that the average number of connections per port, across the six months, varied greatly; ranging from 207 in Camperdown to 52 in Lilyfield. Representing an average of 1.1 and 0.2 connections per port per day, during the study period. When analysed at a suburb level, averaging can distort the data because of the small number of ports in some suburbs. Consequently, it is considered more appropriate to look at LGA-wide trends, where a total of 16,141 connections were recorded.
Charging Sessions:
During the study period, 38% of charging sessions were for 2 hours or less, and 74% were for 4 hours or less (Figure 5).
Figure
5: Charging sessions by duration (hours)
Start times for charging sessions are shown in Figure 6 and indicate high demand in the mornings between 7.00am and 10.00am (especially for ports with dedicated spaces). A predictable ‘return home peak’ was also shown; running from 4.00pm to 7.00pm.
Potentially, the morning peak for ‘dedicated ports is because these ports have signposted restrictions from 8.00am (making them more available than the ‘non-dedicated’ ports).
Figure 6: Average start time of charging sessions
Idling Sessions:
Idling sessions are occurrences when a vehicle is parked at the port but not charging. This is strongly influenced by whether the port has a dedicated space or not. It can also be influenced by the application of a penalty fee, to be paid by the user, for occupying the space without charging (an idle fee). Currently, only the DC fast charger at 8 Federation Road, Newtown has an ‘idle fee’ applied.
Idle times vary significantly by time of day and are shown on Figure 7, with longer idle times occurring between 8.00pm and 2.00am. Under normal circumstances, if an idle fee were to be introduced, idle sessions during these times would not attract the fee as they are generally outside the times prescribed for dedicated spaces, and it is considered unreasonable to expect a user to be required to move their car out of a space during late-night/early morning hours.
Figure 7: Idling start times and their average duration (hours)
DC Fast charger in Federation Road, Newtown:
As Council’s only kerbside DC fast charger, data from the two Federation Road ports (one charger) were also separately analysed.
In summary, this analysis shows that:
· While the two DC ports represent only 1.45% of all ports they accounted for 4% of all charging sessions;
· Over 90% of charging sessions at the DC ports were for 1.5 hours or less;
· No idle times were experienced at these ports (Noting that these ports are the only ports in the Inner West that currently attracted an idle fee).
Update on public charging for council car parks
Council has partnered with Origin and EVIE to provide higher speed (DC) charging in its public car parks. Subject to power grid capacity and grant funding; Stage One will see a mix of 22kW and 75kW charging coming to 13 carparks listed below.
· Ashfield Aquatic Centre;
· Barclay Street Car Park;
· Beattie Street Car Park;
· Bedford Crescent Car Park;
· Charles Street Car Park;
· Haberfield Centre Car Park;
· Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Hall Car Park;
· Leichhardt Town Hall Car Park;
· Lennox Street/Church Street Car Park;
· Fisher Street Car Park;
· Hamilton Street Car Park;
· Merton Street Car Park;
· Summer Hill Car Park.
These faster, higher capacity, chargers are subject to a longer approval pathway because of grid capacity constraints and a separate funding approach, compared to lower output AC kerbside chargers.
At this time, concept plans have been completed for most sites, with grid capacity analysis being currently underway.
Installation in Council’s car parks is anticipated to commence at the end of this year.
Conclusion
In summary, the key findings of the Study include:
· EV uptake is rising quicker than the provision of public charging and is currently concentrated in areas with access to off-street charging opportunities. To assist the two-thirds of our residents who do not have off-street charging opportunities, additional public charging should be provided.
· Idle fees should be implemented at all public chargers to deter overstay.
· Ports with dedicated spaces are used four times more than without dedicated spaces.
· The charging peak is from 8.00am-10.00am, with a more spread-out peak in the evening.
· The DC fast charging ports are attracting roughly three times more use than slower chargers.
Noting these findings, the following recommendations aim to achieve a balance between the competing kerbside of residents with either EVs or ICEs, while endeavouring to future-proof the LGA for the projects transition to EVs.
1. Continue planning for and working with EV charging partners to install public EV chargers to keep pace with increasing demand
2. Charging providers should be requested to institute idle fees for AC chargers.
3. Gradually, transition non-dedicated EV charging spaces to dedicated charging spaces, once overstay fees have been implemented and their impacts analysed.
4. Work with Council’s kerbside charging providers to include DC fast chargers on the kerbside at strategic locations.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
1.⇩ |
Kerbside Public Charging Utilisation Study |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: GreenWay Activation
Author: Manod Wickramasinghe - Acting Director Engineering
|
That Council:
1. Endorse the commencement of detailed planning for a 6km fun run event on the GreenWay. This will include detailed assessment of the route, operational requirements and community considerations.
2. Continue to support third party activations on the GreenWay such as cycling based events and bush care programs with schools.
|
Executive Summary
· This report responds to Council's resolution of 17 February 2026 by outlining potential Council-run events and activations along the GreenWay corridor
· It is proposed that Council commence planning of a 6km fun run as an initial activation as it would showcase a significant proportion of the GreenWay whilst being accessible for casual and experienced runners.
· Council-delivered programs (Seniors Festival and Youth Week activities) are being explored to incorporate the Greenway as a venue. Partnerships are also continuing with local schools and environmental groups to deliver bushcare and environmental education activities along the corridor.
· Cycling activations are being coordinated with Transport for NSW on the Greenway and this includes bike skills sessions, maintenance workshops and education on safe e-bike use.
· Delivery of additional wayfinding signage (Jack Shanahan Reserve to the Cooks River) and a communications plan demonstrating current Greenway use are being progressed.
· A further update will be provided to Council once designs, costs and delivery timeframes of the fun run are confirmed.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to advise Council of events and activations that could be held along the GreenWay.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
Background
At the Council Meeting held on 17 February 2026, Council resolved the following C0226(1) Item 40:
1. That Council congratulate Inner West Council on the successful opening of the GreenWay in December 2025, noting that usage tripled in the first two weeks following its opening.
2. That Council prepare a report for the April Council meeting outlining potential Council run events that could be held along the GreenWay, including but not limited to:
a) A half marathon;
b) Kids Bike Buses, including school commutes and other cycling based events aimed at increasing riding confidence and skills, including bike tune-up activities; and
c) Partnering with local schools to deliver educational and practical bushcare programs.
3. That Council create and execute a communication plan that demonstrates how the GreenWay is currently being used by Inner West residents.
4. That Council investigate the need for additional signage from Jack Shanahan Reserve to the Cooks River.
5. That Council ensure the report includes estimated costs, budget implications, and suggested timeframes for delivery
This report focuses on events and activations that could be held along
the GreenWay, other components of the resolution are being
delivered in parallel, with the implementation of additional signage between
Jack Shanahan Reserve to the Cooks River and the development of a
communications plan progressing.
It should be noted that the communications plan will deliver a combination of an ongoing campaign on social media, media stories around key milestones, and event promotion as more activations are delivered on the GreenWay in 2026 and beyond.
Discussion
The GreenWay is a 6km environmental, walking and cycling corridor linking the Cooks River at Earlwood with the Parramatta River at Iron Cove and the Bay Run.
Since opening in December 2025, the Greenway has experienced strong early community uptake, with around 5,000 people attending the official opening and ongoing regular use for walking, cycling and recreation. While formal usage data is not yet available, early indicators demonstrate the Greenway is well used and highly valued by the community.
Since opening, the following has been observed:
· Frequent informal use for walking, cycling, jogging and dog walking
· Use of the Greenway for commuting
· Booking requests for activities and events along the GreenWay corridor
Opportunities for further activation are outlined below.
Running events
The Greenway is a 6 km point-to-point between Cooks River to the Iron Cove and the Bay Run and there is opportunity for a variety of running events that can incorporate the Greenway. Options for a running event are shown in the following table.
|
Running Event Option |
Approximate Route |
Considerations |
|
5km fun run |
Richard Murden Reserve to the Cooks River |
· Uses majority of the Greenway · Caters to casual runners · Will require closure of impacted section of the Greenway · Finishes within walking distance of Dulwich Hill station for return journey · Requires approval of Canterbury Bankstown Council for course to extend into their LGA |
|
6km fun run |
Richard Murden Reserve to Johnson Park and return |
· Uses northern portion of the Greenway · Caters to casual runners · Course returns runners to starting point · Will require closure of impacted section of the Greenway · Wholly within Inner West LGA |
|
21.1km half marathon |
Start/finish at Leichhardt #3 via the Bay Run, the Greenway and Cooks River Path and return |
· Uses all of the Greenway · Caters to experienced runners · Requires closure of the Greenway (and for a greater period of time compared to other options) · Requires closure of the Bay Run and part of the Cooks River Path · Requires approval of TfNSW, GSP and Canada Bay Council for use of their sections of the Bay Run in addition to Canterbury Bankstown Council for course to extend into their LGA |
It is proposed that Council commence detailed planning for a running event in the form of a 6km fun run (circuit) which will cater to a greater number of participants including casual runners. This will also minimise impact on other jurisdictions and facilities such as the Bay Run and Cooks River Path.
Incorporation of Council events
Council’s event team will consider the GreenWay as a potential venue for Council led event programs in 2027, including Seniors Festival and Youth Week.
In 2026, Council will expand the Seniors Morning Tea Program to include events at Johnson Park and Richard Murden Reserve, consistent with the Council resolution of 17 February 2026. Events will include accessible, mobility-paced guided tours, supported by clear information on public transport access and entry points to maximise participation. An autumn morning tea will align with Australian Heart Week (4–10 May 2026) and an intergenerational morning tea will be delivered on the Greenway in October 2026 in partnership with Children’s Services and the Magic Yellow Bus mobile playgroup.
Partnering with local schools and groups
Council currently partners with local schools and groups on projects along the GreenWay. Ashfield Boys High School conducts a regular bushcare session each month at Gadigal Reserve; this program has operated successfully for approximately a decade on the Greenway.
In addition, Trinity Grammar School secondary students participate in bushcare and bush regeneration activities at Richard Murden Reserve to support ecological resilience and healthier waterways.
Environmental volunteers have a long-standing history of conservation and environmental restoration using bush regeneration techniques across nine bushcare sites along the Greenway. Typically, 5–6 supervised bushcare working bees are delivered each month.
“Gunggung Gunya (Frogs Home): Growing Biodiversity on the Greenway” is a restoration project focused on conserving and repairing the last remaining natural creek line in the Inner West. The unnamed creek is a freshwater tributary of the Cooks River, with headwaters on land associated with Dulwich Hill Public School. The school provided a letter of support for Council’s Urban Ecology application to the NSW Government’s Greening Our City grant program. Inner West Council has been awarded $200,000 to deliver revegetation and canopy creation works to support healthier waterways, with delivery planned across 2026–2028.
Cycling activations
Council’s Office of Sport Coordinator is working with Transport for NSW to deliver cycling activations at Johnson Park on the Greenway. This includes the following sessions that are being delivered from March to May 2026:
· Bike Tune-Up – providing a maintenance service to riders such as tyre repair or gear adjustment
· Try-A-Bike – Allows users to test a variety of bikes including e-bikes, cruisers and road bikes
· Bike Skills and Confidence – these are targeted at beginner cyclists and aims to teach bike riding skills and build confidence with riding in Sydney
Council will continue to work with Transport for NSW to deliver further cycling activations.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
Investigating courses for a fun run and a half marathon by a professional event company is estimated at $5,000 for a 5km / 6km course and $8,000 for a half marathon (including an official measurement of the course).
Event management of the running events is estimated at $20K for a 5km or 6km course.
The price for a half marathon would start at $40,000 but the final price would be dependent on number of participants and extent of traffic control required, noting that the course would have road crossings (including Old Canterbury Road which is a state road) that would need considered management.
The documents required to organise a running events within this budget include:
· Site plans
· Course investigation
· Event Management Plans
· Temporary Food Stalls
· Traffic Management Plan (s)
· Public Liability insurance
The costs associated with the implementation of a running event include:
· Event management
· Staffing
· Infrastructure e.g. marquees, barricades
· Traffic control
This report’s recommendation of a 6km fun run will require an additional $25,000 to be allocated as part of a quarterly budget review.
Conclusion
The GreenWay has demonstrated strong early community use since it has been opened. Targeted activations will increase showcasing the corridor as a safe, accessible place for walking, running, riding and recreation.
It is recommended to commencing detailed planning for a 6km fun run including confirmation of route options, operational impacts, costs and delivery timeframes.
Council will continue to support third-party cycling events and school-led bush care programs in partnership with relevant agencies and local groups.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Post Exhibition - Weed Management Policy
Author: Manod Wickramasinghe - Acting Director Engineering
|
That Council: 1. Adopt the Weed Management Policy.
2. Update the Policy Register and publish, as applicable, internally, and externally the adopted Weed Management Policy. |
Executive Summary
· The Weed Management Policy provides a framework for the management of weeds across Council managed land, including streetscapes, parks and open spaces.
· The policy prioritizes non chemical weed management methods where feasible and practical, limiting herbicide use and protecting sensitive areas.
· Council undertook a review of the Weed Management Policy to ensure it remains current, complies with legislative requirements, and aligns with best‑practice weed management principles. The review supports Council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, tidy and environmentally responsible streets, parks and public spaces.
· The draft Weed Management Policy was endorsed by Council for public exhibition in November 2025 and placed on public exhibition for a minimum period of 28 days.
· A total of 8 submissions were received regarding the draft Weed Management Policy. Of these, 3 submissions supported the policy, 3 objected, and 2 provided comments only.
· Community feedback reflected a range of views on weed management methods and the balance between chemical and non‑chemical approaches. Key issues raised included the effectiveness of mechanical weed control, the use of herbicides, and the need for clear service standards.
· It is recommended that Council adopt the Weed Management Policy as exhibited.
Purpose
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West |
|
|
Background
The Weed Management Policy provides a framework for the management of weeds across Council‑managed land, including streetscapes, parks and open spaces. The policy prioritizes non‑chemical weed management methods where feasible and practical, limits herbicide use, protects sensitive areas and ensures compliance with relevant legislation and Council’s Pesticide Use Notification Plan.
The Weed Management Policy sets out how Council manages weeds on Council‑owned land. The policy:
· Uses a mix of weed control methods
· Prioritises non‑chemical methods where practical
· Uses herbicides only when other methods are not effective
· Any weed spray use must be executed to prevent runoff into stormwater drains and waterways.
· Restricts herbicide use in sensitive areas. This is conducted using steam weeding, high pressure water jets, mechanical weeding or manual methods.
· Focuses on safety, environmental protection and public amenity
· Meets legislative, safety and notification requirements
· Defines roles and training requirements for staff and contractors
The review of the policy forms part of Council’s ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible practices, community safety and continuous improvement of service delivery.
At the Council meeting held on 18 November 2025, Council resolved the following C1125(1) Item 8:
1. That Council place the draft Weed Management Policy on public exhibition for 28 days prior to adoption.
2. That Council consider the results of the public exhibition process when adopting the final Weed Management Policy
The draft Weed Management Policy was subsequently placed on public exhibition.
Discussion
The draft Weed Management Policy was placed on public exhibition from 12 March 2026 to 9 April 2026. There were 129 visits to the Your Say Inner West project page during public exhibition. There were no responses by mail or phone.
There were 8 submissions received during the public exhibition period regarding the draft Weed Management Policy, 3 supported, 3 objected, 2 provided comments only. Comments from the public exhibition have been outlined below:
|
Support (Yes or No) |
Public Exhibition Comment/Explanation |
IWC Comment |
|
Yes |
General
support for the policy intent and Council’s ongoing weed management
approach, with satisfaction expressed about current practices in some local
areas.
|
Council notes the support for the policy’s overall intent. The Weed Management Policy provides a balanced, integrated approach to weed control across the Inner West, using appropriate methods based on site conditions and risk.
|
|
No |
Concerns about reduced use of herbicides and the effectiveness of mechanical weed control, including fears of increased weed spread and insufficient resourcing.
Number of respondents: 3
|
Council uses a range of methods to manage weeds across the Inner West, including mechanical, manual, chemical controls and steam/hot water treatments in sensitive areas. Herbicide use is applied selectively and is subject to strict operational and environmental controls
|
|
Unsure |
Conditional support with requests for clearer implementation details, including treatment frequency, acceptable weed levels, and how effectiveness will be monitored.
Number of respondents: 2 |
The Weed Management Policy is supported by operational guidelines and service planning that guide prioritisation, treatment frequency and monitoring.
|
Council contacted all respondents directly to address their feedback and provided an open line of communication for further discussion regarding the policy.
After reviewing the feedback provided during the public exhibition period it is proposed to adopt the publicly exhibited Policy, as exhibited, with no changes noting the comments provided have been addressed as outlined in the table above.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
1.⇩ |
Draft IWC Weed Management Policy |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Local Transport Forum Meeting - 20 April 2026
Author: Manod Wickramasinghe - Acting Director Engineering
|
That Council receive and adopt the recommendations of the Local Transport Forum meeting held on 20 April 2026. |
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport |
|
|
Discussion
The April 2026 meeting of the Local Transport Forum was held at the Ashfield Service Centre. The minutes of the meeting are shown in Attachment 1 for Council’s consideration and adoption.
Items by Ward – April 2026
|
Ward |
Item |
|
Baludarri (Balmain)
|
Lilyfield Road, Lilyfield - Lilyfield Road Cycleway and Angle Parking |
|
Gulgadya (Leichhardt)
|
Nil. |
|
Midjuburi (Marrickville) |
Marrickville Road, Marrickville - Proposed Raised Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing - Design Plan No. 21437-01 |
|
Djarrawunang (Ashfield)
|
Seaview Street at Yeo Avenue, Ashfield – Proposed Raised Threshold – Design Plan 10380 |
|
Norton Street and Lapish Avenue, Ashfield - Proposed at-grade pedestrian (zebra) crossing |
|
|
Damun (Stanmore) |
McRae Street and Livingstone Road, Petersham - Proposed Kerb Blister and Kerb Extension - Design Plan No. 10375 |
|
McGill Street at Old Canterbury Road, Lewisham – Proposed Kerb Extensions – Design Plan 10374A |
|
|
Australia Street, Newtown - Proposed Parklet to support food businesses in Australia Street |
|
|
All Wards |
Nil. |
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
Projects proposed for implementation are funded within existing budget allocations.
|
1.⇩ |
Local Transport Forum minutes - 20 April 2026 |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Flood Management Advisory Committee Meeting - 4 March 2026
Author: Manod Wickramasinghe - Acting Director Engineering
|
That Council receive and adopt the recommendation of the Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting held 4 March 2026.
|
Purpose
This report seeks adoption of the recommendation made by the Flood Management Advisory Committee from the meeting of 4 March 2026.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West 2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport |
Background
The Flood Management Advisory Committee assists Council in the preparation of Floodplain Risk Management Plans for the Inner West Local Government Area.
The Committee meets at least four times each year and it is comprised of Councillors, community representatives, State Government Agency Representatives and Council officers. As the Committee has no delegation, all recommendations made by the Committee need to be considered for approval by Council.
The March meeting of the Flood Management Advisory Committee was held on 4 March 2026. The minutes of the meeting are provided in Attachment 1.
This report recommends that Council adopt the recommendation from the Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting of 4 March 2026, that the Committee terms of reference be adopted.
Discussion
The March meeting of the Flood Management Advisory Committee was held on 4 March 2026. The minutes of the meeting are provided in Attachment 1.
The following item was considered and recommendation made by the Flood Management Advisory Committee:
1. The Flood Management Advisory Committee Terms of Reference have been further amended to enable members of the public to address the Committee on any agenda item at the start of any Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting.
The next Flood Management Advisory Committee meeting is 13 May 2026.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
1.⇩ |
Flood Management Advisory Committe 4 March 2026 - Meeting Minutes |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Post Exhibition - Sponsorship Policy
Author: Sharon Bowman - Director Corporate
|
That Council: 1. Adopt the revised Sponsorship Policy. 2. Update the Policy Register and publish the adopted Sponsorship Policy. |
Executive Summary
· On 17 February 2026, Council resolved to place an updated Sponsorship Policy on public exhibition.
· Two submissions were received during the exhibition period. Both supported Council’s proposed changes to the Sponsorship Policy.
· It is recommended that Council adopt the Sponsorship Policy at Attachment 1.
Purpose
This report presents the final Sponsorship Policy for adoption, and details the community feedback received in relation to Council’s proposed changes to the Sponsorship Policy.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
|
|
Background
Council’s Sponsorship Policy establishes the policy and administrative framework for commercial sponsorship arrangements involving Council.
At the Council meeting held on 28 October 2025, Council resolved to make changes to its policy framework to support the abolition of sub-minimum wages for people with disability. In relation to Council’s Sponsorship Policy, Council resolved the following in part C1025(1) Item 28:
1. That in the meantime the General Manager review and provide a report to the February 2026 Council meeting on work underway to:
b) review the Sponsorship Policy and Grants Guidelines/criteria to ensure exclusion of sponsorship or funding for any individual or organisation that fails to provide appropriate remuneration to people with disability;
In response to the resolution relating to the Sponsorship Policy, Council considered a draft Sponsorship Policy at a Council meeting held on 17 February 2026, Council resolved the following in part C0226(1) Item 15:
3. That, in response to the resolution to review the Sponsorship Policy to ensure exclusion of sponsorship for any individual or organisation that fails to provide appropriate remuneration to people with disability, Council:
a) Place the attached draft Sponsorship Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days to seek community feedback, subject to the addition of the words “including those that pay a sub-minimum wage to such workers” at the end of paragraph 5(f) and at the end of the 5th dot point in the fourth paragraph of section 6.
b) That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the draft Sponsorship Policy be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption.
Discussion
The draft Sponsorship Policy, amended in accordance of the resolution was subsequently placed on public exhibition from 23 February 2026 to 22 March 2026, via the Your Say Inner West platform.
The exhibition attracted 115 page visits, resulting in two submissions – one via the Your Say Inner West platform and the other via email. No submissions were received by mail or phone.
Submission details are provided below:
|
Public Exhibition Comment/Explanation |
IWC Comment |
|
|
Yes |
Support. Source: Have your Say Inner West. |
No changes need to be made to the Sponsorship Policy to respond to this comment. |
|
Yes |
As a wheelchair user and Inner West resident, I'm writing to express strong and enthusiastic support for the proposed changes to Inner West Council's Sponsorship Policy: I couldn't be more supportive of these changes. They are an important step towards creating a truly inclusive society by ensuring that disabled workers receive at least the same minimum wage that other workers do. I look forward to seeing other councils follow your example. Source: submission via email. |
No changes need to be made to the Sponsorship Policy to respond to this comment.
|
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
1.⇩ |
Inner West Council Sponsorship Policy |
|
2.⇩ |
Overview Report - Your Say Inner West March 2026 |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - 19 March 2026 Minutes
Author: Sharon Bowman - Director Corporate
|
That Council adopt the minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting held on 19 March 2026. |
Executive Summary
· Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) held a meeting on 19 March 2026.
· At the meeting, ARIC considered a range of reports in relation to Council’s people and culture, governance, and legal obligations, and also received an update from the Audit Office of NSW.
· The minutes of the meeting are at Attachment 1, and it is recommended that Council adopt the minutes.
Purpose
This report presents the minutes of the ARIC March 2026 meeting for adoption by Council.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
|
|
Background
Council’s ARIC is established in accordance with section 428A of the Local Government Act 1993, the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, and the Office of Local Government Guidelines on Risk Management and Internal Audit (Guidelines). Its objective is to provide independent assurance to Council by monitoring, reviewing, and providing advice about Council’s governance processes, compliance, risk management and control frameworks, external accountability obligations, and overall performance.
The ARIC’s Terms of Reference require the minutes of ARIC meetings to be provided to Council and published to Council’s website after adoption by Council, as required by the Guidelines.
Discussion
Council’s ARIC approved the minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2026 out of session. The minutes record the outcomes of ARIC’s monitoring and review of key operational functions within Council, and make no substantive recommendations for Council’s consideration. These minutes are now presented to Council for adoption.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Subject: Supporting Visual Artists and Writers to Find Affordable Spaces to Work in the Inner West
Council at its meeting on 17 March 2026 resolved that the matter be deferred to the meeting to be held on 19 May 2026.
Prepared By: Ruth Callaghan - Director Community
|
RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive and note the report. |
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
3: Creative communities and a strong economy |
|
|
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to Council’s resolution at its February meeting this report provides additional information on free and subsidised venues available for creative use including Thirning Villa, Whites Creek Cottage and 19 Railway Rd (Stonevilla). An overview of planned capital works is provided. In addition to these venues, the report provides detail on nine subsidised Council venues being used by Creatives such as Herb Greedy Hall in Marrickville and Jimmy Little Community Centre in Rozelle.
Council also requested information on Garry Owen house, which is a State Government owned property in Callan Park currently the headquarters for Writers NSW.
The report also includes an update on progress for the Marrickville Town Hall basement and associated venue management.
BACKGROUND
At the Council meeting held on 17 February 2026, Council resolved the following:
1. Notes the importance of artists having access to affordable creative space, the high demand for affordable creative space in the inner city, and the Council’s significant and ongoing efforts to support local creatives while also providing community benefit.
2. That Council receives a report to the March Council Meeting providing additional information on Council’s investment in creative venues and opportunities to support creative arts in the Inner West, including:
a) The programs, residencies, and/or events currently utilising space at Thirning Villa, Whites Creek Cottage, and Stonevilla, their length of tenancy, and the costs to Council to support them;
b) The program and cost of scheduled capital works and maintenance at each of the venues listed above;
c) An update on the Marrickville Town Hall basement space; and
d) An overview of any other subsidised venues available to support creative arts in the Inner West, including Garry Owen House.
DISCUSSION
New Expression of Interest opportunities are currently being prepared for the two properties addressed in the February report, Thrining Villa and Whites Creek Cottage. These EOI programs will focus on providing access to these properties for writers and visual artists and will commence in 2026.
Background on the three identified properties is outlined below:
|
Property |
Current Tenant Status |
Current Status and use |
Arrangement |
Cost to Council |
|
Thirning Villa |
Refugee Art Project (RAP) 2018-March 2026. (cap works scheduled 2026)
RAP is a small arts organization, working with refugees in detention and in community settings. RAP engage in projects with major organizations (Biennale, AGNSW, etc) using site as their headquarters, exhibition, workshop and community gathering space.
Ashfield Historical Society occupy one further room on the ground floor.
|
3 x studios each 20.25msq Gallery/workshop space 34.2msq + shared facilities: bathroom, kitchen, courtyard w kitchenette, outdoor wet room/laundry.
|
RAP had rolling 6-month leases until capital works in 2026, paying peppercorn rent and utilities.
A new EOI presents opportunities for a more active use of the various spaces in the Villa, enhancing collaborative practice and community engagement.
|
Utilities covered by Council.
Planned capital works in mid-2026 will improve facilities and access and costs are 2025/2026 - $402,000 and 2026/2027 - $150,000.
|
|
Whites Creek Cottage |
Currently vacant Last use for artists 2023-2024 - Two 12-month solo artist residencies per year (no artform specified). Free to use, but no stipend provided by Council. For development of creative practice, with ecological themes. Outcomes linked to Footprints Festival and other eco initiatives in White’s Creek Valley Green Park. |
2 x 13m2 rooms with access to shared toilets and kitchen.
Currently other spaces within the cottage for general hire.
|
Under Plan of Management for Whites Creek Park |
Utilities covered by Council. No capital works are currently planned for this site. |
|
19 Railway Road, Sydenham |
Artist collective “Stone Villa Studios Inc.” have occupied this property since 2005.
|
2005 – ongoing, 7 studio spaces + shared facilities including gallery and outdoor areas for pottery/construction/making |
Single organization/artist collective, managing rotating residencies. Utilities are managed and paid for by tenants. |
Peppercorn rent is charged ($1). |
Thirning Villa Capital Works
Capital works are expected to commence by May 2026 and be completed within three months. The capital works budget for the financial year 2025/2026 is $402,000 and $150,000 is planned for 2026/2027.
The scope of works is to improve functionality as studio spaces. Remedial building works will be undertaken on the internal and external elements of the building and the preparation of a concept lighting design to service the gallery space. There will be repairs to ceiling and timber floors, minor roof repairs, refurbishment of the studio/laundry and accessibility improvements to the external courtyard.
19 Railway Road (Stone Villa) Capital Works
The estimated cost to refurbish 19 Railway Road (Stonevilla) is in the order of $1.2 million, with $560,000 budgeted for 2027/2028.
Stone Villa is a local heritage item under the Inner West LEP 2022, meaning that any work must respect its heritage character and follow technical advice. Council has engaged ACOR Engineers to undertake a structural report on the property, before making decisions on the building’s future use.
The engineer’s report identified areas that need closer investigation, including the roof hold‑down fixings, loose render, internal timber stairs and brickwork ties.
Whites Creek Cottage Capital Works
There is currently no project or budget assigned in the capital works program for this property.
Marrickville Town Hall Basement Capital Works
The capital budget allocated in the financial year 2025/2026 for all works for Marrickville Town Hall is $2,970,000 and includes $654,000 for the basement.
Since the last report on the Marrickville Town Hall in August 2025, the strip‑out works to the basement have been completed, and Council staff are meeting weekly with Brand X to negotiate the lease, and accompanying service level agreement that will outline both parties’ obligations, responsibilities and deliverables.
Brand X has provided a preferred layout and Council will ensure that the design responds to this proposal.
The scope involves minor internal works, which are expected to be deliverable under a Heritage Exemption Certificate. Council previously engaged an Acoustic Consultant to design options for soundproofing to reduce noise between the basement and the main hall above.New flooring is also being installed and the air conditioning replaced at the site.
An RFQ seeking Architectural Services will be prepared for an upgrade to the toilets to cater for 150 people, as well as new electrical and lighting upgrades for stage lighting and audio‑visuals to improve performance capability, as well as fast internet through the NBN.
Other Subsidised Venues
|
Venue |
Update |
|
Petersham Town Hall art organisation office spaces |
Currently houses a number of arts organisation offices such as Queer Screen, Future Proof and Boxes of Birds, which was the result of a previous EOI process |
|
Garry Owen House |
Is a NSW Government property within Callan Park, which currently houses the Writers NSW organisation. |
|
Chrissie Cotter Gallery |
Exhibition space for emerging/mid-career artists and collectives, allocated short exhibition periods via annual EOI. The 2026 program includes 15 exhibitions involving 78 individual artists across solo and group shows. |
|
Mervyn Fletcher Hall |
Currently represents 10% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 44% Dance - 20%. |
|
Yanada Room Lewisham |
Currently represents 9% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 55% Art - 9%. |
|
Herb Greedy Hall, Marrickville |
Currently represents 6% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 36% Music 36%. |
|
Jimmy Little Community Centre, Rozelle |
Currently represents 3% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 38% |
|
Haberfield Centre - Graham Yarroll Room |
Currently represents 2% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 100% |
|
Seaview Street Hall, Dulwich Hill |
Currently represents 2% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Theatre - 50% |
|
Clontarf Cottage |
Currently represents 1% of all creative bookings in 2025 at Council properties. Highest bookings are Film - 100% |
LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS
Comment By General Counsel:
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The capital works detailed in this report have been included in the 2025/2026 financial year or planned for 2026/2027 except Stonevilla.
The estimated cost to refurbish 19 Railway Road (Stonevilla) is in the order of $1.2 million, of which $560,000 is budgeted for 2027/2028.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment - Project Status Update
Author: Peter Shields - Acting Director Property and Major Projects
|
That Council receive and note the report which details the following progress since the last report: 1. The State Significant Development Application public exhibition has closed. A response has subsequently been provided to DPHI on all submissions received.
2. The detailed design is progressing for the western grandstand, northern grandstand and lower bowl seating, supported by specialist consultants.
3. The procurement process to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to finalise the design and undertake the works continues, with three shortlisted tenderers determined through a public Expression of Interest.
|
Executive Summary
Council adopted the masterplan Leichhardt Oval in late 2023 and is now proceeding to build a new northern grandstand, refurbish the western grandstand, enhance the lower seating bowl and other related infrastructure. A report is provided to every meeting of Council confirming progress since the previous report.
Further progress since the previous status report includes:
· The 80% project design is now close to completion.
· The program remains on track, with planning approval targeted for August 2026, construction scheduled to commence in October 2026, and completion anticipated in early 2028.
· This report recommends that Council receive and note the recent project progress.
Purpose
A project status update report for the Leichhardt Oval Upgrade is provided to every meeting of Council.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
2: Liveable, connected neighbourhoods and transport 4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
Background
In October 2023 Inner West Council adopted the Leichhardt Oval Masterplan following extensive public engagement.
In June 2024, the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments formed a funding partnership to secure the future of Leichhardt Oval. The Commonwealth committing $20 million to the project, with the NSW Government and the Inner West Council investing $10 million each towards the upgrade.
At the Council meeting held on 29 April 2025, Council resolved the following C0425(1) Item 12:
That Council endorse the Leichhardt Oval renovation final design concepts April 2025 (Attachment 1 of the Council report) and proceed with preparing detailed plans in order to seek planning approval.
This resulted in a project scope to the:
· Western Grandstand Player Amenities
· Western Grandstand – modern facilities for spectators, sponsors and media
· Lower Seating Bowl – All new ‘stadium type’ seating to ensure safety and compliance
· New Northern Grandstand
Council has engaged external consultants with demonstrated expertise in delivering complex infrastructure projects to support the Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment.
Ernst & Young (EY) has been appointed to provide project management services. EY’s Sydney-based division has a strong track record in delivering major sports and recreational infrastructure across NSW, including Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, and the new Penrith Stadium.
Cox Architecture has been appointed as Principal Design Consultant, leading a multidisciplinary team covering structural, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, planning, heritage, accessibility, and Building Code of Australia compliance. With over 60 years of experience, Cox Architecture brings deep expertise in stadia and elite sports facility design, with a strong focus on venue functionality, digital integration, and spectator experience.
A robust governance framework is in place, including a Project Control Group chaired by the General Manager as Project Sponsor.
Rider Levitt Bucknall (RLB) has been appointed as the projects Quantity Surveyor (QS) to prepare cost estimates. The QS will also have an on-going role through the construction stages in assessing progress claims and variation costs, and monitoring cash flows.
NSW Public Works Advisory has been appointed as the independent project assurance consultant, responsible for monthly reporting and oversight of performance, cost, and schedule. Reports are tabled at key governance forums to support transparency and informed decision-making.
The project continues to be monitored in accordance with the Risk Management Plan and is reported to Governance forums including:
· Project Control Group – Monthly and chaired by the General Manager
· Major Capital Projects Committee – Monthly
· Audit Risk and Improvement Committee – Quarterly
· Inner West Council meetings – Monthly
Discussion
The Leichhardt Oval Refurbishment project remains in the design phase, with its high‑level scope confirmed at the April 2025 Council meeting through endorsement of the final design concepts.
Throughout April 2026, the project team continued refining the design toward finalising a preliminary detailed design package, which will be issued to the independent quantity surveyor for cost planning.
The project is continuing through the State Significant Development process, with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) as the approval authority.
The State Significant Development Application was formally lodged in late December 2025, and DPHI placed the application on public exhibition from 16 January to 12 February 2026. The community and other government agencies provided feedback on the proposed design through the DPHI website which will make up part of the assessment process.
Following this period, the submissions have been compiled by the Department. Submissions have since been provided to the project team, with responses subsequently submitted to the Department as part of the assessment process.
The procurement process to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to finalise the design and undertake the works is ongoing. A public Expression of Interest was released on 27 February 2026 and closed on 23 March 2026. Submissions were assessed by the evaluation panel and reported to Council. On 21 April 2026 Council resolved to shortlist three suitably qualified contractors to participate in a select tender process and appoint a contractor.
The overall program remains unchanged, with planning approval targeted for August 2026. This will enable procurement and contractor mobilisation ahead of construction commencement in October 2026, with completion anticipated in early 2028.
The high-level project program is presented below:
|
Activity |
Target Completion |
Status |
|
Project Planning Scope Confirmation |
May 2025 |
Completed |
|
Consultant Engagements |
August 2025 |
Completed |
|
Lodgement of SSD Application |
December 2025 |
Completed |
|
Complete 80% design for tender |
April 2026 |
In progress |
|
Planning Approval |
August 2026 |
In progress |
|
Procurement |
August 2026 |
In progress |
|
Contract award and execution |
September 2026 |
Future |
|
Construction commences on-site |
October 2026 |
Future |
|
Construction complete |
Early 2028 |
Future |
Legal and Risk Implications
There are appropriate risk management measures in place for this project with independent project assurance, an external project management and the quantity surveyor involved in each stage of the project. Council’s contract lawyer will be involved in the preparation of the tender documentation and the construction contract once a tender is awarded.
Financial Implications
Council officers, together with EY, Cox Architecture and key technical consultants including RLB, have undertaken a comprehensive cost‑assurance exercise for the project. Through ongoing value‑engineering activities, the team has continued to refine the project’s design, scope and cost profile, ensuring that financial parameters accurately reflect detailed technical requirements.
Value‑engineering and scope‑refinement efforts have focused on minimising capital and future operational costs while maintaining functional performance. This has included assessing structural efficiencies, optimising building services, refining operational layouts, evaluating alternative systems and materials, and identifying potential staging opportunities. Collectively, these measures support prudent financial management by pursuing cost efficiencies without compromising asset quality or longevity.
As the project has continued to progress through the detailed design, clearer definition of structural, services, accessibility and operational requirements have strengthened the definition of project scope and reduced risks for tenderers in pricing specified works. Initial cost estimates for the Western Grandstand, lower seating bowl and Northern Grandstand were set at approximately $50 million.
Council had previously allocated $40 million for this project in the 2025/2026 Long Term Financial, noting any additional funding beyond the $40 million allocation would be expended in the 2027/28 financial year. Council’s Chief Financial Officer has confirmed that $10 million of developer contributions funding will be available for use, with any remaining funding to be sourced from the depreciation reserve as a significant portion of the work involves the replacement of an aging asset. As time progresses other funding sources may provide an alternative funding source for the allocated budget, including grant funding.
The Request For Tender will be arranged into separable portions. Separable portions will enable Council to consider the cost of specific items alongside the project scope and funding for the project. Once the tenders are evaluated, the Chief Financial Officer will confirm final funding arrangements and this information will be reported to Council when a recommendation to award the tender is being made.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Investment Report at 31 March 2026
Author: Sharon Bowman - Director Corporate
|
That Council receive the investment report for March 2026, noting that the $178m non-fossil fuel portfolio had an annualised marked to market return for the month of 4.53% pa (compared with the AusBond Bank Bill Index benchmark of 3.81% pa). |
Executive Summary
· A monthly investment report is provided to Council detailing the investment portfolio in terms of movements, performance, and compliance
· During the month of March 2026:
o Council made $10.0m of new investments and had $19.0m in investments mature
o Council’s market value investment portfolio size is $178.1m ($9.5m lower than last month)
o Council’s portfolio return for the month was 4.53% annualised on a marked-to-market basis, performing well against the ‘AusBond Bank Bill Index’ Benchmark of 3.81% pa
· Over the past 12 months, the portfolio has returned 4.54% pa on a marked-to-market basis (outperforming the benchmark by 0.74%)
· Council’s entire investment portfolio remains invested in a non-fossil fuel portfolio, with 54% of the portfolio in Non-Fossil Fuel Lending authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), 12% in Socially Responsible Investments, and 34% in Green investments
· The RBA increased the cash rate by 0.25% on 17 March, and the market is now factoring up to two additional rate increases in 2026.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to meet the requirements of reg 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, which requires the Responsible Accounting Officer to prepare and present a formal investment report to Council on a monthly basis.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
|
|
Background
The objective of investing Council’s funds is to seek the most favourable return available, whilst:
· Complying with the legislative requirements listed below
· Investing in a non-fossil fuel investment portfolio, as resolved by Council
· Having due consideration of risk and security for that investment type
· Ensuring that its liquidity requirements are being maintained
· Considering the preservation of capital – investments are placed in a manner that seeks to ensure security and safeguard the investment portfolio
· Remaining within the credit rating policy guidelines imposed by the NSW TCorp loan covenant requirements
· Managing credit and interest rate risk within identified thresholds and parameters.
Legislative requirements
All investments are to comply with the following:
· Local Government Act 1993
· Local Government (General) Regulation 2021
· Ministerial Investment Order dated 17 February 2011
· Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting
· Australian Accounting Standards
· Division of Local Government Investment Policy Guidelines May 2010.
Certification
The Acting Chief Financial Officer, Sajjad Ali, as the Responsible Accounting Officer has certified that the investments listed in the attached report have been made in accordance with Section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, and Council’s Investment Policy.
Discussion
Changes in our portfolio
During the month of March, Council made new investments of $10.0m, comprising:
· $5.0m 3-month Term Deposit with Heritage & Peoples Choice Bank at a fixed rate of 5.05%pa
· $5.0m 6-month Term Deposit with Heritage & Peoples Choice Bank at a fixed rate of 5.20%pa
Additionally, $19.0m of investments matured, comprising:
· $10.0m 5-year Floating Rate Note with Newcastle Greater Mutual at a floating rate of 4.3058%pa
· $4.0m 12-month Green Term Deposit with Westpac at a fixed rate of 4.52%pa
· $5.0m 6-month Term Deposit with Bank of Queensland at a fixed rate of 4.24%pa
Investment advice provided to Council suggested that staggering a mix of fixed deposits between 9 months to 3 years remains an optimal strategy for the ‘core’ assets to maximise returns over a longer-term cycle, which can be supplemented by investing a smaller proportion of surplus funds senior FRNs.
Despite the possibility of a few rate hikes in 2026, locking in rates above 5¼% p.a. across 1-3 year tenors (small proportion of surplus funds) should still outperform benchmark in the long-run, on the assumption that the RBA can get inflation back within their 2-3% target band.
The value of our Portfolio
The attachments to this report detail all investments held by Council and interest returns for the period ending 31 March 2026.
Council’s market value investment portfolio size is $178.1m (as set out in the table below), $9.5m lower than the prior month market value of $187.6m.
Figure 1 Portfolio value and diversification
Council has two non-compliant (unrated) investments. It is noted that these were purchased in July 2006 and have long maturity dates of August 2051 and August 2056. They represent a market value $1.1m, less than 1% of Council’s invested funds.
Ethical (Non-fossil fuel) investment portfolio
Council’s entire investment portfolio remains invested in Green, Socially Responsible or Non-Fossil Fuel lending, as set out in the table below. All Socially Responsible Investments (SRI’s) also comply with the Non-Fossil Fuel standards.
These investments include:
· Green Term Deposits/Floating Rate Notes from banks which may also provide fossil fuel lending (such as CBA and Westpac)
· Bond issues from a range of institutions and government agencies
· Targeted funding to a wide range of green and socially responsible projects and initiatives.
Figure 2 Investment type
Investment Returns
Council’s portfolio during the month had an annualised return of 4.53% pa on a marked-to-market basis, performing well against the ‘AusBond Bank Bill Index’ Benchmark of 3.81% pa.
For the past 12 months, the portfolio has returned 4.54% pa on a marked-to-market basis.
The marked-to-market or current market value, which Council is required to account for, represents the price at which the asset could be sold in the current market. This would be the outcome if Council were to sell the investment now (i.e. prior to its due date).
As interest rates rise and fall, the valuations of existing bonds fall and rise in the market. While the market value of a bond or note may drop below the face value during the life of a security, provided Council does not sell the security and the issuer is sound (which all of Council’s holdings are) then the market value will return to its face value at maturity.
External / Internal Restrictions & Working Funds
Council’s External Restriction reserves are funds that are restricted for use for specific purposes according to agreements with external parties. Examples include:
· Developer Contributions
· Grants
· Domestic Waste Reserve
· Stormwater Levy
Internal Restriction reserves are reserves created internally by Council to set aside funds for a specific purpose. Examples include:
· Employment Leave Entitlements
· Investment Property Reserve
· Infrastructure Renewal Reserve
· Depreciation Contra Reserve
Figure 3 External / Internal Restrictions & Working Funds
Other Investment Information
Financial markets remain volatile as the Middle East conflict continues to dampen risk sentiment, with the conflict becoming more protracted and strategically broader. The market remains focussed on the inflation consequences of the disruptions, from which central bank expectations have repriced sharply.
In the deposit market, over March, at the short-end of the curve (12 months and less), the average deposit rates offered by the domestic major banks were up to 35bp higher compared to February, after the RBA lifted official rates by a further 25bp. At the longer-end of the curve (1-5 years), the average rates were also up to 35bp higher compared to the previous month.
Domestic issues
The following issues are being considered in Council’s investment strategy:
· In a close decision based on timing and not the direction (5 votes to 4), the RBA Monetary Policy Board decided to lift the official cash rate by 25bp to 4.10% on 17 March. The main driver of the decision was a judgement that there is a material risk that inflation remains above target for even longer than previously anticipated.
· Headline February CPI was +3.7% y/y (+3.8% y/y January), whilst the monthly trimmed mean was +3.3% y/y, unchanged from January.
· The market is factoring two further interest rate rises in 2026.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
This report's recommendations will have no financial impact on Council.
|
1.⇩ |
Inner West Council Economic and Investment Portfolio Commentary - March 2026 |
|
2.⇩ |
Inner West Council Investment Report - March 2026 |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Local Democracy Group Bi-Yearly Report
Author: Peter Gainsford - General Manager
|
That Council receive the report and note the 14 Local Democracy Groups’ input to key initiatives included the Aboriginal Community Hub, Our Fairer Future Plan, draft Parking Strategy, Inner West Pride Walk and partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and Youth Voice Summit. |
Executive Summary
· Council has established 14 Local Democracy Groups (LDGs) for the 2024-28 term, made up of community members who provide input to support Council’s decision-making and actions.
· This report updates Council on the discussions of Local Democracy Groups for the period 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026. During this period, 31 meetings were held across all groups.
· A detailed report outlining each LDG’s progress is available in Attachment 1.
Purpose
This report updates Council on the deliberations of Local Democracy Groups for the period 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
5: Progressive, responsive and effective civic leadership |
|
|
Background
At the Council meeting held on 17 June 2025, Council resolved the following C0625(1) Item 13:
1. That Council endorse policy challenges for the Local Democracy Groups to deliberate on during the term.
2. That progress on the policy challenges will be reported to Council every six months.
Discussion
During the reporting period, each group met at least twice and provided discussion and input across a range of topics, strategies and policies, including but not limited to:
· Aboriginal Community Hub, Survival Memorial and Reconciliation Action Plan Reconciliation Action Plan
· Disability Inclusion Action Plan and accessibility initiatives
· Cultural Strategy and issues impacting the arts and culture sector
· Cycling Strategy and Policy and plans for upcoming cycleways
· Complaints Handling Policy and Snap and Snap, Send, Solve integration
· Draft Climate Strategy and activating the Inner West Sustainability Hub
· Our Fairer Future Plan and draft Parking Strategy and revised Parking Policy
· Inner West Pride Walk and partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
· Anti-Racism Strategy and multicultural initiatives at libraries
· Healthy Ageing strategy and senior initiatives
· Draft Economic Development Strategy and Christmas in the Inner West
· Child and Youth Strategy and emerging social issues
· Preliminary Strategic Transport Review and improving public transport
· Youth Voice Summit and gambling harm minimisation.
Attachment 1 provides the full report, outlining each group, their meeting dates, policy challenges and the matters discussed.
Agenda and meeting minutes for LDGs can be found on Council’s website.
In May 2026, a combined LDG forum is planned with all members invited as part of phase 2 of Building Our Community.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
Conclusion
LDGs will continue to meet and continue to deliberate on the policy challenges.
|
1.⇩ |
Local Democracy Group Progress Report 1 October 2025 to 30 March 2026 |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Tourism Action Plan Bi-Monthly Update
Author: Peter Gainsford - General Manager
|
1. That Council receive and note the report which provides an update on the Tourism Advertising Strategy including three influencer collaborations that have launched in March/April 2026.
2. That Council notes the initial collaborations are a new communications tool for Inner West and acknowledges the success of this method shows it is something to continue exploring, including with the proposed upcoming content to highlight the Inner West Ale Trail, Inner West Distillery Trail and Special Entertainment Precincts.
3. That Council notes an outdoor advertising campaign focusing on street posters is being developed to compliment the digital campaign.
4. That Council notes the budget update provided in the report, which includes the proposed allocation of the remaining funds to an outdoor street poster campaign, additional influencer collaborations, external content creators and digital advertising. |
Executive Summary
· Council has previously endorsed the allocation of the $85,000 to a digital-led strategy focusing on leveraging influencer and collaboration posts, digital content, and a supporting outdoor advertising campaign.
· The previous report outlined Council-led social media content focusing on highlighting specific suburbs and services that was rolled out over the summer, as well as the organic and user-generated coverage of the GreenWay opening.
· This report outlines the first phase of the paid collaboration content, which began in March 2026. Three large creators have published social media content, including One Sydney Mum with a review of playgrounds, Places in Sydney highlighting nighttime and dining in Ashfield, and Mitchell Coombs demonstrating how the GreenWay connects to public art, local cafes and public transport.
· Work is now underway on a collaborative series with smaller creators to encourage visitors to the Inner West Ale Trail, Inner West Distillery Trail, and Special Entertainment Precincts. There is also an outdoor advertising campaign planned to launch in June which will be used for supporting digital ads as well.
· This report provides an update on the budget spending so far and identifies how the remaining budget will be spent, including further content creation.
Purpose
To provide a bi-monthly update on activities relating to the Tourism Action Plan, particularly the Tourism Advertising Strategy.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
3: Creative communities and a strong economy |
|
|
Background
At the Council meeting held on 29 April 2025, Council resolved C0425(1) Item 22 to redirect $85,000 from the website budget to a Tourism Advertising Strategy.
After an initial proposal from the Communications team, and a subsequent review by an external consultant, a digital-led strategy was agreed to.
At the Council meeting held on 19 August 2025, Council endorsed the revised proposed budget and strategy which focused on engaging digital influencers, paid content creation, and a small amount of print advertising,
At the Council meeting held on 28 October 2025, Council resolved the following C1025(1) Item 23:
1. That Council receive and note the report.
2. That further development, implementation and management of the Tourism Action Plan be delegated to the Senior Manager Communications and Engagement.
At the Council meeting held on 9 December 2025, Council noted an updated strategy to launch over summer focusing influencer collaborations as well as both paid and organic social media and new media coverage of the GreenWay opening.
At the Council meeting held on 17 March 2026, Council noted an update that outlined the success of Council’s GreenWay opening coverage and Council-generated content focused on highlighting individual suburbs and Council facilities. The update outlined that the first influencer collaborations would launch in March.
Discussion
The first three influencer collaborations were launched in March 2026. The aim of these collaborations was to reach new audiences and champion the Inner West as a destination to visit, explore and play. While Council has previously worked with content creators to promote specific events, commissioning posts that are part of a broader tourism strategy and encourage non time-specific visitation to the Inner West is a new communication method for this organisation.
To maximise the success of this new strategy, the influencer campaign launched with three large creators, with small and micro creators being targeted for the next phase. While this used around half of the content creation budget, it has allowed the strategy to launch with large impact and made collaborations with Council appealing for other creators.
The content live so far is @OneSydneyMum with a review of four playgrounds, @PlacesInSydney encouraging people to experience Ashfield’s dining and nightlife, and @MitchellCoombs cycling the GreenWay and showcasing its accessibility to public art, cafes and public transport.
These collaborations focused on Instagram (Council’s most engaged platform) and were cross-posted with Council’s Instagram account, meaning they are posted by the creator but also appear on Council’s page. This encourages the creator’s audience to check out Council’s other content and follow the page. Some videos were also posted on TikTok which is an important audience Council does not currently reach.
The first video post was by @OneSydneyMum, a family-focused account which showcases ‘things to do in Sydney with kids’. With almost 90k followers, we engaged her to share some of our newly upgraded playgrounds to encourage families and carers to travel to the Inner West to play in these new spaces. We focused on four playgrounds across different wards including two of our inclusive playgrounds and one on the GreenWay to encourage more foot traffic through this corridor.
The reel video reached 69k people on Instagram and 24k on Facebook with over 800 people sharing the reel to another person. Over 2k people liked, saved, commented or shared the reel. Some comments included “Thank you. Was at one of these on the weekend but didn’t know two of these”, “The playgrounds in the inner west are truly the best - wow!!!” and “Also the coffee proximity is the real one”. The caption also included what the viewer could experience at each playground and multiple café options to encourage people to support local businesses in the area.
Our second video was with @PlacesinSydney, a food, activities and experiences account with 195k followers. Their video aimed to showcase the hidden gems of Ashfield’s nightlife and dining scene with a unique and discovery-led angle. It featured three restaurants across the Shanghai, Uyghur and Vietnamese cuisines, highlighting Ashfield as a diverse dining hotspot. The video was viewed 80k times and had 1.6k people like, share, comment or save the video. It was also viewed 21k times on Facebook.
Comments included “Love the food in Ashfield !!!”, “waiiiittt i've been sleeping on ashfield”, “Haven’t tried any restaurants in Ashfield yet! This is my sign” and “Ahhh love Ashfield! They have my fave place for Cantonese soups there too. They do a great “poon choi” for cny!”.
Our most recent collaboration was with our biggest influencer @MitchellCoombs with 399k followers. He has a series called ‘Wednesday Wander’ where he explores a new area or does a new activity. We capitalised on this with Mitchell inviting his audience to check out the GreenWay as he cycled along it, checking out the new public artworks, its proximity to cafes and even jumping on the light rail.
The video was viewed 134k times, with 8k people liking, commenting, sharing and saving the post. It also reached 92k individual people and received comments such as “That greenway looks amazing! Thanks for pointing it out to us all”, “That’s a nice ride” and “Best thing I ever did was get back on my bike. I’m 55 and feeling fabulous”.
Ultimately, these three videos were viewed on Instagram a total of 283k times and counting. These Sydney-based influencers were also able to reach three different audiences; for playgrounds targeting families and carers, Ashfield dining for ages 18 and up looking for a new area to eat in, and casual walkers and riders to visit the GreenWay for a day out.
Next steps
Recently, a small creator @God_Worthy has been commissioned to create a series promoting the Inner West Ale trail. The series, filmed in late April, focuses on vox pops with patrons at multiple venues along the trail talking about why the Inner West should be people’s next destination. Council worked with the Inner West Ale Trail to identify the venues and organise access. Unlike paid influencer collaborations, this content will be owned by Council and able to be reused at any time. Some of the paid social media budget will be used to boost the videos outside the LGA, expanding both Council and the Ale Trail’s social media reach.
Council officers are currently speaking with the Inner West Distillery Trail and the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) to replicate this model to create content that we can boost to promote the Distillery Trail and our Special Entertainment Precincts.
Council officers have also obtained quotes for large format outdoor advertising to run a print campaign to compliment this digital work. Rock Posters has been selected as a cost-effective vendor to ensure a wide reach of posters both within the LGA and surrounding areas. This advertising campaign will be photograph led with a simple “discover the Inner West” message. They’ll run for a number of months in high traffic areas. The artwork can also then be adapted into digital ads to run on websites, social media and video platforms.
The remainder of the Digital Influencers budget ($17,179) is being allocated to “spend a day/night with me” content where creators will showcase spending a morning or afternoon/evening at different places around the Inner West. For example it may start with going for a walk or run in a park, getting a coffee at a local café, seeing a Perfect Match, visiting some local businesses or playing sport with friends, then finishing up at a brewery, distillery or restaurant. These videos will focus on different audiences (parents, workers, young people and more) and showcase both morning and evening.
The following table outlines how much budget has been spent currently and the planned activities for the remaining budget. Due to the timing (limited creator availability over the Christmas/summer period) and the negotiations that Council Officers have been having with creators and suppliers, most spending will occur over the next three months.
|
Category |
Budget |
Spent |
Remaining |
|
Media and print |
$15,000 |
$0 |
$15,000 allocated to Rock Posters for large format street posters. |
|
Digital Influencers |
$35,000 |
$17,830 |
$17,179 allocated to spend the day with me content.
|
|
Paid Social Media + Boosted Posts |
$25,000 |
$3500 |
$21,500 $8000 allocated for content creation to promote Inner West Distillery Trail and Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs). $10,000 for boosting Ale Trail, Distillery Trail and SEP content. $3,500 for boosting other content. |
|
Discretionary |
$10,000 |
$10,000 Likely to be used to secure additional “spend the day with me” creators, or for digital ads to support the outdoor advertising campaign. |
|
|
Total |
$85,000 |
$21,330 |
$65,670 |
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
The project is on track to spend, and not exceed, the allocated $85,000 budget before the conclusion of the 25/26 Financial Year.
Conclusion
The Tourism Advertising Strategy has already leveraged new communications methods to not only build awareness of the Inner West as a visitor destination but also increase Council’s reach in general.
The successful launch of influencer collaborations demonstrates the effectiveness of this form of advertising. This is why Council will continue to invest in further collaborations for the remainder of this campaign and assess how to use this method in the future.
It is however important to ensure these collaborations, which are often one-off posts, are supported with other digital and print content to drive views and influence behaviour.
The next three months will see the roll out of more influencer collaborations, paid content particularly focused on hospitality, entertainment and the nighttime economy, and a supporting paid outdoor print campaign.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Microforests in Ashfield Ward
Author: Simone Plummer - Director Planning
|
That Council receive and note the report that two microforests are planned for O’Dea Reserve and Bruce Street Reserve, with planting to take place before the end of June 2026. |
Executive Summary
· Council previously resolved to plant a microforest in each of the five Council wards
· Three wards already contain established microforests
· This report identifies suitable sites in the two remaining wards
· The two outstanding microforests will be planted by 30 June 2026, with establishment maintenance undertaken in 2026/27
· Identified sites are:
o O’Dea Reserve, Stanmore–Damun Ward
o Bruce Street Reserve, Ashfield–Djarrawunang Ward
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to advise of the two locations to be planted as microforests to ensure council has at least one microforest in every ward.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
1: An ecologically sustainable Inner West |
Background
At the Council meeting held on 19 August 2025, Council Resolved in part the following C0825(1) Item 7:
That Council endorse the development of the “Option A” site in Stanmore-Damun Ward and identify a site for delivery in Ashfield-Djarrawunang Ward within the next 12 months, to be reported back to Council.
Discussion
Inner West has six existing microforests across three Council wards, the map below shows existing (numbered 1-6) and future locations (7 and 8) of each microforest.
Four microforests within Balmain-Baludarri Ward
1. Located at the rear of Leichhardt Oval No. 2 (200m2) the mid and understorey plantings support Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest
2. Located at Hogan Park/Johnsons Creek Aqueduct (40m2) the mid and understorey plantings support both Sydney Sandstone Foreshores and Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest
3. Located within Whites Creek Reserve (200m2) the mid and understorey plantings support Sydney Sandstone Foreshores Forest
4. Located within Cohen Park Annandale (230m2) the mid and understorey plantings support Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest
Leichhardt-Gulgadya Ward
5. Located within Richard Murden Reserve (500m2) the mid and understorey plantings support Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest
Marrickville-Midjuburi Ward
6. Located within Tempe Reserve (550m2) the mid and understorey plantings support Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest
The remaining two wards will have a microforest planted by June 2026. Maintenance will be established over 2026/27 as plantings are reviewed to ensure they thrive. This will meet the resolution of a microforest in each ward. Parks, Public Trees and Urban Ecology have identified the preferred locations as:
Stanmore-Damun Ward
7. O’Dea Reserve has been identified within the Stanmore Ward. It can support an area of 400m2 with mid and understorey plantings to support Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
Ashfield-Djarrawunang Ward
8. Bruce Street Reserve in Ashfield has been identified, with an area of 400m2 within the southern edge of the site to be planted to support restoration of the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
The cost associated with a microforest in Ashfield and Stanmore Wards are as follows;
· $132,000 – Install both micro forests by 30 June 2026
· $50,000 - 12 Months establishment maintenance 2026/27
· $24,000 – Annual maintenance to manage the two additional sites annually
All costs have been accommodated within existing budget allocations for the relevant team.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Mandatory Reporting to Council of Reports Received from Fire & Rescue NSW for 2 Properties
Author: Simone Plummer - Director Planning
|
That Council receive the report and note the following in regards to each property: 1. 21 Renwick Street Leichhardt – no action required; and
2. 23 Renwick Street Leichhardt – a Development Control Order has been issued in order to ensure appropriate rectification of works as identified by FRNSW. |
Executive Summary
This report meets Council’s statutory obligation under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to table inspection reports received from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and outline any required regulatory actions taken by Council.
Council received the following reports from FRNSW:
• 21 Renwick Street Leichhardt – received 30 March 2026 (Attachment 1).
• 23 Renwick Street Leichhardt – received 31 March 2026 (Attachment 2).
Joint inspections undertaken by Council and FRNSW on both properties throughout March 2026, resulted in a Development Control Order being issued on the property owner of 23 Renwick Street Leichhardt to rectify the identified fire safety issues detailed in this report. The rectification works are considered achievable within the prescribed timeframe.
Purpose
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, when an inspection report is received by Council from FRNSW, Council must table this report and recommendations at the next Council meeting.
Strategic Direction
This report supports the following strategic directions contained within Council’s Community Strategic Plan:
|
4: Healthy, resilient and caring communities |
Discussion
21 Renwick Street Leichhardt
FRNSW requested Council conduct a joint inspection of the premises on the 24 March 2026. At the time of this inspection, the relevant development consent or historical approval records were not available which resulted in the incorrect building classification being applied. FRNSW were of the assumption that the premises was operating as a Class 1b boarding house.
Following a review of Council records, it was determined that the property is a two‑storey residential building constructed prior to 1960 and classified as a Class 1a dwelling. Under Part 12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021, the submission of an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) does not apply to Class 1a dwellings.
Following the inspection, it was determined that the matters identified in the attached FRNSW report are not applicable to the property’s approved building classification as a Class 1a dwelling. The building is compliant with respect to its actual classification and no further action is required.
23 Renwick Street Leichhardt
FRNSW requested Council conduct a joint inspection of the premises on the 24 March 2026. At the time of this inspection, the relevant development consent or historical approval records were not available which resulted in the incorrect building classification being applied. FRNSW were of the assumption that the premises was operating as a Class 1b boarding house.
Following a review of Council records, it was determined that the property is a two‑storey, mixed use building comprising of a showroom for corporate clothing and an office (Class 6) on the ground floor and residential accommodation (Class 4) on the first floor.
The premises is currently not registered on Council’s Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) register. Once the upgrade works are completed through the enforcement process, the premises will be added to the register which will ensure the ongoing maintenance of the fire safety measures via the submission of an AFSS.
Following the inspection, it was determined that some of the matters identified in the attached FRNSW report are not applicable to the property’s approved building classification as a Class 4 & 6 building.
The following fire safety issues are applicable to the building’s approved use and warranted the issue of a Notice of Intention to serve a Development Control Order - Ref. no.: EPA/2026/0045:
· Non‑compliant landing barrier at the top of the stairs and non‑compliant handrail to the stairway.
· The stairway was carpeted and did not have slip resistant nosing strip.
· The existing smoke alarms were not interconnected and additional alarms required.
· Emergency lighting was not installed.
· The fire extinguisher located in the kitchen did not have a current service tag.
· The stairway risers are inconsistent in height throughout the flight.
The timeframe for the Notice (21 days) has since expired and a Development Control Order issued which requires the rectification of the items raised within a 6-month period.
It is anticipated that the rectification works identified by FRNSW and Council are achievable through the timeframes imposed in Council’s enforcement process.
Legal and Risk Implications
There are no legal and risk implications associated with this report.
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with the implementation of the proposed recommendations outlined in the report.
|
1.⇩ |
FRNSW Inspection Report - 21 Renwick Street Leichhardt |
|
2.⇩ |
FRNSW Inspection Report - 23 Renwick Street Leichhardt |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: 2SER
Author: Councillor Liz Atkins
|
That Council:
1. Acknowledges the importance of community radio stations, which serve to amplify local voices and artists, promote cultural diversity, foster community engagement, and provide grassroots information that is often overlooked by mainstream media.
2. Notes that 2SER FM (Sydney Educational Radio), which has operated successfully for 45 years, may be forced to close following Macquarie University’s decision to withdraw funding.
3. Write to the Federal Minister for Communications the Hon Anika Wells MP, the NSW Minister for the Arts the Hon John Graham MLC, and the Vice Chancellors and CEOs of Macquarie University, UTS, UNSW, AFTRS, The University of Sydney and Western Sydney University, calling on them to urgently provide funding and support to ensure that 2SER FM can continue to operate and broadcast as a community and student run radio station.
|
Background
For 45 years 2SER has provided a platform for student journalists, emerging broadcasters, and diverse community voices, while supporting Australian artists and musicians outside mainstream commercial media. Its uncertain future has prompted concern among staff, volunteers, and listeners who see the station as a vital training ground and cultural institution within Sydney’s media landscape.
Owned and funded by two Sydney universities, UTS and Macquarie, 2SER has broadcast out of both campuses, and has provided hands-on media training for journalism students and others looking to gain first hand experience in broadcasting. Its future has been thrown into doubt following Macquarie University’s decision to withdraw funding.
Thousands of volunteers have worked at the station since the station first went to air in October 1979. and its alumni includes Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Michael Rowland of ABC News Breakfast, BBC China correspondent Stephen McDonell, Eleanor Hall from ABC’s The World Today, ex 702, JJJ & Radio National manager Cath Dwyer, SMH journalist Michael Koziol, Four Corners Supervising producer Alice Brennan as well as ABC presenters Sarah Dingle, Richard Kingsmill, Sarah Macdonald, and countless others.
2SER provides an unparalleled training ground for its students and volunteers and is a priceless cultural asset for Sydney. It must be protected.
https://honisoit.com/2026/04/community-radio-station-2ser-at-risk-of-closure/
Director Lead:
Sharon Bowman, Director Corporate
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Protecting Swimming During the LPAC Renovation
Author: Councillors Philippa Scott and Kerrie Fergusson
|
That:
1. In order to ensure swimmers and clubs are not disadvantaged while Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is being renovated, Council staff investigate: a) Opening the Inner West Council’s year-round pools for longer hours at Ashfield Aquatic Centre and Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre; b) Introducing year round opening at Dawn Fraser Baths and Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre; and c) Negotiating reciprocal arrangements with neighbouring Councils including Canada Bay Council for the possible use of Drummoyne Pool, Burwood Council for the use of Enfield Pool, Canterbury Bankstown Council for the use of Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centre and City of Sydney for the use of Victoria Park Pool.
2. Council staff report back the results of their investigation at the next possible opportunity through the regular LPAC report to Council. |
Background
Inner West Council is about to embark on a once in a generation upgrade of Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre (LPAC). This investment in our community infrastructure is essential for the health, wellbeing and livability of the inner west. Council is proud to have the budget and an operational plan to undertake this significant project. Stage 1, the renovation of the children's splash and play area and shallow pool, has been completed and is open and being enjoyed.
Stage 2, the renovation of the Olympic Pool and deep-water pool, will commence later in 2026. While the work is underway, staged closure of swimming facilities will be necessary.
Council staff are working to ensure operational continuity to the fullest extent possible, and Council has been advised that the Leichhardt Swim Club has confirmed its 2026–27 summer season will relocate to Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in Petersham. Aqua aerobics and squad training programs will also continue across the alternate venues, supported by trained Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre staff redeployed to other Council facilities where required.
In order to ensure that swimming, a sport and leisure activity enjoyed by a significant number of inner west residents, is able to continue for as many residents as possible, Council staff are asked to be creative and collaborative in their search for alternative facilities. Hours at our existing indoor pools can be extended, our outdoor pools - yes, unheated - could be opened year round for the very dedicated. We should approach our neighbouring Councils to investigate if reciprocal membership or entry is a possibility.
This would apply particularly to Drummoyne Pool, a site just across the water and visible from LPAC, located in the Canada Bay LGA. Pools on the border at Burwood, Canterbury Bankstown and City of Sydney are also options. Pools across the city are coming to the end of their life span and seeking help from our neighbours now might assure them that we could assist in kind when they need to renovate. Swimming is a favourite activity of inner westies, let’s protect it.
Director Lead:
Ruth Callaghan, Director Community
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Beautifying Macquarie Terrace Reserve, Balmain
Author: Councillors Kerrie Fergusson and Philippa Scott
|
That Council:
1. Staff: a) ensure that re-turfing done in Macquarie Terrace Reserve by Ausgrid following recent works thrives and is added to Council’s maintenance program; b) investigate border planting to discourage parking on the reserve; and c) undertake pressure cleaning (or other cleaning as appropriate) of the memorial stone and garden bed around the stone.
2. Staff undertake an additional street cleansing of Macquarie Terrace, and ensure that bins are collected regularly, lawns mowed and plants tended to or replanted.
3. Staff review and report on measures that could be taken to improve pedestrian safety at the roundabout at the intersection of Macquarie Terrace and Rowntree Street.
4. Receive a report back to Council via briefing note. |
Background
Macquarie Terrace, Balmain, is a valued pocket reserve that provides local residents with a small but important green space. Following recent works undertaken by Ausgrid, sections of the reserve including turf and garden beds have been disturbed and require re-planting and ongoing care to ensure they are restored to a high standard.
Residents have raised concerns with Councillors about the current condition and maintenance of the reserve, including the state of the lawn, garden beds and general upkeep. Feedback indicates that while re-planting has occurred, there is uncertainty about whether these works will be adequately maintained over time, particularly given Ausgrid is unlikely to return for ongoing care. Council staff have indicated that there may be an opportunity for Council to assume responsibility for maintaining these areas to ensure they establish and thrive.
In addition to turf and planting concerns, residents have identified broader amenity issues, including inconsistent mowing, litter and bin collection, and the need for general upkeep of the space, including elements such as the memorial. There are also concerns about vehicles encroaching onto the reserve, impacting both the presentation and condition of the green space.
To improve the entire area, Council staff are also asked to investigate pedestrian safety measures at the Macquarie Terrace roundabout.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Support for Haberfield’s 125th Anniversary Festival
Author: Councillor Philippa Scott and The Mayor, Councillor Darcy Byrne
|
Motion
That Council resolves to provide the following support for a Haberfield 125th Anniversary Festival to be held on a weekend in October or November 2026 as follows:
1. In-kind support, including: a) Access to Council's events team for planning advice and coordination; b) Assistance with required approvals, including road closures and bus diversions for Ramsay Street; c) Provision of Council-owned equipment such as barriers, bins and signage where available; and d) Promotion through Council's communication channels.
2. Develop a budget for a financial contribution toward core festival costs, including public liability insurance, staging, sound and essential infrastructure;
3. Liaise on the operational details with the organising committee, AshBiz and the Haberfield Association; and
4. Report back to Council via briefing note. |
Background
2026 marks the 125th anniversary of Haberfield, one of Australia's earliest planned "garden suburbs," and a committed group of local residents, businesses and community organisations is proposing a weekend festival to celebrate this milestone.
This festival will contribute significant community-building and economic activation benefits and aligns with Council's broader place-making and local economic development objectives.
In conjunction with the local business association AshBiz and the Haberfield Association, a local organising committee has been formed and is developing plans for a weekend celebration that would:
· Activate the Ramsay Street town centre with stalls, live music, heritage displays and family activities;
· Recognise the suburb's Italian-Australian heritage and broader multicultural evolution;
· Strengthen connections between long-standing residents, schools, community groups and newer businesses; and
· Build on the success of previous festivals, which generated strong attendance and measurable benefit to local traders
The organisers have sought Council's support to move from planning to implementation, specifically requesting access to Council's events expertise, assistance with statutory approvals, and consideration of funding for items such as insurance, staging and sound—costs that are difficult for volunteer groups to absorb.
Council regularly provides comparable support for community-led festivals and activations across the Inner West. This proposal aligns with Council's strategic objectives around place-making, heritage recognition and supporting local economies.
The Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen MP, has written in support of the proposal and indicated her willingness to assist. Her letter of support is provided as Attachment 1.
Director Lead:
Ruth Callaghan, Director Community
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
|
1.⇩ |
Letter from The Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen MP |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Improving the Intersection of Marion Street, Darley Road and Foster Street, Leichhardt
Author: Councillor Philippa Scott
|
That: 1. Council write to Transport for NSW advocating for the removal of recently installed “left lane must turn left” and “no right turn” signage in the south bound lanes of Darley Road.
2. Council monitor traffic conditions at the intersection.
3. If traffic conditions become poor, Council commence discussion with TfNSW, the developer and, if necessary, any development approval body, to return the south bound left lane of Foster Street to general traffic.
|
Background
194 Marion Street, Leichhardt is a development site at the intersection of Marion Street, Darley Road to the north, and Foster Street to the south. Preliminary works appear to be underway. As part of the works, the developer has resumed a section of the south bound left lane of Foster Street. In order to stop general traffic access to that lane, TfNSW have installed new “left lane must turn left” and new “no right turn” signage south bound on Darley Road.
The “left lane must turn left" sign sends traffic away from the resumed section of road. The new “no right turn sign” is intended to stop traffic from banking up behind the single lane that can now enter Foster Street, south bound from Darley Road.
Residents have reported that this is problematic.
Local drivers are actually able to navigate into a short section of Foster Street, south bound in the left lane. The “left lane must turn left” signs are unnecessary and should be removed.
The next right turn south bound from this intersection is into Kegworth Street, the location for the Kegworth Public School entrance, kiss and ride, and high pedestrian activity. The “no right turn” sign is dangerous at present and would be unnecessary if the “left lane must turn left" sign was removed.
Both were installed without advice or consultation with the community. If consultation had been sought, sensible, local advice could have been provided.
Instead, TfNSW have given up a local road to a developer at a cost to the community.
It is wrong for developers to be given access to public roads for their convenience and for local traffic to be re-directed towards a primary school instead. Council should advocate for the removal of the signs. Upon removal, if traffic at the intersection becomes congested or dangerous, the first action should be to enter discussions to take back the road for general use.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Cooks River Water Quality Testing
Author: Councillors Mat Howard and Olivia Barlow
|
That Council:
1. Notes that in July 2025 a potential algal bloom event was identified in the Cooks River catchment following notification from Water NSW.
2. Notes that during this event: a. Councils in the catchment were advised to warn the public through signage b. Follow-up water quality testing was available through NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) but would require cost recovery. c. The Cooks River Alliance does not currently have funds available for emergency water quality testing.
3. Notes that the subsequent laboratory analysis determined the algal bloom species were not considered toxic, but the event highlighted a lack of a clear protocol and resourcing for rapid testing and response across the catchment.
4. Notes that scientists from DCCEEW advised that many catchments maintain a small contingency fund to support emergency testing and response during potential algal bloom events as standard catchment management practice.
5. Recognises that the Cooks River is a shared waterway across multiple councils and that environmental risks such as algal blooms affect the whole catchment including areas within Inner West Council.
6. Resolves that Council: a) Advise on establishing a catchment-wide contingency fund for emergency water quality testing and response. b) Request a report to Council outlining options for Inner West Council to contribute to, or help establish, such a fund, including indicative annual contributions and governance arrangements. c) Investigate and report on whether funding from the Sydney Airport fund can be directed toward catchment monitoring and water quality management in the Cooks River, in addition to infrastructure and other priorities along the River. |
Background
In July 2025, a suspected algal bloom event in the Cooks River highlighted gaps in rapid testing, response coordination and funding across the catchment. While the bloom was ultimately found not to be toxic, the event exposed the absence of an agreed inter-agency protocol and a dedicated contingency fund for emergency water quality testing.
Scientists from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have advised that such arrangements are standard practice in many catchments. Bayside Council resolved to support a similar motion earlier this year. A coordinated response through the Cooks River Alliance will depend on contributions from member councils and shared commitment to an effective catchment-wide response.
Director Lead:
Simone Plummer, Director Planning
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Crossing - Victoria Road, Marrickville
Author: Councillor Mat Howard
|
That Council: 1. Acknowledges Victoria Road, Marrickville, between Sydenham Road and Chalder Street is increasingly busy, posing additional safety risk to pedestrians and limiting safe pedestrian access.
2. Requests staff investigate installing a pedestrian crossing at this location and provides a report to an upcoming meeting of the Local Transport Forum before October 2026. |
Background
Victoria Road in Marrickville is a busy thoroughfare connecting Marrickville, Enmore and Sydenham, and is designated a regional road under Inner West Council control.
It forms part of the route for the Inner West Ale Trail and is regularly used by students and families accessing Enmore Park, Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre, Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Wicks Park, Sydenham Station and Marrickville Public School, as well as local businesses.
Increased residential density, including development around the Timberyards precinct, is generating greater demand for safe pedestrian crossings, particularly near Mitchell Road. Pedestrian access along sections of the corridor has not kept pace with surrounding growth.
Transport for NSW previously declined to allow a signalised crossing as part of approvals for the Timberyards development, out of concern it was too close to the traffic signals at Sydenham Road
While a signalised crossing was previously ruled out, a pedestrian crossing may present the best option to improve safe pedestrian access across Victoria Road.
A pedestrian crossing at this location would complement work being undertaken by council to improve safety and access on Sydenham Road as part of the Sydenham Road Strategy.
This motion seeks a practical review of options to improve access and safety, including consideration through the Local Transport Forum, so that infrastructure planning responds to changing conditions and growing community use.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Safety on Carrington Road Cycleway
Author: Councillor Mat Howard
|
That Council:
1. Notes resident reports that the Carrington Road cycleway continues to pose safety risks to cyclists, including from vehicles parked in and across the cycleway, and vehicles failing to yield to cyclists at intersections.
2. Requests Council staff: a) Further review signage and markings along the cycleway, as well as kerb extensions and other traffic calming devices; b) Write to, and doorknock, all business owners on Carrington Road to inform them of their obligations to not park on the cycleway and to troubleshoot options to assist business owners with safe parking arrangements; c) Consult with Bike Marrickville on options to improve cyclist safety; d) Consider the installation of a pedestrian crossing across Carrington Road at Renwick Street, so as to improve pedestrian access, including for students at Tempe High School; and e) Provide a report to an upcoming meeting of the Local Transport Forum, prior to October 2026, including feasible options to improve safety along the cycleway. |
Background
The Carrington Road Cycleway opened in 2014 and was the first separated cycleway constructed by the former Marrickville Council.
It serves as a vital cycling connection between the Cooks River shared path; Earlwood to the South and Tempe to the East; Tempe, Marrickville and Sydenham Stations; and numerous community facilities including Mackey Park.
Council undertook a safety review in 2024 and improvements were made, including giving priority to cyclists at intersections with side-streets and installing new markings and signage.
Still, problems with safety persist. A recent ABC news report highlighted concerns and several residents have called for further action to be taken to improve safety for all road users.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Bicycle Valet Parking
Author: Councillors Mat Howard and Kerrie Fergusson
|
That Council: 1. Congratulates Bike Marrickville for its successful Bike Valet service at the Muddy River Festival in March.
2. Requests the staff within the traffic team and the events team meet with Bike Marrickville to discuss opportunities to trial an expansion of the service to other events across the Inner West to at least 3 other events in 2026-2027.
3. Request Council staff provide a report to the August 2026 Council meeting with a plan to trial the service at further council events, including any logistical, promotional or financial support that may be required to facilitate it. |
Background
Bike Marrickville’s volunteer-led Bicycle Valet at the Muddy River Festival demonstrated strong community demand for practical, low-cost active transport initiatives.
Bike valet schemes in cities including Vancouver and Portland and in other Sydney council areas, have shown to reduce traffic congestion and parking pressures at events, improve safety, and reduce emissions associated with events. They also provide positive opportunities to educate and inform local residents about the benefits of active transport and other local and council initiatives.
These benefits were clearly demonstrated at the Muddy River event, where hundreds of residents accessed the service.
Council may be able to provide support with logistics, promotion, integration with events, and connections to facilitate volunteer support. Financial support was provided at the Muddy River Festival by event organisers, including bike rack hire, ticket printing, t-shirts and a small contribution to help manage volunteers.
Supporting Bike Marrickville to expand bicycle valet services at other council events would complement council priorities and initiatives to encourage greater mode shift and participation in active transport.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Tillman Park Mural
Author: Councillor Mat Howard
|
That Council: 1. Install a mural on the toilet block at Tillman Park, Tempe, following repeated incidents of graffiti at the park, funded through existing operational budgets.
2. Request that this mural, once completed, be included in the Perfect Match Street Art program and be managed by operational staff in consultation with Community Directorate.
3. Requests the Director Community report back to councillors via councillor briefing note as soon as practicable and following consultation with the Director Property and Major Projects, including a timeline for installation, artist information and concept. |
Background
Tillman Park is a long-established and highly valued neighbourhood park in Tempe. It is popular with children and families, and is located adjacent to the Tillman Park Early Learning Centre, which is managed by Inner West Council.
Residents have reported several recent incidents of graffiti at the park, including offensive and anti-semitic graffiti on a picnic table and large-scale tagging on the toilet block, which is highly visible from the street. The toilet block has been subject to repeated graffiti over a long period of time.
Thank you to the Director Engineering and Council staff for quickly responding to these incidents. A durable and proven response to graffiti is to install public murals, as has been demonstrated through Council’s successful Perfect Match program.
The installation of a mural on the public toilets at Tillman Park would not only stand to minimise graffiti at the location, but also add a creative, welcoming and vibrant element to one of the best loved parks in the Marrickville-Midjuburi Ward and add to the growing collection of public murals and artworks in Tempe.
Funding the mural through the existing operational budgets would preserve the quantum of funding available to the Perfect Match program, which is designed to support local residents to address graffiti on their properties. The deterioration of a park asset that is owned and managed by Inner West Council is best funded through existing operational budgets.
Director Lead:
Peter Shields, Acting Director Property and Major Projects
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: 100th Anniversary of Marrickville Croquet Club
Author: Councillor Mat Howard
|
That Council: 1. Congratulates the Marrickville Croquet Club on reaching its 100th anniversary.
2. Thanks the Club’s members, including President Roberta Flint, and writes to the Club to formally congratulate them on this significant milestone.
3. Acknowledges the anniversary in a future edition of Inner West Council’s newsletter, Inner West News.
|
Background
Established in 1926 in Marrickville Park, the Marrickville Croquet Club has been part of local life for a century.
From its early years, when the Club was founded by women from Marrickville, the Club created opportunities to take part in organised sport and social activity, and women have played a central role in its leadership and day to day life.
The Club continued through the Depression and the war years and adapted as Marrickville changed around it, including the introduction of evening play to welcome more members.
Generations of local residents have built friendships at the Club and contributed their time to maintain it. It has created consistency, connection and belonging in a changing world over the past Century and will continue to bring the Marrickville community together into the future.
The Club balances its social role with a long standing commitment to competitive croquet, with members taking part in pennants and tournaments for many years.
Council has proudly supported the Club through its grounds and facilities in Marrickville Park.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Creating a Dulwich Hill Village Masterplan
Author: Councillor Jessica D'Arienzo
|
That Council:
1. Recognises the need to create a long term plan that guides improvements to Dulwich Hill village, its laneways, public spaces and commercial centre.
2. Commits to developing a public domain masterplan for Dulwich Hill Village that supports healthy communities and celebrates the vibrancy and character of the Dulwich Hill community.
3. Investigates options for a public plaza and new green open space in Dulwich Hill Village as part of the masterplan process.
4. Notes that the Seaview Street carpark has been identified for potential social and affordable housing, a community centre and public plaza.
5. Acknowledges the community consultation and engagement undertaken for the Streets Alive draft masterplan in 2023, and notes that this work has not progressed to adoption, and should inform the development of the new masterplan.
6. Receives a report to Council at the August 2026 meeting on the strategy to develop a Dulwich Hill Village masterplan and includes: a) A consultation framework that embeds the Dulwich Hill Commercial Guild as a key stakeholder in the masterplan process, alongside the broader Dulwich Hill community with dedicated engagement sessions held before, during and after public exhibition. b) A timeline to public exhibition and Council adoption of the masterplan.
7. Reconfirms Council’s adopted policy at the September 2025 Council meeting in relation to the retention of car parking, “That Council commit that the conversion of carparks to social housing is to be premised on all existing public carparking being replaced in the development. There is to be no expansion of new parking meters at these locations, or any other location in the local government area.”
8. Commits that the future of the Loftus Street and Seaview Street Council-owned carparks will be planned through a genuine co-design process with the community, and local businesses, including community consultation on proposals for affordable housing and community infrastructure. |
Background
Dulwich Hill Village is a well-loved town centre, a walkable, locally-owned, multicultural precinct anchored by Marrickville Road, Seaview Street, New Canterbury Road and Wardell Road. It is home to many long-established small businesses who together give the village its distinct village character and economic vitality.
The Dulwich Hill community have been engaged with Council on the future of this precinct for many years through the local businesses and local resident group Save Dully. The history of this engagement provides important context for understanding the urgency of this motion.
2019 - Save Dully, a local resident action group incorporated in 2015, released Our Suburb, Our Future, a community-led vision for Dulwich Hill that called for collaborative co-design and place-based planning for our LEP.
2021 - Save Dully presented “Heart of Dulwich Hill” to Council, a positive vision for the commercial and civic centre including pedestrian safety improvements on Hercules Street, GreenWay connections, wayfinding, and community facilities on the Seaview Street carpark site including affordable housing and a town square.
2023 - Council ran the Streets Alive Dulwich Hill public domain community consultation and engagement. Community engagement closed. No draft masterplan has since been publicly exhibited or brought to Council for adoption.
2024/2025 - Council engagement on the development of the Our Fairer Future plan.
Late 2025 - The Dulwich Hill Commercial Guild Incorporated was formally established, bringing together over 90 businesses. At its inaugural AGM, the Guild passed a resolution expressing willingness to work with Council on reasonable outcomes for the Loftus Street and Seaview Street carparks. Councillor D'Arienzo met with Guild representatives and committed to engage on these issues.
Early 2026 - A meeting was held between Guild representatives, Councillor D'Arienzo and Director of Planning Simone Plummer. Guild members expressed their strong desire to be genuine participants in shaping the future of the village.
The urgency of finalising a masterplan has grown considerably. Dulwich Hill is at the heart of Our Fairer Future Plan, which projects density increases around Dulwich Hill village, Dulwich Hill Station, along Wardell Road and New Canterbury Road over the coming decade. The Seaview Street carpark has been identified for potential social and affordable housing alongside community infrastructure including a community centre and public plaza. Dulwich Hill also operates as a Special Entertainment Precinct under rules introduced in July 2025.
Without an adopted masterplan to provide a coherent framework, the village risks being shaped by individual development decisions rather than a community-endorsed vision.
Director Lead:
Simone Plummer, Director Planning
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Lighting at Gadigal Greenway Entry
Author: Councillor Jessica D'Arienzo
|
That Council resolves to investigate and implement appropriate lighting improvements at the Gadigal Greenway entry point accessed via Grosvenor Crescent, Summer Hill, to address identified safety concerns affecting pedestrians and cyclists, particularly when it is dark. |
Background
Addressing lighting black spots on Greenway connector paths will enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduce trip hazards, and ensure equitable after-dark access to the Gadigal Greenway entry point for all members of the Summer Hill community. This is consistent with our record on active transport and community safety, Council’s prior investment in Bay Run lighting, and the broader goal of maximising community use of the Greenway as a sustainable active transport corridor.
The Greenway path connecting Grosvenor Crescent to the Gadigal entry is served by an asphalt path approximately 50 metres in length. While lighting exists on both Grosvenor Crescent and the Greenway itself, the connecting path is unlit, leaving users in hazardous darkness.
Director Lead:
Manod Wickramasinghe, Acting Director Engineering
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
Nil.
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Notice of Motion: Vietnamese Refugee Memorial
Author: Councillors Olivia Barlow and Mat Howard
|
That Council: 1. Acknowledges the concern and hurt of the Vietnamese community about the consultation process undertaken by council thus far on the plans for a memorial to commemorate Vietnamese refugees in Marrickville. 2. Requests: a) The General Manager and Director Community hold an urgent meeting with concerned residents, other stakeholders, and the Midjuburi ward councillors to discuss how Council can best support the development of a memorial that will be suitable for the Vietnamese refugee community; b) Establishment of a working relationship with the Bilingual Refugee Reference Group and other stakeholders from the Vietnamese community for community consultation on the memorial; c) Following consultation with the Bilingual Refugee Reference Group and other stakeholders, council staff prepare a report for the June council meeting outlining a renewed project scope and consultation plan prior to the commencement of an expression of interest process for an artist to produce the work; and d) Following consultation with the Bilingual Refugee Reference Group and other stakeholders, council staff prepare a future report to Council on developing a Vietnamese Refugee Heritage Day. |
Background
Many members of the Vietnamese community in the Inner West have mobilised in protest of Council’s recent decision concerning our proposed Vietnamese refugee memorial. Some community members have formed a Bilingual Refugee Reference Group with the express intent of working with council to improve community consultation and the sensitive delivery of this memorial. This group has formally requested the Council to reopen the process and to ensure representatives from the Vietnamese refugee community sit directly at the decision-making table before any decisions about the future of this memorial are made.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 29 April 2025, Council resolved the following in part:
C0425(1) Item 26 Celebrating the Vietnamese Community in Marrickville
Motion: (Barlow/Howard)
3. That Council specifically acknowledge the enduring contribution made by the roughly 150,000 Vietnamese refugees that came to Australia following what is often referred to as the Fall of Saigon in 1975, many of whom settled in Marrickville.
4. That this acknowledgement take the form of a monument, plaque, tree planting or other significant acknowledgement in Marrickville, to be determined in consultation with the local Vietnamese community and Marrickville-Midjuburi Councillors.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 23 September 2025, Council resolved the following:
C0925(1) Item 33 Notice of Motion: Vietnamese Refugee Memorial
Motion: (Howard/Atkins)
1. That Council note the resolution C0425(1) Item 26 of 29 April 2025 to acknowledge the contribution of Vietnamese Refugees to the Inner West.
2. That Council further resolve that this acknowledgement should take the form of a permanent memorial and that it be located in the vicinity of Little Vietnam in Marrickville.
3. That Council begin consultation with the Vietnamese community and Marrickville community on the establishment of a permanent memorial.
4. That Council construct and dedicate the memorial prior to 30 April 2026, ensuring it is delivered within the year commemorating 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.
5. That Council apportion funding from the main streets revitalisation fund to deliver the project.
6. That Council receive a progress report via councillor briefing note in September 2025, outlining the timeline, costs and consultation and engagement schedule for the establishment of a permanent memorial.
7. That Council engage staff from both the Communities Directorate and Infrastructure Directorate in the delivery of the memorial.
The briefing referenced above was not received by councillors until after the consultation process had been conducted, nor were councillors ever invited to be a part of the project design process.
On Wednesday 28 January 2026, Council staff conducted an engagement session about the proposed design and site for the sculpture, with an interpreter. Council staff advise that 21 local Vietnamese community members attended the session. Approximately 5,876 people in the Inner West identify as having Vietnamese ancestry.
Community members who attended this session have reflected that they did not feel this was a genuine engagement opportunity for them. They describe feeling cut out of the process because they were not involved with the initial design or guidelines, and many did not feel it was appropriate to voice their concerns about the chosen design at all. They have also mentioned that perhaps an event, rather than a permanent memorial, may have been their preference. They have described being asked to provide feedback on a finalised design as disingenuous.
The wider community was given the opportunity to provide additional feedback through Your Say Inner West from 2 February to 13 February 2026, and an additional on-site pop up was held on Tuesday 10 February 2026.
Many community members have reflected on the inappropriateness of opening up the consultation during Lunar New Year (Tết), during which time many of the community we were seeking to reflect the experiences of were busy with family, friends, and cultural commitments, including organising community events in our council LGA.
After Council announced its intent to install this sculpture, Midjuburi ward councillors received a number of emails concerning a Change.org petition signed by an even greater number of residents. At the time of writing, the number of signatories on the Change.org petition is 873. Elder members of the Reference Group went out in person with paper petitions to further consult the community about the memorial, making the approximate total of signatures across both petitions over 1000. The wording of the online petition is attached as it articulates their concerns clearly, but to quote from it in summary:
· Council’s background research failed to identify the significant political risk associated with the lotus flower: “It does not represent us. It represents the regime we were forced to flee. For many in our community, this symbol is not only inappropriate, it is deeply painful. It does not honour our story; it reopens wounds and causes emotional distress every time we are confronted with it.”
· The proposal incorrectly frames this as a 50th Anniversary: “In April 2026, we mark the 51st Anniversary of a journey defined by a flight toward freedom.”
· Council sought feedback during the Lunar New Year (Tết): “A time when our community is traditionally occupied with family and cultural commitments. This ‘top-down’ approach and flawed timing meant many stakeholders were unable to respond. Our silence was not agreement; it was a lack of opportunity to be heard.”
Vietnamese people had a multitude of reasons for coming to Australia as refugees after the Fall of Saigon, many of which were traumatic, so it is entirely appropriate that as a council we should seek to engage in respectful and trauma-informed dialogue with community members at the initial project formation stage and throughout our delivery timeline. Any final design should take in the multitude of experiences and perspectives held by Vietnamese refugees and not seek to reduce the memorial down to one singular narrative.
Despite intense disagreement with Council’s initial direction on this memorial, community members and leaders of community organisations who were signatories on this petition have all indicated their continued willingness to work with council staff on the development of this project. Together, they have formed the Bilingual Refugee Reference Group with the express intent of working with council to improve community consultation and the sensitive delivery of this memorial.
The Bilingual Refugee Reference Group contains a large cross-section of Vietnamese interest groups including elders, veterans, founding and younger generations of Vietnamese in the Inner West. The group includes leaders from the Vietnamese Community Association, Vietnamese Women’s Association in NSW, the NSW Vietnamese Elderly Friendship Association, the Vietnamese Community in Australia NSW Chapter and the Vietnamese-Australian Women's Forum Inc. Working with this group would be an incredible asset, helping the Council to communicate and collaborate with as many Vietnamese refugees and diaspora as possible in developing the narrative and artistic direction of this memorial.
The group has formally requested the Council to reopen the process and to ensure representatives from the Vietnamese refugee community sit directly at the decision-making table before any decisions about the future of this memorial are made. This would ensure more culturally nuanced guidance and give the Vietnamese community more opportunity to accurately reflect the broad spectrum of Vietnamese refugee experiences.
By committing to work with community members who are already incredibly engaged with this project we can help to ensure that our next consultation on this memorial will be culturally sensitive and appropriate, taking into account the multitude of experiences of Vietnamese refugees in the Inner West from the very beginning of the project, and making sure to the fullest extent possible that the final design of our memorial is respectful and meaningful to everyone in our LGA.
Director Lead:
Ruth Callaghan, Director Community
Officer’s Comments:
No further comments were required for this Notice of Motion.
|
1.⇩ |
Change.org Petition and Comments |
|
2.⇩ |
Petition |
|
3.⇩ |
Three Emails |
|
4.⇩ |
Two Letters |
|
5.⇩ |
Briefing Note to Councillors - Vietnamese Refugee Memorial |
|
6.⇩ |
Letter from the General Manager |
|
|
Council Meeting 19 May 2026 |
Title: Question on Notice: Vietnamese Refugee Memorial Timeline & Next Steps
Author: Councillor Olivia Barlow
Question
To what extent was the Communities Directorate involved in designing the community consultation for this memorial?
Answer
The Community Directorate provided direct advice and contacts to support tailored engagement for the memorial. This included identifying and providing key contacts for the tailored community engagement held on 28 January 2026, when 21 local Vietnamese community members met with Council officers on site to provide feedback on a proposed sculpture design for a permanent Vietnamese Refugee Memorial.
The Community Directorate also provided advice on translation services for the memorial and the engagement process.
Question
To what extent did plans for community consultation consider input from the community on the initial artistic direction and intent of the memorial?
Answer
In response to community feedback, the sculpture was refined by softening the lotus petals, increasing its height (to display respect), and incorporating an acknowledgement from the Vietnamese community.
Question
Why was the decision made to approach and brief an artist prior to community consultation commencing?
Answer
It was a tight timeframe as Council staff were looking to deliver a suitable artwork by the end of April 2026.
Question
Why was the decision made to consult the community during Lunar New Year?
Answer
Lunar New Year in 2026 commenced on 17 February and continued through to 3 March 2026. Engagement was planned to avoid the Lunar New Year period. Council engaged the community on the following dates:
· 28 January 2026, Council met with 21 local Vietnamese community members to seek their feedback on a proposed sculpture design on a permanent Vietnamese Refugee Memorial.
· Between 2 February and 13 February 2026, the wider community was invited to provide feedback through Council’s online engagement platform (Your Say Inner West), in person at an on-site pop-up, and via email, phone and letter.
· On 10 February 2026, Council held an on-site pop-up open to the wider community.
Question
What was the budget set for this project and how much has been spent?
Answer
A budget of $75,000 was allocated to this project. Approximately two thirds of this budget have been spent, including staff time and consultation costs. The original artwork will be re-purposed.
Question
Has the proposed plaque already been produced?
Answer
No. The plaque has not been completed.
Question
Have decision makers or the implementation team already decided how to do the next round of community consultation as indicated in a letter signed by the GM and sent out to the community?
Answer
A draft consultation plan has been developed and will be subject to further review following consideration of a Notice of Motion at the May Ordinary Council Meeting.
Question
Why does the General Manager’s' formal letter to the community dated 23 April 2026 has no mention of a “Vietnamese Refugee Memorial” and in William’s Truong email subject line there is a new mention of “Vietnamese Refugee Public Art”?
Answer
The email subject line refers to the same item.
