Minutes of Council - Monday, 9 November 2020

MINUTES OF THE Meeting of City of Parramatta Council HELD IN THE CLOISTER FUNCTION ROOMS, ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL 1 MARIST PLACE, PARRAMATTA ON Monday, 9 November 2020 AT 6.30pm

PRESENT

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Bob Dwyer and Councillors Benjamin Barrak, Phil Bradley (6:32pm), Donna Davis, Pierre Esber, Michelle Garrard (Deputy Lord Mayor), Steven Issa, Andrew Jefferies (6:33pm), Sameer Pandey, Dr Patricia Prociv, Bill Tyrrell, Andrew Wilson, Lorraine Wearne and Martin Zaiter.

1. OPENING MEETING

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Bob Dwyer, opened the meeting at 6.31pm.

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL LAND OWNERS

The Lord Mayor, acknowledged the Burramattagal people of The Darug Nation as the traditional custodians of this land, and paid respect to their ancient culture and their elders past and present.

3. WEBCASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Lord Mayor, advised that this public meeting is being recorded and streamed live on the internet. The recording will also be archived and made available on Council’s website.

4. OTHER RECORDING OF MEETING ANOUNCEMENT

No other announcements were made.

5. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

SUBJECT: Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 October 2020

2964

RESOLVED (Esber/Tyrrell)

That the minutes be taken as read and be accepted as a true record of the Meeting.

Note: Councillor Bradley arrived at 6:32pm during confirmation the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26 October 2020.

6. APOLOGIES/REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

There were no apologies or requests for leave of absence made at this meeting.

7. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Barrak declared a non-pecuniary and less than significant interest in Item 14.1 being Belmore Park Masterplan, as he lives nearby at Sorrell Street, North Parramatta. He remained in the Chamber during debate and voting on the matter.

Councillor Esber declared a pecuniary interest in Item 17.3 being Draft Planning Strategy for North-East Planning Investigation Area, as his office is located within the Planning Investigation Area. He retired from the Chamber and took no part in the debate or vote thereon.

Councillor Esber declared a pecuniary interest in Item 17.5 being Post-exhibition: Planning Proposal, Development Control Plan and Planning Agreement for 12 Hassall Street, Parramatta, as he has family who worked with the applicant. He retired from the Chamber and took no part in the debate or vote thereon.

Councillor Zaiter declared a non-pecuniary but significant interest in Item 17.3 being Draft Planning Strategy for North-East Planning Investigation Area, as he provides accounting services for a client who may have a potential relationship in the area under investigation. He retired from the Chamber and took no part in the debate or vote thereon.

Note: Councillor Barrak arrived at 6:33pm during Declarations of Interest.

8. Minutes of the Lord Mayor

8.1

SUBJECT National Asbestos Awareness Week 2020

REFERENCE F2019/03630 - D07736252

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Bob Dwyer

2965

RESOLVED (Dwyer/Wilson)

(a) That Council notes that large amounts of asbestos are still present in Australian homes, workplaces and the built environment. Homes built or renovated before 1990 have a good chance of containing asbestos, as do public and commercial buildings.

(b) That Council notes that exposure to asbestos fibres can cause deadly cancers. There is no known safe minimum level of exposure to asbestos fibres.

(c) That Council notes that one way to be exposed to asbestos today is through Do-It-Yourself (DIY) renovation or home maintenance activities. Furthermore, research shows that during COVID-19 home improvements, maintenance and small jobs have increased exponentially.

(d) That Council notes the likelihood of asbestos being improperly disposed of in household bins when residents are unaware of asbestos.

(e) That Council participates in Asbestos Awareness Week 2020, 23-29 November 2020, and engage in awareness-raising activities throughout the Council area during this time through:

a. Website, media releases, social media campaign, Lord Mayor’s column, internal and external publications.

(f) That Council note a review of Council’s asbestos management and contaminated lands policies is currently underway, to ensure they provide the most up to date information, as provided by State and Federal governments and local government associations.

(g) Further, that Council write to the NSW Premier regarding the 2017 NSW Ombudsman’s report into the state of asbestos management in NSW, requesting the Premier advise Council and the community how the NSW Government intends to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

9. Public Forum

9.1

SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 1 Rescission Motion: Item 18.1 Council Meeting 26 October 2020 - Tree Canopy in Parramatta CBD

REFERENCE F2019/04433 - D07736488

FROM: Margaret McCartney

Speaking against Rescission of Motion

Dear Lord Mayor and Councillors

I am speaking on behalf of Epping Civic Trust. We object to this Rescission Motion.

When the original Motion was passed at the October 26 Council meeting, our members and our wider community were delighted. We applauded the Council for acting proactively to monitor, manage and improve the tree canopy.

There is no doubt that something has to be done. The tree canopy in the Parramatta LGA is being lost to development at an alarming rate, and doing nothing, the effect of rescinding this Motion, surely cannot be an option. Council may also find this work is imperative once the NSW Government’s Draft Greener Places Design Guide is implemented, as this document stipulates the tree canopy percentages to be achieved.

I acknowledge some Councillors have expressed concerns in relation to the costs for undertaking the Tree Canopy Motion. However, in this era when the climate is warming and acting to limit warming is a key global political issue, why would any Council want to act against a Motion that will contribute to cooling of its LGA? Surely the risks posed to residents, including death from high temperatures, outweigh the costs.

I note Councillor Jefferies expressed concerns that the Motion is “a back door” to make it harder for residents to remove trees. I would like to advocate for it to be seen as a positive step for increasing tree plantings rather than blocking tree removal. It is about improving the environment for current and future generations. It also represents a unique opportunity for Councillors to review Council’s tree management systems and processes.

This may even result in finding ways in which to better utilise technology and thereby decrease running costs. In any event, the Executive Director, City Assets and Operations response indicates that much of the work required has already been started, or is well underway.

Please consider the many benefits of having trees in the communities you represent including how they contribute greatly towards the amenity, property prices, wildlife habitat and beauty of the LGA.

We strongly urge Councillors to allow the original Motion of October 26 to stand so the reports proposed can be undertaken. This represents good governance.

STAFF RESPONSE

No staff response provided.

9.2

SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 2 Item 17.2 Response to Submissions and Amended Proposal Report for the Powerhouse Museum Parramatta

REFERENCE NCA/2/2020 - D07736899

FROM: Suzette Meade

Members of North Parramatta Residents Action Group, heritage experts from all over NSW strongly oppose the recent proposal to 'relocate' Parramatta’s historic Willow Grove to an unidentified location within the historic Cumberland Hospital site.

The reason Annie Gallagher an entrepreneurial Parramatta business owner built Willow Grove in Phillip Street is that it was the premier address for the commercial and professional class of Parramatta and around the corner from her haberdashery business in Church Street.

In this week’s National Trust publication Conservation Director (and architect) David Burdon said “ We believe that a great deal of Willow Grove’s significance relates directly to its location beside the Parramatta River. In the 2017 Civic Link Framework Plan, Willow Grove and its landscape setting was a fitting termination point to a 490m long, 20m wide proposed new 'green, pedestrianised public space and cultural spine that connects public life from the heart of Parramatta CBD to the River'.

Willow Grove is a cement rendered brick building, which will suffer catastrophic damage should it be removed. Any relocated building will effectively be a full-scale replica of brand new construction in order to meet current building regulations. A few sad, salvaged elements will be all that will remain.”

The significance of Willow Grove will be irrevocably diminished by:

1. Loss of setting and dislocation of historic context.

2. Loss of original fabric - most of the bricks will not survive, the plaster is gone, the horsehair ceilings. Tiles at risk of cracking. There would be so much replacement it would no longer be considered a relocation or a minor reconstruction but a replica, what is left lacks integrity and original fabric.

This is not a good conservation outcome.

With very little original fabric and no setting what is left?

Without the proponent , iNSW supplying any assessment of the method of relocation, future location and the impact of the heritage significance of Willow Grove, how can Parramatta Council conditionally support the relocation of this heritage building - which is only described by a mere sentence on the Mitigation Measure table in the response to submissions report dated 8th October 2020.

Parramatta can have our heritage remain in its original setting as the community are passionately fighting for and have a new museum in our cities future. We do not have to choose between the two.

STAFF RESPONSE

No staff response provided.

10. Petitions

10.1

SUBJECT Elevated Zebra Crossing at Darcy Road Public School

REFERENCE F2020/03010

FROM Sameer Pandey

A petition signed by the public was tabled at the Council Meeting and reads:

“We have observed a significant increase in pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic near Darcy Road Public School during last 6 months. Many students who used to catch school bus are now being dropped either by their parents by car or they are walking to school.

At the junction of Fyall Avenue and Darcy Road, there is a kids park on one corner and a community center on another corner. There is also a childcare across the road on Darcy Road at this juncture. All of this results in increased pedestrian traffic specially during the school times.

There are number of families and students crossing the road at this junction in very unsafe conditions. Childcare staff carry the children to the Cumberland highway Red light in order to cross at the signal.

P&C executives have been at this junction and noticed the pedestrian traffic on multiple occasions.

As a result P&C is raising an online petition in this matter which will be presented to council to propose a new elevated zebra crossing at this place. This will create a more safer space for our kids, students and families who lives in the vicinity.”

2966

RESOLVED (Pandey/Wilson)

That the petition be received and a copy of the petition be circulated to all Councillors.

11. Rescission Motions

Note: The Lord Mayor vacated the Chair at 6:45pm prior to consideration of Item 11.1.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Garrard, assumed the Chair at 6:45pm.

11.1

SUBJECT RESCISSION MOTION: Item 18.1 Council Meeting 26 October 2020 - Tree Canopy in Parramatta CBD

REFERENCE F2019/04433 - D07719561

REPORT OF Councillor Dwyer

MOTION (Dwyer/Tyrrell)

That the resolution of the Council held on 26 October 2020 in relation to Item 18.1 - – Tree Canopy in Parramatta CBD, namely:

That Council:

1. Prepare a report, including a target and timeframe, to prioritise tree canopy increase in Parramatta CBD which currently has a very low proportion of tree canopy of between 10% to 12% compared to our target of 40% across the Local Government Area.

2. Report on feasibility of a significant tree register for both private and public trees including native trees 3-5m high.

3. Provide a report on development controls to monitor tree replacement and maintenance of newly planted trees that were planted in newer developments as a result of removing existing trees, including recommendations for improvement.

4. Provide a report on what we can do through our DCP to incorporate and encourage private tree planting within the CBD.

5. Provide a report, based on recent investigation and research work, on types/species of trees that are suitable to reduce urban heat.

6. Develop a community recognition program for tree plantation.

7. Prepare a report on a community recognition program for tree plantation.

8. Report on development of a program to encourage local residents to volunteer for tree plantation and maintenance.

9. Prepare a report to be completed by February 2021 outlining a strategy to:

i) improve the protection of trees and heritage gardens within Heritage Conservation Areas across the LGA,

ii) increase street tree plantings across the LGA. The report is to include possible State and Federal funding sources.

iii) Implement a LGA wide education program on the important role trees play in creating a sustainable, liveable and cooler city while also adding value to real estate. The objective of the education program is to dispel myths amongst residents about trees and native wildlife, improve tree maintenance and tree selection while informing residents about incentives including, but not limited to, the DPIE Free Tree Giveaway and City of Parramatta tree program.

be and is hereby rescinded.

Procedural Motion

2967

RESOLVED (Garrard/Dwyer)

That the meeting be adjourned for five (5) minutes.

Note: The meeting was adjourned at 7:22pm for a short recess.

2968	RESOLVED (Garrard/Dwyer) That the meeting resume.

The meeting resumed at 7:30pm with the following Councillors in attendance: The Lord Mayor, Councillor Bob Dwyer and Councillors Benjamin Barrak, Phil Bradley, Donna Davis, Pierre Esber, Michelle Garrard (Deputy Lord Mayor), Steven Issa, Andrew Jefferies, Sameer Pandey, Dr Patricia Prociv, Bill Tyrrell, Andrew Wilson, Lorraine Wearne and Martin Zaiter.

The motion moved by Councillor Dwyer and seconded by Councillor Tyrrell on being put was declared CARRIED on the Deputy Lord Mayor’s Casting Vote.

2969

RESOLVED (Dwyer/Tyrrell)