Late Items Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Council 13 June 2023 Item 8.1

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.1

SUBJECT The King's Birthday Honours list 2023

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09011391

REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

CSP THEME: THRIVING

workshop/briefing date: N/A

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayoral Minute is to congratulate current and former members of the Parramatta community, and those who have previously made a significant contribution to our community and have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours list 2023.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council congratulate current and former members of the Parramatta community for their significant contributions to the City as recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours list 2023.

(b) That Council congratulate notable members of the community recognised for service to local government, including The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore and Blacktown City Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Julie Ann Marie Griffiths JP, as recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2023.

(c) Further, that the Lord Mayor writes to the award recipients acknowledging the contribution they have made and congratulating them on being recognised in the Order of Australia King’s Birthday Honours.

BACKGROUND

1. On Monday 12 June 2023 the King’s Birthday Honours awards list was announced by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd). This list provides national and formal recognition for many Australians who have made a significant contribution to their communities, and ultimately Australia.

2. The Australian Honours system celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of everyday Australians in a diverse range of fields, with recipients from all spheres of the community.

3. I am pleased to inform Council that the following current and former Parramatta community members have been recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours list 2023:

4. Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division:

a. Ms Juanita Ann Davies of Eastwood was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to aged welfare.

b. The late Mr Allan Frederick Garside formerly of Granville was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to football. Mr Garside played for the Granville Kewpies from 1937 to 1942 and the Granville Magpies from 1943 to 1958. He also coached the Granville Kewpies. He made his international Socceroo debut in the ‘A’ team match against South Africa in October 1955. He also played an additional four ‘B’ internationals between 1953 and 1957, scoring three goals on the world stage. To honour his local and international legacy, the Granville & Districts Soccer Football Association hold an annual Allan Garside Cup for U-15 mixed teams.

c. Mr Susai Mathew Benjamin of Toongabbie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia Medal for service to the law, and to the community. A resident of Toongabbie for over 35 years, Mr Benjamin is the Acting Principal Solicitor and Honorary Director of the Toongabbie Legal Centre, which has provided a free community legal service for over a decade.

d. Mr Michael Solomon Morris of Norwest was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Jewish community of Parramatta. Mr Morris has served as President of Parramatta Synagogue, which in 2019 celebrated its 70^th anniversary celebration.

e. Mr Simon Chan of Double Bay was awarded Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to multiculturalism, to the Indigenous community, and to the arts. Mr Chan is the Director and Founder of Art Atrium and practises architecture as Director of SCA Architects. He served as a Director on the Board of Parramasala and in 2013 received the inaugural NSW Premier's Multicultural Award for Arts & Culture.

5. I am also pleased to congratulate my fellow Lord Mayor, The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore, of City of Sydney, who was awarded Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for distinguished service to local government, to the people and Parliament of New South Wales, and to the community of Sydney. Clover Moore was elected Lord Mayor of Sydney in 2004, the longest serving Mayor since city government incorporation in 1842. She also served as the Member for Sydney in the NSW Parliament from March 1988 to September 2012 and was concurrently Lord Mayor and Member for Sydney for 8 years.

6. Finally I congratulate Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Councillor Julie Ann Marie Griffiths JP of Quakers Hill, who was awarded Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to local government, to women's football, and to industrial relations. First elected to Council in 2008, Cr Griffiths is currently serving her second term. She has served on Blacktown City’s Community Services Committee, Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, Sister Cities Committee, Animal Advisory Committee, Planning, Development, Historical & Assets Committee and Chair of the Women’s Advisory Committee. She currently sits on the Hawkesbury River County Council and has close ties with members of the Parramatta community.

7. On behalf of the City of Parramatta, I congratulate and thank all Order of Australia recipients for their service to the Australian community. Their valuable contributions have helped to support and enrich the lives of local residents, visitors and businesses in NSW and Australia.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

8. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 June 2023 Item 8.2

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.2

SUBJECT NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09011669

REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

CSP THEME: INNOVATIVE

workshop/briefing date: N/A

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Lord Mayoral Minute is to recognise City of Parramatta (Council) as the winner of the ‘Organisational Diversity and Inclusion’ Award and finalist in the category of ‘Innovative Leadership – Population Over 150,000’ at the 2023 NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council recognise the City of Parramatta as winner of the 2023 NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards in the category of ‘Organisational Diversity and Inclusion for its outstanding ‘WeBelong’: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy.

(b) That Council also recognise the City of Parramatta’s finalist nomination for its new EVOLVE Leadership Development Program, selected in the category of ‘Innovative Leadership – Population Over 150,000’ at the 2023 NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Awards.

(c) Further, that Council thank the Council Officers involved in these excellent projects and commend them on their admirable efforts.

BACKGROUND

1. The NSW Local Government Excellence Awards showcase outstanding achievements and promote innovation and continuous improvement within the local government sector.

2. On 1 June 2023, Council won the 2023 NSW Local Government Professionals Excellence Award for ‘Organisational Diversity and Inclusion’ and was nominated as a finalist in the category of ‘Innovative Leadership – Population Over 150,000’.

3. Council’s ‘We Belong’: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy won the award for ‘Organisational Diversity and Inclusion’, which recognises councils who acknowledge, support and celebrate respect, diversity and inclusion with internal stakeholders and/or the broader community.

4. In 2022, Council embarked on reinvigorating the ‘We Belong’: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy that aims to attract, develop, & retain diverse talent as well as foster an inclusive workplace that mirrors the Council’s diverse community.

5. The ‘We Belong’ model championed a leader-led and grassroots-fed approach, with a DEI Committee, comprised of Council’s Executive Team, as well as a dedicated DEI Business Partner in the People, Culture & Workplace team. A new Employee Resource Group has driven advocacy and change in focus areas such as gender equality, LGBTIQA+, accessibility and multigenerational groups, including a formal submission to the National Veterans’ Employment Program Team at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and participation in local careers expos.

6. ‘We Belong’ has contributed to an overall 10% increase in employee engagement the last 12 months, distinguishing Council as one of the highest performing councils when benchmarked against comparable Australian and New Zealand councils.

7. Council’s EVOLVE Leadership Development Program, was selected in the category of ‘Innovative Leadership – Population Over 150,000’, which recognises innovative projects/initiatives that demonstrate new ways of leading resulting in positive leadership and management changes.

8. Transformational, innovative leadership is necessary to achieve Council’s aspirational vision and strategic goals, and proactive, responsive leadership is required to serve the community in different ways, particularly through the uncertainty and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic climate.

9. The EVOLVE leadership initiative empowered and equipped existing and emerging leaders to shift into a ‘City Council Leader’ mindset, aligning with Council’s Strategic Plan.

10. Between February 2021 and October 2022, EVOLVE delivered a customised, best practice program to each level of leadership, incorporating experiential learning including cross-team business projects, workshops, leadership assessments, coaching and journalling.

11. Council thanks officers involved in these excellent projects and commends them on their admirable efforts.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

12. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayoral Minute.

Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 June 2023 Item 8.3

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.3

SUBJECT Carbon Neutral Certification for City of Parramatta

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09012220

REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

CSP THEME: GREEN

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to note the City of Parramatta’s certification as carbon neutral and celebrate being the first Council in Australia to achieve a Carbon Neutral Public Domain at Parramatta Square.

Recommendation:

That Council acknowledge City of Parramatta’s certification as carbon neutral and celebrate being the first Council in Australia to achieve a Carbon Neutral Public Doman at Parramatta Square.

BACKGROUND

1. The City of Parramatta is leading the way towards a low carbon future, earning carbon neutral certification, and becoming the first Council in Australia to achieve a carbon neutral public domain.

2. In May 2023, the City of Parramatta was certified carbon neutral by Climate Active, an organisation supported by the Australian Government and Australian businesses to drive voluntary climate action. To achieve certification, Council has shown a commitment to measure emissions, reduce these where possible, offset remaining emissions and then publicly report on achievements.

3. Parramatta is the first council in Western Sydney to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification, one of only three councils in NSW. Council staff are to be congratulated for their efforts in achieving this accolade.

4. Parramatta is also the first council in Australia to achieve carbon neutral certification for services in a public domain for Parramatta Square.

5. Parramatta Square, one of Australia’s largest commercial business precincts, has met carbon neutral targets on everything from waste collection and cleaning to horticulture and general maintenance.

6. Both of these achievements will contribute to the City of Parramatta’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2038 (based on 2015 levels).

7. City of Parramatta has also made significant efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, by commencing to a 100% renewable electricity supply contract and installing solar panels together with energy efficiency upgrades across its portfolio of assets.

8. Council also aims to transition its passenger vehicle fleet to electric vehicles by 2030 with its first battery electric vehicle (EV) now in use, together with 32 hybrid passenger vehicles and a further 54 EVs to be rolled out in the coming months.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

9. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 June 2023 Item 8.4

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.4

SUBJECT Parramatta Arts and Cultural Precinct

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09014877

REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

CSP THEME: THRIVING

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to propose that the CEO prepare a report to investigate the development of a Parramatta Arts and Cultural Precinct Masterplan.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council note the momentum in arts and cultural infrastructure investment in the Parramatta CBD, including both Riverside Theatres and Powerhouse Parramatta;

(b) Further, that the CEO prepare a report to investigate the development of a Parramatta Arts and Cultural Precinct Masterplan. This report should consider:

i. Consultation with cultural infrastructure institutions, arts and culture experts and relevant stakeholders;

ii. Existing materials and research held by Council that could be used to inform the project;

iii. Financial and resourcing implications of developing a Masterplan, and potential timeframes for consultation, development and delivery; and

iv. Potential opportunities to establish formal partnerships with stakeholders and identify external funding and advocacy platforms.

BACKGROUND

1. The NSW Government’s investment in the Powerhouse Parramatta, which will open on the river foreshore in 2025 as the new centre of arts, culture and innovation, should be celebrated. The newly relocated museum and the revamped Riverside Theatres will create a unique arts and cultural precinct in our CBD, attracting high quality jobs, activation and visitation. Parramatta is already home to several regionally significant, award-winning arts and cultural organisation such as Form Dance, River City Voices, Westwords, Sydney Story Factory, Arts and Cultural Exchange and Diversity Arts Australia, who occupy spaces and venues in the Parramatta CBD.

2. When complete, Powerhouse Paramatta will be the first NSW State Cultural Institution to be based in Western Sydney and is the largest cultural infrastructure project in NSW since the Sydney Opera House. Our evolving city has already invested in cultural spaces and public art works in Parramatta Square, celebrating first nations custodians, our rich heritage and connections through culture.

3. Economic modelling shows that by 2028 the new cultural precinct around the Powerhouse and Riverside Theatres will grow the local economy by between $106 million and $422 million. Once the museum is open, local jobs are expected to increase by between 150 and 600 new full-time equivalent jobs.

4. Despite this investment, more needs to be done. Western Sydney receives a much smaller portion of Destination NSW funding for international sports, cultural, creative and arts events. Between 2015–2022, 354 events were supported in Eastern Sydney, compared with 137 in Western Sydney. Between 2015 and 2023, Western Sydney received 36.6% of the state’s cultural infrastructure funding allocated to Sydney in the State budget. Most of this funding (33.1%) was allocated to the upcoming Powerhouse Parramatta. In contrast, 63.4% of state cultural infrastructure funding was allocated to the rest of Sydney. A spatial disparity is similarly reflected in the distribution of state funding for arts and culture activities administered by Create NSW, with Western Sydney receiving just over $31.6 million (12%) of the funds allocated to Sydney between 2020-2022, while eastern Sydney received the remaining $227.9 million in Create NSW funds allocated to the city.

5. There is an opportunity to leverage the development of Powerhouse Parramatta and the redeveloped Riverside Theatres into an arts and cultural precinct, to ensure development is supported by high quality public domain and wayfinding, to stimulate the night-time economy and drive visitation to our CBD.

6. Developing an Arts and Cultural Precinct Masterplan will:

i. signal to potential investors, government and the cultural sector that Parramatta is a music-friendly city, ready for investment into the Roxy Theatre, and incentives to support small cultural venues in the CBD;

ii. attract leading arts, cultural and creative talent to our city to add to the diverse experience offered; and

iii. encourage activation of empty spaces which can be used for creative incubation, exhibition and production- to support vibrancy of our streets.

7. This Minute proposes that the CEO prepare a report to investigate the development of a Parramatta Arts and Cultural Precinct. This report should consider:

i. Consultation with cultural infrastructure institutions, arts and culture experts and relevant stakeholders;

ii. Existing materials and research held by Council that could be used to inform the project; and

iii. Financial and resourcing implications of developing a Masterplan, and potential timeframes for consultation, development and delivery.

8. The City of Parramatta has commenced updating its Culture Strategy, with a completion date of mid-2024. There is an opportunity to align these two projects. The Masterplan will focus on a defined structure and plan for the place, acknowledging that it is more than the sum of its parts. The Masterplan will feed into and inform the Cultural Strategy, which will be a holistic strategy for the entire LGA, taking into account all arts and culture projects, programs and infrastructure.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

9. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 June 2023 Item 8.5

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.5

SUBJECT Community Batteries for Household Solar

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09014935

REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

CSP THEME: GREEN

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to propose that Council undertake a review to identify locations within the City of Parramatta that could be suitable for community batteries.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council staff conduct a review in consultation with electricity providers to identify locations within the City of Parramatta that could be suitable for community batteries;

(b) That the results of the review be reported back to Councillors in a workshop; and

(c) Further, that Council notes that any potential locations for community batteries will be subject to prior community consultation.

BACKGROUND

1. A community battery allows multiple households within a certain radius to ‘share’ a storage system for the excess energy generated by solar panels. This can save households thousands of dollars on the upfront cost of an individual battery and allow them to effectively use more of the solar energy their home systems generate, bringing down electricity costs.

2. In December 2022 the Federal Government announced the Community Batteries for Household Solar program, providing $200 million to support the installation of 400 community batteries across Australia. The program offers funding opportunities for councils to partner with electricity providers to pilot community batteries in eligible locations.

3. Uptake of solar panels across the City of Parramatta is strong. The benefits of community batteries can also flow to those without rooftop solar, as storing electricity close to the point of consumer demand can reduce network costs and alleviate constraints, helping to reduce electricity costs.

4. This Minute proposes that Council staff conduct a review in consultation with electricity providers to identify locations within the City of Parramatta that could be suitable for community batteries. The results of the review should be reported back to Councillors in a workshop. Any potential locations for community batteries in our LGA will be subject to community consultation.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

5. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor Councillor Sameer Pandey

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 June 2023 Item 14.2

NOTICE OF MOTION

ITEM NUMBER 14.2

SUBJECT Increase In Trees/Plants Available to Residents and Businesses in the Annual Tree/Plant Giveaway

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D08992975

FROM Councillor Humphries

MOTION

(a) That the CEO prepare a report to Council to investigate options and the viability of expanding Council’s free tree/plant giveaway day and that the report include, but not be limited to:

i. Options and potential costs of increasing the number of free trees/plants given away;

ii. Options to include local businesses from within the local government area as part of the giveaway day; and

iii. Options to vary the type of trees and plants given away, such as the potential inclusion of non-native plants such as food/fruit trees or seasonal vegetable plants in the program.

(b) Further, that the report be presented to Council in time to consider these options before the next scheduled tree/plant giveaway on 30 July 2023.

BACKGROUND

1. Council must lead the industry to create a strong track record of prioritising environmental sustainability. One successful community engagement is Council's ‘National Tree Day’, celebrated by a free tree/plant giveaway. These events are common in the NSW Local Government Industry, as is provides an effective method of engaging the community to achieve strategic goals. This event always receives positive feedback as it allows residents to opt into contributing to greening our city and beautifying the suburbs, aligning with the goals of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

2. As Parramatta continues to transform, up to 70% of our city will live in high density dwellings over the next twenty years, and private land tree canopy will continue to reduce. This motion enables staff and Council to explore the feasibility of expanding the Council's free tree/plant giveaway day to meet the needs of our changing community.

3. The motion will bring a report to the chamber that will examine several key aspects of the program's expansion. It is essential that the report consider the options and associated costs with the expansion so that any decision is financially sustainable.

4. To enable potential implementation of the report's recommendations, it is expected to be presented to Council as soon as practicable so that any changes can begin to be implemented at the next scheduled tree/plant giveaway day on 30 July 2023. The Council must maintain its commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being, and the proposed motion reflects the Council's dedication to creating a greener, more vibrant city for its residents.

Ange Humphries

Councillor

STAFF RESPONSE

1. Council operates a production nursery with its primary purpose to collect and grow remnant and endemic species from the area protecting the local environment genealogy regarding tree species and to ‘on grow’ plant stock for use by bush regeneration projects, park projects and park operations for the enjoyment and appreciation of the community. This is not a commercial nursery but a production nursery which aims to reduce oncosts and operational costs from other planting programs run by Council.

2. The free plant give-away originated from excess or left-over stock from council’s operations. The give-away was originally instituted to push stock out of the nursery thus creating space for new stock. Since then, is has become a significant event for the community and Council now buys stock to supplement the event. One of the objectives of the program is to help introduce endemic species to the local area for improved fauna support within residential areas.

3. At the 2022 event, Council was unable to give-away all its allocated stock despite the program allowing four plants per person. The cause of this may be that give-aways were not run during Covid.

4. The option to include local business aligns with Council’s strategies however the volume of increased patronage from this source would be unknown. It would be encouraged that residents be prioritised given that the desired outcome of the plant giveaway is to encourage planting in the LGA, beautifying and greening our residential gardens and supporting residents who may not have income to purchase plants readily.

5. Plant species are derived from the stock being grown for use by Council. The free plant give-away allows Council the ability to manage excessive stock left over from planting programs. As Council’s nursery is a production nursery the ability for it to grow stock and cycle it into projects is critical for the nursery’s viability and to achieve positive outcomes in Councils bush regeneration and park projects. Managing stock that does not fit into these programs such as food or fruit trees would result in an opportunity cost where Council resources would be moved away from its programs into growing and managing stock specifically for this event. Food and fruit trees do also carry a higher cost to purchase.

FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

6. This report can be delivered within the proposed timeframe and within existing staff and financial resources.

Ange Humphries

Councillor

John Warburton

Executive Director, City Assets & Operations

Gail Connolly

Chief Executive Officer

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

Council 13 June 2023 Item 15.1

QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

ITEM NUMBER 15.1

SUBJECT Questions Taken on Notice - 22 May 2023 Council Meeting

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D08988939

REPORT OF Governance Manager

1. Item 13.1 - Proposal to Name the Unnamed Laneway in Northmead – Councillor Bradley

Should there be a standard procedure to refer naming of laneways, streets and buildings to the Heritage Advisory Committee particularly when the history of the place is considered when naming a place?

Staff response:

No standard procedure currently exists. However, as part of future naming proposals and the related consultation process, staff will provide an email to the Heritage Advisory Committee members for the opportunity to have their say on future naming proposals.

2. Item 13.1 - Proposal to Name the Unnamed Laneway in Northmead – Councillor Garrard

If Council goes back for consultation on Item 13.1, what would be the cost?

Staff response:

Social Media cost	$200
Printing/postage costs	$345
Staff cost (approximately)	$11,115

Positions involved in the work undertaken on the road naming process is as follows:

1) Senior Project Officer - Place Services

2) Acting Team Leader Heritage - City of Parramatta Libraries

3) Supervisor Survey and Property Systems - Survey and Property Systems

4) Community Engagement Officer - Research & Engagement

5) Print Officer

6) Signshop

7) Trades Team

8) Digital Team

3. Item 13.2 - Adoption of Parramatta River Plan – Lord Mayor, Councillor Pandey

i. Do we use water monitoring equipment for the river?

Staff response:

Yes. Council has utilised a range of different water quality monitoring systems at various locations along the river as summarized below:

1) Lake Parramatta

Water quality samples taken at 5 locations and depths fortnightly during Oct-Mar (swimming season) and monthly for the remainder of the year. Physical parameters (turbidity, temperature, colour), Nutrients (N/P), Bacteria (Ent) + Metal & Sediment sampling in 2022

2) Melrose Park Smart Planning for Climate Responsive Neighborhoods project

Real time WQ monitoring buoy in Parramatta River estuary (100m west of Wharf Street Boat Ramp) grant funded with developer, periodic operation.

3) Parramatta River Estuary

Two water quality buoys (upper river Rydalmere, lower river Ermington Bay) collecting real time (15min interval) monitoring between 2012-16, physical parameters only.

ii. Is there any data from the equipment which would allow Council to see whether the vision towards the river being swimmable in 2025 is achievable?

Staff response:

The samples collected at Lake Parramatta are used to monitor water quality to ensure it is appropriate for swimming. Staff have also supported trials looking at different water quality monitoring technology along the Parramatta River and are continuing to investigate the best options to assist in targeting progress towards Council’s goals.

4. Item 13.6 - Approval of proposed funding allocations for the 2023 Environmental Education Grants Program – Councillor Valjak

Who is running the incursions and how are we selecting the schools for those incursions?

Staff response:

All primary and high schools within the Parramatta LGA were invited to submit an EOI for Biodiversity incursions valued up to $2000 each, and to be delivered by suitably qualified educators. The EOI required schools to nominate what curriculum Stage would be targeted and how the incursion would relate and add value to current Key Learning Areas (KLA’s) on biodiversity.

Prior to the incursions being approved, Council staff invited biodiversity educators to provide a capability statement on their relevant qualifications and experience, schedule of rates, recent referees and their ability to deliver within the current school term.

Eligible educators were added to a preferred supplier list and then aligned with each of the school’s incursion preferences. The selected incursion providers are: Georges River Environmental Education Centre; Australian Environmental Education; Planting Seeds Australia; and Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) Environmental Education.

The EOI process resulted in seven (7) applications from six (6) schools, all deemed eligible for funding:

1) Ngarala Public School, Epping

2) Wentworth Point Public School (2 applications)

3) Parramatta Public school

4) North Rocks Public School

5) Muirfield High School

6) Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School.

Attachments:

Council 13 June 2023 Item 15.2

QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

ITEM NUMBER 15.2

SUBJECT Questions With Notice

REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D08998735

REPORT OF Councillor Darley

QUESTIONS

Soft Plastic Recycling, RecycleSmart and Problem Waste

1. What options are available to City of Parramatta residents to recycle soft plastics?

Staff response:

Council officers are currently investigating options to provide the Parramatta community with a soft plastic recycling option. Should an initiative materialise, Council will roll out promotions through our various media channels to promote this service.

The heightened attention on recycling due to recent occurrences, such as the publication of the "War on Waste" on ABC, the implementation of China's National Sword Policy, and the closure of REDcycle, has led to a greater scrutiny of recycling. Consequently, Council officers are exercising extreme caution and conducting thorough investigations to ensure that any collaborations we engage in do not lead to the disposal of materials in landfills or their accumulation in warehouses.

Council officers understand that a National Plastics Recycling Scheme project is being developed by Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing industry with funding support from the Federal Government. Further, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi have plans to recommence a soft plastics service towards the end of 2023. As more information develop in regard to this matter, Council officers will communicate the updates as required.

Council officers have been educating our community on the importance of avoidance and reducing the consumption of soft plastics, such as shopping at bulk food stores or buying products in recyclable packaging such as cardboard and tins rather than soft plastic. A series of activities have been planned for Plastic Free July. For the time being soft plastics should go in the red lidded garbage bin

2. Is City of Parramatta signing up to the RecycleSmart program?

Staff response:

Council officers have met with RecycleSmart representatives and spoken to other councils that have used this service. It is recommended that Council does not participate in this program due to the concern with their business model of only being a transport service with no certainty of the end market of the materials they are collecting. It is understood the program employs drivers similar to an Uber service who will then take the items to a site that accepts the items without necessarily having an agreement in place.

Council officers is of the view that the cost to participate is not value for money as a number of the waste types, such as paints, batteries, mobile phones and textiles can already be safely recycled across a number of sites within the Parramatta area at no extra cost. Council’s website provides an A to Z directory to find recycling options.

Further, once Council’s Community Recycling Centre is established it will be another channel to safely recycle problematic waste with the aspiration of being the one stop waste solution for Parramatta residents. Staff will provide Councillors with an update at the Councillor workshop booked for 5 June 2023.

3. What can residents currently do with their problem waste?

Staff response:

Residents can safely recycle their problematic waste through our Mobile Community Recycling Service. This service will collect the following items from the resident’s house.

Problem Waste

E-Waste

· Paints

· Motor oils

· Cooking oils

· Car batteries

· Household batteries

· BBQ gas bottles

· Fire extinguishers

· Smoke detectors

· Fluoro globes and tubes

· Tv (up to 60 inches or 153cm)

· Computers and accessories

· Monitors

· Laptops

· Gaming consoles

· DVD & VCR players

· Printers

· Stereo systems

· Mobile phones & accessories

· Small electronic goods with a cord including microwaves, toasters, hairdryers and etc

Council provides e-Waste days throughout the year which is advertised on Council’s website, social media channels and on the waste calendar that is distributed to all households. Council also hosts the NSW EPA Household Chemical Clean Out program annually.

Council officers are currently investigating sites to operate a Community Recycling Centre. Staff will provide Councillors with an update at the Councillor workshop booked for 5 June 2023.

Stormwater Network

1. When was the last time Council conducted an audit of the effectiveness of our stormwater network, specifically gross pollutant traps (GPTs)?

2. What were the high-level results of this audit of Council’s GPTs?

Staff response:

Council is committed to reducing gross pollutants in our waterways as part of a whole of catchment approach championed by the Parramatta River Catchment Group.

It is noted this is particularly important as Parramatta is situated downstream of the wider Parramatta River Catchment and as such receives large volumes of litter delivered through our creeks and rivers from surrounding LGA’s.

Council’s Environment and Sustainability team has sought to understand the performance of our gross pollutant traps to ensure they are effectively managed to maximise their environmental performance. In doing so the team engaged consultants Optimal Stormwater to undertake an audit of all of Council’s Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT’s).

The audit was completed in December 2022. The high-level results found that 24% of our GPT’s are in perfect or Good condition, 26% are operational however could be enhanced and 50% and poor or non- operational. Of concern is that 43% of the devices are recommended to be replaced and 23% require major structural works.

The breakdown of the high level results can be found in Attachment 1. Staff are currently working through the detailed audit recommendations to prioritise repair works and replacement/upgrade options.

Housing Supply and Targets in Parramatta

1. There’s been a lot of commentary recently about the need to increase housing supply and whether or not councils in Greater Sydney are meeting their housing targets. Roughly, what increase in housing supply has taken place in the City of Parramatta over the last 5-10 years and what is the forecast increase in housing supply in the LGA over the next 5-10 years?

2. Is Council on track to meet the housing supply targets set by the NSW Government, and other government authorities?

Staff response:

City of Parramata met its 2016-21 housing target by 97% through the delivery (construction) of 20,930 dwellings. With regards to the current (2021-26) target, CoP has already met that by 98% by providing capacity for 23,279 dwellings, and there remains another 36 months remaining in this period.

Some important background: housing targets should correspond with their assigned ‘period’ and the ‘source’ of the housing target. The table below summarises this.

Housing target period	Housing target (and source)	How has Council met, or is tracking to meet, its targets?	What phase of the development pipeline has CoP’s performance been sourced?
2016-21 (5 years)	21,650 (Greater Cities Commission - Central City District Plan)	97% or 20,930* dwellings	This was constructed growth (known as ‘delivered growth’ - refer to the image of the ‘development pipeline’, below).
2021-26 (5 years) – first 23 months	23,660 (CoP - Local Housing Strategy)	98% or 23,279** dwellings to date	This is via Planning Proposal’s/LEPs that have come into effect (known as ‘capacity growth’) in the first 23 months of this current 5 year period - refer to the image of The development pipeline, below). Council also has ‘in train’ (known as ‘potential growth’) some 10 formally lodged Planning Proposal’s that could result in additional capacity of 11,900*** dwellings, over this period and the next periods (2026-2036). Furthermore, the 23,279 figure excludes the dwellings to be delivering within the Westmead/ PNUT and North Parramatta Precincts.
2026-36 (10 years)	40,520 (CoP - LHS)	N/A	N/A

Notes –

*Via completed (delivered) dwellings as at 30 May 2023 – see development pipeline diagram.

**Via finalised LEPs (capacity) as at 30 May 2023 – see development pipeline diagram.

***Via PPs/Precincts in train (potential) as at 30 May 2023 – see development pipeline diagram.

The Development pipeline:

It is important to note that these figures are current as at 31 May 2023, and are expected to change as in train Planning Proposals are finalised.

Attachments:

1 ⇩

Storm Network GPT Audit Summary of Findings 2023

2 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL