Meeting Name	Environment Advisory Committee
Date	12 June 2024	Time 5:34 PM
Venue	PHIVE, Level 4 – Civic Reception Room, Parramatta + MS Teams
Attendees	Committee Members · Clr Phil Bradley (Chair) · Clr Kellie Darley · Julia Strykowski (Deputy Chair) · Melissa Brooks · Alexi Gilchrist · Marina Gilmore · Mark Green · Annie Nielsen · Murray Sayle Council Staff · George Bounassif – Executive Director City Assets & Operations · Anthony Collins – Group Manager Environment & Sustainability · Andrew Ho – Group Manager Waste & Cleansing · Hugh Johnston – Project Team Lead, Strategy · Efty Dewan - ICT Service Desk Officer
Apologies / Leave of Absence	· Lord Mayor, Clr Pierre Esber · Clr Michelle Garrard · Crystal Fleming · Adriana Genova · Luke Wolstencroft – Strategy Manager (Convenor)
Secretariat	Melissa McIsaac - Governance
HPRM Reference	F2022/01409

These are draft minutes and are subject to confirmation by the Committee at its next meeting. The confirmed minutes will replace this draft version on the website.

No.	Item
	Note: The Committee were advised that in the Lord Mayor Clr Pierre Esber’s absence, the Lord Mayor had delegated to Clr Phil Bradley to chair the meeting. Clr Bradley accepted to be Chairperson for the meeting.
1	Acknowledgement of Country The City of Parramatta Council acknowledges the Burramattagal Clan of The Dharug Nation, the traditional owners of land of Parramatta and pays its respects to the elders past, present and emerging.
2	Apologies The Committee noted apologies from the Lord Mayor, Clr Pierre Esber, Clr Michelle Garrard, Crystal Fleming, and Adriana Genova.
3	Disclosure of Interests There were no disclosures of interests made for this Committee Meeting.
4	Confirmation of Minutes The Minutes of the previous Environment Advisory Committee meeting, held on 11 April 2024, were moved by Sayle and Gilmore and CARRIED.
5	Community Recycling Centre Update
Description	The Committee received a presentation from Andrew Ho, Group Manager Waste & Cleansing, regarding Council’s planned Community Recycling Centre. The Committee observed the concept artworks and site plan for the Community Recycling Centre, which will be built between Grose Street and Fennel Street in North Parramatta. The Committee considered the planned waste collection services and potential auxiliary services to be offered at the Centre. The Committee were advised that Council is awaiting approval for the development application before commencing construction and fit out; the opening date will be determined following planning approvals. The Committee agreed to receive the update for Agenda Item 6 before providing feedback on both initiatives. During the question period, the Committee were further informed that Council staff had met with Professor Veena Sahajwalla, on behalf of the University of NSW, to discuss collaboration opportunities at the Centre. A further workshop and site visit are planned.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided updates.
6	FOGO Update
Description	The Committee received an update from Andrew Ho regarding Council’s FOGO program. The Committee were informed of the FOGO rollout timeline through to November 2024. Council is currently in stage 2 of the rollout, with an awareness and education campaign featuring online and social media content, youth engagement, community event appearances, and planned popup stalls across the LGA. The Committee noted an overview of community engagement results to date. Clarification was provided by Council staff that Solo Australia will be collecting old bins to be recycled, and that individuals who expressed interest in being FOGO champions will be contacted within the next few weeks regarding next steps. The Committee provided feedback recommending to avoid further delays in contacting FOGO champion volunteers to ensure they remain engaged, and discussed about Council’s measures for avoiding risk of FOGO bin contamination with non-permissible materials or misuse. Clr Kellie Darley and Julia Strykowski joined the meeting during discussion of Item 6.
Outcome	The Committee noted the provided updates.
7	Aquatic Bioindicators
Description	The Committee received a presentation from Anthony Collins, Group Manager Environment & Sustainability, regarding the interim report for autumn aquatic sampling. The Committee were informed that Council had received the report yesterday from Stantec and that staff will be continuing to review the outcomes. The Committee were reminded that the survey had been conducted from 15-19 April across 20 sites, including estuary and wetland samples. The Committee were informed that wet weather prior to the survey dates may have negatively skewed the results, and that comparative data during drier weather will be sought for the planned spring survey. The Committee considered the key survey results, including eDNA findings and water quality scores. The Committee raised the importance of water management to the LGA’s identity as the River City, and recommended for Council to ensure investment and leadership for water management initiatives. The Committee discussed with Council staff regarding potential integration of water quality indicators or management actions into the draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy, and the opportunity to offer streamwatch kits and training to the community as part of Council’s annual school grants program.
Outcome	· Council staff will circulate to members the presented overview of key aquatic bioindicator survey results. · The Committee noted that the report will not be published, but that members may contact Anthony Collins to request further information on results of interest. · Council staff agreed to further investigate reasons for the ‘severely impacted’ water quality result for Lake Parramatta, to clarify whether the results were skewed by wet weather. · George Bounassif took a question on notice from Clr Darley to investigate the outcomes of Council Resolution 4128 from December 2022, regarding Fish Kill and Reducing Organic Matter in Waterways.
8	General Business
Description	The Chairperson invited members to raise any emerging environmental and sustainability topics of interest, as follows: · Clr Bradley requested an update on the draft Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Council staff advised that a Councillor Workshop on the Strategy is scheduled for 17 June, and pending the workshop outcomes it is intended to seek endorsement at the 22 July Council Meeting. · Clr Bradley informed the Committee that Council is working to implement a Smart City and Innovation Strategy, which includes adaptation measures. The draft Strategy is planned to be reported shortly to Council for adoption. · Clr Darley raised that Council’s 2024/25 Budget will be presented to the next Council Meeting for endorsement, which includes provisions for the waste reserve, and encouraged interested members to make public forum submissions. · Anthony Collins informed the Committee that Council has endorsed to apply for C40 Global City membership; the application is being prepared and the Committee will be informed of the outcomes. · Clr Bradley raised that Council’s draft Parramatta 2050 strategy is currently on public exhibition, which includes elements regarding environmental resilience and sustainability. Interested members may make submissions with any feedback on what should be emphasised or added to the vision. · Annie Nielsen enquired if Council’s Canopy Plan project has progressed. Council staff advised that a Council Report is planned for 8 July addressing the targets and an interim action plan, and it is intended to report to Council in the new term to seek public exhibition. The Committee discussed about addressing tree canopy rates on both public and private land, and engagement with private property owners regarding maintaining and adding appropriate tree plantings. · Clr Darley raised that she had met with Dr Andrew Charlton, Federal Member for Parramatta, regarding the proposed climate adaptation plan for Parramatta. The Committee discussed the consultation undertaken for developing the plan, and were advised that the Councillor Workshop on 17 June will include a briefing regarding alignment between the plan and Council’s environmental strategy work. · The Committee discussed at length about Council’s fleet transition to electric vehicles, considerations for increasing electric vehicle charging stations in Council public carparks and for street parking, and experiences with adding vehicle charging stations to strata buildings. · Mark Green enquired about the progress of proposed developer regeneration works for the coastal salt marsh in Wentworth Point. This enquiry was taken on notice. Clarification was provided that a vegetation management plan has been prepared for the site, which may be provided to the Committee.
Outcome	· In regards to the discussion on developer regeneration works for the coastal salt marsh in Wentworth Point, Council staff took the following questions on notice: (a) Update the Committee as to whether works have started; (b) Investigate whether it would be feasible to arrange a site visit for the Committee; and (c) Clarify if Council has a role in supervising or approving the regeneration works.
9	Environment Advisory Committee Reflections & Thank You
Description	The Committee were informed that this would be the final meeting for the term. The Committee discussed experiences of the first term for this advisory committee. The Committee were informed that there is an ongoing internal review of the committee structure and Terms of Reference for the next term, and were encouraged to provide feedback or recommendations to help inform the review. The Committee raised that it may be beneficial to continue to increase opportunities for members to share their expertise, such as through increased time for general business or separate workshops. Clr Bradley thanked members for their contributions during the term.
Outcome	· Anthony Collins agreed to check as to whether Council will be issuing a general feedback survey for committee members. If there will not be a general survey, Council staff will organise a brief survey to seek feedback from Environment Advisory Committee members.
10	Close The Chairperson closed the meeting at 7:13pm.