MinuteS
Ordinary
Council Meeting
Monday,
22 July 2024
6.30pm
Council
Chamber
Level
4, PHIVE
Parramatta
Square, Parramatta
PRESENT -
COUNCILLORS
The Lord
Mayor, Councillor Pierre Esber, Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Patricia Prociv
and Councillors Phil Bradley, Kellie Darley, Michelle Garrard, Henry Green, Ange
Humphries, Cameron MacLean, Paul Noack, Sameer Pandey, Georgina Valjak, Donna
Wang and Loraine Wearne.
PRESENT
– STAFF
Chief Executive Officer - Gail
Connolly, Executive Director City Engagement and Experience - Angela
Jones-Blayney, Executive Director City Assets & Operations - George
Bounassif, Executive Director Finance and Information - John Angilley,
Executive Director City Planning and Design – Jennifer Concato, Acting
Executive Director Community and Culture - David Moutou, Group Manager City
Strategic Planning – Robert Cologna, Group Manager Office of the Lord
Mayor and CEO - Roxanne Thornton, Chief People, Culture and Performance Officer
- Brendan Clifton, Chief Financial Officer - Amit Sharma, Chief Information
Officer and Acting Chief Governance and Risk Officer - John Crawford, Group
Manager Major Projects and Precincts – David Birds, Group Manager, Community
Hubs & Parramatta Square – Christopher Snelling, Principal Solicitor
– Esther Nelson, Internal Ombudsman - Elizabeth Renneberg, Transport
Planning Manager – Michael Jollon, Senior Policy & Advocacy Adviser -
Renee Attard, Strategy Manager - Ashlee Gardner, ICT Service and Delivery
Manager - Ian Vong, ICT Service Desk Officer – Benn Stocker, Business
Support Manager – Valance Horne, Business Manager - Michelle Samuel.
1. OPENING
MEETING
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber, opened the meeting at 6.32pm.
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TO TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF LAND
The Lord Mayor acknowledged the Burramattagal
people of The Dharug Nation as the traditional owners of this land, and paid
respect to their ancient culture and to their elders past, present and
emerging.
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.
The Lord Mayor further advised
that all care will be taken to maintain privacy, however as a visitor in the
public gallery, the public should be aware that their presence may be recorded.
4. GENERAL
RECORDING OF MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
As per Council’s Code of
Meeting Practice, the recording of the Council Meeting by the public using any
device, audio or video, is only permitted with Council permission. Recording a
Council Meeting without permission may result in the individual being expelled
from the Meeting.
5. APOLOGIES
AND APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR ATTENDANCE BY AUDIO-VISUAL LINK BY COUNCILLORS
NIL
6. CONFIRMATION
OF MINUTES
|
Minutes
of the Council Meeting held on 8 July 2024
|
4800
|
RESOLVED: Councillor
Noack and Councillor MacLean
That the minutes be taken as read and be accepted as a true
record of the Meeting.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
7. DISCLOSURES
OF INTEREST
Councillor Pandey declared
Significant Non-Pecuniary interest in relation to Item 13.4 (Adoption
of Planning Proposal, Planning Agreement and Site-Specific Development Control
Plan at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford) as he was a member of the
Sydney Central City Planning Panel that previously considered this matter.
8. Minutes
of the Lord Mayor
8.1
|
Vale Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Kevin
Manning
(Lord
Mayor, Councillor Pierre Esber)
|
4801
|
RESOLVED: Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and Councillor Noack
(a)
That Council
acknowledge the death of the Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, the
second Bishop of Parramatta and outstanding faith and community leader, on 15
July 2024.
(b)
That Council express
its sincere condolences to the Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning’s
family and friends at this
sad time by writing to Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, the Bishop of
Parramatta.
(c)
That Council observe
one minute of silence in honour of the Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Kevin
Manning.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
Note: All those
present in the Chamber observed a minute’s silence in recognition of the
Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning (Item 8.1).
PROCEDURAL
MOTION
SUSPENSION
OF STANDING ORDERS - DEALING WITH ITEMS BY EXCEPTION
RESOLVED: The Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and
Councillor Noack
In accordance with Section 13 of
Council’s Code of Meeting Practice, Council resolve to adopt the
following items in accordance with the recommendations as printed, without
debate;
·
Item 8.2: NSW Blues Civic Reception
·
Item 8.3: Local Government Week 2024
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
8.2
|
NSW Blues Civic Reception
(Lord
Mayor, Councillor Pierre Esber)
|
4802
|
RESOLVED: The Lord
Mayor, Councillor Esber and Councillor Noack
(a)
That the City of
Parramatta congratulate the NSW Blues National Rugby League team on their 2-1
victory in the 2024 State of Origin, after winning the third match 14-4 at
Suncorp Stadium on 17 July;
(b)
That Council hold a
Civic Reception for the NSW Blues team in Parramatta Square to celebrate the
2024 victory.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
8.3
|
Local Government Week 2024
(Lord
Mayor, Councillor Pierre Esber)
|
4803
|
RESOLVED: Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and Councillor Noack
(a)
That Council
recognises Local Government Week from Monday 29 July-Sunday 4 August 2024 and
the integral role that Councils serve in their communities.
(b)
That Council notes City of Parramatta’s excellent entries,
Warami and Your Place, Your
Voice! Ward Community Workshops, into the Innovation in Special Events
category of the RH Dougherty Events and Communications Awards at LGNSW’s
Local Government NSW Week Awards.
(c)
That Council thanks
Council officers involved in these excellent projects and commends them on
their admirable efforts.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
9. Public Forum
|
Speaker
|
Item No.
|
Report Title
|
1.
|
Dr David Dilley
|
11.2
|
OCM 8 July 2024 - Item 14.6 Recent
Petitions from the Harris Park Business Community - Mobile Food Vendors
|
2.
|
Seema Dhawan
|
11.2
|
OCM 8 July 2024 - Item 14.6 Recent
Petitions from the Harris Park Business Community - Mobile Food Vendors
|
3.
|
Sanjay Deshwal
|
11.2
|
OCM 8 July 2024 - Item 14.6 Recent
Petitions from the Harris Park Business Community - Mobile Food Vendors
|
4.
|
Yadu Singh
|
11.2
|
OCM 8 July 2024 - Item 14.6 Recent
Petitions from the Harris Park Business Community - Mobile Food Vendors
|
5.
|
Matthew
Lennartz
|
13.4
|
Adoption of
Planning Proposal, Planning Agreement and Site-Specific Development Control
Plan at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
|
Note: All
Councillors were provided with a copy of the Public Forum submissions prior to
the Council Meeting.
PROCEDURAL MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - ORDER OF BUSINESS
RESOLVED: Councillor MacLean and Councillor Pandey
That in
accordance with Section 8 of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice, Council
resolve to amend the order of business to allow consideration of the below
listed items ahead of any other business on the agenda; -
·
Item 11.2: OCM 8 July 2024 - Item
14.6 Recent Petitions from the Harris Park Business Community - Mobile Food
Vendors
·
Item 13.4: Adoption of Planning
Proposal, Planning Agreement and Site-Specific Development Control Plan at
263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
11.2
|
OCM 8 July 2024 - Item 14.6 Recent Petitions from the Harris Park
Business Community - Mobile Food Vendors
(Deputy Lord
Mayor Clr Dr Patricia Prociv)
|
4804
|
Note: This matter was withdrawn.
|
13.4
|
Adoption of Planning Proposal, Planning Agreement and
Site-Specific Development Control Plan at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road,
Carlingford
(Project Officer Land Use)
|
4805
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Wearne and Councillor Noack
(a) That Council note the submissions received in
response to the exhibition of the Planning Proposal, Development Control Plan
(DCP) and Planning Agreement as summarised and responded to in Attachment
4 for 263-281 Pennant Hills
Road, Carlingford.
(b) That Council approve the Planning Proposal (Attachment
1) for land at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford which seeks to
amend the Parramatta Local Environmental Plan 2023 (PLEP 2023) in relation to
the subject site by:
i. Reconfiguring the existing R4 High Density
Residential and RE1 Public Recreation zones and retaining the existing SP2
Infrastructure Zone.
ii. Amending the Maximum Height of Building
control by:
· Amending the maximum height of buildings on
the Pennant Hills Road frontage from 27 metres (9 storeys) to part 0m,
part 65 metres (18 storeys), part 84 metres (22 storeys) and part 110 metres
(29 storeys) as per Figures 17 & 23 in Attachment
1.
· Amending the maximum height of buildings on
the remainder of the site from
part 33 metres (11 storeys) and part no height to part 0m, part 33 metres (8
storeys), part 46 metres (11 storeys), part 56 metres (14 storeys) and part
no height as per Figures 17 & 23 in Attachment 1.
iii. Increasing the Maximum Floor Space Ratio
control for the R4 High Density Residential zoned land from 2.3:1 to 3.6:1.
iv. Amending Schedule 1 Additional Permitted Uses
to increase the maximum gross floor area of parts of the buildings used for
business premises, food and drink premises, recreational facilities (indoor)
and shops on the R4 High Density Residential zoned part of the site from
2,000 sqm to 2,600 sqm.
v. Amending the Land Reservation Acquisition
(LRA) Map to include the RE1 Public Recreation land on the site that will be
dedicated to Council.
(c) That Council enters into the Planning
Agreement (Attachment 2) and delegates authority to the Chief
Executive Officer to sign it on behalf of Council.
(d) That Council approves the DCP controls (Attachment
3) for insertion into Part 8 of the Parramatta DCP 2023.
(e) That Council delegate authority to the Chief
Executive Officer to finalise negotiations and make any clarifying amendments
and corrections to the Planning Proposal, DCP and Planning Agreement.
Record of Voting:
For
the Motion: Lord Mayor Councillor Esber
and Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Prociv and Councillors Humphries, MacLean
Noack, Pandey, Valjak, Wang and Wearne.
Against
the Motion: Councillors Bradley, Garrard
and Green
On
being put to the meeting, voting on this matter was nine (9) votes FOR and
three (3) votes AGAINST. The Motion was CARRIED.
|
Note: Councillor
Pandey left the meeting at 6.58pm as he had disclosed a Significant
Non-Pecuniary interest for Item 13.4 - Adoption of
Planning Proposal, Planning Agreement and Site-Specific Development Control
Plan at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
Note:
Councillor Pandey returned to the meeting
at 7.15pm.
10. Petitions
1. Little
India (Harris Park) Welcome Signs
Deputy Lord
Mayor, Councillor Prociv tabled a petition regarding the ‘Welcome to
Little India Signs’. The signs are detrimental to the look of the area.
The current signs are unsightly, unnecessarily large, gaudy and detract from
the streetscape. In short, it is an eyesore with no redeeming features.
Note: A
copy of the Petition is ON FILE.
2. Little
India Harris Park Food Trucks
Deputy Lord
Mayor, Councillor Prociv tabled a petition regarding ’dissatisfaction
with Council’s resolution to extend the standard operating hours of food
trucks in Harris Park’. We urge the Parramatta Council to reconsider the
decision to allow extended operating hours for food carts in Harris Park and to
engage the stakeholders, including restaurant owners and residents, to address
the real challenges facing the community. It is essential that the Council
takes into account the well-being of all the businesses and residents in Harris
Park and works towards creating a fair and substantial environment for
everyone.
Note: A
copy of the Petition is ON FILE.
11. Rescission Motions
11.1
|
Matter of Urgency - Hambledon Cottage To Be Included In Nomination
for National and Commonwealth Heritage List
(Councillor Wearne; Councillor Wang; Councillor
Georgina Valjak)
|
4806
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Wearne and Councillor Garrard
That the resolution of the Council held on 8 July 2024 in
relation to the Matter of Urgency – Hambledon Cottage, namely:
That the Council grants Landowners’ Consent for
Hambleden Cottage to be included in a collective nomination for National and
Commonwealth Heritage Lists, of Hambleden Cottage, Elizabeth Farm and
Experiment Farm and Clay Cliff Creek, to achieve inscription on
Australia’s National Heritage List.
be and is hereby rescinded.
The
motion moved by Councillor Wearne and Councillor Garrard that this matter be
deferred to a Councillor Workshop on being put was CARRIED.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
12. Reports to Council - For Notation
12.1
|
PHIVE - Results of Public Holiday Opening Trial
(Group Manager Community Hubs and PHIVE)
|
4807
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Wang
That Council defer consideration of this
matter until after a Councillor Workshop.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
14. NOTICE OF MOTION
14.2
|
Proposed Harris Park/Little India Community Consultative Group
(Deputy Lord
Mayor Clr Dr Patricia Prociv)
|
|
MOTION: Deputy Lord
Mayor, Councillor Prociv and Councillor Bradley
(a) That the CEO establish the terms of reference
for a Harris Park/Little India Community Consultative Group to provide
a forum for local residents and businesses to come together with Council
officers on a regular basis to resolve the ongoing amenity issues being
experienced in Harris Park.
(b) That the Community Consultative Group be
chaired by the CEO (or her delegate) and comprise three representatives from
local residents, three from local businesses and relevant Council officers
such as planning, traffic and regulatory services officers.
AMENDMENT: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Wearne
That this matter be deferred to a Councillor Workshop.
Record of Voting:
LOST
|
4808
|
RESOLVED: Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Prociv and Councillor
Bradley
(a) That the CEO establish
the terms of reference for a Harris Park/Little India Community
Consultative Group to provide a forum for local residents and businesses
to come together with Council officers on a regular basis to resolve the
ongoing amenity issues being experienced in Harris Park.
(b) That the Community
Consultative Group be chaired by the CEO (or her delegate) and comprise three
representatives from local residents, three from local businesses and
relevant Council officers such as planning, traffic and regulatory services
officers.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
Note: Councillor Prociv left the
meeting at 7.56pm and did not return to the meeting.
13. Reports to Council - For Council Decision
13.1
|
Adoption of Sportsground Allocation Policy 2024
(Policy
Officer)
|
4809
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Pandey and Councillor Noack
(a)
That Council adopt the Sportsground
Allocation Policy 2024, at Attachment 1 to this report.
(b)
That this Policy be reviewed in July
2025.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
13.2
|
Approval of Wilderline to Duck River Pedestrian and Cyclist Paths
in Granville and Clyde (Scope of Works)
(Project
Officer Transport; Senior Project Officer Transport Planning)
|
4810
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Noack and Councillor Garrard
(a) That
Council approve the scope of works to support walking and cycling from the
proposed Wilderline Shared Path on the former T6 rail corridor in Rosehill to
Clyde Train Station to enable connection to the Duck River Shared Path, as
set out below for submission to the Parramatta Local Traffic Committee for
consideration:
i. Install raised
pedestrian and cyclist crossings of Arthur Street at the M4 Shared Path in
Granville, and Sutherland Street at Berry Street in Clyde,
ii. Install a separated bike path in Arthur Street
between the M4 Shared Path and Hamilton Street,
iii. Install a bike path with
separate footpath along Hamilton Street on the north verge,
iv. Install a shared pedestrian
and cyclist path from the east end of Hamilton Street to Parramatta Road
along the former T6 rail corridor,
v. Install a shared path on the
south verge of Parramatta Road between George Street and Berry Street, Clyde,
vi. Install a part shared path,
part separated pedestrian and cyclist paths on the west verge of Berry
Street, Clyde,
vii. Conversion of Berry Street between
Sutherland Street to the entry of Clyde Train Station to a shared zone.
(b) That subject to approval by the Parramatta Traffic
Committee, an application be made to external grant bodies to fund design and
construction of the project.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
13.3
|
Adoption of Church Street North Precinct Development Control Plan
(DCP)
(Senior Project
Officer Land Use)
|
4811
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Bradley
(a) That
Council notes the submissions received in response to the exhibition of the
Draft DCP controls for the Church Street North Precinct as summarised in
Attachment 1.
(b) That
Council adopt the DCP controls for the Church Street North Precinct
(including the minor amendments as illustrated at Attachment 2) and
incorporate these controls into Parramatta DCP 2023 to take effect within 28
days of Council’s decision as determined by a public notice published
on Council’s website.
(c) That Council delegate authority to the Chief Executive
Officer to make any minor amendments and corrections of a non-policy and
administrative nature that may arise during the plan finalisation process
relating to the DCP controls.
Record of Voting:
For
the Motion: Lord Mayor Councillor Esber
and Councillors Bradley, Garrard, Green, Humphries, Noack, Pandey, Valjak,
Wang and Wearne.
Unanimous
|
13.4
|
Adoption of
Planning Proposal, Planning Agreement and Site -Specific Development Control
Plan at 263-281 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford
(Project Officer Land Use)
|
4812
|
Note: This matter was dealt with earlier in the
meeting, as detailed in these Minutes.
|
Note: Councillor
MacLean returned to the meeting at 7.58pm
13.5
|
Public Exhibition: Draft Site-Specific Development Control Plan
for land at 171 & 173, 181-185, 187 Parramatta Road, and 58, 60 & 64
Victoria Street, Granville
(Land Use
Planning Manager)
|
4813
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Green
(a) That
Council endorse the draft Site-Specific Development Control Plan (SSDCP) applying to land at 171 & 173, 181-185, 187
Parramatta Road and 58, 60 & 64 Victoria Street, Granville provided at Attachment
1 for the purpose of public exhibition.
(b) That Council
note the Letter of Offer provided at Attachment 2 that sets out the
terms of a Planning Agreement intended to accompany a development application
for the land.
(c) That Council delegates authority to the CEO:
i. to draft and negotiate a Planning Agreement based upon
the submitted Letter of Offer provided at Attachment 2 and as detailed in
this report,
ii. that the Planning Agreement and SSDCP are placed on
public exhibition concurrently for a minimum period of 28 days, and
iii. that the outcome of public exhibition be reported back to
Council.
(d) Further, that Council delegate authority to the Chief
Executive Officer to correct any minor inconsistencies or anomalies of an
administrative nature relating to the draft SSDCP and draft Planning
Agreement documentation that may arise during the drafting and exhibition
process.
Record of Voting:
For
the Motion: Lord Mayor Councillor Esber
and Councillors Garrard, Green, Humphries, MacLean, Noack, Pandey, Valjak,
Wang and Wearne.
Against the Motion: Councillor Bradley
On being put to the meeting,
voting on this matter was nine (9) votes FOR and one (1) vote AGAINST. The
Motion was CARRIED.
|
13.6
|
Gateway Request:
Planning Proposal for Land at 31 O'Connell Street and 9 Albert Street, North
Parramatta
(Senior
Project Officer)
|
4814
|
This item has
been withdrawn as Council is no longer the planning authority for this
matter.
|
Note: Councillor
Darley returned to the meeting at 8.01pm.
13.7
|
Newington Reserve Upgrade
(Place Manager)
|
4815
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Noack
(a) That
Council note the receipt of the $5 million grant from the Multi-Sport
Community Facility Fund 2021/22 specifically for the construction of a
synthetic turf sports field at Newington Reserve.
(b) That
Council note the Business Case for the upgrade of Newington Reserve utilising
synthetic turf at Attachment 1.
(c) That officers proceed with the upgrade of Newington
Reserve in accordance with Council’s adopted 2024/25 DPOP capital
program (utilising synthetic turf for the full-size sports field and
associated mini field).
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS – MATTER OF URGENCY
Councillor Garrard requested a
suspension of standing orders to allow the consideration of a matter related to
a young student from OLMC Parramatta who won the 10-12 year category of the
Living Stories in Western Sydney Writing Competition.
In accordance
with Section 9.3(b) of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice, the Lord Mayor
ruled that the matter was urgent.
The Lord
Mayor put to the Chamber the suspension of standing orders to consider the
urgent matter.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
Note: Councillor
Darley left the meeting at 8.10pm.
|
MATTER OF URGENCY - CONGRATULATIONS TO PIPPA MANN – LIVING
STORIES WESTERN SYDNEY WRITING COMPETITION
(Councillor Michelle Garrard)
|
4816
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard
(a)
That the Lord Mayor on behalf of Council
acknowledge by way of a certificate of congratulations to Pippa Mann from
OLMC Parramatta who won the 10-12yrs Category for Living Stories Western
Sydney Writing Competition presented by WestWords. The event itself is held
in partnership with Parramatta Libraries.
(b)
That Council buy a table at the
Westwords Gala Celebration Fundraising Dinner, on Thursday 19 September 2024
at Blacktown Workers Club.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
At 8.18pm, the Lord Mayor
Councillor Esber adjourned the meeting until 8.35pm.
At the time of the adjournment
the following Councillors were present:
·
Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and
Councillors MacLean, Pandey, Humphries, Noack, Bradley, Wearne, Wang, Garrard, Greene
and Valjak.
RECONVENED
MEETING
At 8.35pm, the Lord Mayor Councillor
Esber reconvened the meeting.
At the time the meeting
reconvened, the following Councillors were present:
·
Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and
Councillors Bradley, Darley, Garrard, Greene, Humphries, MacLean, Noack, Pandey,
Valjak, Wang and Wearne.
14. Notices
of Motion
14.1
|
Jacaranda Trees in Oatlands and Council's Street Tree Masterplan
(Councillor
Michelle Garrard)
|
4817
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Garrard and Councillor Wearne
That the preservation of
existing Jacaranda trees and potential replacement of street trees in
Oatlands with new Jacarandas be considered as part of the upcoming review of
Council’s Street Tree Masterplan, identified for preparation in
financial year 2024/25 and completion in financial year 2025/26.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
14.2
|
Proposed Harris Park/Little India Community Consultative Group
(Deputy Lord
Mayor Clr Dr Patricia Prociv)
|
|
Note:
This matter was dealt with earlier in the meeting, as detailed in these
Minutes.
|
14.3
|
Customer Service - Ease of Doing Business with Council
(Councillor
Sameer Pandey)
|
4818
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Pandey and Councillor Noack
(a) That the CEO provide
an update and recommendation on opportunities to improve the ease of doing
business with Council.
(b) That the CEO report
on KPIs and service levels that are in place and any additional measures to
gauge customer feedback.
(c) That the report be presented by end of this calendar year
(2024).
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
14.4
|
Promotion of Private Car Parking for Public Use in the Parramatta
CBD
(Councillor Sameer Pandey)
|
4819
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Pandey and Councillor Valjak
(a) That the CEO investigate the options for and
implications of promoting the use of existing parking, currently only used
for private purposes, as public car parks available to broader users for all
or parts of the day.
(b) That Councillors be briefed on the outcome of
the investigations by way of a Councillor Workshop.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
|
Note: Councillor Garrard
left the meeting at 8.52pm and did not rejoin the meeting.
15. Questions
with Notice
15.1
|
Disposal of Council Technology Assets
(Councillor
Sameer Pandey)
|
4820
|
Question With notice:
1. Could an update be provided on laptop donation to local community organisations
that are made available because of Council moving to leasing laptops
including numbers and plan moving forward?
Executive Director Finance and
Information Response:
1.
Stage 1 of laptop donations occurred in October 2022, when
Council donated 100 laptops via a local community organisation (Southern
Communities Council) through an expression of interest process.
2.
As part of Stage 2 donations (and relocation to 9 Wentworth
Street) Council officers from the Community and Culture directorate have been
developing a new public expression of interest (EOI) process to enable
donations to local not-for profit registered community service organisations.
3.
Council officers have identified approximately 650 devices
that are potentially suitable for donation to registered community service
organisations, following the relocation of Council’s administration to
9 Wentworth Street, Parramatta.
4.
The devices are scheduled to be securely wiped and formally
disposed of (written off) within Council's system. The devices will be tested
to confirm that they are fully functional prior to being made available for
the EOI process. This work is scheduled to be undertaken in late 2024 after
the ICT team has completed the transition and implementation of corporate
systems and infrastructure at 9 Wentworth Street.
|
15.2
|
Update on Parramatta Aquatic Centre (PAC) and PHIVE
(Councillor
Sameer Pandey)
|
4821
|
Question with notice:
1. That an update on any challenges related to PHIVE and PAC
post opening, including construction matters, planning, customer service, etc
be provided.
Executive Director Community and
Culture Response:
A Councillor Workshop has been
scheduled for August 2024 to update Councillors on post-opening results,
including feedback from all relevant business units of Council.
|
15.3
|
Questions Taken on Notice at 8 July 2024, Council Meeting
(Governance
Manager)
|
4822
|
QUESTIONS TAKEN ON
NOTICE
Councillor Garrard asked a question in relation to the Matter of
Urgency – Hambledon Cottage to be included in nomination for National
and Commonwealth Heritage List:
· Is there any development (current or future) at Hambledon
Cottage that I don’t know about?
Executive Director City Planning & Design Response:
There are no current
development applications relating to Hambledon Cottage. However, there are
various development proposals in proximity to the site and a briefing note
has been provided to Councillors with a map of their locations.
Councillor Pandey asked three (3) questions in relation to 13.7 - Canopy Plan - Targets and Interim
Action Plan:
· What is our tree canopy
target (percentage) in the Parramatta CBD?
Executive Director City Planning & Design Response:
Council does not currently have a canopy target for
the Parramatta CBD.
· How much did we receive from
State Grants in the last financial year 2023/24 towards tree plantation?
Executive Director City Planning & Design Response:
Parramatta Light Rail tree offset planting
project – TNSW funded
$1.982 million to deliver 2,525 trees over three financial years
(FY21/22-FY23/24). $655,000 of this funding was spent in the 23/24FY.
Council also secured an additional $433,000
from TNSW to extend the project and deliver another tranche of planting in
FY24/25.
Better Neighbourhood Program – Included a total project value of
$2,795,233 with $1,145,000 contributed by the NSW Government to deliver trees
across the local centres of Epping, Granville, Northmead and Ermington.
· How many trees did we plant
in the last financial year?
Executive Director City Assets & Operations Response:
Council planted a total of 1,952 established
trees in:
· Parks and Open Spaces 762
trees
· PLR offsets 937
trees
· Capital Projects 253
Trees
In addition, approximately 8500 tube stock
trees were planted in natural areas and bushland with a further 10,500 trees
planted as part of National Tree Day.
A further 176 trees were received by the
community as part of the Council’s free plant giveaway program.
_________________________________________________________
Councillor Pandey asked a question in relation to 14.5 - Synthetic
Sports Fields in the City of Parramatta:
·
What other sports can be played on synthetic surfaces?
Executive Director City Assets & Operations Response:
The range of sports which can use synthetic
surfaces includes, but is not limited to:
·
AFL
·
Cricket
·
Hockey
·
Lawn
Bowls
·
Rugby
League
·
Rugby
Union
·
Soccer/futsal
(including five-a-side and mini/modified)
·
Tennis
·
Archery
·
Ultimate
frisbee
·
American
football
·
Crossfit, personal
fitness trainers, bootcamps, etc
|
PROCEDURAL MOTION
Move to closed session
RESOLVED: Councillor Noack and Councillor MacLean
That at this
time of the meeting, being 8.54pm, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber advised
that the meeting would move into Closed Confidential Session to allow
consideration of matters in Closed Session in accordance with Section 10A of
the Local Government Act 1993. Accordingly, members of the press and
public are excluded from the closed session and access to the correspondence
and reports relating to the items considered during the course of the Closed
Session will be withheld. This action is taken to discuss:Project D
Item 16.1: Commercial Partnership Agreement - Parramatta NRL Club
Pty Limited and City of Parramatta Council. - This
report is confidential in accordance with section 10A (2) (d) of the Local
Government Act 1993 as the report contains commercial information of a
confidential nature that would, if disclosed (i) prejudice the commercial
position of the person who supplied it; or (ii) confer a commercial advantage
on a competitor of the Council; or (iii) reveal a trade secret.
Item 16.2: Code of Conduct Investigation Report - Councillor Kellie
Darley. - This report is confidential in accordance with section
10A (2) (i) of the Local Government Act 1993 as the report contains alleged
contraventions of any code of conduct requirements applicable under section
440.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
Note: The
Meeting moved to closed session at 8.55pm
16. CLOSED
SESSION
16.1
|
Commercial Partnership Agreement -
Parramatta NRL Club Pty Limited and City of Parramatta Council
(Councillor
Darley)
|
4823
|
QUESTION WITH NOTICE:
The question and staff response
was provided in a confidential supplementary agenda to the Councillors.
|
Note: Councillors Noack
and Valjak left the meeting at 8.56pm, Councillor Noack did not rejoin the
meeting.
Note: Councillor
Valjak rejoined the meeting at 8.57pm and left the meeting at 8.57pm, she did
not rejoin the meeting.
Note: At 8.58pm,
Councillor Darley was given an opportunity to address the Council in respect to
the following Item (Item 16.2: Code of Conduct Investigation Report –
Councillor Kellie Darley).
Note: Councillor
Darley left the meeting at 9.04pm.
16.2
|
Code of Conduct Investigation Report - Councillor Kellie Darley
(Internal Ombudsman)
|
|
MOTION:
Councillor Wearne and Councillor Wang
(a) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s (investigator’s)
recommendation:
1. That
Councillor Kellie Darley is formally censured in accordance with clause 7.37
b) of the Procedures which states:
7.37. Where the investigator determines
that the conduct investigated constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct,
the investigator may recommend:
b) in the case of a breach of a
Councillor, that the Councillor be formally censured for the breach under
section 440G of the Local Government Act.
(b) That
should Council determine to censure Councillor Kellie Darley, in accordance
with Clause 7.59 of the Procedures for the Administration of the Model
Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW 2020, Council makes public the
findings of inappropriate conduct by Councillor Kellie Darley by publishing
those findings in the Minutes as:
Allegation
1:
It is alleged that
following a Council meeting on 11 December 2023 during which a proposed
partnership between the Council and the Eels was discussed in confidential
session of the Council meeting, Councillor Darley placed social media posts
that disclosed information from that meeting.
FINDING: The external Investigator found that this allegation
that Councillor Darley breached Council's Code of Conduct under clause 3.1 of
the Code of Conduct IS SUBSTANTIATED - ie:
3.1
You must not conduct yourself in a manner that:
a)
is likely to bring the Council or other Council officials into disrepute
c)
is improper or unethical.
Allegation
2:
It is alleged that
information Councillor Darley placed on social media regarding this disclosed
financial information concerning the cost of the Partnership which she
allegedly knew or ought to have known was untrue. The information contained
in Councillor Darley’s social media post referred to $2.4 million when
the actual figure endorsed by Council was $383,000.
FINDING: The external Investigator found that the allegation that
the Councillor Darley breached Council's Code of Conduct under clause 3.1 of
the Code of Conduct through posting information on social media that she knew
or ought to have known to be untrue IS SUBSTANTIATED – ie:
3.1
You must not conduct yourself in a manner that:
a)
is likely to bring the Council or other Council officials into disrepute
c)
is improper or unethical
(c) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s recommendation:
2. An information
session for Councillors be conducted by the Group Manager Communications and
Customer Engagement and/or the Executive Director City Engagement and
Experience to address social media posting (and re-posting) of Council
information, within the bounds of appropriate discretion and confidentiality.
(d) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s recommendation:
3. Councillors
be afforded the opportunity to contribute to future revision of
Council’s social media policy, specifically in the manner in which
Councillors communicate and interact with the community, as they may be required
to do so in their Councillor representational role/s.
AMENDMENT: Councillor Bradley and Councillor
MacLean
That this matter be deferred
until the Supreme Court case has been determined.
Record of Voting:
For the Amendment: Councillors Bradley and MacLean
Against the Amendment:
Lord Mayor, Councillor Esber and Councillors Green, Humphries, Pandey, Wang
and Wearne.
On being put to the meeting,
voting on the Amendment was two (2) votes FOR and six (6) votes AGAINST. The
Amendment was LOST.
|
4824
|
RESOLVED: Councillor Wearne and Councillor Wang
(a) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s (investigator’s)
recommendation:
1. That
Councillor Kellie Darley is formally censured in accordance with clause 7.37
b) of the Procedures which states:
7.37. Where the investigator determines
that the conduct investigated constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct,
the investigator may recommend:
b) in the case of a breach of a
Councillor, that the Councillor be formally censured for the breach under
section 440G of the Local Government Act.
(b) That
should Council determine to censure Councillor Kellie Darley, in accordance
with Clause 7.59 of the Procedures for the Administration of the Model
Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW 2020, Council makes public the
findings of inappropriate conduct by Councillor Kellie Darley by publishing
those findings in the Minutes as:
Allegation
1:
It is alleged that
following a Council meeting on 11 December 2023 during which a proposed
partnership between the Council and the Eels was discussed in confidential
session of the Council meeting, Councillor Darley placed social media posts
that disclosed information from that meeting.
FINDING: The external Investigator found that this allegation
that Councillor Darley breached Council's Code of Conduct under clause 3.1 of
the Code of Conduct IS SUBSTANTIATED - ie:
3.1
You must not conduct yourself in a manner that:
a)
is likely to bring the Council or other Council officials into disrepute
c)
is improper or unethical.
Allegation
2:
It is alleged that
information Councillor Darley placed on social media regarding this disclosed
financial information concerning the cost of the Partnership which she
allegedly knew or ought to have known was untrue. The information contained
in Councillor Darley’s social media post referred to $2.4 million when
the actual figure endorsed by Council was $383,000.
FINDING: The external Investigator found that the allegation that
the Councillor Darley breached Council's Code of Conduct under clause 3.1 of
the Code of Conduct through posting information on social media that she knew
or ought to have known to be untrue IS SUBSTANTIATED – ie:
3.1
You must not conduct yourself in a manner that:
a)
is likely to bring the Council or other Council officials into disrepute
c)
is improper or unethical
(c) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s recommendation:
2. An information
session for Councillors be conducted by the Group Manager Communications and
Customer Engagement and/or the Executive Director City Engagement and
Experience to address social media posting (and re-posting) of Council
information, within the bounds of appropriate discretion and confidentiality.
(d) That
Council adopt the external conduct reviewer’s recommendation:
3. Councillors be afforded the opportunity to contribute
to future revision of Council’s social media policy, specifically in
the manner in which Councillors communicate and interact with the community,
as they may be required to do so in their Councillor representational role/s.
Record of Voting:
For
the Motion: Lord Mayor Councillor Esber
and Councillors Green, Humphries, Pandey, Wang and Wearne.
Against
the Motion: Councillors Bradley and
MacLean.
On being put to the meeting,
voting on the Motion was six (6) votes FOR and two (2) votes AGAINST. The
Motion was CARRIED.
|
Note: Council
returned to open session at 9.33pm.
17. CONSIDERATION OF
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CLOSED SESSION
RESOLVED: Councillor MacLean and Councillor Wearne
That the recommendations in
relation to the following items be received and noted as
resolutions of Council without any alteration and amendment thereto:
·
Item 16.1: Commercial
Partnership Agreement - Parramatta NRL Club Pty Limited and City of Parramatta Council; and
·
Item 16.2: Code of
Conduct Investigation Report - Councillor Kellie Darley.
Record of Voting:
CARRIED
18. CONCLUSION
OF MEETING
The meeting concluded at 9.34pm.
This
page and the preceding 23 pages are the Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting
held on Monday, 22 July 2024 and confirmed on Monday, 12 August 2024.
Chairperson