7 September 2022
Minutes
of the Council Meeting 7 September 2022
Present:
|
Lisa Lake (Mayor)
|
Councillor
|
|
Kun Huang (Deputy
Mayor)
|
Councillor (via
Audio-Visual Link)
|
|
Steve Christou
|
Councillor
|
|
Diane Colman
|
Councillor
|
|
Greg Cummings
|
Councillor
|
|
Glenn Elmore
|
Councillor
|
|
Sabrin Farooqui
|
Councillor
|
|
Paul Garrard
|
Councillor
|
|
Ola Hamed
|
Councillor
|
|
Helen Hughes
|
Councillor
|
|
Mohamad Hussein
|
Councillor (arrived
6:45pm)
|
|
Joseph Rahme
|
Councillor (via
Audio-Visual Link - Joined at 8:23pm)
|
|
Suman Saha
|
Councillor
|
|
Eddy Sarkis
|
Councillor (via
Audio-Visual Link - Joined at 8:47pm)
|
|
Michael Zaiter
|
Councillor
|
|
Peter Fitzgerald
|
General Manager
|
|
Melissa Attia
|
Director Community
& Organisation Development/Deputy GM
|
|
Daniel Cavallo
|
Director Environment
& Planning
|
|
Brendan Govers
|
Director City Services
|
|
Tony Chahine
|
Acting Director Finance
and Commercial Services
|
Also Present:
|
Charlie Ayoub
|
Executive Manager General Manager’s Unit
|
|
Colin McFadzean
|
General Counsel
|
|
Carol Karaki
|
Senior Coordinator Governance & Civic Events
|
|
Lyndall Thompson
|
Senior Governance & Civic Events Officer
|
The
Mayor, Councillor Lake declared the meeting open at 6:30pm.
Opening Prayer
The opening prayer was read by Father Peter Blayney from St
Patricks Catholic Church, Guildford.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Mayor, Councillor Lake read the following Acknowledgement
of Country:
“I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners
of this land – the Darug People, and pay my respects to their elders
past, present and emerging.”
National Anthem
At this point in the meeting the Mayor, Councillor Lake asked
all of those in attendance to stand for the playing of the Australian National
Anthem.
Min.200 Apologies
/ Requests for Leave of Absence/ Requests for Attendance by Audio-Visual Link
Note: Attendance via Audio/Visual Link for this meeting
was previously resolved for Councillor Sarkis at the Ordinary Council Meeting
held on 3 August 2022.
Motion (Cummings/Saha)
That in
accordance with Clause 5.24 of the Code of Meeting Practice,
Council approve the attendance of Councillor Huang at this meeting via
Audio/Visual Link as he is travelling for work.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Lake, Saha
and Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Nil.
The Mayor, Councillor Lake advised that the Council meeting
was being streamed live on Council's website and all in attendance must ensure
their speech to the Council is respectful and use appropriate language.
|
Min.201
|
C09/22-132 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of
Council - 24 August 2022
|
|
Motion (Cummings/Saha)
That Council confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting
of Council held on 24 August 2022.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Lake, Saha
and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
|
There were no declarations of
interest.
|
Min.202
|
MM09/22-14 Mayoral Minute
– NSW Firefighter Championship
|
|
Motion (Lake)
That Council:
1.
Congratulate the Merrylands Fire and Rescue Station on hosting the
annual NSW Firefighter Championship event.
2.
Congratulate all participants in the event including the winner, Wyong
Fire and Rescue Station.
3. Thank
all Fire and Rescue NSW employees and volunteers for their dedication and
significant contributions to the community.
Note: Mr Warren Jones from the NSW Merrylands Fire and
Rescue Station presented the Mayor, Councillor Lake with a commemorative placard
from the event to thank Council for its support.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Lake, Saha
and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the
Motion: Nil.
|
Speakers on Items on the Council
Meeting Agenda
|
Speaker
|
Item #
|
Suburb
|
|
Jessica Dahal
|
C09/22-140 Notice of
Motion- Motion for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Support for
People Seeking Asylum
|
Merrylands
|
|
Leonie Dyer
|
C09/22-140 Notice of
Motion- Motion for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Support for
People Seeking Asylum
|
Holroyd
|
|
Elizabeth Murray
|
C09/22-140 Notice of
Motion- Motion for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Support for
People Seeking Asylum
|
Merrylands
|
|
Dr Astrid
Perry-Indermaur
|
C09/22-140 Notice of
Motion- Motion for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Support for
People Seeking Asylum
|
Ashfield
|
The Mayor, Councillor Lake noted
that a letter addressed to Councillor Farooqui from the Jesuit Refugee Services
has been tabled and taken as read for the public record.
Councillor Huang left the Meeting at 6:42pm during Public
Forum.
Councillor Hussein
entered the Meeting at 6:45pm during Public Forum.
|
Min.203
|
Alteration of Order of Business
|
|
Motion
(Cummings/Saha)
That in accordance with Clause 8.2 of the Code of
Meeting Practice, Council alter the order of business to allow Item C09/22-140 to
be brought forward for consideration at this time of the Meeting.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Hussein, Lake,
Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against
the Motion: Nil.
|
|
Min.204
|
C09/22-140 Notice of
Motion - Motion for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Support for
People Seeking Asylum
|
|
Motion (Farooqui/Hussein)
That Council submit the following
Motion for consideration at the LGNSW Conference 2022:
MOTION
That Local Government NSW advocate to the NSW Government
to increase support to:
· people in NSW
who are seeking asylum, and
· those charities
and not for profit organisations that assist people in NSW who are seeking
asylum.
Such increased support would serve to alleviate the
cost-shifting to local councils that is presently occurring in this area of
need.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Hussein, Lake,
Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor Garrard left the Meeting at 7:04pm and returned
to the Meeting at 7:06pm during the consideration of this item.
|
|
Min.205
|
1B1BItems Resolved by Exception
|
|
Motion
(Saha/Cummings)
That Council adopt items C09/22-135, C09/22-136,
C09/22-137 and C09/22-141 on the Council Agenda as per the recommendations in
the reports.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor Huang returned to the Meeting at 7:18pm during
the consideration of this item.
|
|
|
C09/22-135 Review of
Delegated Functions of Council - Post Election Review
|
|
Resolved
by Exception
That
Council:
1. Note
the report detailing the review of Council’s delegations to other
persons or bodies post-election.
2. Adopt
the attached Terms of Reference for the Wentworthville Community Garden
Section 355 Committee.
3. Appoint
the following members to the Committee: Mangat Bansal, Frank Cauchi, Maureen
Duffy (Treasurer), Ted Duffy (Vice Chairman), Paul Hardman (Chairman), Kevin
Horne, Brad Main, Robyn Main (Secretary), Ingrid Postema.
|
|
|
C09/22-136 Proposed
Land Dedication, Closure & Sale of Commercial Lane (off Baker Street,
Merrylands)
|
|
Resolved
by Exception
That Council:
1. Serve 28
days’ Notice of Intention to dedicate Commercial Lane as a public road.
2. Following
Public Notice, proceed with the dedication of Commercial Lane, Merrylands as
a public road under S.16 & 17 of the Roads Act 1993.
3. Upon
dedication, proceed with the required process to close the road in accordance
with Part 4 Division 3 of the Roads Act 1993, subject to the
concurrence of Council’s Traffic Committee.
4. Endorse the
public sale of Commercial Lane Merrylands, once dedicated and closed, in
accordance with an independent valuation and legal advice.
|
|
|
C09/22-137 Audit, Risk and Improvement
Committee - Draft Minutes of Meeting Held on 15 August 2022
|
|
Resolved
by Exception
That Council receive the Draft Minutes of the Audit,
Risk and Improvement Committee meeting held on 15 August
2022.
|
|
|
C09/22-141 Notice of
Motion - Motions for Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2022 - Multiple
|
|
Resolved
by Exception
That Council submit the following Motions for
consideration for the LGNSW Conference 2022:
COORDINATED ACTION TO ADDRESS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS
That Local Government NSW:
1. Notes that:
a) There is a national
and local crisis in youth mental health;
b) urgent coordinated
action across all levels of government is required to address this
crisis
2. Calls on the NSW
government to:
a) urgently increase
youth-specific mental health services;
b) coordinate with local
government on the provision of mental health support services and programs.
LOCAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE
That Local Government NSW:
1. Acknowledges the NSW
Government’s Smart, Skilled and Hired program that focuses on
vocational training for our state’s young people;
2. Notes that initiatives
under this program are designed to lead to employment;
3. Further notes that,
despite this, jobs for recent graduates remain scarce in NSW;
4. Calls on the NSW
government to:
a) Create a Local Youth
Jobs Program at the local government level
b) Establish a Youth
Employment Facilitator in each local government area
c) Provide a Local Youth
Employment Recovery Fund for each local government area
d) Provide incentives for
local employers to deliver well paid, meaningful, secure work for local youth
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION OFFICER
That Local Government NSW:
1. Commends the NSW
Minister for Women’s commitment to boosting domestic and family
violence support services;
2. Calls on the NSW
government to provide funding for a dedicated domestic and family violence
prevention officer in all LGAs.
INCREASE AND EXTEND FIXING LOCAL ROADS PROGRAM
That Local Government NSW:
1. Notes the devastating
impact of recent floods and storms on the council road network;
2. Acknowledges the $500
million Fixing Local Roads Program to fix rural roads;
3. Calls on the NSW
government to:
a) increase funding for
this program to meet current pressing needs;
b) extend
this program to metropolitan councils.
|
|
Min.206
|
C09/22-133 Adoption of Cumberland City Youth
Strategy 2022 - 2026 - Post Exhibition
|
|
Motion (Hussein/Huang)
That Council adopt the Cumberland City Youth Strategy
2022 - 2026 as outlined in Attachment 1 of this report.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
|
|
Min.207
|
C09/22-134 Response to
Notice of Motion on the Feasibility of Resource Packs
|
|
Motion (Farooqui/Colman)
That Council:
1. Continue
to provide information and referral on a range of community services via its
current channels; and
2. a)
Compile a series of one page information sheets that provide links to
additional information in relation to the following topics:
· Child
safety
· Disability
support
· Women’s
safety
· Senior’s
support
· Youth
services
· Volunteering
opportunities
· Where
to learn English
· Men’s
health and wellbeing
b)
Provide the above as part of a resource pack for dissemination to the
community in English and the top 5 Cumberland community languages of Arabic,
Simplified Chinese, Nepali, Tamil and Turkish.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
|
|
Min.208
|
C09/22-138 Traffic
Committee - Minutes of Meeting Held on 3 August 2022
|
|
Motion
(Hughes/Garrard)
That the words ‘which
is higher than the speed limit of the street’ be omitted from
report CTC-22-143 on page 337 of the business paper.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil.
|
|
Min.209
|
|
|
Motion (Cummings/Elmore)
That Council:
1. Receive and note the
minutes of Cumberland Local Traffic Committee of 3 August 2022, as provided
in Attachment 1.
2. Note the decisions
made for items under delegation in accordance with Part 1 of the Terms of Reference
for the Cumberland Local Traffic Committee, as provided in Attachment 2.
3. Endorse the
recommendations for items in accordance with Part 2 of the Terms of Reference
for the Cumberland Local Traffic Committee, as provided in Attachment 3.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the
Motion: Nil.
|
|
Min.210
|
C09/22-139 Notice of Motion - Coleman Park
Lidcombe Masterplan
|
|
Motion (Farooqui/Huang)
That Council receive a report outlining the following:
1. Further
information on the development of a masterplan for the current and future
uses of Coleman Park;
2. Overview of
the process to engage the local community for the development of the proposed
masterplan; and
3. Identify
current and future funding sources for the implementation of the proposed
masterplan.
4. Details
regarding the proposed overpass from the Botanica Estate.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Colman, Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein,
Lake, Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor Christou left the Meeting at 7:34pm and
returned to the Meeting at 7:35pm during the consideration of this item.
|
|
Min.211
|
C09/22-142 Notice of
Motion - Move 'Racism Not Welcome' Signage Near Lidcombe Remembrance Park
|
|
Motion (Hughes/Garrard)
That Council take action to move the ‘Racism Not
Welcome’ signage which is presently sited in close proximity to the
cenotaph within the Lidcombe Remembrance Park.
The Motion on being Put was declared LOST.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Christou,
Cummings, Garrard, Hughes and Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Colman,
Elmore, Farooqui, Hamed, Huang, Hussein, Lake and Saha.
Councillor Zaiter left the Meeting at 7:57pm and
returned to the Meeting at 8:03pm during the consideration of this item.
Councillor Hussein left the Meeting at 7:59pm and
returned to the Meeting at 8:00pm during the consideration of this item.
|
|
Min.212
|
C09/22-143 Notice of
Motion - Update of Lytton Street Park, Wentworthville Masterplan
|
|
Motion (Saha/Hamed)
That Council:
1. Include
Irwin Place Park, Wentworthville in the Lytton Street Park, Wentworthville
Masterplan;
2. Engage the
local community in the development of this proposed masterplan;
3. Include the
minimal cost for the inclusion of Irwin Place Park in the Lytton Street Park
Masterplan in the budget for the Lytton Street Park Masterplan; and
4. Fund the
implementation of Masterplan actions for Irwin Place Park from
Council’s Capital Works budget following Council adoption of the
Masterplan.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Colman,
Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Hughes, Hussein, Lake,
Saha and Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor Christou left the Meeting at 8:09pm during the
consideration of this item.
|
|
Min.213
|
Closed
Session Reports
|
|
At this stage of the meeting
being 8:09pm, the Mayor advised that
in accordance with section 10A of the Local Government Act 1993, the
meeting would now move into Closed Session to continue to consider C09/22-144
as the item contains the following:
(2)(i) the information involves alleged
contraventions of any code of conduct requirements applicable under section
440.
Motion (Elmore/Saha)
That
in accordance with S.10A(2)(i) of the Local Government Act 1993,
Council enter into Closed Session to consider item C09/22-144 as it involves
alleged contraventions of any code of conduct requirements under s.440 of
that Act.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Colman,
Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Huang, Hughes, Hussein, Lake, Saha and
Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor
Hamed left the Meeting at 8:09pm during the consideration of this Motion.
|
Min.214 Requests
for Attendance by Audio-Visual Link
Motion
(Cummings/Zaiter)
That in
accordance with Clause 5.24 of the Code of Meeting Practice,
Council approve the attendance of Councillor Rahme at this meeting via
Audio/Visual Link as he is interstate.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Colman,
Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hughes, Hussein, Lake, Rahme, Saha and
Zaiter.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Nil.
Councillor
Rahme joined the meeting at 8:23pm during this item.
|
Min.215
|
C09/22-144 Outcome of
Code of Conduct Investigation
|
|
Motion (Elmore/Saha)
That Council:
1. Receives
the investigator’s report, and:
2. In
accordance with clause 7.58 (c) of the Procedures for the Administration of
the Model Code of Conduct, Councillor Steve Christou be formally censured
under section 440G of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) for breaching
sections 3.1 (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), 8.13, 8.16 and 8.17 of the Code of
Conduct as determined by the investigator in the report dated 12 August 2022
and that the matter be referred to the Office of Local Government for further
action under the Misconduct Provisions of the Local Government Act
1993.
The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED on the
casting vote of the Mayor.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Colman,
Elmore, Farooqui, Hussein, Lake and Saha.
Councillor(s)
Against the Motion: Cummings,
Garrard, Hughes, Rahme, Sarkis and Zaiter.
Councillor
Sarkis joined the Meeting at 8:47pm during the consideration of this item.
Councillor
Huang left the Meeting at 8:10pm prior to the consideration of this item and
did not return.
Councillor
Christou returned to the Meeting at 8:12pm and left at 8:22pm, prior to the
determination of this item.
|
|
Min.216
|
Open
Session
|
|
Motion (Cummings/Elmore)
That
Council resume the public meeting.
The Motion on being Put was
declared CARRIED.
Councillor(s)
For the Motion: Colman,
Cummings, Elmore, Farooqui, Garrard, Hughes, Hussein, Lake, Rahme, Saha,
Sarkis and Zaiter.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion:
Nil.
Councillors Christou and Hamed
returned to the Meeting at 9:29pm following the consideration of this Motion.
On resumption of the public meeting at 9:29pm, the Mayor,
Councillor Lake read out the resolutions made in Closed Session.
|
The Mayor, Councillor Lake
closed the meeting at 9:32pm.
