Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Councillor Contact Details

Granville Ward
Clr Steve Christou	0419 651 187	Steve.Christou@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Ola Hamed	0405 070 007	Ola.Hamed@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Joseph Rahme	0418 995 471	Joseph.Rahme@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Greystanes Ward
Clr Diane Colman	0400 279 200	Diane.Colman@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Greg Cummings	0417 612 717	Greg.Cummings@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Eddy Sarkis	0425 348 000	Eddy.Sarkis@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Regents Park Ward
Clr Kun Huang	0418 911 774	Kun.Huang@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Sabrin Farooqui	0400 322 999	Sabrin.Farooqui@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Helen Hughes	0400 264 534	Helen.Hughes@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
South Granville Ward
Clr Glenn Elmore	0418 459 527	Glenn.Elmore@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Paul Garrard	0414 504 504	Paul.Garrard@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Mohamad Hussein	0400 281 726	Mohamad.Hussein@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Wentworthville Ward
Clr Lisa Lake (Mayor)	0418 669 681	Lisa.Lake@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Suman Saha (Deputy Mayor)	0419 546 950	Suman.Saha@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Michael Zaiter	0418 432 797	Michael.Zaiter@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Statement of Ethical Obligations

Oath or Affirmation of Office

In taking the Oath or Affirmation of Office, each Councillor has made a commitment to undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Cumberland and Cumberland City Council and that they will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of their ability and judgment.

Conflicts of Interest

A councillor who has a conflict of interest in any matter with which the council is concerned, and who is present at a meeting of the council when the matter is being considered, must disclose the interest and the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable. Both the disclosure and the nature of the interest must be recorded in the minutes of the Council meeting where the conflict of interest arises. Councillors should ensure that they are familiar with Parts 4 and 5 of the Code of Conduct in relation to their obligations to declare and manage conflicts of interests.

For information on Council services and facilities please visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

ORDER OF BUSINESS

All Council Meetings are livestreamed via Council’s website. An audio/visual recording of the meeting is published following the meeting. Recordings remain on Council's website for a period of 12 months and are archived following this.

1 Opening of Meeting

2 Opening Prayer / Acknowledgement of Country / National Anthem

3 Apologies / Requests for Leave of Absence/ Requests for Attendance by Audio-Visual Link

4 Confirmation of Previous Minutes

C08/23-357 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council - 19 July 2023............ 5

5 Disclosures of Interest

6 Mayoral Minutes

Nil

7 Public Forum / Presentation of Petitions

8 Items Resolved by Exception

9 Reports to Council

C08/23-358 Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan - Post Exhibition 21

C08/23-359 Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan................ 107

C08/23-360 Response to Notice of Motion - HSC Quiet Study Space Trial Program 135

C08/23-361 Response to Notice of Motion - Public Safety............................... 139

C08/23-362 Management of Azolla Aquatic Plant Outbreaks in Lake Pemulwuy 143

10 Reports of Council Committees

Nil

11 Motions Pursuant to Notice

Nil

12 Motions to Alter or Rescind Council Resolution

Nil

13 Questions with Notice

C08/23-363 Question on Notice - Submitted by Councillor Garrard............... 145

14 Closed Session Reports

Nil

15 Confidential Attachments from Open Reports

16 Resolutions passed in Closed Session

17 Other / General Matters

18 Close

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

Item No: C08/23-358

Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan - Post Exhibition

Directorate: Environment and Planning

Responsible Officer: Director Environment & Planning

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Enhancing the Natural and Built Environment

Summary

The Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan has been developed to guide the delivery of a consistently high-quality public realm to promote the revitalisation of the Lidcombe Town Centre. The Draft Plan supports the broader planning work undertaken for this precinct.

The Public Domain Plan was placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days seeking feedback from the community and key stakeholders. This report details the outcomes from submissions received during the public exhibition period and recommends the adoption of the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan.

Recommendation

That Council adopt the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan as provided in Attachment 1.

Report

Council at its meeting of 15 February 2023 (Item No: C02/23-241) resolved that the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with a report provided back to Council following the conclusion of the exhibition period (Min. 350).

The Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan was exhibited for 28 days between Thursday 9 March to Thursday 6 April 2023 and made available on Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ page.

Subsequently, a total of 33 direct submissions were received. A summary of all themes from the submissions received, and the Council’s responses are outlined in Attachment 3 to this report.

The majority of responses received from the community were in support of the Public Domain Plan. The final draft revision of the document following the public exhibition period has been prepared to take account of minor errors and text clarifications.

In accordance with the above, Council has now addressed all public feedback and recommends the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan be adopted by Council as outlined in Attachment 1 of this report.

Community Engagement

Council publicly exhibited the Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan, for a period of 28 days from Thursday 9 March to Thursday 6 April 2023 both on Council’s website and in local newspaper publications.

Council had 1,512 visits to the ‘Have Your Say’ community engagement website during the public exhibition period, with 134 downloading the Draft Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan provided.

Submissions were received from 30 community respondents and 3 directly from community and public organisations. Council has formally responded to all respondents who made a submission and notified them of the consideration of this item at this Council meeting.

Methods of engagement included:

· Notices published in local newspapers on Tuesday 14 March and Tuesday 28 March 2023.

· Notices sent to Have Your Say Newsletter participants, community groups and public agencies, and posted on social media.

· Flyers were distributed to local businesses

· Posters were installed at select locations within the Town Centre.

· Pop up information stalls were held on Saturday 11 March, 10am - 12noon, Thursday 16 March 1 - 3pm, Thursday 30 March 10.30am - 12.30pm and Saturday 1 April 9 - 11am.

· Community Drop Session was held in Lidcombe Community Hall on Tuesday 28 March 5.30 - 7.30pm.

· Business Engagement Sessions were held on Thursday 17 March 9.30am – 4.30pm and Thursday 30 March 1pm-4.30pm.

· Webinar was held on Tuesday 4 April 6-7pm.

Policy Implications

The Plan will support place-based outcomes identified for Lidcombe in Cumberland 2030: Our Local Strategic Planning Statement and is also aligned with Council’s Community Strategic Plan.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

Public domain works identified in the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan will be included for consideration in Council’s capital works program. Development contributions have also been collected and reserved for this purpose. The first stage of works under the Plan will also receive $7.6 million in funding under the NSW Government’s WestInvest grant program through the Lidcombe Town Centre High Street Activation project.

CONCLUSION

The Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan has been developed to guide the delivery of consistently high-quality public realm to reinforce the centre’s role in creating healthy, creative, culturally rich and socially connected communities.

It is recommended that Council adopt the Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan as provided in Attachment 1.

Attachments

1. Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan

2. Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan - Engagement Evaluation Report

3. Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain - Response to Submissions

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

Item No: C08/23-359

Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan

Directorate: Environment and Planning

Responsible Officer: Director Environment & Planning

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Enhancing the Natural and Built Environment

Summary

The Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan has been developed to guide the delivery of consistently high-quality public realm to promote the revitalisation of Regents Park Town Centre.  The Draft Plan supports the broader planning work undertaken for this precinct. 

It is recommended that Council place the Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan on public exhibition, with a report to be provided back to Council.

Recommendation

That Council place the Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with a report to be provided back to Council.

Report

The Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan has been developed to guide the delivery of consistently high-quality public realm to promote the revitalisation of Regents Park Town Centre.

The objectives of the Draft Plan are consistent with the outcomes identified for Regents Park as a Local Centre in Cumberland 2030: Our Local Strategic Planning Statement, to deliver a high-quality public domain to reinforce the centre’s role in creating healthy, creative, culturally rich and socially connected communities. The plan also supports the delivery of transit-oriented development and place-based planning in the centre.

The draft Plan establishes a framework of design principles to guide the improvement of the public domain within the Centre. The main objectives are to:

· Promote design solutions that enhance the amenity and character of the Centre for residents, visitors, businesses, and other users.

· Foster communities that are healthy, resilient and socially connected.

· Provide upgraded connections for better access and improved pedestrian and vehicular network within the Centre.

· Promote outdoor dining and street activation by improving pedestrian amenity and access to outdoor dining areas.

· Improve urban canopy and green cover to mitigate urban heat island effects.

· Encourage the development of spaces that are attractive, well-used, robust, and safe for all users.

· Encourage social interaction, a range of sensory experiences, and functionality through high-quality design.

· Encourage sustainable environmental practices

· Promote the seamless integration of the public and private domains

It is recommended that Council place the Draft Regents Park Public Domain Plan be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with a report to be provided back to Council following the conclusion of the exhibition period.

Community Engagement

Subject to endorsement, the Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with a report to be provided back to Council following the conclusion of the exhibition period.

Proposed engagement activities for the draft Plan include information on Council’s Have Your Say page and local newspapers, corflutes in various locations within the town centre, and opportunities for the community and businesses to meet Council officers to discuss and provide feedback on the draft Plan.

Policy Implications

The draft Plan will support place-based outcomes identified for Regents Park in Cumberland 2030: Our Local Strategic Planning Statement, and is also aligned with Council’s Community Strategic Plan.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

Public domain works identified in the Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan will be included for consideration in Council’s capital works program.  Development contributions have also been collected and reserved for this purpose. 

CONCLUSION

The Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan has been developed to guide the delivery of consistently high-quality public realm to reinforce the centre’s role in creating healthy, creative, culturally rich and socially connected communities. It is recommended that the Draft Plan be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, with a report to be provided back to Council following the conclusion of the exhibition period.

Attachments

1. Draft Regents Park Town Centre Public Domain Plan

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

Item No: C08/23-360

Response to Notice of Motion - HSC Quiet Study Space Trial Program

Directorate: Community and Culture

Responsible Officer: Director Community and Culture

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Supporting Community Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Summary

This report provides a response to the Notice of Motion – HSC Quiet Study Space Trial Program resolved at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 17 May 2023 (Min.439).

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Open Allan G Ezzy Community Centre, Berala Community Centre and Wentworthville Community Centre on Fridays from 22^nd September to 20^th October 2023 from 6pm – 8pm for HSC students to study.

2. Provide operational services such as security within the centres for these HSC quiet study spaces.

3. Promote the services widely through the community via regular communications channels.

4. Absorb the costs associated with the potential loss of revenue as outlined in the report.

Report

Background

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 17 May 2023, Council considered a Notice of Motion - HSC Quiet Study Space Trial Program (Min.439):

“That Council be provided with a report that explores the possibility of implementing a trial program for quiet study spaces at local community centres without libraries throughout Cumberland during the 2023 Higher School Certificate (HSC) period. The report should include information on the location, timeframe, financial considerations, funding sources, room capacity, and communication strategy with the public”.

In response to this Notice of Motion, staff have reviewed existing HSC study initiatives both run by Council and directly from the schools and sought information on availability of the proposed times in the Community Centres. Staff have investigated costings both for loss of revenue via booking fees and other operational costs such as security.

Existing HSC Study Services

Council will be providing extended opening hours at Auburn, Granville and Merrylands Libraries on Friday evenings until 8pm via a lock-in program from 6pm – 8pm for HSC student’s exclusive use.

Libraries have existing extended hours during the week until 8pm as follows:

· Auburn (Monday – Thursday)

· Granville (Monday and Thursday)

· Guildford (Thursday),

· Wentworthville (Monday and Thursday)

Based on risk assessment for both participants and council facilities, currently libraries opening in the evenings have a security presence.

In addition, local High Schools are reporting specific HSC study supports to their students, below is a list of the information and locations of schools.

Many local High Schools will open their library and hall spaces in the weeks prior to the HSC for additional quiet study time, and this information will be available directly to students.

School Name	Location	Study supports in place
Alpha Omega Senior College	Auburn	Every year group has homework help clubs and have a specialised tutoring initiatives for those who need additional support. These all run after school.
Cerdon College	Merrylands	Offers homework help during lunch time at the Library for HSC students.
Girraween High School	Girraween	Offer individual tutoring to all HSC students requiring it.
Greystanes High School	Greystanes	Offer two support sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the library offer individual tutoring.
Holroyd High School	Greystanes	Two study support sessions a week one is run by the teachers at the high school the other is run by the intensive English centre.
Merrylands High School	Merrylands	Every Thursday refugee homework support runs from 2pm till 4pm and school holiday tutoring for HSC students the holidays before exam time
St Pauls Catholic College	Greystanes	Offer study support 3x a week after school and offer study support to year 12 students every afternoon.

Availability of Community Centres

Community Centres as per the resolution with available bookings, costs and capacity on Friday evenings are shown in the table below. These locations were investigated further as they were not linked to a library on site, and had sufficient capacity to accommodate a reasonable volume of students studying. Wentworthville Community Centre was also investigated, as the facility was available and not booked, as well as being proposed to operate at times whereby the Wentworthville library was closed.

Location	Venue	Date	Time	Standard cost (hourly)	5 weeks	Capacity
Allan G Ezzy Pemulwuy	Youth Centre	Weekly Friday 22/09/2023 – 20/10/2023	6-8pm	$31	$310	50
Berala Community Centre	Training computer Room	Weekly Friday 22/09/2023 – 20/10/2023	6-8pm	$104	$1040	25
Toongabbie Community Centre *No availability*
Wentworthville Community Centre	Kurrajong Room	Weekly Friday 22/09/2023 – 20/10/2023	6-8pm	$31	$310	35

Following the investigation of the existing services, usage and availability of centres, and the associated costs, the following is proposed:

1. That Council open Allan G Ezzy (Pemulwuy), Berala and Wentworthville Community Centres on Fridays from 22^nd September to 20^th October 2023 from 6pm – 8pm for HSC students to study as per the availability noted above.

2. That Council supply appropriate security services for the above dates and times.

3. That Council promotes the services through social media, flyers, and information to local schools.

Community Engagement

Availability of the sessions to be advertised vis standard communication channels and via our school’s communication network.

Policy Implications

There are no policy implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

The costs of utilising the spaces would be a loss of revenue of $1,660 and the cost of an additional security guard if required is a maximum of $2,970 incorporating all sessions. This can be funded out of the Community Centres existing operational budget.

CONCLUSION

This report responds to the Notice of Motion on HSC Quiet Study Space at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 May 2023 and provides a proposal for consideration to deliver additional Community Centre spaces for a trial program. The option outlined in this report presents a cost effective and safe solution for additional quiet study spaces for the duration of the HSC period 2023.

Attachments

Nil

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

Item No: C08/23-361

Response to Notice of Motion - Public Safety

Directorate: Community and Culture

Responsible Officer: Director Community and Culture

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Supporting Community Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Summary

This report provides a response to the Notice of Motion – Public Safety resolved at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 3 May 2023 (Min.427, C05/23-302).

Recommendation

That Council note the initiatives outlined in the report which have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.

Report

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 3 May 2023, Council considered the Notice of Motion – Public Safety, and resolved (Min.427, C05/23-302) that Council be provided with a report regarding the following:

1. The current availability of CCTV and public lighting in the Merrylands CBD;

2. Opportunities to improve the safety of women in the Merrylands CBD and across Cumberland;

3. If the report recommends upgrade improvements, identify a funding source; and

4. Opportunities to continue to partner with state government agencies to ensure the safe passage of our community through the areas of Clarence Street, Munal Reserve and Stockland Merrylands.

CCTV and public lighting in Merrylands CBD

There are 31 CCTV cameras located in the Merrylands CBD. A number of these are located in and around the Council Administration building, Merrylands Library and the Holroyd Centre, and then along egress to Merrylands Road where there are 15 cameras. The location and working status of CCTV cameras are reviewed regularly by Council staff and in consultation with the Police.

An audit of public lighting in Merrylands was completed on 20 June 2023, with a list of issues noted and the relevant maintenance, repair and replacement underway. This maintenance and repair can be complete within the current public lighting maintenance budgets.

The soon to be opened Merrylands Civic Square space will have eight CCTV cameras (each with four views totalling 32 different views to cover blind spots) and nine light poles (seven Multi-Function Poles and two standard light poles).

Ongoing Initiatives and opportunities to improve safety of Women in Cumberland

· Strengthening engagement with Local Area Police Commands and in particular the Police Crime Prevention Officers through invitation to participate in networks, committees, and forums.

· Increasing access to tools and resources for women in the LGA, around personal and family safety, engagement with the police, and community organisations who can provide support.

· Working on identifying barriers to employment for women. Access to employment and income can improve independence and increased options to find safety should anything arise either in the family or in social networks. These activities will be incorporated into the Youth Strategy, and the upcoming Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.

· The recent recruitment of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Officer, Community Safety / Crime Prevention Officer and Homelessness Officer positions.

· Establishment of the DFV Hub.

· Development of a DFV Action Plan and facilitation of the Cumberland DFV Community of Practice.

· Development of a new Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan is in process, with a public safety survey currently live to inform this plan.

· Facilitating the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, and Homelessness Committees.

Safer Cities: Her Way Program

Council will be putting the safety of women and girls first with plans to revamp infrastructure and amenities in public spaces in partnership with Transport NSW under the Safer Cities: Her Way Program and associated funding. The program has begun with a series of community engagement sessions to understand where and why women and girls are currently feeling unsafe around transport hubs within Cumberland. This consultation will then inform codesign workshops from which a series of activations and infrastructure improvements will be trialled.

The aim of Council in conducting this program is to:

1. Increase women and girls’ engagement with how the spaces around them are designed and managed.

2. Enable women and girls to move freely and alone in their community.

3. Increase women and girls’ feelings of safety and willingness to access public spaces.

Community and Small Business CCTV Fund

NSW Department of Communities and Justice has been offering a grant to small businesses and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations which provide funding of free CCTV packages of up to $5,000. Details about this grant has been widely circulated over the grant timeframe and the CCTV Fund operated from 1 July 2019 to 30 April 2023.

NSW Police Force CCTV Register

The NSW Police Force CCTV Register is a database which has been established to record the location of CCTV installations across NSW. It is an important investigative tool for police in knowing the location of private and business CCTV systems. Information collected is used for operational policing purposes and is not provided to a third party and is securely stored to prevent unauthorised access. Consent to supply information for the CCTV inclusion does not provide consent to supply imagery captured or stored on the participants CCTV system. Registration is purely voluntary and there is no obligation for participants to provide information.

Opportunities to continue to partner with state government agencies to ensure the safe passage of our community through the areas of Clarence Street, Munal Reserve and Stocklands Merrylands.

In addition to Council’s CCTV cameras as noted above in the report, Stockland Mall have CCTV cameras inside the shopping centre and direct surrounds which are monitored and information provided to the Police.

Cumberland Police Area Command has provided information that there has been no marked increased or concern for areas of Clarence Street and Munal Reserve. The Police will be working with Council staff and the community to determine if there are specific issues in this area which are not currently being reported.

Community Engagement

Council is continuing to conduct an online Community Safety Survey to gather information from residents about their safety concerns, including concerns about crime. The information gathered will form the development of Cumberland’s new Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan. This will be a four-year plan to improve safety across the Cumberland area.

Council has recently promoted the Community Safety Survey at five engagement sessions during the exhibition period. The survey has been made available in eight community languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Tamil and Turkish). Through all channels, the first round of online feedback collected a total of 109 responses (79 online and 30 written submissions).

Council is conducting a second round of online feedback to gather more data and the survey has been reopened from Thursday 25 May to Friday 1 September 2023.

Policy Implications

There are no policy implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for Council associated with this report.

CONCLUSION

Following Council’s resolution, this report addresses and outlines existing CCTV, infrastructure and programs to address safe passage of the community through Merrylands CBD and across Cumberland. The report also outlines upcoming opportunities to work with the other levels of Government and the Police to further improve the safety of residents.

Attachments

Nil

Council Meeting

2 August 2023

Item No: C08/23-362

Management of Azolla Aquatic Plant Outbreaks in Lake Pemulwuy

Directorate: City Services

Responsible Officer: Director City Services

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Enhancing the Natural and Built Environment

Summary

During the summer of 2023 there was an outbreak of Azolla, a native aquatic plant, on Lake Pemulwuy. This report outlines how potential future outbreaks of Azolla will be managed.

Recommendation

That Council implement the Azolla aquatic plant management program as outlined in this report.

Report

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 1 March 2023 on C03/23-250 Adoption of Lakewood Estate Riparian Corridor Plan of Management Amendment – Post Exhibition (Min.365), it was resolved:

1. Adopt the Lakewood Estate Riparian Corridor Plan of Management Amendment, as outlined in Attachment 1 of this report.

2. Investigate and report on how native Azolla aquatic plant outbreaks in the natural area watercourse can be effectively managed.

This resolution followed an outbreak of Azolla in Lake Pemulwuy during early 2023.

While Azolla is a native aquatic species and does not present a significant threat to human health or wildlife, it can present a visual amenity issue for visitors to the area.

The outbreak in Summer 2023 was managed through herbicide treatment and is no longer presenting an issue.

Lake Pemulwuy, also known as CSIRO Detention Basin, is a wet detention basin constructed on the upper reaches of Greystanes Creek. Given its purpose to assist in the control of water flows during rain events it is a declared detention basin by Dam Safety NSW.

To ensure Azolla outbreaks are managed appropriately, Council staff have sought advice from external consultants who have previously assisted Council manage aquatic weeds in the lake.

Council has been advised of potential mechanical and chemical control methods and foliar spray treatments (up to three times per year) are recommended as the most effective and best value treatment plan. The estimated cost is $15,000 per treatment. Depending on the presence of Azolla or other aquatic weeds, treatment may need to commence in September/October and proceed through the summer months to mid-autumn.

Further advice received is that any treatments applied, including foliar spray treatments, will need to be ongoing as treatment does not eradicate Azolla and it will likely return if water conditions are conducive to its growth.

Council staff will continue to monitor the lake for indications that Azolla (or other aquatic weeds) are starting to grow, particularly towards the summer months, and implement the recommended treatments as required.

Community Engagement

Council will advise Pemulwuy residents of treatment measures when required.

Policy Implications

There are no policy implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

There are no risk implications for Council associated with this report.

Financial Implications

There is a cost associated with implementing the treatment program outlined in this report of approximately $15,000 per treatment. A small number of treatments can be funded from Council’s existing operational budget; however, additional funding will be required if additional or ongoing treatments are necessary.

CONCLUSION

Council has been provided with advice on an effective method to treat Azolla outbreaks at Lake Pemulwuy. The recommended treatment is through the application of foliar spray treatments up to three times per year. Council staff will monitor the lake, particularly during the lead up to summer, and implement the Azolla treatment program as required.

Attachments

Nil