Council Decided – 3 August 2021

Robert Bagnall OAM

Mayor Carolyn Corrigan presented a Mayoral Minute paying tribute to the late Robert ‘Rob’ Bagnall OAM, who passed away on 24 July 2021. Rob Bagnall, a lifelong Mosman resident, had an impressive record of community service including 33 years as a Committee member of the Balmoral Beach Club and three years as the Club’s President, member of the Headland Preservation Group Committee 2013-2020, Northern Zone Chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal for 13 years, pro bono work to assist refugees through Amnesty International, committee member of Mosman Against Forced Amalgamation and Council member of St Luke’s Anglican Church. Rob was actively involved in many local issues and was a regular speaker at Council. His service to the community was recently recognised with the award of OAM in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List.

Infrastructure Contributions Reform

Council received an update on action taken since its last meeting in relation to infrastructure contribution reforms proposed by the NSW government which will potentially result in more than $20 million in lost revenues to Mosman Council within two years of implementation and have a hugely detrimental impact on Council’s ability to deliver enhanced infrastructure for its community. It was noted that, since its last meeting Council, through NSROC, has made a submission to the Legislative Council Inquiry into the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Infrastructure Contributions) Bill 2021. The Inquiry received a total of 154 submissions, including a submission from Local Government NSW with many of the same recommendations as those put forward by NSROC. A meeting of NSROC was also held with Felicity Wilson MP to discuss concerns over the proposed reforms. Council noted the most recent modelling of the reforms’ likely impact on its future revenues and supported further advocacy efforts by NSROC and Local Government NSW in relation to the reform Bill. It was also resolved by Council that the General Manager write to the NSW Premier, NSW Treasurer, NSW Minister for Planning and Open Space, NSW Minister for Local Government, the State Member for North Shore and the NSW Leader of the Opposition advocating for additional modelling, consultation and a mechanism to ensure that contributions are paid in a timely way and that no council is worse off under the proposed reforms.

Communications and Advertising

An update report on Council communications and advertising was presented to Council following submission of a similar report in September 2020. The report outlined the various platforms engaged to deliver Council’s current suite of communications activities and the reach these activities have within the local community. Council noted the report and requested that a similar update be submitted to Council on an annual basis.

Community Grants 2021/22

In May this year applications were sought from community organisations seeking funding under Council’s 2021/22 Community Grants Program. This program assists organisations deliver projects and programs that help improve the social and mental wellbeing of the Mosman community. A report was presented to Council detailing the assessment of the 24 funding applications lodged for this year’s grants program and including recommendations to fund 22 applications to a total of $70,000. Council endorsed the report’s recommendations, with funded projects covering a wide variety of activities including community performances, health education, capital purchases, support for mental health, professional and community workshops, disability services and youth mentoring. 

Local Government Election Postponement

A report was presented to Council outlining various implications of the recent postponement of local government elections from 4 September to 4 December 2021. Council noted the impacts of the postponement, and extended the appointments and representation on Committees to 4 December, with each committee and group to determine the schedule of any further meetings as required. The term of Deputy Mayor will also be extended, and the next election of Deputy Mayor will take place after the December 2021 elections.

NSW Planning Reforms

A report was presented to Council outlining the extensive range of reforms currently being proposed or implemented by the State government in relation to the NSW planning system. The reforms cover many aspects of urban planning, and all have at least some impact on councils and planning at a local level. With more than 20 reform initiatives underway, these include the proposed changes to infrastructure contributions, accelerated assessment programs, temporary measures addressing COVID-19, employment zone reforms, proposed expansion of complying development provisions to employment lands, standard conditions of consent, proposed changes to various SEPPS and the Standard Instrument LEP, new planning requirements for flood affected areas, proposed changes to natural hazard planning, a new policy framework for short term rental accommodation, a proposed review of the NSW Heritage Act and a review of the Greater Sydney Region Plan and District Plans. The various reforms are at different stages of preparation, consultation and implementation and Council will continue to monitor further progress with each.

Proposed New Storage Shed – Balmoral Oval

Council discussed a proposal to locate a new storage shed for sporting equipment adjacent to the cricket nets at Balmoral Oval. While supporting a storage facility generally, Council resolved that staff be asked to investigate an alternate location for the storage shed behind the amenities building, where other sporting facilities are located. In the event Mosman Cricket has concerns with this location, the matter will be returned to Council for further consideration.