Council Decided - 7 October 2025
Council considered the following matters at its meeting held on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
Mayoral Minute – Approach for Low and Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) reforms and State Significant Developments (SSD)
The Mayor presented a Mayoral Minute aimed at strengthening Council’s response to LMR and SSD impacts noting Council’s work already underway on updating Council’s Planning Policies, Developer Contribution Schemes and other related actions to limit negative impacts and maximise benefits to the community. Council will be working towards ensuring infrastructure and resident amenity is addressed and planned for so that increased density is managed sustainably.
Planning Changes and Legal Action initiated by a resident
A number of residents again attended the Council meeting to share their concerns about the State Government’s planning reforms and the legal action initiated by a local resident challenging those reforms. Council listened to several speakers before debating its response. Council chose not to formally join the resident’s legal case against the State’s planning reforms, but agreed to prepare a submission to the Court in a different capacity - as a “friend of the Court.” This means Council may provide relevant information or perspectives to assist the Court, without becoming a direct party to the case. The submission is currently being drafted and, if endorsed by all Councillors, will be formally lodged with the Court.
Mosman Library Renewal Project
Council endorsed a project to renew Mosman’s Barry O’Keefe Library, noting a number of objectives for the project that will guide the design and use of the building. Council will be initiating a procurement process to engage a design architect, will be developing a business case and funding strategy, and develop detailed community engagement plans to involve the community in this transformational project. Council is excited to embark on the process that will re-imagine the Library as a hub for community and culture that is welcoming and inclusive.
Community Engagement Strategy – on public exhibition
Council has developed a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy that is intended to guide community engagement activities for projects and programs right across Council. We want to engage meaningfully and appropriately according to the needs and expectations of residents and our draft strategy outlines how we intend to do that. The Community Engagement Strategy will be on public exhibition for 28 days.
Special Events and Road Closures
A number of Special Event applications were approved including Carols in the Rotunda, Christmas Lights Party on Prince Albert Street and Swim for Melanoma at Balmoral. Council also endorsed a road closure on Holt Avenue for upcoming Halloween activities.