Catching up on this week’s Council meeting
If your week has been too hectic to catch up on the discussions at Monday night’s Council meeting, we’ve got you.
Here’s a summary of five essential reports considered at the meeting. All the reports, and the minutes, are available on Council’s website. Plus, there’s also a copy of the live webcast if you want to listen for yourself.
Item 1: Post Exhibition Draft Our Wollongong Our Future 2035
Collectively titled Our Wollongong Our Future 2035, this suite of plans includes the Community Strategic Plan, the Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025-2026, the Financial Sustainability Council Policy, the Resourcing Strategy and Asset Management Plan and Revenue Policy, Rates, Annual Charges and Fees 2025-2026.
Together they set out Council’s strategic priorities, actions and resource commitments for the term of the current Council and beyond.
These documents were adopted by Council on Monday and there will be regular reports to Council to check in on how we are delivering on the commitments and working towards the goals within the Community Strategic Plan.
Read about Council’s strategic plans on our website.
Item 2: Public Exhibition – Wollongong Botanic Garden Draft Masterplan
Shortly, we’ll be seeking community feedback on the draft Wollongong Botanic Garden Masterplan.
The opportunity for input into the future management of our Botanic Garden follows the approval of the Gleniffer Brae Conservation Management Plan by Heritage NSW.
Stay informed on the updates to the draft masterplan for the Garden.
Item 6 – Post Exhibition Wollongong City Foreshore Plan of Management
The updated draft Wollongong City Foreshore Plan of Management (POM) is being referred to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands – to obtain the Minister’s consent to adopt the amended Plan of Management.
The draft document sets out the framework for potential uses, development and management of the Crown reserves or Council-owned Community Land within the city’s foreshore precinct including Stuart Park, JP Galvin Park, City Beach, Lang Park and Andrew Lysaght Rest Park. Having an adopted POM also allows Council to consider granting short term casual bookings or longer-term licences or leases, if appropriate.
The step to seek NSW Government approval on the document follows a phase of community engagement.
Item 10: Automated Identification and Reporting of Transport Defects
We’re using garbage trucks to be our eyes on the ground! Each week as they drive the city’s roads collecting household rubbish, they’re also using new technology to track the quality of our road network and capture information on road defects such as potholes.
The tender that was accepted at Monday’s meeting will see this automated identification and assessment of transport defects move beyond trial phase.
This means we’ll be able to better proactively manage road defects across our more than 1000 km of local roads.
Read more in our Media Release: Council taking a modern approach to road maintenance
Item 12 – Post Tender Negotiations Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library
Don’t let this item’s agenda number mislead you – this was one of the key reports to Monday’s meeting!
In a huge step for residents of southern suburbs like Warrawong, Port Kembla, Berkeley, Primbee and Windang, Council accepted the tender for works on the Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library.
This brings us one step closer to the community and Council’s vision for a key cultural destination with comfortable public spaces providing centralised access to a wide range of services and facilities.
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