Fast Five: Council decisions from Monday’s meeting – Wollongong

We get it. Life is busy. That’s why we’ve pulled together five decisions from Monday night’s Council meeting we’re keen to share with our community. All up, there were 22 items on the agenda for the meeting held in the Burelli Street Council Chambers. If you’re interested in hearing the discussions, there is a webcast available on our website, in addition to all the Council reports.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 18 September 2023 from 6pm.

1. Quarterly Review Statement June 2023 – Item 5

Every few months Wollongong City Council considers a report covering the Quarterly Review Statement at a Council Meeting. The Statement outlines how we’re working towards the achievements in Council’s Strategic Planning documents, and provides a real-time snapshot of what we’ve been focussed on for the community. Some of the highlights in this quarter’s report include reopening Illawarra Performing Arts Centre after an extensive refurbishment, adopting the 2023-2027 Sportsground and Sporting Facilities Strategy, delivering Comic Gong, Botanic Gardens Day and NAIDOC week celebrations, and securing NSW Government funding to support the upgrade of Helensburgh Pool.

2. West Dapto Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment – Item 4

Council adopted the recommendations for Community and Cultural Facilities and Open Space and Recreation within the West Dapto Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis Final Report 2023. The West Dapto Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis identifies and guides how Council will invest in social infrastructure in West Dapto. This includes the wide range of facilities, spaces, services, and networks that support our community’s quality of life. This can be everything from community centres and pools to roads, footpaths, cycleways and parks. It also considers the programs, services and networks that occur in these spaces such as learn to swim classes, book clubs or community gardening groups.

3. Determination of Number of Councillors for 2024-2028 Term of Office – Item 7

The Local Government Act 1993 requires Council to set the number of Councillors for the next term of office no less than 12 months before the next ordinary election. With an election planned for September 2024, Council resolved that there be, once again, 13 Councillors for the city. This number of Councillors for the 2024-2028 term of office includes the Lord Mayor.

4. Policy Review – Child Safe Council Policy – Item 9

Council is committed to creating and maintaining a Child Safe Organisation and on Monday endorsed a Child Safe Policy. The Policy builds on earlier and ongoing work by Council and will guide policies, strategies and actions that align with the ongoing improvements to child safety in all Council activities.

5. Procurement process outcomes for both Otford Road Causeway Replacement and Bellambi Boat Ramp Amenities – Items 12 and 13These reports outlined the procurement processes for both projects which have significant community interest. The reports cover how the procurement process was completed and details of the contractors appointed to undertake the works.The Otford Road causeway is being replaced after it was severely damaged during the extreme weather in February 2023. The works at this location are currently underway.

The existing amenities adjacent to Bellambi Boat Ramp, meanwhile, were built in the 1980s, do not include accessible amenities and have reached the end of their useful life. They’re to be replaced with a prefabricated toilet block which will have two accessible cubicles. We’ll also be regrading the asphalt next to the amenities, carrying out carpark line marking and other minor works.