What happened at the October 2020 Randwick Council Meeting

Published Date
28/10/2020
News Topic
Council
Historic Blenheim House in Randwick is set to become a community arts centre.

It was a full agenda when Randwick City Councillors met for their ordinary meeting on 27 October 2020. Topics debated included cancelling the 2020 NYE fireworks, an amenities building at Malabar Ocean Pool, establishing a community arts studio and celebrating 40 years of women in surf lifesaving.

Christmas carols and NYE fireworks cancelled

The iconic Coogee Carols and Coogee Sparkles NYE fireworks events will not proceed this year after Randwick Council made the tough decision to cancel the events to protect the health and wellbeing of the community. Council will instead deliver a bolstered program of Christmas events and activities across Randwick City’s town centres. Find out more.

Community arts centre to be established at Blenheim House

An historic house on the fringe of the Randwick town centre will be refurbished and turned into an arts centre. The plans will deliver four artist studios (including one specially designed as an accessible studio) as well as exhibition and performance spaces and a pocket park. Council will now proceed with refurbishment plans for the 1848 property Blenheim House to adapt it for community arts use. It will be the first such creative arts space in Randwick City.

French honours for Councillor D’Souza

Randwick Councillor and former Mayor Noel D’Souza is to be recognised for his services to the French community by being named a Chevalier (Knight) in the Order of Légion d'Honneur. The Award is by decree of the President of the Republic of France and is the highest decoration in France. The Award acknowledges D’Souza’s service to the French community in Randwick City and in particular his work to secure the La Perouse Museum.

2019-2020 Annual Report adopted

Councillors unanimously endorsed Randwick Council’s Annual Report for 2019-20. The document provides a thorough insight into Council’s performance, projects and services delivered in the past financial year. In a turbulent and challenging year for the whole community, the report shows how Council adapted to the challenges of Covid-19 and continued delivering quality services for the community. For anybody interested in the operations of Council, the document is an excellent resource and is available to be downloaded on our website. Read it here.

Consultation finds support for Malabar Ocean Pool amenities building

A new amenities building could be built at the Malabar Ocean Pool after a community consultation process found general support to proceed with the plan. The rock pool currently does not have toilets or change facilities with the nearest facilities located in Cromwell Park some 700m away. Council’s consultation found general support with 70% of respondents supporting building an amenities building. Council will now consider allocating funds to develop detailed plans in its 2021-22 budget.

Final stage of K2K planning review adopted

UPDATE 30.10.2020: Following the Council Meeting, three Councillors have lodged a rescission motion and the matter will be returning to a Council Meeting on 17 November 2020 for consideration.

A Development Control Plan (DCP) for the Kensington and Kingsford town centres has been adopted by Council bringing to a close a five-year planning review process to create a vision for the future of the town centres. The DCP was exhibited for five weeks receiving 177 submissions. A number of amendments have been made to the plan responding to the submissions. The K2K plan, as it’s known, was initiated by Council following a succession of speculative planning proposals lodged by developers in 2015 proposing very tall developments along Anzac Parade. The K2K plan has created a consolidated vision for the area’s future, providing responsible development in key nodes and a range of public improvements including 200 affordable rental properties, new urban plazas, community centres and an innovation hub.

Celebrating 40 years of women in Surf Life Saving

Council is supporting the South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club mark 40 years of women in the Surf Life Saving movement. Female lifesavers were only accepted into the movement from July 1980. South Maroubra SLSC was one of the first clubs to embrace the change. A social event will be held on 1 November 2020 celebrating past and present female lifesavers.

Media enquiries:

Chelsea Hunter – 0419 694 983 or chelsea.hunter@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Joshua Hay – 0402 351 459 or joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au

Last Updated: 1 March 2022
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