Randwick City Councillors met online for a COVID-safe Council Meeting on Tuesday 29 June 2021. Councillors discussed the 2021-22 Operational Plan & Budget, reducing speed limits in town centres, reviewing bus route changes and exploring the possibility of an athletics track in Randwick City.

The following are some of the outcomes from the meeting:

COVID support for local businesses
Council will help local businesses and community groups impacted by the current COVID lockdown with fee waivers and other support. Council staff will review the impact on Council’s financial position and bring back a report to Council to consider potential fee waivers and other support. Payments for footway dining, outdoor signage and health inspections will be delayed until Council considers further relief. Council has also called upon the NSW Government to consider providing financial hardship grants for eastern suburbs small businesses affected by the lockdown.

Council opposes bus changes
Randwick Council will write to Transport for NSW strongly opposing 17 bus service changes in Randwick City. Council staff assessed the proposed changes and found 17 of the changes will result in significant negative impacts on local residents including reduced access to services, reduced frequency and less direct connections with other services. The services proposed for change that are NOT supported by Council include routes 316, 353, 391, 392, 399, 302, 314, 372, 373, 376, 377, 394, 395, 400, 400N, 393 and 397.

Lower speeds for some local streets
Speed limits in parts of Kensington, Kingsford, Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra and Randwick could be lowered to 40kmh. Lower speed limits have been proven to reduce crashes and to reduce the severity of injury for people walking or riding bikes. Council will apply to TfNSW for funding, with a view to implementing 40 km/h speed limits at priority locations throughout Randwick City. Community consultation will be undertaken prior to implementation.

Council supports Community Race Day
Randwick Council will once again support the Australian Turf Club’s Community Race Day held at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The annual event provides free entry to the races for all Randwick City residents and ratepayers and a range of free kids entertainment and activities. The highlight of the day is the Randwick Mayor’s Cup. This year’s event is proposed for Saturday 31 July 2021 – COVID restrictions pending. Details of how to access free tickets will be announced soon.

Athletics track plan
A temporary athletics track could be created in Randwick City to accommodate local athletes and little athletics. There are no athletics facilities within Randwick City with the closest being the ES Marks Athletics Track at Moore Park and the Hensley Athletics Field in Eastgardens. ES Marks will be closing due to upgrade works and there is limited access to Hensley Athletics Field due to existing bookings. Council Officers will now investigate possible sites in Randwick City and bring a report back to Council for consideration.

Art comes to Blenheim House
The historic 1884 Blenheim House in Randwick will be activated with visual, music and performance art as part of a temporary program providing a glimpse into the future of what will become a dedicated arts centre. Council has budgeted for a substantial upgrade of the heritage house to turn it into an arts and exhibition space in the next 12 months. The temporary art program provides the opportunity to creatively use the space before construction works commence and to introduce creative arts programming into the local community.

Council adopts big value budget and operational plan for 2021-22
A record $85M will be spent on new projects, upgrades and community improvements in the coming 12 months following Council’s adoption of the 2021-22 Operational Plan and Budget. The $180.8M Budget continues essential services and programs for the community while also taking advantage of a range of government grants and borrowings to deliver high quality community facilities. Rates will increase by the State Government set rate peg of 2% and domestic waste management charges will rise by $19.35. A range of new projects will be implemented including a new $1.5M splash park at Des Renford Leisure Centre, 37 footpath upgrades, new toilets at Dunningham Reserve in Coogee and construction of the Heffron Centre in Maroubra.

Support for Sydney Film Festival
The Sydney Film Festival is set to return to the Randwick Ritz this August with Council once again supporting this iconic cultural event. The Sydney Film Festival screens more than 200 films and is a significant drawcard for the local Randwick economy. Council has sponsored the event since 2017 helping cement Randwick’s reputation as an iconic locality for cinema and the arts. The Sydney Film Festival screens 18-29 August 2021. More: www.sff.org.au

Little Bay celebration
A public celebration will be held in Little Bay following the State Government Planning Panel’s rejection of Meriton’s proposal to build 1,909 dwellings and increase heights to 17 storeys. The plan was formally appealed to the State Government after being refused by Randwick Council on 23 June 2020. Mayor Danny Said proposed a community event to acknowledge the dedication of the community who fought the proposal. Council officers will now develop plans and timing for a potential event when COVID restrictions allow.

.

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