Randwick Councillors met at the Prince Henry Centre in Little Bay on Wednesday 24 May 2022 for their monthly meeting.

The following is a summary of some of the matters discussed. To see the full Council reports and minutes check out the Council Meeting Business paper on Council’s website. Audio from the meeting is available on Council’s Youtube channel.

Flags at half-mast for Sorry Day

Flags on Randwick Town Hall will be at half-mast this Thursday 26 May 2022 to mark National Sorry Day. Councillors observed a minute’s silence to acknowledge the ongoing grief and trauma caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families by historical Government policies of forcibly removing children from their families. Council will also prominently display posters of the Uluru Statement from the Heart across Randwick City.

Council congratulates new Prime Minister

Council will write to the newly elected Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, to formally congratulate him on his recent election win. Council also congratulated returning member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite and the newly elected member for Wentworth Allegra Spender and will work closely with both members on local issues. Council also acknowledged and thanked outgoing member for Wentworth Dave Sharma’s contribution to the Randwick City and Wentworth communities.

Weekend construction works opposed

Randwick Council will join with Woollahra, Waverley and Bayside Councils to oppose government plans to permanently permit weekend construction works. Construction was permitted to take place on Saturdays and Sundays without Council approval during COVID lockdowns as part of social distancing measures. To provide some respite for residents, Council is calling for construction hours to revert back to Council’s standard conditions which do not permit construction works on Sundays and public holidays.

Fun elements at heart of upgrade plans for Maroubra Junction

Council will proceed with design plans for a $1M State Government funded upgrade to Maroubra Junction. Stage one works will involve a new grassed area and plantings, public plaza, a children’s play element and foosball table located in the middle of Anzac Parade north of Maroubra Road in the Junction. Future works may include undergrounding power, a new fitness station, cycleway connections and toilet facilities.

Protection of Little Bay geological and ochre site

A geologically and culturally significant site in Little Bay will be permanently protected through heritage listed after Council resolved to formally support a heritage listing proposal by Heritage NSW. The Little Bay Miocene Geological and Ochre site is located within the Meriton-owned Little Bay Cove development site. The site is believed to be the only site in NSW that contains peat from the Miocene age (22 million years BP) and this peat contains palaeobotanical evidence of climatic conditions, past vegetation and coastal landscapes dating back millions of years. The site also contains deposits of ochre which provides a culturally significant link with Aboriginal communities who have used ochre for ceremonial functions for many generations.