Randwick Councillors met at Randwick Town Hall on Tuesday 22 November 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.

New cameras to target car hoons
Cameras capable of recognising vehicle license plate numbers and the make, model and colour of cars are set to be installed at La Perouse to target anti-social behaviour. Local residents have long complained about car hoon activities along Bunnerong Road and at La Perouse and Yarra Bay. Similar cameras have been trialled in the Bayside Council area at Brighton Le Sands resulting in a 60% reduction in hooning behaviour. Council will allocate funds in the 2023-24 budget to implement the program.

New home on the cards for Randwick SES
A new headquarters for the Randwick SES branch could be built in Randwick City with Council agreeing to provide in principle support for the move and to scope potential sites. Currently the volunteer-based emergency services organisation is based at Council’s depot in Maroubra but has outgrown the current site. The service averages 882 callouts per year mostly for flood and storm damage. It is envisaged the SES will seek funding partnerships to construct the new facilities.

Council backs Block Party
The successful South East Block Party will continue for the next three years with Council agreeing to increase its support for the community event to $40,000 per year. The event based at Coral Sea Park in Maroubra was inspired by local Gomeroi hip hop artist Kobie Dee who wanted to run a community event to help young people struggling in the area. More than 4,000 people attended the 2022 event which brought people from the local community together.

Council to hold Survival Day concert
A free community concert will be held on Australia Day in La Perouse in partnership with the local Aboriginal community. The Council-sponsored event is designed to provide an opportunity for the local community to come together in celebration of their continuing and thriving culture. It is envisaged that Vic Simms and the All Star Band will be the feature performance. The name of the event will be developed in conjunction with the local Aboriginal community.

Vale Fred Orr
Council held a minute’s silence in honour of the late Fred Orr who passed away on 28 October 2022. Fred was a long-term volunteer with Randwick City Library for the past 16 years and founded the Next Chapter Art Group. Council will donate $500 to WIRES in his memory.

Search commences for additional affordable housing
Under-used Council land could be turned into affordable housing under a Council plan to increase housing for key workers. Affordable housing is land typically managed by a community housing provider and leased to key workers at subsidised rental rates. Council currently has 30 affordable housing units with more planned as part of the Kensington and Kingsford Town Centre Strategy. This new plan could further expand this number.

New DCP controls to be exhibited
New planning controls for heritage properties and low density residential development including dual occupancies will be publicly exhibited for community comment commencing in December 2022. The changes proposed to Council’s Development Control Plan for low density residential development include requiring a minimum 25% tree coverage and planting up to four trees per property.

FOGO trial underway in schools
Randwick Council’s award-winning FOGO program is now being rolled out to local schools. Five Randwick City schools – St Brigids, Emanual School, Claremont College, Maroubra Bay Public and La Perouse Public are taking part in a trial to recycle their food and organic waste. If successful, the service could be rolled out to other schools.

Boost for Women’s Art Prize
Randwick Council’s International Women’s Day Art Prize will be bolstered from 2023 with the prize pool almost doubling to $5,450 and a new open and youth category added. A special people’s choice prize is also being added giving the public a chance to vote for their favourite artwork. The competition, which began in 2005, will be hosted at Randwick Town Hall in future years as part of plans to use the Town Hall for more cultural and creative activities.

20-year plan for Matraville
Matraville town centre will become greener, more accessible and vibrant under a new public domain master plan developed by Council. The new plan proposes to create wider footpaths, more trees and shrubs and more spaces for outdoor dining including markets and a community centre. The master plan has been developed through community consultation and will now be put on public exhibition for comment.

South Maroubra Surf Club upgrade
An upgrade to the South Maroubra Surf Club is one step closer after Council endorsed a final design for the new clubhouse. The works to the club involve upgrading the façade, refurbishing the toilets, changerooms and showers and expanding the kitchen. The plans will be submitted for planning approval. Council is funding 50% of the design costs, but a funding strategy for construction has yet to be developed.