Randwick Councillors met at Randwick Town Hall on Tuesday 28 February 2023 for the first Council meeting of the year.

Councillors discussed a range of matters including pedestrian safety improvements for Avoca / Sturt Streets in Randwick, supporting the Sydney Film Festival and a proposed new levy on short term rentals.

Calls for safety improvements for Avoca, Sturt and Bundock Street intersection

Council will write to the NSW State Government requesting traffic signals be installed at the intersection of Avoca Street and Bundock / Sturt Streets. The intersection is a popular east-west link and has been identified as needing traffic signals in Council’s Kingsford to South Coogee cycleway plans. Councillors raised concern for pedestrian safety trying, particularly for local school students trying to cross the road.

Concerns for controversial ‘fast-track’ rezoning program

Councillors resolved to formally oppose a new State Government rezoning program which is permitting mega-developer Meriton a third attempt to rezone Little Bay for high-rise towers. Under the program, proponents are eligible to submit proposals for development creating over 1,000 new dwellings bypassing local councils and independent planning panels. See related story.

Grants for community, cultural and artistic groups

Local community, cultural and artistic groups in Randwick City will be able to apply for grants to use street banners as a visual canvas as part of changes supported by Councillors to Council’s Street Banner Policy. The new policy enables local groups to seek grants through Council’s Community Investment Program.

Renewed partnership with Sydney Film Festival

Council resolved to enter into a three-year sponsorship agreement ensuring the Sydney Film Festival continues to screen at the Randwick Ritz. Council has been a supporter of the festival since it premiered in Randwick in 2017. In 2022 it brought more than 19,000 people to Randwick contributing to the local economy and supporting local arts and culture.

Council to fly Greek and Israeli national flags

Councillors resolved to fly the Greek and Israeli flags on Randwick Town Hall to mark their respective independence days. Greek Independence Day is 25 March marking 202 years and Israel Independence Day is 26 April marking 75 years.

Council supports bed levy to address housing affordability

Properties let through short rental websites like airbnb and Stayz could be hit with a fee under a Randwick Council proposal being put to the NSW State Government to increase investment in affordable housing. Councillors supported the proposal which is designed to address the housing crisis in NSW.

Council to investigate more parking at Maroubra Beach

More temporary parking could be provided at Maroubra Beach with Council officers to look into options to permit parking on Broadarrow Reserve on hot weekends and public holidays. Councillors resolved to investigate the matter further to help local and visitors manage parking issues at the popular beach.

Vale Maurita Berg

Councillors held a minute’s silence in honour of former Randwick City Alderwoman Maurita Berg who died on 16 February aged 93. Ms Berg was a Labor Party Alderwoman and represented South Ward from 1980 to 1983. During her time she was instrumental in planting thousands of trees along Bunnerong Road as a screen to the cemetery. Councillors were called Aldermen or Alderwomen prior to changes to the Local Government Act in 1993.

Vale Walter Wally Benington

Councillors held a minute’s silence for Walter (Wally) Benington who passed away on Friday 17 February. Wally was a well known member of the Malabar community and ran the Malabar Precinct Committee for many years. His funeral service is being held on 2 March at St Andrews Catholic Church in Malabar.

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.