Randwick Councillors met at Randwick Town Hall on Tuesday 26 March 2024 for their March Council Meeting.

Councillors discussed a range of important matters including plans for the redevelopment of Coogee Bay Hotel, a defence housing proposal for Bundock Street, short term rental accommodation and an oral history project for La Perouse Aboriginal Elders.

Calls for strict environmental safeguards on Bundock Street housing redevelopment
A Department of Defence proposal to build 62 new homes along Bundock Street in Randwick should be subject to stringent environmental safeguards and also include the construction of a planned cycleway according to a Randwick Council submission. Councillors endorsed the submission which calls for a Human Health Risk Assessment, Interim Asbestos Management Plan and a Remediation Action Plan as well as compliance with a range of transport and engineering requirements. Council also reiterated its long-held plans for a cycleway along the road.

Request for federal funding for more public housing
A motion will be submitted to the 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government to be held from 2-4 July to seek Federal Government funding to build more public housing. Councillors supported the Mayoral Minute which calls on the Australian Government to amend the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility to increase funding particularly for housing projects that use existing Local Government landholdings.

Update on Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment plans
The Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel will meet on 30 April 2024 to determine a planning proposal for a major redevelopment of the Coogee Bay Hotel. The proposal, originally lodged in 2021 and amended in 2023 and 2024, seeks demolition of a number of existing buildings onsite and construction of a new three-storey hotel, five-storey apartment building and 11 new ground level food and beverage tenancies. Council will make a submission requesting a reduction in building heights, increasing the setback from Arden Street, and providing more affordable housing.

Renewed calls for a bed levy and cap on airbnb properties
Short term rental accommodation through websites like Airbnb and Stayz could be subject to a levy and a three-month cap. Council reiterated its view through a submission to the Department of Planning on their Short and Long Term Rental Accommodation Discussion Paper. The submission calls for a reduction in the maximum number of nights that properties can be let from 180 to 90 days and consideration of a levy or tax on leased properties to be used to fund additional infrastructure to help offset the impact of increased visitation. There are currently 1,962 short term rental properties in Randwick City.

Council to continue discussions with Sydney Water over proposed tree removal
A Sydney Water proposal to remove trees and bushes near a reservoir in Maroubra will remain onhold while Council and Sydney Water discuss the issue. Sydney Water recently wrote to residents advising that trees would be removed from early April 2024 under a new policy direction. Council is opposed to the tree removal and has received feedback from some local residents that they are very concerned about the removal. Discussions are ongoing.

Naming policy to go on public exhibition
A new policy to guide naming roads, reserves and facilities in Randwick City will give preference to Aboriginal names for parks and natural areas. There are already a number of places within Randwick City based upon Aboriginal names including Woomera Reserve, Kooloora Reserve and Congwong Beach. The policy will be placed on public exhibition for comment.

South Maroubra Coastal Walkway extension
An existing section of Coastal Walkway between Maroubra and South Maroubra Beaches will be upgraded to provide a continuous raised boardwalk. A small, 55-metre-long sandy track leading to the South Maroubra Surf Club will be replaced with an elevated boardwalk improving accessibility. Works will also include new signage and bicycle racks. Funds will be allocated in the 2024/25 Budget.

Plans progress for Snape Park upgrade
Concept designs will be prepared for a new indoor cricket and training facility at Snape Park in Maroubra. Councillors resolved to endorse the priorisation of the indoor cricket facility as part of stage one works with upgrades to the sports field and public amenities and landscaping works to be undertaken as stage two. Concept plans are expected to be presented to Council in late 2024.

La Perouse Elders Oral History program
Twenty local La Perouse Aboriginal Elders will be invited to take part in an oral history project to record and capture their memories and knowledge on the Randwick area. The La Perouse Aboriginal community plays an essential role in the complex fabric of the Randwick community and many members have an unbroken connection to country dating back thousands of years. A combination of audio and video recordings will be used. The program will commence in the coming months.

Grants for community groups
Almost $100,000 in cash and fee support will be provided to 13 local community organisations as part of Council’s latest round of funding for its Community Connect and Community Creative Investment Programs. Some of the funded activities include a supported playground at the Hub @ Lexo, a Hope and Heal Retreat for victims of family or domestic violence and a seniors exercise class at Kensington Community Centre.