Randwick Councillors met at Randwick Town Hall on Tuesday 24 October 2023 for their monthly Council Meeting.

Councillors discussed a range of important matters including continuing the Environmental Levy, new Council offices and paying tribute to the late Aunty Esme Timbery.

Public comment sought on continuing Environmental Levy

A levy program in place for the past 20 years funding sustainability improvements in Randwick City will be put on public exhibition from November 7 under a proposal to continue it permanently. The Sustaining our City Environmental Levy has delivered 12km of new Coastal Walkway, 25 water reuse projects and 38 gross pollution traps improving water quality at our beaches. It is due to expire on 30 June 2024. Continuing the levy costs the average ratepayer just $1.95 a week or $101 a year.

Vale Aunty Esme Timbery

Councillors held a minute’s silence to honour the memory of local Aboriginal elder and La Perouse Stalwart Aunty Esme Timbery who passed away on October 6 aged 92. Aunty Esme was an esteemed Bidjigal artist well known for blending contemporary elements with traditional shellwork. Randwick Council extends its condolences to the Timbery family and all local Aboriginal people.

New multi-use hub for Kingsford

Randwick Councillors resolved to commence a feasibility study into a new development to be located at 1-11 Rainbow Street in Kingsford will look at the possibility of including a new library, community hall, performance space as well as a relocation of Randwick Council’s offices from Randwick to Kingsford. The proposal will look at including retail, commercial and residential development as well as public parking. [see full story]

Council extends Space to Create program

An artist residency program at Lionel Bowen Library in Maroubra providing low-cost space for artists working across visual arts, film, textiles and writing will continue for another 12 months after a review found the program had been an overwhelming success. Use of the space is subject to an annual Expression of Interest process.

A year in review

Councillors formally received and adopted its 2022-23 Annual Report. Looking back over the past 12 months Council held 102 local events, built or renewed almost 3km of footpath, installed six public EV charging stations, removed almost 8,000m2 of graffiti and received 95,412 phone calls to its Customer Service Centre. Councillors commended all Council staff for their ongoing commitment to Randwick City.

No change to free Coogee tennis courts

Two tennis courts at Baker Park in Coogee will remain available for free informal community use with no bookings required. Council has managed the tennis courts for many years under an honour booking system. Council investigated a number of alternative management options for the courts but ultimately decided against leasing the courts out to a third-party manager.

Party time for local streets

Fifteen local areas seeking to close streets to hold community street parties will be supported by Randwick Council. Council’s Sense of Community street parties program has been running for almost a decade offering direct support to communities holding street parties. Council staff prepare traffic control plans, install traffic control and cover insurance for the event.