Randwick Councillors met at Randwick Town Hall on Tuesday 23 July 2024 for their July Ordinary Council Meeting. Councillors discussed a range of matters including revitalising Kensington and Kingsford, an empty homes levy and a new off-leash dog park proposal for Maroubra.

Summary of some of the decisions:

Vibrancy boost for Kensington and Kingsford
More than $400,000 is set to be invested to boost the town centres of Kingsford and Kensingon. Councillors supported a plan that will see more outdoor dining, expanded Christmas programs, Lunar New Year activities, pop up music and local events. Mid-term programs include laneway and plaza activations, night markets and a library kiosk. The move follows a Place Assessment Report that found outdoor dining, cleanliness and things to do in the evening were most valued by the community.

Free event to mark return of Gweagal spears 
A documentary about the return of four spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal community, 254 years after they were originally taken by James Cook and Joseph Banks, will be screened for free at Randwick Ritz Cinema. The historic items known as the Gweagal spears, were taken in 1770 at the time of first contact between the crew of the Endeavour and the Aboriginal people of Kamay (Botany Bay). They’ve remained at Trinity College in Cambridge before they were permanently repatriated back to the La Perouse Aboriginal community in April this year. The spears will eventually go on display at a new visitor centre being built at Kurnell and are currently being stored at Sydney University. Councillors supported funding the documentary screening to take place in the coming months.

Call for empty homes levy
Properties vacant for 12 months or more could become subject to a special levy to raise funds to build affordable housing. Randwick Councillors supported a Mayoral Minute to put a motion to the upcoming Local Government NSW Conference seeking to work in partnership with the State Government to change the Local Government Act. The change being sought would give councils the ability to introduce a levy. The conference is being held in November 2024 in Tamworth.

New off-leash dog park proposed for Maroubra
Muraborah Reserve in Maroubra could become an off-leash dog park under a proposal being put to community consultation. Councillors supported a Notice of Motion to publicly exhibit the plan, consider completely fencing the park and consider additional signage, water stations, dog poo bags and bins. If approved, Muraborah Reserve would become the 17th offleash dog park in Randwick City. The plan will be put to community consultation in August 2024.

Call for plaque to remember Eurimbla precinct
The location of 90 homes demolished to make way for the Randwick Hospital Campus redevelopment could be permanently remembered through a new memorial. The Eurimbla precinct was a small leafy residential area bounded by Hospital Road, High, Botany and Magill Streets compulsorily acquired by the State Government in 2017. Council will write to the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District requesting that a plaque be installed in the grounds of the new hospital complex currently under construction.

Acknowledging Randwick Boys and Randwick Girls High Schools
Councillors formally congratulated the school communities of Randwick Boys and Randwick Girls High Schools who from 2025 are merging to become Randwick High. Both schools have a proud history dating back to 1959 for Randwick Girls and 1949 for Randwick Boys. The schools have worked constructively together for many years and have developed a reputation for excellence, particularly in drama and arts producing an annual theatre production shown at NIDA. Councillors formally wished the two schools well in their future together as a coeducational high school.

Council papers, agendas and minutes can be accessed on Council’s website and live audio is available on Council’s Youtube channel.

Media enquiries
Joshua Hay – 0402 351 459 or joshua.hay@randwick.nsw.gov.au
Matthew Phillips – 0408 541 717 or matt.phillips@randwick.nsw.gov.au