Councillor Report: Regents Park Ward, February 2026

Standing together: condolences and community

The meeting opened on a sombre note. Council unanimously passed several Mayoral Minutes:

• Merrylands vigil. Council expressed condolences for the passing of Mr Amamuddin Sadar, donated $5,000 from the emergency relief fund to his family, and resolved to organise a community vigil. The General Manager was thanked for swiftly locking down the Merrylands administration precinct to keep staff safe.
• Bondi Beach attack. Council noted with deep sadness the 15 lives lost and donated $15,000 to the NSW Government and Rotary NSW Unite for Bondi Appeal.
• Dame Marie Bashir. A minute’s silence was observed and Council resolved to establish a permanent memorial within Cumberland in honour of the former NSW Governor’s distinguished service.
• Australia Day Honours. Chief Inspector Kathy Garancsi was congratulated on receiving the Emergency Services Medal.

Council also unanimously congratulated all staff for their hard work over the December and January period.

Your money and infrastructure

Several major contracts were awarded and financial reports ticked off:

• Regents Park Library precinct upgrade. A $1.9 million contract awarded to Regal Innovations. This is a big one for our ward - a significant investment in making our library precinct a place the community can be proud of.
• Lytton Street Park (Stage 1). $2.88 million to Growth Civil Landscapes for a major park upgrade delivering better green space and facilities.
• Chadwick Reserve, Lidcombe. A $495,000 park upgrade, also awarded to Growth Civil Landscapes.
• Scheduled plumbing maintenance. A $1.36 million contract to Smart Flow Solutions to keep Council’s plumbing infrastructure in order.
• Q2 Budget Review. Revised income and expenditure estimates for 2025/26 approved.
• January Investment Report. Received and noted. Council’s investments are tracking as reported.

Policies and strategy

• Sister City and Friendship City Policy. Formally adopted after public exhibition, giving Council a clear framework for international partnerships.
• Gender Equity Strategy 2026-2030. The draft strategy was placed on public exhibition for 28 days.
• Meeting schedule and Code of Meeting Practice. The revised 2026 meeting schedule was adopted and the General Manager authorised to execute Council’s official participation in external engagements. Passed 11-4.
• Social Media Policy review. Council directed the General Manager to review the current policy, assess its effectiveness, identify enforcement gaps, and recommend improvements. Passed 12-2.

Notices of motion: the debates

• Community Engagement Forum (carried 12-3). A brand new concept for Cumberland. Council approved a 12-month trial of a dedicated community engagement forum, separate from regular council meetings, likely on the first Monday of the month for up to two hours. It will be independently chaired and open to any council-related issue, with staff on hand to address community comments. This is a real win for residents who want to engage with Council outside the formality of a regular meeting.
• Extended ranger hours (carried unanimously). Council agreed to look at extending hours for Council Rangers to monitor infringements and compliance. A report is being prepared. Anyone who has dealt with after-hours illegal dumping, noise, or parking issues knows why this matters.
• Indigenous naming of wards (lost 6-9). A motion to investigate renaming Cumberland’s five wards with Indigenous names, with input from the Cumberland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee, was put forward. I supported it, but it did not get up.
• Recognising event staff (carried unanimously). Council congratulated the Events Team for their work on Australia Day celebrations, and a community feedback process for events will be developed.
• Tribute to Dame Marie Bashir (withdrawn). Withdrawn by the mover and seconder, as the earlier Mayoral Minute had already addressed the tribute.

What this means for you

• The Regents Park Library precinct is getting a $1.9 million upgrade, with works to begin soon.
• New community engagement sessions are coming, giving residents a dedicated space to raise issues directly with Council staff.
• Rangers may soon patrol longer hours, with a report being prepared on extending compliance monitoring.
• The draft Gender Equity Strategy is on public exhibition for 28 days.
• Major park upgrades at Lytton Street ($2.88 million) and Chadwick Reserve ($495,000) have been greenlit.

Enver Yasar Councillor, Regents Park Ward