Inner West Council Convenes for High-Stakes Extraordinary and Ordinary Meetings Today

Dual Sessions Scheduled for Ashfield Service Centre

The Inner West Council is scheduled to host two critical sessions today, Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the Ashfield Service Centre. This dual-meeting schedule comes at a time of significant political discourse within the community, involving high-level personnel decisions and ongoing debates over housing density and democratic transparency in local government.

Confidential Extraordinary Meeting

The council proceedings will commence at 5:30 PM with an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. The sole item on the agenda for this special session is a presentation from the General Manager regarding a contract renewal. Due to the sensitive nature of personnel matters, the council is expected to move into a closed session. Under Section 10A of the Local Government Act 1993, specifically sections 10A(2)(a) and 10A(3), the public and media will be excluded to ensure the confidentiality of the discussions. However, any formal resolutions reached during this period must be recorded and made available to the public following the meeting’s conclusion.

Public Engagement and Ordinary Business

At 6:30 PM, the focus shifts to the local community with the commencement of the Public Forum. This session allows registered speakers to address councillors directly regarding agenda items for the subsequent ordinary meeting. Public forums have recently become a central point of contention in Sydney’s inner western suburbs. Many residents have expressed frustration over recent shifts in meeting protocols, which some community advocates argue limit the ability of the public to influence local decisions on housing and infrastructure.

The Ordinary Council Meeting will follow at 7:30 PM. While the council typically manages a wide array of municipal responsibilities—ranging from waste management to local transport forum reports—the current political climate is largely defined by the "Fairer Future" Plan. This plan has prompted intense debate regarding the balance between the need for affordable housing and the preservation of existing community character.

Political Context and Postponed Protest

Adding to the day's political weight, a major rally organized by the Better Future Coalition was initially slated to take place outside the meeting venue this evening. The protest, titled "Defend Residents' Right to Speak at Council Meetings," was intended to voice opposition to new state-level powers that allow councils greater leeway in closing sessions to the public. However, organizers confirmed late yesterday that the rally has been postponed. Despite the postponement, the issues it highlights remain at the forefront of today’s council business.

Interested parties can follow the meetings in person at Level 6 of the Ashfield Service Centre on Liverpool Road. The council also provides a live webcast of the Ordinary Meeting for those who wish to observe the proceedings remotely.