Fairfield Council Planning Changes October 2026 Outcomes
Fairfield Council Outcomes Committee — October 2026
Council Update
How proposed new rules for places of worship, granny flats, townhouses, waste collection, solar access, trees and flood risk could shape the future of Fairfield’s suburbs.
By BJ Gregory · Gregory Property Agents
October 2026
| Meeting | Outcomes Committee |
| Date | 6 October 2026 |
| Location | Council Chambers, Wakeley |
| Time | 6:33pm to 7:08pm |
Fairfield Council’s October Outcomes Committee meeting was short, calm and unanimous — but the decisions made could have long-term consequences for homeowners, renters, developers, faith groups, families and local businesses across the city.
The key item was a major proposed update to the Fairfield City Wide Development Control Plan 2024, known as DCP Amendment No. 3. This is the local planning rulebook that helps guide what can be built, how it should be designed, how it affects neighbours and whether future development works properly on the ground.
The committee voted unanimously to place the draft changes on public exhibition for at least 28 days. That means residents will soon have the chance to read the proposal and make submissions before the final version comes back to Council.
Quick Summary
- Major planning changes: Council backed public exhibition of DCP Amendment No. 3.
- Places of worship: New proposed rules would address noise, amplified sound, operating hours, traffic and parking.
- Housing design: Changes are proposed for granny flats, townhouses, villas, dual occupancies, narrow lots and battle-axe blocks.
- Waste collection: Council wants clearer rules for bin storage, waste truck access and collection arrangements.
- Solar access: Proposed controls aim to better protect sunlight for solar collection devices.
- Flood risk and trees: Updated controls cover flood-prone land, tree preservation, biodiversity and environmental constraints.
- Sydney Plan: Council noted the State Government’s new regional plan, including Fairfield’s housing target of 5,900 dwellings between 2024 and 2029.
- Showground works: Fairfield Showground Community and Events Centre continues to progress, with the project limit now sitting at $65 million.
🏛️ The Big Decision: Fairfield’s Planning Rulebook Goes on Exhibition
The most important decision of the night was Item 91: Public Exhibition - Fairfield City Wide Development Control Plan - Amendment No. 3.
Moved by Councillor C Saliba and seconded by Councillor Mijatovic, the recommendation was carried unanimously. Mayor Carbone and Councillors Barkho, Hoang, Karajcic, Khoshaba, Lam, Le, Mijatovic and C Saliba all voted in favour.
Although the title sounds technical, the impact is very local. The DCP helps determine how new development affects streets, homes, parking, trees, waste collection, solar panels and neighbourhood amenity.
These proposed Fairfield Council planning changes are not yet final. The public exhibition period is the important part for residents. It gives the community an opportunity to support, oppose or suggest improvements before Council makes a final decision.
🙏 Places of Worship: A Sensitive Local Issue Comes Into Focus
One of the most closely watched parts of the proposed amendment is the introduction of specific planning controls for places of public worship.
Fairfield is one of Australia’s most culturally and religiously diverse communities. Churches, mosques, temples, prayer halls and other faith-based centres are important parts of local life.
But they can also become controversial when they are located close to homes, especially where residents raise concerns about noise, traffic, parking or late-night activity.
Council’s report says Fairfield currently does not have specific development controls for places of worship. That has made it harder for applicants to know what is expected and harder for Council officers to assess proposals consistently.
The proposed new rules would cover:
- Noise impacts
- Amplified sound
- Operating hours
- Parking demand
- Traffic movements
- Road network capacity
- Impacts on nearby residents
- Traffic impact assessments where required
This is not about stopping places of worship. It is about finding a workable balance between religious and community life, and the right of nearby residents to enjoy their homes without unreasonable disruption.
🗑️ Waste Collection: The Everyday Problem Residents Notice Fast
Waste collection might not sound exciting, but it is one of the most practical parts of the proposed DCP changes.
Poor waste planning can create immediate problems: bins left across footpaths, trucks unable to enter properties, overflowing communal bin rooms, bad smells, blocked access and complaints from neighbours.
Council is proposing clearer requirements for bin storage, collection points, waste truck access and Waste Management Plans across many development types, including:
- Dwelling houses
- Granny flats
- Townhouses and villas
- Dual occupancies
- Apartments
- Shop-top housing
- Boarding houses
- Co-living housing
- Group homes
- Childcare centres
- Industrial properties
- Subdivisions
For residents, this is one of the changes that could make a real difference. The goal is to make sure developments are designed for proper waste collection before people move in — not after the street is already dealing with the consequences.
🏘️ Granny Flats, Townhouses and Battle-Axe Blocks
The proposed amendment also updates a range of housing design controls. These changes will be of particular interest to homeowners, investors, builders and neighbours.
In Fairfield, secondary dwellings — better known as granny flats — are now a regular part of the housing landscape. They help families accommodate ageing parents, adult children, relatives or tenants, but they also create pressure on parking, open space, drainage and waste collection.
The proposed changes for secondary dwellings include revised private open space requirements, updated car parking provisions, clearer attached outbuilding controls and stronger waste servicing requirements.
Townhouses and villas are also addressed. Council’s report notes that existing building separation controls can be difficult to achieve on narrower sites. The proposed solution is a sliding scale based on site width, designed to make development more practical while still protecting privacy, sunlight and amenity.
Battle-axe lots are another focus. The amendment proposes a 1.5 metre setback from all boundaries for dwelling houses on battle-axe lots, aiming to improve outcomes for both new homes and neighbouring properties.
☀️ Solar Access: Protecting Sunlight in a City of Rising Power Bills
One of the more modern planning issues in the proposed amendment is solar access.
As more Fairfield households install rooftop solar, sunlight is no longer just about comfortable living rooms and sunny backyards. It is also about protecting the performance of household energy systems.
The DCP amendment proposes revised solar access controls to provide fairer access to sunlight for solar collection devices on both new and existing developments.
This could become increasingly important as more residents invest in solar panels to manage electricity costs. A poorly designed neighbouring development can reduce solar performance and affect the financial return on that investment.
♿ Accessibility: Better Rules for People With Disability
The proposed amendment also updates accessibility language and requirements across the DCP to better align with Council’s Disability Action Plan 2022–26.
These changes affect a wide range of development types, including heritage buildings, medical centres, physiotherapists, parking areas, apartments, childcare centres and public-facing commercial premises.
Accessibility is not a minor technical issue. For people with disability, carers, older residents and families with prams, it can determine whether a building or service is usable at all.
🌳 Trees, Flood Risk and Environmental Controls
The DCP amendment also includes detailed provisions covering environmental management and constraints.
These include tree preservation, biodiversity corridors, riparian land and watercourses, flood risk, contaminated land, acid sulfate soils, bushfire risk, landslide risk, erosion and sediment control, heritage items and construction waste.
For residents, two areas are particularly important: trees and flooding.
Council’s tree controls explain when a Tree Work Permit is required and when removal may be allowed. Council will generally support the removal of trees that are dead, diseased, dangerous or causing substantial structural damage. However, it is less likely to support removal simply because a tree drops leaves, blocks views or creates minor nuisance.
Flood risk is also central to Fairfield’s planning future. Parts of the city are affected by mainstream flooding from creeks and overland flooding through drainage corridors and low-lying land. Updated flood provisions aim to make development safer and clearer in affected areas.
⚠️ Construction Waste and Asbestos: A Serious Warning for Older Homes
Fairfield has many older homes, including fibro houses built before and after the Second World War. That means asbestos remains a serious issue during renovations, demolitions and rebuilds.
The DCP material warns that asbestos can be deadly when disturbed. It sets out requirements for licensed removal, safe handling and proper disposal.
For homeowners planning renovations or knockdown rebuilds, this is not red tape. It is a public health issue.
📍 The Sydney Plan: More Homes, But Where Is the Infrastructure?
Council also received and noted a report on the NSW Government’s adoption of The Sydney Plan, which became effective on 13 August 2026.
The plan replaces the previous Sydney regional and district planning strategies and sets expectations for housing, jobs, centres, open space and infrastructure across all 33 Sydney councils.
For Fairfield, the big number is the housing target: 5,900 new dwellings between 2024 and 2029.
Council has previously raised concerns that this target may be difficult to achieve because of development viability, flood constraints and lack of infrastructure.
The Sydney Plan expects higher density housing to be focused around Fairfield, Cabramatta and Canley Vale. It also identifies Bonnyrigg Plaza and the Bonnyrigg T-Way stop as areas for future investigation.
The unresolved question for residents is simple: if more housing is coming, will the roads, buses, trains, drainage, schools, parks and services keep up?
🏗️ Major Projects: Fairfield Showground Keeps Moving
The committee also received the September 2026 Major Projects Update, with the Fairfield Showground Community and Events Centre remaining one of Council’s biggest infrastructure projects.
The head contractor for the main building has been appointed: Hindmarsh Constructions Australia Pty Ltd.
Early works are already progressing, including access road works, car parking, sewer works, power conduits, water service connections and temporary amenities.
The project limit has now shifted to $65 million, reflecting cost pressures and scope changes.
Main building construction is expected to commence in February 2027, with completion targeted for August 2028.
Other Showground-related projects include the event oval stage, a proposed multi-storey car park, overflow parking linked to the golf course and changes to Plans of Management.
🌿 Parks and Playgrounds: Brenan, Avenel and Bold Park
Several park projects were also updated.
At Brenan Park, Council is progressing plans for a major playground near the existing community hall on Bourke Street. The project includes a new playground, off-leash dog park, improved lighting, tree planting, walking paths, toddlers’ play areas and a basketball court.
At Avenel Park, final works are expected to proceed after Council received an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit.
At Bold Park, remediation and playground renewal works are nearing completion, with new play equipment installed and turf works underway.
💼 Arts, Youth and Business Updates
The committee also noted reports from several advisory groups.
The Arts Advisory Committee discussed a possible creative hub, the Fairfield Artist Directory and the Creatives in the Neighbourhood program.
The Youth Advisory Committee discussed vaping harm, the NSW Youth Summit 2026, the Bring It On! Youth Working Group and youth hot topics.
The Fairfield City Community Business Hub Liaison Committee discussed Fairfield City HQ and Fairfield Place updates, including support for emerging businesses, start-ups and aspiring businesspeople.
💰 Financial Reports Still to Come
Several financial and governance reports were noted and will return in more detail at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled for 20 October 2026.
These include:
- The 2025–2026 Operational Plan quarterly report
- Council’s 2025–2026 Financial Statements
- The September 2026 Monthly Investment Report
Council’s annual financial statements are being finalised by external auditors from the Audit Office of NSW.
📢 Council Pushes Back on Possible Grant Cuts
A supplementary item dealt with proposed changes to Commonwealth-funded Financial Assistance Grants.
Council endorsed a submission to the NSW Local Government Grants Commission and resolved to write to Local Government NSW asking whether it is supporting Western Sydney councils in opposing funding reductions.
If Local Government NSW is not supporting Western Sydney councils, Fairfield Council will ask why it should not reduce its funding to the organisation by 50 per cent.
Council will also write to local Federal MPs seeking support.
This matters because grant reductions can affect local services, maintenance, community programs and future projects.
📌 What Residents Should Watch Next
The most important next step is the public exhibition of Fairfield City Wide DCP Amendment No. 3.
Residents should watch Council’s website and public notices for the exhibition period. This will be the chance to have a say before the rules are finalised.
Submissions will be especially important for people interested in:
- Places of worship
- Noise and operating hours
- Parking and traffic
- Granny flats
- Townhouses and villas
- Dual occupancies
- Waste collection
- Solar access
- Tree removal
- Flood-prone land
- Disability access
- Construction waste and asbestos
- Industrial development
- Apartment design
- Childcare centres
The meeting itself may have been quiet, but the issues are not small. These proposed rules could shape what gets built in Fairfield, how neighbourhoods function and how Council balances growth with liveability.
For anyone who has ever worried about what might be built next door, where bins will go, whether the street can handle more traffic, whether trees will survive or whether new housing will arrive without infrastructure, this is the Council process to watch.
Thinking of Buying, Selling, or Investing in Fairfield?
Local planning decisions can have a real impact on property values, development potential and neighbourhood appeal. With major changes proposed across housing, infrastructure and local planning controls, it pays to understand what is happening in your area.
Get in touch with BJ Gregory today for a free, no-obligation market appraisal of your property.