Minister's Consent Compulsory Acquisition - 542-544 George Street, Sydney

17/11/2025 - Minister's Consent Compulsory Acquisition - 542-544 George Street, Sydney

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note that:

(i)         Council is the owner of 6 of the 7 buildings required for the development of Town Hall Square on the corners of George, Park and Pitt Streets;

(ii)        the remaining building to be acquired by Council is Lot 13 in Deposited Plan 80276 (Folio Identifier 13/80276), known as 542-544 George Street, Sydney (the Property);

(iii)      the delivery of Town Hall Square is proposed to be accelerated, such that works are to commence by 2028;

(iv)      on 12 May 2025, Council resolved to commence the process of compulsory acquisition of the Property for the reasons set out in the subject report; and

(v)       the proposed acceleration also justifies completing the process of compulsory acquisition;

(B)      Council note that if agreement with the relevant interest-holders is unable to be reached prior to 19 November 2025, Council will progress the compulsory acquisition process with respect to the required interests in the Property for the purposes of the proposed Town Hall Square, in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 NSW (Just Terms Act);

(C)      Council endorse:

(i)         seeking and obtaining Ministerial Consent to issue Proposed Acquisition Notices;

(ii)        issuing the Proposed Acquisition Notices;

(iii)      (if necessary) publishing an Acquisition Notice in the NSW Government Gazette; and

(iv)      paying compensation to the affected interest-holders in accordance with the heads of compensation under the Just Terms Act;

(D)      authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and administer documentation required to acquire the interests in the Property;

(E)      Council endorse the proposed resolution 'It is resolved to classify the proposed acquisition of 542-544 George Street, Sydney (being Folio Identifier 13/80276) as operational land in accordance with section 31 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)', be publicly notified for a period of 28 days prior to or following the completion of the acquisition; and

(F)      Council note that a further report to inform the outcomes of public notification and recommendation on land classification, will follow any notification period.

The motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (9)     The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Arkins, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Maxwell, Miller, Thompson, and Worling.

Noes (1)     Councillor Weldon.

Carried.

X073030