Council - 19 Aug 2026 2:00pm

Topics

• Council moves to take over Twyford Hall as $250,000 annual cost and $333,000 debt remain
  Bega Valley Council will terminate the Twyford Hall management deed, choose a new operating model and absorb estimated ongoing costs of $250,000 a year while refusing a $37,000 refund and noting $333,000 remains owing.
  The decision could reshape one of the region’s major cultural venues and create a significant recurring general-fund expense.
• Merimbula building-height changes to proceed to planning proposal
  Council has directed officers to prepare changes to maximum building heights and setbacks in Merimbula Town Centre, followed by public consultation.
  The proposal could influence development capacity, property values, town-centre density and the future streetscape.
• $30.2 million in unfinished Council project budgets carried into 2026/27
  Council approved the transfer of $30,244,034 from 2025/26 into 2026/27 project budgets.
  The scale of the revote provides a snapshot of delayed or incomplete projects and future Council spending commitments.

Decisions

• Merimbula Town Centre building heights and setbacks
  Council noted proposed building-height amendments and directed officers to prepare a planning proposal, Development Control Plan 2013 setback changes and public consultation material.
  The changes could affect future development scale, streetscape and property development in Merimbula Town Centre.
• Tarraganda voluntary planning agreement
  Council gave in-principle support for a voluntary planning agreement with Club Bega Ltd relating to Development Application 2026.2 at 1477 Tarraganda Lane. The CEO was authorised to prepare, exhibit and potentially execute the agreement, provided the public benefit is not materially reduced.
  The agreement may determine developer contributions and public benefits associated with the proposed development.
• Deferred-matters planning proposal
  Council supported rezoning four areas deferred from the Bega Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 and endorsed submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a Gateway Determination. Exhibition will follow if approval is granted.
  Affected landowners and nearby communities may have future zoning and development opportunities or impacts.
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030
  Council considered seven public submissions and adopted the amended Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030.
  The plan sets Council’s priorities for improving accessibility and inclusion in local services, facilities and community life.
• Eden Sewerage Treatment Plant drying-bed renewal
  Council rejected all tenders for the drying-bed renewal project and will reapproach the market with an adjusted scope. The CEO was authorised to complete the required procurement documentation.
  The decision changes the procurement pathway for a project affecting the reliability and operation of Eden’s sewerage infrastructure.
• Quarantine Bay amenities and pathway upgrade
  Council endorsed the detailed concept plan as the basis for design, procurement and construction, with the CEO authorised to make minor delivery-related amendments.
  The project will guide future upgrades to amenities and pedestrian access at Quarantine Bay.
• Financial-year carry-forwards and revotes
  Council approved the carry-forward and revote of $30,244,034 from 2025/26 into corresponding 2026/27 project budgets, including grant-funded projects.
  The decision preserves funding for projects not completed or commenced in the previous financial year.
• Correction to cemetery and crematoria levies
  Council endorsed revised 2026/27 Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW levies of $71.50 including GST for ash interment and $178.20 including GST for burial interment. The charges will be publicly exhibited for at least 28 days and, if there are no submissions, take effect on 16 September 2026.
  Families arranging interments may face the revised statutory levy amounts.
• Twyford Hall Complex management transition
  Council chose Operating Model 2, delegated authority to the CEO to prepare terms of reference and authorised termination of the Twyford Hall Complex Management Deed by no later than 7 October 2026. Council refused a request to refund a $37,000 loan payment and noted an outstanding $333,000 debt. Ongoing general-fund operating costs are estimated at $250,000 annually.
  Future bookings, programming, governance and Council costs for Twyford Hall will be affected by the transition.
• Cuttagee Bridge funding
  Council noted that grant funding had been secured and committed under an executed funding deed, meaning proposed borrowings for the Cuttagee Bridge project are no longer required.
  The project has secured funding without the previously proposed Council borrowing.
• Debt recovery and write-off
  The CEO was authorised to write off $116,860.32 owed by Immix Integrated Metal Management Pty Ltd because the debt was considered unrecoverable following insolvency and liquidation.
  The decision removes an unrecoverable debt from Council’s accounts but represents a loss of expected revenue.
• Public events and temporary road closures
  Council endorsed temporary road closures and officer recommendations for the Eden Whale Festival on 17-18 October 2026 and the Bega Streetlight Festival on 25 September 2026.
  Residents and visitors should expect temporary traffic changes during the events.

Discussion

• Twyford Hall transition and financial exposure
  Council is moving towards a new operating model after terminating the management deed, while noting estimated ongoing costs of $250,000 a year and an outstanding $333,000 debt.
  The transition may affect cultural programming, venue bookings, Council budgets and the future operation of a major community facility.
• Planning changes in Merimbula
  Officers will prepare planning and development-control changes concerning building heights and setbacks in the Merimbula Town Centre.
  Future development proposals and the appearance and density of the town centre could change.
• Large project budget revotes
  A total of $30.244 million was moved from 2025/26 budgets into 2026/27 project budgets.
  Residents can expect delayed or incomplete projects to remain funded in the new financial year.
• Accessibility planning
  The amended Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 was adopted after public exhibition and consideration of seven submissions.
  The plan provides a framework for improving access to Council services, facilities and participation.
• Eden infrastructure procurement
  All tenders for the Eden Sewerage Treatment Plant drying-bed renewal were rejected and the project will return to market with an adjusted scope.
  The revised procurement process may affect project timing and sewerage-plant renewal.
• Cemetery levy exhibition
  Revised NSW cemetery and crematoria levies were endorsed for public exhibition, with a proposed commencement date of 16 September 2026 if no submissions are received.
  People planning burials or ash interments may be affected by the proposed charges.
• Community infrastructure and transport
  The Quarantine Bay amenities and pathway concept was endorsed, while grant funding removed the need for proposed Cuttagee Bridge borrowings.
  Both decisions affect local access and infrastructure delivery.
• Affordable housing and homelessness advocacy
  Council supported advocacy and community responses discussed during Homelessness Week, including alternative crisis and short-term accommodation options. A question about the implications of the NSW State Plan was taken on notice for a future response.
  Housing shortages and homelessness continue to affect residents’ ability to recover from health emergencies, mental illness and family breakdown.

Impacts

• Potential Merimbula Town Centre changes will proceed to planning preparation and public consultation.
• The adopted Disability Inclusion Action Plan will guide accessibility work through 2030.
• The Twyford Hall Complex will transition to a Council-directed operating model, with direct Council handling of future bookings and programming after deed termination.
• Eden sewerage treatment-plant renewal will be retendered with an adjusted scope.
• Quarantine Bay amenities and pathway upgrades can proceed to detailed design, procurement and construction.
• Temporary road closures will apply for the 2026 Eden Whale Festival and Bega Streetlight Festival.
• Cemetery interment levies may change from 16 September 2026 if no public submissions are received.
• More than $30.2 million in incomplete or uncommenced project budgets will be carried into 2026/27.

Places

• Merimbula Town Centre (town centre)
  Proposed building-height and setback planning changes.
• Tarraganda Lane, Tarraganda (development site)
  Voluntary planning agreement linked to DA 2026.2 at 1477 Tarraganda Lane.
• Eden (town)
  Sewerage treatment plant renewal, proposed early education-centre land acquisition refusal and Eden Whale Festival road closures.
• Quarantine Bay (recreation facility)
  Amenities and pathway upgrade concept endorsed.
• Cuttagee Bridge (bridge project)
  Grant funding secured and proposed borrowings no longer required.
• Twyford Hall Complex, Merimbula (cultural facility)
  Management deed termination and operating-model transition.
• Bega (town)
  Bega Streetlight Festival temporary road closures.
• Littleton Gardens (park)
  Location of a Homelessness Week community event.

Next

• Prepare and exhibit Merimbula Town Centre planning-proposal and Development Control Plan amendments, with consultation material.
  As operational priorities allow.
• Submit the deferred-matters planning proposal for Gateway Determination and publicly exhibit it if approval is granted.
  Following submission and Gateway Determination.
• Retender the Eden Sewerage Treatment Plant drying-bed renewal with an adjusted scope.
  Future procurement process; no date stated.
• Progress Quarantine Bay amenities and pathway project to detailed design, procurement and construction.
  Following concept endorsement; no date stated.
• Exhibit the revised cemetery levies for at least 28 days and consider any submissions.
  Before the proposed 16 September 2026 commencement.
• Terminate the Twyford Hall Complex Management Deed and establish the selected operating model.
  Deed termination no later than 7 October 2026; terms of reference to be drafted for future Council consideration.
• Provide a future response on the implications of the NSW State Plan for Council, including requested infrastructure information.
  At a future meeting; request taken on notice.
• Implement temporary traffic arrangements for the Eden Whale Festival and Bega Streetlight Festival.
  25 September 2026 and 17-18 October 2026 respectively.

Extract

Bega Valley Shire Council - 1 - DRAFT Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 19 August 2026 at Council Chambers, Biamanga Room Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre Bega commencing at 2:00pm PRESENT Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor Cr Mitchell Nadin, Deputy Mayor - Apology Cr Tony Allen Cr Simon Daly Cr Peter Haggar Cr Clair Mudaliar Cr Peggy Noble Cr Helen O’Neil Cr David Porter IN ATTENDANCE Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon Director, Infrastructure, Mr Andrew Latta Acting Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mr Alan Gundrill Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Engagement and Corporate Strategy, Mrs Kaliegh Smerdon Executive Officer (Minute S...