Council - 22 Apr 2026 2:00pm

Article-worthy topics

• Wallagoot quarry DA deferred
  Council deferred determination of Development Application 2021.360 for an extractive industry (quarry) at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot so staff can prepare a supplementary report addressing additional matters raised at the 22 April public forum.
  Residents near Wallagoot and Bournda will have another chance to see further assessment before Council decides the quarry application.

Key decisions

• Wallagoot quarry DA deferred
  Council deferred determination of Development Application 2021.360 for an extractive industry (quarry) at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot so staff can prepare a supplementary report addressing additional matters raised at the 22 April public forum.
  Residents near Wallagoot and Bournda will have another chance to see further assessment before Council decides the quarry application.
• Merimbula CBD upgrade options to go on exhibition
  Council resolved to publicly exhibit the proposed Merimbula CBD Upgrade traffic, parking and public space changes for 28 days from 23 April to 21 May 2026, with information sessions and promotion, and to report consultation outcomes back on 15 July 2026 before any changes are implemented.
  Merimbula residents, businesses and visitors can review and comment on proposed CBD traffic, parking and public space changes before any decision is made.
• Wolumla flood study endorsed
  Council endorsed the final Wolumla Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and Map Compendium dated 3 March 2026 as the best available flood information, and will publish it on Council’s website and provide it to emergency management bodies.
  Property owners, developers and emergency services in the Wolumla catchment will rely on updated flood risk information for planning and preparedness.
• Multiyear safety barriers contract accepted
  Council accepted tenders from R.B.K Pty Ltd and Western Safety Barriers Group Pty Ltd for contract RFT 2526-047 at schedule of rates up to a total ceiling amount of $1,717,382 including GST over the multiyear contract term, with authority delegated to the CEO for documentation, variations within budget and extensions.
  This supports delivery of barrier-related road or safety infrastructure works under a funded contract program.
• Draft Playspace Improvement Plan endorsed
  Council endorsed the draft Playspace Improvement Plan, noting delivery will be subject to annual review, long-term financial planning, Council funding and external grants, and that further community engagement will occur before individual projects begin.
  Residents can expect future playground upgrades to be prioritised under a formal plan, but timing will depend on funding and later consultation.
• Bega Bore Field land acquisition advanced
  Council decided to seek the required land interest within Lot 1 DP 601304, Bega for water supply bore infrastructure associated with the Bega Bore Field, preferring negotiated agreement first and allowing compulsory acquisition later if agreement cannot be reached in a reasonable timeframe.
  This is a significant step for future water supply infrastructure in Bega, while keeping negotiation with the landowner as the preferred path.
• Quarterly budget review adopted
  Council received and noted the March 2026 Quarterly Budget Review Statement and adopted the attached budget recommendations.
  This updates Council’s budget settings for the year and affects how projects and services are funded.
• No extra waiver granted for Bega District Band water charges
  Council rejected a proposal to offset the Band’s water and sewer access charges through annual financial assistance, and instead resolved to keep the existing charging framework, encourage fee-for-service income, and prepare a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bega District Band.
  This confirms Council’s current policy for non-rateable community organisations and means no additional charge waiver was approved for the Band building.

Important topics

• Petition against Bournda/Wallagoot quarry
  A petition with more than 800 signatures from Stop Bournda Quarry Inc was tabled, asking councillors to reject DA 2021.360 for a quarry and rock processing industry at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Bournda/Bournda Downs/Wallagoot. Staff will report back on the petition under the Code of Meeting Practice.
  Shows substantial organised community opposition to the quarry proposal and signals further reporting back to Council.
• Public forum advocacy on major items
  Council heard speakers for and against the Wallagoot quarry proposal and a speaker supporting a waiver of water connection charges for the Bega Town Band Building.
  Community input directly informed debate on two issues with local planning and community facility implications.
• Council opposition to Crown Land Management Amendment Bill
  Council passed a mayoral minute expressing serious concern about the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026, arguing it could shift legal and financial liability to councils and ratepayers, and resolved to write to the NSW Government and sector bodies calling for withdrawal and consultation.
  If the legislation proceeds unchanged, it could increase council costs and risks that may ultimately affect ratepayers.
• Affordable housing group reshaped
  Council acknowledged the work of the Affordable Housing Implementation Group and reshaped it into an affordable housing stakeholder forum meeting twice a year, alongside new KPIs tied to the Affordable Housing Strategy and tracking of crisis and transitional housing supply.
  Residents interested in housing affordability will see ongoing monitoring and a revised forum structure rather than the previous implementation group model.

Resident impacts

• Wallagoot quarry decision delayed pending an extra staff report after public feedback.
• Merimbula CBD traffic, parking and public space changes are open for community feedback from 23 April to 21 May 2026.
• Updated flood risk information for Wolumla will be published and used for planning and emergency management.
• Council committed up to $1.717 million for a multiyear works contract involving safety barriers.
• Future playground upgrades will follow an endorsed plan but remain subject to funding and further consultation.
• Bega water supply planning progressed through proposed acquisition of land interests for bore infrastructure.
• The Bega District Band will remain under the existing discounted charging framework rather than receiving a full offset of access charges.

Places affected

• Wallagoot (locality)
  Proposed quarry DA at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive was deferred.
• Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot (road/address)
  Site of Development Application 2021.360 for an extractive industry.
• Merimbula CBD (town centre/project area)
  Traffic, parking and public space changes will be publicly exhibited.
• Wolumla (town/locality)
  Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan endorsed for the catchment area.
• Bega (town)
  Bega Bore Field land acquisition and Bega District Band water charge matter.
• Canning Street, Bega (street/facility location)
  Location of the Bega Town Band Building discussed in the water charge item.

Next steps

• Prepare a supplementary report on DA 2021.360 addressing matters raised at the public forum.
  Before Council reconsiders the quarry application
• Provide a further report to Council on the petition opposing the quarry proposal.
  To be reported back under Council meeting practice requirements
• Publicly exhibit Merimbula CBD Upgrade proposed changes and run community information sessions.
  23 April to 21 May 2026
• Report Merimbula CBD consultation outcomes back to Council before any implementation.
  15 July 2026 Council meeting
• Publish the endorsed Wolumla Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and provide it to the Local Emergency Management Committee and SES.
  After endorsement
• Negotiate land acquisition for the Bega Bore Field and report back before any compulsory acquisition proceeds.
  Agreement sought first; last-resort acquisition only if needed, with September 2026 noted as the preferred deadline for a mutually agreeable outcome
• Prepare and present a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bega District Band.
  Report back to Council at a future meeting

Extracted minutes text

DRAFT Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 22 April 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 Cr Tony Allen - Apology Cr Simon Daly Cr Peter Haggar Cr Clair Mudaliar Cr Peggy Noble Cr Helen O’Neil Cr David Porter In Attendance Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Emily Harrison Director, Infrastructure, Mr Andrew Latta Acting Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Ms Cecily Hancock Acting Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Gemma Stewart Manager Engagement and Corporate Strategy, Mrs Kaliegh Smerdon Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs J...