Council - 23 Sep 2026 2:00pm

Topics

• Council backs plan to allow forestry without consent in RU2 rural zones
  Council has resolved to prepare a planning proposal that could permit forestry without consent in RU2 Rural Landscape zones.
  The change could affect rural landholders, neighbours, environmental considerations and future development approvals.
• Merimbula property receives $15,525 water-bill concession as CEO delegation rises
  Council approved a $15,525.60 concession for 21 Marine Parade while expanding the CEO’s authority to approve eligible water and wastewater reductions up to $50,000.
  The decision creates a significant site-specific billing outcome and changes how larger concessions can be processed.
• Council seeks planning gateway for housing diversity in flood-affected areas
  Council will submit a planning proposal aimed at increasing housing diversity in relation to flooding for NSW Gateway assessment.
  The proposal may change future housing opportunities and planning controls in flood-prone areas.

Decisions

• RU2 forestry planning proposal to proceed
  Council noted the scoping report and consultant advice, reaffirmed that the RU2 Rural Landscape zone is compatible with private native forestry, and resolved to prepare a planning proposal to permit forestry without consent in that zone. Further work is subject to staff resources, funding and the planning Gateway process.
  Could affect land-use rights, forestry activity and future planning controls across RU2 Rural Landscape-zoned land.
• Water-charge concession approved
  Council approved a $15,525.60 water consumption charge leniency concession for 21 Marine Parade, Merimbula.
  Sets a specific hardship or billing outcome for the affected property and highlights Council’s water-concession procedure.
• Delegation for water and wastewater charge reductions increased
  The Chief Executive Officer’s delegated authority under DEG025 was increased from $10,000 to $50,000 for eligible reductions in water and wastewater consumption charges.
  Eligible residents may receive faster decisions on larger water or wastewater billing-reduction applications.
• Housing diversity and flooding planning proposal supported
  Council resolved to support the Increase Housing Diversity – Flooding planning proposal and authorised submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, Infrastructure and Environment for a Gateway determination.
  The proposal could influence future housing options and planning rules in flood-affected areas.
• Bermagui development approved
  Development Application 2025.296 was approved for demolition of an existing dwelling, subdivision into two allotments and construction of two dual-occupancy dwellings at 3 Barragoot Street, Bermagui.
  Approves a specific residential development and increases housing capacity at the site.
• Dog-declaration appeal procedures deferred
  Council deferred the proposed procedures for reviewing dangerous and menacing dog declarations and requested revisions covering external review, written reasons, access to adverse material, panel independence, timeframes, statutory considerations and disability supports.
  Dog owners and affected residents will not have the proposed procedures finalised until Council considers revised documents.
• Library strategic plan put on public exhibition
  The draft Library Strategic Plan 2026–2030 will be publicly exhibited for 42 days. It may be adopted without a further report if no substantive changes are required.
  Residents have an opportunity to comment on the future direction of local library services.
• Companion animal control procedure adopted
  Council adopted the updated Companion Animal Control Areas procedure and asked staff to investigate whether parts of Barragoot Beach are, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area.
  Could affect where dogs may be exercised and managed, particularly around Barragoot Beach and wildlife-protection areas.
• PFAS testing added to laboratory-services contract
  Council approved adding PFAS sampling to the existing monitoring and laboratory analytical services contract, at an additional annual cost of $79,106.40 including GST, and extended the contract to 30 November 2028 for up to $1,415,240 including GST.
  Supports monitoring for PFAS contamination and commits substantial public expenditure to environmental testing.
• Kiah switchgear and control assembly contract accepted
  Council accepted a contract with LK Power Pty Ltd for the Kiah Switchgear and Control Assembly Upgrade. The confidential tender details were not included in the supplied extract.
  Advances electrical infrastructure works at Kiah, although the public extract does not state the contract value.
• Sewer treatment plant blower tender rejected
  Council rejected all tenders for the Sewer Treatment Plant Blower Renewal and resolved to advise tenderers.
  The project will require a further procurement approach and may be delayed.
• Public Interest Disclosure documents to be exhibited
  Council endorsed draft Public Interest Disclosure Policy 6.26 and Procedure 6.26.01 for 28 days of public exhibition and 42 days for submissions.
  Residents and staff can comment on proposed arrangements for reporting and handling public-interest disclosures.

Discussion

• Transport and road changes
  Council endorsed Local Transport Forum recommendations including no-right-turn restrictions at 47 Merimbula Drive and 3 Sapphire Coast Drive, a part-time bus zone on Sharpe Street, Candelo, a pedestrian crossing and bus-stop relocation on Lamont Street, Bermagui, and temporary event closures in Bermagui and at Christmas on Imlay.
  Drivers, pedestrians, bus users and event attendees may experience changed traffic controls, parking and road access.
• Wastewater and biosolids contract
  Council approved a one-year extension of the Organic Recycle contract for mechanical dewatering and beneficial reuse of biosolids, increasing the revised contract sum to $3,211,547.89 including GST.
  Supports ongoing sewage-biosolids management and commits funding to a major waste-related service.
• Financial reporting and audit
  Council endorsed the preparation and referral of its 2025–26 general-purpose and special-purpose financial reports for external audit.
  Begins the formal audit process for the council’s annual financial results.
• Conduct reviewer panel appointed
  Council appointed a regional panel of conduct reviewers for the period to 30 June 2030, including legal, workplace and governance providers.
  Provides the formal mechanism for handling councillor and council-staff code-of-conduct matters.
• Community engagement strategy amended
  Council adopted an amended Community Engagement Strategy following the statewide Community Participation Plan taking effect on 1 September 2026.
  Changes how planning-related community participation is structured and presented.

Impacts

• Eligible applicants may have access to quicker decisions on water and wastewater consumption-charge reductions up to $50,000.
• Residents can comment on the draft Library Strategic Plan during a 42-day exhibition period.
• Residents can comment on the draft Public Interest Disclosure policy and procedure during the exhibition and submission periods.
• Road, parking, bus-zone and pedestrian-crossing changes are planned in Merimbula, Candelo and Bermagui, alongside temporary event closures.
• The RU2 forestry planning proposal may lead to future changes affecting rural landholders and forestry operations.
• The rejected sewer blower tender may delay renewal works at a sewer treatment plant.

Places

• Bega Valley Shire (local government area)
  Council area covered by the meeting’s planning, infrastructure and service decisions.
• Merimbula (town)
  21 Marine Parade was the subject of a water-charge concession; transport restrictions were also endorsed near Merimbula Drive and Sapphire Coast Drive.
• 21 Marine Parade, Merimbula (property)
  Received a $15,525.60 water consumption charge leniency concession.
• Bermagui (town)
  A dual-occupancy development was approved at 3 Barragoot Street; transport works and temporary event closures were also endorsed.
• 3 Barragoot Street, Bermagui (development site)
  Approved for subdivision into two allotments and two dual-occupancy dwellings.
• Barragoot Beach (beach)
  Staff will investigate possible Wildlife Protection Area classification.
• Candelo (town)
  A part-time bus zone and changes to unrestricted parking were endorsed for Sharpe Street.
• Kiah (locality)
  Switchgear and control assembly upgrade contract accepted.

Next

• Submit the Increase Housing Diversity – Flooding planning proposal for a Gateway determination.
  Following the 23 September 2026 resolution.
• Prepare the RU2 forestry planning proposal and identify required staff resources and funding.
  At the earliest available Council meeting if additional budget approval is required; further timing depends on Gateway.
• Publicly exhibit the draft Library Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
  For 42 days.
• Revise and return the dangerous and menacing dog declaration procedures to Council.
  Future Council meeting; no date specified.
• Investigate possible Wildlife Protection Area status for parts of Barragoot Beach.
  Report back to Council; no date specified.
• Exhibit the draft Public Interest Disclosure Policy and Procedure and consider submissions.
  28-day exhibition and 42-day submission period.
• Re-procure or otherwise address the rejected Sewer Treatment Plant Blower Renewal tender.
  No date specified.

Extract

Bega Valley Shire Council - 1 - DRAFT Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 23 September 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 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 Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Engagement and Corporate Strategy, Mrs Kaliegh Smerdon Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), M...