Council - 27 May 2026 2:00pm

Topics

• Council backs alternate Merimbula CBD plan after split vote
  Councillors approved an alternate approach to the Merimbula CBD project, redirecting funding towards Beach Street upgrades and two roundabouts while deferring broader traffic and public-space changes.
  This will shape traffic flow, parking, streetscape works and business conditions in Merimbula CBD, and it followed a clear split vote.
• Cemetery reservation rules tightened across four cemeteries
  Council moved to stop new conventional burial plot reservations at Bega, Bermagui, Eden and Pambula while contacting existing holders and offering refunds for relinquished rights.
  Families with burial reservations and cemetery users will be directly affected, and the decision signals pressure on cemetery space.
• Merimbula Tennis Club lease locked in for 20 years
  Council approved a long-term lease renewal for Merimbula Tennis Club without a new valuation, keeping rent tied to CPI.
  This secures the club’s tenure and affects local sports infrastructure use for two decades.

Decisions

• Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan put on public exhibition
  Council approved public exhibition of the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026-2030 for 28 days; if no changes are needed afterwards it can be adopted, otherwise staff must return with a further report.
  Residents and advocacy groups can review and comment on accessibility and inclusion priorities before the plan is finalised.
• Development application approved at 61 Dilkera Road, Tathra
  Council approved Development Application 2026.29 for a two-storey dwelling with attached garage and detached shed at Lot 1 DP 758955, subject to consent conditions.
  Affects local development at Tathra and shows the outcome of a specific planning approval.
• Comprehensive DCP Review Stage 1 to be re-exhibited
  Council decided to re-exhibit the Stage 1 draft DCP amendments for 21 days, meet with development professionals during the exhibition period, and receive a further report after re-exhibition; a two-month lead-in before commencement was also to be considered.
  May affect future development standards, approvals and compliance timing across the shire.
• Cemetery reservation management changes endorsed
  Council endorsed steps to improve use of cemetery space, including contacting reservation holders, inviting relinquishment of unused plots, refunding original interment fees where appropriate, and ceasing new conventional burial plot reservations at Bega, Bermagui, Eden and Pambula cemeteries.
  Impacts burial plot availability, cemetery policy and families with existing reservation rights.
• Merimbula Tennis Club lease renewed for 20 years
  Council approved renewal of the lease to Merimbula Tennis Club Incorporated for 20 years by direct negotiation, without a new valuation, with the current rent continuing subject to annual CPI increases.
  Secures long-term occupation arrangements for a local sporting facility in Merimbula.
• Alternate Merimbula CBD project proposal supported
  Council resolved to reallocate current grant funding towards Beach Street landscape and road upgrades, proceed only with two roundabouts on the main traffic route, add minor Hylands Corner upgrades, and put draft designs on public exhibition for 28 days before construction begins; the motion passed 3-6.
  Will influence traffic flow, parking, streetscape design and public space changes in Merimbula CBD.
• CEO performance review process approved in closed session
  Council resolved in closed session to undertake a performance review of the Chief Executive Officer before deciding on any new contract, with the review to be facilitated externally and a further closed report to follow.
  Affects senior council leadership and governance, but with limited direct day-to-day resident impact.

Discussion

• Petition on Merimbula CBD alternate plans
  A petition with 52 signatures from the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce was tabled, seeking support for an alternate CBD plan including a roundabout at Sapphire Drive/Main Street, retention of the Park Street and Monaro Street southern entry, and retention of two-way traffic on Beach Street.
  Shows community and business concern about the CBD traffic trial and road layout changes.
• Legal matters moved into closed session
  Item 10.1 legal matters update was moved to confidential business because it involved privileged legal advice.
  No public detail was released, so the direct resident impact cannot be assessed.
• Investment and quarterly governance reports noted
  Council received and noted the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee quarterly report, the April 2026 investment report, and the Delivery Plan 2025-2029 quarterly progress report.
  These are routine governance updates with limited immediate service impact.

Impacts

• Public feedback will be sought on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
• A new dwelling was approved in Tathra, affecting local development activity.
• The DCP review may change future development rules and adaptation timeframes for builders and professionals.
• Unused cemetery burial plot reservations may be reviewed, refunded or ended at several cemeteries.
• Merimbula Tennis Club will keep its site under a renewed long-term lease.
• Merimbula CBD traffic, parking and streetscape works may be reshaped, with a new public exhibition period before construction.

Places

• Merimbula CBD (town centre / project area)
  Central focus of the alternate traffic and streetscape proposal, petition and conflict of interest declaration.
• Beach Street (street)
  Targeted for landscape and road upgrades in the alternate Merimbula CBD project proposal.
• Main Street (street)
  Part of the proposed roundabout and CBD traffic arrangement for Merimbula.
• Sapphire Drive (road)
  Proposed roundabout location in the Merimbula CBD traffic trial/alternate plan.
• Hylands Corner (location)
  Identified for minor landscape and safety upgrades within the Merimbula CBD proposal.
• Tathra (town)
  Location of the approved development application at 61 Dilkera Road.
• Bega, Bermagui, Eden and Pambula cemeteries (facilities)
  Cemeteries affected by the decision to cease new conventional burial plot reservations.
• Merimbula (town)
  Location of the Merimbula Tennis Club lease and broader CBD planning issue.

Next

• Exhibit the draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 28 days and report back if changes are required.
  Immediately following the meeting / after the 28-day exhibition
• Process DA 2026.29 consent and notify the applicant and submitters.
  Following the resolution
• Re-exhibit Stage 1 DCP drafts for 21 days and meet with the development professionals group.
  During the re-exhibition period
• Return a report on cemetery reservation take-up and possible fee mechanisms.
  In 6 months
• Prepare detailed designs for the Beach Street works and place them on public exhibition for 28 days.
  Before any construction begins
• Bring a further closed-session report on the CEO performance review outcomes.
  After the review is completed

Extract

Bega Valley Shire Council - 1 - DRAFT Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 27 May 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 Acting Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Rickee Marshall Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming...