Council - 28 Jan 2026 2:00pm

Key decisions

• Bundian Way project fee waiver to be publicly exhibited
  Council agreed to waive all current and future UPL fees for Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council's Bundian Way project and place the waiver on public exhibition for 28 days, with implementation to proceed if no objections are received.
  Supports a local Aboriginal tourism and cultural project in Eden, subject to public exhibition requirements.
• CEO authorised to investigate alternative recycling processing arrangements
  Council delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to investigate alternative facilities for processing Council's co-mingled recycling and explore preferred contractual arrangements. Any draft legal agreement or contract variation must return to Council.
  Could affect how household recycling is processed across the shire and may influence future service arrangements and costs.
• Bega–Littleton exchange program MOU delegated
  Council delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to enter into a new memorandum of understanding with the Bega Littleton Citizens Exchange group to support the exchange program.
  Maintains support for the local exchange program linked to Bega.
• Wolumla flood study and plan to go on exhibition
  Council approved public exhibition of the draft Wolumla Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for at least 28 days, with a further report to return to Council after submissions are received.
  Important for residents and property owners in Wolumla concerned about flood risk, future mitigation and planning.
• Camel Rock Road safety actions adopted
  Council adopted Local Traffic Facility recommendations to install 'Drive to Conditions' or pedestrian warning signage on Camel Rock Road and advised that any speed zone review must be requested through the Transport for NSW portal.
  Affects road safety and traffic concerns for drivers, pedestrians and nearby residents at Camel Rock.
• Five-year preschool lease approved at Tathra
  Council approved a further five-year lease to Tathra Children's Services Incorporated over part Lot 1 DP 1125988 at Tathra for preschool use, with annual rent of $1,432.32 plus GST and CPI, increasing annually by CPI.
  Provides continuity for preschool services in Tathra.
• Compulsory land acquisition approved for road realignment
  Council resolved to proceed with compulsory acquisition of multiple lots in DP 1312022 for road realignment, seek required Ministerial and Governor approval, pursue Crown Lands consent where needed, and give notice to classify vested land as operational land.
  Enables a future road realignment project, with implications for nearby landowners and road users.
• Code of Meeting Practice adopted
  Council adopted the updated Code of Meeting Practice after noting a submission received during the process.
  Sets the rules for how Council meetings are conducted and how the public can engage with them.
• Quarterly budget review adopted
  Council received and noted the December 2025 quarterly budget review statement and adopted the budget recommendations in the attachment.
  Affects Council's current-year budget settings and spending priorities.
• Eden maritime precinct MOU delegated
  Council delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Transport for NSW, Port Authority of NSW, and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council for the Snug Cove Maritime Precinct.
  May shape future planning and coordination for the Eden waterfront and port precinct.

Important topics

• Development assessment service review
  Council noted the development assessment service review and recommendations, with a detailed implementation roadmap to be prepared in early 2026. Budget implications are to be considered in FY27 budget and long-term financial planning.
  Could influence how development applications are assessed and resourced.
• Affordable housing strategy actions
  Council noted Affordable Housing Implementation Group minutes from June and September 2025 and will consider reviewing and updating strategy actions during FY27 budget deliberations.
  Signals future work on housing affordability policy and implementation.
• Audit, risk and investments oversight
  Council noted the December 2025 ARIC quarterly report and the investment position as at 31 December 2025, including certification by the Responsible Accounting Officer.
  Relevant to financial governance and oversight of public funds.
• Tracking implementation of council resolutions
  Council requested quarterly update reports on progress in implementing Council resolutions, noted current progress, and endorsed completed resolutions.
  Improves transparency and follow-through on Council decisions.
• One infrastructure report deferred
  Council deferred one infrastructure report listed as item 9.1 in the minutes extract.
  A decision on that matter has been postponed, delaying any related outcome.

Resident impacts

• Residents in Wolumla will be able to comment on the draft floodplain risk study and plan during public exhibition.
• Recycling service arrangements may change in future as Council investigates alternative co-mingled recycling processing options.
• Families in Tathra gain greater certainty over ongoing preschool operations through a new five-year lease.
• People using Camel Rock Road may see new warning signage rather than immediate speed zone changes.
• The Bundian Way project in Eden may receive ongoing Council fee relief if no objections are received after exhibition.
• Council's FY27 budget process is likely to include possible changes tied to development assessment improvements and affordable housing actions.
• Future planning for the Snug Cove Maritime Precinct in Eden will be supported through a multi-agency memorandum of understanding.

Places affected

• Eden (town)
  Bundian Way project fee waiver and Snug Cove Maritime Precinct memorandum of understanding.
• Snug Cove Maritime Precinct (project area)
  Council authorised an MOU involving Transport for NSW, Port Authority of NSW and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council.
• Wolumla (locality)
  Draft Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan to be publicly exhibited.
• Camel Rock Road (road)
  Traffic and pedestrian warning signage actions adopted.
• Camel Rock (locality)
  Car park and pedestrian access concerns considered through Local Traffic Facility recommendations.
• Tathra (town)
  Five-year preschool lease approved for Tathra Children's Services Incorporated.
• Bega (town)
  New memorandum of understanding to support the Bega Littleton Citizens Exchange program.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit the proposed Bundian Way project fee waiver and implement it if no objections are received.
  28-day exhibition period
• Prepare a detailed implementation roadmap for the development assessment service review recommendations.
  Early 2026
• Bring any draft recycling processing legal agreement or contract variation back to Council.
  After CEO investigation
• Exhibit the draft Wolumla Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and return a further report to Council after submissions.
  At least 28 days, then future council meeting
• Consider development assessment and affordable housing budget implications in FY27 budget deliberations.
  FY27 budget process
• Provide quarterly reports on progress implementing Council resolutions.
  Quarterly

Extracted minutes text

Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 28 January 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), Mrs Jackie Grant Statement of Commencemen...