Council - 6 May 2026 2:00pm

Article-worthy topics

• Deferred planning proposal matter withdrawn for later report
  Council withdrew determination of a planning proposal for deferred matters so staff can resolve issues identified after publication of the business paper before returning it to a future meeting.
  A planning decision was delayed, meaning affected residents will need to wait for a revised report and future council consideration.

Key decisions

• Planning reporting changes noted
  Council noted development application lodgement and assessment statistics information and decided future reporting would be incorporated into quarterly Delivery Plan updates, with a focus on NSW Planning League Table data only.
  Residents will see planning performance reporting presented less often as a standalone item and in a more standardised format.
• Deferred planning proposal matter withdrawn for later report
  Council withdrew determination of a planning proposal for deferred matters so staff can resolve issues identified after publication of the business paper before returning it to a future meeting.
  A planning decision was delayed, meaning affected residents will need to wait for a revised report and future council consideration.
• CEO authorised to negotiate private-land works for Central Waste Facility power upgrade
  Council noted power upgrade works are needed on private land to support future development of the Central Waste Facility and delegated negotiation authority to the Chief Executive Officer.
  This advances enabling works for the future waste facility project and may affect nearby landowners involved in negotiations.
• Enviro One sewer parts and servicing contract approved without open tender
  Council resolved that inviting tenders would not achieve a satisfactory result for specialist parts and servicing for existing Enviro One pressure sewer assets, and approved a non-exclusive four-year agreement with Enviro One Services Pty Ltd, subject to review and negotiation.
  This supports continuity of sewer system maintenance for areas served by existing Enviro One pressure sewer infrastructure.
• Water and sewer chemicals tender accepted
  Council accepted all tenders for RFT 2425-052 Supply of chemicals to Water and Sewer Services up to an annual ceiling amount of $560,000 including GST, and delegated contract execution to the CEO.
  This helps maintain ongoing treatment operations for water and sewer services across the shire.
• Cobargo drainage easement and land acquisition steps approved
  Council agreed to contribute to survey costs for a drainage easement at 8–10 Cobargo Bermagui Road, negotiate acquisition of an interest in land at 2 Cobargo Bermagui Road, and if needed proceed by compulsory acquisition under the Just Terms framework.
  This supports drainage infrastructure delivery in Cobargo and may directly affect the adjoining landowners and nearby properties.
• Applications approved for Eden Kindergarten Reserve changes
  Council resolved to apply to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to revoke Council’s appointment as Crown Land Manager of Eden Kindergarten Reserve 89653 and to add Community Purposes as an additional reserve purpose.
  This may change future management arrangements and permitted community use of the Eden Kindergarten Reserve.
• Draft budget and long-term planning documents placed on exhibition
  Council placed the draft Delivery Plan 2026-2030, Long Term Financial Plan 2026-2035, Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026-2030, Revenue Policy 2026-2027, and Fees and Charges 2026-2027 on public exhibition from 7 May to 5 June 2026, with four town meetings and one webinar.
  Residents have a formal chance to review and comment on council priorities, finances, asset plans, fees and charges before adoption.
• Council to seek full NSW funding for bridge project with heritage-sensitive design
  Council resolved to write to the NSW Government seeking full funding for a bridge project on the condition it proceed as a bridge based on the two-lane hybrid structure, using design option 2 presented on 12 November 2025, with heritage-valuing elements including decorative timber, attached shared pathway and handrails. The CEO was delegated to negotiate and implement a revised funding deed.
  This could shape the final form, heritage treatment and funding arrangements of a significant local bridge project.

Important topics

• Bournda quarry petition formally acknowledged
  Council recorded a valid petition signed by 949 people seeking rejection of Development Application 2021.360 for a quarry and rock processing industry at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Bournda. Council had previously deferred the DA decision pending a supplementary report addressing matters raised at the 22 April 2026 public forum.
  Residents concerned about the quarry should expect the application to return to council after further staff reporting.
• Climate resilience motion was lost
  A notice of motion seeking stronger climate resilience acknowledgement, ongoing use of best available science and a CSIRO briefing was put to the vote and lost.
  No new climate-resilience direction or briefing requirement was adopted at this meeting.
• Merimbula CBD traffic trial monitoring discussed
  In questions without notice, staff said temporary traffic devices in Merimbula will be monitored, a report will come back to council, and there is no intention to remove measures that are working. Beautification works and detailed design are also planned around the temporary facilities.
  Merimbula residents and businesses can expect monitoring and later council review of the trial before permanent decisions are made.
• Bega saleyards roof update expected
  In response to a question, staff advised a report on the proposed roof for the Bega saleyards will come to council at the end of the month.
  People connected to saleyards operations can expect a further public update soon.

Resident impacts

• Residents can comment on council’s draft plans, finances, fees and charges during public exhibition from 7 May to 5 June 2026.
• The Bournda quarry development application remains undecided pending a supplementary report.
• Cobargo landowners may be affected by drainage easement and acquisition processes tied to local infrastructure works.
• Areas using Enviro One pressure sewer systems should benefit from continued specialist servicing support.
• Merimbula CBD traffic trial changes will be monitored and may become permanent if successful.

Places affected

• Bournda (locality)
  Petition and deferred development application for proposed quarry and rock processing industry at 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive.
• Cobargo (town)
  Drainage easement survey and land acquisition actions at Cobargo Bermagui Road properties.
• Eden (town)
  Reserve management and reserve purpose applications for Eden Kindergarten Reserve 89653.
• Merimbula CBD (town centre)
  Traffic trial monitoring, temporary traffic devices and beautification works.
• Bega (town)
  Proposed roof update for Bega saleyards and meeting location.
• Bermagui (town)
  One of the locations for community meetings on draft plans during public exhibition.
• Sapphire Coast Drive, Bournda (road/address area)
  Site of the proposed quarry development application.
• Cobargo Bermagui Road, Cobargo (road)
  Properties affected by drainage easement and land acquisition decisions.

Next steps

• Prepare and present a supplementary report on the Bournda quarry development application
  When completed; to a future council meeting
• Return the withdrawn planning proposal matter to council after issues are resolved
  Future council meeting
• Negotiate arrangements for private-land public works linked to the Central Waste Facility power upgrade
  Upcoming project stage
• Open public exhibition for draft Delivery Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, Strategic Asset Management Plan, Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges
  7 May 2026 to 5 June 2026
• Hold four community meetings and one webinar on the draft plans
  May 2026
• Bring final reports on submissions and adoption of exhibited plans back to council
  22 June 2026 council meeting
• Write to the NSW Government seeking full funding for the bridge project and negotiate a revised funding deed
  Following the meeting resolution
• Report back on Merimbula CBD traffic trials after monitoring
  Future report to council

Extracted minutes text

DRAFT Ordinary Meeting Minutes Held on Wednesday 6 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 Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Engagement and Corporate Strategy, Mrs Kaliegh Smerdon Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant Statement of Commenceme...