Extra Ordinary Meeting - 30/04/2026

Article-worthy topics

• Draft plans, budget and fees put on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges for 28 days of public exhibition.
  Residents will be able to review the proposed budget, services, projects and fees and provide feedback before final adoption.

Key decisions

• Draft plans, budget and fees put on public exhibition
  Council endorsed the Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges for 28 days of public exhibition.
  Residents will be able to review the proposed budget, services, projects and fees and provide feedback before final adoption.
• General rates increase set at maximum 3.1%
  Council approved the maximum 2026/27 general rates rate-peg increase allowed by the Minister under Section 506 of the Local Government Act 1993, increasing total rates levied by 3.1%.
  This affects council rates payable by ratepayers in 2026/27.
• Existing rating structure retained
  Council resolved to keep the 2025/26 rating structure approach using both base and ad valorem amounts.
  Ratepayers will continue under the same general rating method, with the increase applied within that structure.
• Reserve funds released to unrestricted General Fund
  Council approved releasing the remaining balances of the Strategic Projects Reserve, Industrial Land Reserve and Financial Sustainability Review Reserve to unrestricted General Fund cash from 1 July 2026.
  This changes how council can use those reserve funds to support broader general fund finances.
• General Fund loans to be paid down
  Council approved paying down the unrestricted General Fund portions of loan 1241 and loan 1242 using unrestricted cash at the due dates of the first minimum payments in FY2026/27.
  This is a financial management decision intended to reduce loan obligations and interest exposure.
• Hardship support to continue
  Council noted that interest charges will continue to be waived for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship, with assistance available under Council's Hardship Policy.
  Eligible residents struggling to pay rates may continue to access relief from interest charges.

Important topics

• Community feedback report to return in June 2026
  Council will receive a report in June 2026 on feedback from the community about the draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan, Budget and Fees and Charges.
  Public submissions may influence the final budget, fees and service priorities.
• Plant and Fleet notices of motion responses noted
  Council received and noted responses provided in Attachment 4 to outstanding Plant and Fleet Notices of Motion.
  This relates to council fleet and plant management, though no direct service change was detailed in the extract.
• Business rating categories mentioned in rate application
  The minutes state the 3.1% rate-peg increase will be applied across Council's rating structure, with an exception reference to the Business Nowra [CBD] sub-category and the Business Commercial/Industrial category in the extracted text.
  Some business rate categories may be treated differently within the approved rating structure, but the extract is incomplete on the final wording.

Resident impacts

• Residents can review and comment on the draft budget, fees, services and projects during the 28-day exhibition period.
• General rates will increase by 3.1% in 2026/27.
• Ratepayers in financial hardship can continue to seek waiver of interest charges under Council's Hardship Policy.
• Final decisions on the draft program, budget and fees are expected after community feedback is reported in June 2026.

Places affected

• Nowra CBD (suburb/centre)
  Mentioned in the extracted rating sub-category wording as Business Nowra [CBD].
• Shoalhaven (local government area)
  Council-wide budget, rates, fees and operational planning decisions affect the local government area.
• Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre (facility)
  Meeting location where the extraordinary meeting was held.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit the Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft 2026/27 Operational Plan, Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges for 28 days
  After the 30 April 2026 meeting
• Release remaining balances of specified reserves to unrestricted General Fund cash
  1 July 2026
• Pay down the unrestricted General Fund portions of loan 1241 and loan 1242 using unrestricted cash
  On the due dates of the first minimum payments in FY2026/27
• Receive a report on community feedback on the draft plans, budget and fees
  June 2026

Extracted minutes text

Minutes Confirmed Tuesday 26 May 2026 – Chairperson .................................................................................. Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026 Location: Studio Room, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Time: 5:30 PM The following members were present: Mayor Patricia White - Chairperson Clr Peter Wilkins Clr Debbie Killian Clr Gillian Boyd Clr Jemma Tribe Clr Ben Krikstolaitis Clr Matthew Norris Clr Karlee Dunn Clr Bob Proudfoot Clr Luciano Casmiri Clr Selena Clancy Clr Brett Steele Clr Denise Kemp (Remotely) The Chairperson read a statement advising those present that the proceedings of this meeting (including p...