Ordinary Meeting - 24/03/2026

Topics

• Council called in Sussex Inlet childcare centre proposal
  A childcare centre proposal for Kingsbarns Lane will be decided by council after being called in due to public interest.
  It puts a locally significant development application into the spotlight and may affect traffic, amenity and child-care capacity in Sussex Inlet.
• Woollamia Boat Ramp hardstand rules to be rewritten
  Council will define how the Woollamia Boat Ramp hardstand and loading wharf are used, with items to be removed and users consulted.
  This could change access and operations for recreational and commercial marine users in the area.
• Council ordered to respond to state Performance Improvement Order
  Shoalhaven Council has been placed under a Performance Improvement Order and must report back on compliance steps.
  This is a significant governance issue that may affect council operations, reporting and public confidence.

Decisions

• Performance Improvement Order noted and implementation authorised
  Council tabled and noted Performance Improvement Order A998905 served by the Minister for Local Government, authorised the Chief Executive Officer to work with the Office of Local Government to implement required actions, and requested follow-up reports on compliance.
  This affects how council is governed and how quickly it must respond to state oversight, which can influence service delivery and council decision-making.
• DCP changes for medium density landscaping and parking controls
  Council amended the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014 to strengthen landscaping requirements and clarify parking rules, including deeper soil landscaping targets, parking behind the building line, and clearer wording on what counts as a bedroom.
  These planning changes affect how new medium-density housing is designed and assessed across the Shoalhaven.
• Woollamia Boat Ramp hardstand use to be clarified and managed
  Council agreed to establish and publish the purpose and use of the Woollamia Boat Ramp hardstand areas, remove surplus items, consult with users, develop operating procedures for the hardstands and loading wharf, and report back within three months.
  This may change access, storage and operating arrangements for boat users, marine businesses and clubs at Woollamia.
• Childcare DA at Sussex Inlet called in for council consideration
  Council called in DA2026/1106 for a two-storey childcare centre for 39 children at Kingsbarns Lane, Sussex Inlet, citing considerable public interest.
  Residents in Sussex Inlet will see the proposal considered directly by council rather than proceeding only through the usual development pathway.
• Council to report on GIPA, conduct and related costs
  Council resolved to prepare a report on GIPA request volumes, costs, code of conduct matters, and associated staff and legal costs, and also to submit a motion to LGNSW seeking higher fees for formal GIPA requests.
  This may affect transparency processes, administrative costs and future public access arrangements.

Discussion

• Big Spotty Flora Reserve motion defeated
  A motion to seek creation of a Big Spotty Flora Reserve in North Brooman State Forest and improve visitor access was lost.
  Environmental protection and tourism advocacy for the area will not proceed through this motion.
• Kerb and gutter policy review proposed
  Council asked the CEO to consider a revised policy for unscheduled kerb and guttering works, using the old policy as a guide.
  This could affect how residents request and receive local drainage and street-edge works.
• Financial Review Panel minutes and Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre review
  Council noted the Financial Review Panel minutes and placed the Shoalhaven Exhibition Centre EOI on hold while broader strategic planning, including a nearby hotel and possible co-location of council services, is explored.
  This may affect the timing and future use of the entertainment centre precinct and related commercial opportunities.
• Southern Water Services board appointment confirmed
  Council appointed the Director - City Performance as Board Director of Southern Water Services Pty Ltd.
  This is a governance decision relevant to the local water business and utility oversight.
• Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation advocacy letter approved
  Council asked the CEO to write to the Minister confirming support for ISJO and asking the NSW Government to consider expanding its model to include the Macarthur and Southern Highland regions.
  This may shape regional advocacy and inter-council collaboration affecting major projects and funding priorities.

Impacts

• Medium-density developments may face stricter landscaping and parking expectations.
• The Sussex Inlet childcare proposal will receive direct council scrutiny because it was called in.
• Woollamia Boat Ramp users may see new operating rules, storage changes and consultation with regular users.
• Council will have to act on the Performance Improvement Order, which may affect governance, reporting and service priorities.
• Residents using GIPA and related complaint processes may be affected by new cost reporting and possible fee advocacy.

Places

• Shoalhaven (local government area)
  Council-wide governance, planning and compliance decisions
• Woollamia Boat Ramp (facility)
  Hardstand and loading wharf operating procedures
• Sussex Inlet (town)
  DA2026/1106 childcare centre call-in
• Kingsbarns Lane (road)
  Site of the called-in childcare development application
• North Brooman State Forest (state forest)
  Proposed Big Spotty Flora Reserve
• Big Spotty (environmental site)
  Subject of reserve and access advocacy
• Nowra Hill (locality)
  Referenced in water and sewer tender item
• West Nowra (locality)
  Referenced in water and sewer tender item

Next

• Chief Executive Officer to implement the Performance Improvement Order and report progress back to council
  As soon as required by the order; further reports to come
• Council staff to progress DCP wording changes through the next planning process
  Before public exhibition, after professional review
• CEO to enact the Woollamia Boat Ramp resolution and report back
  Within three months
• Council assessment of DA2026/1106 to proceed as a called-in application
  Following the council call-in
• CEO to prepare a detailed report on GIPA requests, costs and conduct matters
  Future meeting date not specified

Extract

Minutes Confirmed Tuesday 28 April 2026 – Chairperson .................................................................................. Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026 Location: The Studio, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 5.30pm The following members were present: Mayor Patricia White - Chairperson Clr Debbie Killian Clr Gillian Boyd Clr Jemma Tribe Clr Ben Krikstolaitis Clr Matthew Norris Clr Karlee Dunn (Remotely) Clr Peter Wilkins Clr Bob Proudfoot Clr Luciano Casmiri Clr Selena Clancy Clr Brett Steele Clr Denise Kemp A statement was played advising those present that the proceedings of this meeting (includin...