Ordinary Meeting - 25/08/2026

Topics

• Flood plans adopted for St Georges Basin and Lower Shoalhaven River
  Council has adopted two catchment-wide flood-risk management plans, while stressing that they do not immediately change development controls.
  Residents and property owners in flood-prone areas gain a formal framework for future mitigation and planning decisions.
• 2,363-signature petition challenges future of Werninck Cottage
  A large community petition called for an immediate halt to any reclassification, disposal or sale process affecting Werninck Cottage and demanded long-term public tenure.
  The dispute concerns a locally listed heritage building used by craftspeople, volunteers, residents and visitors.
• Council keeps Anker Avenue Reserve community-asset campaign on the agenda
  Residents lodged a 786-signature petition seeking retention of Anker Avenue Reserve as a community asset under CISP 2056.
  The petition signals organised local concern about the future status of a Mollymook reserve.

Decisions

• Flood-risk plans adopted for St Georges Basin and Lower Shoalhaven River
  Council adopted the 2026 Rhelm Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan for the St Georges Basin catchment and the Lower Shoalhaven River catchment. The resolutions state that adoption does not itself change the Development Control Plan; any future development-control changes must follow a separate legislated consultation process.
  Provides a framework for managing future flood risk and may inform later planning and development-control changes in affected catchments.
• 2026–2027 meeting schedule approved
  Council adopted a schedule of one Ordinary Council Meeting generally on the fourth Tuesday of each month from September 2026 to October 2027. Meetings will not generally occur during specified public holiday and Christmas/New Year periods. September’s meeting will begin at 5.30pm, with a workshop to consider starting times for future Ordinary Meetings. Broadcast public forums will generally be held on the third Thursday of each month at 5.00pm.
  Sets when residents can attend or watch meetings and provides a regular public forum opportunity.
• Updated Code of Meeting Practice adopted
  Council adopted the 2026 Draft Code of Meeting Practice following public exhibition, including amendments reflecting changes to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and a provision requiring the CEO to explain why agenda business was not included and what assistance was offered to the mover.
  Changes how council business is placed on agendas and improves transparency around excluded items.
• Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan released for consultation
  Council endorsed the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027–2030 for 34 days of public exhibition and requested a later report on community feedback. It amended the draft so the Universal Principles Design Guide applies to all new Council building constructions.
  Residents can comment on the plan and the amendment may strengthen accessibility requirements for new Council buildings.
• Rescission of proposed council-land sale resolution defeated
  A motion to rescind the previous resolution MIN26.240 concerning the proposed sale of Council land was defeated on the Chair’s casting vote.
  The previous land-sale resolution was not rescinded at this meeting; the source does not provide the final property or sale details.
• Acquisition and disposal of land policy to return after public workshop
  Council rescinded the earlier resolution on the proposed Acquisition & Disposal of Land policy and resolved to hold a public workshop before the policy returns for a decision.
  Residents and stakeholders will have an additional opportunity to understand and comment on the policy before final consideration.
• Road reserves transferred to National Parks and Wildlife Service
  Council approved the transfer and dedication to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of unformed road reserves comprising parts of Duncan Street, The Wool Road, Argyle Street, Albion Street and Montague Street in the Bay and Basin Leisure Centre area.
  Changes the public-road status and management of specified unformed road reserves in the Vincentia area.

Discussion

• Community petitions over Werninck Cottage and Anker Avenue Reserve
  Council received a petition with 2,363 signatures opposing any reclassification, disposal or sale process affecting Werninck Cottage in Nowra and seeking continued public ownership and community use. A separate petition with 786 signatures asked Council to retain Anker Avenue Reserve, Mollymook, as a community asset under the Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan 2056.
  Shows substantial community opposition to potential changes affecting two local community assets.
• Quarterly performance reporting
  Council received the June quarterly report on the 2022–26 Delivery Program and 2025/26 Operational Plan and resolved to publish it on Council’s website. It also noted changes to public performance reporting commencing in 2026/27.
  Provides residents with access to Council’s delivery and operational performance information.

Impacts

• Flood-risk planning will guide future risk management in the St Georges Basin and Lower Shoalhaven River catchments.
• Residents will have monthly broadcast public forums, generally on the third Thursday at 5.00pm, and Ordinary Meetings generally on the fourth Tuesday.
• The Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027–2030 is open for 34 days of public feedback.
• The proposed Acquisition & Disposal of Land policy will be discussed at a public workshop before returning to Council.
• The Werninck Cottage and Anker Avenue Reserve petitions place the future of community assets before Council.

Places

• St Georges Basin (catchment and locality)
  Covered by the adopted Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.
• Lower Shoalhaven River (river catchment)
  Covered by the adopted Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan.
• Nowra (city)
  Werninck Cottage is identified as a locally listed heritage building and community facility in Nowra.
• Werninck Cottage (heritage building and community facility)
  Subject of a 2,363-signature petition seeking continued public ownership and community use.
• Anker Avenue Reserve, Mollymook (reserve)
  Subject of a 786-signature petition seeking retention as a community asset.
• Vincentia (town)
  Unformed road reserves near the Bay and Basin Leisure Centre were transferred to NPWS.
• Duncan Street, The Wool Road, Argyle Street, Albion Street and Montague Street (roads and road reserves)
  Parts of these roads were approved for transfer and dedication to NPWS.

Next

• Conduct the 34-day public exhibition of the Draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2027–2030 and report community feedback to Council.
  Following endorsement at the meeting; feedback report after the exhibition period.
• Hold a public workshop on the proposed Acquisition & Disposal of Land policy.
  Before the policy returns to Council for decision.
• Publish the June quarterly performance report on Council’s website.
  Following the meeting.
• Implement the adopted monthly meeting and public forum schedule, subject to the approved exceptions and September starting-time workshop.
  From September 2026 through October 2027.
• Complete statutory documentation and Government Gazette publication for the road-reserve dedication to NPWS.
  After the resolution, in accordance with legislative requirements.

Extract

Minutes Confirmed Tuesday 22 September 2026 – Chairperson ........................................................................ Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 Location: Council Chambers, City Administrative Building, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 5:30 PM The following members were present: Clr Peter Wilkins – Deputy Chairperson 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) A statement was played advising those present that the proceedings of this meeting (including presentations...