Ordinary Meeting - 26/05/2026

Topics

• Council backs move towards possible paid parking at key beaches and parks
  Council wants an updated paid parking report covering Mollymook, Huskisson, Hyams Beach and Berry, with a preliminary report due in August and possible rollout for non-residents from December 2026.
  Could change parking access and visitor costs in major tourism areas.
• Council orders return of water testing at Fisherman’s Paradise
  Council resolved to resume water quality testing at Fisherman’s Paradise Boat Ramp and examine why sampling stopped, while also negotiating a lower Captains Call threshold.
  Residents and visitors rely on clear water quality management at a popular recreational area.
• Council supports Brooman State Forest access and forestry jobs
  Council endorsed a strong position supporting ongoing public access to Brooman State Forest, existing forestry management and logging employment stability.
  The stance touches land access, forestry jobs, zoning and possible future restrictions on public use.

Decisions

• Condolence motion for Ballina Marine Rescue volunteers
  Council resolved to write to Ballina Shire Council, Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill, and NSW Marine Rescue Commander Todd Andrews expressing condolences after the fatal incident on the Ballina coastline.
  Shows Council’s formal response to a major regional tragedy and its support for emergency services.
• Ulladulla Physical Culture Club hire fees
  Council agreed to honour the previous Ulladulla Civic Centre hire rate for the club until 31 December 2026, then phase in fee increases over the following three calendar years and notify the club.
  Affects community facility costs and a local sporting/community group’s operating expenses.
• Brooman State Forest access and logging stability
  Council supported a letter seeking permanent community access to Brooman State Forest, continuity of current management, fee-free day visits and camping, protection of logging jobs, and opposition to access restrictions or rezoning changes.
  Directly affects access to local forest areas, forestry employment, road access, and land-use settings.
• Fisherman’s Paradise water testing and Captains Call review
  Council resolved to resume water quality testing at Fisherman’s Paradise Boat Ramp, investigate why surface water sampling stopped, share monitoring reports with local community groups, and negotiate a 0.7m AHD Captains Call with Crown Lands.
  Impacts water quality monitoring, recreation, and environmental management at Lake Conjola/Fisherman’s Paradise.
• Legal and consulting costs for refused development applications
  Council asked the CEO for a detailed report on legal and consultant costs for development applications taken to the Land and Environment Court from December 2019 to December 2024, including firms used and costs per case.
  Improves transparency around development-related legal spending and planning disputes.
• Bay and Basin Sports and Community Hub funding
  Council agreed to provide an $8,000 matching contribution for the initial stage of the Bay and Basin Sports and Community Hub Project, with staff to help identify a funding source.
  Provides seed funding for a community-led sports and community project in the Bay and Basin area.
• Paid parking business case expanded
  Council asked the CEO to update the paid parking report, include Mollymook Beach Car Park, Huskisson car parks, Hyams Beach on-street parking and Boongaree Park Car Park Berry, and bring back a preliminary report in August 2026 for possible non-resident paid parking from December 2026.
  Could lead to new parking charges in major visitor areas and affect tourism, local access and parking management.

Discussion

• Budget increases for fuel and materials
  Council adopted an increase of $1.8 million for fuel costs and $1,997,393 for materials and contracts in the 2026/27 budget.
  Signals rising operating costs that may affect rates, services or future budget settings.
• Water and sewer pricing strategy and financial modelling
  Council requested an updated Shoalhaven Water Pricing Strategy and a revised 20-year financial plan for water and sewer funds, including funding options and grant impacts.
  May influence future water and sewer charges and the timing of major utility projects.
• Business paper items resolved without debate
  Several items, including road closure/dedication at Cumberland Avenue, an acquisition at Abernethy’s Creek Drain in Bomaderry, linen hire for Holiday Haven Parks, affordable housing principles, and the Development Contributions Plan 2026, were adopted without debate.
  Affects local infrastructure, parks operations, housing policy and developer contributions.

Impacts

• Possible future parking fees in major beach and visitor precincts for non-residents.
• Potential changes to water testing and recreational water management at Fisherman’s Paradise and Lake Conjola.
• Continued lower hire rates for the Ulladulla Physical Culture Club through 2026, with staged increases after that.
• A formal stance supporting ongoing public access to Brooman State Forest and protecting associated logging employment.
• Greater transparency on council spending for development-related court cases.
• Additional council funding for a community sports hub project in Bay and Basin.

Places

• Ballina coastline (coastline)
  Location of the Marine Rescue incident prompting the condolence motion.
• Ulladulla Civic Centre (community facility)
  Venue affected by the hire-fee decision for Ulladulla Physical Culture Club.
• Brooman State Forest (state forest)
  Subject of the community access, forestry and zoning motion.
• Fisherman’s Paradise Boat Ramp (boat ramp)
  Site where water quality testing is to resume.
• Lake Conjola (lake/village area)
  Connected to water quality, Captains Call and environmental management motions.
• Mollymook Beach (beach area)
  Included in the proposed paid parking report.
• Huskisson (town/car park area)
  Included in the proposed paid parking report.
• Hyams Beach (beach locality)
  Included in the proposed paid parking report.

Next

• Write condolence letters to Ballina Shire Council and Marine Rescue NSW representatives
  Immediately
• Negotiate phased fee increases with Ulladulla Physical Culture Club and notify the club
  Before 31 December 2026, with annual negotiations from 2027/28/29
• Resume water quality testing at Fisherman’s Paradise Boat Ramp and investigate the testing pause
  Immediately and report back to local community groups
• Prepare a detailed report on legal and consultant costs for Land and Environment Court development matters
  As requested by the CEO
• Provide the $8,000 matching contribution for the Bay and Basin Sports and Community Hub Project
  At the start of the project stage
• Bring back a preliminary paid parking report covering nominated sites
  August 2026
• Consider introducing non-resident paid parking from December 2026
  Following Council’s August 2026 review
• Prepare updated water/sewer pricing and financial modelling
  Target consideration by Council in September 2026

Extract

Minutes Confirmed Monday 29 June 2026 – Chairperson .................................................................................. Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 26 May 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 (Remote) 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 (including presentations and deba...