Ordinary Meeting - 27/10/2026

Topics

• Council backs regional affordable-housing contributions scheme
  Shoalhaven will work with neighbouring councils and the NSW Government on a regional developer-contributions scheme, while advocating for implementation to be brought forward to 2026–2028.
  The scheme could affect future housing supply, development costs and funding for affordable housing.
• Council seeks pathways for tiny and small-footprint homes
  A new report will examine whether planning and approval pathways can support compliant tiny, mobile and small-footprint homes in Shoalhaven.
  The work could open lower-cost housing options while addressing servicing, bushfire, flooding and environmental constraints.
• Youth Advisory Committee to be replaced by Youth Impact Project
  Council will disestablish its Youth Advisory Committee and introduce a youth-led, place-based engagement program.
  The change affects how young people influence Council projects and policy across the local government area.

Decisions

• Regional affordable-housing contributions scheme
  Council endorsed pursuing a regional affordable-housing development contributions scheme with councils and the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and advocating for implementation in 2026–2028. A separate Shoalhaven-specific scheme was to continue pending further consideration of the regional approach.
  May influence future housing supply, development costs and affordable-housing delivery across the region.
• Affordable-housing provider agreements
  Council endorsed preparing collaboration agreements with Southern Cross Housing, The Housing Trust and Landcom, and updating the agreement with Homes NSW.
  Could support additional affordable and social-housing projects in Shoalhaven.
• Tiny and small-footprint housing review
  Council requested a report on ways to facilitate compliant tiny, mobile and small-footprint homes, including planning, servicing, environmental, bushfire, flooding and safety requirements.
  May create new housing options while clarifying approval pathways and constraints.
• Youth Advisory Committee replaced
  The Youth Advisory Committee will be disestablished from 1 December 2026 and replaced by the youth-led, place-based Youth Impact Project. A report on implementation and effectiveness is due in January 2028.
  Young people will be engaged through a new model intended to broaden participation across the local government area.
• Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy adopted
  Council adopted the policy following public exhibition, with an amendment concerning Chief Executive Officer decision-making, and authorised supporting procedures, training and communications.
  Sets how Council will manage unreasonable conduct in customer interactions.
• Local Preference Policy retained
  Council endorsed the Local Preference Policy without change. Its effectiveness and financial impact will be reassessed in four years.
  Maintains current arrangements affecting how Council considers local suppliers and businesses.
• New Chief Executive Officer performance review panel
  Council disestablished the Senior Staff Contractual Matters Committee and established a Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Panel, with authority to conduct the performance review and consider external facilitation.
  Changes oversight arrangements for the Council’s chief executive.
• Off-leash dog area opened at Badagarang
  From 31 October 2026, the fenced Stage 3 Open Space area at the corner of Taylors Lane and Runway Street, Badagarang, was declared an off-leash area during daylight hours, seven days a week.
  Provides a new designated dog exercise area and clarifies where dogs may be off leash.
• Princes Highway shared-user-path land acquisition
  Council approved negotiated acquisition of approximately 616 square metres in Bomaderry for road purposes and authorised compulsory acquisition if agreement cannot be reached after at least six months of negotiations.
  Supports delivery of a shared-user-path project and may affect the identified landowners.
• Huskisson jetty licence to be discontinued
  Council requested discontinuation of Crown Lands Licence RI 571366 for the jetty adjoining Admiralty Crescent. Management of the jetty and berthing areas will revert to Crown Lands unless another arrangement is established.
  May affect future management, maintenance and berthing arrangements at the jetty.
• Finance and Infrastructure Review Panel recruitment deferred
  Council accepted resignations from three community members, decided to review the panel’s terms of reference and deferred recruitment until that review is complete.
  May delay appointment of new community representatives to the panel.

Discussion

• Swimming-pool operating seasons
  A motion sought certainty about the Kangaroo Valley Swimming Club’s scheduled closing date and reconsideration of Milton Swimming Pool’s 2026/27 opening date, potentially bringing it forward to 31 October 2026. A financial report was requested, including staffing, operating costs, revenue and offsets.
  Could change local pool access and operating costs, but the supplied extract does not clearly show the complete resolution.
• Road and roundabout tenders
  Council resolved to consider confidential reports for the Yalwal Road widening and upgrade in West Nowra and the Shoalhaven Roads Package involving Callala Bay and Worrigee roundabout upgrades.
  The projects may improve road capacity and safety, but contract details were not publicly included in the extract.
• Planning scheme housekeeping and lot averaging
  Council dealt with the first housekeeping planning proposal for Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 and initial steps for a lot-averaging subdivision planning proposal.
  May affect planning controls and subdivision opportunities; the supplied extract does not include the detailed resolutions.
• Reconciliation Action Plan
  Council noted completion of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and transition to an Innovate RAP, acknowledging the contribution of the RAP groups and project team.
  Marks the next stage of Council’s reconciliation commitments and activities.

Impacts

• A new fenced off-leash dog area will operate at Badagarang from 31 October 2026 during daylight hours.
• Affordable-housing partnerships and planning work may support more social, affordable and small-footprint housing.
• Youth engagement will move from the Youth Advisory Committee to the Youth Impact Project from 1 December 2026.
• The Huskisson Admiralty Crescent jetty may return to Crown Lands management.
• Land acquisition may proceed for a shared-user path along the Princes Highway in Bomaderry.
• Pool operating dates may be reconsidered, subject to a further financial assessment.

Places

• Shoalhaven (local government area)
  Affordable-housing, planning, youth engagement and policy decisions affect the wider area.
• Kangaroo Valley Swimming Club (community facility/service)
  The pool-season motion sought certainty about the club’s scheduled closing date.
• Milton Swimming Pool (recreation facility)
  The proposed review could bring forward the 2026/27 opening date.
• Badagarang (suburb/locality)
  New fenced daylight off-leash area at Stage 3 Open Space.
• Bomaderry (suburb/locality)
  Land acquisition for a Princes Highway shared-user path.
• West Nowra (suburb/locality)
  Yalwal Road widening and upgrade tender matter.
• Callala Bay and Worrigee (suburbs/localities)
  Roundabout upgrade tender matter.
• Huskisson (suburb/locality)
  Admiralty Crescent jetty licence discontinuation.

Next

• Prepare a regional affordable-housing contributions approach with relevant councils and government agencies and advocate for earlier implementation.
  Further work following the meeting; proposed implementation period is 2026–2028.
• Prepare or update collaboration agreements with Southern Cross Housing, The Housing Trust, Landcom and Homes NSW.
  Following the council resolution.
• Prepare a report on tiny and small-footprint housing opportunities and approval pathways.
  Future Council report; no date specified.
• Commence Briefings Committee meetings.
  November 2026, after the Public Forum.
• Implement the Youth Impact Project after disestablishment of the Youth Advisory Committee.
  From 1 December 2026; progress report due January 2028.
• Obtain a financial assessment of proposed swimming-pool season changes and consider funding through the next Quarterly Budget Review.
  Next Quarterly Budget Review; exact report date not specified.
• Negotiate acquisition of land for the Princes Highway shared-user path and consider compulsory acquisition if agreement is not reached.
  Negotiations to run for at least six months before compulsory acquisition may be pursued.

Extract

Minutes Confirmed Tuesday 24 November 2026 – Chairperson ......................................................................... Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 Location: Council Chambers, City Administrative Building, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 5:30 PM The following members were present: Mayor Patricia White - Chairperson Clr Peter Wilkins (Remotely) Clr Debbie Killian (Remotely) – joined at 5:35pm 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...