Ordinary Meeting - 28/04/2026

Article-worthy topics

• Warden Head Lighthouse grounds management application
  Council resolved to apply to become Crown Land Manager for the grounds surrounding Warden Head Lighthouse in Deering Street, Ulladulla, consider establishing a park care group, negotiate a maintenance fee with Crown Lands, and seek grant funding via the Member for South Coast.
  Could affect future upkeep, community involvement and funding for a well-known public site in Ulladulla.

Key decisions

• Warden Head Lighthouse grounds management application
  Council resolved to apply to become Crown Land Manager for the grounds surrounding Warden Head Lighthouse in Deering Street, Ulladulla, consider establishing a park care group, negotiate a maintenance fee with Crown Lands, and seek grant funding via the Member for South Coast.
  Could affect future upkeep, community involvement and funding for a well-known public site in Ulladulla.
• South Coast rail advocacy
  Council will write to the NSW Minister for Transport and the Member for Kiama seeking urgent review of proposed South Coast timetable changes, especially to keep Wolli Creek stops and reduce forced interchanges. It will continue advocating for reinstatement of the Toolijooa passing loop and broader line upgrades south of Kiama.
  Relevant to residents who rely on train travel for airport access, medical appointments, work, education and trips to Sydney.
• Bay and Basin Sports and Community Hub contribution not approved
  A motion for Council to provide a matching $8,000 contribution toward the Bay and Basin Sports and Community Hub Project was put and lost.
  The project did not receive the requested Council funding at this meeting.
• Draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy deferred
  Council deferred the draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy to a councillor workshop before any public exhibition occurs.
  Residents will not yet be asked to comment publicly; the policy will be considered further before consultation.
• Community Wellbeing Grants varied
  Council approved the Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival request to reallocate $6,660 toward follow-up mentoring services, and decided to seek return of the $2,000 Water Fest grant for the cancelled 2026 event and return those funds to the General Fund.
  Changes how previously approved community grant money will be used.
• June 2026 ordinary meeting rescheduled
  Council amended its meeting schedule to hold the June 2026 Ordinary Meeting on Monday 29 June 2026 at 5.30pm.
  Changes the public meeting date for anyone intending to attend, watch or make representations.
• Accessible parking advocacy and review
  Council resolved to seek a report on the status of accessible parking across Shoalhaven, write to state and federal representatives about accessible parking at the Services Australia building in Nowra, and examine accessible parking linked to health and community services and population growth.
  May influence future accessible parking planning and advocacy, especially around key service locations in Nowra.
• Callala Bay land sale progressed
  Council rejected an amendment to defer for further consultation and resolved to commence the sale process for 54 and 56 Emmett Street, Callala Bay, appoint a selling agent, and authorise associated sale steps.
  Affects publicly owned land in Callala Bay and responds to an issue that had already attracted a local petition.

Important topics

• Petition on Callala 'Boat Veggie Garden'
  A petition with 961 signatures from Callala Community Garden Inc was presented asking Council to keep public access to the 'Boat Veggie Garden' open amid investigation into selling 54 and 56 Emmett Street, Callala Bay.
  Shows strong local concern about retaining a community garden feature and public access in Callala.
• Logging and community access motion deferred
  The notice of motion on protecting communities' right to access community areas and protecting logging workers was deferred to the 26 May 2026 Ordinary Meeting.
  Residents interested in forestry access and logging-related issues will need to wait for the later meeting.
• Nowra Precinct Renewal Strategy endorsed for advocacy
  Council accepted information on the Nowra Precinct Renewal Strategy, endorsed it as an advocacy focus with Homes NSW and Southern Cross Housing, and will present it to local MPs to seek implementation funding.
  Could shape future housing and precinct renewal efforts in central Nowra.
• Motor sports land claim advocacy
  Council backed writing to local MPs and the NSW Minister for Lands and Property to help resolve Aboriginal land claims affecting the eastern part of Part Lot 7309 DP1148878, Yerriyong, and to invite Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven to discuss grant opportunities.
  May affect progress of motor sports planning linked to land status in Yerriyong.
• Local easements approved on community land
  Council approved a drainage easement over community land at Tilbrook Avenue Reserve, St Georges Basin, and a sewer easement over community land on Holloway Road, Nowra.
  These are local infrastructure and land access decisions affecting nearby properties and service connections.

Resident impacts

• Shoalhaven rail users may see continued Council advocacy to preserve direct airport access and improve South Coast train reliability.
• Residents will not yet be consulted on the draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy because it was sent first to a councillor workshop.
• Community grant funding was redirected: mentoring support was approved for the Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival, while funding for the cancelled Water Fest event is to be returned.
• A public land sale process will proceed for 54 and 56 Emmett Street, Callala Bay despite local petitioning about the community garden site.
• Accessible parking around health and community services, especially in Nowra, will be reviewed and raised with other levels of government.
• The June 2026 ordinary council meeting date changed to 29 June 2026.

Places affected

• Ulladulla (town)
  Application to manage grounds surrounding Warden Head Lighthouse in Deering Street.
• Warden Head Lighthouse, Deering Street (facility)
  Council will seek Crown land management and funding for the surrounding grounds.
• South Coast rail line south of Kiama (transport corridor)
  Council advocacy on timetable changes, Wolli Creek stop access and infrastructure upgrades including Toolijooa passing loop.
• Callala Bay (locality)
  Petition and land sale process concerning 54 and 56 Emmett Street and the 'Boat Veggie Garden'.
• Nowra (town)
  Accessible parking advocacy around the Services Australia building and sewer easement on Holloway Road.
• St Georges Basin (locality)
  Drainage easement approved over community land at Tilbrook Avenue Reserve.
• Yerriyong (locality)
  Advocacy relating to Aboriginal land claim resolution connected to motor sports planning.
• Nowra precinct (project area)
  Precinct renewal strategy endorsed for future advocacy and funding discussions.

Next steps

• Apply to become Crown Land Manager for Warden Head Lighthouse grounds and negotiate maintenance arrangements.
  Next steps following the meeting
• Write to the NSW Minister for Transport and the Member for Kiama seeking review of proposed South Coast rail timetable changes.
  Next steps following the meeting
• Continue advocacy for Toolijooa passing loop reinstatement and broader South Coast rail upgrades.
  Ongoing
• Hold a councillor workshop before any draft Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy goes on public exhibition.
  Before public consultation
• Seek return of the $2,000 Water Fest grant and reassign it to the General Fund.
  Next steps following the meeting
• Present the Nowra Precinct Renewal Strategy to local MPs and seek funding support.
  When appropriate
• Bring back the deferred logging and community access motion to the Ordinary Meeting on 26 May 2026.
  2026-05-26
• Proceed with the competitive sale process for 54 and 56 Emmett Street, Callala Bay.
  Next steps following the meeting

Extracted minutes text

Minutes Confirmed 26 May 2026 – Chairperson ................................................................................................. Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 Location: The Studio, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 5:30 PM The following members were present: Clr Peter Wilkins - Chairperson Clr Debbie Killian (Remote) Clr Gillian Boyd Clr Jemma Tribe Clr Ben Krikstolaitis (Remote) Clr Matthew Norris Clr Karlee Dunn (Remote) Clr Bob Proudfoot Clr Luciano Casmiri Clr Selena Clancy Clr Brett Steele A statement was played advising those present that the proceedings of this meeting (including presentations...