Ordinary Meeting - 28/07/2026

Topics

• Shoalhaven Council approves $125,000 community grants package after divided vote
  Shoalhaven Council approved $125,000 in Community Wellbeing Grants for the 2026/2027 program, despite a divided vote and objections from some applicants.
  Funded groups will receive support for local services, events, arts, inclusion and community projects, while unsuccessful applicants must be notified.
• Council land-sale program faces community consultation delays across Shoalhaven
  Council advanced a major program to sell, reclassify or rezone council land, but several decisions were amended or deferred pending community consultation.
  Potential land sales and planning changes could affect public land, parking opportunities, development capacity and future community use.
• Nowra road reserve closure process begins near Brereton Street
  Council began the statutory process to close an unnamed road reserve off Brereton Street, with final closure dependent on public advertising and submissions.
  The proposal may change public access and the status of the road reserve, with residents and authorities able to respond during statutory advertising.

Decisions

• Community Wellbeing Grants approved
  Approved $125,000 in 2026/2027 Community Wellbeing Grants and directed staff to advise unsuccessful applicants.
  Provides direct funding to community organisations and projects across Shoalhaven.
• Two road-closure processes commenced
  Started statutory closure processes for the unnamed lane off Brereton Street, Nowra, and the road reserve adjoining Comerong Island Road, Numbaa.
  Closures remain subject to statutory advertising, submissions and Government Gazette processes.
• Council land-sale decisions amended and partly deferred
  Amended the council-land disposal recommendation so that several sales, closures and rezoning or reclassification steps require community consultation; the Berry decision was deferred pending a related DA.
  Potential changes to public land use and ownership will not proceed immediately in the affected cases.
• Boongaree dog area designated
  Approved the fenced dog off-leash area at Boongaree, Berry.
  Creates a designated fenced area for off-leash dog exercise.
• Finance review panel appointments
  Appointed Allan Baptist and Jane Milinkovic to the Finance & Infrastructure Review Panel for two years, with an option to re-stand for one additional term.
  Adds community representatives to a council finance and infrastructure oversight panel.
• Mollymook applications resolved
  Resolved three Mollymook development applications at 68, 36 and 48 Maisie Williams Drive without debate.
  The applications may affect nearby residents and future construction in the area; detailed determinations are not included in the extract.

Discussion

• Community Wellbeing Grants
  Council approved $125,000 for recommended recipients in the 2026/2027 Community Wellbeing Grants Program and will notify unsuccessful applicants.
  Local organisations and community groups will receive funding, while other applicants may need to pursue alternative support.
• Proposed road closures
  Council began statutory road-closure processes for an unnamed lane off Brereton Street, Nowra, and a road reserve adjoining Comerong Island Road, Numbaa.
  Public access and adjoining property arrangements may change after advertising and consideration of submissions.
• Council land disposal and planning
  Council’s land-sale and land-reclassification program was amended to require community consultation for several significant properties and to defer the Berry decision until a related development application is finalised.
  Residents may have opportunities to comment before council land is sold, rezoned or reclassified.
• Dog access area
  A fenced dog off-leash area at Boongaree, Berry, was approved.
  Dog owners gain a designated fenced off-leash facility.
• Mollymook development applications
  Three development applications at Maisie Williams Drive, Mollymook, were resolved without debate.
  Nearby residents should check the full determinations for approved works and conditions.
• Finance and Infrastructure Review Panel
  Allan Baptist and Jane Milinkovic were appointed to the Finance & Infrastructure Review Panel for two-year terms.
  Community representatives will participate in council finance and infrastructure oversight.

Impacts

• Community groups will receive a total of $125,000 through the 2026/2027 Community Wellbeing Grants Program, while unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
• Proposed road closures at Nowra and Numbaa are subject to statutory advertising and submissions, with possible changes to public access and adjoining land arrangements.
• Several proposed council land sales, closures and planning changes were deferred or made subject to community consultation.
• A fenced dog off-leash area was approved at Boongaree, Berry.
• Three development applications on Maisie Williams Drive, Mollymook, were resolved, but the supplied extract does not include their detailed conditions or outcomes.
• Two community representatives were appointed to the Finance & Infrastructure Review Panel.

Places

• Nowra (town)
  Council chambers and administrative centre; meeting venue
• Brereton Street, Nowra (road)
  Proposed road closure of unnamed lane off Brereton Street
• Comerong Island Road, Numbaa (road)
  Proposed road closure adjoining Lot 4 DP 776600
• Merry Beach Road, Kioloa (road)
  Proposed compulsory acquisition for road purposes
• Boongaree, Berry (facility/project area)
  Fenced dog off-leash area approved through call-over business
• Maisie Williams Drive, Mollymook (road/development area)
  Development applications resolved without debate
• Ulladulla CBD (town/commercial area)
  Proposed land sale and related planning and consultation decisions
• St Georges Basin (town)
  Planning proposal and development application matters raised in deputations

Next

• Advertise the proposed road closures and consider submissions and requirements from notifiable authorities.
  Following the 28 July 2026 meeting; statutory process
• If closure requirements are satisfied and no unresolved submissions are received, publish closure notices in the Government Gazette and classify the land as operational land where resolved.
  After statutory advertising and assessment
• Undertake community consultation before progressing the amended council-land sale, road closure and rezoning or reclassification steps identified in the resolution.
  Before further decisions on affected properties
• Hold a councillor workshop to formulate motions for the 2026 LGNSW Annual Conference and determine the remaining voting delegates after nominations.
  August 2026; conference 22-24 November 2026
• Notify unsuccessful Community Wellbeing Grants applicants.
  Following approval of the 2026/2027 grant recommendations
• Implement the Boongaree, Berry fenced dog off-leash designation and publish relevant operational details.
  Not specified in the supplied extract

Extract

Minutes Confirmed Tuesday 25 August 2026 – Chairperson .............................................................................. Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING Meeting Date: Tuesday, 28 July 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 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...