Community & places · Bega Valley Shire Council
Barragoot Beach wildlife status left open as council orders investigation
Bega Valley Shire Council adopted its updated companion-animal control procedure in an eight-to-one vote, but the resolution made no Wildlife Protection Area designation for Barragoot Beach.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Bega Valley Shire Council has adopted an updated companion-animal control procedure after public consultation, while leaving open whether any part of Barragoot Beach is, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area.
Resolution 115/26 directs staff to investigate whether areas of the beach are, or can be, given that classification and report back to council. The minutes do not record a deadline or identify the areas to be assessed.
The procedure was adopted in an eight-to-one vote. Councillors Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Noble, O’Neil and Porter voted for it, while Cr Mitchell Nadin voted against.
Cr Peter Haggar declared a non-pecuniary, less-than-significant conflict of interest because he is on the Biamanga Board, which had made a submission. The minutes qualify his board involvement as not being a member. He remained in the chamber and voted.
Karen Joynes addressed councillors against item 8.6, the review of the companion-animal control procedure, during the public forum. The minutes record that the procedure was updated following public consultation feedback, but do not detail the submissions or the changes made in response.
For dog owners and other users of Barragoot Beach, the resolution calls for an investigation of Wildlife Protection Area status rather than making a new classification. The minutes do not establish the beach’s existing classification.
What deserves a closer look
The minutes record adoption of the procedure and a direction to investigate existing or possible Wildlife Protection Area classification. The resolution does not itself make a designation or establish the beach's existing classification.
The minutes do not state when the investigation will return or which areas will be assessed.
Questions for follow-up reporting
When will staff report the Barragoot Beach investigation to council?
Which areas of Barragoot Beach will staff assess, and what criteria will be applied?
What changes were made to the procedure in response to public consultation feedback?
Would any later Wildlife Protection Area classification require a separate council resolution or other approval?
What happens next
Staff are to investigate whether any areas of Barragoot Beach are, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area and report back to council.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
Council adopted the updated Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas following feedback received during public consultation.
115/26 RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Daly and Mudaliar 1. That Council adopt the updated 'Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas' at Attachment 1, which has been updated following feedback received during the public consultation process.
Resolution 115/26, item 8.6
Open original minutes ↗The quoted clause calls for staff to investigate whether any areas of Barragoot Beach are, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area and report back to Council.
2. That staff investigate whether there are any areas of Barragoot Beach that are, or can be, Council Meeting Minutes 23 September 2026 - 8 - classified as a Wildlife Protection Area, and report back to Council.
Resolution 115/26, item 8.6, clause 2
Open original minutes ↗Resolution 115/26 adopts the updated procedure and directs an investigation into existing or possible Wildlife Protection Area classification; it does not itself designate an area of Barragoot Beach.
115/26 RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Daly and Mudaliar 1. That Council adopt the updated 'Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas' at Attachment 1, which has been updated following feedback received during the public consultation process. 2. That staff investigate whether there are any areas of Barragoot Beach that are, or can be, Council Meeting Minutes 23 September 2026 - 8 - classified as a Wildlife Protection Area, and report back to Council.
Resolution 115/26, clauses 1–2
Open original minutes ↗The recorded vote lists eight councillors in favour and Cr Nadin against.
IN FAVOUR: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Noble, O'Neil and Porter AGAINST: Cr Nadin 8.7 Review of Procedure Dangerous and Menacing Dog Declaration Appeals and Revocation 03:48 pm Cr Daly left the meeting.
Item 8.6 vote
Open original minutes ↗Cr Haggar declared a non-pecuniary, less-than-significant conflict for item 8.6, said he was on the Biamanga Board but not as a member, noted its submission, and indicated he would remain in the chamber and vote.
2. Adopt the amended Community Engagement Strategy (Attachment 2) that has removed the Council-developed Community Participation Plan. IN FAVOUR: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter AGAINST: Nil 8.6 Review of Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas Cr Haggar declared a non-pecuniary and less than significant conflict of interest for item 8.6 Review of procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas. Cr Haggar advised he is on the Biamanga Board (not as a member) and they have made a submission. A signed declaration form was tabled by Cr Haggar, he will remain in the chamber and vote.
Item 8.6 conflict declaration
Open original minutes ↗The public forum record lists Karen Joynes speaking against item 8.6, Review of Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas.
A signed declaration form was tabled by Cr Haggar, he will remain in the chamber and vote. 4. Public Forum The following deputations were heard: Item 8.3 Scoping proposal to permit forestry in the RU2 Rural Landscape zone • Mr Fergus McWhirter - FOR Item 8.4 Two lot subdivision and two dual occupancy dwellings • Mr Lyndon White on behalf of Daniel Black - FOR Item 8.6 Review of procedure 4.04.06 companion animal control areas • Ms Karen Joynes - AGAINST 5.
Public Forum
Open original minutes ↗Source record
Reporting from the public minutes of Bega Valley Shire Council’s ordinary meeting held on 23 September 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council adopted the updated Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas after public consultation feedback.
- Staff were directed to investigate whether any areas of Barragoot Beach are, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area, and report back.
- The recorded vote was eight in favour and one against, with Cr Nadin voting against.
- Cr Haggar declared a less-than-significant non-pecuniary conflict linked to the Biamanga Board, remained in the chamber and voted. The minutes describe him as being on the board but not as a member.
- The minutes record Karen Joynes addressing councillors against the procedure-review item, but do not detail the submissions or provide a reporting date.
Why it matters
- The updated companion-animal procedure has been adopted, but the resolution does not classify any part of Barragoot Beach as a Wildlife Protection Area. Staff were directed to investigate both existing and possible classification and report back, leaving the timing and any future effect on dog management unresolved.