3,149 sign petition to keep Shoalhaven community assets in public hands

A total of 3,149 people have signed petitions opposing potential changes to Werninck Cottage in Nowra and seeking the retention of Anker Avenue Reserve in Mollymook as a community asset.

Councillor Jemma Tribe presented a petition signed by 2,363 people calling for any reclassification, disposal or sale process affecting Werninck Cottage to stop.

The petition calls for the locally listed heritage building to remain in public ownership and continue to be used for community purposes. It also seeks secure, affordable and long-term tenure for the Werninck Craft Cottage Club, along with consultation with volunteers and the wider community before any future change to the property.

Werninck Cottage has operated as a craft cottage since reopening in 1985, according to the petition. It describes the building as an important part of Nowra’s history and a community institution.

Councillor Karlee Dunn presented the second petition, which carries 786 signatures and asks Shoalhaven City Council to retain Anker Avenue Reserve, Mollymook, as a community asset under the Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan 2056.

The petitions were presented during debate on contested council-land matters. Councillors defeated a motion to rescind a previous resolution concerning the proposed sale of council land on the Chair’s casting vote.

The property involved in that proposed sale was not identified. The Werninck Cottage petition calls for the relevant section of the earlier resolution to be rescinded.

Council also rescinded its earlier resolution on the proposed Acquisition & Disposal of Land policy and resolved to hold a public workshop before the policy returns for a decision.

No decision was made at the meeting to sell Werninck Cottage or Anker Avenue Reserve. The council decisions did not set a timetable for a response to either petition or confirm a change to either site’s ownership or use.