Shoalhaven seeks Crown land role for Warden Head Lighthouse grounds

Shoalhaven City Council will apply to become Crown Land Manager for the grounds surrounding Warden Head Lighthouse in Deering Street, Ulladulla, setting up a formal push to take on the site's management.

At its 28 April ordinary meeting, council also backed steps to consider establishing a park care group at the location, negotiate a maintenance fee with Crown Lands and liaise with the Member for South Coast to seek grant funding for the site.

The resolution deals with the land around the lighthouse rather than the lighthouse itself. The minutes identify the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Crown Lands, as the agency council will negotiate with as part of the arrangement.

For Ulladulla residents and visitors, the move could shape how the public grounds are maintained and whether community volunteers are involved in future upkeep. The funding elements approved by councillors also point to council seeking outside support for ongoing care of the site.

No timeline for the application or any maintenance agreement is set out in the minutes. The next steps are for council to lodge the application, discuss management arrangements with Crown Lands, consider the park care option and pursue grant funding through the local state member.

The Warden Head decision was one of several public-interest matters dealt with at the meeting, which also included rail advocacy, grant changes, a deferred customer conduct policy and the rescheduling of the June ordinary meeting.