Shoalhaven forum tees up planning, access and Sussex Inlet debate

Shoalhaven City Council heard six public addresses at its Public Forum on 17 March 2026 at The Studio, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra, ahead of the next ordinary meeting. The items ranged from medium-density housing controls to the Woollamia boat ramp and a call-in proposal for DA2026/1106 at Kingsbarns Lane, Sussex Inlet.

The forum also covered a post-exhibition report on planning proposal PP079 for 28 Bowen Street and 34-38 Hawke Street, Huskisson, and development application DA25/1836 for B270 Princes Highway at Jaspers Brush. One written submission was received against the recommendation on an item about GIPAs, staff time, referrals to the Office of Local Government, court costs and related costs.

CL26.39 was a notice of motion on car parking and landscaping controls for medium-density housing and a proposed amendment to the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan. Alouche (Alex) Qaszem spoke for the item.

CL26.40 dealt with the Woollamia boat ramp, with David Wagstaff speaking for it. CL26.41 was the proposed call-in of DA2026/1106 at Kingsbarns Lane, Sussex Inlet. Sandra Gray, speaking on behalf of the Sussex Inlet Chamber of Commerce, spoke for that motion.

CL26.43 covered GIPAs, staff time, referrals to the Office of Local Government, court costs and related costs. Amanda Smith spoke for that item, and Mr Stephen Prothero lodged a written submission against the recommendation.

CL26.54 was the post-exhibition report for planning proposal PP079 at 28 Bowen Street and 34-38 Hawke Street, Huskisson. Lee Carmichael had sought to speak, but withdrew before the forum.

CL26.56 concerned development application DA25/1836 for B270 Princes Highway, Jaspers Brush. Sebastian Tauni spoke against the application on behalf of Gavin Rogers.

The forum did not record any council resolution or vote. It recorded public addresses on the items councillors will consider at the ordinary meeting stage.

For residents, the main issues are clear. The medium-density motion is about parking and landscaping controls in future housing proposals. The Woollamia item concerns a local boat ramp. The Sussex Inlet motion would shift the assessment pathway for DA2026/1106 at Kingsbarns Lane. The Huskisson report and the Jaspers Brush application also remain live planning matters before council.

Mayor Patricia White chaired the forum. The meeting opened with an Acknowledgement of Country, and members present included Clr Selena Clancy, Clr Denise Kemp, Clr Luciano Casmiri, Clr Brett Steele, Clr Peter Wilkins, Clr Bob Proudfoot, Clr Jemma Tribe, Clr Matthew Norris, Clr Gillian Boyd and Clr Ben Krikstolaitis. Clr Debbie Killian sent an apology. The forum was webcast and may have been recorded and broadcast under council’s meeting rules. It closed at 6.45pm.