Agenda of Public Forum - Wednesday, 19 February 2025

Record of Public Forum Agenda

19 february 2025

Public Forum

Held on Wednesday 19 February 2025 at 12:00pm

Council Chambers, Biamanga Room, Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre

Present:

Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor

Cr Mitchell Nadin, Deputy Mayor

Cr Tony Allen

Cr Simon Daly

Cr Peter Haggar

Cr Clair Mudaliar

Cr Peggy Noble

Cr Helen O’Neil

Cr David Porter

Copy:

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Emily Harrison

Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Ian Macfarlane

Acting Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Iliada Bolton

Acting Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Rickee Marshall

Communications Officer, Mr Jeff Donne

Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant

Public Forum Submissions Received

Deputations for the Public Forum of 19 February 2025 were received and circulated to Councillors.

Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming

The Mayor made an announcement about live streaming requirements.

Public Forums are recorded and live streamed to the Internet for public viewing.

The recording will be archived and made available on Council’s website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of Bega Valley Shire

The Mayor commenced by acknowledging, on behalf of Bega Valley Shire Council, the traditional custodians of the lands, waterways and airspace on which we are gathering.

Apologies

That the apology of Chief Executive Officer, Anthony McMahon be noted.

Public Forum Addresses

. Public Forum submissions received

FOR
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
1	Ms Melinda Wilton \| Item 8.3 - 2022.352 Subdivision of land into 4 allotments - Lot: 21 DP: 843223 - 88 Kerrisons Lane BEGA	Self	Face to Face	My block borders on the subdivision, fence line.
AGAINST
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
2	Mr Benjamin Mead \| Item 8.3 - 2022.352 Subdivision of land into 4 allotments - Lot: 21 DP: 843223 - 88 Kerrisons Lane BEGA	On behalf of TA Projects – authority received	Face to face	- I will speak about how the engineering design has been carried out to demonstrate sight distance requirements, as requested on numerous occasions by Council Staff. -I will speak about the matters of the Road Safety Audit, which Council Staff have remained silent on in relation to informing Councillors of their recommendation. -I will speak about the solutions which have been suggested to Council Staff, in order to align with the recommendations of the Road Safety Audit and achieve the compliant driveway intersection. -I will speak about how the Council recommendation to use the existing driveway, does not align with the Safe Systems Approach, as claimed by Council Staff.
3	Mr Jason Heffernan \| Item 8.3 - 2022.352 Subdivision of land into 4 allotments - Lot: 21 DP: 843223 - 88 Kerrisons Lane BEGA	Self	Face to face	TA Project Services has encountered significant challenges due to Council’s lack of transparency and cooperation. Despite requesting the project timeline be attached to the Council report, this was ignored, creating uncertainty in planning. Additionally, key design plans—clearly demonstrating that embankment hazards triggering the guardrail requirement had been designed out—were omitted. Had these plans been included, the process would have been more transparent, enabling better decision-making. Attempts to consult with Council were met with a dismissive attitude and lack of cooperation. We urge Council to release the omitted timeline and design plans promptly and commit to a more transparent, accountable, and collaborative approach moving forward.
4	Mr Paul Griffin \| Item 8.3 - 2022.352 Subdivision of land into 4 allotments - Lot: 21 DP: 843223 - 88 Kerrisons Lane BEGA	Self	Face to Face	Timeline policy staff outcome experience
5	Ms Ann Herbert \| Item 10.2 - Objections to proposed telecommunication lease - Lawrence Park, Tathra	Self	Face to Face	Lack of community consultation with little information provided to residents in a very limited area Growing concern about the proposal as community members become aware of it and the availability of more appropriate options None of the three other options appear to have been seriously considered and there appears to be considerable bias in the provided table. Site is a well-used recreational area within a residential area and would have significant visual impact Footprint of proposed facility will be significant given that a storage shed and fenced compound are proposed as part of the facility People are well aware of the need for effective communications but believe that any one of the three other site options offers a better choice

Jason Heffernan was granted a 2 minute extension.

Paul griffin was granted a 2 minute extension.

The Public Forum session closed at 12:36 pm.

The recording of the Public Forum is available on Council’s website:

http://webcast.begavalley.nsw.gov.au/archive.php

Excerpt from the Procedure 6.02.2 Code of Meeting Practice regarding the number of speakers:

4. Public Forums

4.8 No more than three (3) speakers are to speak “for” and “against” each item of business on the agenda for the Council meeting.

4.9 If more than the permitted number of speakers apply to speak “for” or “against” any item of business the CEO or their delegate may request the speakers to nominate from amongst themselves the persons who are to address the Council on the item of business. If the speakers are not able to agree on whom to nominate to address the Council, the CEO or their delegate is to determine who will address the Council at the public forum.

4.10 If more than the permitted number of speakers apply to speak “for” or “against” any item of business, the CEO or their delegate may, in consultation with the Mayor or the Mayor’s nominated Chairperson, increase the number of speakers permitted to speak on an item of business, where they are satisfied that it is necessary to do so to allow the Council to hear a full range of view on the relevant item of business.

Attachments

Nil