Agenda of Public Forum - Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Record of Public Forum Agenda

16 April 2025

Public Forum

Held on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at 12:00pm

Council Chambers, Biamanga Room, Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega

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 - Apology

Copy:

Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon

Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Ian Macfarlane

Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison

Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Iliada Bolton

Manager Communications and Engagement, Ms Kellie Dodge

Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant

Public Forum Submissions Received

Deputations for the Public Forum of 16 April 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 Cr David Porter be noted.

Public Forum Addresses

. Public Forum submissions received

AGAINST
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
1	Jamie Forbes \| Item 8.1 - 2013.217 Lot Subdivision, Part Lot 200 DP 1235728, Lake wood Drive, Merimbula	Self	Face to Face	The proposed development lot sizes are below the Bega Valley Shire Council's stated guidelines, Owners in Tern Close will have a loss of privacy and over shadowing due to multi-storey units/houses being built on very small blocks. Subdivision is too close to Merimbula Lake i.e. 75 metres. Dept. of Primary Industry and State Environment Planning Policy recommend 100 metres. Run-off into Merimbula Lake will have an adverse affect on the ecology of the lake and the thriving oyster industry. Oyster farmers should be protected.as they have been adversely affected by the over clearing within the area surrounding the Merimbula Lake. Another road coming into a downhill sweeping curve of Lakewood Drive will be very dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. This is of utmost concern as Lakewood Drive is a very busy well used road. The amenity of the area will be adversely affected if the subdivision proceeds and this includes the board walk which is one of Merimbula’s most popular attractions. Has Town Planning addressed any of the concerns raised by the approx. 90 objections that were submitted. If so, what changes have been made? Bega Valley Council must take into consideration all of the objections and reject this proposal.
2	Kenneth Robinson \| Item 9.14 - Request for Tender (RFT) 2425-060 Design Services for Cuttagee Bridge	Self	Face to Face	I argue that the hybrid design requirements in the 2 hybrid options are inadequate and need to be altered to reflect the full timber heritage values of the existing bridge.
3	Geoffrey Steel \| Item 9.14 - Request for Tender (RFT) 2425-060 Design Services for Cuttagee Bridge	Self	Face to Face	1. There has been a consistent level of community support and NSW State Government funding support for the maintenance of the heritage values of Cuttagee Bridge in its restoration or replacement. This support has included $15m NSW Government Funding for restoration in line with heritage principles, including visits by the Minister responsible, 14,000 petition signatures, over 200 community protesters at the Bridge, community meetings, a Council Community Advisory Group and over 30 Bermagui Community Forum newsletter articles following developments over the previous four years. The Council agenda papers appear highly skewed towards favouring bridge designs that are substantially concrete constructions; hybrid designs only introducing the idea of "decorative timber". 2. I suggest that a Council decision on this Design Services tender be deferred until at least the Council Have Your Say survey is completed and reviewed after 30 April. The Design Services tender request should then incorporate the findings of the Survey. This is the first formal community feedback on the Bridge since early 2022.
4	Cathy Griff \| Item 9.14 - Request for Tender (RFT) 2425-060 Design Services for Cuttagee Bridge	Self	Face to Face	A proper timber bridge should be included in the tender investigation (rather than timber decoration)
5	Cathy Griff \| Item 10.2 – Electric Vehicle Charging	Self	Face to Face	The option 2 should be supported whereby Council facilitates installation of EV chargers

Mr Jamie Forbes was granted a 2 minute extension

Mr Kenneth Robinson was granted a 2 minute extension

Mr Geoffrey Steel was granted a 2 minute extension

Mrs Cathy Griff (Item 10.2) was granted a 2 minute extension

The Public Forum session closed at 12:51pm.

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