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Record of Public Forum Agenda
21 May 2025
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
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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 |
Deputations for the Public Forum of 21 May 2025 were received and circulated to Councillors.
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.
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.
There were no apologies.
. Public Forum submissions received
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FOR |
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Name |
Rep |
Method |
Comment |
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3 |
Mr Rob de Fegely | Item 13.2 – Options for private native forestry in RU2 zones |
Self |
Face to Face |
Our farm at 89 Blairlands Rd Lochiel is zoned RU2 where forestry is prohibited. We farm beef cattle and meat sheep, and I am also a trained forester and we are keen to restore and manage the natural forest as well as plant more trees. Forestry Australia (www.forestry.org.au ) defines forestry as - the science and craft of creating, managing, conserving, using and caring for forests. Wikipedia provides a helpful definition of forestry as - 'the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and environmental benefits - edited from Society of American Foresters. I would like to present on the benefits of farmers managing forests on their farms for multiple outcomes including improved biodiversity and wood production and the benefits this has for the Bega Valley Shire in terms of landscape amenity, forest health and protection, employment and production of (in my opinion) the world’s most renewable product wood. Australia is the 7th most forested country in the world but is not self sufficient in wood supply, our annual import bill of wood products is over $6 billion and our trade deficit (imports minus exports) is around $4 billion. |
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5 |
Mr Damien Bunting | Item 13.2 – Options for private native forestry in RU2 zones |
Self |
Face to Face |
Running through the Ecological Sustainable Forest Management methodology that we use to source our timber. |
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4 |
Mr Peter Rutherford | Item 13.2 – Options for private native forestry in RU2 zones |
Self |
Face to Face |
Current state regulatory
system. |
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AGAINST |
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Name |
Rep |
Method |
Comment |
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1 |
Ms Harriett Swift | Item 13.2 - Options for private native forestry in RU2 zones |
Self |
Face to Face |
The estimated cost of Council of at least $250,000 as foreshadowed in the Staff Response is not one that should be born by Bega Valley ratepayers, especially since the outcome would lead to environmental damage - mainly destruction of forests and waterways, loss of wildlife habitat and increased carbon emissions. It will also cause damage to rural roads. The proposed change to allow logging in RU2 zones is not in the public interest, but if it is approved, the cost should be born by the land owners on whose property the logging will occur, not by ratepayers. It will lead to higher rates or reduced available funding for community projects. |
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2 |
Mr David Gallen | Item 13.2 – Options for private native forestry in RU2 zones |
On behalf of National Parks Association - Far South Coast Branch – Authority received |
Face to Face |
Logging of native forests since the mega fires poses serious ongoing risks to threatened native species. Native forest management by NSWFC has been inadequate. Private forestry with less supervision points towards greater environmental risk. |
Mr David Gallen was granted a 2 minute extension
Mr Rob de Fegely was granted a 2 minute extension
Cr Mitchell Nadin left the Public Forum 12:27 pm
Cr Mitchell Nadin returned to the Public Forum 12:29 pm
Mr Peter Rutherford was granted a 2 minute extension
Mr Damien Bunting was granted a 2 minute extension
The Public Forum session closed at 1:07 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