Ordinary Meeting Minutes

Held on Monday 23 June 2025

at Council Chambers, Biamanga Room, Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega, commencing at 2:00pm

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

In Attendance

Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon

Acting Director, Assets and Operations, Mr John Grady

Director, Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison

Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Iliada Bolton

Communications Officer, Mr Jeff Donne

Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant

Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming

The Mayor made an announcement about live streaming requirements:

Council meetings 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.

Statement of Ethical Obligations

The Mayor and Councillors are reminded that they remain bound by the Oath/Affirmation of Office made at the start of the council term to undertake their civic duties in the best interests of the people of Bega Valley Shire and to faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act or any other Act, to the best of their skill and judgement.

The Mayor and Councillors are also reminded of the requirement for disclosure of conflicts of interest in relation to items listed for consideration on the Agenda or which are considered at this meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice.

1.	Apologies
	That the apology of Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Ian Macfarlane be noted.

Confirmation of Minutes

87/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs O'Neil and Nadin

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 11 June 2025 as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

3. Declarations

There were no declarations of interest

4. Public Forum

Report by Mayor of deputations heard prior to the meeting.

Item 8.1 – Draft Use of Public Land Policy

· Mr Nigel Ayling on behalf of Bega Valley Business Forum - AGAINST

· Ms Lois Merriman on behalf of Eden Whale Festival - AGAINST

· Mr John Watkin on behalf of Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry - FOR

Item 9.1 – Community Project Proposals (Major)

· Mr Gary Berman (installation of a fence between Bega Memorial and Bega Recreation Ground) on behalf of Bega Sub- Branch - AGAINST

· Ms Carina Severs (Eden Log Cabin Installation of showers) on behalf of Eden Log Cabin - AGAINST

Item 10.3 – Adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Documents

· Mr Col Pilkington - on behalf of Bega Beef Co-operative Ltd - AGAINST

5. Petitions

There were no petitions.

6. Mayoral Minutes

There were no mayoral minutes.

7. Urgent Business

There was no urgent business.

8. Staff Reports – Community, Environment and Planning

8.1

Draft Use of Public Land Policy

88/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Fitzpatrick and Haggar

1. That Council resolves to adopt the drafts, subject to the amendments and changes recommended in this report (Attachments 1 and 2), with the exception that not-for-profit groups/associations be exempt from all application processing and event fees including the commercial stall/operator fees, in relation to events.

2. That, should Council resolve to adopt the draft policy, Council refers it to the Office of Local Government for consent by the Departmental Chief Executive to adopt Part 1 of the draft policy.

3. That Council officers notify submitters of Council’s decision to adopt the drafts.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

9. Staff Reports – Assets and Operations

9.1

Community Project Proposals (Major)

89/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Fitzpatrick and Nadin

That the Community Project Proposals be determined as follows:

1. That the proposal from Pambula Fishing Club for a roof shelter over the fish cleaning table at the Broadwater boat ramp is not supported by Council, as it is an increase in typical asset provision and will create an additional asset in BVSC's asset inventory.

2. That the proposal from Bega District Woodcraft Association for an extension to the Bega District Woodcraft Association shed at Tarraganda Hall be supported by Council, subject to the applicant completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, obtaining relevant approvals, making any necessary amendments to the existing licence agreement, Native Title and Cultural Due Diligence Assessment, and confirming they will be responsible for ongoing care, maintenance and renewal of the asset.

3. That the proposal from Montreal Goldfield Wallaga Lake Inc. for extensions to the Montreal Goldfield Heritage Centre be supported by Council to enable the applicant to make external funding applications, and subject to the applicant completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders, obtaining relevant approvals including Native Title and Cultural Due Diligence Assessment, working through land tenure approvals and requirements relevant to the use of the site, and confirming they will be responsible for ongoing care, maintenance and renewal of the asset.

4. That the proposal from Pambula Pony Club for additional yards at Pambula Beach Sports Complex equestrian area is not supported by Council as the site is not identified as a refuge in the case of natural disasters, and it may restrict access onto the lower area and create an additional asset in Council’s depreciation schedule.

5. That the proposal from Wolumla Football Club for the road sealing (driveway & carpark) at Wolumla Recreation Ground be supported by Council as a standard service level, subject to the applicant sourcing external funding, obtaining relevant approvals including Native Title and Cultural Due Diligence Assessment and the applicant undertaking further project development and detail design for approval.

6. That the proposal from Eden Log Cabin Committee / Eden Community Access Centre Inc. for extensions to Eden Log Cabin for:

i. Installation of showers are not supported by Council as the building is not identified as an evacuation centre.

ii. Storage and solar panels / battery to be supported by Council with the applicant completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders, obtaining relevant approvals, confirming they will be responsible for ongoing care, maintenance and renewal, and the applicant undertaking further project development and detail design for approval.

7. That the proposal from Friends of Glebe Wetlands Inc. for the installation of a steel barrier railing to culvert at East Street Bega is not supported by Council as it is beyond traffic design requirements for the location.

8. The proposal from Connecting Communities Australia for the Disaster Preparedness Project, is supported in principle contingent upon the applicant completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders, obtaining relevant approvals including Native Title and Cultural Due Diligence Assessment as needed, and confirming responsibilities for ongoing care, maintenance, and renewal.

9. That the proposal from Bega RLS Subbranch for installation of a fence between Bega Memorial and Bega Recreation Ground is supported by Council.

10. That the proposal from Sapphire Coast Pickleball Association for:

i. Multipurpose line marking on Bermagui Multi Use Courts is supported by Council with the applicant to source external funding and undertake consultation with the site committee.

ii. Acrylic rubber resurfacing and additional fencing of the multipurpose courts is not supported by Council as it is an increase in typical asset service level.

11. That the proposal from Bermagui and District Netball Association for:

i. Lighting at the Bermagui Dickinson Park Multi-Purpose Courts is supported by Council and the applicant sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with the site committee and detail design for approval submitted to BVSC for approval.

ii. The installation of roof covering over the courts are not supported by Council, as there is an indoor court at the Bermagui Indoor Sports Stadium, and it will create an additional asset in Council’s depreciation schedule.

12. That the proposal from Sapphire Coast Pickleball Association for:

i. The multiuse line marking of Pambula Sporting Complex Multi-Purpose Courts be supported by Council and the applicant to source external funding and undertaking consultation with the site committee.

ii. Acrylic rubber resurfacing of the multipurpose courts is not supported by Council as it is an increase in typical asset service level.

13. That the proposal from Tathra & District Business Chamber for the pedestrian/cycle shared pathway upgrade at Tathra Andy Poole Drive corridor have in principle support subject to completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders, obtaining relevant approvals including Native Title and Cultural Due Diligence Assessment, working through land tenure approvals and requirements relevant to the use of the site, and applicants design aligns the Councils endorsed Option 1 of the Tathra Options Study 2022.

14. That the proposal from Friends of Tarraganda Hall for the additions of veranda, storage room, landscaping and parking upgrade at Tarragindi Hall is supported contingent upon the applicant completing the project development checklist, sourcing external funding, undertaking consultation with relevant stakeholders, obtaining relevant approvals including native title and working through land tenure approvals and requirements relevant to the use of the site, and confirming their responsibility for ongoing care, maintenance, and renewal.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

10. Staff Reports – Business and Governance

10.1

Making of rates and charges for 2025-26

02:25 pm Cr Allen left the meeting.

90/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Nadin and Noble

That Council:

1. Adopt the Revenue Policy 2025-26 (Attachment 1).

2. Adopt the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) advised rate peg of 4.9% for the 2025-26 financial year effective 1 July 2025 for all properties in the Bega Valley Local Government Area.

3. That the rates and charges be applied in accordance with Sections 534 and 535 of the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act).

4. General Rates:

• to make a Base rate of $843.00 on each rateable parcel of land and an ad-valorem rate of 0.00240455 cents in the dollar on the rateable land value for all properties categorised as “residential” in accordance with Section 516 of the LG Act and;

• to make a Base rate of $843.00 on each rateable parcel of land and an ad-valorem rate of 0.00240455 cents in the dollar on the rateable land value for all properties categorised as “farmland” in accordance with Section 515 of the LG Act and;

• to make a Base rate of $843.00 on each rateable parcel of land and an ad-valorem rate of 0.00645049 cents in the dollar on the rateable land value for all properties categorised as “business” in accordance with Section 518 of the LG Act and;

• to make a Base rate of $843.00 on each rateable parcel of land and an ad-valorem rate of 0.00645049 cents in the dollar on the rateable land value for all properties categorised as “mining” in accordance with Section 517 of the LG Act and;

5. Stormwater Charge:

• to make a stormwater charge of $25.00 per annum per single residential dwelling that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act and;

• to make a stormwater charge of $12.50 per annum per residential strata dwelling that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act and;

• to make a stormwater charge of $25.00 per annum per developed commercial property up to 1,200 square metres that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act and;

• to make a stormwater charge of $100.00 per annum per developed commercial property in excess of 1,200 square metres but not exceeding 3,000 square metres that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act and;

• to make a stormwater charge of $200.00 per annum per developed commercial property in excess of 3,000 square metres that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act and;

• to make a minimum stormwater charge of $5.00 per annum per developed commercial strata property that benefits from Council’s stormwater system whether built or natural in accordance with Section 496A of the LG Act.

6. Waste and Recycling Collection Charge:

• in accordance with Section 496 and 501 of the LG Act, that Council make waste management charges for 2025-26:

Function	Charge	Description	Value $	Information
Waste Management	s. 501	Residential Waste Management	347	Mandatory charge per residential-rated (non-rural) assessment (excl. vacant land).
	s.501	Rural Waste Management	164	Mandatory charge per rural-rated assessment (excl. vacant land).
	s. 501	Commercial Waste Management	372	Mandatory charge per commercial-rated assessment (excl. vacant land).
	s.501	Waste Service Availability Charge	99	Mandatory charge per assessment for land where waste collection service is available, but no service is provided.
	s.501	Waste Contamination charge	225	Charge applied in accordance with contamination procedure.
Landfill	Weekly
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 80L	160	Subject to assessment of need.
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 140L	216	Subject to assessment of need.
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 240L	292	Subject to assessment of need.
	s. 496	Rural Landfill 80L	226	Mandatory minimum for rural.
	s. 496	Rural Landfill 140L	291	Standard service offering.
	s. 496	Rural Landfill 140L (Bin Bank)	291	Mandatory minimum for bin bank customers.
	s. 496	Rural Landfill 240L	369
	s. 501	Commercial Landfill 80L	163	Mandatory minimum for commercial.
	s. 501	Commercial Landfill 140L	216
	s. 501	Commercial Landfill 240L	292	Standard service offering.
	s. 501	Commercial Landfill 660L	775
	Fortnightly
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 80L	85	Mandatory minimum for residential.
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 140L	117	Standard service offering.
	s. 496	Residential Landfill 240L	156
	s. 496	Comm Res MUD Landfill 70L	75	Communal services only.
Recycling	Weekly
	s. 501	Commercial Recycling 80L	62	Mandatory minimum for commercial.
	s. 501	Commercial Recycling 140L	92
	s. 501	Commercial Recycling 240L	134	Standard service offering.
	s. 501	Commercial Recycling 360L	169
	s. 501	Commercial Recycling 660L	775
	Fortnightly
	s. 496	Residential Recycling 80L	59	Mandatory minimum for residential.
	s. 496	Residential Recycling 140L	63
	s. 496	Residential Recycling 240L	66	Standard service offering.
	s. 496	Residential Recycling 360L	92
	s. 496	Rural Recycling 80L	108	Mandatory minimum for rural.
	s. 496	Rural Recycling 140L	121
	s. 496	Rural Recycling 240L	131	Standard service offering.
	s. 496	Rural Recycling 240L (Bin Bank)	131	Mandatory minimum for bin bank customers.
	s. 496	Rural Recycling 360L	156
	s. 496	Comm Res MUD Recycling 100L	61	Communal services only.
Food and Garden Organics	Weekly
	s. 496	Residential FOGO 80L	113	Mandatory minimum for residential.
	s. 496	Residential FOGO 140L	116
	s. 496	Residential FOGO 240L	123	Standard service offering.
	s. 496	Rural FOGO 80L	132	Optional. Only supplied where truck already passes collection point.
	s. 496	Rural FOGO 140L	138	Optional. Only supplied where truck already passes collection point.
	s. 496	Rural FOGO 240L	145	Optional. Only supplied where truck already passes collection point.
	s. 496	Comm Res MUD FOGO 25L	36	Communal services only.
	s. 501	Commercial FOGO 80L	113
	s. 501	Commercial FOGO 140L	116
	s. 501	Commercial FOGO 240L	123	Standard service offering.
	s. 501	Commercial FOGO 140L second weekly service	116	Optional. Only supplied where truck already passes collection point.
	s. 501	Commercial FOGO 240L second weekly service	123	Optional. Only supplied where truck already passes collection point.

7. Water supply services charges:

• to make a water access base charge for all properties except retirement villages, multi-residence affordable housing properties and non-residential non-rateable community organisation with a 20mm water connection of $315 per connection and a water usage charge of $3.95 per kilolitre in accordance with Sections 501 and 502 of the LG Act and;

• to make a water access base charge for non-residential non-rateable community organisation of $315 per assessment with a 0.85 discount factor and a water usage charge of $3.95 per kilolitre in accordance with Sections 501 and 502 of the LG Act and;

• to make a water access base charge for all Strata properties and each dwelling on a multi-residence lot with a 20mm water connection of $315 in accordance with Sections 501 and 502 of the LG Act and;

• to make a water access charge for all properties with larger water connections based on increments of the base charge as per Council’s Revenue Policy 2025-26 and;

• to make a water access charge for retirement villages and multi- residence affordable housing properties with larger water connections based on increments of the base charge with a 0.85 discount factor as per Council’s Revenue Policy 2025-26 and;

• to make a water access charge of $315 for all properties that are unconnected to a water supply system and able to connect and;

• to make an allocation of water free of charge as per Council’s water and sewer billing, metering, and reductions procedure for all registered patients using home dialysis machines or other certified medical treatments, subject to a medical certificate from the Southern NSW Local Health District and;

• to make no water access charge to approved dedicated fire service connections. If metered water usage occurs outside of emergency use, this exemption will be forfeited.

8. Sewerage Services Charges:

For all residential properties categorised as residential, non-rateable residential or farmland in accordance with Sections 515, 556 and 516 of the LG Act:

• to make a residential sewerage access charge of $1,589 for all properties, including each residential strata lot and each residential dwelling on a multi-residence lot, except retirement villages, multi-residence affordable housing, properties connected to a sewerage system in accordance with Sections 501 and 502 of the LG Act and;

• to make a sewer access charge for retirement villages and multi-residence affordable housing properties with larger water connections based on increments of the base charge with a 0.85 discount factor as per Council’s adopted operational plan and;

• to make a uniform residential sewerage charge of $795 for all properties that are unconnected to a sewerage system and able to connect.

For all non-residential properties categorised as business or mining in accordance with Sections 517 and 518, including strata and non-strata developments and non-residential non-rateable properties:

• to make a uniform non-residential sewerage access base charge of $1,589 for all properties with a 20mm water connection that are connected to a sewerage system and;

• to make a uniform non-residential non-rateable community sewerage charge of $1,589 with a 0.85 discount factor for non-residential non-rateable community properties connected to a sewerage system based on 20mm non-residential connection and;

• to make a uniform non-residential sewerage access base charge of $795 for all properties that are unconnected to a sewerage system and able to connect and;

• to make a non-residential sewerage access charge for all properties with larger water connections based on increments of the base charge and;

• to make non-residential sewerage bills based on multiplying a sewer discharge factor by both the non-residential sewerage access charge and by water usage multiplied by a water usage charge of $5.70 per kilolitre and;

• to make sewer discharge factors based on guidance material provided by the NSW Government and;

• to make changes to Sewer Discharge Factors (SDF) in individual circumstances based on an assessment of water usage and discharge locations.

9. Liquid Trade Waste Charges:

• to make Liquid Trade Waste (LTW) charges pursuant to Section 502 of the LG Act and;

• to make bills for Category 2 dischargers with prescribed pre-treatment as an annual fee plus the volume of LTW discharged multiplied by $2.40 a kilolitre and;

• to make bills for Category 2S dischargers that transport and discharge human waste, or discharge from ship-to-shore pump-out facilities or dump-points, as an annual fee plus the volume of LTW discharged multiplied by $20.00 a kilolitre and;

• to make bills for Category 3 large and industrial dischargers an annual fee plus excess mass charges and;

• to make estimations of the volume of LTW discharged by multiplying water usage by LTW discharge factors based on guidance material provided by the NSW Government.

10. High Usage Charge:

• to make a process for non-residential developers to reduce their upfront costs related to Section 64 developer contributions through paying high usage charges for water used over Equivalent Tenement (ET) credit volumes established for the development and;

• to make a process for non-residential developers to reduce their upfront costs related to Section 64 developer contributions through paying high usage charges for sewage discharged over credit volumes thresholds measured in kilolitres established for each customer and;

• to make 1 ET for water 205 kL/y and 1 ET for sewer 190 kL/y of metered water use, based on the average annual household water usage and average annual household contribution to a sewerage system and;

• to make the High Usage Charge for water $3.00/kL and $4.54/kL for sewer and;

• to make bills for non-residential customers by adding the high usage charge to the base charge and applying the higher charge rates to volumes used/discharged over established credit volumes within the charging formulas for non-residential water and sewer usage.

12. On-site sewer management:

Council will charge a single annual amount for all existing On-Site Sewer Management.

• Low risk (10 year cycle) $47.00

• High risk (3 year cycle) $83.00

• Critical risk (1 year cycle) $185.00

13. Pension Claim:

In accordance with Section 575 of the LG Act, Council applies the following pension concessions to eligible properties, being owned and used as principal places of residence by eligible pension holders.

• General Rates and Domestic Waste Services: $250.00

• Water Supply Fund: $87.50

• Sewerage Supply Fund: $87.50

14. Interest on overdue rates and charges:

Council hereby resolves that in accordance with the provisions of Section 566(3) of the LG Act the interest rate to apply to all outstanding rates and charges for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 be calculated at 10.5% as per Office of Local Government Circular 25-06 issued on 10 April 2025.

In favour: Crs Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

Absent: Cr Allen

02:26 pm Cr Allen returned to the meeting.

10.2

Adoption of Fees and Charges 2025-26

91/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Daly and Nadin

That Council:

1. Makes each fee and charge for 2025-26 in accordance with the exhibited draft fees and charges subject to the changes outlined in this report and with the changes to use of public lands resolved at this meeting of Council

2. Adopt Attachment 1 and with the changes to use of public lands resolved at this meeting of Council as the fees and charges for 2025-26 commencing 1 July 2025

3. For any future update to the Fees and Charges schedule that a short explanatory note is included:

a) For proposed increases above 5% or greater than $50.00

b) For a new charge

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

10.3

Adoption of the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents

92/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs O'Neil and Allen

That Council:

1. Receive and note the submissions received during the public exhibition period and Council officers’ responses included at Attachment 1.

2. Officers advise those that made submissions during public exhibition of Council’s decision.

3. Adopt the Community Strategic Plan 2042- 2025 Revision (Attachment 2).

4. Adopt the Delivery Program 2025-2029 (Attachment 3) and its appendices Appendix 1- Capital Program 2025-2029 Delivery Plan (Attachment 4) and Appendix 2- Service Summaries 2025-2029 Delivery Plan (Attachment 5).

5. Adopt the Resourcing Strategy that is comprised of the Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2034 (Attachment 6), Strategic Asset Management Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 7), Digital Strategy 2025-2029 (Attachment 8), Workforce Strategy 2025-2029 (Attachment 9).

6. Acknowledge the Bega Saleyards provide economic benefits and support any proposal to improve the facility.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

10.4

Open Streets Program

93/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Nadin and O'Neil

That should Council be successful under the NSW Open Streets Program, Council delegate to the CEO the authority to execute funding agreements as detailed in the attached confidential memorandum.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble, O'Neil and Porter

Against: Nil

11. Councillor Reports

There were no councillor reports.

12. Rescission/Alteration Motions

There were no rescission/alteration motions.

13. Notices of Motion

13.1

Business signage on the corner of Monaro Street and Lakewood Drive, Merimbula

94/25

RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Nadin and Noble

That council work urgently with the owners of Sunny’s café to find the most suitable pathway to have safe and appropriate signage reinstated on the corner of Monaro Street and Lakewood Drive.

In favour: Crs Allen, Daly, Fitzpatrick, Haggar, Mudaliar, Nadin, Noble and Porter

Against: Cr O'Neil

14. Questions with Notice

There were no questions with notice.

15. Questions without Notice

15.1

Cr Nadin - Sunny's Kiosk sign

A response to Cr Nadin’s Question without Notice was provided in the Ordinary Council Meeting Agenda of 23 June 2025 with the response as follows:

Council does not publicly discuss individual compliance matters.

Any signage on public land requires a Use of Public Land approval or development consent, unless exempt, depending on the individual circumstances. Where signage is found to be non-compliant, staff work with business owners to regularise the signage where possible. In some cases, approval is not possible due to the location, land tenure or road safety issues.

The land on the corner of Lakewood Drive and Monaro Street in Merimbula is public land (road reserve).

15.2

Cr Haggar - Tiny/pod housing options in our towns

Cr Haggar asked Is there an option for secondary dwellings on suitable blocks within our sewer-ed towns and villages?

Can you inform council of the approximate estimated council fees for such a development (DA, sewer water etc)?

Could this assist this community in its endeavours to provide affordable rental and crisis accommodation?

What is the NSW Government doing about legislating around the rapidly growing manufactured pod/tiny homes industry?

Director Community, Environment and planning, Mrs Emily Harrison advised Secondary dwellings, which we used to refer to as granny flats, are permitted with consent anywhere in the shire where dwellings are permitted, apart from the RU4 zone which contains small lots that focus on agriculture.

Indicative fees and charges related to secondary dwellings, based on a 1 bedroom dwelling, include:

· Application fees (DA/CC) for a 1 bedroom dwelling: approx $3,650

· Section 7.11 contributions: $9,121

· Section 64 contribution Water (if connected to reticulated water): $2,745

· Section 64 contribution Sewer (if connected to reticulated sewer): $3,844

This totals around $20,000 if connected to reticulated water and sewer, but does not include any consultant reports that might be required as part of the DA.

If property owners are in a position to, and choose to, build a secondary dwelling this could open up more housing across the shire.

The NSW Government has been undertaking a review of the caravan and moveable dwelling regulation under the Local Government Act for some time. To date, the advice provided by the department is that this review will likely see refinements that provide greater clarity around what constitutes a caravan, and will likely move manufactured homes and moveable dwelling (other than caravans) into a Building Act. Advice to Council was that an update and guidance for councils would be provided mid 2025. However, the Minister for Planning, Paul Scully, recently advised the Mayor, CEO and other CRJO attendees at a meeting at Parliament House that this review was no longer a priority.

15.3

Cr Porter - Speed Zone Implementation

Cr Porter mentioned Transport for NSW speed zoning policy and the implementation of it, particularly the concerns with fatigue and inattention. The speed zones changes went ahead last year. In the first 6 months of this year, Bega Valley Shire is 1000% up on its fatality rate.

a. Is Council going to make a submission to the parliamentary inquiry next month?

b. Can Council write to the state and ask what they are doing to address the increase of fatalities in our area?

Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon advised yes Council staff have circulated an email to Councillors seeking their input, it is our intention to make a submission to that inquiry dependant on what we get back from Councillors as to what the content becomes and yes we will write to the state and ask what they are doing to address the increase of fatalities in our area.

15.4

Cr Nadin - Lots in our Shire

Cr Nadin asked, how many lots are there in our shire? How many lots are currently built on? How many vacant lots have a minimum lot size small enough to get building approval?

Cr Nadin advised for context there are lots that exist that cannot get a Development Application approved, as in they have no building entitlement.

Director Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison initially took the question on notice.

Chairperson of the meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council held on Monday, 23 June 2025.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes

Held on Monday 23 June 2025

at Council Chambers, Biamanga Room, Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega, commencing at 2:00pm

Present

In Attendance

Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of Bega Valley Shire

1.

Apologies

3. Declarations

4. Public Forum

7. Urgent Business

16. Confidential Business

17. Noting of Resolutions from Closed Session

18. Declassification of reports considered previously in closed session

Closure