Record of Public Forum

Held on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 - 12:00pm

Council Chambers, Bega

Anthony McMahon

Chief Executive Officer

Record of Public Forum Agenda

25 MARCH 2026

Public Forum

Held on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 12:00pm

Council Chambers, 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

Copy: Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon Director, Infrastructure, Mr Andrew Latta Director,  Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Engagement and Corporate Strategy, Mrs Kaliegh Smerdon Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant

Public Forum Submissions Received

Deputations for the Public Forum of 25 March 2026 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

There were no apologies.

Public Forum Addresses

.     Public Forum submissions received 

FOR
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
1	Mr Matt Johnson | Item 8.1 - 2022.62 Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a five storey Commercial & Residential (Shop Top Housing) development comprising 52 apartments	On behalf of Merimbula Central Pty Ltd Authority received	Zoom	Support for proposed recommendation and offer to answer any questions.
2	Ms Allana Afshar | Item 8.1 - 2022.62 Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a five storey Commercial & Residential (Shop Top Housing) development comprising 52 apartments	On behalf of Squillace Architecture and Interiors Authority received	Zoom	Squillace Architecture & Interiors will be available to answer any questions about the proposed development at 29-33 Market St, Merimbula as required.
6	Ms Melinda Steel | Item 14.1 - Waiver of water connection charge - Bega Town Band Building (Canning St, Bega)	On behalf of Bega District Band Authority received	Face to Face	Historical arrangement with Council to provide services for waiver of fees. Band provides community service ie plays for the community based as a volunteer organisation since 1899. We are not an income producing organisation. We provide services to council and its community. We have not historically charged council for playing. Since council started charging us rates in 2023, we have made numerous requests and attempts to renegotiate the long standing relationship and discuss the financial pressure this places on the Band. The Band was gifted the land in 1952 and volunteers built the building in recognition of the input the Band provides to the community and the need for a practice hall. In the interim period and with our non discretionary costs increased by 30% per year due to full rates being charged (without notice) we have raised several invoices to Council including one recently which was funded by the Australia Day Grant. The Band has a very small operating budget of around $10K. We are required to connect to the water. We hardly use the service. We have an outhouse toilet and an outdoor tap, Thats it. We simply wish both the Council and the Band to have the surety of budgets and commitments by waiving the fee, so we can provide the same services we have always done in this community.
AGAINST
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
3	Mr Timothy Fitzgerald | Item 9.2 - Multi-generational Recreation Area at Surf Circle Tura Beach - Concept Design	Self	Zoom	I will be speaking on the following perspectives: 1. Chair of the BVSC Access & Inclusion Advisory Committee 2. NDIS participant with lived experience of disability 3. Tura Beach resident aged 65 4. Parent of children who spent a lot of their childhood growing up in Tura Beach Specifically, I will be covering the following: Inclusion…Aboriginal, aged, multicultural, demographics Bolt on is inimalist and ineffective…example of Taylor Square as good design Practicality of grant applications and their success Accessible tourism market
4	Ms Tracy Fleming | Item 9.2 - Multi-generational Recreation Area at Surf Circle Tura Beach - Concept Design	On behalf of The Lions Club of Pambula-Merimbula Inc. Authority received	Face to Face	I wish to speak against the officer’s recommendation and to strongly urge that Councillors support the Multi-generational Inclusive Recreation Area (MIRA) project in Tura Beach as originally presented to Council in 2022; in the presentation to senior council staff and several councillors at a workshop in October 2025; and also as reflected in the Review of Environmental Factors lodged with Council in December 2025. These all articulate the consistent and detailed proposal of what MIRA is intended to deliver…which is not just a playground. It is a multi-faceted inclusive community hub. The MIRA project has been developed through extensive community consultation and has garnered strong support in its current form. By supporting our request, Councillors honours community expectations, capitalises on a rare opportunity to deliver a landmark inclusive recreation area, and promotes equitable access to high-quality inclusive recreation infrastructure in the shire.
5	Mr Jon Webb | Item 9.2 - Multi-generational Recreation Area at Surf Circle Tura Beach - Concept Design	On behalf of The Lions Club of Pambula-Merimbula Inc. Authority received	Self	I wish to speak AGAINST the Parks & Recreation officers recommendation (option 3) as this does not align with the Lions Club of Pambula-Merimbula (PM Lions) project proposal and diminishes the intent of MIRA, being a Multi-generational Inclusive Recreation Area rather than a play space. However, saying this, PM Lions strongly urge that Councillors support the MIRA project in Tura Beach as originally presented to Council in 2022; in the presentation to senior council staff and several councillors at a workshop in October 2025; and also as reflected in the Review of Environmental Factors and concept plan as lodged with Council in December 2025. While throughout the concept development PM Lions has never swayed from the original intent, we have taken onboard many suggestions from the PAR team (e.g. no flying fox, include nature play, value engineer some materials, reduce soft fall, use of the old BBQ slab for ball sports and redesigns of the car park to accommodate a large excavator). These were identified across several meetings… with the concept remaining consistent. Only at the 11th hour the idea of a playground strategy was raised by PAR after our concept design was complete and being presented to them. At the October Workshop called by the council CEO, our presentation to senior council staff and councillors included the concept plan as submitted, noting that MIRA was not just a playground; the suggestion from PAR to pull back the scope (not adopted by PM Lions); and the estimated costs of around $2.1m. At the end of the workshop presentation the council audience were asked if they required us to change anything… nothing was identified, not even from the then Director of Infrastructure. In fact, from the overall response received from all, it was taken as they loved it! with one of the few concerns raised was that it may be too popular! It is unfortunate that while MIRA is not just a playground, it continues to be considered as such by some and is reflected in the recommendation. Options 2& 3 are not clearly defined in terms of scope, probable costs, funding streams, how the project scope is funded/delivered on alternate sites, or in fact if these options retain renewal of the toilets, carpark, BBQ's, park furniture, green spaces and any of the non 'play' elements such as sensory elements, cultural connection, inclusion items, shade and fencing. Agreeing to options 2 or 3 will see a significant departure from the concept developed by PM Lions and, if approved, the Club would need to consider their ongoing involvement, especially if there is an expectation PM Lions are contributing toward the toilet and carpark renewal without including the larger amenity. The other challenge with a significant change in scope is the likely cost and effort required to develop one or potentially a series of plans to obtain approval. To date PM Lions and project supporters have contributed around $70,000 to get it to this stage, which needs to be recognised, but as a volunteer not-for-profit organisation we have essentially reached the limit of what could be possible without the council funding any changes imposed under options 2 or 3. In conclusion: • We request you support MIRA as originally agreed in the in-principal support of the project in 2022 and reflected in the RFF and Concept Plan submitted to Council in December 2025.

Mr Matt Johnson was granted a 2 minute extension

Mr Timothy Fitzgerald was granted a 2 minute extension

Ms Tracy Fleming was granted a 2 minute extension

The Public Forum session closed at 1:10 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