Record of Public Forum

Held on Wednesday, 22 April 2026 - 12:00pm

Council Chambers, Bega

Andrew Latta

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Record of Public Forum Agenda

22 April 2026

Public Forum

Held on Wednesday 22 April 2026 at 12:05pm

Council Chambers, Bega

Present: Cr Russell Fitzpatrick , Mayor Cr Mitchell Nadin, Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Allen - Apology Cr Simon Daly Cr Peter Haggar Cr Clair Mudaliar Cr Peggy Noble Cr Helen O’Neil Cr David Porter

Copy: Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Latta Acting Director,  Community, Environment and Planning, Ms Cecily Hancock Acting Director, Organisational Services, Mrs Gemma Stewart 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 22 April 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

That the apologies of Cr Tony Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Anthony McMahon, Director Community, Environment and Planning, Emily Harrison and Director Organisational Services, Iliada Bolton be noted.

Public Forum Addresses

.     Public Forum submissions received 

FOR
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
4	Mr David O’Connor -  Item 8.1 | 2021.360 Extractive Industry (gravel quarry), 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot	Self	Face to Face	To respond to concerns raised from people speaking against the proposal.
5	Ms Melinda Steel - Item 10.4 Waiver of water connection charge - Bega Town Band Building (Canning St, Bega)	On behalf of Bega District Band Authority received	Face to Face	I wish to make a presentation to Councillors on item 10.4 Bega Band fee waiver options. I support option 1 the offset of fees. The band has a long standing memorandum of understanding with the council and this best reflects the agreement without setting precedents or creating procurement issues for council staff. The band only has land and building under its care due to the gifting of land and volunteer labor to build the band rooms. The band is not a commercial entity and does not have the capacity to become commercial entity. The band does not fund raise, it plays for the community. The band has only invoiced the council as advised to do so due to the change in rates charges and grant funding being available.
AGAINST
	Name	Rep	Method	Comment
1	Mr Johan Ras - Item 8.1 | 2021.360 Extractive Industry (gravel quarry), 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot	Self	Face to Face	Will provide brief prior to the Public Forum
2	Mr Johan Ras - Item 8.1 | 2021.360 Extractive Industry (gravel quarry), 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot	On behalf of Stop Bournda Group Inc Authority received	Face to Face	Discuss social and environmental concerns
3	Ms Skye Etherington - Item 8.1 | 2021.360 Extractive Industry (gravel quarry), 1399 Sapphire Coast Drive, Wallagoot	Self	Face to Face	Outlining some of the reasons why this development is NOT acceptable on this environmentally E3 zoned land. Speaking to the Values of Biodiversity of the site and Dangers to Public Health of Crystalline Respiratory Silica and Councils responsibility to public health and local amenity.

Mr Johan Ras was granted a 2 minute extension

Mr Johan Ras on behalf of Stop Bournda Group Inc was granted a 2 minute extension

Ms Skye Etherington was granted a 2 minute extension

Mr David O’Connor was granted a 2 minute extension

Ms Melinda Steel was granted a 2 minute extension

The Public Forum session closed at 1:24pm.

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