Agenda of Development Committee

Minutes of the Development Committee – Tuesday 2 August 2016

Page 1

MINUTES OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 2 AUGUST, 2016 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE, BRIDGE ROAD, NOWRA COMMENCING AT 4.01PM

The following members were present:

Clr White - Chairperson

Clr Tribe

Clr Robertson – arrived 4.01pm

Clr Kearney

Clr Gash

Clr Wells – arrived 4.01pm

Clr Baptist

Clr Findley – arrived 4.02pm

Clr Watson – arrived 4.01pm

Clr Kitchener

Russ Pigg – General Manager

Apologies:

Apologies were received from Clr Anstiss

1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the Development Committee meeting held on Monday 18 July 2016

MOTION: Moved: Kearney / Second: Baptist

(MIN16.617) RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Development Committee meeting held on Monday 18 July 2016 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Note: As this was the last meeting of the Development Committee for the current term of Council, the Chairperson, Clr White thanked the Councillors for their participation in debates and thanked staff for the quality of the reports and information.

Note: Clrs Wells, Robertson, Watson and Findley arrived at the meeting.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

2. Development Application 16/1649 – New detached Dual Occupancy and Subdivision at Lot 35 DP 264082, 2 Coconut Drive, North Nowra. Applicant/ Owner: D. L. Tooley File DA16/1649 (PDR)

MOTION: Moved: Wells / Second: Baptist

(MIN16.618) RESOLVED, in accordance with the Committee’s delegated authority from Council, that the Committee:

a) Confirm support for the variation of the side boundary setback to Coconut Drive contained in section 5.4 of Chapter G13 to 1.1m for the proposed pergola and the variation corner lot frontage requirements under section 5.24 of Chapter G11 of Shoalhaven DCP 2014;

b) That the application be determined under delegated authority.

CARRIED

FOR: Tribe, Robertson, Kearney, Gash, Wells, Baptist, Findley, Watson, Kitchener, White and Russ Pigg

AGAINST: Nil

3. Land Acquisition Request to facilitate the construction of Enterprise Avenue, South Nowra (Contributions Plan Project 01ROAD2143) File 28709E (PDR)

MOTION: Moved: Gash / Second: Wells

(MIN16.619) RESOLVED, in accordance with the Committee’s delegated authority from Council, that the Committee:

a) Give in principal support to acquire part of Lot 2 DP 1170503 to facilitate the construction of Enterprise Avenue.

b) Enter into a planning agreement with the affected/benefitting landowners to carry out the required land acquisition, design and construction of Enterprise Avenue (01ROAD2143).

c) Instruct staff to further investigate the funding arrangements to facilitate the acquisition of land and surveys of Enterprise Avenue road reserve; and

d) Consider waiving fees associated with the lodgement of any future Development Applications or Construction Certificates over the subject land as part of the Planning Agreement process.

CARRIED

FOR: Tribe, Robertson, Kearney, Gash, Wells, Baptist, Findley, Watson, Kitchener, White and Russ Pigg

AGAINST: Nil

4. Simplified NSW Housing Code - Proposed Submission File 31157E

MOTION: Moved: Wells / Second: Baptist

(MIN16.620) RESOLVED, in accordance with the Committee’s delegated authority from Council, that a submission (Attachment “A”) be provided to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment on the proposed simplified NSW Housing Code.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 4.04pm.

Clr White

CHAIRPERSON

Development Committee – Monday 10 October 2016

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DE16.1 Development Application – 25 Junction Street, Nowra – Lot 1 DP 81167

DA. No: DA16/1369

HPERM Ref: D16/301955

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Development Services

Attachments: 1. Variation Statement ⇩

Description of Development: Erection of three (3) single storey residential units and community title subdivision

Owner: Janack Nominees Pty Ltd

Applicant: Hotondo South Coast Pty Ltd

Notification Dates: 5 to 20 April 2016, 1 to 16 June 2016 and 1 to 12 August 2016

No. of Submissions: Seven (7) objections during the first notification period; six (6) during the second notification period; none in the third notification period.

Zero (0) in support

Purpose / Reason for consideration by Council

The reason for referring this Development Application (DA) to Council is to seek direction with respect to a policy variation regarding the proposed Community Title subdivision. The size of the lots in the proposed Community Title subdivision are all more than 10% below the minimum lot size of 350 square metres prescribed in clause 4.1C of Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 (SLEP 2014).

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee:

1. Confirm that it supports the variation to the minimum lot size for lots 1-4 to 265, 195, 155 and 204.5 square metres respectively; and

2. The Development Aplication be determined under delegated authority.

Options

1. Resolve to support the proposed variation in the side setback.

Implications: This would enable the development and subdivision, as submitted, to proceed subject to the granting of development consent.

2. Resolve not to support the proposed variation.

Implications: This would result in the applicant needing to reconsider the design of the proposal, potentially reducing the density of the development.

Location Map

Zoning Map

Background

This application is for:

· the demolition of an existing shed;

· the erection of 2 x 3 bedroom and 1 x 2 bedroom single storey dwellings;

· a community title subdivision of the completed development.

(The applicant confirmed on 18 August 2016 that the ‘relocation’ of the existing dwelling, which was part of the original application, was not to be pursued in the DA. The ‘relocation’ is instead, to be covered by a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).)

The subdivision proposes a four (4) lot community title subdivision with three (3) residential lots of 155, 195 and 204.5 square metres and a neighbourhood property lot of 265 square metres as illustrated below.

Proposed subdivision layout

Subject Land

The subject land is described as lot 1 DP 81167, 25 Junction Rd, Nowra and is a rectangular shaped lot of 815.69 m²in area.

Site & Context

The subject site:

· is located within a residential zoned area (R1 General Residential under SLEP 2014;

· has frontage to Junction Street, Nowra. The street is a heritage item under SLEP 2014 and is within the vicinity of several other heritage items, but no. 25 is not itself heritage listed;

· is adjoined on each side by single dwellings and on its rear boundary by the playing fields of St Michael’s Catholic Primary School;

· is currently occupied by a single storey weatherboard and iron cottage located and a fibro single garage;

· is subject to a ‘concessional’ minimum lot size of 350 square metres for multi-dwelling housing where the erection of the dwellings and subdivision are proposed in a single development application (clause 4.1C SLEP 2014).

History

There are no records in Council’s Records system of any applications previous to the current one. The Heritage Advisor states that the existing house appears to date from the late interwar period.

Issues

Clause 4.1C of Shoalhaven LEP 2014

Clause 4.1C states:

(1) The objective of this clause is to encourage housing diversity without adversely impacting on residential amenity.

(2) This clause applies to development on land in Zone R1 General Residential.

(3) Development consent may be granted to a single development application for development to which this clause applies that is both of the following:

(a) the subdivision of land into 3 or more lots,

(b) the erection of a dwelling house, an attached dwelling or a semi-detached dwelling on each lot resulting from the subdivision, if the size of each lot is equal to or greater than 350 square metres.

The objective of this clause is to encourage housing diversity without adversely impacting on residential amenity. It applies to land in Zone R1 General Residential. The clause provides that development consent may be granted to a single development application for development that is for both the subdivision of land into three (3) or more lots and the erection of a dwelling house, and attached dwelling or a semi-detached dwelling on each lot resulting from the subdivision, provided that each lot is no less than 350 square metres in size.

As mentioned earlier, the size of each lot is below this minimum.

The R1 zone, has a series of objectives which importantly states that the zone is intended to provide for housing needs of the community and a variety of housing types and densities. Further details are provided later in this report.

Applicant’s Submission

The applicant has submitted a detailed statement seeking to justify the non-compliance with the 350 square metres lot size development standard (see copy at Attachment A).

The statement provides a description of the development, identifies the 350 square metres development standard, details the justification for the non-compliance, and puts forward environmental planning grounds for supporting the non-compliance.

It is noted that the applicant has cited clause 4.1A of SLEP 2014 whereas the clause that permits the development in question is clause 4.1C. The fine difference is that 4.1A applies to the subdivision of an existing development, whereas 4.1C applies to an application to erect and subdivide a residential development in the one application.

Discussion

The applicant needs to demonstrate that compliance with the development standard is unreasonable or unnecessary in the circumstances of the case, and that there are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify contravening the development standard. Council cannot grant consent for such a development unless it is satisfied that the applicant has adequately addressed the above matters and that the proposal will be in the public interest because it is consistent with the objectives of both the development standard and the zone in which the development is proposed.

These considerations are called up by clause 4.6 contained in SLEP 2014, which enables variations to a development standard to be considered.

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) Varying development standards: A guide 2011 (The Guide), advises that any DA that proposes a variation under clause 4.6 greater than 10% of the development standard must be determined by the Development Committee of Full Council, not the General Manager, or nominated staff. This application includes lots exceeding 10%.

The objective of the development standard (lot size) is:

‘to encourage housing diversity without adversely impacting on residential amenity.’

The objectives of the R1 General Residential zone (in full) are:

· to provide for the housing needs of the community;

· to provide for a variety of housing types and densities;

· to enable other land uses that provide facilities or services to meet the day to day needs of residents;

· to identify land suitable for future urban expansion.

It is considered that:

· the applicant has adequately addressed the required matters; and

· the proposal will be in the public interest because it is consistent with the objectives of both the development standard and those of the R1 General Residential zone.

To support the proposal, the applicant has submitted that:

· there will be no adverse environmental impacts such as the loss of privacy;

· the proposal will provide housing diversity and choice of stock;

· there is adequate residential amenity within the development;

· the proposal is consistent with the objectives of the zone.

The subdivision of the development does not give rise to any other issues of significance to environmental planning. In particular, this development will be consistent with the second objective of the R1 General Residential zone (ie to provide for a variety of housing types and densities) and the objective of the development standard in clause 4.1C of the LEP (ie to encourage housing diversity without adversely impacting on residential amenity).

The subdivision of the development will not materially alter the appearance of the development or adversely impact on the amenity of future occupants or adjoining residents. Further, it is important to note that with this type of land title, there is common property. The common property is something that all owners will benefit from, for example the driveway.

Lot number	Lot Size	% Variation form 350m² standard.
1 (Neighbourhood) property held in common ownership and includes the driveway area.	265m²	24.3%
2	195m²	44.3%
3	155m²	55.7%
4	204.5m²	41.6%

Planning Assessment

The DA assessment will be finalised under s79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 following consideration of the policy issue subject of this report. This will include the consideration of the relevant chapters of Council’s Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014 (SDCP 2014) which contains the guidelines for this type of development.

Policy Implications

Consultation and Community Engagement:

In accordance with Council’s Community Consultation Policy, the development application was notified on three (3) occasions, the latter two (2) following the submission of amended plans that attempted to address issues raised by Council staff in preliminary assessment and those raised in submissions.

The first notification period was from 5 to 20 April 2016. Fifteen (15) neighbours were notified within a sixty (60) metre radius. Seven (7) submissions were received during this period. The second notification period was from 1 to 16 June 2016 and only respondents to the first notification were re-notified. Submissions were received from six (6) of the earlier respondents during this period. After the submission of the second set of amended plans, previous respondents were advised by email of the lodgement of these plans and that Council would receive further submissions until 12 August 2016. No further submissions were received in this last period.

Key issues raised as a result of the notification are provided below. As can be seen, the issues relate to the physical building aspects of the development and are not particularly relevant to the subdivision component.

Issue	Comment
First set of plans
Development will have a significant impact on the heritage significance of Junction Street and its important role in the cultural life of the town	This will be considered in the assessment of the application. The second set of amended plans made adjustments to the roof form (removing the modern skillion design). Roof forms are considered an important streetscape element. The site is not heritage listed.
Existing interwar house is a prime example of the architecture of the period and its removal will detract from the streetscape.	As the site is not itself heritage-listed, removal or demolition of the house is a Complying Development and does not require development approval. Advice from the Heritage Advisor is that it would be preferable to retain the existing dwelling. Whilst preferable, the planning framework does not prevent the removal.
Development will irreversibly change the attractiveness and ambience of the neighbourhood and Nowra’s heritage precinct.	The second set of amended plans including a more compatible roof form and are considered to be acceptable.
Plans and documentation initially submitted with the application are inadequate.	Shortcomings have been addressed.
Development is not sympathetic to existing development.	The second set of amended plans are considered to to better integrate the development into the locality.
Will have social and economic impacts and impacts on amenity of surrounding residences.	Social and economic impacts of one modest single storey three (3) unit development will be minimal. Amenity impacts will be considered in the final assessment with regard to chapter G14 of the SDCP 2014.
Loss of visual and acoustic privacy	Development is single storey.
Additional vehicle movements will increase hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic	Additional vehicle movements will result but are considered to be marginal. Junction Street is wide and has relatively low levels of traffic.
Does not provide minimum of 35 square metres private open space	Units 1 and 3 comply. Unit 2 is deficient by 30% (35 square metres required, 25 square metres is provided). However the clothesline and water tank are located in the narrower parts of the open space that does not count towards the 35 sq m, so the resulting area is functional.
Acoustic privacy of neighbours will be affected by driveway	Adequate acoustic privacy will be obtained for adjoining residences with condition for 1.8m boundary fence. A standard condition could also imposed on the development if approval is granted.
Application does not address SEPP 71	Will be addressed in Council’s assessment..
Heritage impact not adequately addressed	Council’s Heritage Advisor considered initial and amended plans and found the amended plans acceptable subject to upgraded landscaping.
Inadequate on-site parking will lead to parking congestion in Junction Street	Parking complies including a reduction of 1 car space (deletion of visitor’s space) in accordance with CBD parking bonus. Overflow parking may occur from time to time in Junction St.
Three (3) units in this location is an overdevelopment	The proposal is consistent with zoning and DCP floor space density measures. Whilst the development is 9.8% below the minimum landscaped area, this is largely the result of the development having a large footprint due to it being all single storey.
Development will cause conflict in the local community	There is no evidence that this will occur.
Infrastructure in the area is inadequate to cater for increased density	Infrastructure is generally quite adequate for the development.
Development will have an adverse impact on the economic and tourism values and benefits flowing from the retention of the historical character of this part of Nowra	With the changes in the second set of amended plans, the impact of the development on the streetscape will be minimised. There is no evidence that this development will have an adverse economic or tourism impact.
Existing house should be retained and/or adaptively reused or kept as part of a dual occupancy with a new dwelling at the rear.	The existing house is not heritage listed so it can be removed without the need for development consent.
Drainage is an issue in the vicinity and development will exacerbate that. Excessive impervious area will cause drainage problems	A concept drainage design has been provided that drains all roofed and sealed areas to the street gutter.
Additional noise from garbage collection vehicles	Two (2) additional collections at this location is considered to have a very minor impact.
Additional impact from light emissions	Minor if any impact noting that it is residential development in an urban context.
Development will have an impact on the bird and wildlife population in the area	There is no evidence for this. There will be more plantings in the new development than exist at the present, with between 25 and 30 native shrubs and small trees, potentially providing more habitat for birds in particular.
Development will decrease the value of surrounding properties	There is no evidence supporting this assertion.
Development environment that allows this type of development is due to short-sighted and mistaken legislative framework foisted on local communities by the State government	This is not an issue for Council to consider in assessing this application.
Amended plans
Amended plans have deleted the visitors car space – loss of on-site parking	Deletion of visitor’s space is consistent with the SDCP 2014 Chapter 21 Nowra CBD 200m parking discount area.
Driveway still of gunbarrel design	The applicant has provided as much landscaping around driveway as is consistent with adequate vehicular manoeuvring areas. It is noted that Council’s DCP contains a diagram not disimilar to that proposed (Figure 1, page 7 in Chapter G14, of SDCP 2014).
SEE is inconsistent with plans	Later version of SEE submitted with second set of amended plans has addressed the inconsistency.
Amended timber slat fence is no more sympathetic to the locality	The fence is modelled on similarly styled but lower fences in Junction St (eg No. 31 Junction St).
Amended plans do not respond adequately to heritage advisor’s concerns	The Heritage Advisor has considered initial and amended plans and finds the amended plans acceptable subject to upgraded landscaping.
Landscape area does not meet Council’s minimum requirements	Development is below the minimum landscaped area. This is the result of the development having a large footprint due to being all single storey.
Clothesline and water tank in front yard of Unit 1 do not make for better presentation	The water tank has been relocated to behind front building line. The clothes line will be screened by the 1.8 m high front fence and landscaping.
Development is still not sympathetic	The second set of amended plans are considered to be acceptable noting the substantial change to the roof form from modern skillion to a more traditional hip.
Drainage still an issue	A concept drainage design has been provided that drains all roofed and sealed areas to the street gutter.
SEE is incorrect is stating that there are no heritage items within 250m	Agreed – White House (30 Junction St) is opposite and former convent (22 Junction St) is within 80 metres. Junction St and the grounds of St Michael’s Catholic Church directly adjoin the site. The issue of heritage has been explored by Council’s Advisor.
Sewerage system appears not to have sufficient capacity for existing development	Shoalhaven Water has advised that system has adequate capacity (Council’s reference D16/206663).

Financial Implications:

If the application is contested (appealed in the Land and Environment Court) it will result in potential costs to Council as a result of defending the appeal..

Legal Implications

If the application is refused, or if the applicant is dissatisfied with Council’s determination, or if the applicant has the right of appeal, the applicant is entitled to appeal to the Land and Environment Court. The applicant could also elect to have the matter reviewed via section 82A of the Enviornmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Summary and Conclusion

Whilst the numerical departure from the subdivision standard appears relatively large, the subdivision does not compromise amenity with site facilities and adequate function open space areas available.

The variation in the subdivision lot size as proposed in this application is considered capable of support for the reasons outlined in this report, including (but not limited to) that it is not inconsistent with the objectives of the zone in that it will provide for a variety of housing types.

Development Committee – Monday 10 October 2016

Page 15

DE16.2 Planning Proposal (PP 017) - Shoalhaven LEP 2014 - Shoalhaven Animal Shelter - Assessment of Submissions

HPERM Ref: D16/298138

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Strategic Planning

Attachments: 1. Animal Shelter Planning Proposal ⇩

Purpose / Summary

Consider feedback received during the public exhibition of the Animal Shelter Planning Proposal (PP017) which seeks to amend the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014 to allow for the relocation of the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter to Lot 1 DP 227233, 19 BTU Road, Nowra Hill which is currently zoned SP2 Infrastructure – Sewerage System.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Development Committee:

1. Adopt the Planning Proposal as exhibited; and

2. Forward the Planning Proposal to the NSW Parliamentary Counsel to draft the amendment to the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 and enable it to proceed to finalisation.

Options

1. As recommended

Implications: this is the preferred option as it will enable the Animal Shelter Planning Proposal (PP) to be finalised. This will ultimately enable the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter to be relocated, which in turn will enable expansion of the West Nowra Recycling and Waste Facility

2. Adopt an alternative recommendation

Implications: this may result in changes to the PP that could complicate the desired outcome. There may be additional costs to Council in regard to infrastructure, development costs and further studies.

3. Not adopt the recommendation

Implications: this option would delay the relocation of the current Shoalhaven Animal Shelter and the expansion of the West Nowra Recycling and Waste Facility.

Background

As a result of the plans for the proposed expansion of the West Nowra Recycling and Waste Facility, the existing Shoalhaven Animal Shelter needs to be relocated to a new site. A site selection study was undertaken which identified Lot 1 DP 227233, 19 BTU Road, Nowra Hill (the subject land) as the most appropriate site for the new Animal Shelter.

The proposed site is located approximately 1.3km from the Princes Highway, west of the Boral Sawmill. Similar uses including an animal boarding kennel (to the south at 154 Woncor Avenue) and a veterinary hospital (to the south east at 54 Woncor Avenue) are located nearby. There are approximately seven dwellings within 500 metres of the proposed animal shelter site, the nearest being approximately 150 metres away.

The land is owned by Council and is classified “operational’ under the Local Government Act. The site was previously used as a sanitary depot during the 1960s and 1970s and is currently used intermittently by Shoalhaven Water as a service depot. The site is mostly vacant with some basic depot buildings near the centre of the site.

The proposed site of the new animal shelter is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Subject lot

The subject land is currently zoned SP2 Infrastructure – Sewerage System under Shoalhaven LEP 2014 and is located within a broader area that is zoned RU2 Rural Landscape. It is noted that Animal Shelters are permissible under the land use term ‘animal boarding or training establishment’ in the RU2 zone.

This PP seeks to amend the Land Zoning Map of the Shoalhaven LEP 2014 to change the mapping notation of the subject lot from ‘SP2 Sewerage System’ to ‘SP2 Sewerage System and Animal Boarding’ (note: the shortened term ‘Animal Boarding’ will be used given the standard mapping limitations on maximum number of characters).

Council resolved to proceed with the PP on 18 January 2016 and it was initially submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E) in February 2016. The required Gateway determination was issued on 19 February 2016, allowing the PP to be publicly exhibited. The Gateway determination also required the PP to be sent to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the NSW Environmental Protection Authority for comment prior to public exhibition.

Public Exhibition

The PP was publicly exhibited from 1 June to 1 July 2016. A notice was placed in the South Coast Register on 1 June 2016. All landowners within a radius of two kilometres were notified in writing, and notification was sent to relevant government agencies.

# A copy of the exhibited PP is provided as Attachment 1.

No submissions were received from the community. Submissions were received from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Road and Maritime Services (RMS) which did not object to the PP.

Response to submissions

Given that no submissions were received objecting to the PP, it is recommended that it be adopted as exhibited to enable staff proceed to finalise the resultant amendment to the LEP.

Community Engagement

The PP was publicly exhibited in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy at Level 1 to ‘inform’ and ‘consult’, and DP&E’s Gateway determination. Two Government Agency submissions were received and no objections were raised.

Policy Implications

This PP has arisen from Councils plans for the proposed expansion of the West Nowra Recycling and Waste Facility, which require the existing Shoalhaven Animal Shelter to be relocated to a new site

Financial Implications

Finalisation of the PP will be resourced within the existing budget.

Development Committee – Monday 10 October 2016

Page 38

DE16.3 NSW Heritage Grants Program 2016/2017 - Shoalhaven Local Heritage Assistance Fund Program

HPERM Ref: D16/300392

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Strategic Planning

Attachments: 1. Suggested Shoalhaven Local Heritage Assistance Fund Program 2016 2017 ⇩

Purpose / Summary

Outline the 2016/2017 NSW Heritage Grants Program, summarise the applications received for the 2016/2017 Local Heritage Assistance Fund and seek endorsement to allocate funding to eligible applicants.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

The Committee endorse the allocation of Shoalhaven Local Heritage Assistance Funds for the 2016/2017 program listed in Attachment 1 to this report.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation.

Implications: This will see the allocated budget amount being delivered to appropriate local heritage projects.

2. Adopt an alternate recommendation.

Implications: This would not be in keeping with the established process which involved seeking applications from interested owners.

Background

Council has continued its commitment to local heritage projects in Shoalhaven with the provision of small grant funds to support a pro-rata grant from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) for 2016/2017. Funding is provided to Council to run a Local Heritage Fund that provides small monetary assistance grants for a wide range of small local heritage projects, including but not limited to:

· Sympathetic alterations/additions to heritage items;

· Conservation works and general maintenance works;

· Adaptive reuse;

· Urban design projects that support heritage;

· Interpretation projects; and

· Conservation management plans.

The conservation of Shoalhaven’s cultural heritage by its owners is clearly beneficial to the broader community and visitors to the area. These grants, although small, show that Council and NSW State Government are committed to assisting owners to conserve and enhance their properties, for the benefit of future generations. The monetary component is included in the annual State of the Environment report and demonstrates Council’s continuing commitment to heritage conservation management and promoting cultural sustainability, heritage tourism and the Community Strategic Plan.

NSW Heritage Grant Program 2016 – 2017

Council has accepted funding offers from OEH as part of the NSW Heritage Grant Program for the 2016-2017 financial year under two ‘streams’, which include:

· Local Government Heritage Places Grants - LGP2016024 (Shoalhaven Local Heritage Assistance Fund); and

· 2016-2017 Local Government Heritage Advisors - LGA2016022 (Shoalhaven City Council Heritage Advisor Service).

Council was not offered grant funding for the 2016/2017 Local Government Heritage Planning Studies Application (Heritage Conservation Area: Berry Township). This application arose from a resolution following the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan LEP 2014 exhibition. Council will re-apply as part of the 2017-2018 funding round and will continue to seek any alternative/additional grant funding opportunities for this project.

Process

An advertisement in local newspapers on 3 August 2016 called for applications from the owners of heritage items to participate in the 2016/2017 Local Heritage Assistance Fund Program. Council also wrote to potential applicants who had previously expressed an interest in the program to inform them of the call for applications. Successful applications are required to match the value of the grant offered by Council on a dollar-for-dollar basis and to complete the required works by 31 March 2017.

At the close of the application period on 31 August 2016, six (6) applications were received for proposed works with an estimated total value of $68,485. Details of the applications together with the recommended grant amounts are shown in Attachment “1”.

The applications were assessed and approved by Council’s Heritage Advisor against the State Government criteria as required under the terms of the State Government funding offer. The Heritage Advisor has inspected each heritage item being considered for funding, to ensure that the works proposed are appropriate heritage works and a priority for that site.

Funding is used to assist heritage listed items in Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 as a first priority, over non-listed heritage items. The Heritage Advisor deemed that all applications qualified for grant funding.

Community Engagement

The Shoalhaven Local Heritage Fund Program 2016/2017 was advertised in local newspapers on 3 August 2016 and included a link to Council’s website for relevant information on eligibility and assessment criteria. Direct advice was also provided to people who had previously expressed an interest in the program.

Financial Implications

Local Heritage Places Grant 2016/2017

The funding agreement for the OEH Local Heritage Places Grant uses a funding formula of $1 for every $2 that Council spends, with Council able to receive a maximum grant amount of up to $8,500 (ex GST). Therefore, to claim the maximum grant amount, Council must provide a minimum amount of $17,000 in grant allocations.

The suggested total overall funding amount for the 2016/2017 Local Heritage Assistance Fund is $25,500, which will include the OEH Local Government Heritage Places maximum grant amount of up to $8,500 (ex GST) and $16,293 currently in the Council budget (Job No. 15263). Therefore, for the Shoalhaven Local Heritage Fund Program 2016/2017, to be fully funded, an additional $707 will need to be allocated and this will be resolved within the existing strategic planning budget.

To claim reimbursement of the OEH Local Heritage Places Grant, Council must submit a list of completed projects and an annual report to OEH by 15 May 2017.

2016/2017 Local Government Heritage Advisors Grant

The OEH funding agreement for the Local Government Heritage Advisors Grant has a funding formula of $1 for every $2 that Council spends, with Council able to receive a maximum available grant of up to $8,500 (ex GST). The cost of providing the Heritage Advisor service is generally more than the required minimum amount of $17,000 and this is funded through the Planning & Development Group budget (Job No. 24022).

To claim reimbursement of the OEH Local Government Heritage Advisors Grant funding, Council must submit an annual Heritage Strategy Action Report for the 2016/2017 financial year and updated Shoalhaven Heritage Strategy covering 2017-2018 to OEH by 15 May 2017.