Agenda of Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce

Minutes of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce – Wednesday 30 March 2016

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MINUTES OF THE SHOALHAVEN HEADS ESTUARY TASKFORCE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH 2016 IN JERVIS BAY ROOM 1&3, CITY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE, BRIDGE ROAD, NOWRA COMMENCING AT 4.02PM

The following members were present:

Clr Guile – Chairperson

Clr Kitchener

Clr White

Clr Kearney

Clr Wells

Colin Waller

Bob Williamson

Allan Richardson

Mike James

Jessica Zealand

Gerry Groom

Phil Guy

Steve Short

David Lamb

Barry Allen

Graeme Philpott

Others Present:

Kelie Lowe – Environmental Services Manager

Isabelle Ghetti – Natural Resources & Floodplain Manager

Ailsa Schofield – Senior Floodplain Engineer

James Bonner – Development Co-Ordinator

William Glamore – UNSW Water Research Laboratory (WRL)

Apologies

Apologies were received from Tim Fletcher and Clr Gash

Note: Members mentioned that the business papers were not received in the post.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Note: Graham Philpott advised that there was more extensive questioning in relation the marina and requested that the word ‘mooring’ be changed to ‘Marina’ in Item 2 - Study to investigate options for improving flows of the Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads page 2, last paragraph of the minutes.

MOTION Moved: Clr Wells / Second: Jess Zealand

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce held on Wednesday 9 December 2015 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Presentation

William Glamore – UNSW WRL, provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the findings of the investigated options for improving flows of the Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads.

REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Study to investigate options for improving flows of the Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads-update File 9825E

MOTION: Moved: David Lamb / Second: Jessica Zealand

RECOMMENDED that:

a) The Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce recommends through the creation of a permanent or a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads as it is the only way in which river flow and the maintenance of an essentially marine environment can be established at the Heads.

b) The Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce concludes that the permanent opening would increase the amenity, recreational environment and economic development of the community and the NSW tourism initiative of the Grand Pacific Drive.

c) A memo from Dr Will Glamore on the additional investigation be included as an appendix to the report ‘Management Options for improving flows of the Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads’.

d) Dr William Glamore be invited to a public meeting at Shoalhaven Heads to present the findings of his report.

e) A brochure be sent to all Shoalhaven Heads residents and be placed on Council’s internet outlining and incorporating the findings of the report by Dr Will Glamore and the Taskforce’s recommendation for a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads.

f) A media release be organised to present the findings of the report and clearly highlight the needs for Federal and private enterprise funding and include the Taskforce recommendation relating to the permanent or a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads.

g) Progress on the status of implementation of the recommendations of the report be presented to the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce and to Council on a regular basis through its Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee

h) That members of the Taskforce be thanked for their active contributions to this study.

CARRIED

Note: Clr White, Kearney and Wells left the meeting the time being 5.16pm

Boat Building Factory and Boat Mooring Facilities - 1178 Comerong Island Rd, Numbaa - Lot 2 DP 1077521 File DA84/2166

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RESOLVED that the report regarding the Boat Building Factory and Boat Mooring Facilities - 1178 Comerong Island Rd, Numbaa be received for information.

CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS

Additional Item – Request for Additional Sand Adjacent to the Children’s Play Area
File 2358E

Jess Zealand advised that the Community Forum discussed the sand being relocated to create beach area on a trial basis as the limited amenities for children include grass and mud. It was suggested that clean sand could be dropped in front of the play area and then monitored how long it stays for. She also stated the mangroves have started to establish there. It was mentioned that when the entrance is open, people are happy and when it is closed it becomes unattractive. Isabelle Ghetti mentioned that next time the dry notch is maintained sand could be placed in front of the playground. The cost of carting it there and it is unsure how long the sand would stay there for and this will need to be monitored. Isabelle advised that the recent survey of the notch indicated that maintenance works are not required. Next time maintenance works are required (and the transport of sand is affordable), Isabelle will contact the community and organise a trial.

Additional Item – Surveying over the Christmas Period File 45866E

Jessica Zealand noticed over the Christmas period there was a gentleman who told her he was surveying the erosion control behind the sand flat behind the pontoon along River Rd Reserve and he discussed secondary boating channels. Jessica requested if Council has any available additional information on this survey. It was suggested that this work could have been undertaken by Roads and Maritime Services as Council Staff were unaware of the work.

Additional Item – Holiday Haven Occupation & Entrance state File 41490E

Clr Guile noted that Kevin Sullivan (Tourist Parks Manager) had advised him that Holiday Haven Parks were ahead of budget. Clr Guile was hopeful that the Shoalhaven Heads Tourism was still thriving.

MOTION: Moved: Consent

RESOLVED that a report on the Council Caravan Park usage at Shoalhaven Heads be provided to the next meeting by the Manager – Business and Property, in order to assess if the state of the entrance (open/closed) impacts on the tourists numbers.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.28 pm.

Clr Guile

CHAIRPERSON

Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce – Monday 12 December 2016

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SH16.1 Status update on the recommendations of the Taskforce

HPERM Ref: D16/359037

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Shoalhaven River Flow study brochure ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To provide an update to the Taskforce on the status of its last recommendations to Council.

Recommendation

That

1. Council review the membership of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce and in particular Council staff to ensure the Taskforce has access to professional advice on matters related to tourism and economic development

2. Council in consultation with the Shoalhaven Heads Forum organise a public meeting at Shoalhaven Heads in March or April 2017 where Dr Will Glamore will present the findings of the Water Research Laboratory studies and Rafael Carvalho will present findings of his PhD research on the Shoalhaven River sediment compartment.

3. The Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce endorse the content of the brochure attached to this report for public distribution.

Options

1. As recommended

Implications: The recommendation of this report provides a way forward for the Taskforce.

2. The Taskforce could choose to amend the recommendation of this report

Implications: unknown

Background

The recommendations from the last meeting of the Taskforce were presented to Council on 19 April 2016 and Council resolved the following (min 16.283):

That:

a) Council notes that the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce recommends the creation of a permanent or a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads as it is the only way in which river flow and the maintenance of an essentially marine environment can be established at the Heads.

c) A memo from Dr Will Glamore on the additional investigation be included as an appendix to the report ‘Management Options for improving flows of the Shoalhaven River at Shoalhaven Heads’.

d) Dr Will Glamore be invited to a public meeting at Shoalhaven Heads to present the findings of his report.

e) A brochure be sent to all Shoalhaven Heads residents and be placed on Council’s internet outlining and incorporating the findings of the report by Dr Will Glamore and the Taskforce’s recommendation for a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads.

f) A media release be organised to present the findings of the report and clearly highlight the needs for Federal and private enterprise funding and include the Taskforce recommendation relating to the permanent or a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads.

h) That members of the Taskforce be thanked for their active contributions to this study.

Status of part a) and b) of council’s resolution

It is noted that the Taskforce focus for managing the entrance at Shoalhaven Heads is shifting towards tourism and economic development benefits. The Taskforce and Council are therefore encouraged to consider the membership of the Taskforce (Community and Council staff) to ensure expertise in these matters is available to the Taskforce.

Status of part c) of council’s resolution

This is complete and as soon as the Taskforce agree on the content of the brochure the full report will be made available on Council’s website.

Status of part d) of council’s resolution

The Taskforce is invited to advise of a suitable date for a public meeting at Shoalhaven Heads. It is suggested that this meeting be held in March 2017, as this would also allow Rafael Carvalho to present some interesting finding from his detailed investigations of the Shoalhaven sediment compartment that he carried out for his PHD research at University of Wollongong.

Status of part e) of council’s resolution

A brochure was drafted by Dr Will Glamore and Council staff and circulated for comments by email. Comments were received and informed the attached revised version of the draft brochure. As per the Taskforce recommendations and Council’s resolution, the brochure is ‘outlining and incorporating the findings of the report by Dr Will Glamore and the Taskforce’s recommendation for a semi-permanent non–navigable river entrance at Shoalhaven Heads.’

Status of part f) of council’s resolution

This will be organised once the brochure is finalised.

Status of part g) of council’s resolution

The draft brochure provided in the attachment provides an update on the status of implementation of the recommendations of the report.

Council was recently informed that its grant funding application to the State Government Flood Program 2016/17 to review the Lowe Shoalhaven River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and associated entrance management plan was successful. A consultant brief to undertake the review is being finalised with input from Council’s Natural Resources and Floodplain Management Committee.

Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce – Monday 12 December 2016

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SH16.2 Occupancy rates - Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Holiday Park

HPERM Ref: D16/364334

Group: Planning & Development Services Group

Section: Environmental Services

Attachments: 1. Occupancy rates - Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Park ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To inform the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce on whether the state of the estuary entrance (open/closed) has any effect on the occupancy rate at the Holiday Haven Tourist Park, Shoalhaven Heads.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce receive the Occupancy Rates – Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Holiday Park report for information.

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation as written.

Implications: none.

2. Provide further direction to staff and propose an alternative.

Implications: unknown.

Background

At the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce meeting held on 30^th March 2016 it was resolved:

“…that a report on the Council Caravan Park usage at Shoalhaven Heads be provided to the next meeting by the Manager – Business and Property, in order to assess if the state of the entrance (open/closed) impacts on the tourists numbers.”

Director Assets and Works (Property Services) provided the attached chart showing occupancy rates at Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Park for 2014 and 2015 and the following comment: ‘There does not appear to have been any impact on the occupancy rates as a result of the August floods. Occupancy rates were trending up in March and April and the trend is in line with the previous year (refer Attachment)’.