Ordinary Meeting

Meeting Date:     Tuesday, 27 June, 2017

Location:            Council Chambers, City Administrative Building, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   5:00pm

Membership (Quorum - 7)

All Councillors

Addendum Agenda

Mayoral Minute

MM17.13..... Mayoral Minute - Queens Birthday Honours.................................................. 1

MM17.14..... Mayoral Minute - Refugee Week.................................................................... 2

MM17.15..... Mayoral Minute - Passing of Lieutenant Commander Henry 'Nobby' Hall MBE OAM........................................................................................................................ 7

Reports

CL17.188..... Nowra Sailing Club Update............................................................................ 8                           

Addendum Agenda - Ordinary Meeting – Tuesday 27 June 2017 Page 1

MM17.13    Mayoral Minute - Queens Birthday Honours

HPERM Ref:       D17/199051

Recommendation

That Council receive the report for information and write a letter of congratulations to the recipients.

Details

The 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours were bestowed upon six of our local identites this year.  Congratulations to Former Commanding Officer of 816 Squadron, Commander Marc Pavillard CSC, Chief Petty Officer Phillip Hirschausen CSM, Chief Inspector Kevin McNeil APM, Peter Butler OAM RFD, Rod Austin OAM and John Downton OAM.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

·    Former Commanding Officer, Commander Marc Pavillard CSC for outstanding devotion to duty and performance in the field of naval aviation command.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)

·    Chief Petty Officer Phillip Hirschausen CSM for meritorious achievement in the performance of duty in the field of Navy avionics support.

AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)

·    Detective Chief Inspector Kevin McNeil for dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of NSW for over 35 years.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

·    Peter Butler OAM RFD for significant service to the community through a range of chairtable organisations, and to the provision and promotion of pro bono legal services.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

·    Rodney Austin OAM for service to surf lifesaving.

·    John Downton OAM for service to the visual arts as a maritime artist, and to the community.

Addendum Agenda - Ordinary Meeting – Tuesday 27 June 2017 Page 2

MM17.14    Mayoral Minute - Refugee Week

HPERM Ref:       D17/203556

Attachments:     1. Attachment to Mayoral Minute - Refugee Week - 18-24 June 2017 ⇩

Recommendation

That Council sign the pledge to become a Refugee Welcome Zone.

Details

To mark this years refugee week 18-24 June 2017 I ask that Shoalhaven City sign the pledge to become a Refugee Welcome Zone.

A Refugee welcome zone is a place that welcomes people with friendship and compassion in their time of need. Refugee welcome Zones have been created all across Australia and reflect our humanitarian intake of refugees as valued members of our society. Australia has a strong record of welcoming refugees and we need to ensure that those who are safely on our shores are included in our society.

Addendum Agenda - Ordinary Meeting – Tuesday 27 June 2017 Page 3

Addendum Agenda - Ordinary Meeting – Tuesday 27 June 2017 Page 7

MM17.15    Mayoral Minute - Passing of Lieutenant Commander Henry 'Nobby' Hall MBE OAM

HPERM Ref:       D17/203587

Recommendation

That Council receive the report for information.

Details

LCDR Henry ‘Nobby’ Hall MBE OAM passed away surrounded by family on Sunday afternoon, aged 95 and a half.

Nobby was known to many a Shoalhaven resident and was ever present at commemorative services across the City.  As a highly decorated Naval Officer, he was always willing to speak to younger generations about his service.

Nobby served 43 years in the Navy, 20 of which were at sea, rising from the rank of ordinary seaman to Lieutenant Commander.  Nobby is believed to be, if not the last, of the final survivors from the original Canberra, which was heavily damaged and sunk during the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942.

Nobby was awarded an OAM for his service to veterans and their families through the Nowra-Greenwell Point RSL sub-branch and was also a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

A lovely distinguished gentleman for whom many will have a tale to tell, Nobby will be missed by all.  

Council pass on their condolences to Nobby's family.

Addendum Agenda - Ordinary Meeting – Tuesday 27 June 2017 Page 8

CL17.188   Nowra Sailing Club Update

HPERM Ref: D17/202010

Group:                Assets & Works Group

Purpose / Summary

To provide Council background on the Nowra Sailing Club and the disappointing loss of the building due to fire.

Recommendation

That Council receive a further report on options when insurance advice is received

Options

1.    Council accept the recommendation as presented.

Implications: Council is provided with a further update on the Nowra Sailing Club

2.    Council reject the recommendation.

Implications: No further report will be provided

Background

Council is aware that a fire caused extensive damage to the Sailing Club building on the evening of Wednesday last week. The site has been made “safe” and council is waiting on formal written advice from its Insurer.

Council is currently working on the following projects in relation to the Shoalhaven River precinct and these are highlighted below;

1.   Masterplan for the broader Nowra Riverfront Leisure and Entertainment Precinct.  The Precinct includes the Crown Land in which the fire damaged former Nowra Sailing Club building is situated.

2.   Paringa Park – Non motorised water sports hub

3.   Future use of the Nowra sailing club building

Nowra Riverfront Masterplan

Urban design consultants Studio GL Pty Ltd are currently assisting Council with this project. Councillors were briefed on the project and its next steps in December 2016. Most recently targeted consultation has been undertaken with relevant Government Agencies and also landowners within the precinct.

The primary objective of the Shoalhaven River front masterplan is to recognise the opportunities that exist within the Riverfront precinct, identify planning and design principles and recommend a strategic direction for the precinct and the areas within it.  It is intended that this Plan will act as a catalyst for future investment and development within the precinct and could lead to the adjustment of  planning controls in the area to assist.

Opportunities for the Riverfront precinct to also be put forward as potential location for a future regional ‘city deal’ are also being considered and investigated to help ensure that the long held desire to ‘activate’ the precinct can be realised.

As part of this exercise, the physical connection and relationship with the River generated by the Nowra Sailing Club building has been identified as an opportunity to take advantage of.  Whilst it was acknowledged that the building had structural issues, the Plan always intended on building on and fostering the opportunity provided by the existing Nowra Sailing Club building. Thus, the opportunity for a replacement building or structure to provide a focus and opportunity in this location is likely to be something the masterplan will identify.

The Nowra Sailing Club building and surrounds also have local historical significance.

Paringa Park – Non motorised water sports hub

Council has prepared a masterplan for Paringa Park. Paringa Park community consultation occurred in February 2017. The proposal considers locating the Nowra Water Dragons, Nowra Sea Scouts, Nowra Sailing Club and Shoalhaven Rowing club into one hub near the current Shoalhaven Rowing site that was established by members.  

Future use of the Nowra sailing club building

Council acquired the Nowra Sailing Club Building in the 1960’s. The building was used by

·    Nowra Sailing Club from 1964 till 2015. The Sailing club has a relatively small membership.

·    Shoalhaven Rowing Club from 1977 to 2000. The Shoalhaven Rowing club, which also has a rich history relocated in 2000 to a purpose, built boatshed further to the west on the Shoalhaven River.

Previous history of the Nowra Sailing Club building is that it is more than likely the third building erected around the location of the Nowra wharf, from 1930 to 1935. It was the transportation centre of the town until cars, trucks and rail provided an alternative transportation option for freight. In 1948 till 1964, the building was occupied by the Nowra Fisherman’s Co-operative, who then relocated to the north side of the river. Nowra sailing club then occupied the building as a boat store until November 2015.

The Shoalhaven LEP2014 currently identifies the “inter-war weatherboard building and timber wharf” in this location as a local Heritage Item. As such, any demolition or future use will need to consider the requirements of this current heritage listing.

Council were presented with reports in;

·    May 2016 on the Future use of the Nowra Sailing Club Building

·    November 2015 on the Future use of the Nowra sailing Club Building

·    November 2012 Nowra water sports club precinct (otherwise known as the Nowra Sailing Club)

These reports identified users of the Shoalhaven River near the bridge including the Nowra Water Dragons, Nowra Sailing Club & Shoalhaven Rowing Club and their needs and the needs of other river users and infrastructure requirements.

It is incredibly disappointing that the Nowra Sailing Club building fire on 21 June 2017, caused extensive structural damage.

Community Engagement

The future of the riverfront precinct and the Nowra sailing club are of high interest to the community. It is incredibly disappointing to many in the community that the sailing club has been lost due to this fire and the Shoalhaven Historical Society have provided feedback to council on the buildings significant history and ideas from the community to recognise this in the future.

Consultation has recently been undertaken with affected landowners in regard to the broader Nowra Riverfront Masterplan work. In early July, we are also arranging a meeting with Councils heritage adviser, Shoalhaven Historical Society and the insurer.

Financial Implications

Council has notified under its Property insurance and an Assessor has been appointed. The potential settlement options are currently being discussed with the insurer.