Development & Environment Committee

Meeting Date:     Tuesday, 02 March, 2021

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

Time:                   5.00pm

Membership (Quorum - 5)

Clr Mitchell Pakes - Chairperson

Clr Bob Proudfoot

All Councillors

Chief Executive Officer or nominee

Addendum Agenda

Mayoral Minute

Mayoral Minute

DE21.20...... Mayoral Minute - Exploration License Application 6196 Cudmirrah.............. 1                             

Addendum Agenda - Development & Environment Committee – Tuesday 02 March 2021 Page 0

DE21.20     Mayoral Minute - Exploration License Application 6196 Cudmirrah

HPERM Ref:       D21/79598

Attachments:     1.  Extract of Minutes - NSW Parliament Portfolio Committee - Industry - 26 February 2021 ⇩

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That Council:

1.    Make a submission to the NSW Resource Regulator in respect to ELA 6196 (Exploration License Application) expressing concerns in regard to the establishment of a license over high value conservation nature of the land that is being applied for, its proximity to a residential settlement and possible negative impacts on Swan Lake. According to NSW Estimates “Regional NSW, Industry & Trade” the application has been “put on hold while we gather information” (Beattie to Field, page 58, Attachment 1).

2.    Write to the Premier, Deputy Premier, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Environment, Minister for Planning and the Shadow Ministers, advising that Council supports the communities of Cudmirrah / Swan Haven and Sussex Inlet desire to be removed from the exploration license register and remain mine free.

3.    Notes that correspondence has been received from Jerrinja Land Council notifying that the area covered by the ELA mapping is highly sensitive and of high cultural significance.

Details

It recently came to light that an application for an exploration license has been lodged with the NSW Resource Regulator over the sand dunes and area of Cudmirrah and Swan Lake. The knowledge of the application has caused distress to many within the area who believe that if an exploration license were to be granted, the logical end point would be the establishment of a sand mine. It is understood that should an exploration license be approved, any future development for a mine would require a standalone development application. It is also acknowledged that sand is an essential element for the construction industry; however, we need to balance the requirement for resource with existing known high value conservation land.

Addendum Agenda - Development & Environment Committee – Tuesday 02 March 2021 Page 0