Agenda of Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee

Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee – Wednesday 07 April 2021

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Membership

Mr James Caldwell - Chairperson

Clr Jo Gash

Clr Patricia White

Clr John Wells

Mr Paul Keech or delegate

Mr Robert Domm or delegate

Mr Scott Baxter

Mr Brendan Goddard

Mr George Parker

Mr Wesley Hindmarch

Ms Alison Henry

Mr Christopher Williamson

Ms Catherine Shields

Non-voting members

All other Councillors

Quorum – Five (5) members

Role

Note: Tasks in relation to 1.4 will not be undertaken by Councillors

For the purpose of this Terms of Reference, Councils annual Capital Works Budget which is defined as any Special Rate on the CBD (currently $500,000) plus any top up funding (such as grants or loans obtained by council or other council budgetary allocations) that Council provides to deliver a project initiated by Special Rate Funding.

Note: Any other Capital Works Funding in excess of $100,000 within the CBD will be discussed with the Committee prior to expenditure of funding.

1.1. Recommend to Council possible refinement of, and improvements to, the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy as the committee considers appropriate.

1.2. Develop a list of projects (with estimated costings) for Council to consider priorities over a rolling three year time frame, that will assist in achieving the ten elements of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy. The list is to be presented to an Ordinary Meeting of Council in February each year, and thus adopted by the Council.

1.3. Make a formal submission to Council’s annual capital works budget as it relates to the Nowra CBD, in accordance with Council’s budgeting process.

1.4. Monitor the expenditure of Council’s annual capital works budget as it relates to the Nowra CBD, in particular;

1.4.1. Approving design plans and specifications at the preliminary concept stage and prior to the detailed drafting and then at final approval stage.

1.4.2. In cases where the General Manager (or delegate) determines that capital works within the Nowra CBD, will be tendered out, the Committee Chair (or delegate) will approve the tender documentation before tenders are advertised.

1.4.3. The Committee Chair and delegate are to participate on tender evaluation panels for capital expenditure in the Nowra CBD.

1.4.4. Assign a Project Steering Working Group to endorse the payment of progress claims and endorse the approval of variations, for capital expenditure in the Nowra CBD.

1.4.5. In the case where Council staff undertake substantial capital expenditure (greater than $150,000) in the Nowra CBD, the Committee will receive a report outlining progress (including expenditure updates) and plans at each of the Committee’s Meetings.

1.5. Act as a communication conduit between Council and the CBD stakeholders in respect to the ten elements within the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy and approved Capital Works within the Nowra CBD with reasonable support from Council, at Council’s expense, as determined by the General Manager.

1.6. Assist Council in advocating to the community the adopted list of projects that seek to deliver on the ten elements of the CBD Revitalisation Strategy.

1.7. Provide a report to Council each quarter outlining the year to date expenditure of Council’s annual capital works budget as it relates to the Nowra CBD and present a report to an Ordinary Meeting of Council in August each year that explains the capital expenditure and any non-expenditure, for the previous financial year.

1.8. Consult with relevant stakeholders as needed.

Delegated Authority

1. To expend the funds allocated by Council annually from the Business – Nowra subcategory (currently $500,000) to the CBD Nowra Revitalisation Strategy Committee, as the committee deems appropriate in accordance with objectives of the Nowra CBD Strategic Plan.

2. To establish Working Groups as deemed appropriate.

3. To promote the advantages of the CBD inside and outside the Local Government area, including making press releases and promoting the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy and its projects.

4. Council will provide “in-kind” support to the committee in relation to

a. Project Design and Documentation

b. Facilitation of meetings

c. Preparation of reports for the Committee consideration

Nowra Revitalisation Committee - Sub/Working Groups

	Events / Christmas Promotions	Infrastructure (including Wayfinding signs)	Writers / Historic Walk	Mural Proposal – Bonnie Greene	Banners / Perm Lighting	Logo / Communications	Architectural Ideas Comp
James Caldwell (Chair)	Yes	Yes	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes
Clr Gash	Yes				Yes
Clr White	Yes				Yes		Yes
Clr Wells						Yes	Yes
Wesley Hindmarch		Yes		Yes		Yes	Yes
Scott Baxter		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Brendan Goddard		Yes				Yes	Yes
George Parker	Yes
Alison Henry	Yes
Christopher Williamson
Catherine Shields
Robert Domm			Yes				Yes or Rep
Paul Keech		Yes			Yes
SCC Contact (Director / Rep)	Kate Crowe	Tom Dimec	Gordon Clark		Tom Dimec	Kate Crowe

Minutes of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Location: Council Chambers / Microsoft Teams

Time: 4.02pm

The following members were present:

Mr James Caldwell - Chairperson

Clr Joanna Gash

Clr Patricia White

Clr John Wells – left at 4.50pm

Mr Paul Keech - Director City Services

Mr Robert Domm - Director City Futures

Mr Scott Baxter – arrived at 4.03pm

Ms Alison Henry – 4.03pm

Ms Catherine Shields – (Remotely) – arrived at 4.12pm

Others present:

Mayor Amanda Findley

Clr Nina Digiglio

Gordon Clark – Section Manager - Strategic Planning

Sara McMahon – Manager - Business Assurance & Risk

Micaiah Tipton – Manager – Design Services

1. Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies received from Wesley Hindmarch, Christopher Williamson and Brendan Goddard

2. Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Clr Wells / Clr White)

That the Minutes of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee held on Wednesday 16 December 2020 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Note: Clr Findley arrived at 4.06pm.

3. Declarations of Interest

Scott Baxter – CBD21.3 - Artisan Food & Drink Industry - Possible Local Environmental Plan Amendment – significant non pecuniary interest declaration – he is a property owner in the vicinity of the business zones – will leave the room and will not take part in discussion or vote.

Reports

CBD21.1 Election of Chairperson

HPERM Ref: D20/564383

James Caldwell vacated the Chair.

Paul Keech – Director City Services as the Returning Officer called for nominations for Chairperson. Paul Keech informed the meeting that no nominations had been received prior to the meeting.

Clr Gash nominated James Caldwell.

James Caldwell accepted the nomination.

No further nominations were forthcoming, Paul Keech declared Mr Caldwell as Chairperson until the 2021 Local Government Elections.

It was noted that at a future meeting a discussion may take place for the opportunity for a Deputy Chairperson role to be added to the Terms of Reference.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee appoint a Chairperson for the period to the 2021 Local Government Elections.

RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Clr White)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee appoint Mr James Caldwell as Chairperson for the period to the 2021 Local Government Elections.

CARRIED

Note: Catherine Shields – (Remotely) arrived at 4.12pm.

CBD21.2 Committee Actions Report for Ongoing/Completed Items Resolved

HPERM Ref: D21/19820

The Committee held a discussion in relation to the Items in the Action Table:

Gordon Clark addressed the meeting and updated the committee on the following matters involving Place Score (Kylie Legge):

CBD20.28 – Kylie Legge visited Nowra on 10/11th December 2020 and met with the committee to discuss future opportunities/needs. Action is now complete.

CBD 20.30 – With the assistance of Place Score and others the application to the NSW Governments ‘Your High Street’ grant was submitted last week for Junction Court, Nowra. Outcome will be known by April. Summary of the application sent to Committee members. Thanked the members that assisted with letters of support. Action is now completed.

CBD20.31 – Fee Proposal, CBD Revitalisation Action Plan – Place Score have been engaged and have commenced work on this. Then as per hard copy minutes.

The initial data collection regarding current conditions have been completed. The next step is preparing a summary of the data in themes. A workshop has been scheduled for 24 February and then a second Workshop in the evening with business owners regarding marketing from a retail operations perspective.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the:

1. Outstanding/Ongoing Action report be received for information;

2. Following completed items in the Action List attached to the report be removed from the listing:

a. CBD20.28 - Additional Item - Site Visit - Presentation - Committee - Kylie Legge Place Score - 10-11 December 2020 - Fund $4,400

b. CBD20.32 - Additional Item - Payday Lender - Complaints - Lease from Council - Catherine Shields - Submission - Follow up required

c. CBD20.21 - Presentation - Kylie Legge - Place Partners - Engage - Consultant - Review - feedback - Commit Funding – Completed

RESOLVED (Clr White / Clr Wells)

That the:

1. Outstanding/Ongoing Action report be received for information;

2. Following completed items in the Action List attached to the report be removed from the listing:

a. CBD20.21 - Presentation - Kylie Legge - Place Partners - Engage - Consultant - Review - feedback - Commit Funding – Completed

b. CBD20.28 - Additional Item - Site Visit - Presentation - Committee - Kylie Legge Place Score - 10-11 December 2020 - Fund $4,400 – Complete and remove.

c. CBD20.32 - Additional Item - Payday Lender - Complaints - Lease from Council - Catherine Shields - Submission – Complete and remove.

d. CBD20.31 - Additional Item - Fee Proposal – CBD Revitalisation Action Plan - Fund - Place Score - $70,350 – Complete and remove.

CARRIED

CBD21.3 Artisan Food & Drink Industry - Possible Local Environmental Plan Amendment

HPERM Ref: D21/20298

Scott Baxter – CBD21.3 - Artisan Food & Drink Industry - Possible Local Environmental Plan Amendment – significant non pecuniary interest declaration – he is a property owner in the business zones - left the room and did not take part in discussion or vote.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Committee

1. Support the preparation and progression of a Planning Proposal to add ‘Artisan Food & Drink Industry’ as a permissible use in the B2 Local Centre, B3 Commercial Core and B4 Mixed Use zones in the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014.

2. Receive future updates on the progress of the Planning Proposal.

RESOLVED (Clr White / Clr Wells)

That the Committee:

2. Acknowledge the opportunities created by enabling such industry to develop the B2, B3 and B4 zones to local lifestyle, tourism and associated commercial opportunities.

3. Receive future updates on the progress of the Planning Proposal as needed.

CARRIED

Note: This item is not to be added to the action report.

GENERAL BUSINESS

CBD21.4 Additional Item - Christmas 2020 - Review

The Committee made the following comments in relation to the 2020 Christmas Wonderland:

· Alison Henry – The 2020 Christmas Wonderland was deemed a success. Members are holding follow-up meeting for review and plans going forward. From that review a report will be submitted to a future meeting.

· Clr Gash acknowledged James Caldwell for his contribution over the Christmas period and to the Christmas Wonderland.

· Clr White advised that the Christmas Wonderland was a success given that many things changed as the planning and establishment of the decorations were progressing close to Christmas.

· The planning for Christmas 2021 will start soon, including thoughts about ideas for increasing stock of decorations, by combining purchases with other towns/villages to bulk buy and save.

· Congratulations to Monica for the wonderful feedback received.

· James Caldwell congratulated Alison Henry for her contribution and a job well done.

Note: Clr Wells left at 4.50pm during discussion.

Other Matters:

· Catherine Shields raised questions about the complaints regarding the lease on Kinghorne Street. Staff advised that information regarding the lease was distributed to members in January 2021. Paul Keech undertook to liaise with NSW Police to find out if any complaints had been received and inform the committee of the results.

· Paul Keech spoke to questions regarding the final financials for the Berry Street upgrade, this had been provided to the Chairperson for review and comment and was viewed on the screen.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.12pm.

Mr James Caldwell

CHAIRPERSON