Minutes of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee

 

 

Meeting Date:     Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Location:            Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   4.00pm

 

 

The following members were present:

 

Mr James Caldwell - Chairperson

Clr Serena Copley

Clr Matthew Norris

Clr Tonia Gray (Remotely) – Joined 4:18pm - Left 6:03pm

Clr Patricia White (Alternate)

Ms Jo Gash

Mr Brendan Goddard

Mr Wesley Hindmarch – Left 6:16pm

Mr Carlo Di Giulio

Ms Jessica Bromley

 

Others present:

 

Mr Paul Keech – Director City Services

Mr Carey McIntyre – Director City Futures

Mr Craig Exton – Manager Technical Services

Mr Gordon Clark - Section Manager - Strategic Planning

Mr Gary George - Manager - Building Services

Mr Micaiah Tipton - Manager Design Services

Ms Alison Henry – Nowra CBD Place Manager – Left 5:53pm

 

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Mr Scott Baxter.

 

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Minutes of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee held on Tuesday 04 April 2023 be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

Declaration of Interests

Nil


 

Reports

 

CBD23.18  Standing Report - Project Update - June 2023

HPERM Ref: D23/136613

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee note the update provided on the nominated projects within the Nowra CBD.

 

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee note the update provided on the nominated projects within the Nowra CBD.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.19  Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Nowra Update

HPERM Ref: D23/108848

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee:

1.    Note Council’s Policy position with regard to the provision of EV charging stations on public land, as outlined in POL22/34.

2.    Note the update regarding Council’s work with Charge Point Operators to explore EV fast charging sites across the Shoalhaven and in the Nowra CBD.

3.    Note the key issues and considerations regarding Council’s role in the provision of EV charging infrastructure include;

a.    Industries are responding to address charging gaps and Council needs to consider whether there is an appropriate and long-term role for local government in the provision of EV charging stations.

b.    Allocating carparking spaces for EV charging, particularly in carparks where spaces are already in high demand (such as the CBD), presents an equity issue.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee:

1.    Note Council’s Policy position with regard to the provision of EV charging stations on public land, as outlined in POL22/34.

2.    Note the update regarding Council’s work with Charge Point Operators to explore EV fast charging sites across the Shoalhaven and in the Nowra CBD.

3.    Note the key issues and considerations regarding Council’s role in the provision of EV charging infrastructure include;

a.    Industries are responding to address charging gaps and Council needs to consider whether there is an appropriate and long-term role for local government in the provision of EV charging stations.

b.    Allocating carparking spaces for EV charging, particularly in carparks where spaces are already in high demand (such as the CBD), presents an equity issue.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.20  Junction Street Pedestrian Counters Update

HPERM Ref: D23/136633

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That The Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee notes the pedestrian counter numbers in particular;

1.    The steady decline in Junction Street Total Yearly Pedestrians from 1,295,113 in 2018 to 725,552 in 2022.

2.    The pedestrian count data can be found on Council webpage by typing ‘Nowra CBD Revitalisation’ in the search bar.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That The Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee notes the pedestrian counter numbers in particular;

1.      The steady decline in Junction Street Total Yearly Pedestrians from 1,295,113 in 2018 to 725,552 in 2022.

2.      The pedestrian count data can be found on Council webpage by typing ‘Nowra CBD Revitalisation’ in the search bar.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.21  Taxi Rank Locations - Report Back

HPERM Ref: D23/136707

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee

1.      Note the most recent consultation in relation to the location of the taxi rank in Nowra (2103) concluded current location to be the best.

2.      Invite representatives of the Nowra Radio Taxi Cooperative to a future meeting to discuss the possibility of relocating the current taxi rank to another location within the Nowra CBD.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee

1.      Note the most recent consultation in relation to the location of the taxi rank in Nowra (2103) concluded current location to be the best.

2.      Invite representatives of the Nowra Radio Taxi Cooperative to a future meeting to discuss the possibility of relocating the current taxi rank to another location within the Nowra CBD.

 CARRIED

 

CBD23.22  Jelly Bean Park Additional Seats / Bicycle Racks Options – Report Back

HPERM Ref: D23/136641

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee fund the construction of 5 seats and 6 bike racks (As shown in strategy 1 D23/198991) in Jellybean Park Nowra, estimated to cost $25,545 excluding GST in the 23/24 financial year.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That

1.      The Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee note for information the construction of 5 seats and 6 bike racks (As shown in strategy 1 D23/198991) in Jellybean Park Nowra, estimated to cost $25,545 excluding GST in the 23/24 financial year.

2.      The Director City Services arrange an onsite meeting with the Committee at Jellybean Park with a seat and bike rack catalogue to discuss a way forward.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.23  Jelly Bean Park Amenities – Report Back

HPERM Ref: D23/136725

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That in respect to the amenities in Jelly Bean Park Nowra, the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee note the following

1.    Construction year - 1976

2.    Original construction cost - $144,352

3.    Estimated replacement cost - $880,000

4.    Forecast replacement date – 2072.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That

1.      in respect to the amenities in Jelly Bean Park Nowra, the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee note the following

a.      Construction year - 1976

b.      Original construction cost - $144,352

c.      Estimated replacement cost - $880,000

d.      Forecast replacement date – 2072.

2.      The Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee investigate updating  the amenities in the onsite inspection of Jelly Bean Park resolved under CBD23.22.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.24  Demolition - 16 Berry Street, Nowra

HPERM Ref: D23/236367

Recommendation

That Council demolish the dilapidated building and remediation the site at 16 Berry Street Nowra, to create an “ever evolving activation space” until the site is developed for the long term.

Funding for the demolition and remediation be provided as follows;

a.   Transfer $1,300,000 from the existing Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee budget to the existing SCC Strategic Property Reserve.

b.   Undertake works funded fully from the SCC Strategic Property Reserve over 23/24, 24/25 Financial Years.

c.   Repay $1,300,000 from the SCC Strategic Property Reserve to the Nowra CBD budget via the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Reserve when proceeds of either the future sale or development of the property becomes available.

RECOMMENDATION (By consent)

That

1.      Council demolish the dilapidated building and remediate the site at 16 Berry Street Nowra, to create an “ever evolving activation space” until the site is developed for the long term.

2.      On the condition that the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee continues to operate under its current Terms of Reference (TOR) into future years (2030), funding for the demolition and remediation be provided as follows;

a.      Transfer $1,300,000 from the existing Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee budget to the existing SCC Strategic Property Reserve.

b.      Undertake works funded fully from the SCC Strategic Property Reserve over 23/24, 24/25 Financial Years as a Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee capital works project.

c.      Repay $1,300,000 from the SCC Strategic Property Reserve to the Nowra CBD budget via the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Reserve when proceeds of either the future sale or development of the property becomes available.

d.      In respect of part c, the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee will monitor options for repayment and receive a report back every 6 months on where the funding is at.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.25  Committee Actions Report for Ongoing / Completed Items

HPERM Ref: D23/206332

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the

1.    Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee receive the Outstanding/Ongoing Action Report for information.

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

a.    CBD22.48 - Additional Item - Investigate Options - Accessibility - Nowra CBD Businesses & Available Grant Funding.

b.    CBD23.5 - Discussion Item - Future Character of New Builds in Nowra CBD.

c.    CBD23.6 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Comm - Jelly Bean Park Nowra - Additional Seats / Bicycle Racks – investigation.

d.    CBD23.7 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Comm - Taxi Rank relocations - Junction St (near Subway) / Kinghorne St (Coles / Aldi) / Stewart Pl - Report request.

e.    CBD23.8 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee - Egans Lane Amenities upgrade - investigation - report requested.

f.     CBD23.9 - Electric Vehicle Parking Stations - Nowra CBD - Report to committee - Citywide - Report to Council.

g.    CBD23.15 - Proposal - 16 Berry Street Nowra.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the

1.    Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee receive the Outstanding/Ongoing Action Report for information.

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

a.    CBD22.48 - Additional Item - Investigate Options - Accessibility - Nowra CBD Businesses & Available Grant Funding.

b.    CBD23.5 - Discussion Item - Future Character of New Builds in Nowra CBD.

c.    CBD23.6 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Comm - Jelly Bean Park Nowra - Additional Seats / Bicycle Racks – investigation.

d.    CBD23.7 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Comm - Taxi Rank relocations - Junction St (near Subway) / Kinghorne St (Coles / Aldi) / Stewart Pl - Report request.

e.    CBD23.8 - Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee - Egans Lane Amenities upgrade - investigation - report requested.

f.     CBD23.9 - Electric Vehicle Parking Stations - Nowra CBD - Report to committee - Citywide - Report to Council.

g.    CBD23.15 - Proposal - 16 Berry Street Nowra.

CARRIED

 

CBD23.17  Standing Report - Budget Update - June 2023

HPERM Ref: D23/136608

Recommendation

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee notes the following for information:

1.    That $11,092 has been spent since the last meeting of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee budget update.

2.    The total year-to-date spend for the 2022/2023 financial year is $439,367 of the available budget of $1,898,594.

3.    A summary of the budget is provided in the Attachment to this report (D23/198123)

RECOMMENDATION (By consent)

That the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee notes the following for information:

1.    That $11,092 has been spent since the last meeting of the Nowra CBD Revitalisation Strategy Committee budget update.

2.    The total year-to-date spend for the 2022/2023 financial year is $439,367 of the available budget of $1,898,594.

3.    A summary of the budget is provided in the Attachment to this report (D23/198123)

CARRIED

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

CBD23.26  Additional Item - Possible Pedestrian Counter Locations - Survey of CBD Shop Owners & Stocklands Pedestrian Data - Report Back

Under item CBD23.20 the Committee discussed the possibility of alternative pedestrian counter locations and surveying CBD shop owners and Stocklands Nowra for pedestrian data collected by them. Council staff advised they would note these points and provide a report back to the Committee.

 

CBD23.27  Additional Item - Invitation - NSW Police and Lead Ranger Services

Clr White requested that a presenter from NSW Police and Tony Pearman – Lead Ranger Services be invited to the next meeting to present to the Committee on Alcohol Free Zones.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6:17pm.

 

Mr James Caldwell

CHAIRPERSON