Agenda of Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce

Minutes of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce

Meeting Date: Wednesday, 20 March 2024

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

Time: 4.00pm

The following members were present:

Clr Serena Copley - Chairperson

Clr Matthew Norris

Clr Patricia White

Clr Tonia Gray – (Joined Remotely at 4:33pm)

Mr Phil Guy

Mr Rob Russell

Ms Jan Turbill

Ms Robyn Flack

Ms Jessica Zealand – (Joined at 4:16pm)

Others present:

Mr James Ruprai – Director City Development

Mr Peter Swanson – Acting Manager – Environmental Services

Mr Nigel Smith – Lead Coastal Management

Mr Trevor Dando - Manager - Works & Services – (Joined at 4:11pm)

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Clr Watson, Clr Wells, Gareth Ward MP and Natalie Lloyd.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Minutes of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce held on Wednesday 27 September 2023 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declaration of Interests

Nil

Reports

SH24.1 Outcomes of Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study	HPERM Ref: D24/68542
Mr Phill Guy thanked the staff for the report provided, but noted that the Study is quite technical and difficult to read. Mr Guy further noted that this report will be a topic of discussion at the next Shoalhaven Heads Forum meeting, 1 May 2024, and suggested that the Taskforce request an Environmental Services staff member to attend the meeting to answer any question that may arise in relation to the study.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Taskforce receive the Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study for information.
RESOLVED (By consent) That the Taskforce 1. Receive the Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study for information. 2. Request an Environmental Services staff member, if available, to attend the next Shoalhaven Heads Forum meeting on 1 May 2024 to answer any questions in relation to the Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study. CARRIED

SH24.5 Business Arising From Previous Minutes

The Committee discussed matters relating to item SH23.10 from the previous minutes with Mr Trevor Dando - Manager Works & Services. Mr Dando, and other staff addressed the following items:

Budgets for Sand Scraping & Mangrove Removal

Mr Dando advised that these works are funded from Councils operational budget on a as needs basis.

SH23.8 - Flooding at Beach Road Shoalhaven Heads

Mr Dando advised that the works in relating to flooding on Beach Rd have been completed.

Ms Robyn Flack asked Mr Dando to expand upon the works completed on Beach Rd, noting that the Shoalhaven Heads Forum received a letter from Council stating that the flooding was a result of high rain fall.

Mr Dando further advised that the flooding was a result both of pipework installed at a particular driveway on Beach Rd which have since been remediated, and the high level of rainfall at that time.

SH23.10 - Gross Pollutant Traps Maintenance

Mr Dando clarified that the two Gross Pollutant Traps in question along the Shoalhaven Heads rock wall are actually Surcharge Pits, and advised that these Pits generally do not require any maintenance accepting when scour erosion occurs around the pits.

Mr Phil Guy noted that a lot of scouring has occurred on the beach surrounding those Pits.

SH23.10 - Survey of the Shoalhaven Heads Entrance Notch

Mr Nigel Smith advised that a Survey of the Entrance Notch is conducted monthly by Councils Floodplain Management Unit and a surveyor in the City Services Directorate, engaged by the Floodplain Unit.

My Phil Guy queried the results of these Surveys and Mr Smith advised that the Survey results previous to the most recent showed that the Entrance Notch was under and around a 2 meter Australian Heigh Datum (AHD), the height level at which dry notch maintenance is based around.

City Services – Ongoing Agenda Item

The Chair of the Taskforce requested that an ongoing heading only item be added to the agenda to allow for a brief update from City Services staff on any relevant matters.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That an ongoing heading only item be added to the agenda for an update from City Services staff.

CARRIED

SH24.4 Request - Extend Mangrove Seedlings Removal West of the Wharf in Front of River Rd to the Storm Water Drain	HPERM Ref: D24/90841
Mr James Ruprai advised the Taskforce in regards to the staff resourcing involved in applying for the appropriate permit, and advised an alternate recommendation which was resolved by the Taskforce below.
Recommendation That Council seek an appropriate permit for the removal of mangrove seedlings that are taking root west of the wharf to the end of Hay Avenue.
RESOLVED (By consent) That Council staff contact Fisheries NSW to note the prolific expansion of mangrove seedlings this year, and receive advice on what can be done in the interim under the current permit held by Council. CARRIED

SH24.2 Foreshore Remediation Shoalhaven Heads

HPERM Ref: D23/485917

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That Council staff report back on the lessons learnt, if any, from the remediation works carried out at Shoalhaven Heads beach in the week ended 26 October 2023.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Taskforce receive this report for information, noting the information provided in the Directors Note.

CARRIED

SH24.3 Coastal Protection Works - Tidal Flats in Front of Holiday Haven Caravan Park, Shoalhaven Heads

HPERM Ref: D24/90104

Recommendation

1. That Council effect works from the maintenance of the dry notch at Shoalhaven Heads river entrance to relocate clean sand to the river front tidal area adjacent to Holiday Haven Caravan Park and the public playground and picnic area.

2. This action be included in the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Plan (CMP) for an action on an annual basis.

REccomendation (By consent)

The Taskforce request that

1. Council effect works from the maintenance of the dry notch at Shoalhaven Heads river entrance to relocate clean sand to the river front tidal area adjacent to Holiday Haven Caravan Park and the public playground and picnic area.

2. This action be included by Council for progression in the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Plan (CMP) for an action on an annual basis.

3. The Director City Development to assess whether sand arising from notch maintenance can be reallocated to the foreshore in front of Holiday Haven under current permits.

CARRIED

GENERAL BUSINESS

Actions From Minutes

Mr Phil Guy requested that a list of all actions arising from this meeting be provided to be considered at the next meeting. These actions are listed below:

· SH24.1 - Outcomes of Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study

Action: Request an Environmental Services staff member, if available, to attend the next Shoalhaven Heads Forum meeting on 1 May 2024 to answer any questions in relation to the Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study.

· SH24.5 Business Arising From Previous Minutes

Action: That an ongoing heading only item be added to the agenda for an update from City Services staff.

· SH24.4 - Request - Extend Mangrove Seedlings Removal West of the Wharf in Front of River Rd to the Storm Water Drain

Action: That Council staff contact Fisheries NSW to note the prolific expansion of mangrove seedlings this year, and receive advice on what can be done in the interim under the current permit held by Council.

· SH24.3 - Coastal Protection Works - Tidal Flats in Front of Holiday Haven Caravan Park, Shoalhaven Heads

Action:

2. This action be included by Council for progression in the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Plan (CMP) for an action on an annual basis.

3. The Director City Development to assess whether sand arising notch maintenance can be reallocated to the foreshore in front of Holiday Haven under current permits

Post Meeting Note: Staff will begin providing an on-going action table report so the Taskforce can keep a record of outstanding and completed actions.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5:21.

Clr Serena Copley

CHAIRPERSON

Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce – Wednesday 26 June 2024

Page 1

SH24.7 Action Table Report - Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce 26 June 2024

HPERM Ref: D24/249230

Department: Business Assurance & Risk

Approver: James Ruprai, Director - City Development

Attachments: 1. Action Table Report - 26 June 2024 ⇩

Reason for Report

The purpose of this report is to provide the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce with a progress report on outstanding/completed actions.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce:

1. Accept and receive the Action Table Report (Attachment 1) for information.

2. Acknowledge the following actions as complete and remove from the action table:

a. SH24.1 - Report Received - Outcomes of Lower Shoalhaven River Pre-Dredging Feasibility Study - Staff Attend Shoalhaven Heads Forum Meeting 1 May 2024.

b. SH24.3 - Coastal Protection Works - Shoalhaven Heads - Dry Notch Maintenance - Relocate Clean Sand - Tidal Flats in Front of Holiday Haven Caravan Park - Annual Basis.

c. SH24.4 - Shoalhaven Heads Estuary - Mangrove Seedlings Removal Extension request (West of the River Rd Wharf to Storm Water Drain).

d. SH24.5 - Business Arising From Previous Minutes - Ongoing Heading Only Item - Update from City Services.

Options

1. As recommended.

Implications: The Action Table will be received and updated to reflect recently completed actions.

2. That the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce note the update to the Action Table and request more information.

Implications: Additional information as requested will be provided to the group at the next meeting.

At the meeting held on 20 March 2024, it was requested that a list of all actions arising from the meeting be provided to be considered at the next meeting. Following this meeting, staff decided to begin providing an on-going action table report so the Taskforce can keep a record of outstanding and completed actions. This report is to update the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce on outstanding/completed actions from previous meetings.

Attachment 1 provides information regarding the status of actions from previous meetings, including items which are completed or still in progress. Staff can provide an update at the meeting, should members have any further questions on the status of actions.