Minutes of Ordinary Meeting - Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting

Meeting Date: Tuesday, 26 August 2025

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

Time: 5.30pm

The following members were present:

The Mayor, Clr Patricia White - Chairperson

Clr Selena Clancy

Clr Denise Kemp

Clr Luciano Casmiri

Clr Karlee Dunn

Clr Jason Cox

Clr Peter Wilkins

Clr Bob Proudfoot

Clr Jemma Tribe

Clr Matthew Norris

Clr Gillian Boyd

Clr Ben Krikstolaitis

Others present:

Mr Brian Barrett – Acting CEO

Ms Katie Buckman – Director City Performance

Mr Lindsey Usher – Acting Director City Development

Mr Kevin Norwood – Acting Director City Services

Mr Matthew Kidd – Acting Director Shoalhaven Water

Mr Mathew Badcock – Chief Financial Officer

Mr Gordon Clark – Section Manager – Strategic Planning

Mr Bruce Gibbs – Manager – Development Services

Mr Gary George – Manager Building & Property Services

Mr Shane Pickering – Manager – Environmental Services

Ms Sara McMahon – Manager – Business Assurance & Risk

Ms Caitlin Lewis – Manager – Media & Communications

Mr Nigel Smith – Lead – Coastal Management

Ms Jenna Anderson – Governance Coordinator

Mr Benjamin Fischer – Governance Officer (Minute Taker)

A statement was played advising those present that the proceedings of this meeting (including presentations, deputations and debate) will be webcast and may be recorded and broadcast under the provisions of the Code of Meeting Practice.

The meeting was opened by an Acknowledgement of Country by the Chairperson, followed with a Moment of Silence & Reflection and the playing of the Australian National Anthem.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Nil

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Clr Cox / Clr Casmiri) MIN25.401

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 12 August 2025 be confirmed.

carried

For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis

Against: Nil

CL25.259 Notice of Motion - Culture of the Elected Council	HPERM Ref: D25/361765
Recommendation That Council, as it approaches its first anniversary, expresses its great pleasure in ensuring that a good positive culture has consistently been displayed by the vast majority of Councillors during Council meetings, workshops and briefings, and at public functions. Further, Council rejects any insinuation that the culture of the elected Council is dominated by toxic behaviours where poor decision-making is the order of the day. However, Council does acknowledge that there have been moments during times of spirited debating where some Councillors feel disadvantaged when they do not have things all their own way.
Motion (Clr Clancy / Clr Casmiri) That Councillor Proudfoot be granted an extension of time for debate. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Clr Norris and Clr Boyd carried
Clr Kemp raised a Point of Order against Clr Krikstolaitis in relation to making comments about other Councillors. The Mayor ruled as a Point of Order and asked Clr Krikstolaitis to refrain from making any comments or allegations about other Councillors.
RESOLVED (Clr Proudfoot / Clr Casmiri) MIN25.405 That Council, as it approaches its first anniversary, expresses its great pleasure in ensuring that a good positive culture has consistently been displayed by the vast majority of Councillors during Council meetings, workshops and briefings, and at public functions. Further, Council rejects any insinuation that the culture of the elected Council is dominated by toxic behaviours where poor decision-making is the order of the day. However, Council does acknowledge that there have been moments during times of spirited debating where some Councillors feel disadvantaged when they do not have things all their own way. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins and Clr Proudfoot Against: Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis CARRIED

CL25.266 Proposed Lease - 69 Princes Highway Milton - Milton Theatre	HPERM Ref: D25/286029
Note: Clr Norris left the Chambers, the time being 7:31pm.
Recommendation That Council: 1. Enter a new five-year lease with Milton Theatre Committee Incorporated (ABN 15 613 578 294) over Council Operational land known as 69 Princes Highway, Milton (Part Lot 1 DP 736273 & Part Lot 1 DP325570). 2. Establish commencement new lease rental of $5,478.50 (excluding GST) per annum with annual rent increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (All Groups Sydney). 3. Lessee to be responsible for operating costs of the leased premises totalling $14,000 (excluding GST) per annum, which includes building insurance, water rates, waste and compliance costs. 4. Authorise the Common Seal of the Council of the City of Shoalhaven to be affixed to any document required to be sealed and delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer or delegated officer to sign any documentation necessary to give effect to this resolution.
RESOLVED (Clr Kemp / Clr Cox) MIN25.414 That Council: 1. Enter a new five-year lease with Milton Theatre Committee Incorporated (ABN 15 613 578 294) over Council Operational land known as 69 Princes Highway, Milton (Part Lot 1 DP 736273 & Part Lot 1 DP325570). 2. Establish commencement new lease rental of $5,478.50 (excluding GST) per annum with annual rent increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (All Groups Sydney). 3. Lessee to be responsible for operating costs of the leased premises totalling $14,000 (excluding GST) per annum, which includes building insurance, water rates, waste and compliance costs. 4. Authorise the Common Seal of the Council of the City of Shoalhaven to be affixed to any document required to be sealed and delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer or delegated officer to sign any documentation necessary to give effect to this resolution. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Nil CARRIED

CL25.267 Response to Notice of Motion - Mens Shed Organisations	HPERM Ref: D25/213531
Note: Clr Norris returned to the Chambers, the time being 7:34pm.
Recommendation That Council receive for information the report on Men’s Shed organisations and historical report of past five years.
RESOLVED (Clr Proudfoot / Clr Casmiri) MIN25.415 That Council receive for information the report on Men’s Shed organisations and historical report of past five years. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Nil CARRIED

CL25.270 Position on Unplanned Residential Development - Rural Area Adjoining Berry	HPERM Ref: D25/331145
Note: A deputation was received on this item.
Recommendation That Council 1. Receive this report for information. 2. Reaffirm Council’s current policy position set by the Shoalhaven Local Strategic Planning Statement to “retain and manage existing rural land, avoiding the rezoning of such land for other uses including rural-residential and residential outcomes, unless identified in a relevant strategy.”
Motion (Clr Casmiri / Clr Kemp) That Council defer this matter to a Councillor workshop. For: Clr Kemp and Clr Proudfoot Against: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis lost
RESOLVEd: (Clr Norris / Clr Tribe) MIN25.418 That Council 1. Receive this report for information. 2. Reaffirm Council’s current policy position set by the Shoalhaven Local Strategic Planning Statement to “retain and manage existing rural land, avoiding the rezoning of such land for other uses including rural-residential and residential outcomes, unless identified in a relevant strategy.” For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Nil CARRIED Note: A rescission motion was received on this item.

CL25.272 Adoption of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program	HPERM Ref: D25/314665
Note: A deputation was received on this item.
Recommendation That 1. That Council adopt the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program (CMP) and the CMP be submitted to the relevant NSW Government Minister for certification. 2. Note the resourcing requirements encompassed by the plan and its actions (Stage 5 implementation), with capital and operational allocations to be determined via budget processes, and the reliance on grant funding for delivery. 3. Note that the Northern CMP Advisory Committee have requested that Council consider, through the implementation of the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP, additional sites for water testing where available resources and funding can be identified.
RESOLVED (Mayor White / Clr Krikstolaitis) MIN25.420 That 1. The following items be considered in conjunction CL25.272 ( Adoption of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program) and CL25.273 (Adoption of the Shoalhaven River Entrance Management Policy). 2. Both items CL25.272 and CL25.273 be deferred until the next Ordinary Meeting at which time the Council will consider a further report with respect to the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program and the Shoalhaven River Entrance Management Policy in light of the information provided in email correspondence from Liza Butler MP, Member for South Coast dated 26 August 2025. For: Mayor White, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Clr Clancy CARRIED

CL25.273 Adoption of the Shoalhaven River Entrance Management Policy	HPERM Ref: D25/339039
Note: This item was dealt with in conjunction with CL25.272 -Adoption of the Lower Shoalhaven River Coastal Management Program, see MIN25.420.

CL25.276 Lake Conjola Voluntary House Raising Scheme	HPERM Ref: D25/339336
Note: Clr Dunn left Chambers, the time being 8:12pm.
Recommendation That Council: 1. Approve targeted engagement with eligible property owners for voluntary house raising in Lake Conjola to understand their interest in being part of a Voluntary House Raising Scheme. 2. Undertake broader community engagement that highlights how a range of Council projects form part of a strategic roadmap to reduce flood risk to the Lake Conjola community, in the short, medium, and long-term.
RESOLVED (Clr Kemp / Clr Casmiri) MIN25.423 That Council defer this matter to a Councillor briefing. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins and Clr Proudfoot Against: Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis CARRIED

CL25.277 Central Shoalhaven Mobile Pre-School - Council Vehicle Use Arrangements	HPERM Ref: D25/38334
Note: Clr Dunn was absent from the Chambers during this item.
Recommendation That Council: 1. Cease to fund and provide two vans and a trailer for the Central Shoalhaven Mobile Pre-School (CSMP) after the 2025/2026 financial year. 2. Delegate to the CEO the sale of the vehicles and trailer to the CSMP at a fair market rate subject to agreement between the parties and compliance with any legal requirements. If agreement cannot be reached dispose of the vehicles and trailer in the normal manner. 3. Thank and acknowledge the CSMP for the work they do providing early childhood education to families across the Shoalhaven LGA.
RESOLVED (Clr Tribe / Clr Krikstolaitis) MIN25.424 That Council: 1. Cease to fund and provide two vans and a trailer for the Central Shoalhaven Mobile Pre-School (CSMP) after the 2025/2026 financial year. 2. Delegate to the CEO the sale of the vehicles and trailer to the CSMP at a fair market rate subject to agreement between the parties and compliance with any legal requirements. If agreement cannot be reached dispose of the vehicles and trailer in the normal manner. 3. Thank and acknowledge the CSMP for the work they do providing early childhood education to families across the Shoalhaven LGA. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Nil CARRIED

CL25.278 Adoption of Shoalhaven Water’s Development Servicing Plan Following Public Exhibition	HPERM Ref: D25/341784
Note: Clr Dunn returned to the Chambers, the time being 8:15pm.
Recommendation That Council 1. Adopt Shoalhaven Water’s Development Servicing Plan as exhibited, with minor amendments made in response to industry feedback and commence the new DSP on the 1st January 2026. 2. Publish the final DSP on Shoalhaven Water’s website and make it available to developers and the public. 3. Register the finalised DSP with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 4. Rescind Water and Sewerage Headworks Charges (Section 64 Contributions) – Assistance for Developments Policy.
RESOLVED (Clr Proudfoot / Mayor White) MIN25.425 That Council 1. Adopt Shoalhaven Water’s Development Servicing Plan as exhibited, with minor amendments made in response to industry feedback and commence the new DSP on the 1st January 2026. 2. Publish the final DSP on Shoalhaven Water’s website and make it available to developers and the public. 3. Register the finalised DSP with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 4. Rescind Water and Sewerage Headworks Charges (Section 64 Contributions) – Assistance for Developments Policy. For: Mayor White, Clr Clancy, Clr Kemp, Clr Casmiri, Clr Dunn, Clr Cox, Clr Wilkins, Clr Proudfoot, Clr Tribe, Clr Norris, Clr Boyd and Clr Krikstolaitis Against: Nil CARRIED