Minutes of the Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group
Meeting Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Location: Jervis Bay Room, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra
Time: 5.00pm
The following members were present:
Clr Luciano Casmiri – Chairperson
Mayor Patricia White – Left at 5:12pm
Clr Selena Clancy
Mr Norman Mogg
Mr Paul Dean
Mr Greg Boyle
Mr Robert Bridge – Arrived at 5:09pm
Mr Stan Madge - Nowra & District Motorcycle Club
Mr Gordon Clark - Acting Director City Development
Others present:
Mr Ryan Schulter - Senior Economic Development Officer
Post Meeting Note: The Working Group resolved to include Mr Stan Madge as a member of the Group, replacing Mr Damien Kerden. Following the meeting, Staff advised members that Mr Stan Madge already holds membership on the Group as a Nowra & District Motorcycle Club representative and that the Working Group does not have the delegation to amend the membership without Council endorsement.
An apology was received from Mr Roger Walker.
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That the Minutes of the Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group held on Wednesday 17 April 2024 be confirmed. |
Nil
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MS25.2 Items for Discussion - Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group |
HPERM Ref: D25/422193 |
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On 3 September 2025 the Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group met informally and submitted the below items for discussion at this meeting. The Group discussed each of the points and made the following comments on them: 1. Obtaining a budget amount from Council to progress Working Group agenda. The Working Group nominated a $20,000 budget to request from Council, and it was advised that this budget would be used for promotional materials and events. 2. All Councillors and Working Group committing to DA approval and State Significant Project Approval within 2 years of this meeting. The Working Group discussed having a DA pre-lodgement meeting. Staff advised that prior to receiving pre-DA comments, a site would need to be identified for the project, and the relevant studies completed. Staff further suggested that the Working Group should first investigate what the likelihood of having a project of this nature on the Yerriyong site declared as State Significant. My Paul Dean noted clause 3.7 from the NSW State Significant Guidelines, which states: that the applicant should consult with the Department early during the development of the project to clarify the assessment requirements. Mr Dean proposed the Working Group follow through with this. Staff advised that the NSW State Significant Guidelines are changing regularly, and that Staff would need to check and report back on what pathways may exist for a project like this becoming State Significant. 3. Support for SMS Complex Petition in a simple form on Shoalhaven Council Web Site. Mr Greg Boyle advised that the current Shoalhaven Motor Sports Complex Petition has received over a thousand signatures. The Chair requested a report from Mr Boyle regarding the petition. Mr Ryan Schulter - Senior Economic Development Officer commented that Councils Communications & Media Team have advised that as part of Councils consultation process, both the positives and negatives should form part of the consultation, seeking community feedback for and against, rather than a one sided petition. Staff further suggested that the Working Group could recommend that the relevant Staff investigate options for placing a petition regarding a Motor Sports Complex on the Council website. 4. Commitment from NDMC to partner with SMS Complex It was reiterated that there is commitment from the Nowra & District Motorcycle Club to partner with the Shoalhaven Motor Sports Complex. The Working Group discussed obtaining commitment from Crown Lands NSW about the use of the site at Yerriyong. Staff advised that it will be difficult to get any commitment from Crown Lands NSW given the current unresolved Aboriginal Land Claim on the site in question. It was further noted that if the Aboriginal Land Claim was to be successful, then the Working Group would need to work with the Local Aboriginal Land Council for permission to use the Yerriyong site. 5. Request staff to connect with the RDA Illawarra-Shoalhaven in support of funding avenues for the seeding of the Motorsports Complex. Staff advised that RDA Illawarra-Shoalhaven can be invited to participate at the next meeting and included as a member. It was further advised that staff would provide a link to the RDA Illawarra-Shoalhaven Strategic Priorities document with the minutes. 6. Request Mayor to contact the NSW Minister for Planning to meet with a small delegation from Council and Working Group to establish a path way forward for a State Significant Project. It was noted that this would occur following Staff investigations into whether state significant development pathways exist for the project. 7. Discuss Council payment for motorsport stickers. It was noted that the stickers in question would be paid for using the budget of $20,000 requested from Council, should that be approved. 8. Media release with a Minister to show commitment to progress to State Significant Project and build momentum. 9. Draft a letter to both State and Federal members of Gilmore to show support for this important project for the Shoalhaven. It was noted that points 8 and 9 are linked together, and that this wouldn’t occur until Staff investigations into whether state significant development pathways exist for the project occur. The Working Group formulated the recommendation below based on the discussion on these points |
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The Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group request that 1. A budget of $20,000 be allocated from Council to progress the Working Group Agenda, including Motor Sports stickers, social media and general promotion etc. 2. Staff confirm by the next meeting what state significant development pathways exist for the project and the site at Yerriyong, and as part of that, seek the feedback and assistance of the Local State MP’s. 3. Staff investigate options for placing a petition regarding a Motor Sports Complex on the Council website. 5. Following the completion of part 1, the Mayor contact the NSW Minister for Planning & Public Spaces to meet with a small delegation from Council and Working Group to establish a path way forward for a State Significant Project. 6. Council undertake necessary representations when required to relevant State Members and Ministers and Federal Members and Ministers to help build momentum and show support for this important project in the Shoalhaven. |
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There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6:02pm.
Clr Casmiri
CHAIRPERSON