Eurobodalla Shire councillors with former general manager Warwick Winn (fourth from left). Photos: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Neither councillors nor the general public welcomed the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) new Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW. In particular, the requirement that public forums be separate from council meetings was seen to detract from community engagement.
Banning council staff from privately briefing councillors on agenda items before a council meeting was also criticised.
Other topics debated at the regular council meeting on 16 December were the draft Local Orders Policy — Keeping of Animals, which was revised extensively after 59 submissions were received, and the design and funding of the new animal shelter.
There was an urgent need to approve a below-market rent for Telstra to give Mystery Bay residents long-awaited mobile phone coverage. Councillors to sit on the new Housing Improvement Advisory Group (HAIG) were appointed so that the group can get up and running as soon as possible.
Th council will publish its advocacy efforts over the past year for a local radiotherapy service (LRS) in the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, and will make a “strategic purchase” of 75 hectares of land to potentially expand Moruya’s 32-hectare industrial estate.
A development application (DA) to build a new motel on the site of the current Tree Motel was approved, while the council will publish the feasibility study into recycled water for Narooma Golf Course, along with the cost of that exercise. The $10.7 million project will not proceed.
A sketch of the motel to replace Tree Motel.
During the public forum, resident Patrica Hellier questioned the fiscal responsibility of the proposal to hold public forums at 10 am and council meetings at 12:30 pm. She said in the past when there was a sizeable break between public forums and council meetings, the result was community disengagement and councillors deliberating in an empty chamber.
Another resident, Jim Bright, said his review of about 180 submissions to the OLG showed most were from councillors and the majority argued against the proposal to ban private briefings.
“It will decrease the efficiency of meetings, increase the number of deferrals and increase the length of council meetings,” Mr Bright said.
After much deliberation, the councillors passed an amended motion to hold one-hour public forums at 12:30 pm with a maximum of 10 speakers, followed by council meetings at 2 pm, and to review after six months.
Following resident Cid Matteo’s presentation about publishing meeting agendas earlier, staff said they would look into making them available two days earlier.
There were three presentations about the animal-keeping guidelines. They were criticised for inadequate consultation with key stakeholders and the general public, being inconsistent with their intent, and not evidence-based.
Councillors took those comments on board and some wanted the paper revisited. However, the previous guidelines had expired, so the new paper was passed and will be reviewed within 12 months. The guidelines are triggered by complaints.
Plans of the new animal shelter.
Councillors asked whether the new animal shelter would comply with the yet-to-be-finalised new standards and whether the council’s prepared DA would include an overnight drop box where animals could be left safely. Council staff said a drop box could be incorporated into the design and that the $2.5 million project would be included in the council’s budget, which will be debated around June 2026.
Councillors agreed Telstra had them “over a barrel” to accept a below-market rent on the site of a small cell tower in Mystery Bay. Council staff said the Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said if Telstra’s proposal wasn’t resolved quickly, the telco may not proceed.
The council accepted below-market rent on a telco tower in Nerrigundah after the Black Summer bushfires, again for the community benefit. Councillors unanimously voted to give Telstra consent for the tower and accept the company’s proposed rent for 10 years.
Key stakeholders with appropriate skills can apply to join the council’s HAIG. At least eight people will be appointed, with the potential for one or two more if there are outstanding applicants. Deputy Mayor Colleen Turner will chair the HAIG, with Cr Mick Johnson the alternate.
Three speakers addressed councillors about the need for the council to act on its August 2024 resolution to advocate to the Federal and NSW governments for an LRS. Councillors agreed it was an important issue and said details of their advocacy efforts would be made public and they would continue their advocacy work, including requesting regular community updates.
The DA to replace the 12-room Tree Motel at 213 Princes Highway, Narooma, with a 30-room motel was approved, despite the $14.6 million development being 10.56 metres high, or 17.3 per cent higher than usual. The height has no impact on neighbouring properties.
The last agenda item, recommendations of the Bay Pavilions Service Review, was passed with minimal comment.
