Mark Ferguson, general manager at Eurobodalla Council, says the council is reconsidering proposals made in a major planning document. Photo: LinkedIn.
If you’re still feeling chatty about a major planning document for Batemans Bay, then there’s good news.
Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) has locked in further consultation over the controversial Batemans Bay Masterplan (BBMP), which is set to run into early 2026.
It puts forward a proposal to divide Batemans Bay into four quarters (tourism, commercial, industrial and residential) as part of the council’s planning for a predicted population of up to 40,000 by 2100.
As of an October council meeting, the document was being refined to reflect community feedback.
General manager Mark Ferguson pointed to the existing feedback, which he said contained “a lot of really useful information” on what the community thought of the BBMP.
“It’s about pulling some of that information and clarifying what that means … and also the council’s probably back to the table with a more modified approach.”
Meeting documents from the time state ESC received more than 320 text- or image-based submissions, while more than 1500 people went to a shopfront or pop-up market stall.
In December, the council published written submissions from local residents, visitors and businesses on its website.
Mr Ferguson acknowledged that the proposed changes to height limits was “one of the major concerns”, along with fears the plan would usher in a change to Batemans Bay’s unique character.
Under the draft BBMP, parts of the town would be built up, with some areas given the green light for structures up to 100 metres high.
He also said ESC would “probably look to moderate” those limits.
“But in doing that, you need to have for there to be the level of development that will support the area. You need to have a level of density that will support the development.”
He said the proposal was seen as a way to increase housing density, which would have a flow-on effect throughout Batemans Bay.
“It’s about looking at, ‘What are the options for diversity of housing type?’.
“It’s about providing opportunity for tourism development and recognising that Batemans Bay is the primary regional city in the area and how that can be developed accordingly [to] link in with what’s already there.”
Another change already made to the draft masterplan was also made in late 2026, as councillors voted to amend the plan’s boundary and remove the former bowling club site on Vesper Street from the area covered by the document.
As the council owns the parcel of land, it will now go through a separate process, overseen by an independent consultant.
Eurobodalla Council’s general manager Mark Ferguson (right) with Mayor Mathew Hatcher. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Mr Ferguson said while the council was still confident in its plan, the extra feedback was a chance for more detailed consultation.
“It’s about blending vision with reality, like taking into account the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, taking into account the capacity of the economy … and what’s actually practical and what growth is sustainable in that area over the next 20 to 30 years.”
The further consultation means the expected vote on its adoption (initially expected for late 2025) has been pushed back into next year.
Instead, Mr Ferguson said an amended version would be presented to the council in mid-2026.
“I think it’s doable,” he said of the new timeline.
“It wasn’t achievable without further engagement – we want to bring the community with us.
“The council is keen to have a strong level of support across the community and with the landowners, the residents and the various community groups and interest groups that have a position on it.”
He said the BBMP was seen by the council as a key part of preparing the town for its long-term future (including its growth).
“What we’re trying to do is match our future infrastructure requirements with what the future needs of the area [will be], to make sure that we get a stronger local economy, basically, and a more more sustainable economy and community.”
During the second round of consultation, ESC staff met with 30 community groups and organisations to discuss their submissions before the end of 2025.
Across February and March 2026, councillors and staff will host more workshops. Further information is expected to be released closer to those dates.
The draft BBMP, supporting documents and the initial feedback submissions are available on Eurobdalla Shire Council’s website.
