Residents are concerned about illegal camping and homelessness at Moruya Riverside Park. Photo: Region.
Extensive community consultation about Moruya Riverside Park Reserves has found that residents are most concerned about the future of the Moruya War Memorial Pool, along with illegal camping and homelessness at the eastern end of Riverside Park and within Ryans Creek Reserve.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s draft Plan of Management (POM) for the reserves intends to restrict vehicles at Ryans Creek Reserve because of its cultural and environmental significance.
The council’s director community, arts and recreation services Kathy Arthur and senior recreation planner Peta Brooks gave councillors an overview of the POM at a workshop on 21 July. At the council’s meeting on Tuesday (28 July), councillors approved the draft POM for submission to the Minister for Lands and Property for permission to publicly exhibit it.
Prescriptive legislation requires the council to prepare the POM. It is a 10-year plan and there is a detailed process the council must follow.
The POM covers the areas of Russ Martin Park, Moruya War Memorial Swimming Pool, Moruya Town Wharf and Boat Ramp, Moruya Riverside Park Reserve and Ryans Creek Reserve.
The project began in 2022, with initial community consultation in February and March 2023. It was put on hold pending the July 2024 announcement of the preferred Moruya bypass corridor. Further community consultation occurred in July and August 2025.
Consultation included targeted stakeholder meetings with nine groups, two pop-up stalls at markets and an online survey that attracted 600 responses.
The parks covered by the Moruya Riverside Park Reserves Plan of Management. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council website.
From that, three key values were established: the reserves’ cultural and environmental importance, connected and usable spaces and having something for everyone.
According to the papers for the council meeting, homeless and illegal camping in Riverside Park and Ryans Creek Reserve has increased since last year’s consultation, as has community concern. People have written to the council about antisocial behaviour, waste and illegal dumping, environmental damage from vehicles, and health and safety concerns for both the homeless and non-homeless community using the area.
The draft POM identifies that Ryans Creek Reserve has important environmental values and cultural significance for traditional owners. The POM recommends fencing the reserve to restrict vehicles and prevent ongoing vehicle damage. Limiting access only to pedestrians and cyclists will protect and preserve the cultural and environmental values and significance of Ryans Creek Reserve.
Ms Arthur said people wanted clarity about camping in the area.
“There is a degree of ambiguity,” she said. ”We have been working on that for a number of months.”
She said the council was not the lead agency for homelessness. The council has been working with a range of government agencies.
During the community consultation, the council received many submissions from people worried that the POM included removing the War Memorial Pool from its current site to the Gundary Oval precinct.
“The pool has come to the end of its life. It is 50 to 60 years old,” Ms Arthur said. “It is a whole separate project on its own.”
The council meeting’s papers said the pool would require renewing, or at least plans for renewal, within the next 10 years. That will be a standalone process, subject to a project plan, significant funding and separate community consultation.
The Ryans Creek Reserve Master Plan. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council website.
The POM has five key issues in its action plan. It will integrate, protect and enhance natural and cultural features and plan for infrastructure improvements over the long term. It also aims to promote linkages within and beyond the reserves, manage user groups and use areas, and maintain and grow event uses and tourism.
Beneath those five issues sit short-, medium- and long-term actions.
Among the short-term ones within the next three years are maintenance and environmental improvement, plus improved park infrastructure such as lighting, signage, art installations, seating, barbecues and shelter. The other short-term priority is improvements to the Ryans Creek Reserve entry area and trails, including restricting vehicular access.
Medium-term priorities for the following four to six years include improving footpaths throughout the reserves, a cultural pavilion, amphitheatre improvements and activation, and potentially a dog park.
Ms Brooks said people requested a dog park.
“Is this the most appropriate location?” she said.
An extension of the pontoon and additional parking for the boat ramp are other medium-term actions.
Over the seven- to 10-year horizon, the POM includes a potential combined facility for existing and new community clubs, swimming pool renewal, and expansion of the playground, including potential youth activities, and the Church Street exit and roundabout.
