Shoalhaven City Council is waiting on parts to arrive from Queensland before maintenance work can be undertaken on the recently damaged floating pontoon at Greys Beach, Nowra.

The floating pontoon was recently affected by a large build up of sand and debris under the facility, partly as a result of strong tidal flow and the recent floodwaters.

Acting Director of City Services and Operations, Cliff Harris said the pontoon had become damaged following the build up of sand and a large log becoming trapped under the amenity.

“Council understands community concerns regarding the condition of the Greys Beach floating pontoon and is currently working to get the facility fixed as quickly as possible,” said Mr Harris.

“While Council staff periodically clear the sand that collects on the slab under the pontoon, a number of combined factors including floodwater, strong flow and a drifting log have resulted in the pontoon becoming damaged.
 

“As a result, the connectors between the pontoon sections have been put under extreme pressure and eventually broken.”

“Council staff are currently waiting for the appropriate dog bone connectors to arrive from Queensland before the maintenance work can be carried out. Staff have spoken to the supply company and notified them of the urgency of this matter.”

Mr Harris said he apologised to the community for any inconvenience caused by the damage to the pontoon saying Council staff have made the site safe and will carry out maintenance work as soon as the new parts have arrived.

Shoalhaven City Council is encouraging local businesses and residents to join in ‘taking the pledge’ as part of the 2012 Fatality Free Friday campaign.

The Fatality Free Friday Road safety pledge is a promise to ‘drive to stay alive’ and help achieve the overall aim of zero road deaths in Australia for just one day, Friday 25 May.

As part of Council’s commitment to Fatality Free Friday, Council staff will be manning a stall in Junction Court encouraging community members to ‘sign the pledge’ from 10am – 12noon on the day.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said the Fatality Free Friday campaign was a simple and effective way of reminding road users of their responsibilities while behind the wheel.

“The Fatality Free Friday campaign allows the community to start thinking about the effect their actions can have on not only themselves, but others, when on the road,” said Clr Green.

“Calling on participants to remind friends and family of their responsibilities behind the wheel, the campaign asks drivers to commit to becoming a safer road user.

“While the initial aim is to have one fatality free day on our nation’s roads, if all roads users make an ongoing commitment to slow down and take extra care at all times, the flow on effects of this campaign could be enormous.”

“I would strongly encourage all road users to ‘take the pledge’ and commit to a Fatality Free Friday and in doing so make a commitment to becoming a safer road user.”

For more information please visit www.fatalityfreefriday.com.au.

CONTACT:  Shoalhaven City Mayor Councillor Paul Green             (02) 4429 3251

The Shoalhaven Youth Advisory Committee is currently seeking new members to assist Council in the development of youth related strategies.

Meeting six times a year, the committee undertakes a number of initiatives aimed at helping the area’s young people.

New committee members will have the opportunity to have their say on a host of youth issues regarding local entertainment, projects, arts, youth leadership and development.

Youth Advisory Committee Chairperson, Councillor Bohdan Brumerkyj encouraged interested residents to join the committee saying membership was open to community members aged between 15-24 years of age.

“The Shoalhaven is extremely blessed to have so many talented and motivated young people looking to make a difference to the local community,” said Clr Brumerkyj.

“The Youth Advisory Committee provides an excellent opportunity for local residents to work alongside Councillors in developing strategies to improve youth services and culture within the Shoalhaven,”

“I would strongly encourage any residents interested in furthering issues of concern with young people, helping organise youth orientated events and entertainment while also gaining valuable experience in local government to become involved with this exciting and proactive committee.”

To register interest in the Youth Advisory Committee, please contact the Youth Development Officer on (02) 4429 3418.

Shoalhaven City Council is encouraging local students to enter the 2012 Threatened Species Competition as part of World Environment Day celebrations.

Open to local Primary School students, the competition aims to raise awareness surrounding the 140 native species of plants and animals in the Shoalhaven that are currently threatened with extinction.

Participating students are asked to enter a drawing of a threatened species in its native habitat with prizes awarded for the winning school display and age division winners.

The winning entrants will be announced and displayed at Council’s Threatened Species Stall at the World Environment Day Fair taking place at Lady Denman Heritage Complex on Saturday 2 June.

Council will be hosting a stall drawing attention to the many threatened species currently residing within the Shoalhaven.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green encouraged local students to take part in the Threatened Species Competition saying he was looking forward to seeing the final entries.

“A lot of residents may not realise how many threatened species call the Shoalhaven home,” said Clr Green.

“The Threatened Species Competition provides local children the opportunity to learn more about the 140 threatened local native species of plants and animals and what we can do to help their survival.

“I would encourage all local Primary School students to get behind this fun and innovative competition and ensure that these threatened species have a long term future within the Shoalhaven.”

The Threatened Species Competition prizes include –

For the winning School Display

• Entry passes to the Shoalhaven Zoo (for a maximum of 30 students) inclusive of an animal experience show with keeper.
• Nest boxes to install around the school grounds

For the winning drawing in each age division

• Family pass to the Shoalhaven Zoo
• Nest box for the backyard

 Posters, information and colouring in drawings are provided to assist in creating the display. Pictures of displays can be emailed to Councils Threatened Species Officer at jenkinsa@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Please contact Council staff on 4429 3209 for further competition details.

Shoalhaven City Council, in partnership with Australian Paper – Shoalhaven, is currently seeking nominations for the 2012 Shoalhaven Medal Awards.

The Shoalhaven Medal recognises those residents that have made an outstanding contribution to the local community or achieved a level of excellence in a particular field of endeavour.

Nominations will be judged on the length and quality of service provided to an organisation as well as acts of compassion, generosity or bravery.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said the Shoalhaven Medal provided the ideal opportunity to pay tribute to the area’s many quiet achievers.

“The Shoalhaven Medal recognises the hard work and commitment of the area’s many volunteers and community workers,” said Clr Green.

“Every day I meet local residents who give up their own time for the betterment of the community and to ensure the Shoalhaven remains such a special place in which to reside.

“Council is currently calling for nominations for the 2012 Shoalhaven Medal Awards and I would certainly encourage all residents to get involved and help recognise the area’s many local heroes.”

“Nominations can be given to those that have made an outstanding contribution to the local community or achieved a level of excellence in a particular field of endeavour.”

The Shoalhaven Medal will be awarded in three categories –gold, silver and bronze.

Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Forms are also available from the Nowra and Ulladulla Administrative Centres, Shoalhaven Libraries, Visitors Centres, the Shoalhaven Arts Centre and Council’s Aquatic Centres.

Nominations close 5pm Friday 8 June.

Shoalhaven City Council’s Draft Delivery Program and Operation Plan, including the 2012/13 Draft Budget, are on public exhibition until Tuesday 29 May.

Under the 2012/13 Draft Budget, Council has proposed to maintain the current rating structure, ensuring continuity from 2011/12.

Shoalhaven City land owners will have received a Notice of Valuation from the Government's Land and Property Information Section in the last few months.

Revaluations of land take place every three years in NSW and are used as the basis for setting the ordinary rates residents pay to Council.

Using their Notice of Valuation, Shoalhaven City residents are able to calculate the total amount of rates to be collected on their property under the 2012/13 Draft Budget using the rates calculator found on Council’s website.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said the 2011 land valuations for the Shoalhaven on average decreased by around three percent compared to the previous revaluation.

“While some residents may experience a slight rise or drop in their rates it is important to understand that Council does not receive an increase in revenue as a result of the revaluation,” said Clr Green.

“Under the NSW Government's rating system the collection of rates is redistributed across the entire city, meaning the revaluation does not increase the total amount collected.

“I would certainly encourage those residents looking to calculate the proposed total amount of rates to be levied on their property to utilise the rates calculator found on Council’s website.”

“By entering in the revaluation figure found on the Notice of Valuation from the Government's Land and Property Information Section, interested residents can calculate their rates under the 2012/13 budget.”

The 2011 valuations will be used for the levying of rates from 2012/13 through to 2014/15.

Council’s proposed total ordinary rate yield for 2012/13 is based on a rate pegging increase of 3.6 percent as set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

Residents with any questions or concerns regarding their Notice of Valuation should contact Land and Property Information on 1800 110 038.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green has clarified a number of recent media statements made by NRMA Director, Alan Evans following Council’s decision to rezone land at Meroo Meadow adjacent to the Princes Highway.

Mr Evans has publicly expressed concern regarding Council’s decision to realign the proposed western R1 General Residential zone boundary and in turn reduce the possible buffer zone along a section of the proposed western bypass of Nowra.

The draft Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan 2009 showed a 200 metre bypass/services corridor passing around the urban area from Meroo Road/Pestells Lane, Bomaderry in the north to BTU Road, South Nowra in the south.

Council received a submission as part of the draft LEP exhibition process seeking a reduction in the SP2 zone width by up to 50 metres in the vicinity of their property and the land within this reduction to be zoned R1 General Residential.

Council considered the landowners submission and confirmed the proposal at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 17 April.

Mayor, Paul Green said Council’s decision to rezone the land would see the SP2 zoned corridor reduced to 150 metres in this location, not the 60 metres as had been claimed in the media.

“The proposed western regional services corridor around the Nowra-Bomaderry urban area has been part of Councils planning since it was first identified in the Illawarra Regional Environmental Plan released in 1986,” said Mr Green.

“Council has been concerned at some of the recent comments in the media following the decision to align the western R1 general Residential zone boundary and in turn reduce the buffer zone along a section of the proposed western bypass of Nowra.

“Should Council’s decision ultimately be accepted by the State Government, the SP2 zone in this location will still be 150 metres wide, still providing  enough future flexibility to accommodate a bypass and setbacks.“

Mr Green said that despite Mr Evan’s concerns, Council was not required to directly consult with the NRMA regarding the draft LEP.

“The draft LEP was the subject of an extremely thorough 13 week exhibition process,” said Mr Green.

“During this period, Council extensively engaged with the community across a host of both city-wide and area specific issues while also circulating the draft plan to all relevant Government Agencies.

“I do not believe that it is standard practice for the NRMA to comment on draft LEP’s being prepared by Councils.”

CONTACT:   Shoalhaven City Mayor Councillor Paul Green            (02) 4429 3251

Shoalhaven City Council is inviting comments on the 2012/13 Draft Budget, holding a series of community forums to help residents have their say.

Council's Draft Delivery program and Operation Plan, including the 2012/13 Draft Budget, will be on public exhibition from Tuesday 1 May – Tuesday 29 May.

The Draft Budget currently proposes a $1.23 million deficit over the coming year. Council staff have provided the elected Council with a number of proposed cost reductions to help balance the budget.

Council will attempt to achieve a balanced budget and make a final decision on the proposed reductions at the June Ordinary Meeting after talking to the community as part of the exhibition process.

Features of the $307 million Draft Budget include –

• $1 million – additional road renewal funding.
• $2.5 million – local roads resealing.
• $7.2 million – completion of the Kangaroo Valley sewerage scheme.
• $2.9 million – relining of sewer mains.
• $3.45 million – Southern Shoalhaven Library/Civic Centre.
• $600,000 – upgrade Ison Park amenities.
• $150,000 – creation of a Graffiti Removal position.
• $103,000 – additional funding for the Donations Vote.
•  $84,000 – creation of a full time Events Co-ordinator position.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said Council would be faced with a number of tough decisions in attempting to balance the budget.

“We want to increase services like graffiti removal and support for events while also increasing road expenditure but in doing so we need to identify other cuts to the budget,” said Clr Green.

“Like all Government bodies, Council is under increasing pressure to maintain our infrastructure including local roads, buildings and other Council facilities.

“However Council’s main sources of income, including rates and investment revenue remain restricted despite the rising costs associated with an increased level of services and external pressures.”

“This leaves Council needing to undertake some tough measures to produce a balanced budget while also attempting to minimise any impact on services to the local community.”

“Council will look at all available options to help cut costs including current service levels, community programs, administration costs and staffing levels.”

General Manager, Russ Pigg said he anticipated a lot of interest in the draft budget from many of the likely candidates in this September’s elections.

“The community’s input into to identifying what service reductions are acceptable will be a key factor in the final budget decisions,” said Mr Pigg.

“In all reality it will be the new Council that inherits and implements the 2012/13 budget so I would certainly expect a good deal of submissions from those hopeful of being elected at the September elections.

“I would strongly encourage all local residents to read the Draft Budget document, attend one of the community forums in their area and have their say by making a submission.”

Details of the community forums include –

• Thursday 3 May – Nowra Administrative Building from 7pm.
• Wednesday 9 May – Ulladulla Civic Centre from 7pm.
• Wednesday 16 May – Vincentia High School Auditorium.

The draft documents will be available for viewing at Council’s libraries, Administrative Buildings and website – www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Shoalhaven City Council’s programmed road sealing and resealing program has once again been impacted by the recent heavy rains.
 

The main affected roads include –

• The sealing of one kilometre of the recently reconstructed Culburra Road.
• The sealing of 1.2 kilometres of the reconstructed Upper Kangaroo Valley Road.

Sealing of these reconstructed roads had been scheduled for commencement on Wednesday 18 April.

At the completion of these roads, works were then programmed to commence on a number of roads that had already been prepared for resealing, however these jobs have now also been postponed.

Shoalhaven City Council Director of City Services and Operations, Bill Paterson said that both the Culburra and Upper Kangaroo Valley roads will need to be reworked prior to the commencement of the resealing program.

“Unfortunately the heavy rainfall received on Tuesday 17 April has forced the postponement of a number of scheduled sealing works,” said Mr Paterson.

“As both unsealed roads were well compacted and shaped in preparation of sealing, it is hoped that the reworking of these roads will minimal, however this will depend on how much moisture has been forced into the pavement.

“Council staff will inspect these roads over the coming days in a bid to ascertain the levels of moisture within the new road pavement structure and make decisions as to how much work is required.”

Tourism has been reaffirmed as the largest industry within the Shoalhaven after the release of an independent report into local holiday trends.

Despite a gloomy economic forecast, the Shoalhaven received over 231,000 international visitor nights in the previous financial year.

Further to this, the area received over 1.2 million domestic overnight visitors, the highest result since 2008.

These figures come on the back of another recently released report which found that tourism is worth over $678 million per annum to Shoalhaven City, creating over 7,870 direct and indirect jobs throughout the area.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said he was very pleased to see the Shoalhaven continuing to be the first choice for many holiday makers.

“It is little secret that the Shoalhaven is one of the most naturally diverse and spectacular areas on the eastern seaboard,” said Clr Green.

“Offering something for everybody, the Shoalhaven is home to the beautiful rolling hills of the hinterland, the majestic coastline stretching from Durras to Shoalhaven Heads and any number of vineyards, cafes and galleries located within each of the unique towns and villages.

“These latest figures reaffirm the Shoalhaven as the premier regional tourism destination in NSW.”

“Tourism continues to be the chief driver of the local economy as illustrated by the 7,870 direct and indirect local jobs created through the local industry.”

CONTACT:  Shoalhaven City Mayor Councillor Paul Green             (02) 4429 3251

                                                                                                             0423 881 873