Minutes for the Berry Forum Committee Meeting
At the Uniting Church on Monday Feb 4 2019 at 9.45am.

Present: David Carter (Chair), Stuart Coughlan, Mary Beare, James Robinson, John Cullity, John Underwood, Laurie Watson, David Brawn, Garry Broadbridge, Gail Paton, Geoff Armstrong and Lynne de Graaf.     Apologies: None

Minutes of the Committee Meetings held on 17 December 2018 – Approved
Actions arising from the Minutes – None

Response to MC letter
The Committee unanimously agreed a response to the letter from Mr Cornish.

Planning & Development

  • Shoalhaven GMS – Council is preparing the draft GMS document, incorporating community feedback. Public exhibition of the draft GMS and formal community consultation will take place in May. Council staff will be invited to a Forum meeting to discuss the draft GMS.
  • Huntingdale –Pindan has written to Council, recommending that the proposed public reserve located in the NW corner of the site be retained and a 10m wide restriction on the use of land be placed along the western boundary to retain the wildlife corridor. Pindan also have offered to build a playground on the site of the cancelled community center. Council’s decision will be taken back to a Forum meeting.
  • Stuart updated the Committee regarding the concerns of residents who are unable to locate updated information on the DA Tracking website following notification from Council. Concern was also raised that Council’s practice of only notifying immediate neighbours of DAs was not appropriate when noise issues were prevalent.

Action: Stuart to raise these concerns with Council. 

14 February Forum meeting
Action: Stuart to send out a newsletter advising that the Forum meeting has been cancelled

Infrastructure & Facilities
NBN – Ken Hutt has been asked to quote on leveling and concreting 25 pits.

Sustainability
The electric recharging station has been opened at the Bowling Club by the NRMA.
SCC has abandoned the Community Solar Garden plan for North Nowra due to native title claims. Council will investigate suitable alternative sites.
The container deposit-return facilities at Berry and Bombaderry are going to be removed.

Council Matters
Council has endorsed the master plan for Boongaree. A business case and funding plan will now be developed for a staged delivery over several budget cycles.

Other Business
A request has ben made by Clr Gash for a Forum meeting to meet Federal Election candidates.
The Committee discussed the request, but believes a candidates Forum meeting is appropriate for Council elections only.

Meeting closed 11:15 am

Next Committee meeting – Monday 4 March
Next Forum meeting – 11 April