Minutes of the Berry Forum Meeting
Held 15 August 2019 7:30pm at the Berry School of Arts

Present: 52 people, including Clr John Wells Apologies: Deputy Mayor Patricia White

Welcome and Introduction (David Carter – Chairman)
Minutes of the meeting held 13 June were approved.

Temporary Function Centres (Stuart Coughlan)
Council is now informing new applicants they must demonstrate that the temporary use will have no adverse impact on the amenity of the neighbourhood (e.g. noise, traffic, light spillage) and that an acoustic assessment is required that shows there will be no adverse noise impact.
We continue to press Council to apply the LEC ruling to the four outstanding DAs for Strongs Road, Tindalls Lane and Kangaroo Valley.

Growth Management Strategy (Stuart Coughlan)
Council has published a Community Engagement Report that summarises feedback on the draft GMS discussion paper issued in November. The Report will be used in developing the GMS and broader Local Strategic Planning Statement for the Shoalhaven due in July 2020.
We remain concerned about lack of clarity concerning the agreed southern boundary for growth west of the Highway however, and will raise the issue with Council Planning staff.

Moss Vale Rd North Development (Stuart Coughlan)
The Urban Release Area covers around 650 acres and will have capacity for 2500 to 3000 dwellings.

Short Term Rental Accommodation
The State Government is seeking more feedback on its discussion paper that aims to strike a balance between managing social impacts and supporting the economic value of rental accommodation. Comments can be submitted until 11 September on the draft Code of Conduct, regulations and property register.

Infrastructure Updates (Laurie Watson)
Apex Park toilets – Council has confirmed it is finalising designs for refurbishing the existing toilets.
Edward Street bridge – construction will commence late-August and take two months.

Forum Correspondence (Stuart Coughlan)
Available on the Forum website under News updates.

General Business

  • A resident of the Arbour informed the meeting of the increasing levels of noise from the bypass and asked for support from Forum members. A show of hands indicated unanimous support.
  • Council will hold a Community Information Session on 28 August to discuss the potential additional heritage listings in Berry. Staff will answer questions and feedback will be sought.

Meeting closed 8.45pm
Next Forum Meeting – October 10