Draft Minutes for the Forum Committee Meeting
Monday 4 August 2025 8.15am at the Uniting Church
Present: Ian Hendry (Chair), Stuart Coughlan (Secretary), Laurie Watson (Treasurer), Judith Ball, John Morgan, Peter Saul, John Jeston, Gail Paton, Emanuele Rattazzi, David Brawn, Keith Brodie, Mary Beare.
Minutes of Meeting held on 14 July 2025: Approved
Actions arising: None
Council updates: CEO: appointment pending. Interim CEO Brian Barratt has commenced. Awaiting release of employee costs for Quarter 4 and July. MRF – the consultant’s financial modelling has been requested.
Berry Hotel RA23/1022: Feros Group has invited representatives from the Forum, Historical Society, Rotary and the Chamber to attend a briefing on 6 August to discuss the amended plans. Stuart, Laurie, Judith and Megan Pikett will attend.Concerns to be raised include, parking, social impacts, adequacy of the storm water pits and the maximum capacity of the pub. Once Feros provides final plans a community meeting will be held.
Draft DCP and HCA: Public exhibition of the draft DCP and HCA planning proposal will commence on 6 August.
Character statements: Awaiting recommendation to be made to start work on local plan codes for the Shoalhaven like those used in Queensland councils’ LEPs. Awaiting update.
Community engagement: Fiona and Peter Pigott (on hold)
Berry Flood Action: Next meeting of the group will be on 11 August.
Dog off leash area: David advised that Berry Rotary are undertaking a project and will be raising funds for the first phase in the Boongaree precinct. It will be run as a community-led project on council land and will meet council requirements. The committee agreed to support the project.
Chamber liaison: No further update
Next Committee meeting – 25 August
Next Forum meeting – 4 September