Minutes for the Berry Forum Committee Meeting
Monday 14 July 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 and Gail Paton. Apologies: Emanuele Rattazzi, David Brawn, Keith Brodie, Mary Beare.
Minutes of Meeting held on 16 June: Approved Actions arising: None
Council updates: Interviews for the new CEO will commence on 21 June and the successful candidate will be announced at the 29 July Council meeting. An interim CEO will be appointed to cover from 31 July until the new CEO starts.
Draft DCP and HCA: The Acting Director of Development & Planning has been asked to consider a review of the enhancements proposed for the draft DCP during the 30-day period required to consult with the RFS on the additional HCA.
Character statements: At the next Council meeting on 22 July, a recommendation will be made to start work on local plan codes for the Shoalhaven (including local character statement) similar to those used in Queensland councils’ LEPs.
Berry Hotel RA23/1022: A meeting was held with the Acting Director of Development & Planning to discuss preparations for the DA assessment after it is lodged. The Committee discussed what the Forum would need to see addressed before giving support to a future DA for the Hotel.
Berry Flood Action: David provided an update advising that the meeting of the Northern Flood Plain Management Committee was deferred to 30 July due to bad weather at the earlier date. He had received the Flood Study report which is confidential to Committee members and will be released on public exhibition after approval by the Committee.
Other Business: Judith raised concerns over the content of the draft Plan of Management for the Showground.
Meeting Closed: 9:30am
Next Committee meeting – 4 August
Next Forum meeting – 4 September