Draft Minutes for the Berry Forum Committee Meeting
Virtual meeting on Monday 25 May 2020 at 8.30am

Present: David Carter (Chair), Stuart Coughlan, John Underwood, David Brawn, Heather Macdonald, Laurie Watson, John Cullity, Geoff Armstrong, Mary Beare, James Robinson
Apologies:  Gary Broadbridge, Gail Paton,

Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 4 May 2020: Approved
Actions arising from the Mins – David C letter re transparency of Council processes -Done.

Planning & Development

  • Submission re Planning Proposal for Review of LEP Subdivision Provisions. Information was included in the Newsletter, with recommendation to rezone large outer lots from R1 to R2. We need to alert the community to the impending Medium Density Code. Action: James, Stuart & John C  to investigate impacts of Code.
  • Submission re Major Subdivision Proposed for 510 Beach Road – Council has agreed to extend the time period for accepting submissions.
  • Planning Proposal for 55 Wire Lane – Graham Towers at the DPIE is doing the Gateway review.
  • Micro-brewery at 466 KV Rd – Council reports – Internal report by council engineer recommends application should not be approved because of road safety issues. Police have also said the road is not safe for this kind of development.
  • Mananga Homestead DA for cabins – Request made for sewage connection along Queen Street.

Infrastructure & Facilities

  • Berry amenities upgrade at Apex Park – Laurie provided an update. On track to finish in July
  • Edward St bridge – Stuart received a call from Trevor Dando, Infrastructure Manager. They are still looking at doing something to provide a heritage look to replace guard rails.
  • KV Road footpath – Taken to Council meeting by John Wells, approved to be built in stages. 1st stage is from the roundabout to Ford Street; about 100 meters.

Sustainability
David B spoke about the bridges over Broughton Creek and the lack of safety barriers for the foot paths. It is an opportunity to draw Council’s attention to the safety of both bridges. Action: Laurie

Good progress is being made with the development of the proposed Shoalhaven Community Solar Farm in South Nowra through a partnership between Repower and Flow Power.

David has recently received an invitation from Rotary District 9675 to join their new District Environment and Sustainability Committee that will commence activities from 1 July. District 9675 extends from Kiama up to the Sydney CBD and out west to Parramatta and Blacktown. It includes 60 Rotary Clubs. This activity is a new area of focus for Rotary International globally.

Council Matters
Suggestions received from two residents, (Alan Morley and Mark Hill) re $300 rates rebate to be put it into a Berry Development Fund, and two-year freeze on land valuations.
Action: Stuart to respond to both residents. 

Other Business

  • Town Crier article – Stuart has circulated a draft of the article and there were no objections.
  • Rotary Nature Playground – Rotary has forwarded first Government payment to Rotary to Council. Tender has been put out for playground equipment.
  • Highway sound barriers –Garth Ward advised that tenders were to be issued.

Next Committee meeting – 15 June 2020