Planning Group

·        Gazettal of LEP Amendment 229 which provides for scenic hatching to be placed around the village of Cambewarra. This will require developments to consider the scenic protection provisions of the LEP, with the exception of agricultural or exempt and complying development.

·        Council again resolved to offer Shoalhaven Local Heritage Assistance Fund grants to 15 applicants and successful applicants have completed their projects and received their funding.

·        The Draft Nowra Bomaderry Structure Plan was placed on public exhibition from 1 March to 28 April 2006. A Public Information Session was held on 22 March at the Nowra School of Arts.  All submissions and comments will be given due consideration in the finalisation of the structure plan.

·        The Draft Shoalhaven Housing Strategy was placed on public exhibition from 9 March to 21 April 2006 and adopted by Council on 27 June 2006.  The Strategy has identified the need for provision of a range of housing types to meet the ever changing demographic trends, particularly the needs of youth, the aged and disabled and the lower number of persons per household.

·        Draft Development Control Plan No. 106 – Floodplain Management exhibited. The Draft DCP provides Council with an essential tool for managing risk and liability associated with development within the floodplain. 

·        Draft Sussex Inlet Settlement Strategy – was exhibited for public comment and a public information meeting was held in Sussex Inlet. This Strategy addresses the future development of this area.

·        Development Control Plan 56 – Ulladulla – Council has agreed to manage a major review of this DCP in conjunction with the NSW Department of Planning, Lands Department and Premiers Department.

·        Draft South Coast Regional Strategy – This important State Government planning strategy was reviewed and a detailed submission prepared and submitted to the NSW Department of Planning.

·        South Coast Independent Review Panel – detailed Council report considered by Council and submission prepared to this State Government panel that will review the future use of a number of residential development zones in the City.

·        Information has been gathered and assessed and Councillors have been briefed on the Shoalhaven Growth Management Strategy which is a high priority overall planning direction for the City. 

Development & Environmental Services

 State of Environment Reporting

Environmental Services coordinated the preparation of the 2004/05 State of the Environment (SOE) Report. The report was made available in November 2005.  This is the first time SCC’s State of Environment Report was fully electronic and not available as a hard copy - CDs were available for anyone who wanted one.

The SOE report is not just an educative or scientific document that compiles a range of data and information describing current activities and issues, it is an important tool that can be used as an input to strategic and management planning.  The local government guidelines suggest that the report should detail strategies, decisions, protection measures, projects and actions that Councils undertake to improve the management of human activity and its impact upon the environment. Council's responsibilities in regard to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) under Section 8 of the Local Government Act to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ESD can also be reported in the SOE.

Asbestos Material

On the 23rd August, 2005 Council adopted a new policy that will affect demolition and building work that involves the removal, handling and disposal of asbestos material.  A summary of the policy is as follows:

·        A condition of any consent will require written reports and audits where asbestos may be present.

·        Demolition works involving removal of asbestos will require the use of a Work-cover licensed contractor.

·        Notification will be required to be given to adjoining neighbours.

·        Evidence of tip receipts will be required to verify disposal locations.  Following removal, a clearance certificate is required from a suitably qualified person.

·        Where removal involves less than 10m² of bonded asbestos sheeting, a licensed builder may carry out work provided they have completed appropriate bonded asbestos removal course.

Training courses have been undertaken for local builders.  The courses were organised in conjunction with TAFE NSW.  This recently revised WorkCover NSW approved course was aimed at anyone working with, or intending to work with bonded asbestos material and who needed to obtain training to satisfy conditions under the National and State asbestos legislation.  A component explaining Council's Policy and Waste Services requirements at Council's Waste Depots was also included.

Three courses were arranged, 21^st February, 2006 at Nowra, 12^th March, 2006 at Sanctuary Point and 4^th April, 2006 at Ulladulla.  There were 15 participants at each course.  The feedback from the participants was very positive.

 A number of additional enquiries about attendance have been received from builders and these have been referred to TAFE to consider holding more local courses through Nowra TAFE.

Council’s new policy regarding the treatment and disposal of bonded asbestos material has generally been well received by builders and the broader community.

 DIY SAFE – Practical Advice for Renovators

Environmental Services prepared a media campaign to educate the public, particularly home renovators on the potential hazards that can be faced while home renovating.  NSW Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation have launched a Do-it-yourself SAFELY guide to provide home renovators important, simple advice and tips to protect their family’s health and their local environment while renovating.

Common hazards when renovating include exposure to lead, asbestos, treated timber, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and powdered materials such as cement, fillers, adhesives and plaster which pose a risk to public health (to persons carrying the renovations and their neighbours). Illegal disposal of waste materials from renovating is also a public health and environment protection concern. 

 DCP 113 - Policy to Control Development within the vicinity of the Eagle View Farm Piggery Yatte Yattah

 This DCP was adopted at the Council meeting held in September, 2005.

 This Policy has the following aims and objectives:

·        To restrict the subdivision of land within the 655 metre buffer zone.

·        To restrict the substantial intensification of existing residential development within the 655 metre buffer zone.

·        To ensure that the commercial operation of the piggery is not compromised by intensification of development within the 655 metre buffer zone.

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