‘Vision for the future’: Shellharbour Council outlines its plans for the short, medium and long term

Shellharbour Council’s long-term vision is now on the table, however, councillors have expressed frustration at the limited time they’ve had to review the plans.

The future of Shellharbour is up for debate after councillors voted for a quartet of plans and strategies to go on public exhibition.

The most farsighted of the plans is the draft Local Strategic Planning Statement which is a 22-point “vision for the future“ of the city in 2042, with the council forecasting Shellharbour to grow by more than 25 per cent to 102,950 people.

Some of the points include delivering more affordable housing (point 1), planning for a sustainable and adaptable city (point 10) and ensuring Shellharbour Airport is viable and “grows to meet its potential” (point 16).

Shellharbour Council has put forward its long-term vision. Picture: Shellharbour Council

The other three reports, which are available on the council’s website, are the Community Strategic Plan (2022-2032), the Resourcing Strategy (2022-2032) and the three-year Delivery Program which incorporates Shellharbour’s 2022-2023 Operation Plan and the Draft Budget.

The council meeting papers also highlighted the funding injection the Shell Cove marina is providing the city, with Shellharbour expected to reap in nearly $21 million in profits in the next financial year alone.

Councillors voted to make the drafts available to the public, however, a number of councillors were frustrated they were only given a mandated minimum of three days to dissect them.

Councillor Rob Petreski was one of a chorus who would have liked more time to consider the documents. Picture: Shellharbour Council

“I have mixed feelings about these going out so early as we only heard about these a few days ago,” councillor Rob Petreski said.

“These are plans that will have a long-term impact, as much as 20 years... I would have preferred to have had several briefings.”

Councillor Kellie Marsh was also unimpressed with the lack of time to run through documents.

“I was toying with asking for a deferral,” she said.

“It’s not the most opportunistic time to put these out [around the long weekend].

“We need to be looking forward. We should not be put in this position again. We need the elected body to be given ample opportunity to look over this.”

Public submissions close at 4.30pm, May 25.

In other business ...

Shell Cove marina gets a name

The Shell Cove marina is likely to be referred to as Shell Cove Harbour going forward as councillors endorsed the name during the meeting.

Shell Cove Marina and Shellharbour Harbour were noted in the council business papers, however, they were not considered because the former insinuates it would be for “private patrons only” and the latter is already used for the historic harbour at Shellharbour Village.

The soon-to-be Shell Cove Harbour. Picture: Shellharbour Council

The name proposal comes at the same time as the council pushed forward Shellharbour North Beach, Shellharbour South Beach and Gadhu Beach.

Shellharbour North Beach, between Cowrie Island and Barrack Point, has long been referred to by that name (as well as Shellharbour Surf Beach), but this would be officially gazetted.

South Beach, which is between Shellharbour Village and the harbour break wall, has officially been referred to as Shellharbour Beach since 1973.

Gadhu Beach is a small strip of sand directly south of the harbour with the name meaning ‘salt water’ in the Aboriginal Dharawal language with the name put forward during consultations with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Shellharbour Council is proposing four name changes along with city's coast. Picture: Shellharbour Council

The 80 metre long beach is officially a part of Shellharbour Beach with locals often calling it Shellharbour South Beach.

However, with the construction of the harbour, the council papers said “it would be unacceptable should emergency services initially arrive at the wrong section” given it takes about 10 minutes to drive between the two beaches.

The name-change proposals will be on public exhibition for 28 days.

Councillors’ super boost

The nine councillors voted to get superannuation payments which will cost around $30,500 over the 2022/23 financial year.

The unanimous decision came after a 2021 Local Government Act amendment allowed for the payment of super.

Mayor Chris Homer will receive super for his role as mayor and as a councillor.

“We don’t do this for money,” Cr Marsh said.

“We love what we do, but it does come at a cost in work hours and family hours.

“I hope it does encourage people to put their hand up to run for council.”