Millions allocated for vital Shoalhaven projects despite no rate rise

In what will be a ‘massive’ budget year for Shoalhaven City Council ahead of a tightly battled election in September, see what projects make up the almost half a billion dollar budget.

This year’s almost half a billion dollar pre-election Shoalhaven City Council budget will see as much as $230 million spent on crucial capital works projects.

Mayor Amanda Findley said the budget, currently on exhibition for public feedback, will see a “massive year” of projects begin, including $6.3 million in vital community infrastructure works.

“Council’s capital works plan this year is enormous,” she said.

The budget also includes $266 million in operational costs.

She said given the size of the budget there may be some “interesting” decisions made after the exhibition period is complete, and said she would like to see more funding for affordable housing in the area after 7000 new residents moved to the region in the last year.

Mayor Amanda Findley said the Ulladulla boardwalk project will spur future development in the town. Picture: Chris Pavlich

“It would be good if the state budget can have a long term approach to the affordable housing issue in the Shoalhaven,” Cr Findley said.

“If they could commit $3 million over the next 10 years the outcome would be so good for so many.

“It gives certainty to building projects.”

Thirty six community projects will go ahead, including more efficient lighting at Lighthouse Oval in Ulladulla, drainage at the Bomaderry Sports Complex, Mollymook foreshore irrigation works and new playgrounds at Bomaderry, Sussex Inlet and Mollymook.

Cr Findley said the Milton Ulladulla Tennis Club will also see lighting upgraded and showgrounds across the region will also see upgrades to facilities.

“The Ulladulla Civic Centre, which was a major evacuation centre during the bushfires, will also be getting a generator, and we have $3 million going towards the Ulladulla boardwalk,” she said.

Shoalhaven mayor Amanda Findley said residents are optimistic about the future.

The boardwalk has been listed as a top 10 priority by the Shoalhaven Business Chamber.

“If we finally get the boardwalk finished it will generate confidence for land owners to thoughtfully develop the lands near the harbour,” Cr Findley said.

“We have so much more that can be done in that area.”

She said feedback from the community has been “reasonable”, adding residents “can see what council is trying to do” following the devastating bushfires and economic woes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In general the feedback about our future is very optimistic,” Cr Findley said.

Shoalhaven councillor John Wells is against raising rates above the two per cent peg.

“People are in financial pain, but overall the feeling is optimistic and people are surprised by how optimistic they feel given what we’ve been through in the last 18 months.

“People do want more road works, but we’ve been constrained since COVID.

“We have 250 kilometres of unsealed roads and people want more sealing.”

Cr Findley said many councillors have not supported a rise in rates above the two per cent peg this year.

One of those councillors, John Wells, said he has received “fairly positive” feedback from residents on the decision not to increase rates, but admitted covering costs may be difficult.

“It [lack of a rate rise] probably won’t cover cost increases,” he said.

“It is an ambitious budget.

“We’ll have to wait and see what comments come back from the community, but generally there’s been no particular hostility towards it.”