MAYOR_Patricia White 2024 - ETCHED NECKLACE

Mayor's message

Read the Mayor's message for updates on all the news and issues affecting the Shoalhaven.

 

Friday 25 July 2025

It’s my last full week working with Acting CEO James Ruprai and I’m incredibly grateful for his leadership and support over the past eight months. James is taking on a wonderful new opportunity outside the Shoalhaven and we wish him all the best.  

The appointment of the new CEO will be announced at the Council meeting on Tuesday 29 July. We had a strong field of applicants and interviewed some very talented candidates. I’m really excited to share this news with you next week and officially welcome a new leader to the organisation. You can see what else we’ll be discussing in the meeting next week by going to our website. 

In a Council first, Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens and Cemetery in Worrigee is hosting a community open day on Friday 8 August to help overcome the stigma and discomfort many people feel around death and dying. The event is being held on Dying to Know Day - a national campaign to encourage all Australians to develop new knowledge and attitudes about how to deal with death, bereavement and support each other at the end of life. The open day starts at 9am and visitors have the opportunity to chat with the Bereavement Services team, hear about end-of-life choices and join a behind-the-scenes tour.  

We all know someone who has been touched by breast cancer, and screening is the most reliable way to detect this cancer early. The mobile Breast Screen Van is in Huskisson from now until 8 August, it then travels to Nowra, Bomaderry then Berry. Seeing the pink van around the Shoalhaven is a great reminder to head online and book an appointment.  

Do you know a woman or girl who volunteers in our community? Nominations are open for the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll recognition program.  It is a way to acknowledge and thank those who volunteer through a public tribute to recognise the vast number of women and girls who give their time and energy to help others. I certainly know many worthy candidates and will be nominating over the coming months. You can find all the details here.

It’s Schools Tree Day today which coincides with National Tree Day on Sunday 27 July.  Happy planting to the students from Berry Public School who will join volunteers from the  Boongaree Bushcare Group to plant trees propagated at the school’s nursery.  And may the sun shine for other community groups getting their hands dirty at tree planting events this weekend – I can’t wait to see the results.  

My Open Office session is on today, Friday 25 July from 2pm until 4pm in the Nowra Administration Building. I hope to see you there. 

Mayor,

Patricia White

 

 

Friday 18 July 2025

It was so great getting back into my routine last week with my first Open Office session since I fractured my collarbone. Thank you to those who came along to the Ulladulla Civic Centre to talk about the issues that are important to you. My next Open Office session will be on Friday 25 July from 2pm til 4pm in the Nowra Administration Building.

For most of us, access to good health services is a priority so it’s exciting to see the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment in Nowra progressing. With work underway to remove tonnes of scaffolding from the newly constructed acute services building, you might have noticed a name change on the facade. From 1 July 2025, the facility officially transitioned to the new name of Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital. This name honours the area’s important history and ongoing links with the Australian Defence Force, while aligning with more contemporary hospital naming conventions.

A new statewide campaign to help communities better understand the Australian Warning System was launched by the NSW Reconstruction Authority this week. You might be familiar with the yellow (advice), orange (watch and act) and red (emergency warning) used for the different level of weather threat posed to the community. The Shoalhaven has certainly had its fair share of natural disasters over the years, so to make sure you’re prepared you’ll find all the information you need online.

warning.png

It’s back on – Shoalhaven Water’s Open Day at the Nowra Wastewater Treatment Plant. Join a guided tour and discover how your wastewater is collected, treated and delivered back into the environment. Tickets are complimentary but bookings are essential so make sure to book your spot for Saturday 9 August here.

After a small winter break, Council meetings will return on Tuesday 22 July. You can find a full list of Council meetings, agendas and minutes and even live stream a meeting from our website. Or come into the chambers in Nowra and watch a meeting in person. It's a great way to hear about the issues Councillors are raising on behalf of the community.

Have a great weekend before the kids go back to school next week.

Mayor,

Patricia White

 

 

Friday 11 July

Before we get started, my first Open Office session since I fractured my collarbone is on today. If you’d like to come and say hello, or raise an issue that’s important to you, I’ll be at the Ulladulla Civic Centre between 2pm and 5pm.

This week, we hosted our annual flag raising event as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations. It was such a privilege to be part of the ceremony which included traditional dancing and singing, a smoking ceremony and the raising of the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Thanks to our Elders, performers, staff and community who joined us to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Shoalhaven.

group low res good camera.JPG

 

We have a passionate community who like to get things done, so if you're part of a group who would like to deliver projects on Council land, you’ll want to be across our new policy and guidelines. New guidelines for Community-Led Projects and an online application portal will help groups prepare and pitch their initiative so that key information critical to gaining Council support is included for assessment. The new process will ensure proposals have the best chance of success, so please head to the website where you’ll find easy to follow information.   

As we head into the new financial year, Council continues to make good progress on our finances with $3.9 million now saved towards our target of $10 million. Thanks to ongoing savings in reduced operating hours, staffing levels and a review and increase of fees and charges, we’re really delivering on the savings goals set out in our Sustainable Financial Futures Plan. If you’d like to read up on our progress and you head to our dedicated webpage here.

Don’t forget that there's always items on exhibition that you can provide feedback on. It might be having your say on a new road name proposal or a new policy or strategy that Council is adopting. We were thrilled with the feedback we received on our Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CISP). A total of 3,363 survey responses were submitted, which shows the wonderful level on interest our community has in our open spaces and places. The team is busy processing the feedback and a summary report will be published on Council’s website later this year.

I’d like to congratulate Chance Hanlon on his retirement as Managing Director of Hanlon Windows. Chance has made, and continues to make, an outstanding contribution to the Shoalhaven. He is renowned for serving the region and is unwavering in his dedication to local causes in the community. I know our paths will continue to cross, but all the best in your retirement Chance!

Mayor,

Patricia White

 

 

Friday 4 July 2025

I’m saddened by the announcement of Acting CEO James Ruprai’s resignation and feel fortunate to have worked closely with him for the past eight months. Since he stepped into the role, he has helped steer Council towards our financial sustainability goals while providing a steady hand and clear direction for staff and the community. We still have four weeks to work together, but I wish him all the best for the future and give my heartfelt thanks for his unwavering support. 

To the weather, and it’s been a challenging week for our community as we experienced some extreme weather conditions, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rainfall totals exceeded 200mm in many parts of our city over the 48 hours and wind gusts of more than100km/h were also recorded in some areas.  

As we head towards the weekend it’s a relief to see the rainfall ease and the water recede. We can now start assessing any damage and get to work repairing infrastructure and assets. There could still be water and trees across roads for a few days so please check for road closures and never drive through floodwaters.  

I’d like to thank you all for heeding the warnings issued by the SES and supporting your families, friends and neighbours during this almighty storm. Council continues to operate its Recovery Support Service funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, and anyone needing assistance in connecting with available support services can contact them directly on 4929 5888. 

If you’re heading off during the winter school holidays, please stay safe and check with local authorities, as many communities across the state are experiencing similar challenges. Live Traffic NSW remains the best place to check for holiday traffic and road closures. If you’re staying home for the break, we have plenty of activities on offer to keep the kids active and entertained. You can check them out here.  

NAIDOC Week celebrations start this Sunday and Council will be hosting a special flag raising event at the Nowra Administration Building on Monday 7 July from 10am. The event Includes traditional dance and song, with morning tea after performances at about 11:30am. We’d love it if you could join us for this special celebration that has become an important annual event in Council’s calendar. 

If you’ve come across some extraordinary people this week, or you know an unsung hero who does incredible things for the community all year round, you might want to nominate them for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. This is one of the most prestigious national awards administered by the Premier's Department and nominations are now open. Head to their website and make sure our wonderful community members get the recognition they deserve. 

Stay safe this weekend. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

Friday 27 June

Council crews are continuing to clean up after strong winds swept through the region this week, causing tree branches to fall onto our roads and several power outages across the city. Staff who were on call were working from 2:30 am Wednesday morning to clear roads and ensure public safety, so thank you to them for their efforts. 

It’s also been a chilly few days in the Nation’s Capital, where I’ve been attending the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly and Regional Forum as well as the Ministerial Engagement Forum.  

I've covered a wide variety of topics at each of the events and was particularly pleased to be able use the ALGA National General Assembly to advocate for an extension of the pensioner rebate, to include low-income earners.  

The Australian Government rebate assists with the payment of council and water rates, but it has not increased in the last 13 years. Given the current cost of living crisis and the increased rates over this period, I’m concerned the benefit of this rebate has eroded. I was delighted that our motion, which called for the rebate to be reviewed, and for additional financial support to be offered to seniors, pensioners, and low-income earners across our community, was supported by all councils in attendance. This is an excellent outcome as there was a record, 1300 delegates at the assembly this year. Thanks to Cr Denise Kemp for bringing this motion to our Council to discuss at this important gathering.  

Back home, we’re making progress following the recent release of our Road Condition Assessment Report which identified the level work required to improve and maintain Shoalhaven’s extensive road network. We now have a Road Condition Report webpage that explains how the investigations were conducted and the key findings. I encourage you to subscribe to the page to continue receiving updates.  

Additionally, we have a webpage which also provides information about the local roads across our city that are likely to be inundated during periods of heavy or sustained rainfall. We hope this list will help you plan for extreme weather events, but please be reminded, you should never drive through floodwaters even if the road remains open.  

Don’t forget, you have until 30 June to have your say about a couple of important policies we’re reviewing, including the Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CISP) Review, and the Draft Swan Lake Entrance Management Policy. You also have a few days left to take part in the Australian Livability Census 2025.  

I’d also like to take a moment to pay tribute to our 2013 Citizen of the Year, Marilyn Beavan-Williams, who sadly passed away last week, aged 81. Ms Beavan-Williams was one of Shoalhaven’s more colourful characters. She was a teacher and an entertainer, who was well known locally for dressing as Mazza the Clown to bring joy to children at the hospital. She will be remembered fondly, and dearly missed, by all who knew her.   

Finally, I’m pleased to inform you that my Open Office sessions are back. I’ll be at the Ulladulla Civic Centre from 2pm-5pm on Friday 11 July. See you there. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

Friday 20 June

This week we formally adopted our Delivery Program, Operational Plan (DPOP) and budget 2025-26, after considering your feedback during the exhibition period last month.  

While the Nowra Riverfront Project and waste take centre stage, the DPOP and budget also include significant investment in our roads and shared user paths. Repair works on the Wool Road in Old Erowal Bay, rehabilitation works on lllaroo Road in Bangalee and the East Nowra Sub-Arterial design work are among the priority projects for completion.  

Other works include the design of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct and the allocation of $56.4 million for water and wastewater projects.   

A modest increase in water and sewer usage and availability charges was also adopted, to help cover the increased costs of providing these services, as well as raising funds required for future capital works projects. This means, the treated water usage charge will go up by 25c/kL, taking it from $2.50 to $2.75/kL. 

I encourage you to read the DPOP and budget if you would like more information and detail about our priorities for the next financial year.  

You also have just over a week to provide your feedback to us about the following major policies, strategies and plans that remain on exhibition.  

And don’t forget to complete the Australian Livability Census 2025 by 30 June for your chance to win some great prizes. Place Score will announce the winners in August.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

Friday 13 June 2025

After the freezing temperatures of Orange, I'm thrilled to be back home where at least the weather hits double digits by midday.  

Yesterday I was at the Country Mayor’s Association meeting where we discussed the issues impacting regional NSW. The association has grown to represent the vast majority of regional and rural local government areas within the state so it’s always a worthwhile meeting to share ideas and talk about the challenges facing each council. 

What we have in common with most councils across NSW is that we have incredible people doing work that benefits our community, so it’s a timely reminder that applications for our Community Wellbeing Grants Program are open until 24 June. The program helps groups deliver local projects that support community wellbeing in the Shoalhaven with previous awardees including youth orchestras, the Lions Club, historical societies, seniors groups and much more. Make sure you get your application in. 

I’d also like to congratulate our Shoalhaven residents who were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Raymond Strong and Dorothy Joan Crabb were awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to their local community while Geoffrey Stapleton was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). Other locals were also recognised which is a wonderful achievement and we are all very proud.  

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend don't miss exhibiting artists Karla Dickens and Jaz Corr in conversation at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery on Saturday 14 June from 10am. It’s a free event but make sure you register. Also on this weekend is your local household chemical clean out. You can dispose of your household chemical waste for free at the following locations: 

  • Ulladulla Council Admin building car park (Deering St) Saturday 9am to 3.30pm  

  • Nowra Council Admin building car park (Bridge Rd) Sunday 9am to 3.30pm 

And don’t forget to have you say on the currently policies, strategies and plans we have on public exhibition.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

 

Friday 6 June

I’m delighted to be back in the chair after a few weeks off to recover from my recent fall. Thank you for your patience and understanding while I’ve been away. I’d also like to thank Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins for stepping into the role so effortlessly and doing such a wonderful job to handle Mayoral matters in my absence.  

I’ve managed to get back into the swing of things quickly and am currently focused on the state of our roads. Last week we released details of a report which analysed the condition of the region’s 1,906 km of roads and the scale of cost to renew the network. The data revealed it would cost Council in the order of $300 million to undertake the repairs and replacements required. And benchmarking shows that we are not unique. Many Council’s across the state are in a similar position due to budgetary constraints and consecutive natural disasters.   

I plan on raising the findings of this report at next week’s Country Mayor’s Association meeting, which will be discussing roads and transport. In my capacity as Mayor, and as chair of the South Eastern Australian Transport Strategy (SEATS), I will discuss our concerns with the NSW Transport Minister to help find a solution.  

I will also be seeking some clarity from the Minister around the decision by Transport for NSW to reduce the load limit on the Hampden Bridge at Kangaroo Valley from 42.5 tonnes to 23 tonnes. While I acknowledge the historic nature of the 127-year-old bridge, I’m deeply concerned about the impact a reduce load limit might have on local industries, including producers from within Kangaroo Valley. I hope to update you on these matters shortly.  

In the meantime, don’t forget to have you say on the currently policies, strategies and plans we have on public exhibition.  

I hope to have my Mayor’s Open Office Sessions back up and running soon and will keep you informed about the next available dates.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

Friday 30 May 2025

Message from Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins

My three-week baptism of fire ends today as we welcome Mayor Patricia White back to her Mayoral duties on Monday 2 June. 

I’ve certainly enjoyed attending events and meeting so many of you over the past few weeks and it’s given me a new appreciation for the work the Mayor does to support and connect with the Shoalhaven community. The Mayor will ease herself back in next week, but as she recovers from her collarbone and shoulder injury, her Open Office sessions remain on hiatus. 

I was honoured to attend the launch of Council’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan on Wednesday. Local Aboriginal elders attended the event at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery and I was thrilled to be amongst the speakers and talk about this significant milestone for Council.  

The document sets out our actions and commitments to strengthen relationships, demonstrate respect and provide opportunities for Council to work more collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  

Yesterday I also attend the Community Consultative Body (CCB) forum in St Georges Basin. A CCB is your local community group that represents the interests of residents and talks to Council to make sure local voices are heard. So too, it’s an important avenue for Council to pass on information to your community. 

The forum covered a raft of interesting topics including a presentation on Council’s recently completed roads condition report. The inspection report reveals the condition of our region’s 1,906 km of roads and the cost to renew the network. The report will help us better predict, prioritise and plan for renewal programs and we’ll be sharing more information on this report shortly. 

I also ventured to the Kangaroo Valley CCB meeting on Monday to gauge reaction to the Transport for NSW decision to impose a weight limit on the Hampden Bridge. The time-frame has been extended to 27 June. Next Thursday 5 June there’s an information session for residents and affected businesses at the Kangaroo Valley Public Hall between 5-7pm. Representatives from Transport for NSW will be there to answer questions 

Progress also continues to be made on Council’s financial sustainability plan with almost $1.68 million in cost-saving measures reflected in the quarterly report from January to March 2025. This brings the balance of savings realised through financial sustainability initiatives to $4.1 million so far, this financial year. A lot of good work has been done and continues to be done to improve our financial position. 

As always, we have a raft of documents on public exhibition awaiting your valuable feedback, and some only have a few days left for you to have your say.  

Thanks again to everyone for making me feel so welcome over the past three weeks. 

Deputy Mayor,  

Peter Wilkins 

 

Friday 23 May 2025

Message from Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins

On behalf of the Mayor I’d like to thank everyone for checking in on how she’s recovering from her collarbone and shoulder injury. There has been an outpouring of concern and well wishes, and I know Cr White is incredibly moved by the support from Councillors, staff and the community. 

On doctor’s orders, Cr White is extending her leave of absence by a week, which means I’m in the hot seat until Friday 30 May. The Mayor’s Open Office sessions are on hiatus until she gets greater movement back in her shoulder.  

I’ve certainly been kept busy with a raft of community events and meetings. Thanks to all community members in Ulladulla and beyond who made everyone feel welcome for the Community Cabinet on Tuesday. Around 400 constituents tackled Premier Chris Minns and many of his Ministers across a range of issues such as housing and hospitals among a raft of topics covered.  

communit cabinet minns.jpg

Separately, Acting CEO James Ruprai and I had a private briefing with Premier Minns to inform him of the current state of play in the Shoalhaven while also selling a case for the region to be at the forefront of his government’s attention. There were also productive audiences with Ministers Janelle Saffin and Penny Sharpe involving emergency management, betterment, and flooding and entrance management.

 

willinga park.jpg

I also had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Gold Buckle Campdraft final at the spectacular Willinga Park at Bawley Point (pictured above). The four-day event culminating in Saturday’s final was wonderfully staged and resulted in a hugely entertaining final with Tamworth’s Hugh Miles on Vintage Whiskey claiming the healthy 100k winner’s cheque.

Shout out to Cr Matthew Norris who got his dancing shoes on and performed at the Stars of Nowra event last weekend. While I wasn’t able to attend, I heard it was a stellar performance and I’d like to extend my thanks to the community for their support of Cr Norris and the whole event. I continue to be in awe of the generosity of residents here in the Shoalhaven.  

As always, we have a raft of documents on public exhibition awaiting your valuable feedback, and some only have a few days left for you to have your say.  

I’ll be chairing the Ordinary Meeting again next Tuesday 27 May – hope to see you there. 

Deputy Mayor,  

Peter Wilkins 

 

 

Page 1 of 4
38 Result(s) Found

Search Mayors Messages

Back to top