Council budget and project priorities now on exhibition
Published on 01 May 2025
Road and footpath works, the Nowra Riverfront Project and waste take centre stage in the Delivery Program, Operational Plan and budget 2025-26 which is now on exhibition.
Following Council’s endorsement on Tuesday night, the community now has 28 days to have their say on the document which outlines what Council will deliver in the 2025-26 financial year and also includes longer term community goals and objectives.
The draft Community Strategic Plan 2035 is also on exhibition, detailing the community’s aspirations for the Shoalhaven and the actions Council will take to work toward achieving these goals for the long term.
The CSP has been built on findings from previous Community Strategic Plan engagements in 2017 and 2021 and Council undertook further consultation with the community between November 2024 and March 2025. Consultation included workshops, drop-in sessions and an online survey.
Mayor Patricia White said the draft $508.2 million 2025-26 budget also includes capital works and essential community services that are outlined in the Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
“The Delivery Program sets out the projects and activities that are the focus for Council and are based on the express needs of communities and financial sustainability,” Cr White said.
“The plan, and the goals and activities within it, impact residents and businesses in the Shoalhaven so I encourage everyone to go through the document and give feedback,” she said.
The Delivery Program, Operational Plan and Budget 2025-26 includes the investment of $38.4 million in roads and shared user paths, including $15 million for the Federal Government funded Shoalhaven Roads Project. Some of the major projects include:
- Repair works on the Wool Road in Old Erowal Bay
- Rehabilitation works on lllaroo Road in Bangalee
- East Nowra Sub-Arterial design work
- Murrays Bridge in Conjola
- Myola Active Transport pathways.
Council has applied for a 12 percent Special Rate Variation to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal which is earmarked for additional funding for road improvements in the future, should the application be successful.
Other works included in the Delivery Program, Operational Plan include the waste project for comingled recyclable materials, the design of the Nowra Riverfront Precinct thanks to $5 million in Federal Government funding, and the allocation of $56.4 million for water and wastewater projects.
The Draft Fees and Charges schedule which sets the maximum prices payable for an activity or service is also on exhibition. Shoalhaven Water is proposing an increase in water and sewer usage and availability charges to help cover the increased costs of providing these services, as well as raising funds required for future capital works projects. The treated water usage charge will increase from $2.50 to $2.85/kL although Shoalhaven Water will remain one of the most affordable for water customers in NSW.
The Draft CSP 2035 and Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and Budget 2025-26 are on exhibition until 29 May 2025 and can be found on Council’s Get Involved page.