Thousands give feedback on the places they love
Published on 15 July 2025
In one of Council’s most comprehensive data gathering exercises, 3,363 people have provided feedback on the places and spaces they love in the Shoalhaven.
Throughout May and June, locals and visitors were asked what they want from the buildings, parks, pools, sportsgrounds and playgrounds in their neighbourhoods as part of Council’s Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CISP) review.
Mayor Patricia White said she was thrilled to see such high take-up and thanked the community for filling out a survey or giving feedback to Council staff. The data will now help to guide short, medium and long-term planning and investment in our open spaces and community facilities.
“This campaign is one of our most successful community consultations to date in terms of quantity. The feedback collected will go a long way to help shape the future of the community facilities people have told us are so important to them,” Cr White said
“Key themes emerging show that the top three most used facilities in the Shoalhaven are parks and playgrounds; natural areas such as bushwalks and beaches; and aquatic centres,” she said.
“The project team is now busy processing the feedback to provide a summary report that really drills down into this valuable feedback.”
|
Early themes
|
Engagement activities carried out
|
|
Most used facilities
- Parks and playgrounds (1407 responses)
- Natural areas (e.g. bushwalks, beaches, mountain bike trails) (1199)
- Aquatic centres (960)
- Sports fields and courts (959)
- Showgrounds (824)
Top priorities for facility use
- Cleanliness and maintenance (1334 responses)
- Quality / fit for purpose (985)
- Appropriate amenities (e.g. toilets, change rooms) (949)
Top priorities for future investment
- When asked what Council should focus future investment on, 74% of respondents preferred improving the quality of existing facilities.
|
- Surveys - 3,363responses received.
- Stakeholder workshops - 112participants over 6 sessions.
- Focus group hosted in collaboration with Flagstaff for 20 people living with a disability and their carers.
- Pop-up sessions – 10pop-up sessions were held at sporting venues and local markets enabling over one hundred residents and visitors to provide feedback via our surveys.
- Email submissions– 23written submissions.
|
The Engagement Summary Report will be provided to Council and published to Council’s website in September 2025. Head to Council’s Get Involved page for a more detailed breakdown of data gathered so far.