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.

 

On Saturday I have the great pleasure of visiting the upgraded Lake Conjola Fire Station and greeting our wonderful local RFS volunteers. We’re five years-on since the Shoalhaven was impacted by the devastating Currowan bushfire and I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to build new facilities to better prepare the local community. 

The $1.56 million improvement works were funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and included an extension, a new truck bay, a training room, office, kitchen and new amenities. 

Earlier this week, I attended an industry workshop on Council’s Community Strategic Plan. Thanks to the local businesses and community providers who told us what their vision is for the city over the next 10 years. The plan will reflect your needs and wishes for the villages where you live, work and play so make sure you have your say before the survey closes on Sunday. 

Good news for those who drive electric vehicles, or are thinking of getting one.  At Tuesday’s Council meeting, the go ahead was given for Shoalhaven’s second EV charging station at the Berry Street car park in Nowra (the other one is in Ulladulla). Council won't incur any costs, with the NRMA, under a Federal Government grant, responsible for the installation, infrastructure and maintenance. Look forward to seeing it up and running mid-year. 

Don’t forget to head along to one of my upcoming Open Office sessions if there’s an important matter you’d like to discuss. My next session will be on Tuesday 1 April at the Dunn Lewis Centre in Ulladulla from 2pm-5pm. I hope to see you there. 

Mayor,

Patrica White

As I've been out and about this week it’s been fantastic to see so many of you supporting Harmony Week by hosting and attending events that recognise and celebrate diversity and inclusion across our city.  

The Shoalhaven is a Refugee Welcome Zone and I’m proud of the strong relationships we’ve fostered with our multicultural leaders, organisations, governments and peak bodies to ensure we uphold the human rights of refugees and continue to be place where everyone has a sense of belonging.  

As we mark Harmony Day today (Friday 21 March), I’d like to encourage you all to wear orange to show your support for our different origins. Head to our What’s On webpage to find more local events across the city this weekend.  

Harmony Week 2025.jpg

What's On

Another important initiative we’re supporting is the global, Earth Hour movement. We’ll be turning off as many lights as possible at our administration buildings from 8:30pm on Saturday, to help raise awareness about climate change and the environment. Click here to find out how you can get involved too. 

Our crews have been busy working on several major local road projects. Preparation works are now underway to facilitate the replacement of major culvert along the Wool Road at Old Erowal Bay. That work is due to be completed in April. Pavement repairs on Illaroo Road at North Nowra are also continuing. Tenders for construction have been received and will be reported to next week’s Council meeting, with works expected to start in early May.   

Don’t forget to head along to one of my upcoming Open Office sessions if there’s an important matter you’d like to discuss. I’ll be available for a chat between 10am and 3pm today at the Nowra Administration Building. My next session will be on Tuesday 1 April at the Dunn Lewis Centre in Ulladulla from 2pm-5pm. I look forward to meeting you.  

Finally, I'd like to acknowledge the tragic passing of six-year-old Airlie Montgomery on Sunday afternoon. Airlie’s family came to visit me this week and requested that I thank the community on their behalf for the outpouring of support. They expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation for the kindness they have received during this incredibly difficult time and my heart goes out to them as they grapple with their unimaginable loss. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

Did you make it to the Milton Show last week? I was there last Friday, surrounded by hundreds of school children and their families, flowers, vegetables, artwork and of course the chooks and the cattle. 

The community spirit was certainly alive and well and I was so glad to see new faces and our regulars come up for a chat while I was enjoying the show. I’ll be back at the Nowra Administration Building on 21 March for my next open office session. Remember to check online for my other times which average fortnightly around my calendar. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ulladulla Bus Lines and The Pines Motel who supported locals following the terrible vehicle accident on the Princes Highway last week. The school bus driver was quick to close the shutters so kids couldn't see the accident, then escorted them off the bus. Thanks to The Pines who fed and cared for the kids until the road was clear. 

It’s a timely reminder for motorists to please be vigilant while driving and to always obey the speed limit, particularly in the lead up to the Easter holidays when our roads get even busier. 

As part of Council’s financial sustainability plan, fleet and mechanical services have undergone an internal service review. As part of this, analysis of the number, requirement and use of the fleet has been performed to identify potential efficiency improvements. This report is now available for residents to read in the agenda of the Ordinary Council meeting on 11 March and can be found on Council’s website

Our Half Yearly Compliance Report has now been uploaded and provides a detailed overview of the regulatory functions carried out by Council to ensure community safety, health, and environmental sustainability. You can read the report for August 2024 to January 2025 here.  

Lastly, do you have a community event you’d like to promote? We’re inviting local groups to take advantage of our 26 hub screens across the region. Whether it’s a meeting, workshop or fundraiser, head to the website and see how to get your event up in lights. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

We had an exciting announcement by the NSW Government this week that will not only accelerate plans for our Nowra Riverfront Precinct but will also help increase the supply of homes in our city.   

The NSW Premier, the Hon. Chris Minns MP and Housing Minister, the Hon. Rose Jackson MP visited the Shoalhaven on Tuesday to announce that two major housing projects in the riverfront precinct will be fast tracked for development under the State Significant Rezoning pathway. 

It means several hectares of land along the waterfront will be rezoned to allow for increased residential density, paving the way for more than 600 dwellings. These two housing projects will deliver a mix of social, affordable and private dwellings – all of which are desperately needed in our city.  

I’m pleased these developments will also provide homes for our essential workers, supporting the much-needed redevelopment of the Shoalhaven Hospital. And, as I made the Premier aware, I expect to see shovels hit the ground for those projects in two years, once the concept plans are complete.  

Mowing is another issue I know you’re all passionate about, so you might want to keep an eye out on our website. Towards the end of March, we’ll have a dedicated page to provide details about our mowing schedule for all our open spaces.  

If you’re looking for an interesting outing later this month, Shoalhaven Water will be holding an open day at the Ulladulla (Kings Point) Wastewater Treatment Plant on 28 March. Tickets are free but spaces are limited so make sure you book now.  

I’ll be at the Milton Show from10am to 3pm today (Friday 7 March) for my Open Office session, so I hope you can come along for a chat. On Monday 10 March, I’ll be at the Dunn Lewis Centre in Ulladulla from 2pm to 4pm. If you can’t make either of those sessions, you can find more dates to meet me on the Council website.   

Mayor,  

Patricia White  

Today might be the last official day of summer, but we all know we’ll be swimming and enjoying our beaches for weeks to come. Being a coastal council, we are lucky to have 165km of beautiful coastline, but with this comes challenges. 

As a committee member of the Australian Coastal Council Association, I meet regularly with 40 other coastal councils from around Australia to discuss the issues impacting our towns. This includes climate change, coastal erosion, and meeting the demands of infrastructure and services. I’ll be representing the interests of the Shoalhaven and other coastal councils and will keep you updated on the group’s advocacy. 

I’m pleased to report that Council has recorded $1.7 million in cost-saving measures in the quarterly report from October to December 2024. The majority of money saved has come from job vacancies held across Council as a result of a more rigorous recruitment process. You can read the full report here

Salt Care have launched their fundraising drive to continue to do the invaluable work they provide to people across the region who are experiencing disadvantage. Salt has helped to transform the lives of thousands of people during times when they’re without a home, which sadly is a situation that many in our community are facing. I’d like to challenge everyone who can afford $10 or more, to the I Said Yes campaign, and help change the lives of people in our region for the better. Donate To The I Said Yes Campaign 

A welcome message for our residents and businesses who use The Wool Road in Old Erowal Bay – we’re now out to tender for construction and work will begin later this year. The good news is that as part of the reconstruction works, a special single-lane will be built to avoid lengthy detours. I’ll keep you updated as we get closer to the job starting.  

My next open office session is at the Milton Show. I’ll be there on Friday 7 March from 10am until 3pm and I'll be walking around all the stalls and activities so please come up and say hello. You can find a list of my upcoming sessions here and you’ll see there's a mix of locations and times so that everyone gets a chance to meet with me. It’s a first-come, first-served system but I always endeavor to get to everyone. Hope to see you soon. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

 

 

 

In wonderful news for the region, work has started on Waminda’s $22.5 million Birthing on Country Centre of Excellence, Australia’s first purpose-built culturally safe and empowering space for Aboriginal women and their families.  The site is in Hillcrest Avenue, Nowra and is expected to be open and ready to welcome its first baby in mid-2026.

Last week I talked about all the projects we had open for feedback which is often an online process. If you’d like to engage in person, Transport for NSW is holding drop-in sessions on the Milton-Ulladulla bypass project between 26 February and 20 April. The first of the sessions is at the Milton Show from 7 to 9 March.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, the Husky Tri is on. This is an incredibly popular event, bringing thousands of people to the area. Anyone wanting to plan ahead for travelling in the Huskisson area can do so easily online by checking for road closures and alternative routes before you head out. Here’s a full list of the changes.

This week’s Open Office session is on Saturday 22 February at the Sussex Inlet Neighbourhood Centre between 9am and midday. See you there!

Mayor,

Patricia White

 

I may not be a Valentines Day devotee, but what a great reminder to tell your nearest and dearest how much they mean to you. This year will be the 43rd year of my wedding anniversary with Gary, who has been an incredible partner and support for all of those years.  

What a great opportunity for me to spruik the incredible work the Animal Shelter does to care for and rehome our furry friends in the Shoalhaven. There are always plenty of pets in need of a home, so why not consider adopting an animal looking for love – who knows, you might just find your new significant other.  

This week is also marked by the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science. A shout out to the remarkable women in Council and in our community who make an outstanding contribution through their achievements in science every day. 

We recently adopted the Sustainable Financial Futures Plan which sets out the figures that will be achieved to reach a $10 million saving by 2029. The first monthly video about this plan was launched last week with monthly updates on how we’re tracking, coming soon.  

We have several projects and plans on exhibition and out for feedback at the moment. I encourage everyone to head to our Get Involved page to see what’s open and to provide your feedback on projects that impact you. Get Involved is your one-stop-shop to see what Council is engaging on and to ensure your voice is captured on our projects.  

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend there are three new exhibitions at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra that are well worth checking out. I’ll be heading along to the Finding Hope in Afghanistan photographic exhibition tomorrow.  And I can highly recommend the Kangaroo Valley Show. I had my Open Office session at the Nowra Show last Friday and it was fantastic to see the community out enjoying the best our villages have to offer.  

This week’s Open Office session is on Saturday 22 February at the Sussex Inlet Neighbourhood Centre between 9am and midday. I hope to see you there.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

Can I hear a collective sigh of relief as the kids return to school? Maybe you’re already feeling the holiday blues? Either way, with the first school term of 2025 now underway, I implore you to drive safely around school zones and heed the signs at pick-up and drop off. Check out our Road Safety website to learn more about the rules and to access resources that will help keep our children safe. 

Earlier this week I attended a Bring Your Bills community event hosted by the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra. There were many residents there getting help with their energy and water bills and seeking information and tips on legal and financial matters. Along with other service providers, our Shoalhaven Water team was there to offer advice on water issues and payment assistance. EWON offer a great service, and I’m pleased that we could play a part on the day. 

I’m delighted to announce that nominations for this year’s Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards are now open. We had the privilege of hosting the event last year, which recognises impressive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who make outstanding contributions to improve the lives of people in their community, and beyond.  

Shellharbour City Council will host the NAIDOC Awards ceremony this year. There are seven categories, so make sure you get your nominations in by Sunday 9 March. 

Clean Up Australia Day is just around the corner. The event will celebrate its 35th year running on Sunday 2 March. We’re pleased to support the initiative by providing additional equipment such as gloves, bags, vests and rubbish picks. We can also arrange free disposal at our Recycling and Waste Depots. To join a Clean Up group or register a new site, visit the Clean Up website.  

The Nowra Show kicks off Friday 7 February. If you’re heading along, why not come chat to me at my Open Office session? I’ll be at the Exhibition Hall from 9:30am. I hope to see you there.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

I had the privilege of hosting the Shoalhaven’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Sussex Inlet on Sunday.  

On hearing the 26 nominees read out, I certainly didn’t envy the job of the judging panel who had to narrow it down to just three award winners.  

Congratulations to David Vadre Jones who won the Shoalhaven Citizen Award for his tireless volunteer work and fundraising.  William Dewsbury-Love was awarded the Shoalhaven Young Citizen Award for being an integral member of the Shoalhaven High School community. The Proudly Shoalhaven Award was given to North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels and the army of 250 volunteers who cook, pack and deliver meals each day, while Peter Williams, received highly commended for the Proudly Shoalhaven Award for keeping the spirit of the Anzacs alive and well in the Shoalhaven. 

I’d also like to congratulate the wonderful Aunty Nell Mooney who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Shoalhaven's Indigenous community.  

Thanks to Restart NSW funding, Council has been able to connect and upgrade existing paths to create a 20km walking route from Narrawallee Inlet to Blackburn Head at Burrill Lake. It combines stunning scenery, 10 beaches, wildflowers, cafes and accommodation options. Do the walk in short sections or take on the 20km challenge – a wonderful thing to do in any season Southern Headlands Walk

Speaking of seasons, with school returning and holidays coming to an end for many, some of the Shoalhaven’s daily beach patrols will also be ending. A few beaches will still have weekend patrols so head to SLSA Beachsafe where you can search your nearest patrolled beach and make sure you know how to identify and survive rip currents by visiting the Surf Life Saving NSW website

Finally, are you getting along to the Nowra Show next Friday 7 February or Saturday 8 February? There’s a full line-up of entertainment kicking off from 8am Friday and I’ll also be hosting my Open Office sessions in the Exhibition Hall from 9.30am. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

 

I’m thrilled to host this year’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in Sussex Inlet on the weekend. The event will see 32 conferees from Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States become Australian citizens.  

The event celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the Shoalhaven community, and once again, the awards ceremony will recognise the outstanding and selfless, contributions of many residents across the region.  

I encourage you to gather outside the Swordfish Brewery at Sussex Inlet from 10:30am on Sunday, Australia Day, to watch the event. There will be a community picnic from midday at Ellmoos Reserve where you can enjoy live music and food by the water.  

Further south, people with a strong connection to the Conjola community are being invited to join a local working group to help create a memorial that commemorates the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20. The group will guide the process including decision-making on the location and design. If you’d like to be involved, you have until Monday 3 March to fill out the expression of interest form.    

To discuss this, or any other Council matters with me in-person, don’t forget to head along to one of my Open Office sessions. My next session will be today (24 January) at the Vincentia Shopping Village on Burton Street from 10am to 3pm and then at Nowra Show on Friday 7 February in the Exhibition Hall. I look forward to meeting you.  

Mayor,  

Patricia White 

 

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