Boongaree

Stages 5, 6, and 7 of the Boongaree Master Plan have been placed on pause, in accordance with Council Meeting MIN24.149 (25/03/2024), until Council’s financial position improves.

These stages are:

• Stage 5 - Western/Junior Sporting Fields
• Stage 6 - Dog Fenced Off-Leash Areas
• Stage 7 - Eastern/Senior Sporting Fields

For more information about the work we are doing to improve our financial sustainability, please visit our Financial Sustainability Program webpage.

Boongaree is a flagship regional destination park for the Shoalhaven and includes a much-loved playground, learn-to-ride track, pump track, skatepark, netball courts, and cricket nets.

Future stages identified for delivery in the Boongaree Master Plan (adopted in 2018 and revised in 2021) are:

• Stage 4b, Reconciliation Garden
• Stage 5, Western/Junior Sporting Fields
• Stage 6, Dog Fenced Off-Leash Areas
• Stage 7, Eastern/Senior Sporting Fields

Interim report

An interim report was submitted to Council's Ordinary Meeting on 27 November 2023 on the sequencing of future stages at Boongaree.

The interim report can be viewed via Council's meeting Agenda and Minutes(External link) web page.

Council resolved:

• That the sequencing of future stages at Boongaree requires further consideration because of revised cost estimates and site constraints.
• To undertake engagement activities with sporting groups that use the existing sportsgrounds and amenities at Boongaree, including the Touch Football Club, Cricket Club, Soccer Club and Rugby League Club.
• To undertake engagement activities with Aboriginal stakeholders, including local Aboriginal land councils, Elders and Aboriginal communities with a connection to lands and waters in and around Berry, in relation to the concept design for the proposed Reconciliation Garden.

The outcomes of these engagement activities will assist Council to agree on priorities for the delivery of future stages at Boongaree.

A report on the outcomes of these engagement activities, and a proposed revised sequencing plan for the delivery of future stages at Boongaree will be provided to Council over the coming months.

This report, and proposed revised sequencing plan, will be available on Council's Agenda and Minutes web page.

For more information, or to provide feedback on the delivery of future stages at Boongaree, please contact the Open Space & Recreation Planning team on 1300 293 111, or council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

We will continue to publish further updates to this page. You can subscribe to receive project updates directly to your inbox by providing your email address in the ‘Stay Informed’ box in the top right corner of this screen.

Council endorsed a report on the sequencing of future stages at Boongaree at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 11 December 2023 (MIN23.750). Next steps will include renegotiating with the grant funding body to secure approval for Stage 5 (Junior Sports Fields) while indefinitely deferring Stage 7 (Senior Sports Fields) until additional funding becomes available.

Upon completion of successful renegotiations, Stage 5 will proceed to tender, marking the commencement of the delivery phase.

For further information or enquiries, please contact Council’s Open Space and Recreation Planning Team on 1300 293 111 or email https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us.

A report will be provided to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 11 December 2023 updating Council on the sequencing of future stages at Boongaree Recreation Precinct and recent engagement activities.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 27 November 2023, the elected Council acknowledged that sequencing for the delivery of future stages at Boongaree requires further consideration due to revised cost estimates and site constraints. Council directed staff to undertake engagement activities with sporting groups (clubs) that utilise existing sportsgrounds and associated amenities at Boongaree to receive feedback on priorities for the delivery of future stages [MIN23.687].

The report to be submitted to the 11 December Ordinary Meeting of Council recommends prioritisation of Stage 5 (Junior Sports Fields) and postponement of delivery of Stage 7 (Senior Sports Fields), pending allocation of sufficient additional funding.

The report does not include a proposed revised sequencing plan for the delivery of Stage 4b (Reconciliation Garden); Stage 6 (Fenced Dog Off-Leash Area); and Stage 7 (Senior Sports Fields). A proposed revised sequencing plan for these stages will be reported to Council at a later stage. This will allow sufficient, genuine, and culturally appropriate engagement with key Aboriginal stakeholders and Aboriginal communities to be undertaken in relation to the proposed reconciliation garden.

The Boongaree: Update on Sequencing of Future Stages and Engagement Activities report can be viewed via the Meeting Agenda and Minutes page on Council’s website: https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Council/Meetings/Agendas-Minutes.

Members of the public can attend/livestream the 11 December Council meeting or make a deputation. Please note that a deputation request form must be submitted no later than 9.30am on the day of the meeting and can be found here: https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Services/Deputations.

Further information about Boongaree is published in the News Feed below and in the Document Library on his page. We will continue to publish updates here, so keep an eye out for new information on the News Feed on this page.

For further information or enquiries, please contact Council’s Open Space and Recreation Planning Team on 1300 293 111 or email https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us.

Boongaree is a flagship regional destination park for the Shoalhaven. So far, we have delivered a playground, learn-to-ride track, pump track, skatepark, netball courts, and cricket nets. The delivery of future stages of the Boongaree precinct is outlined in the Boongaree Staging Plan.

The Boongaree Staging Plan can be viewed in the 'Document Library' on this web page.

At a Councillor Briefing held on Thursday 19 October, Councillors were updated on the progression of capital works at Boongaree, including an overview of budgetary matters relating to future stages including:

• Stage 4b, Reconciliation Garden
• Stage 5, Western Sporting Fields
• Stage 6, Dog Fenced Off-Leash Area
• Stage 7, Eastern Sporting Fields.

A report regarding funding and the prioritisation of future stages at Boongaree will be provided to an Ordinary Meeting of Council in the coming months. The report will be made available on Council's Meeting Agenda and Minutes web page.

We will continue to publish further updates to this page. You can subscribe to receive project updates directly to your inbox by providing your email address in the ‘Stay Informed’ box in the top right corner of this screen.

A resolution was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting on 14 August regarding the proposed long vehicle parking at Boongaree (MIN23.430). In response to this resolution, long vehicle parking has been removed from its former location in the Boongaree Master Plan and investigations are being undertaken into the need for long vehicle parking in the Berry area.

As part of these investigations, data is being collected over a 4-week period to determine the number of long vehicles parking in Berry. This includes long vehicles parking in both car parks at Boongaree, on-street parking on North St, on-street parking on other residential streets in Berry, and within the Berry Showground precinct (excluding overnight camping).

Pending the results of these investigations, engagement activities will be undertaken to further determine the need for long vehicle parking in Berry in consultation with the community. The design of engagement activities may vary depending on the results of the investigations.

Further information about related decisions of the elected Council is published in the News Feed below and in the Document Library on this page. We will continue to publish updates here, so keep an eye out for new information in the News Feed on this page.

You can subscribe to receive project updates by providing your email address in the ‘Stay Informed’ box (located in the top-right corner of this screen).

A resolution was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting (MIN23.430) on 14 August regarding the proposed long vehicle parking at Boongaree.

The resolution:

1. Directs the CEO to remove the long vehicle parking (LVP) area for 6 vehicles from its current location in the adopted Boongaree Master Plan.
2. Investigates in consultation with the community the need/demand of long vehicle parking and if justified

a. Investigates alternative options for long vehicle parking within the Berry area and report back to Council with the findings.

We acknowledge the community’s active participation on this matter and look forward to working further with the community to achieve best practice parking solutions at Boongaree.

For additional information or inquiries, please contact council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 293 111.

Boongaree Skatepark is now illuminated for year-round use!

The lights will be activated from 14 August 2023, and will be on from sunset until 8pm, Monday to Friday. This timing has been configured to support after-school, and after-work, activities while being considerate to nearby residents.

For more information, contact the Open Space and Recreation Planning team on 1300 293 111 or council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Enjoy the Boongaree Skatepark!

Boongaree is an ambitious initiative to revitalise the northern edge of Berry, in response to the recently delivered Princes Highway bypass and to ensure Berry remains an attractive place to live and visit.

Shoalhaven City Council has delivered a playground, learn-to-ride track, pump track, skatepark, netball courts, and cricket nets. Future stages include upgrades to sporting fields, a reconciliation garden, and a dog off-leash exercise area.

Stage 1:

• The playground, learn-to-ride, and parking was successfully completed in early 2022. These facilities quickly became a popular recreational asset for families and young children.

Stages 2 & 3:

• Skatepark and pump track delivered in early 2023.
• Further work is underway to improve irrigation and drainage in this area.
• Skatepark lighting installation was recently completed. Lighting will be activated on 14 August, allowing users to enjoy the facility during extended hours on weekdays.

Stage 4a:

• Netball courts and cricket nets were delivered late 2022.

Stage 4b:

• Landscape plans for a Reconciliation Garden are currently being revised, based on community engagement and stakeholder input provided in mid 2022.
• Further direct engagement with key Aboriginal stakeholders, Elders, and Aboriginal communities regarding updated concept plans will commence shortly.
• Stay tuned for more updates soon.

Stages 5 & 7:

• Detailed designs for the junior and senior sporting fields have been developed and are undergoing thorough review by our project teams.
• In response to community concerns, the scope of parking investigations at Boongaree has been increased to include additional parking West of Alexandra St.
• Parking components yet to be finalised are:
  • 90-degree parking on North St - Both East and West of Alexandra St.
  • Parking areas south and east of the senior sporting fields.
  • Long vehicle parking opposite Alexandra St.
  • Bus turnaround area.
• Detailed designs for all parking areas are currently under development, with further information to follow.

Stage 6:

• Landscape plans are being revised, based on community feedback provided in late 2022.

Maintenance Shed:

• Plans are being progressed for the provision of a maintenance shed at Boongaree, to house operational machinery and staff.
• Development application submission pending.

NEXT STEPS

We will continue to keep you updated by posting updates to this page as we progress through each stage.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for more exciting developments at Boongaree.