Planning and Heritage Investigations for Berry

Council has progressed its work to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in the Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2014.

As part of this work, Council is also preparing a new chapter of the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry, east of the Princes Highway.

Over the past month we have;

• Prepared a Planning Proposal to introduce a new Princess Street heritage conservation area and additional heritage listings in Shoalhaven LEP 2014.
• Commences preparing the initial draft of the new DCP Chapter for Berry.

In the coming month we will;

• Refer the Planning Proposal to NSW Heritage for comment
• Complete initial draft of the new DCP Chapter
• Commence consultation on the new DCP Chapter with internal stakeholders within Council.

Project updates will continue to be published on the Get Involved project page in the coming months.

The Council resolved at that Ordinary Meeting on 29 July 2024 to start the more formal preparation and consultation process (MIN24.396).

This relates to the preparation of a Planning Proposal (PP) to introduce:

• A new Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) in the area of Princess Street
• Nine new heritage items located within the proposed Princess Street HCA boundary
• Nine new heritage items located outside of the proposed Princess Street HCA boundary, but within the area of Berry east of the Princes Highway/bypass.

This piece of work forms part of Councils resolved Stage 1 work toward a new planning scheme for the Shoalhaven and builds on earlier work.

It also relates to the preparation of a draft new chapter for inclusion in the Shoalhaven Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014 for the area of Berry east of the Princess Highway/bypass.

The next stages are to:

• Submit the PP to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for a Gateway determination and, if favourable, proceed to formally exhibit to the community (including affected landowners) in accordance with the terms of the determination and legislative requirements.
• Prepare and publicly exhibit the draft new DCP Chapter for Berry concurrently with the PP and in accordance with legislative requirements.
• Report the outcomes of the required future exhibition of the PP and the draft new DCP back to Council. At this point the Council will consider finalising the LEP amendment (arising from the PP) and DCP amendment.

It is anticipated that a report on the Berry Planning and Heritage Considerations will be discussed at the next ordinary meeting.

• Forum: Ordinary Council Meeting (Council Chambers, Nowra Administration Building)
• Date: 29 July 2024
• Scheduled time: 5.30pm

About Council meetings: Further information about Council meetings is available here.

Access to information: The report and the recommendations in the agenda are available for viewing. It’s advised to view these documents before making a deputation for or against what is recommended.

Request to speak: Should you wish to make a deputation regarding this matter, please submit an application via the online application form on Council’s website or contact Council’s Governance Team on 1300 293 111.

Live streaming: Information about streaming Council meetings is available on our website, click here.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Recordings of live streams will be accessible within 24-hours of the meeting concluding.
• We are aware there is a high-level of community interest in this matter. There is limited space available in the Public Gallery, and access to the Public Gallery will be closed once capacity is reached. Interested community members are encouraged to observe the meeting via the live streaming service.
• If you need further information about this matter, please contact the Policy Planning Team on 1300 293 111. Please quote Council’s reference 76082E
• Supporting Documents Berry DCP Engagement Outcomes Report [published separately]

The final stage of the community engagement project is a second community survey.

Based on what we have heard so far, this survey seeks to refine the focus of future development controls. Council appreciates the rich and extensive feedback that was received from the community in the first two stages of engagement - 631 responses to the first survey and approximately 130 people participating in the face-to-face engagement activities in March 2024.

To date, we have heard that the community want future planning controls to:

• Focus on areas with significant heritage values.
• Not preclude change but rather respond to different site and area-based constraints and opportunities across Berry.
• Respond to infrastructure needs, especially parking, roads, pedestrian movement and drainage.
• Ensure landscaping and vegetation is a key consideration in every development.
• Continue to value and place emphasis on views and the rural landscape.

How to complete the survey

• Online
• Download a printable copy of the survey
• Request a paper copy be sent to you by calling Council on 1300 293 111

Please complete the survey by 5pm Friday 7 June 2024

Initial in-person consultation for the Berry Planning Investigations Project has now concluded, with many people sharing their thoughts and ideas about possible new planning and heritage provisions for Berry (East of the Highway/Bypass). We thank everyone for their time and active involvement in this project to date.

The final phase of this initial community engagement will be a follow up survey – keep your eye out for it in May - June so you can continue to engage on key matters to be addressed in the new planning controls for Berry.

The first stage of the engagement activities to guide the new planning and heritage provisions in Berry has now concluded. 631 survey responses were received.

We are now commencing the second stage engagement activities. Over 60% of the survey respondents indicated that they would like this stage to be run as a drop-in community information session.

If you are interested in helping us refine the planning for Berry’s future, you are invited to attend the following drop-in session.

When: Monday, 18 March 2024

Where: Berry School of the Arts - 19 Alexandra Street, Berry

Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

You are welcome to attend anytime during the drop-in window and talk to project staff and participate in the activities, there will not be a formal presentation.

Council is in the initial stages of gathering community feedback and ideas to inform the preparation of a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) for Berry, east of the Princes Highway, and the progression of a new Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) in the vicinity of Princess Street Berry.

Council has engaged Locale Consulting to assist in engaging with the community about the draft DCP. Locale are a small, dedicated and trusted team of deep-listeners and problem solvers who are committed to creating better outcomes for regional communities. They are experts in designing and delivering meaningful engagement processes that deliver genuine outcomes.

Council has already received some ideas from Berry community groups. It will be considering these as part of this work.

Initial Community Engagement Survey

The first stage of the project is an initial survey seeking feedback from the community about key planning issues and concerns relevant to the matters that are addressed in the DCP and about how the community wish to be consulted as the project continues.

How to complete and return this survey

• Online
• Print a hard copy.
• Collect a paper copy from:
  • Nowra City Administration Centre
  • Ulladulla Branch Office
  • Berry Village Pool, Albany Street Berry (during opening hours).
• Request a paper copy be sent to you by calling Council on 1300 293 111

Please complete the survey by 5 pm, Friday 16 February 2024.