Draft Delivery Program Operational Plan & Budget 2025/26

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What does Council have planned for the future?

Council invites the community to provide feedback on the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget - 2025/26, which also includes Council's proposed Fees and Charges.

The draft Plan outlines how Council is working towards achieving the community’s aspirations and long-term vision for our city. This vision is outlined in our Draft Community Strategic Plan - Shoalhaven 2035 which is also currently on public exhibition here.

Draft Documents

Council’s actions for the coming financial year are outlined in the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Council’s proposed waste and water fees are included in Part 1 and the remainder of Council’s fees in Part 2.

You can access the draft documents by viewing them in the Document Library on this web this page. We'd like your feedback on the:


Shoalhaven Water

Fee increases to cover rising costs, new projects and infrastructure upgrades are being proposed by Shoalhaven Water in the draft budget 2025-26. The increase is part of a 10-year plan to ensure that critical water and sewer infrastructure is maintained and future-proofed for the community.

The long-term financial planning focus for Shoalhaven Water includes: 

  • Maintenance and renewal of critical infrastructure that is reaching end of life.

  • Planning for and delivery of infrastructure to support the growth of the Shoalhaven in new urban release areas along with infill development areas to meet the needs of the region’s growing community.

  • Delivery of Bamarang to Milton Water Trunk Main Stage 2 project at $175 million. Planning and design is under way with construction to begin in 2030

  • Major sewerage treatment plant refurbishment as part of the Northern Water Recycling Plants at $100 million. Early feasibility and design has begun with construction to begin in 2030.

Financial Sustainability Program

Over the last 24 months, there have been significant changes made by Council to reduce its operating deficit, including an operational restructure, service reviews, changes to fleet vehicle arrangements, property sales and reduction in operating hours of pools, libraries and facilities. More information on Council's financial sustainability program visit Council's website here.

To increase revenue, fees and charges have been reviewed. A special rate variation proposal is under review by IPART and, if approved, will take effect from 1 July 2025. If the application is unsuccessful, the Council's rate increase will be reduced from 12% to 3.8%.

Proposed Capital Works Program

As part of the exhibition, a full list of the proposed 2025/26 Capital Works Program is included in the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget - 2025/26 which can be downloaded from the Document Library or accessed here. The draft $135.7m capital works program under the 12% rate option includes:

Roads & transport program including:

  • Wool Road, Old Erowal Bay
  • Illaroo Road, North Nowra
  • East Nowra Sub-Arterial design works
  • Murrays Bridge, Conjola
  • Myola Active Transport pathways

Water & wastewater program including:

  • Bamarang to Milton Water Pipeline Project
  • Jervis Bay Territory Pipeline
  • Culburra Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
  • Moss Vale Road Urban Release Area water and sewer development

Waste & recycling program including:

  • Materials Recovery Facility
  • New landfill cell construction

Council's current Resourcing Strategy 2022-26 was adopted in December 2024 and is available from Council's website here. The Resourcing Strategy outlines how Council will manage and allocate its resources (finances, assets, people and information management and technology) to implement the Delivery Program.

How to get involved:

There are three easy ways to have your say:

  • Share your feedback via the online feedback form below.
  • Emailing: council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au and type ‘DPOP Feedback’ in the subject line.
  • Mail to: Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 42, Nowra, NSW 2541.
  • If you would like assistance providing feedback over the phone, please call Council on 1300 293 111.

All feedback must be received by 5pm on Thursday, 29 May 2025 to be considered by Council.

Please note that feedback submitted to Council on this matter may be open for public inspection without notifying the correspondents.

Printed copies of the draft documents will also be available to view at one of Council's Libraries and the Nowra City Admin Centre and the Ulladulla Branch Office.

What does Council have planned for the future?

Council invites the community to provide feedback on the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget - 2025/26, which also includes Council's proposed Fees and Charges.

The draft Plan outlines how Council is working towards achieving the community’s aspirations and long-term vision for our city. This vision is outlined in our Draft Community Strategic Plan - Shoalhaven 2035 which is also currently on public exhibition here.

Draft Documents

Council’s actions for the coming financial year are outlined in the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Council’s proposed waste and water fees are included in Part 1 and the remainder of Council’s fees in Part 2.

You can access the draft documents by viewing them in the Document Library on this web this page. We'd like your feedback on the:


Shoalhaven Water

Fee increases to cover rising costs, new projects and infrastructure upgrades are being proposed by Shoalhaven Water in the draft budget 2025-26. The increase is part of a 10-year plan to ensure that critical water and sewer infrastructure is maintained and future-proofed for the community.

The long-term financial planning focus for Shoalhaven Water includes: 

  • Maintenance and renewal of critical infrastructure that is reaching end of life.

  • Planning for and delivery of infrastructure to support the growth of the Shoalhaven in new urban release areas along with infill development areas to meet the needs of the region’s growing community.

  • Delivery of Bamarang to Milton Water Trunk Main Stage 2 project at $175 million. Planning and design is under way with construction to begin in 2030

  • Major sewerage treatment plant refurbishment as part of the Northern Water Recycling Plants at $100 million. Early feasibility and design has begun with construction to begin in 2030.

Financial Sustainability Program

Over the last 24 months, there have been significant changes made by Council to reduce its operating deficit, including an operational restructure, service reviews, changes to fleet vehicle arrangements, property sales and reduction in operating hours of pools, libraries and facilities. More information on Council's financial sustainability program visit Council's website here.

To increase revenue, fees and charges have been reviewed. A special rate variation proposal is under review by IPART and, if approved, will take effect from 1 July 2025. If the application is unsuccessful, the Council's rate increase will be reduced from 12% to 3.8%.

Proposed Capital Works Program

As part of the exhibition, a full list of the proposed 2025/26 Capital Works Program is included in the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget - 2025/26 which can be downloaded from the Document Library or accessed here. The draft $135.7m capital works program under the 12% rate option includes:

Roads & transport program including:

  • Wool Road, Old Erowal Bay
  • Illaroo Road, North Nowra
  • East Nowra Sub-Arterial design works
  • Murrays Bridge, Conjola
  • Myola Active Transport pathways

Water & wastewater program including:

  • Bamarang to Milton Water Pipeline Project
  • Jervis Bay Territory Pipeline
  • Culburra Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
  • Moss Vale Road Urban Release Area water and sewer development

Waste & recycling program including:

  • Materials Recovery Facility
  • New landfill cell construction

Council's current Resourcing Strategy 2022-26 was adopted in December 2024 and is available from Council's website here. The Resourcing Strategy outlines how Council will manage and allocate its resources (finances, assets, people and information management and technology) to implement the Delivery Program.

How to get involved:

There are three easy ways to have your say:

  • Share your feedback via the online feedback form below.
  • Emailing: council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au and type ‘DPOP Feedback’ in the subject line.
  • Mail to: Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 42, Nowra, NSW 2541.
  • If you would like assistance providing feedback over the phone, please call Council on 1300 293 111.

All feedback must be received by 5pm on Thursday, 29 May 2025 to be considered by Council.

Please note that feedback submitted to Council on this matter may be open for public inspection without notifying the correspondents.

Printed copies of the draft documents will also be available to view at one of Council's Libraries and the Nowra City Admin Centre and the Ulladulla Branch Office.

  • Council budget and project priorities now on public exhibition

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    Following Council’s endorsement at the Ordinary Meeting on 29 April, the community now has 28 days to have their say on the Draft Delivery Program, Operational Plan and Budget 2025-26, which outlines the projects, programs and services that Council will deliver next financial year.

    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
    • Replacement of Murrays Bridge in Conjola
    • Myola Active Transport pathways.


    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.

    All feedback must be received by 5pm on Thursday, 29 May 2025 to be considered by Council.

    Please note that feedback submitted to Council on this matter may be open for public inspection without notifying the correspondents.

    Printed copies of the draft documents will also be available to view at one of Council's Libraries and the Nowra City Admin Centre and the Ulladulla Branch Office.

Page last updated: 01 May 2025, 03:24 PM