ANNOUNCEMENT - Decision to Transfer CCRA Donations to Agreed Infrastructure Projects

Transfer of CCRA Donations to Agreed Infrastructure Projects

Shoalhaven City Council, the Conjola Community Recovery Association’s Interim Executive (CCRA), and the Conjola Community Association (CCA) are pleased to announce CCRA donations will be allocated to:

  • $308k to Jetty Replacement Works at Hoylake Grove Reserve, Conjola Park. To be completed by mid-2024.
  • $50k to preliminary investigations for a shared user pathway to link Lake Conjola to Conjola Park (with option to extend to Fishermans Paradise). To be commenced early 2024.
  • $19k to preliminary investigations for a half-court basketball court at the Lake Conjola Community Hall complex (Arthur Jones Reserve, Lake Conjola). To be commenced early 2024.

The CCRA & CCA met regularly with Council officers throughout 2023 to discuss the results of community consultation undertaken in early 2023 about the list of 9 priority projects identified in a Memorandum of Agreement between the CCRA Interim Executive and Council.

The 9 priority projects consulted on were:

  1. Memorial Garden at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  2. Accessible toilet at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  3. New pathway from Yooralla Bay Boat Ramp (Valley Drive) to Cottee Close (via Hoylake Grove Reserve)
  4. Additional play equipment at Hoylake Grove Reserve playground
  5. Water bubbler and interpretive signage at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  6. Additional shelter with seating at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  7. Halfcourt basketball court at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  8. Exercise equipment at Hoylake Grove Reserve
  9. Mural to pumping station at Hoylake Grove Reserve

The survey also included questions about a shared user pathway between Lake Conjola and Conjola Park.

CCRA and CCA representatives and Council officers considered the community’s feedback against the amount of funds available to deliver outcomes in Conjola Park using the CCRA donations. For more information about the community consultation results, see the post on this page dated 1 June 2023.

The cost of new accessible toilets at Hoylake Grove Reserve is greater than the funds available through the CCRA donations. Council has agreed to consider an application to fund an accessible amenities block in the draft budget for 2024/25.

Some of the 9 priority projects have been delivered by Council using other funds, such as the play equipment and shelter at Hoylake Grove Reserve.

Council has plans to deliver a water bubbler at Hoylake Grove Reserve in 2024 using other funds, and the mural did not receive support from the community.

Council officers will soon commence work to design a process in line with contemporary, best-practice approaches to establishing a commemorative feature (such as a memorial, memorial garden, or reflection bench) in the Conjola area, and in accordance with Council’s Plaques and Memorials Policy, under a resolution made by the Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 9 October 2023 (ref. MIN23.604).

The CCRA donations will fund 100m of new footpath to connect Valley Drive to the loop pathway in Hoylake Grove Reserve, via the new jetty. It is expected this pathway will link up with the future shared user pathway (between Lake Conjola and Conjola Park), which is being seed funded by CCRA donations.

The joint decision to allocate CCRA donations to the jetty, shared user pathway between Lake Conjola & Conjola Park, and a half-court basketball court follows a resolution of Council made at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 27 November 2023 (ref. MIN23.673). The resolution reads:

That Council:

1. Note the Conjola Park CCRA Interim Executive & Lake Conjola CCA are working with Council staff in relation to the use of monies donated to the CCRA in the aftermath of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, and may soon reach agreement that:

a) $308K be allocated to the completion of Stage 1 of the Conjola Park Jetty Replacement project

b) $50K be allocated for preliminary investigations for a shared user pathway to connect Conjola Park to Lake Conjola (with option to be further extended to Fishermen’s Paradise)

c) $19K be allocated for preliminary investigations for a half-court basketball court to be installed at the Lake Conjola Community Hall complex (Arthur Jones Reserve).

2. Note the release of funds for projects listed in part 1 of this recommendation may be agreed to by the CCRA Interim Executive and CCA on the condition that:

d) A report be provided to Council on the status of works at the Havilland Street Boat Ramp (stage 1 and stage 2) and related roadworks along Havilland Street and Lake Conjola Entrance Road.

e) Council gives further consideration to the allocation of sufficient funds in the Delivery Program Operational Plan 2024/25 to enable:

i. Commencement and completion of detailed design works for a shared user pathway between Conjola Park and Lake Conjola (with option to further extend to Fishermen’s Paradise), including consultation with directly affected property owners and communities along the proposed route.

ii. Commencement and completion of investigations and shovel ready detailed designs for a toilet at Hoylake Grove Reserve (including provision of a watering point for the picnic facilities at Hoylake Grove Reserve).

3. Direct the CEO (Director – City Services) to provide a report to Council in December 2023 in relation to Havilland Street Boat Ramp (stage 1 and stage 2) and related works along Havilland Street and Lake Conjola Entrance Road.

4. Direct the CEO (Director – City Services) to submit a budget bid for Council’s consideration to fund commencement and completion of detailed design works for a shared user pathway between Conjola Park and Lake Conjola (with option to further extend to Fishermen’s Paradise), including consultation with directly affected property owners and communities along the proposed route, in the draft Delivery Program Operational Plan 2024/25.

5. Direct the CEO (Director – City Lifestyles) to submit a budget bid for Council’s consideration for commencement and completion of investigations and shovel ready detailed designs for a toilet at Hoylake Grove Reserve (including provision of a watering point for the picnic facilities at Hoylake Grove Reserve) in the draft Delivery Program Operational Plan 2024/25.

6. Considers lessons learned in community recovery after disaster with regards to immediate, medium and longer term needs and delivery of these within appropriate time frames.

THANK YOU to everyone who shared feedback with us about these projects and the CCRA donations.

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