Eurobodalla Council is taking an extra step in its community engagement on the Draft Batemans Bay Masterplan, with councillors asking staff to go back out and talk directly with groups who made submissions.
Staff will meet with 30 community groups and organisations before the year's out to discuss their submissions, check nothing has been missed and their key issues are explored before finalising the document for consideration by councillors. Fifteen interest groups have already been hosted, along with several property owners who have also met with Council planners.
These new community meetings will add another layer of insight to the 246 submissions, 1500 pop-up shopfront conversations and 77 survey responses already gathered during the exhibition period. In February and March, councillors and staff will host further open community sessions. Together, this feedback will shape the next version of the draft masterplan.
Through the engagement process, which predominantly took place via a pop-up shopfront in Batemans Bay between April and June this year, the community highlighted issues such as flooding and sea level rise, population growth, main street renewal, housing diversity, mobility and preserving the town's character.
Eurobodalla General Manager Mark Ferguson said concerns about the proposed heights for some sites were a strong community focus. As a result, he said Council's planners will revisit all elements of the masterplan, so everything is on the table.
"The masterplan will set out how Batemans Bay can grow in a way that supports housing choice, economic activity, climate resilience and protection of the town's coastal identity," Mr Ferguson said.
"It maps out key sites, preferred growth areas and planning tools that will guide sustainable development over the long term.
With increasing development interest particularly along Beach Road and other parts of Batemans Bay, Mr Ferguson said having a masterplan means the planning controls are in place so growth happens in a coordinated and considered way, improving infrastructure and supporting a stronger local economy in line with broader Council strategies.
"It also puts Council and community on the front foot with an outline of what is acceptable rather than reacting to development pressure," Mr Ferguson said.
In response to community requests for greater transparency, Council will also publish all submissions (subject to authors' permission) made to the first draft masterplan on its website with sensitive information redacted.
At the November Council Meeting, councillors also resolved to amend the masterplan boundary to exclude the former bowling club site at 2 Vesper Street. This parcel of land - owned by Council - will now move through its own process so future options for the site can be carefully worked through using an independent consultant.
To view the draft masterplan and sign up for project updates visit our webpage, Batemans Bay Masterplan: Shaping a vibrant future.
