Shoalhaven City Council will be re-opening the community engagement and consultation process on the Lake Conjola Connected Communities Masterplan and Yooralla Bay Concept Plans.
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The consultation extension is due to the high level of community interest.
It also comes shortly after the Conjola Community Recovery Association Committee (CCRAC) resigned from their honorary positions citing a range of issues.
"Shoalhaven City Council acknowledges the growing community interest in the Conjola Connected Communities Masterplan Park and Yooralla Bay Concept Plan and will reopen consultation at the end of this month," a council spokesperson said.
The initial consultation period opened on August 3 and closed on September 28.
The public engagement process, which included a petition against the project, has generated lots of interest in the community.
"Council has received more than 140 surveys, 40 written submissions for the Lake Conjola Masterplan thus far. However, the consultation is planned to reopen to give the opportunity for more people to have their say on the plans," a spokesperson said.
"Amongst these submissions was a petition with 103 signatures against the Masterplan.
"These outcomes will be reported to council once the reopened community consultation has concluded."
The matter was due to be tabled at a Council Strategy and Assets meeting on November 10.
"As the masterplan engagement process is re-opening it will not be presented at the November 10 meeting," the council spokesperson said.
Council, on its website, also provides more detail on the project, including a question and answer section.
Some of the questions and answers are:
How was consultation with the community, as part of the preparation of both the masterplans, undertaken?
This plan was commissioned by the Conjola Community Recovery Association. The initial community consultation was coordinated with them, and some consultation has taken place during site walkovers with the architects discussing the project with community members in preliminary stages. This consultation is now continuing through the current Council led consultation where we are consulting with the broader community to ensure that community members who were not involved in the plan's inception, have the opportunity to provide feedback and have their say.
What is the anticipated timing?
Timing will depend on finalising plans that are endorsed by the community and Council, as well as the completion of necessary studies/investigations. Every component of the plans will also have different timeframes with some aspects able to be delivered sooner than others. Funding is also a critical component affecting the anticipated timing. Steps have already been taken to seek funding for the project.
What environmental studies have been completed?
Some preliminary review of flooding has been undertaken and will continue as the plans are determined. As part of the design process, we will undertake a Review of Environmental Factors and review flora and fauna, bushfire, flood and Aboriginal heritage aspects, as well as any other matters which may need investigating.
Has there been any collaboration with Aboriginal communities? Will there be a recognition of Aboriginal culture through the project?
Our intention is that further consultation with the local Aboriginal community will be an important part of the process. The consultants have reached out to the Land Council and to other members of the local indigenous community. We may be able to include some Aboriginal artists in creating the memorial or other components of the plans.
Who and how will the site be maintained and kept clean and garbage disposed of?
Council will continue to undertake this responsibility through regular waste disposal. Council agrees this matter is important in maintaining the reserve and the health of the lake and will take all comments into consideration.
Go here for more details.
