Councillor catch-ups - Batehaven wrap-up

Mayor Mathew Hatcher and Deputy Mayor Colleen Turner hit the pavement outside Batehaven Bakehouse last month to hear what residents had on their mind. Coffee in-hand, conversations ranged from the arts to tourism, ducks to infrastructure, and bowling clubs to business anniversaries. Following the catch-up, we sent resident requests to relevant staff for an official response. Here’s how it all went down.

Promoting arts and celebrating business milestones

A member of the Bay Theatre Players stopped by to find out how Council can help support local arts and cultural events. Whilst chatting with Deputy Mayor Turner, they also asked whether Council had any plans to recognise local businesses celebrating 50^th anniversaries. Council's executive services got in touch with the resident to offer guidance on how to submit content for Council’s industry newsletters.

The Arts Canvas is Council’s local arts e-newsletter that’s distributed monthly to over 2,000 subscribers. The newsletter features exhibitions, theatre productions, workshops, and more from community groups. It's easy for community members to submit an event for promotion; simply include the name, location, dates/times, cost, a short blurb, and an image (under 300KB) in an email to arts@esc.nsw.gov.au by the 21st of each month.

Council's Business Update newsletter is distributed regularly to more than 1,600 subscribers and regularly features business opening and achievements. Community members wanting to coordinate a special recognition for a 50th anniversary can contact manager of economic development Teresa Lever via email at teresa.lever@esc.nsw.gov.au or by phone on 4474 1271.

Nature tourism and visitor information

A local tourism operator made the trip to Batehaven to advocate for a greater focus on Eurobodalla's nature-based tourism. They also suggested Council produce a 30-page visitor guide for those who prefer hardcopy information. In their official response, the resident was given the latest updates on the current review of Eurobodalla's visitor information materials.

Expected to be complete by March 2026, the review incorporates industry consultation via the Visitor Economy Advisory Committee, and existing research that identifies the kind of information visitors are looking for. Front and centre of Eurobodalla’s tourism story will be the shire's spectacular natural landscape. For any residents seeking further information, please contact visitor economy manager Andrew Sargent at andrew.sargant@esc.nsw.gov.au.

Eurobodalla Regional Hospital; accessibility and housing supply issues

A couple of residents spoke with Mayor Hatcher about the limited road access to the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, as well as housing issues in Moruya. The residents were given the latest information on Council's advocacy and the work currently underway to improve road access and housing supply in the area.

Eurobodalla Council has raised community concerns around road access to the new hospital with Transport for NSW, the authority responsible for managing the Princes Highway. Council has requested that planning for the bypass continue and for updated traffic modelling to be undertaken in key areas like Mogo and Moruya to identify potential interim congestion relief measures.

During the original assessment of the hospital proposal, Eurobodalla Council recommended onsite accommodation be provided for both construction workers and operational staff. In May 2025, the NSW Government announced funding for new health worker accommodation in southern NSW. Meanwhile, Council continues advocating for housing solutions in the shire, with the Moruya Housing Infrastructure Project underway and due for completion next year.

Batemans Bay Masterplan and Batemans Bay Bowling Club site

Several residents expressed contrasting views on the Batemans Bay Masterplan and the future of the former Batemans Bay Bowling club site. Council’s executive services advised the residents of the latest revisions to the Batemans Bay Masterplan, which includes an independent assessment of the Batemans Bay bowling club site.

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 28 October 2025, it was determined that a revised Batemans Bay Masterplan will be developed. This will allow Council to reassess the planning vision for the precinct, including the community feedback received regarding height, scale, and the desired character of the town centre.

Following the Mayoral Report considered at the council meeting on 26 November 2025, Council resolved to amend the boundary of the Batemans Bay Masterplan to exclude the former Batemans Bay Bowling Club site. As a result, Council will now engage an independent consultant to guide future decision-making on the most appropriate use of the land.

Public safety

Councillors spoke with representatives from Bendigo Bank and the Long Beach Community Association requesting the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Council has since met with Bendigo Bank to discuss their proposed installations and is awaiting further information to ensure compliance. For the Long Beach Community Association AEDs, Council is preparing a licence agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities for installation and maintenance on Council reserves, which will be finalised shortly.

Weed control 

Two residents spoke with Mayor Hatcher about overgrown ‘weeds’ along Corrigans Beach foreshore. Council’s environment team confirmed with the residents this vegetation is ‘Casuarina glauca’, a native species essential for coastal dune stabilisation and erosion prevention. Due to its ecological role and protection, it cannot be removed. Corrigans Beach and Reserve is being managed under the existing Plan of Management to preserve the dune system while maintaining clear beach access.

Ducks in Batehaven

A resident raised concerns about a rise in ducks making a mess in residential swimming pools. The resident suggested erosion on Corrigans Beach and Reserve has likely impacted the availability of natural swimming pools for ducks. Council advised that ducks entering residential swimming pools is a common occurrence across the shire and is managed directly by the affected residents. When it comes to the impacts of erosion at Corrigans Beach and Reserve, Council advised the resident to contact the natural resource management team on 4474 1000 for their expert advice.

Next Councillor catch-up will be held 10.30am-12.30pm, Wednesday 17 December 2025 at Broulee, on the path near the pharmacy opposite the beach. Hope to see you there!

For any further information, you can always contact Council at council@esc.nsw.gov.au.