NSW · South Coast · Local council, made simple
Shoalhaven City Council
A large LGA on the NSW South Coast, about 160 km south of Sydney — around 110,800 people from Berry in the north to the Ulladulla–Milton area in the south, centred on Nowra. Known for its beaches, Jervis Bay and a string of coastal towns. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water and sewer, beaches, libraries — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Shoalhaven City Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Changes to consultation for DAs introduced
Have your say →
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 3.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyShoalhaven's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
4 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Patricia White (directly elected)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 1300 293 111
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~110,800 (2024)
Open →What's happening
13 updatesAuto-collected from Shoalhaven City Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Community Infrastructure Plan provides roadmap for the next 30 years
Published on 11 September 2026 A comprehensive 30-year roadmap for community infrastructure across the Shoalhaven is set to guide future planning and decision-making, providing a clear picture of the region's current and future needs.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Hooded Dotterel protection prompts dog restrictions at Monument Beach
Published on 11 September 2026 A section of Monument Beach at Bendalong will temporarily become a dog-free area during the shorebird breeding season to help protect a pair of critically endangered Hooded Dotterels.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Access to Collers Beach car park restored
Published on 10 September 2026 The access road leading to the Collers Beach car park in Mollymook has reopened following works by Shoalhaven Water to replace the road’s dilapidated bridge.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Third bird flu case confirmed in Shoalhaven
Published on 05 September 2026 A third case of H5 bird flu has been detected in the Shoalhaven, with a deceased seagull at the Vincentia Boat Ramp testing positive for the disease.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Bird flu detected at Dolphin Point
Published on 01 September 2026 A second case of bird flu has been detected in the Shoalhaven with Council advised that the H5 bird flu has been detected in an Australian tern at Dolphin Point.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Shorebird season underway across the Shoalhaven
Published on 09 September 2026 Residents and visitors are being reminded to share the shore as threatened shorebirds return to local beaches for their annual breeding season.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Proposed changes to NSW allocation of federal funding sparks concern
Published on 09 September 2026 Council is raising the alarm over a proposed change to the methodology used to distribute Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants (FA Grants) in New South Wales which would see a substantial reduction in federal funding to the Shoalhaven.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Council clarifies facts about Greenwell Point Fisherman's Wharf
Published on 09 September 2026 Acting Mayor Peter Wilkins is setting the record straight on Greenwell Point Fisherman's Wharf, correcting a number of inaccurate claims that have recently been reported regarding ownership, maintenance responsibilities and Council's historical role in managing the facility.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Have your say
Changes to consultation for DAs introduced
Published on 01 September 2026 Significant changes to development application consultation processes brought in by the NSW Government come into effect today.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Policy
Community embraces lasting tribute to Margie Sheedy
Published on 09 September 2026 More than 300 people have had their say on how best to honour beloved Ulladulla community champion Margaret "Margie" Sheedy, with an overwhelming majority supporting the name Margie Sheedy Sea Pool for the Ulladulla Sea Pool.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — News
- Development
New online DA Tracker launched
The council launched a new online portal to search for development applications and track their progress.
What this means for you: You can look up development applications near you and follow where they're up to without contacting the council.
- Have your say
Draft Budget, Delivery Program & Operational Plan 2026–27 on exhibition
Shoalhaven put its draft 2026–27 budget (about $520.4M, including ~$132.7M of capital works on roads, recycling and water) and its Delivery Program / Operational Plan on public exhibition for community feedback.
What this means for you: You can read the draft budget and plans and make a submission during the exhibition period if how your rates are spent matters to you.
Source: Shoalhaven City Council — Budget & project priorities 2026–27
- Policy
Council reports a financial turnaround
Shoalhaven reported that it has roughly halved General Fund debt and forecasts its operating deficit to fall from about $35.2M (2024) toward $6M by 2027.
What this means for you: The council says its finances are improving; the figures and assumptions are in the budget documents linked from the story.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Shoalhaven City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.