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Mayor's Message - 15 May 2025 - Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

Each fortnight, Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick shares his insights on his community conversations, ongoing project progress, events and activities. Stay connected and collaborate to share the future of our community.

Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor of Bega Valley Shire.

Authorised by Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick

15 May 2025

One Step Forward

Most will know my opinion of the NSW Biodiversity Legislation and the calculator for assessment of offsets, either by contributing land to be locked up or purchase credits from the scheme.

While we all want to look after the environment, the fact is as a Council we are required to pay or provide land when we build community infrastructure.

For example, things like the airport extension, the Merimbula Boardwalk and the Yellow Pinch Water Filtration will all attract a payment or offset that increases the cost of delivering the project.

I am pleased to say the NSW Environment Minister, Penny Sharpe has agreed to meet with the Country Mayors and look into the effect these costs are having on regional councils. It is absurd that with almost 80% of the shire being national park or state forest, we have to provide more biodiversity.

One council nearby has been levied with an offset cost of $14 million to build a water storage facility on state forest land.

On the good side, it is pleasing the Minister is willing to meet and listen to our concerns.

Last week along with the CEO Anthony McMahon, I attended a forum run by Country Mayors on Regional and Rural Health where Minister Ryan Park as well as NSW Health Ministry and the Rural Doctors Network highlighted the lack of general practitioners in the Bega Valley and the length of time for appointments to see a doctor.

Minister Park was aware of most problems and assured all he is working hard to improve health services in all areas.

The tragic accident on the Towamba Road reminds us of the fragility of life and my thoughts and prays are with the family at this difficult time.

Please take care on our roads and lastly a big thank you to our first responders who attended the scene.

Thank you never seems enough.

If you’d like to provide any feedback, please send me an email to RFitzpatrick@begavalley.nsw.gov.au Thank you for reading and have a great weekend.

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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