Liza Butler Takes Patricia White's Claims to the Minister
by Cat Holloway /
South Coast MP, Liza Butler has referred Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White's serious accusations against Council staff over alleged document tampering to the Office of Local Government and the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig.
At last night's Shoalhaven City Council meeting, Mayor White alleged Council staff had unethically changed information in the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) regarding dog off-leash areas at Narrawallee Beach.
"It is my opinion that the documents were manipulated for a reason and I want to get to the bottom of it," Mayor White said.
"And I'm asking for this report to get to the bottom of it.
"Because, if that's the case and you're happy to just accept any report that comes up to this council and not question it, well what are we all sitting here for?"
But Member for South Coast, Liza Butler called the Mayor's comments "distressing and damning and totally inappropriate for someone in a position of leadership."
"My first concern is for the welfare of Council staff who are experts in their field and are just trying to do their jobs," Ms Butler said.
"That's why I have referred the Mayor's comments to the Minister and the Office of Local Government.
During a lengthy and angry presentation, Mayor White argued for a motion to direct the Acting CEO to "further investigate" and review the current limitations on off-leash areas.
She also sought reports on reopening the Victor Avenue steps as a dog on-leash area and building a concrete path with lighting from the Matron Porter Drive access way to the beach.
The motion, seconded by Cr. Denise Kemp and carried successfully, effectively re-starts the Narrawallee dog beach wars again and highlights Mayor Patricia White's ongoing determination to overturn decisions made by the previous council - especially environmentally related decisions - regardless of the cost to Council.
The specifics of previous legal costs to Council and likely costs incurred by this new review was clearly a source of significant irritation (watch below) between the Mayor and Acting CEO, James Ruprai, who is days away from departing his position in Shoalhaven Council.
Cr. Jemma Tribe asked Ruprai to clarify the authority a Council environmental officer has to assess an REF, which is a Part 5 planning document for low impact works.
"Ultimately, whether or not there is consultant's work undertaken, the officer who is penning or signing off on the assessment, and ultimately the approval, needs to be satisfied ...of the content and the processes followed," Ruprai said.
"There may be things that have been omitted or missed or not accounted for which may then need to be included...not uncommon in the DA sphere where an assessing officer needs to be confident that they are issuing a consent based on the best level of assessment... and adherence to the correct legislative provisions."
Speaking against a new review, Milton resident Phillip Bradshaw of the Narrawallee Beach Environment Group questioned the intent of the Mayor's recommendations.
"What councillors need to understand very clearly is that this seeks to challenge a lawful and very successful compromise agreement on access by dogs and their owners at Narrawallee.
"Any change made as a result will certainly prove very expensive.
"Changes will also negatively impact protected bird species and the general amenities enjoyment of large area of Narrawallee Beach by members of the community who have no wish to encounter unrestrained dogs in public spaces."
But Paws 4 Shoalhaven's Lisa Martin said the impact of restrictions on the community had been "staggering".
"The dog walking community who use Narrawallee Beach has been dealt an injustice ... that started in May 2023.
"Unsubstantiated data from a group whose sole purpose is ... to get dogs off Narrawallee Beach was being used to help develop what was supposed to be an unbiased factual document.
"I don't believe it's unreasonable to think that this REF (Review of Environmental Factors) was manipulated to reflect Council's agenda."
Since 1979, issues surrounding dogs on Narrawallee Beach have come before council, but in recent years competing perspectives over dog access versus wildlife protection have created enormous community division and even garnered national news attention.
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