THE future of weddings at Callala Bay and Hyams Beach will begin to change direction from Friday when a report is handed to Shoalhaven City Council on the issue.
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The report comes after numerous complaints from ratepayers in both villages about problems associated with large weddings and receptions regularly held in residential areas.
Noisy late night parties, illegal parking, as well as rubbish disposal and public toilets that cannot cope with demand are some of the concerns.
Council has rostered staff to attend the most recent functions to remind organisers and guests of their responsibilities.
Hyams Beach resident and member of Hyams Beach Villagers Association Lois Sparkes anticipates a solution to the conflict caused by weddings in coastal areas.
She commended Shoalhaven City Council’s staff who met with Hyams Beach residents last week.
“The meeting gave residents an opportunity to raise concerns about two weddings that were held on February 28,” she said.
“Council staff had been proactive within the limits of their guidelines. They had contacted wedding organisers to remind them of the conditions and their responsibilities in terms of noise, rubbish and public access.
“The meeting reassured me, and I hope others at that meeting, that council was working on a new policy to ensure any future weddings conducted in the Shoalhaven were undertaken with due consideration to infrastructure and residents’ concerns.
Mrs Sparkes is hopeful a time will come when weddings on beaches and public reserves can work in with the community.
“With the appropriate guidelines in place I’m sure we can achieve that balance,” she said.
She also raised the issue of a fee, saying, “perhaps council should be looking at their charging schedule to ensure council and the ratepayers receive a financial benefit”.
“We look forward to the completion of the new policy and I encourage council to engage with the community on finalising that policy,” Mrs Sparkes said.
To help find a solution to a number of issues and conflicts around Hyams Beach the community has created at 10-point plan.
Hyams Beach resident Mark Crowther said the village just did not have the infrastructure for weddings or the amount of tourism it gets in general.
“We have come up with an infrastructure plan council staff could use in conjunction with working with residents.
“With some thought and some money I’m sure this can be solved,” he said.
