The Delivery Program and Operational Plan sets out council’s major projects, programs and activities for the coming year.

The $254 million budget was the subject of a thorough community consultation program with council staff hosting three public meetings across the city.

Major features of the draft budget include Nowra Pool redevelopment – $6.6m, Northern Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre - $8.7m, roads and traffic works – $4m, tourist parks funding – $4.9m.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal approved council’s application last year for a special variation rate rise to help fund infrastructure renewal.

The rate increase is estimated to provide council with an additional $2.3 million in the 2014-15 financial year, all of which will be exclusively allocated towards road renewal and path projects ($1.8 million on roads and $500,000 on pathways).

The works list includes – roads: Naval College Road, Erowal Bay ($603,000), Main Road, Cambewarra ($630,000), Quinns Lane, South Nowra ($600,000); paths: Idlewild Avenue, Sanctuary Point ($50,000), Tallyan Point Road, Basin View (110,000), Matron Porter Drive, Narrawallee ($140,000), Berry Street, Nowra ($220,000).

Mayor Joanna Gash said council received a good response from the community following last year’s road and path renewal projects.

She said council had consulted with the community in finalising the projects for the 2014-15 financial year.

“Council has again worked hard to ensure a balanced budget for the 2014-15 financial year,” Cr Gash said.

“The community has reiterated a strong focus on road renewal projects and a number of street scaping and pathway projects which council has identified funding for in the coming budget.

“The budget has also identified funding for the continuation of a number of major projects including the redevelopment of the Nowra Pool and the North Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre.”

Cr Gash said council had also identified over $1.1 million in funding to spend within the Nowra CBD.

This includes: Nowra CBD Renewal ($310,000) – council to engage with the Nowra CBD Action Group in identifying renewal initiatives within the CBD, Kinghorne Street ($300,000) – road rehabilitation works, Berry Street Footpath ($220,000) – continuation of current street scaping and drainage works, Kinghorne Street-Junction Street intersection ($100,000) – removal of paving and asphalt works, Junction Street-Berry Street intersection ($100,000) – removal of paving and asphalt works, Berry Street car park ($50,000) – resurfacing works, street furniture ($20,000), CBD graffiti blitz ($15,000). 

“The Community Strategic Plan identifies the community’s vision for a vibrant, activated Nowra CBD as a priority,” Cr Gash said.

“Council has worked closely with local businesses and the Nowra CBD Action Group in identifying a number of major works and services for the Nowra CBD in the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan. 

“This budget is further evidence of council’s commitment to activating the Nowra CBD.”