By Peter Smith — President, Braidwood & District Historical Society

By Nina Shatifan

Development can now go ahead on the controversial 14 lot Annetts Parade subdivision that will clear over 70% of high-value native vegetation on environmentally protected land.

The motion to overturn last week’s approval was narrowly defeated 5-4 following an intensive debate, with the Mayor casting the deciding vote before a packed public gallery.

Those in favour of the development included Councillors Phil Constable, Amber Schultz, Laurence Babington and Mayor Mathew Hatcher. Those seeking to rescind approval included Councillors Anthony Mayne, Mick Johnson, Sharon Winslade, and Colleen Turner. Councillor Rob Pollock was not present and Councillor Babington did not speak throughout the debate.

The motion’s supporters made it clear they did not want to stop development but wanted to work with the developers to get an outcome in line with C4 environmental protections and Council’s own policies.

They argued the DA should have included an updated traffic plan in light of a major development approved for Oaks Ranch nearby and an independent updated comprehensive environmental assessment that considered serious and irreversible impacts. The Director of Planning and Environment, Gary Bruce, said these were not part of Council requirements for the development application.

Under questioning from Councillor Sharon Winslade, Council General Manager Mark Ferguson rejected the need for further assessments. “I think the staff—the urban planners have assessed it, so have the environmental planners, so have our traffic engineers, so has the Director—and on that basis, they have formulated a position,” Mr. Ferguson told the meeting.

UPDATE 2.7.26

On Wednesday council received a rescission signed by three Councillors for the development. 

Rescission Motion signed by Councillor Anthony Mayne, Councillor Mick Johnson and Councillor Sharon Winslade, received 1 July 2026 read. 

MOTION

We the undersigned give notice that we intend to move a motion to rescind the following resolution (Minute Number 26/76) regarding PER26/019 DA0134/26 – 14 Lot Torrens Title Subdivision, public road and earthworks – Annetts Parade, Mossy Point, Lot 16 DP 1248291, as resolved at the Council Meeting on 30 June 2026.

Today Council announced that an extraordinary meeting of Eurobodalla Council will be held on Tuesday 7 July 2026.

The meeting will consider a notice of motion brought by Clr Anthony Mayne, Clr Sharon Winslade and Clr Mick Johnson to rescind Council’s decision to approve Development Application DA0134/26 for a 14 lot subdivision on Lot 16 DP 1248291 Annetts Parade, Mossy Point.

Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting starts at 2pm and will be held in the Council Chamber. The meeting will also be streamed live via our webcast service.

A public forum session allowing residents to address the agenda item will be held at the beginning of the Council Meeting. Speakers must register before 12pm Monday 6 July at council.meetings@esc.nsw.gov.au or by calling 4474 1022.

By Nina Shatifan  1.6.26

Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Mathew Hatcher used his casting vote to override a deadlocked chamber on Tuesday, approving a highly contentious 14-lot subdivision in a mapped wildlife corridor at Mossy Point.

The dramatic 5-4 split decision sparked fury among local residents and environmentalists. Opponents argue the approval effectively bypasses the Eurobodalla Council’s own 2021 C4 Environmental Living guidelines. This legally prioritises natural environment protections in areas of high ecological value.

The approved Development Application (DA) allows for the clearing of 70% of the native vegetation on a critical 2.06-hectare site. Public forum speakers and local ecologists argued before the vote that the extensive clearing directly violates local environmental protections for irreplaceable wildlife corridors, specifically threatening vulnerable local species such as the Yellow-bellied Glider.

The floor of the council chamber saw intense debate from both sides. Councillor Sharon Winslade led the opposition, citing eight separate examples where she argued the approval cuts corners on both State and Council environmental protections. She emphasised that the 14-lot layout fragments the continuous native canopy and will require massive clearing to accommodate mandatory bushfire safety margins.

This is the first case of its kind since the International Court of Justice affirmed that governments have a legal duty to prevent climate harm

Jack Egan from Rosedale is among ten Australians who have filed a case with the United Nations Human Rights Committee arguing the Australian government is violating their human rights by failing to limit coal and gas exports — by far Australia’s largest contribution to climate change. The 10 claimants are represented by the Human Rights Law Centre, Environmental Justice Australia, and Earthjustice.

This is the first case filed in an international body against a country for climate harm since the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ judicial arm, affirmed that all governments have a legal obligation to prevent significant harm to the climate. In May, Australia joined 140 other countries in passing a major United Nations resolution supporting this landmark legal ruling on climate change.

“All governments have a legal duty to act on the climate crisis, as affirmed by the International Court of Justice last year. The Australian government is failing that responsibility by allowing unchecked exports of coal and gas,” said Ramin Pejan, Deputy Managing Attorney of the International Program at Earthjustice. “This case sends a clear message: governments must act to reduce climate pollution from coal and gas and protect their people from harm.”

Each of the claimants has been seriously harmed by extreme weather events, from catastrophic bushfires and heatwaves to sea level rise and flooding. Their claim asks the UN Human Rights Committee to declare that it is unlawful for Australia to continue approving coal and gas projects for export without a plan to keep Australians safe from dangerous climate change.

“Climate change is affecting not only our country, but our ability to pass on knowledge, care for sacred places and keep our culture strong for future generations,” said Rikki Dank, a Gudanji and Wakaya Traditional Owner from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory.

“Australia continues to play a significant role in the climate crisis through the coal and gas it exports, while communities like mine are left to deal with the consequences. I believe there must be accountability for the harms already occurring and for those that will continue if meaningful action is not taken.”

“Australia is one of the largest exporters of coal and gas in the world,” said Hannah White, Senior Lawyer, Environmental Justice Australia. “Climate harm caused by Australia’s coal and gas doesn’t stop at a border, and neither does Australia’s responsibility for it.”

“Everyone deserves to live safely with their families and communities, free from fear of climate disasters,” said Jack McLean, Senior Lawyer, Human Rights Law Centre. “The Australian government must phase out coal and gas and protect people’s rights to life, home, and culture.”

Mr Egan said “I’m part of this case because I know firsthand what climate change can take from people. During the Black Summer bushfires, Cath and I lost our home, almost all our possessions and, for several terrifying hours, I believed I might lose my partner too.

What happened to us was not simply bad luck. It was part of a worsening climate crisis driven by decades of delay and inaction despite clear scientific warnings.

The rule of law matters deeply to me. I believe courts have an important role to play in protecting ordinary people from the harm caused by powerful fossil fuel corporations and governments that continue expanding coal and gas projects.

I joined this case because I want decision-makers to understand the real human consequences of climate inaction and their responsibility to prevent foreseeable harm. I also hope this case helps build momentum for stronger legal protections for current and future generations, building on the growing recognition under international law that governments have obligations to protect people from climate harm.“

To learn more about this case and the stories of the 10 Australian claimants, please visit hardtruthscase.org.au.

On Thursday Dr Michael Holland, MP for Bega opened the Dr McKay Community Centre Electrification Project.

Last year the Southcoast Health & Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) secured funding of $49,977 from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership 2025 Program to electrify the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Dr McKay Community Centre. This is the first partnership between SHASA and the Eurobodalla Shire Council to upgrade a Council run facility.

The works undertaken in this project will assist the Council to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and make significant savings on their electricity bills.

This Project involved a very challenging installation by Micro Energy Systems of a 12.32 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system on an extremely steep rooftop and a 46 kilowatt hour battery.

It’s estimated that the solar system will produce 20,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year and financial savings of more than $4,000 a year. This is a significant saving on current bills of $5,334 per annum.

ESC Media

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate at the Bay Pavilions on Saturday night, but none bigger than Yumaro’s double win as Business of the Year and Outstanding Community Organisation at the 2026 Eurobodalla Business Awards.

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said the recognition was a fitting tribute to an organisation that has spent decades creating opportunities for people living with disability, helping them feel connected, valued and included across the region.

“Yumaro’s one of those organisations that everyone knows – you see their team out and about in the community every day,” Mayor Hatcher said.

“They’ve changed a lot of lives through the opportunities they’ve created, and that’s only possible because of the people who show up every day genuinely caring about what they do and who they do it for.”

Yumaro wasn’t the only winner with a story to tell. The crowd cheered on businesses both big and small, emerging ventures and inspiring individuals who’ve made their mark in the local economy.