Settlement Shores Estate - Canal Maintenance & Fee

At the Council Meeting of 23 September 2020, Council resolved to consult with property owners to establish an equitable fee/charge to fund maintenance outlined in the 2017 Canal Maintenance Plan.

As a result of this resolution, we are now engaging with the community about a proposed Settlement Shores Maintenance Fee.

This is a proposed fee and has not been implemented. The community’s feedback will be provided to Councillors for consideration regarding the implementation of a fee to fund maintenance works within the Settlement Shores Estate.

2021 has been a challenge with the recent flood, however this has also highlighted the need for ongoing proactive maintenance.

Background

As you may be aware, canal maintenance works, including dredging and beach replenishment, was carried out in 2020 in the Settlement Shores Estate – with the exception of the Ballina and Newport canals. Dredging works for these canals was not completed as extensive dredging work was not required. Without dredging, which provides sand to the canal beaches, several privately owned revetment walls are slumping. A new project was not initiated for these canals due to the depletion of the Boating Structure License Fee reserve which funds canal maintenance. At the current fee level, the canal maintenance reserve takes many years to build up funds to undertake significant maintenance projects.

This situation resulted in the September 2020 Council resolution to seek a more equitable outcome for the residents of the canals. Our intention had been to consult with you about the proposed works program and fee during the exhibition of the draft 2021/22 Operational Plan. Due to the March flood and its impact on our community, we have waited until a more appropriate time to have this conversation.

About the proposed annual fee

The proposed Settlement Shores Maintenance Fee is on public exhibition until Tuesday 6 July 2021.

The annual fee is proposed to be implemented for a four year period and would forward fund immediate maintenance works within the canals to replenish the Newport and Ballina canal beaches which support privately-owned infrastructure.

This proposed annual fee would be calculated based on land value and has been calculated at $.0006154 of land value.

To calculate this for your property, multiply your land value by $.0006154.
For example: $500,000 x $.0006154 = $307.70

You can find your land value on your:

• Notice of Valuation from the Valuer General; or
• Land tax assessment from Revenue NSW.

You can also find your land value online at valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au/land_values or call Council on 6581 8111 and we can assist you.

Find Out More

We have included a Fact Sheet to help answer some of the questions you may have, this can be downloaded from our Document Library to the right (or below if viewing this page on a mobile device).

We are sure there will be many questions and we are happy to answer those and receive your feedback. We are providing a number of opportunities for property owners to come and speak to Council staff directly.

Community Meeting:

We have provided an evening and daytime opportunity for you.

• Thursday 17 June, 6pm - 7.30pm
• Monday 21 June, 10am - 11.30am

at Panthers Port Macquarie, Rushcutter Room

Have Your Say

Submissions can be made by

• completing the submission form below;
• emailing to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au; or
• posting to
  Chief Executive Officer
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie NSW 2444

All submissions must be received by close of business on Tuesday 6 July 2021.