Overview
The Links Shell Cove
Myimbarr Wetlands
Illawarra Regional Airport
Shellharbour Village
Our Council - Our Community
Preserving our City
Building a Community
Shell Cove
Libraries
Tongarra Museum
Annual Events
In planning for the City's future, council has shared the community's desire to preserve the natural environment.
Shellharbour City Centre forms a major part of our planning initiatives. The City Centre provides a social and economic heart for our City: complementing our individual CBDs which exist in Oak Flats, Shellharbour Village, Albion Park Rail, Warilla and Lake Illawarra.
Future features of the City Centre Master Plan include the City's new Central Library, an expansive 5-hectare City Park and recreational areas, continued growth of the “main street” retail and entertainment precinct, and a mix of commercial and residential developments.
This will go a long way to delivering to the community the city-standard facilities, entertainment and opportunities they desire and which we have been committed to providing since we set out on this journey some decades ago.
We will maintain our focus on keeping the balance; recognising our responsibilities in providing for growth but keeping a close eye on our commitment to the people who choose to make Shellharbour City their home.
Back to top of page
The Links Shell Cove
Australia's first fully-constructed organic golf course utilises anaerobic solutions in its irrigation systems to encourage the growth of valuable microorganisms which will organically control debilitating bugs and weeds and create a leading-edge playing surface.
The golf course development utilises world-leading environmental practice to eliminate the need for fertilisers and pesticides which will have ongoing and invaluable advantages for the Shellharbour environment.
Back to top of page
MYIMBARR
The Myimbarr Wetlands are considered to be among the most innovative water quality programs ever initiated in Australia.
Developed over 20 hectares, Myimbarr features water quality ponds designed to reduce stormwater sediment created by new residential estates at Flinders and Blackbutt along with the new Woodlands development.
This state-of-the-art man-made wetland will reduce waterborne sediment and other pollutants created by over-fertilisation of lawns, dog droppings and other urban run-off through scientifically-engineered pond design and the planting of water and land-based vegetation. Council has employed leading edge techniques for the treatment of the potentially acid-sulphate soils found at the site.
Myimbarr will also provide compensatory freshwater and saltwater areas for the Shell Cove boatharbour project that is to be built at Shellharbour Swamp.
Back to top of page
ILLAWARRA REGIONAL AIRPORT
The success of the Illawarra Regional Airport is the culmination of many years of determined negotiations, flexible planning processes and above all, faith in the airport as a facility that should be developed for the benefit of the Illawarra community.
Shellharbour City Council has made progressive improvements to the airport since it took full ownership from the Commonwealth Government in 1990. Council identified the airport as a significant, but under-utilised public asset and remains committed to developing its commercial potential to deliver employment, tourism and flow-on benefits to the community and ratepayers of the City.
Back to top of page
SHELLHARBOUR VILLAGE
Shellharbour City Council is undertaking a multimillion dollar enhancement of the historic Shellharbour Village which will incorporate a comprehensive Plan of Management for the Foreshore and Harbour and develop a subtle maritime theme reflective of the quaint coastal villages of the early 1900s.
Council's commitment to retain and enhance the historical aspects of this quaint Village has seen a surge in development interest with a number of new restaurants and tourist facilities being completed.
With active and ongoing public involvement, Council is building a community that balances the need for economic growth, employment opportunities and new industries with a commitment to protecting our waterways, and our natural and built environments.
Our shared Vision is a sustainable city: communities living in harmony, balancing nature's beauty with quality rural and urban environments.
Council is delivering the Vision through a Strategic Plan which conserves and enhances our natural and built environments; provides programs which foster a safe, healthy, informed and caring community; and builds a strong and diverse local economy for generations to come.
Back to top of page
OUR COUNCIL - OUR COMMUNITY
Shellharbour is one of the state's youngest cities, having been gazetted in January 1996, but today ranks as one of the most progressive non-metropolitan communities in New South Wales.
Our Council serves a community of 65,000 residents across an area of 154 square kilometres.
Community consultation and participation is an important part of every Shellharbour City development and we were the second Council in New South Wales to introduce public participation at our Council meetings.
We are an active participant in the Southern Councils Group and work collaboratively with all tiers of government to deliver first-rate facilities, infrastructure and opportunities for our community.
Back to top of page
PRESERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Shellharbour City Council's environmental and waste management strategies help to conserve our natural environment.
Council is leading the way on waterway preservation through the development of man-made wetlands like Myimbarr at Flinders which provide habitats for marine and bird life, and the construction of state-of-the-art detention basins across the City to reduce stormwater runoff.
Our planning controls protect and retain our rural and forest areas, including the Blackbutt Forest, and minimise the environmental impact of urban development. We have recently developed a comprehensive Environment Policy that provides a multi-directional protection plan for our City, to complement existing strategies.
Back to top of page
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Shellharbour City Council's Social Plan is helping us to build a city that is for everyone.
We're committed to working with our residents to build a safe, healthy, informed and caring community through the provision of child and family services, Community Transport, services and facilities for the frail aged and disabled and an award-winning program of youth services.
We're providing modern community facilities across the city, with new centres at Shell Cove and Warilla. Our network of centres are focal points for our community and are designed as "one-stop-shops" for support and information from service providers across our City.
Back to top of page
SHELL COVE
The $1.5 billion Shell Cove residential and marina development will create more than 11,000 full time equivalent jobs locally and nationally in the construction phase and direct more than $303 million into our economy each year when operational.
Owned and developed by Shellharbour City Council and project-managed by Australand, Shell Cove is one of the largest tourist-residential developments ever initiated by a local government authority in Australia.
When complete, Shell Cove will create up to 3000 prime residential lots, a 350-berth marina within an inshore boat harbour, an 18-hole championship-standard golf course, community parks and playgrounds, cycleways, and a range of quality commercial, retail, tourist, community and recreational facilities.
Around the harbour, the community will enjoy a 1.5km public promenade, a hotel, motel, aquatic club and a range of retail and residential facilities.
Back to top of page
LIBRARIES
Our network of libraries provides free computer use and internet access along with the latest in modern library services from book-lending to music CDs, videos, newspapers and information and activities for children.
Back to top of page
TONGARRA MUSEUM
The Tongarra Museum provides a fascinating insight into the history and heritage of Shellharbour City and its surrounds and our Library boasts a comprehensive Family History collection with access to State Registry services.
Back to top of page
EVENTS
No wonder there's plenty to celebrate in Shellharbour City! Council hosts a busy annual program of community events and cultural activities, with everything from Christmas carols to fireworks displays on our community calendar. 2009, our 150th year as a local government area, will see a series of significant community events staged around the city.
Back to top of page