Shellharbour City Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) was established in 2010 and currently consists of three independent members (one of whom is the Chair).

• Deborah Goodyer (Chair)
• Russell Egan
• Michael O'Connor

The Office of Local Government has confirmed that the Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government NSW Guidelines have been approved in draft form pending the official amendment to the Local Government Regulation 2021 in early 2023.

The Local Government Regulation requires a council’s audit, risk and improvement committee to operate according to terms of reference that are consistent with the approved Model Terms of Reference.

Council has completed its review of the draft OLG guidelines and the updated ARIC Terms of Reference was adopted by Council on the 18 April 2023.

In line with the OLG Guidelines, a key role of the ARIC is to act as an independent source of advice and opinion to both the Council and the Chief Executive Officer, and to act as a forum for the resolution of any disagreements between the council and internal audit function.

The ARIC is required to independently review and advise on the following aspects of the council’s operations in accordance with Section 428A of the Local Government Act 1993:

• compliance
• financial management
• risk management
• fraud control
• governance
• service reviews
• implementation of the strategic plan, delivery program and strategies
• collection of performance measurement data by the council, and
• any other matters prescribed by the regulation.

Delegates
Mayor Chris Homer

Independent Representatives
Mayors and Chief Executive Officers / General Managers from the 24 member councils as defined in the constitution and rules for the membership period.

Meeting Convenor
External

Staff Attendees (not board members)
Executive Manager Financial Services (CFO) - CivicRisk Mutual Finance Committee
Risk and Internal Audit Manager - CivicRisk Mutual Risk Management Committee

Council Liaison
Executive Manager Corporate Governance and Risk

Meets
CivicRisk Mutual Limited - four (4) times per year

Purpose
To achieve and implement the objectives of CivicRisk Mutual Limited to ensure that members of the mutual have access to appropriate insurance coverage and associated services. 

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 22 September 2026 this Committee was disbanded following a review of Council's Advisory Committees. The review found that matters considered by this Committee could be effectively and efficiently managed through existing governance processes, Councillor workshops or direct Council consideration via a report to Council where required.

Council plays an important role in promoting and encouraging nominations for the Shellharbour Community and Australia Day Awards. All nominations for the categories below will be carefully considered to determine the well-deserved recipient in each category.

• Citizen of the Year – Celebrating an exceptional individual whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on the local community.
• Young Citizen of the Year – Recognising a young leader (under 25) who has demonstrated remarkable community involvement and a passion for positive change.
• Athlete of the Year – Honouring a sportsperson who has achieved outstanding sporting success and inspired others through their dedication and sportsmanship.
• Young Athlete of the Year – Acknowledging a young sportsperson (under 25) who has shown remarkable promise and commitment in their sporting pursuits.
• Service to Sports – Awarding an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to sports through coaching, administration, or volunteer efforts.
• Community Group of the Year – Recognising a group or organisation whose efforts have significantly enhanced the wellbeing and cohesion of the local community.
• Community Capacity Builder – An individual who has significantly contributed to positive social, cultural and/or economic change in the community.
• Volunteer of the Year – An individual who has demonstrated incredible dedication, effort and community service for a local non-for-profit organisation, community group or other entity in a volunteer capacity.
• Outstanding Contribution to the Arts – Celebrating an individual or group that has made a significant and lasting impact on the arts and creative community.
• Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion – Recognising efforts that have fostered inclusivity and promoted diversity, ensuring equal opportunities for all members of the community.

Awards are to be presented to recipients at the Community and Australia Day Awards presentation. The format of the award presentation is determined by the Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the Mayor.

Council Representative 
Mayor Chris Homer 

Meets
Bi-monthly, at ISJO Council venues

As the pioneer for the regional Academy model in Australian sport, the Illawarra Academy of Sport is a not-for-profit sporting organisation that exists to provide localised training and education opportunities for talented young athletes, coaches and adminsitraiors across the Illawarra region.

Responsible to: NSW Rural Fire Service

Council Delegate
Councillor Kellie Marsh

Alternate Delegate
Councillor Kane Murphy

Staff Representatives
As delegated by the Chief Executive Officer

Fuel Management Subcommittee
As directed/required

Rural Fire Service Representatives
Illawarra RFS Manager

Meets
Quarterly

Charter
To provide a forum through which a broad cross-section of Government and non Government organisations with an interest in the prevention, mitigation and suppression of bush fires can come together to develop and progress policies and procedures aimed at ensuring a coordinated, agreed approach to major issues.

Delegate     
Councillor Kellie Marsh    

Alternate Delegate
Councillor Kane Murphy

Other Representatives
SCC Management Representative - Management Representative (as delegated by the Chief Executive Officer)
KMC Council Representative - Council Representative
WCC Council Representative - Council Representative

Rural Fire Service Representatives
NSW RFS Regional Manager
Illawarra RFS Manager
RFS Volunteer Member

Meets
Every 6 months

Purpose
This committee reviews the performance criteria set out in the Illawarra Zone RFS Management Plan. The Executive Director Infrastructure Services reports to the Rural Fires Service Commissioner on issues of unsatisfactory performance. 

Responsible to: Transport for NSW (TfNSW)

Delegate
Mayor Chris Homer

Alternative Delegate
Councillor Mitch Ellis

Local Member Representatives
Member for Kiama or representative
Member for Shellharbour or representative
Police Local Area Command
Transport for NSW
Local Bus Operators

Staff Attending
Executive Director Infrastructure Services
Executive Manager Technical and Recreation Services
Other staff as directed/required

Meets
First Wednesday of every second month commencing at 9.30 am at Shellharbour Civic Centre (excluding Council recess periods).

Purpose
The Shellharbour Local Transport Forum is not a Committee of Shellharbour City Council, it is a technical forum convened under the delegations provided to Council by Transport for NSW.

The Forum operates under the authority conferred to Council by Transport for NSW under the Transport Administration Act 1988, and in accordance with the powers delegated to Council by the Road Transport Act 2013 and Roads Act 1993, as outlined in the Transport for NSW documents ‘A guide for councils using the Authorisation and Delegation Instrument – Prescribed Traffic Control Devices and Regulation of Traffic’ dated July 2025.

The Shellharbour Local Transport Forum can provide advice to Council on the following traffic related matters within the Shellharbour local government area:

• Regulation of traffic for any purpose on a ‘local’ public road, as provided under the Roads Act 1993.
• Special event parking schemes for a road under the Road Transport (General) Regulation 2021.

This Forum considers certain matters pertaining to the provision of traffic management facilities in the Shellharbour local government area. This Forum makes recommendations to Council. Should Council disagree with a decision of this Forum, then the matter is referred to Transport for NSW.  Meetings are held in accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice.

Council Delegate 
WCC Representative
KMC Representative
(No councillor delegate is required)

Purpose
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is an Australian Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to support growth and development of regional Australia. RDA is delivered through a national network of 55 committees who build partnerships between governments, regional development organisations, local businesses, community groups to provide strategic responses to social, economic and environmental issues affecting regional Australia. Each RDA committee contains members from local government.