"Hold respectful conversations on how the Council does its business and the results for our City"

Council members

• “What Happened to the Library at Sanctuary Point?”

📚 Project Origins and Community Advocacy (2017–2018)
In late 2017, Shoalhaven City Council proposed relocating the Sanctuary Point branch library to a new facility within the Vincentia Leisure Centre complex. This plan faced significant opposition from the Sanctuary Point community, who emphasized the town’s status as the population center of the Bay and Basin area and the importance of accessible library services for residents, particularly the elderly and families without private transport. Community Pride, a local advocacy group, led a campaign to retain the library in Sanctuary Point, culminating in a successful motion to keep the library within the town . 
🏗️ Design Development and Initial Approvals (2019–2023)
Following community input, Shoalhaven City Council advanced plans for a new two-storey district library in Sanctuary Point. The design included community spaces, meeting rooms, study areas, and public art installations. In May 2023, the Development Application received approval from the Southern Regional Planning Panel, positioning the project for construction commencement in mid-2024 . 
💰 Funding Challenges and Project Rescoping (2023–2024)
Despite initial progress, the project encountered financial hurdles. An AEC Financial Sustainability Review in November 2023 highlighted the need for Shoalhaven City Council to address its financial position, leading to a pause in the library project in March 2024 . Subsequently, the council commissioned Brewster Hjorth Architects to develop a scaled-down, single-storey design inspired by the Warilla Library, aiming to align with a revised $15 million budget . 
🛑 Project Shelved and Site Reconsideration (April 2025)
In April 2025, Shoalhaven City Council decided not to proceed with the proposed library at the Kerry Street and Paradise Beach Road site, citing concerns over the loss of parking. The council resolved to explore alternative locations, including Francis Ryan Reserve and the existing library site on Paradise Beach Road . 
🔍 Current Status
As of May 2025, the Sanctuary Point Library project remains on hold. Shoalhaven City Council is investigating alternative sites and funding options to deliver a library that meets the community’s needs within its financial constraints. The project’s future depends on these ongoing assessments and the council’s ability to secure necessary resources.

• “Mayor’s Travel Expenses Explained”

Mayor Patricia White of Shoalhaven City Council has faced scrutiny over her travel and conference expense claims, particularly in light of the council’s financial challenges and recent service cuts. 
📈 Expense Claims Overview
In the 2022–23 financial year, Councillor Patricia White claimed $51,244 in travel and conference expenses, in addition to her standard $29,035 councillor fee. This made her the highest spender among Shoalhaven councillors for that year, continuing a trend where she topped expense claims for six consecutive years.  
🏛️ Council’s Decision on Expense Caps
Despite concerns over high councillor expenses, Shoalhaven City Council voted against implementing caps on conference and travel spending. This decision came after a six-week debate, leaving the existing expense policies unchanged.  
💬 Public and Political Reactions
The mayor’s expense claims have drawn criticism, especially when juxtaposed with the council’s decision to privatize its Family Day Care Services—a move expected to increase childcare costs and result in job losses. Critics highlighted that Mayor White’s annual travel expenses of $20,000–$30,000 exceeded the service’s modest deficit, questioning the council’s spending priorities.  
Additionally, during the 2024 mayoral campaign, outgoing Mayor Amanda Findley publicly questioned Patricia White’s financial expertise. This led to a defamation threat from White’s lawyers, further intensifying the political discourse around her fiscal management.  
🔍 Current Status
As of May 2025, there have been no formal investigations into Mayor White’s expense claims. However, the issue remains a point of contention among constituents and council members, reflecting broader concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility within Shoalhaven City Council.

Data on Mayor Whites travel

Travel Spreadsheet from GIPA 1

Travel Spreadsheet from GIPA 2

Overview of her travel since 2012

• “Understanding Council Voting Blocs”

As of May 2025, the political composition of Shoalhaven City Council reflects a significant shift following the 2024 local government elections. Here’s an overview of the current voting blocs and the history of the Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG):
🗳️ Current Voting Blocs in Shoalhaven City Council (2025)
The 2024 elections led to a conservative-leaning council, with the following composition:
  • Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG): 6 councillors
  • Team Tribe Independents (TTI): 3 councillors
  • Australian Labor Party (ALP): 3 councillors
  • Independent: 1 councillor 
Notably, the Greens lost all representation for the first time in 16 years, marking a significant change in the council’s political landscape.  
Mayor Patricia White, leader of SIG, secured the mayoralty with over 46% of the vote, defeating TTI’s Jemma Tribe, who garnered nearly 36%.  
🏛️ History of the Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG)
Founded in the early 2000s by former Mayor Greg Watson, SIG has been a prominent force in Shoalhaven’s local politics. The group emphasizes localism and conservative values, often aligning with the Liberal-National Coalition.  The group has had an interesting history of controversy.
Key Milestones:
  • 2004: SIG won a majority in the council, with Watson re-elected as mayor and six SIG councillors elected.
  • 2008: Watson was defeated by Paul Green; SIG’s influence waned.
  • 2012 & 2016: Watson unsuccessfully contested mayoral elections; SIG maintained a presence but lacked majority control.
  • 2021: SIG secured four out of 12 councillor positions; Patricia White, formerly of Team Gash, was among the endorsed mayoral candidates.
  • 2024: Watson retired after 50 years in local politics; White became SIG leader and won the mayoralty.  
Throughout its history, SIG has faced controversies, including scrutiny over political donations in the mid-2000s.  
The current council dynamics suggest a period of conservative governance, with SIG holding a significant portion of seats and the mayoralty. The absence of Greens representation and the presence of TTI and ALP councillors indicate potential for varied policy debates and alliances. 
For detailed information on individual councillors and their affiliations, you can refer to the Shoalhaven City Council’s official website.

Details from the State Electoral Commission on the SIG Party

• “The Growth Game: How Greenfield Expansion Strains Our Rates”

Audio/Video Hub

• Council Meeting Highlights

Reference Library

• Council Meeting Minutes

• Budget and Financial Reports - Financial Sustainability Report (AEC), 2023/2024 Financial Statements,

• Code of Conduct Guidelines

How Council Works

• “How a Motion Gets Passed” - code of meeting conduct

• “Who’s Who in the Council Chamber”

• “Your Rights Under the GIPA Act”

• Link to external sources OLG, Ombudsman, ICAC.

Get Involved

• Sign a Petition - the Mayors travel, get her out of her private vehicle and into a council vehicle

• Attend a Council Meeting

• Make a Submission

• Join a Community Group - Community Consultative Committees

• Include upcoming meeting dates, submission deadlines, and how-tos

Footer

• Social media - join us at Eye on Shoalhaven Council

Disclaimer and copyright

© Stephen Prothero 2025.
This website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
  • Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Under the following terms:
  • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
  • NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
For permissions beyond the scope of this license, please contact: protheros@me.com
This website may contain or link to third-party material including, but not limited to, news articles, council reports, meeting recordings, public submissions, images, maps, and documents obtained under Freedom of Information (FOI) or similar access laws. Such material may be subject to copyright held by local councils, government bodies, media outlets, or other entities.
This content is included in good faith for the purpose of:
  • Public interest and community awareness
  • Criticism, review, or reporting of matters affecting local governance
  • Educational and non-commercial use
Use of such material is intended to comply with the fair dealing provisions under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
Where possible, original sources are cited and links to official or original publications are provided. No ownership is claimed over any third-party content, and no commercial gain is derived from its use.
Screenshots or excerpts from council meetings, whether livestreamed or publicly archived, are presented for commentary or analysis and are not altered beyond necessary formatting or contextual framing.
FOI/GIPA-obtained documents are shared only where legally permitted and in the public interest, with sensitive personal information redacted as required.
If you are a copyright holder or stakeholder and believe any content has been used inappropriately, or wish to request removal or amendment, please contact: protheros@me.com
This website makes no warranty as to the accuracy, currency, or completeness of third-party material and accepts no liability for how such material is used by others.