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

  • The Code of Conduct - all Councillors, including the mayor and staff must comply with this policy, it has the force of law under the Local Government Act. Here is the policy that sets out complaints are dealt with.

• “Who’s Who in the Council Chamber”

• “Your Rights Under the GIPA Act”

• Link to external sources OLG, Ombudsman, ICAC (If you believe the Councillors or staff are not complying with requirements you should lodge a code of conduct complaint, if not satisfied then go to one of the State agencies.

  • Get Involved

• Attend a Council Meeting

• Make a Submission

• Join a Community Group - Community Consultative Committees

• Join our facebook group to keep up to date on issues, or our Youtube channel

• Include upcoming meeting dates, submission deadlines, and how-tosReference Library

• Council Meeting Minutes

• Upcoming Council Meeting

• Streaming Council meetings from home

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

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): 7 councillors, Plus full support from Councillors Clancy - so in reality 8 councillors.

  • Team Tribe Independents (TTI): 3 councillors - however, almosts from the first meeting Councillors Clancy split from the Tribe group and has offered full support to SIG. So they are down to 2

  • Australian Labor Party (ALP): 3 councillors

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 Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG), a conservative local political faction in Shoalhaven City Council, has been at the center of several controversies over the years. These issues have raised concerns about governance, transparency, and community engagement.

Governance and Transparency Issues In 2008, SIG faced scrutiny for failing to disclose four years’ worth of political donations, including those related to founder Greg Watson’s 2003 state election campaign. This lack of transparency led to legal and public trust concerns.  More recently, SIG has been accused of operating as a cohesive voting bloc, despite branding themselves as “independent.” Critics argue that this undermines the principles of independent representation and reduces diverse viewpoints in council decisions.  There has been a lack of transparency concerning the departure of two CEO’s, the removal of a valid petition that was critical of the mayors outrageous allowance claims.

Allegations of Bullying and Toxic Culture There have been reports of a toxic environment within the council, with allegations of misogynistic bullying directed at female councillors, including former Mayor Amanda Findley. Such behavior has been attributed to members of SIG, raising concerns about the internal culture of the council. The most recent incident involved Cllr Wilkens outburst at Cllr Natalee Johnston in 2025.

Environmental and Development Controversies SIG’s support for certain development projects has sparked environmental concerns. Notably, their backing of the Manyana housing development, which threatened unburnt bushland post the Black Summer fires, was met with community opposition. Additionally, the implementation of the “45-Degree Rule” for tree removal has been criticized for promoting unnecessary deforestation.  Inaction in the Callala development, and what looks like moves to create a planning committee to smother details of planning discussion have only added to concerns.

Financial Management Concerns An independent economic review in 2023 labeled Shoalhaven Council as financially unsustainable. Critics, including Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis, attributed this to mismanagement under SIG’s leadership. The council’s response involved rate increases and project suspensions, leading to further public dissatisfaction. 

Challenges to Press Freedom for councillors SIG members have been accused of attempting to suppress critical media coverage. In 2008, Councillor Greg Watson threatened legal action against the Bush Telegraph newspaper, demanding its withdrawal from publication. Such actions have raised concerns about press freedom and accountability.  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.

SIG has the majority of 7 but if Clr Clancy votes it will be 8 to 5