City of Shoalhaven

History

Modern-day groupings of the Illawarra and South Coast Aboriginal peoples are based on information compiled by white anthropologists from the late 1870s. Two divisions were initially presented (refer Ridley, 1878), using geographical location and language, though these criteria are now expanded into five divisions and given Aboriginal names, as follows (after C.Sefton, 1983):

• Dharawal – general name for the Aboriginal people of the area on the east coast of New South Wales from Botany Bay to Shoalhaven, and west to Berrima and Camden.
• Wodiwodi (or Wadi-Wadi) – a subdivision of Thuruwal, includes the Aboriginal people of the coast from Wollongong to Shoalhaven.
• Gurandada and Tharumba (or Dharumba) – those people living around the Shoalhaven River.

The Jerrinja people record their traditional lands as stretching from Crooked River in the north to Clyde River in the south, from the mountains to the sea at Roseby Park.

George Bass explored the area in 1797, following Seven Mile Beach. He crossed the shoals at the entrance to the river, calling it "Shoals Haven" due to the shallowness of the river mouth. This river is now known as the Crookhaven, but the name was adopted for the Shoalhaven area and the Shoalhaven River.

The City was established on 1 July 1948 as the Shoalhaven Shire, following the amalgamation of the Municipalities of Nowra, Berry, Broughton's Vale, Ulladulla, South Shoalhaven, and the shires of Cambewarra and Clyde. On 13 July 1979, Governor Roden Cutler proclaimed Shoalhaven as a city. The Shire was converted and constituted on 1 August 1979 simultaneously as a municipality and city.

Towns and localities in the local government area

Shoalhaven, although designated a city, is a dispersed region spread over 125 km of coastline, with the vast majority of its population located in the north-east around Nowra, Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet.

It includes the following towns, suburbs and localities:

Localities with no population in 2016 included:

Council

Current composition and election method

Shoalhaven City Council is composed of thirteen councillors, including the mayor, for a fixed four-year term. The mayor is directly elected while the twelve other councillors are elected proportionally as three separate wards, each electing four councillors.

Election results

2024

Mayors

Past councillors

2021−present

Ward 1

Ward 2

Ward 3

Tourism and culture

The Shoalhaven can be reached from Sydney by car via the Princes Highway and by rail via the South Coast railway line which terminates just north of Nowra at Bomaderry. The Shoalhaven is adjacent to the Jervis Bay Territory. The area is approximately 160 km long along the coastline, including 109 beaches, which allegedly possesses the whitest sand in the world, as well as pristine natural Australian bushland. The Shoalhaven area is home to numerous species of native Australian flora and fauna.

The area is well known for its strong commitment to the arts and music, featuring the See Change and See Celebrations festivals in the Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin areas, as well as the EscapeArtfest festival and Blessing of the Fleet in the Ulladulla area.

Tourists to Shoalhaven can enjoy a wealth of cultural and nature-based activities and experiences, including whale-watching, kayaking, visiting beaches and tastings at wineries. Some of the most famous establishments for visitors in Shoalhaven are Rick Stein at Bannisters, Cupitt's Estate and Coolangatta Estate.

Heritage listings

Heritage listings for the City of Shoalhaven include:

• Bherwerre Beach, Wreck Bay: Hive shipwreck

References

References

1. {{Census 2021 AUS
2. "Shoalhaven City Council". [[New South Wales Department of Local Government.
3. (17 February 2020). "The Jerrinja tribe and the Shoalhaven – New Bush Telegraph".
4. "NSW Police Regions and History". Nowra Police Station.
5. "Municipality of Nowra". State Records NSW.
6. (20 December 2021). "Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Announced".
7. "City of Shoalhaven – 2021 NSW Local Government Elections".
8. "20211129-LG-Groups-of-Candidates.pdf".
9. "Cr Greg Watson". Shoalhaven City Council.
10. (23 October 1983). "Nominations mount for shire council poll". The Canberra Times.
11. (12 March 1987). "Alderman Harry Sawkins". The Canberra Times.
12. (3 April 1987). "Navy loses mayor". Royal Australian Navy News.
13. (25 March 1994). "Charity cyclists raise $41,500". Royal Australian Navy News.
14. (12 February 1999). "Group plans shtetl in country NSW". Australian Jewish News.
15. (1 October 2012). "Atkins family to sell Limousin herd". South Coast Register.
16. (21 December 2004). "Developers' donations pushed team to coastal victory". Sydney Morning Herald.
17. (16 September 2008). "Watson behind in election count". ABC News.
18. "Mayor Amanda Findley". Shoalhaven City Council.
19. "Amanda Findley". Greens on Council.
20. (6 May 2024). "Amanda Findley confirms she will step down as Shoalhaven Mayor". South Coast Register.
21. "Jervis Bay & Shoalhaven". Visit NSW.
22. (October 2012). "Arts in Shoalhaven". Geoff Bolton.
23. "The Weekender: Shoalhaven, NSW".
24. {{cite NSW SHR. 5001044. Hive Shipwreck