Wednesday’s council meeting will tackle a proposal from the NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries for the use of Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time (SMART) drumlines.

Councillors are being asked to choose whether or not to support the trial, and whether it wishes to be part of facilitating a community survey on the use of drumlines.

BVSC staff have said it is their opinion that council should not be involved in making a decision around “an initiative not normally within its remit” and that “it is anticipated the initiative may garner significantly different views from within the community”.

The staff recommendation is that council advise DPI Fisheries that it does not wish to be involved in any way in the decision making process around the proposed trials and that it is considered appropriate for DPI Fisheries to undertake a community survey to assist the NSW government in making a decision as to whether the trials should proceed.

Another key item on the council agenda is the ongoing discussion over Tura Head Coastal Reserve and Dolphin Cove.

Councillors will be presented with legal advice received on the processes and potential implications of its resolution as to the implementation of the site management plan.

Wednesday’s meeting report also provides a further overview of issues and options for the plan’s implementation in light of the legal advice and ongoing correspondence from resident groups.

Meanwhile, councillors will also vote on whether it will proceed with an application to the Minister for Local Government for compulsory acquisition of private land for the Tathra to Bega Bike Path.

According to the meeting agenda, council officers have said it is unlikely the project will continue if councillors vote against the compulsory acquisitions.

There is also a number of options as to the location of the bike path on Bega St, Tathra, being discussed.