Berry Town Crier

31/12/2025

From the Friends of the Berry Town Crier Newsletter 28/12/2026
Council Waste and Recycling Information Over the Holiday Season
Happy New Year!
Rick Gainford for the Management Committee of the Berry Alliance Town Crier

Council Waste and Recycling Information Over the Holiday Season

Waste Collections and Recycling Depots

Closed New Year's Day.
Extended Christmas holiday opening hours start Saturday 27 December - check opening hours at each facility.

Berry - All Recycling and Waste Depots will be closed New Year's Day.

Berry - Extended opening hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) commence at Berry depot from 27 December to 31 January.

Weekly collection of yellow kerbside recycling bins start Monday 22 December and ends Friday 30 January 2026.

Council's administrative offices at Nowra and Ulladulla will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period :
from 2pm Wednesday 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January 2026.
During the Christmas closure, residents and visitors can call the after-hours helpline on 1300 293 111 for urgent matters or browse Council’s website for answers to common queries or to submit a request online.
Visit the links provided here for the latest information on altered services over the holiday period.
Shoalhaven Swim Sport and Fitness
opening hours at each facility:
• Nowra Aquatic Park – closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day
• Bomaderry Aquatic Centre - closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day
• Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre – closed from 4pm, 24 December and reopens 2 January 2026.

Village pools
• Berry, Greenwell Point, Kangaroo Valley, Milton and Shoalhaven Heads village pools - open Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (1 pm – 5 pm).
Shoalhaven Libraries
• Nowra Library – closed from 2pm Wednesday 24 December and reopens 9.30am Monday 5 January 2026.
• Mobile Library – last day on the road is Tuesday 23 December and returning on Monday 5 January 2026.

Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Box Office – adjusted operating hours over the holiday period, see website for details or call 4429 5757. Encore Café - closed from 1.30 pm Wednesday 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January

Shoalhaven Visitor Information Services – Nowra and Ulladulla Visitor Information Services will be closed on New Years Day and open limited hours over the holiday period. Visit the website for full details on their opening hours or contact the team at the Visitor Information team on 4421 0778.

Shoalhaven Animal Shelter – closed from 2pm on Wednesday 24 December, but open on the public holidays – Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January from 9am to 11am. All other days (including Saturday and Sunday) are normal hours from 9am to 4pm.

Shoalhaven Regional Gallery – closed from 2pm Saturday 20 December and reopening 10am Tuesday 6 January 2026.
Bereavement services – Office closed on weekends and public holidays.

27/12/2025

Berry Xmas Parade 2025
Congratulations to Rotary for all their organising and to all the participants in the recent Parade!
It proved very special and entertaining (especially for the younger ones in our community who always have a great time!).
This is one of the many events we enjoy in Berry and they all add to us as a close and friendly community who will help anyone who needs it.
Pink up Berry is a wonderful example of our community working together for a great cause and everyone who participates ends up feeling really good about themselves and others.
The Berry Alliance Town Crier had 3 of our committee members participating at the Parade and we made quite a few more “Friends of the Berry Town Crier” at our stall on the day. Many thanks to the always generous Leigh Saunders at the IGA for agreeing to have us outside her shop.
The Berry Town Crier (Berry Alliance) wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and safe year for 2026.
Rick Gainford for the Management Committee.

ps there will be a New Years edition of the Friends of the Berry Town Crier out shortly with updates and news including Development Applications and Determinations.

pps Remember, the next Town Crier edition closes for advertising and submissions on Wednesday 14th February. It should be distributed from about January 24th.
Remember, Digital copies of each Town Crier are posted on our website and a digital version is emailed to all members of the Friends of the Berry Town Crier.
To register to join as a Friend please email us at [email protected] with your:
Name, address and telephone number along with your email address.

15/11/2025

National Recycling Week.Thank you Dr Sarah Kaine MLC for all the work and leadership you show in this area. Part of the Berry Town Criers focus on Sustainability. Rick Secretary

Textiles might not be the first thing you think of during National Recycling Week, but over 230,000 tonnes end up in NSW landfill every year.

We can change that by rethinking our fashion choices—buying less, reusing more, and supporting recycling initiatives that give clothes a second life.

14/11/2025

A good news story under the Berry Alliance Town Crier Sustainability focus. Well worth a read. Rick Gainford, Secretary.

02/11/2025

Huge congratulations to the Berry Public School students, staff and parents on a great result in the finals of the Tournament of the Minds on Saturday 1/11/2025. See what the School said about this new award following so many others recently. A proud School and a proud community.

08/09/2025

Circular Palstics Illawarra is having a drop off day for soft plastics. Plastic items should be clean and dry. This Sunday 14 September, 8.00 am to 12.00 pm at Albion Oval Carpark, Ash Ave Albion Park Rail.

There will be a further collection in Kiama, Saturday 8 November at the Waste and Recycling Depot, Riverside Dve, Minnamurra.

Flagstaff Group is taking soft plastics Monday to Thursday 4.15 pm to 4.45 pm and Saturdays 8 am to 10.45 am.

26/02/2025

An update on the David Berry Hospital from Dr Sarah Kaine MLC the NSW Government's spokesperson for Kiama.
For the full report follow this link
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/david-berry-hospital

Plus
MEDIA RELEASE from Minister Ryan Park on the DAVID BERRY HOSPITAL
Ryan Park
Minister for Health
Minister for Regional Health
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast
MEDIA RELEASE
Community has its say on the future of the David Berry Hospital site
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
The community and stakeholders have had their say on the future of the David Berry Hospital site, with the overwhelming majority of respondents to the recent Have Your Say survey (87%) expressing a preference for the continuation of health and wellness services at the site.
The NSW Government has released the David Berry Hospital Community Engagement Report, which summarises the key findings from nearly 1,200 responses received during the consultation.
The report is available for the community to review on the Have Your Say website.
The feedback gathered will enable focused discussions, working groups and broader consultation opportunities with local residents, clinicians and staff, the Aboriginal community, environmental and heritage groups, and other interested parties to continue over the coming months.
When health services relocate to the $448 million redeveloped Shoalhaven Hospital in 2026, the David Berry site will take on a new role with the help of the local community.
In the meantime, residents will continue to receive safe, high-quality care from the dedicated health team at David Berry Hospital.
The Have Your Say survey gathered nearly 1,200 responses on the site's historical and cultural value, potential future uses, and partnership opportunities.
As well as strong support for health and wellness services, respondents also showed an interest in preserving the site’s historical aspects and green spaces, and a preference for community-led initiatives over commercial or residential developments.
Responses also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the future use of David Berry Hospital appropriately acknowledges and includes Aboriginal perspectives.
The Minns Labor Government will consider any amendments required to the David Berry Hospital Act 1906 once the future use of the site has been identified. This legislative process will take some time to complete and additional consultation will be required on amendments to the Act.
For the latest information on the future of the David Berry Hospital site, including future opportunities to have your say, to read the Community Engagement Report or to contact the team, visit www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/david-berry-hospital.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“I want to thank everyone who responded to the survey, including local residents, healthcare professionals, heritage groups, and other community organisations.
“The nearly 1,200 responses reflect the community’s strong interest in the site's future, and we will ensure stakeholders are listened to and kept well informed about next steps.
“Although no longer suitable for its original purpose, this government will ensure the David Berry Hospital site will continue to serve the community.”
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Kiama Sarah Kaine MLC:
“I've heard from many people how important the David Berry Hospital Site is to the local community, and it’s been fantastic to see this represented in the number and variety of responses we have received so far.
“I am confident that with ongoing consultation we can have this site remain a suitable and valuable asset to the community.”
The future of David Berry Hospital
HAVEYOURSAY.NSW.GOV.AU
The future of David Berry Hospital

HAVEYOURSAY.NSW.GOV.AU
The future of David Berry Hospital

24/01/2025

Berry Town Crier February edition
Friends of the Berry Town Crier have just been emailed their (colour) edition of the February Town Crier.
The delivery will be commencing on Tuesday.
It will be posted on the web site shortly.
This edition features the very well known and popular Alfie (the Ginger Ninja) on our front cover.
Thank you to Alfies housemate and carer for the selection of photos. A cat around Town. We had so many options there.
Please support the local Town Crier with your advertising. The next edition closes for advertising and submissions on 19th February.
We have been producing the Crier for over 25 years now and we use the local printer for the back and white free edition. We print and deliver 2,400 copies each edition in and around Berry and in Post Boxes in Berry Post Office (as well as additional copies for people to collect).
Enquiries to [email protected] please.

14/01/2025

THE ALBANESE GOVERNMENT DELIVERING $5 MILLION FOR NOWRA RIVERFRONT PRECINCT
TUESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2025
The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future by delivering infrastructure that connects regional communities and eases the everyday lives of locals.
We’ve listened to the people of Shoalhaven, and today we are announcing $5 million for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct – a new mixed-use hub that will reconnect Nowra city centre with the Shoalhaven River waterfront.
The new precinct will transform Nowra for locals and visitors alike, shaping the future of the town and strengthening its role as the civic and tourism centre for the Shoalhaven region.
It will create an integrated space, incorporating parklands, accommodation, areas for commercial and social activities, as well as active transport links.
Today’s investment is supporting a precinct masterplan, detailed designs for the central open space, drainage, an access road, and a business case. It will help complete the planning, while early delivery of public space improvements will encourage private investment and renewal of the surrounding area.
This project showcases the Government’s commitment to listening to, and working with, local communities, and addressing regional needs.
It is funded through the Albanese Government’s regional Precincts and Partnership Program, which provides investment to transform regional, rural and remote places. For more information, visit: infrastructure.gov.au/regional.
For more information on the Nowra Riverfront Activation, visit: Nowra Riverfront Activation (NRAT) | Get Involved Shoalhaven.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“My Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing we will deliver $5 million to create the Nowra Riverfront Precinct.
“This project will transform Nowra and create a space that can be enjoyed by the local community and tourists for years to come.”
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“The Nowra Riverfront Precinct has been a long-held vision of the Shoalhaven City Council, so I’m thrilled to be part of a government that believes in regional communities and is turning their dream into a reality.
“Precincts like this not only give the community a space to gather and visitors a space to enjoy, but they transform towns by boosting local economies and shaping the everyday lives of locals.
“This new riverfront precinct, which will be beautifully integrated into Nowra, and will cement its role as the community and tourism hub of the Shoalhaven region.”
Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips:
“As a long-time local, the Shoalhaven Riverfront has always held great personal significance to me. It’s where I grew up riding my bike from the farm to the Nowra Pool. It’s where I married, where I regularly swam with my family and community, and it’s where I fought so hard along with our community to save Nowra’s community swimming pool.
“I’ve never lost sight of that as part of a revitalised riverfront. That’s why I’ve been fighting every single day to continue riverfront revitalisation for our community.
“To say I’m thrilled with this funding announcement today is an understatement. It is a pivotal piece in the puzzle of the always-longed-for revitalised riverfront.
“A revitalised Nowra Riverfront will mean huge benefits for our community with improved liveability and wellbeing options as well as being good for tourism, local businesses and jobs.”
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Patricia White:
“We are excited to be able to continue to progress this project with the NSW Government’s Nowra Rivefront Advisory Taskforce towards delivery as it presents a significant and long desired opportunity to shape the future of Nowra and strengthen its role as the civic, community, tourism and recreational hub for the Shoalhaven region.
“This funding will allow us to complete planning investigations and finalise the masterplan designs for the flagship riverfront park, and conduct further community consultation and a business case to facilitate investment in this foreshore precinct.”
Photo R to L Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP; Member for South Coast Liza Butler MP; Mayor of Shoalhaven Patricia White and Senior Planning for Shoalhaven Council Gordon Clark.

09/01/2025

February 2025 Berry Town Crier –Community Group submissions & Advertising closes 15th January
Advertise your business to well over 2,400 locals and many, many more with our on line and emailed copies.
Advertise your business for as little as $36 per month.
Advertise your business with a community paper that supports spending locally and has done so for 25 years.
Contact our Editor [email protected]
See details and past copies at www.berryalliance.org.au
Support your local community paper that has been producing the Town Crier for more than 25 years and is a fellow member of the Berry Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.
Details:
DISPLAY ADS
1 Column: Single rate = $110 or Repeat rate = $297 ($99 x 3 issues) Dimensions: 10cm high x 6cm wide
2 Column: Single rate = $143 or Repeat rate = $363 ($121 x 3 issues) Dimensions: 10cm high x 12cm wide
3 Column: Single rate = $176 or Repeat rate = $495 ($165 x 3 issues) Dimensions: 10cm high x 18.5cm wide
FULL PAGE Single rate = $363 or Repeat rate = $900 ($300 x 3 issues) Dimensions: 27cm high x 18.5cm wide *Repeat rate applies to 3 or more issues with no changes and one invoice to be paid up front.
TRADES & SERVICES 1 issue = $60
• 6 issues = $252 ($42 each issue)
• 12 issues = $432 ($36 each issue) Dimensions are 6cm wide x 5cm high
(One box, no changes, one invoice paid at the beginning)