Who we are
The RHVA is the Community Consultative Body (CCB) recognized by Shoalhaven City Council as the forum which represents issues and concerns for the communities of Cunjurong Point, Bendalong, North Bendalong, Berringer Lake, Manyana and the Nerringillah Valley.
Our primary role is to promote and protect the interests and well-being of local residents, and to preserve the unique natural environment and local heritage that make our villages such a special play to live, work and visit.
We consult with residents on the development of appropriate facilities and infrastructure and campaign on behalf of the community on key issues that impact us all. We also host community events and share information on matters of local interest.
The RHVA holds at least three general community meetings per year, with additional meetings called when significant issues emerge that require community discussion and input. We also communicate regularly with our membership through General Meetings, our website, email newsletters and Facebook. Please click on the membership tab and follow the prompts to join RHVA and click the subscribe button if you would like to stay up to date through our newsletters.
A Community Plan for a Sustainable Future
Our Community Plan for a Sustainable Future 2024-2030 is the end result of a three year community project. It represents our community’s vision and expectations for the future. It is also a powerful call to action for ongoing engagement between the community, Shoalhaven City Council and other levels of government when important decisions are being made the impact on our five villages.
After the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, the Red Head Villages Association received funding from the Shoalhaven City Council and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to develop a this Community Plan.
The Red Head Villages Association engaged Locale Consultants to lead a community consultation process of workshops and a survey. The results of information gathered from 180 workshop participants and 406 survey respondents was used by a resident’s working group to develop a “Character Statement” and an Action Plan covering the six themes (climate change, Conjola National Park, community social interaction, village amenity, connectivity of villages and delivery of services, and Planning and the Built Environment.
Click here for a quick glance at the key themes in the Community Plan
Click here to read the plan in detail
Click here to read more about the community consultation process and findings
Our History
The Red Head Villages Association was incorporated on March 10, 2008, when the memberships of the Bendalong District Environmental Association (BDEA) and Manyana and Districts Citizens’ Association (MDCA) voted to join forces and incorporate as a new Community Consultative Body.
While the MDCA was the older of the two bodies and was recognised by Shoalhaven City Council as the principal community organisation, the BDEA was playing an increasingly important role on issues like the gazetting of Conjola National Park, and the controversial Kylor and Malbec (later Manyana Beach Estate) developments.
It was agreed the two groups would achieve more by working together, and both groups de-registered and reformed as the RHVA.
Red Head Villages Association was the popular choice of name of the new Association.
At the time there was widespread community concern about rezoning and inappropriate development in the five villages. It was agreed that working together would give the villages a stronger voice when lobbying and negotiating with all levels of government on these and other important issues.
The first RHVA committee was led by Peter Hudson, who went on to serve as President for ten years.
These days, the RHVA continues to play an important role in life across the five villages representing the concerns of residents, organising and hosting community events and delivering important infrastructure and projects.
Some of our key achievements over the years have included:
- Upgrades to Yulunga Hall to make it a communications and disaster-response hub in times of bushfires and other emergencies. This included the installation of solar panels and a defibrillator.
- Upgrades to Berringer Boat ramp
- Construction of community pathways connecting Manyana and Bendalong and Berringer Lake and Manyana
- Construction of a skate ramp and upgrades to the children’s playground
- Organising and hosting the inaugural Southerly Change Festival
- Organising and hosting a Meet-the-Candidates forums during the 2023 NSW State Election campaign
