Residents in the area had petitioned the State Government for the boundary adjustment. They wanted the area from Bees Nest Nature Reserve in the north to Nettletoys Creek in the south to become part of Goulburn Mulwaree.

A report to the July 18 Goulburn Mulwaree Council Meeting by general manager Warwick Bennett said the Nerriga residents had a close affinity with Goulburn.

“The residents of the Nerriga area believe they have a much closer association and community interest with Goulburn than either Bungendore or Queanbeyan,” the report stated. 

“I am aware that a number of Nerriga residents contribute to the social infrastructure of Goulburn. For example, some members of this community play an important voluntary role at St Clair Museum. A number of Nerriga residents do their retail shopping in Goulburn,” the report said. 

It also highlighted strategic benefits of acquiring the area, such as the road link from the coast through Nerriga and Oallen Ford

“This is a vital part of the overall economic growth of this region. The Goulburn residents use this road link on a regular basis to visit Coastal NSW,” the report said. 

But in the end it came down to dollars.

The report did not recommend supporting the proposal at this time due to the small population of the area. This would equate to a small amount of rates compared to the amount of work needed to be done there. 

“The funds received by this council to deliver the services would only equate to $975,000. These general rate funds from this area of Nerriga would probably only cover the roads and landfill services and thus other services in the region would need to be heavily subsidised by Goulburn Mulwaree residents,” the report said. 

At the meeting, councillors resolved not to support the proposal. 

Nerriga resident Leonie Wood said she was disappointed, but not surprised at the decision. 

“We prefer to go to Goulburn to shop and we got to the doctors and access services there,” Mrs Wood said. 

“The road to Goulburn is also much better and safer than the road to Braidwood.

“We pay rates to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, who don’t do much for us at all. We get most benefits from Goulburn Mulwaree or Shoalhaven Councils. The Oallen Ford Bridge is an example.

“We are disappointed but we understand the decision, but with better infrastructure out here it would attract more people to live here and the place would become viable.”