May 2026 Dear Community Members,
We are delighted to share that at our May 24th General Meeting, the modernised 2026 Constitution and a new Code of Conduct were unanimously adopted!
Click here to download a PDF copy.
Please find the Code of Conduct, which forms part of the annual membership.
Click here to download a PDF copy.
April 2026: We are preparing to adopt a new Community Consultation Model, the Accredited Community Forum (ACF). The change is planned to be implemented by SCC on the 1st July 2026.
We are strengthening our Code of Conduct to comply with NSW psychosocial hazard legislation and ensure our standards of behaviour remain consistent with contemporary local government practices.
Accordingly, at our next General Meeting on Sunday, 24th May 2026, a special resolution will be taken by Financial Members to adopt both an updated 2026 Constitution and the associated new 2026 Code of Conduct.
OUR BPKTCA/ ACF CODE OF CONDUCT – Why do we need a Code of Conduct?
Many of the issues we discuss together can have a significant impact on our community and the values we hold for our three villages.
Not everyone will share the same views, which can lead to differences of opinion. We all have a right to express our views; this is important in a healthy community. But we need to do this respectfully. We need to listen to each other and discuss the issues at hand.
This Code of Conduct sets out the norms and behaviours expected of all members, volunteers, participants, and committee members of the BPKTCA/ACF. It supports a safe, respectful, lawful and well-managed association, in line with NSW Fair Trading requirements.
This Code sets out the behaviours and expectations that sit at the heart of our Community Association. The BPKTCA draft Code of Conduct follows.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the draft CofC.
We have also taken the opportunity to refresh our 2023 Constitution; a summary of the main changes is given below.
The revised 2026 constitution for the Bawley Point, Kioloa & Termeil Community Association Inc. (BPKTCA) introduces several key changes aimed at modernising the association, ensuring compliance with local government standards, and enhancing member privacy and conduct.
Key Changes to the Constitution
- Recognition Status: The association is transitioning from a “Community Consultative Body” to an Accredited Community Forum (ACF) recognised by the Shoalhaven City Council.
- Membership Structure:
- Individual Memberships: As of 1 July 2026, all existing “household” memberships will be converted to individual memberships.
- Fees: Both admission and annual membership fees are increased from $5 to $10, there is only one $10 fee in any one year, be it joining or annual.
- Code of Conduct: New members must now agree to a Code of Conduct, which includes a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, or unsafe conduct.
- Committee Composition:
- The total number of committee members has been reduced from a range of 7–12 to 5–10 persons.
- A new specific clause (20A) defines the role and appointment of the Public Officer, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Associations Incorporation Act 2009.
- Voting Rights in General Meetings: The 2026 draft clarifies that while any resident or ratepayer can participate in discussions during ACF business, only registered members of the Association are entitled to vote. (Previously, non-members could vote on general Council matters in certain contexts).
- Modernisation and Privacy:
- Electronic Records: The association now explicitly allows for the register of members and other documents to be kept and distributed in electronic form.
- Privacy Protections: Members can now request that their name and address be excluded from the public register of members without needing to provide a reason.
Reasons and Benefits for the Changes
| Change | Reason/Benefit |
| ACF Recognition | Secures formal standing with Shoalhaven City Council to facilitate better discussion and input on local policy and services. |
| Individual Membership | Provides a clearer voting structure and ensures the association’s register is up to date and legally compliant. |
| Code of Conduct | Establishes a standard of behaviour to protect members, committee members, and visitors from harassment or discrimination. |
| Privacy Provisions | Enhances member safety and privacy by allowing individuals to opt-out of having their personal details publicly inspectable. |
| Electronic Modernisation | Increases efficiency in communication and record-keeping, reflecting modern administrative practices. |
| Committee Adjustment | A smaller committee range (5-10) may provide more flexibility in management while maintaining representational “Reserved Positions” for each of the three villages. |
We have made some minor revisions to the draft 2026 Constitution, Version 8. See below.
- Expanded Objects of the Association: In Clause 3(6), the list of matters for community discussion and communication to the Council was expanded to include “State Environmental Planning Policies”. In V7, this list only specified “policy development, land re-zoning, development applications and works and services needs”
- Definition of a Simple Majority: A new subclause, Clause 35(2), was inserted in V8 to explicitly define how decisions are made during general meetings. It states that a decision is reached by a “simple majority, that is, more than 50% of the persons eligible to vote and voting”. This definition was not present in V7, and as a result, subsequent subclauses in Clause 35 were renumbered in V8.
- Application Form Update: In Appendix 1, the membership application form was updated to include a checkbox (☐) next to the privacy opt-out statement regarding the inclusion of a member’s name or address on the public register. In V7, the statement was present but lacked a selection box
- Clause 11 (Fees and subscriptions): In V8, the text originally appearing as subclause (3) in V7 has been merged into the end of subclause (2) and its numbering has been removed
- Clause 18A (Reserved Positions): The word “two” used in V7 was changed to the numeral “2” in V8.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the draft 2026 Constitution V8