Community questions answered 23/07/25

On behalf of JBCSC Board, I, Craig Hatton (Chair), would like to extend our sincere thanks to the entire Jervis Bay community for your enormous support in this exciting new era as we progress towards de-amalgamation with the St Georges Basin Country Club.

Here’s an update on what the JBCSC Board has progressed in the last month and the current landscape, based on questions asked by our community.

How much was the bid offer?

On Friday, June 20, 2025, JBCSC submitted a formal bid letter  to the SGBCC detailing our offer of $2 million. This bid aligns with the SGBCC Board's unanimous decision from late December 2024 to pursue de-amalgamation.

What has been SGBCC response to the bid letter?

At least weekly, since the $2 million EOI bid letter was submitted, the JBCSC Chair has repeatedly asked SGBCC President, Board & CEO for a written 'in-principle' agreement to de-amalgamation before progressing to the next steps involving an expensive legal process on behalf of our community.

On 8 July 2025, Liza Butler MP, confirmed her support for the JBCSC de-amalgamation bid in a Media Release. 

On 9 July 2025, SGBCC President publicly announced through a members' message that the SGBCC Board would withhold the progress of de-amalgamation until the JBCSC Board provided the details of JBCSC's legal team.

When did JBCSC send their legal emails to SGBCC?

Last week on Wednesday 16 July 2025, a letter was sent to the SGBCC Board & CEO detailing JBCSC’s legal representative information. Our legal representative is highly experienced in the NSW Registered Clubs Act and will ensure the ILGA (Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority) process is robust, aiming for with maximum efficiency in terms of time and cost to our community.

What was the response from SGBCC Board when notified of JBCSC legal representative?

To date, SGBCC Board, CEO and legal representatives have not responded to the JBCSC letter detailing our legal representation. So far, there has been no progress from the SGBCC Board towards an 'in-principle' agreement for de-amalgamation.

Where’s the funding coming from?

Funding secured: The offer JBCSC has placed on the table to acquire the Vincentia assets is backed by secure finance. This vital financial backing demonstrates the serious intent and commitment behind our proposal, and is a key component in JBCSC being able to ensure our new de-amalgamated club will be financially sustainable as required under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 (NSW).

What’s the potential outcome of the votes at the SGBCC General meeting on 3 August?

A General Meeting for all Country Club members was called on 10 July 2025, by Shoalhaven Councillor & SGBCC President Bob Proudfoot for Sunday August 3rd at 10:00am. This meeting will vote on four (4) resolutions for Director removal and a fifth resolution to Vote to Convert ALL Core land of Vincentia Golf Course to Non-Core.

A NO vote for Resolution 5 will ensure that ALL Vincentia golf course land remains 'core', which means members will continue to have a say about what happens to the land and de-amalgamation negotiations can continue.

A YES vote on the re-classification resolution will mean the VGC community land can be sold/used for development by the SGBCC Directors (Board).

OUR COMMUNITY SPACE WILL BE LOST FOREVER IF THIS RESOLUTION IS PASSED

To learn more about how, when and where to vote on 3 August, please visit JBCSC's dedicated Vote page.