Frequently Asked Questions

A community association in Congo enables the Congo community to coordinate efforts on community-led projects, improve our local community, protect our natural environment, build strong community ties and improve community resilience and natural disaster preparedness. 

Many communities in the Eurobodalla have a community association to help advocate for their community’s needs. As a small community, we believe Congo needs a community association to reflect and represent residents’ and ratepayers’ views. Events, including the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19, have highlighted the importance of connection. As a not-for-profit organisation, the CCA can apply for grant funding to support community projects. These activities help to strengthen community relationships and reduce social isolation amongst residents. 

No. Congo Community Association’s position on the issue of Congo Rd North has always been guided by its membership. The committee recognises a diversity of opinion in the Congo community about Congo Rd North, with the road closure significantly impacting the community.

On May 23, 2023, the Eurobodalla Shire Council unanimously endorsed the plan to re-open Congo Road North. The approved plan relies on transferring ownership of the “paper road” that runs through the private property (Lot 197 DP52151) from Crown Lands to Council. In completing the process, the Council will become the legal owner of the track in use. The process, if agreed to by all parties and a formal transfer is achieved, will require Council, as the legal road authority, to undertake several steps before re-opening the road. Council envisages that the process may require 9 - 12 months to undertake.

When any important decisions are made by the government (or other agencies) affecting the lives of residents, the CCA will advocate for genuine community consultation and representation. 

Yes. The CCA is currently in its development phase. Our current focus is to attract a broad-base membership and invite ideas for projects, grants and initiatives. This is your association, so please contribute your ideas. Please use the Contact Us page to put forward ideas and suggestions for future activities.  

Like any volunteer-based organisation, the ultimate success of the CCA will be a collaborative effort. We welcome contributions of time, skills and financial donations to help us achieve our mission. However, we also recognise that residents have varying capacities and other demands. We invite people to contribute as much or as little as they can.  

No. We do not, at this stage, have tax Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) status. This may be something that the committee applies for in the future.

Annual Membership subscriptions are due by the end of the CCA's financial year, June 30. Only fully paid up members will vote at the association's AGM in October. 

Meetings are held in accordance with the constitutional requirements. Committee meetings are held at a minimum 3 times in a 12 month period. The Annual General Meeting will occur in October. Special meetings (general meetings) can be called by the committee as required such as when there are a sufficient number of agenda items to discuss.  

Members Meet-Up sessions are bi-monthly meetings (held every “odd” month, except in January) that allow members to gather, listen to what is going on, share information and add their voice to ideas, issues and upcoming community events. 

Please get in touch with us if you have issues you would like discussed at a general meeting, AGM or a Members’ Meet-Up session.  

Voting for Committee Positions will be held at our annual general meeting (AGM) in October. If over 18 years old and a financial member you are entitled to nominate and vote at our AGM. Please refer to the CCA constitution for further details. 

We are keen to broaden our committee member base. We invite financial members to apply to the CCA Committee to become ordinary committee members (a member of the committee who is not an office-bearer of the association) or request to form or join a subcommittee. You may have a particular area of interest or complementary skill such as bush regeneration/dune care, native fauna protection, arts/entertainment, historical and cultural, or maybe a youth-focused project idea and be willing to coordinate it as a CCA project. 

It is a Department of Fair Trading requirement of our registration as an incorporated association that we inform you of privacy issues and our constitution. 

Public Liability will be purchased for individual CCA events. In future, and with further funding and donations we hope to purchase an annual Public Liability Insurance policy.