The Bugle 13 February 2016
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Public Inquiry into the merger:
Inside this issue
community presents united front
Focus on the merger p 6 and 7
In years to come, locals will still be talking about the day the NSW Government made concerned residents spend three hours in a tent in a carpark if they wanted to express their views on its proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. Prepared as an overflow venue for the expected large crowd at the Leagues Club, a last minute decision was made to shepherd everyone into the temporary structure. The poor ventilation, no easily accessible toilets, inadequate audiovisual screens and need for water to be handed out was rightly seen as an insult. The Mayor Brian Petschler said as much, while making it clear the Delegate was not
responsible for the arrangements. He let everyone know that Council had offered The Pavilion as a venue, and the offer was still open. The lack of amenity added to the passion of the event, where eighty-five people had registered to speak. Only 63 people reached the microphone, where they were given three minutes to speak rather than the five minutes many had prepared. One of those too far down the speaking order was eighty seven year old Elaine Pratt. “My mum has lived in Kiama since the Fifties and wanted to speak against the merger,” says Geoff Pratt. “She waited patiently in a stinking hot tent, no cooling,
no toilets, no water, lots of guards, for 3 hours. Then had to leave without getting the opportunity to speak. I felt very sorry for her.” The Bugle attended all three sessions of the Inquiry, two in Kiama and one in Nowra. The other two sessions were held inside clubs, not outside, so lacked the undercurrent of the first meeting. In all, over 120 people spoke, and all of them were against the merger. Two people at the morning meeting who were unable to speak before time ran out said they were for the merger, but they did not take Speakers approached the the opportunity to be given ten points under considerapriority to speak at the tion by the Delegate, Greg evening session. Wright, in different ways.
Burnetts expand into Mitre 10 vacuum p3
Many addressed Kiama’s sense of community and common interest, the lack of Continued on page 6
Lions’ plan to provide holiday respite for carers
Local Lions Peter Scifleet and Ray Redgrave discuss the extent of the renovations with Lions District Governor Sally Wilton.
Council has given the green light to the Lions Clubs of Kiama, Minnamurra and Jamberoo to renovate a disused house on Shoalhaven St as a respite centre for carers. Councillors unanimously approved the project, offering the house at a peppercorn rent, saying they were pleased a currently unused and deteriorating Council owned property will become an asset to the wider community. The ambitious undertaking will turn the former gasworks’ manager’s cottage into a spacious holiday house with three bedrooms (complete with ensuites), where carers can come to ‘recharge their batteries’. There is room for parking and disabled access out the back, and for a deck out the front.
Kiama Sevens almost here p 3
A number of local businesses, tradesmen and suppliers have already expressed an interest in assisting Lions with the refurbishment, which is expected to take a year to complete, including negotiating the lease and lodging a DA. The first stage will be to clear the ground surrounding the house and make it watertight. Carers Association of NSW is very enthusiastic about the project, as there are very few respite centres available for their members. “We just can’t wait to start,” says Ray Redgrave. “The house has good bones, and just needs some TLC. It is a project for the whole community to become involved with.” Anyone wishing to help should contact Peter Scifleet on 0414 973 388.
Lloyd Rees’ Legacy needs your help p5
Concerns over Manning St DA p8
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What’s on?
Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to emailthebugle@gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion
Every Wednesday
14 February
21 February
27 February
Kiama Farmers’ Market Kiama Harbour 3-6pm
Kiama & District Historical Society Meeting Christ Church, Kiama, 2pm. Keith Smith on the history of the church.
Kiama Seaside Market Kiama Harbour, 9-3pm Chamber Philharmonia Cologne Christ Church, 1 Terralong St, Kiama
Kiama Rugby Sevens (see p3)
20 February
25 February
On weekends Live music at The Sebel, Kiama Leagues Club, The Mecure, Jamberoo Pub and other venues.
Gerringong Village Business Information Markets Expo, The Pavilion 12 February In and around Gerringong Kiama, 5.30-7.30pm Summer Outdoor Movie: Town Hall 26 February Red Dog Hindmarsh Park, 8 for 8.30pm, free CMRI Movie Fundraiser Screening of Brooklyn, Greater Union Shellharbour, 6.30 for 7pm. For $20 tickets call Belinda 0421 349 505/4234 0224
20 February Outdoor Movie: Minions Reid Park, Jamberoo, from 8pm
19 February Movie at Library (see below)
Baroque in Berry
Last chance to make a submission over the proposed amalgamation (see p7)
5 March Friends of Kiama Library Talk (see below)
The Green Day Out Fundraiser golf day for Gerringong Golf Club and the Childrens’ Medical Research Institute Enquiries to Daryl Hobbs, 0417 471 800
11-13 March Jazz & Blues Festival (see right)
11 March Australian Haydn Ensemble with Sara Macliver (see below)
AGM invite
The Australian Haydn Ensemble is visiting Berry with Aria award-winning Sara Macliver, one of Australia’s favourite and acclaimed sopranos. An expert in baroque performance, her pure and elegant style is ideal for the works of Mozart and Boccherini. Bocherinni’s work is characterised by astounding optimism, colour and warmth flavoured with Spanish folk music. Mozart’s operas are amongst his most loved works. Sara will sing selections from The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni, accompanied by a chamber ensemble of flute and strings. Details: Friday 11 March, 7pm, Berry Uniting Church Hall Tickets $50 ($40 conc) from australianhaydn.com.au, 1800 334 388 or try your luck at the door.
Bushrangers in art & song
The Annual General Meeting for Gerringong Music Club will feature entertainment from keen violinist and local MP Gareth Ward. Most committee positions are spoken for but the Club is always keen to welcome new members. Afternoon tea will be provided.
Aileen Harland will be the guest speaker of the Friends of Kiama Library in March. Her talk will be on the history of bushrangers, with a focus on their depiction through art and song, including Tom Roberts’ iconic Bailed Up in the current National Gallery exhibition in Canberra.
Details: Sunday 21 Feb, 2pm in the Gerringong Soldiers Memorial Hall. Enquiries to Gillian 4237 8331 or 0422 543 928
To market, to market.. to buy seeds and plants.. Burnetts On Barney, your local Landscape and Garden Centre, brings healthy veggie seedlings, heirloom seeds, organic gardening additives and loads of flowering colour to the Kiama Farmers’ Market.
Details: Saturday 5 March, 2.30pm, Kiama Library Auditorium. $5 members, $8 others.
The Bugle Sales: Steve Law t 0428 662 499 Ian MacDonald t 0422 736 582
Or drop into at 80 Barney St, Kiama t 4233 1322 7-4 Saturdays
The 29th Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival is set to be the biggest yet, with almost 80 free gigs on over the three days, at over 30 local venues. This year’s festival performers include acoustic guitar virtuoso Michael Fix teaming up with his percussionist son Adrian, to take his classic guitar repertoire in exhilarating new directions. Also headlining is Doug Williams & the Mix, a five piece hot funk soul and blues band set to turn the Leagues Club into boogie wonderland, plus blues legends Wards Express, along with the slick young sound of Blue Eyes Cry (below). For the jazz purists you can’t ask for more than Balmain pub veterans Unity Hall Jazz Band. Other acts include Paul Winn Band, Chris Harland Blues Band, Tommy M and the Mastersounds, Pearl Noire, Alex Hahn and the Blue Riders, Milena Barrett, Stormcellar, Dr Don’s Double Dose, Lionel Robinson, Paul Robert Burton & Andrew Toner, James Vann, Frank Sultana, Out of Abingdon and many more.
Details: 11-13 March, free at various locations around town. Bookings may be needed at some venues. Full program at www.kiamajazz.com
Movies at the Library Editorial: Cathy Law t 0412 415 101
Visit us at our fortnightly stall at the Kiama Farmers’ Market on Weds 17 February
Open 7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri
28 February
Jazz & Blues Festival bigger than ever
Or email us at emailthebugle@ gmail.com Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human.
4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533
At the risk of sounding Secret Squirrel-like, do you find it difficult to get into Shellharbour or Nowra to watch the latest movies? Kiama Library will be holding monthly screenings of recently released movies on Friday afternoons from 3pm. If you are interested please take note of the following dates: 19 February and 13 March. Due to licensing restrictions, numbers are strictly limited to 30, and they are also unable to advertise the title of the movies. However staff can certainly tell you details when you make a booking. Sounds intriguing. Book soon.
SHOP ONLINE for regional and local food Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op based in Gerringong, run by a team of passionate volunteers
www.greenbox.org.au Order online every week from 10am Fri to 7pm Mon for collection or delivery Thurs from 2.30 to 6pm
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Kiama Sevens attracts the best
Burnetts expanding into vacuum left by Mitre 10 Kiama’s landscape supplier and nursery, Burnetts On Barney, is preparing to expand into trade and DIY lines now that Mitre 10 is preparing to close its doors. Despite being hamstrung by rules associated with the proposed amalgamation that allow only short-term lease extensions, Council moved unanimously to extend Burnett’s lease on the old quarry site in Barney Street for another three years. A longer term lease is expected to be considered once the amalgamation issue Council sees it as a key has been finalised. strategic site in the town The locally-owned and centre’s future development, operated business will now giving access to Akuna and take over the front section Collins streets. of the site currently used as Andrew and Elizabeth a Council storage area, Burnett of Jamberoo have allowing room to renovate leased the Barney Street and stock new product lines, quarry site for the past three including building materials. and a half years, operating “Mitre 10 has been an their established tree care iconic Kiama business for a business Burnett Trees and long time and their closure more recently establishing a will leave a big gap when it landscape and nursery cencomes to trade and home tre, Burnetts On Barney. owners buying building and The businesses currently landscape products in employ 15 local staff and Kiama,” Burnetts On they expect to fill two more Barney owner Elizabeth positions this month specifiBurnett says. cally for the hardware“Customers as well as related business. other local businesses will “It won’t all happen overall suffer if the only alterna- night but now that we have tive is to leave town for Council approval we will be these products. able to stock some of the “There is a strong ‘buy most often used lines in local’ sentiment around here landscape and building reand it is up to local business lated hardware and other to try to fill the need so peo- product lines as customer ple aren’t forced to go out of demand determines,” says town.” Elizabeth. The Mitre 10 site was pur“There are plenty of every chased by Kiama Council day landscape hardware when the Simmons family products which we haven’t put it up for sale last year. carried to-date because
Meet the new Chris Quigley Kerry McMurray took over as Kiama Council’s new Director of Finance, Corporate and Commercial Services at Kiama Council in late January. Kerry was formerly the Acting General Manager of Murrumbidgee Shire Council and prior to that the Group Manager Corporate Strategy and Finance at Queanbeyan City Council, as well as General Manager at Yass Valley Council. He accepted the role the day before Kiama Council was announced as a merger candidate, and says that his experience tells him the Council is in much better shape than many others. In his new role he is responsible for a wide and varied portfolio of Council functions and business operations, including finance, customer service, records, human resources, IT, economic development, tourism, business process analysis, Kiama Coast Holiday Parks, Kiama Leisure Centre and The Pavilion Kiama.
The presence of the new Australian try, the ACT and Queensland. Kiama Sevens coach, Andy Friend, at the Sevens is a partner tournament to the 44th annual Kiama Sevens is sure to HSBC Sydney 7's that was played on produce some stellar performances the weekend, only much bigger and as players vie for his attention. with more prize money (a total value “Tournaments such as the Kiama of $25,000). It has long been AustraSevens are critical as we seek to lia’s premier one day Sevens tournaunearth the next generation of Rugby ment. Sevens talent in pursuit of future Sydney Shute sides attending are Olympic gold,” says Australian Rugby Parramatta, Gordon, Warringah, Union CEO, Bill Pulvers. Southern Districts and defending Coming a long way from its early champions Manly. origins, the 2016 tournament will see Continuing with tradition, HMAS 40 high quality teams competing for a Albatross, Squadron 723, will be helirange of trophies including the Kiama coptering in the trophies around 3pm Sevens Cup, the Women’s Vase, Coun- (weather dependant). try Cup and the Bowl Competition. Details: Saturday 27 February, Kiama Teams representing the cream of Showground. $10 entry. Games from Sydney first division sides will compete 8.30am, with finals from 5.15pm. against Sydney subdistricts, NSW Coun-
Mitre 10 has met that demand. Then there are the odd things like key-cutting, pool supplies and fly-screen mesh, which would be a pain to have to travel all the way to Shellharbour to buy. “Since we opened the nursery a year ago we have been encouraged by local support and people are again telling us they want to shop locally and don’t want to leave town for their landscape and building hardware. “The good thing is there’s never a problem finding a car park at our site in Barney Street so they won’t need to drive around the block twice and we can load product straight into customer vehicles which will save them time and money.” The initiative is warmly supported by the Economic Development Committee. Council will soon be actively seeking a new commercial tenant for the Mitre 10 site, as it will be some time before it is ready for redevelopment.
$10,000 for Illawarra RDA Illawarra Riding for the Disabled Association, based at Jerrara, has received $10,000 from the NSW Government to help upgrade their facilities. “I was very pleased to be able to secure this $10,000 funding which will go towards replacing the roof on their recreation shed which houses the lawn mowers and tractors,” says Gareth Ward MP. He also presented a desktop computer to provide as an additional office resource. “Illawarra Riding for the Disabled does a really fantastic job providing recreation and support for people with a disability,” he says. 3
Hospital redevelopment approved
Gerringong School of Arts: keeping the history alive
Plans to redevelop the Kiama Hospital site into a Blue Haven Centre of Aged Care Excellence have received formal approval by the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) after minor modifications to improve privacy. Council is now looking for an external project manager and an architect to progress the $73 million project to the construction stage. “The appointed architect will prepare detailed drawings required for a construction certificate, and Council is planning to commence construction later this year,” said Clare Rogers, Kiama Council’s Director of Community Services.
Janelle Lumsden was just a Brownie in 1954 when the old Gerringong School of Arts was officially reopened as the Gerringong Scout and Guide Hall. She remembers the occasion well, because she saw her father, builder Wal Lumsden, walk up the front steps, dressed in a suit, to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Scout Commissioner for the work he’d done renovating the building. So she was delighted to be invited to the launch of a new history of Gerringong School of Arts which was held in Gerringong Museum recently. Tony Butz, a member of Gerringong and District Historical Society, has worked tirelessly with others to produce a new publication which follows on from the late Clive Emery’s earlier booklet on the School of Arts. That publication celebrated the centenary, 1883-1983, and this booklet seeks to provide more narrative and continue the story. The project was supported by Arts NSW’s Cultural Grant program in conjunction with the Royal Australian Historical Society. At the launch President Helen McDermott introduced Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy, who spoke of the important role the School of Arts had played in Gerringong’s community and social life over many years. Others present were able to recall events which had taken place in the building. Margaret Lumsden, Janelle’s cousin, remembered her mother talking about roller skating and euchre nights, balls and dances, and telling her that her father, Bruce, often played the piano and acted as MC for social functions. It is this social history that the book seeks to record. Kiama Council is seeking Federal regional funding for an upgrade of the building to provide a combined library, museum and community hub for Gerringong, but as yet its efforts have not been successful despite election pledges. Members of the Society hope this plan will not be jeopardised by the proposed merger of Kiama Council with Shoalhaven Council.
The first stage of the redevelopment includes the demolition of existing buildings (except the heritagelisted Barroul House) and remediation of the site. This stage will also include the development of a 134 bed residential aged care facility, 16 assisted living units, a community centre and community care office, and the restoration and adaptive reuse of Barroul House. The second stage of the redevelopment will build 51 seniors’ living units. The completion of the first stage is anticipated by late 2018 with the units completed by the end of 2020. The hospital site has been
subdivided, with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) retaining a section of the land to build a new community health facility on the site. This site will continue to
provide outpatient services for all of the community. The DA for these facilities has yet to be approved. Completion of this project will be necessary before the hospital can be demolished.
New blood for Economic Development Committee Tass Schmidt, Michael Hatfield and Geoff Pratt are the new members of Council’s Economic Development Committee, volunteering their expertise to the body. They join on-going community members (Sandy Rendel, Stephen Thomas and Andrew Waugh), councillors and staff, and nominees from Kiama Tourism and the Kiama Business Chamber on the Committee. Tass has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate roles in telecommunications and retail finance marketing. She has worked closely with government departments and major advertising agencies both in Australia and internationally, before moving into her own entrepreneurial projects. She has been general manager at Jamberoo Valley Farm since 2012, and is a founding committee member of the Kiama Farmers’ Market Inc. Michael is studied law at the University of Wollongong and became a partner at Kells in 2007. Michael now owns a small business employing 60 people, specializing in small business law and commercial law. He has lived in Kiama for eight years. Born and raised in Kiama, Geoff retired from his management role with Department of Education in Sydney in 2015 to return to the family home in Kiama.
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Details: Copies of the Booklet are available at Gerringong Museum for a small price. The Museum is behind the School of Arts in Blackwood Street, and is open Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 pm.
Donations sought to restore Lloyd Ree’s legacy to Kiama A chance comment by Lloyd Rees’ son Alan has led to the rediscovery of a treasure trove of paintings in a Kiama High storeroom. They date back to 1962 when his father, acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest artists, was asked to organise a mural for the School’s then new assembly hall. He hand selected a group of his fifth year architecture students for the project. In the intervening time, the students have can again take pride of place. The Lloyd forged reputations for themselves. For ex- Rees Legacy Project is being led by Penny ample, Lawrence Nield was the 2012 Aus- Sadubin and Bobbie Miller from Gerrintralian Institute of Architects Gold Medal- gong and Andrea Hope from Kiama. list and is a Professor of Architecture at the The work has already started, and $6000 University of Newcastle. He was founding needs to be raised for the restoration and reprincipal of Bligh Voller Nield where he framing of the artworks. Over $1000 has was responsible for many award winning already been donated. buildings including the Overseas Passenger An exhibition of the restored paintings Terminal in Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital, will be held at the Old Fire Station Gallery, the Olympic Tennis Centre, and Questacon Kiama from 10-15 May. Kiama Library in Canberra; and headed up the master will then display the paintings for local planning team for the Sydney Olympic residents and visitors to enjoy, before they Games, designing major venues in the Syd- are returned to the school library. ney, Athens, Beijing and London Olympic Details: You can donate via lloydreesleGames. His work is shown above. gacy.wordpress.com or contact the organThe large landscape paintings (2m x iser on lloydreesfestival2013@gmail.com 1.5m) need cleaning and TLC before they to arrange a direct donation.
Learner driver in the family? Research into Learners and their Gerringong supervisors are encouraged to take flood plain
advantage of a free opportunity to experience a series of practical demonstrations whilst gaining extra log book hours. They will be taken on a planned route through a variety of driving conditions, experience RBT/RDT, visit a Driver Reviver station, meet a Fire Rescue team, hear road safety personal experiences, understand crash investigation methods and receive reverse parking tuition. In addition to being given a road safety resource folder, participants will go in the draw to win a fuel voucher. Learner drivers must have a minimum of 40 log book hours to participate.
$90,000 is to be spent on a flood study of the Ooaree Creek catchment area in Gerringong and the Werri Lagoon thanks to $60,000 in funding from the NSW Floodplain Risk Management Grants Scheme and a top up from Council. The catchment includes more than 100 residential and rural properties and the area is prone to frequent flooding.
Date: Sunday 20 March, 9-1.30pm, Lake Illawarra PCYC. The morning is free (including driver reviver stop snacks and Pizza for lunch on completion). Bookings are essential as places are limited. Contact Kiama Municipal Council’s Road Safety Officer on 4232 0444 or council@kiama.nsw.gov.au
You should have gone to Melbourne
Architect sought for new arts centre The initiative to create a central home for Kiama’s arts community are edging forward, with Council calling for expressions of interest from an architect to develop plans for the new facility based in existing buildings. In 2014 a report commissioned by the Council found that both the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre and the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre would be suitable sites for a Kiama arts precinct. The reconfiguration of the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre and the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre in Hindmarsh Park will include gallery, workshop and performance space. The plans for the Old Fire Station will be staged to incorporate the adjacent ambulance cottage and station sites when they become available for council use. Last year the state government announced plans to invest about $5 million to relocate and upgrade the ambulance station.
In news sure to disappoint many, the exhibition Orry-Kelly: Dressing Hollywood will not be coming to NSW. It had been hoped that the exhibition would move to either the Powerhouse Museum or the Wollongong Art Gallery once its run was over at the Centre for Moving Image in Melbourne’s Federation Square. The exhibition attracted 70,000 visitors during its time there. It featured letters, clippings, paintings, drawings, his Oscars, archival footage and photographs, as well as some of the original spectacular costumes, on loan from prestigious archives and private collections. 5
Friends of the Library oppose the merger The submission lodged by the popular targeted programs that are Kiama always operates with at currently provided to Kiama Coun- least two staff!). Friends of Kiama Library cil residents. In contrast, the Kiama Library raised many points of which In the event of a merger, Kiama service operates with a Manager people might not be aware: Library would become a branch of and two other full-time Librarians, I am writing on behalf of the Shoalhaven Library. (The model 3 library officers working an Friends of Kiama Library to exwill follow branch library arrangeequivalent of 11 days a week, and press our opposition to the NSW ments adopted in larger Councils a Family History Officer, plus 4 Government's proposed amalgasuch as Wollongong and Shellharpart-time and casual Library assismation of the Kiama Municipal bour with staffing in branch librartants. Council with the Shoalhaven City ies primarily involved in service at The Kiama Library operates an Council. the counter, with resource alloca- enviable range of programmes: The Friends of the Library is a long-standing community organi- tion and programme development • distribution of baby kits (library bag, board book, early literary and administration determined by sation dedicated to providing fiinformation) to each new-born the central Library.) Our communancial assistance and other forms • an early literacy "lap sit" pronity would lose professional staff of support to benefit our Library gramme for parents and carers that develop programs and services programs and services, while ofof babies for local residents and who have fering monthly literary and other • weekly storytime sessions an understanding of our local area general interest and cultural for young children at Kiama and the community that lives here. speaker events for its members. Library, and monthly sessions As an example of Shoalhaven There are currently 198 paid-up at Gerringong Library arrangements, the library in Ullamembers, and we also welcome • school holiday programmes dulla, servicing a population of numbers of visitors for our events. including craft, computer and approximately 15,000 is staffed by There is no equivalent "friends Lego activities a full-time branch librarian, 2 fullgroup" in the Shoalhaven. • monthly movies both for time and 2 part-time customer serIn summary, we are concerned children and adults because the merger with the Shoal- vice officers providing counter • HSC study events for Year 12 services. This staff also services haven Council will lead to reducstudents and a quiet study time the town Tourism Centre (which in tion in the levels of service and
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outside Library hours just one-day-a-week Library service, before exams to provide expanded Library and • an annual photography competi- other community services to a tion growing Council area with limited • information sessions throughout transport links with Kiama. The disparity between the levels the year on legal, drug and of funding and services between mental health issues the the existing Councils is clear. • a home delivery service with individually selected items for For example latest figures availcustomers with disabilities and able, for 2013/14, show annual the frail aged library services expenditure per capita for Kiama of $61 compared • a highly regarded Family to $35 in Shoalhaven (and a NSW History Centre providing resiaverage of $51); and the propordents with family, social and local history information and tion of the population who are assistance. registered Library members is 80% As a Digital Hub for the National in Kiama compared to 39% in Shoalhaven. Broadband Network project the Library also delivered 993 These distinctions are indicative one-to-one training sessions and of clear differentiation in the community of interest in the two 236 group training sessions. Council areas. A merger with The evaluation indicated that substantial improvement resulted Shoalhaven Council will result in in skills in engaging online, espe- a reduction in Kiama's current cially important for job-seekers as quality Library services to a lower common denominator. well as older residents. Kiama Council has DA approved Steve Spooner, Secretary, plans to building a centre in Friends of Kiama Library Gerringong to replace a current
Public Inquiry
continued from page 1
common interest with Shoalhaven communities, the contribution that Council makes to the everyday life of the community, the value they placed on having access to their councillors, the initiatives in place to share decision-making and contribute to planning, and more. Peter Moggs, a local government planning lawyer with an investment property in Vincentia, said “Shoalhaven Council is already too big and to make it bigger would be a disaster.” John Jennings, who has worked as an engineer for Shoalhaven Council, explained that the distances that needed to be travelled to do work severely cut into the productivity of council staff. “You cannot ignore the diseconomies of scale that will come from the merged entity,” he said. Chris Forbes decried the “diluted democracy” that would result from a merger. Many raised concerns about the fate of Blue Haven Care under a merged structure, given Shoalhaven’s lack of expertise in that area. In Nowra, the focus was largely on the proposal’s silence on the issue of Shoalhaven Water and the implications of the rate freeze that would accompany any merger. Their Council is proposing a 20% rate increase over the next two years. “Mergers do
not fix the financial challenges,” said Shoalhaven General Manager Russ Pugg. He said the rate freeze would ensure the merged council was unfit for the future. Long term councillor and former mayor Greg Watson said “The full cost of te transition has not been factored in.” Taking a different approach, a former policewoman from England turned Kiama resident said that the CCTV operating procedures operating in Kiama would not translate to the new structure, if Kiama was no longer part of the Illawarra Command. Response times would be severely compromised. Emeritis Mayor Sandra McCarthy said “Kiama Council has already achieved what the state government is trying to achieve with its reforms.” Others, experts in their fields, warned against differences as diverse as tree policies and the approach to providing youth services. It seems that Kiama is home to many people who have had senior roles in the public service, town planning and urban design, and they all had impressive points to make. Near the end of the last session, artist Becky Guggisberg suggested to the Delegate that he probably wants to move here, seeing he had heard so much what a special place Kiama is.
Frustration Kiama’s anti-merger at flawed push attracting attention process Council’s General Manager Michael Forsyth openly admits that he is frustrated with the flaws and inconsistencies in the Government’s approach to local government reform, that unexpectedly resulted in Kiama facing a merger. “There has been a lack of attention in the whole process, leading to flaws and inconsistencies,” he says. “We've always been sustainable, and we are a lot fitter than a lot of other councils who passed the test. “Inconsistent application of depreciation around the state has had a major impact on those financial indicators. “The Morrison Low work that we have done has shown that we were over conservative in our depreciation figures and we have been penalised for that. There are other councils that are going to be found out in years to come and are going to have real problems because they have underestimated their depreciation. “Similarly other councils are proposing major rate rises to pass the test. Wingecarribee, next door to us, is raising their rates by 40% over the next two years. Going through the IPART report, it is interesting how many councils have got 30-40% rate rises proposed to get them fit for the future. Ours rise is much lower and in a couple of years hence, because we wanted to get extra efficiencies in place instead. Yet we have been penalised for that. “The whole process just seems absurd. From the results of various reports, saying there was no need for us to amalgamate, to the 180 degree backflip saying we have to merge. “We are one of those councils caught up in the inconsistent decision making by the Government.” He regrets the time that has been taken up by the process, which could have been spent more productively for the community. Tellingly, the proposed merged entity would only meet three of the seven Fit for the Future criteria.
Kiama’s situation is gaining attention in Macquarie St, bringing opposition politicians down to have their say. Labor leader Luke Foley visited Kiama recently to meet with the Mayor and members of Keep Kiama Council Independent. He was also treated to a stirring rendition of We Shall Not Be Merged (above). Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge is coming to town next week. News just in: A protest trip up to Parliament House planned for 16 February has been cancelled, with the focus now firmly on getting as many people as possible to present written submissions before the 28 February deadline.
Strong words from Gareth Ward In his presentation to the Delegate, Gareth of the delegate and the Boundaries Commission is to assess all ten aspects of this Ward, MP for Kiama, made the argument case on the basis of available evidence.” that the burden of proof as to whether the proposal should proceed should rest with With respect to the published merger prothe NSW Government. posal from the Government, Mr Ward said “It’s interesting to note that this evidence “There is no doubt that the Government has attempted to address this [the financial has already once been withdrawn, amended advantages and disadvantages] criteria in its and updated without any notification to the merger proposal public document,” he said. public or me as the local MP. If the Gov“There are however another nine criteria on ernment doesn’t have confidence in its own facts and contentions, how can the public which the Government has been virtually silent. If the community is required to rehave any confidence in the claims conspond to the ten heads of consideration, tained therein? Will there be more changes, more amendments, new questions, new why isn’t the Government? He continued, “A case which completely facts? Or is this really the final draft?” ignores nine of the ten criteria required to He went on to say that the Government be considered by the Boundaries Commis- had erred in providing procedural fairness sion is strategically, factually and comand natural justice with respect to Kiama pletely deficient... the onus is clearly on the Council and its finances and called for a Government to prove its case, and the role plebiscite to be held.
Drivers Wanted A Kiama passenger transport business requires Casual Drivers across all departments. Taxi Drivers, Hire Car Drivers, Casual Bus Drivers and Special Education Drivers are all required. Applicants with a driver’s authority preferred, with immediate start considered, however those that will need to obtain this will also be considered. Applicants must be able to work some weekends and some night shifts as required. Local applicants preferred.
Last chance to have your say You have until 5pm on 28 February to lodge your submission to the Delegate. Submissions to the Council Boundary Review should be typed and can be in the form of a letter, a short document or a longer paper. They can include appendices and supporting documentation. Your submission should refer directly to the Kiama/ Shoalhaven merger proposal and focus on the areas that the Delegate will be considering, previously listed in The Bugle and available online at the address below. Lodge your submission online at www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or post to Council Boundary Review, GPO Box 5341 Sydney 2001 A decision by the Minister is expected by the end of the financial year.
Call 0414 377 505 or email kiamatransport@ gmail.com
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Experts concerned over Manning Street DA The owner of the Telstra site in Manning St, between the Westpac building and the former CBC bank chambers, has lodged a DA with Council to build a shop and five units, at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Kiama locals Robynne and Greg Mills, who are both experts in heritage conservation management and town planning are encouraging all groups and individuals with an interest in the conservation and preservation of Kiama’s heritage streetscape to view the proposed development plans and make submissions by the deadline of 17 February. “We believe that because of the high heritage significance of this section of ManThe site in question, and some of the lodged plans ning St (Terralong St to Bong Bong St), pacted by the development.” it is vital that in its assessment of the DA Council reviews the appropriateness of the These include the ANZ Bank, stables, rear proposed development within its heritage garden and fences; the old Council Chamsetting and its potential to impact upon the bers and pine tree at rear; the Grand Hotel; heritage significance of the whole Manning the Post Office, grounds and pine trees; and Street Heritage Area,” says Robynne. the Uniting Church, front lawn and pine “Prior to accepting a Heritage Impact As- trees. sessment from the developer for this DA, Late last year, the Economic Development Council should commit to the preparation of Committee signalled its intention to hold a design competition protect the heritage of a Heritage Management Plan for the area. This document would identify the heritage this area. Details of the competition brief significance of the area which could be im- are still to be released.
Applications open for cultural grants The summer funding round of Kiama Council’s Cultural Grants will close on Friday 26 February. Cultural Grants of up to $3000 per application are available to local artists for artistic endeavours that expand the range of arts projects within the Kiama Local Government Area. Youth Arts Scholarships of up $1000 are available to young people aged between 12 and 21. Some previously successful projects include the Kiama Arts Trail, the Kiama High School Band Tour to Tasmania, the Kingsford Smith 80th Anniversary Community Celebrations and the community concert celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Probus Men’s Choir. Find full details on www.kiama.nsw.gov.au
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Rock musical for Roo Roo Theatre’s latest production is 13 - The Musical, a show about fitting, and more importantly standing out. It follows Evan Goldman, who is plucked from his fast paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents’ divorce. Surrounded by an array of simpleminded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable link of the food chain or will he dangle at the end with the outcasts? The show marks the directorial debut of Hannah Garbo, who has been involved with theatre for as long as she can remember. After working on stage and behind the scenes in numerous shows, Hannah has loved every challenge this production has thrown at her.
Details: Various dates and times from 5-13 February. See www.roo-theatre.com.au for details or call 4297 2891. Tickets $25 Adults; $20 Concession
The Bugle Crossword
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Across 1. Unplayable tennis serve 2. Where one sleeps 4. Mountain behing Kiama 9. Hume & ------ walked overland to Port Phillip 11.Utensil in which the English have their weekly wash 12.Home of submarine HMAS Otway on the Hume Highway 13. Language most people speak in Australia 16. A bookmaker gives these 17. How many legs does a tripod have? 19. Tub in which clothes are washed 20 Dutch mild cheese 21. State flower of NSW 23. Evil. Left handed 24. Weight of truck without load or fuel 25. The last month in the year 26. Premier of NSW 28. Member of the Beat Generation (1950s) 30. Loosing the plot. In one's -----33. Boiling point of water is 212 degrees -----------35. Legal dissolution of marriage 37. They want us to do this with Shoalhaven Council 38. Modern term for extragalactic nebule. The Milky Way is one of these 39. 36 inches
10. Australia’s favourite style of coffee 14. Town on the Shoalhaven 15. Name of Harbour Basin at Black Beach 18. To surround with a hedge 21. Ducks have ------ feet 22. Cools the coolant in your engine 27. Sea cow 29. High ranking naval officer Down 31. Terminus of the electric 1. Residue that remains train line in the Illawarra after a fire 32. NSW Opposition Leader 3. Snakelike marine crea33. Canine tooth of of ture carniverous animal 5. Where one milks cows 34. Male clothing in ancient 6. American spelling for work. Australian ----- Party. Rome 7. Nature’s church in Kiama 8. Opposite to Nadir
Electricians Murray Connerty: Air conditioning and refrigeration specialist. t 0408 420 655
Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810
Carpenters Straight & Level: Home renovation specialists. Licensed builder. Contact Geoff on 0407 958 087
Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree care service - skilled, insured professionals for all tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and mulching. t 4233 1311
Builders
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Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpinning, insurance/structural repairs. All building work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000
Plumbers Kiama Plumbing & Drainage: Affordable, reliable plumbing and gasfitting services. t 0405 654 035
From the Editor: The Bugle would like to apologise for the errors and omissions in our last crossword. We are trying to break-in a new crossword compiler, and somehow the wheels fell off last issue. We apologise for the frustration it caused. Hopefully this issue is back to par.
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Out & about At the Concert for Kiama
At least a thousand people rallied against the proposed merger at the Concert for Kiama held on 31 January. The crowd wisely sought refuge from the sun in the shade around Hindmarsh Park while they were entertained by local performers and listened to a variety of speakers. The protest song Keep Kiama Independent by John Littrich and the Water Runners of Gerringong (left) became an instant hit with the crowd. Branching into multi-media reporting, The Bugle filmed them performing the song on the day. You can find it at facebook,com/TheBugleknows Like our page while you are there to keep in touch.
Photos: David Finlay (apart from bottom left)
Shanti Pillai, Amber Wilson and Magdalena Pillai came to show their support
Wendy Reilly with Jim and Jen Overend Robert Spencer made his point
Alice, Eamon and Alice were there to wave their flags
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Postcard home Kreuzberg is one of the more edgy and creative districts of Berlin, noted for its kebab shops and punk bars, its graffiti and retro shops. This is where we decided to base ourselves during a week-long stay in Berlin in late January, just across the river from one of the remaining stretches of the Wall, now known as the East Side Gallery, the segment with the famous image of Gorbochov and Honecker kissing. We found our apartment on the internet and it's up four flights of stairs, no lift, above a trendy burger restaurant. Despite the rough exterior and chilly foyer, the apartment was decorated in a groovy way and warmed to a subtropical 26 degrees. When we ask our German host/ landlord whether the heating needs to be turned off when we leave the apartment, he looks at us as though we are mad. No need, he says. The next morning we awake to a beautiful sight.
If you’d like to share your travel experiences, send your postcard home to emailthebugle@gmail.com
Junior golfers bring home state title Kiama Golf Club’s Junior Pennant Team have won their first State Title. They played Avondale Golf Club at The Ridge course at Sutherland, and won four matches to two. “It was a tight round with two of our players going down on the 19th and 20th holes. Darcy Bond hit a great driver down the 19th hole and made an outstanding up and down for birdie to win his match and take the win for Kiama GC,” says coach Shaun O’Toole. “This is the first time win for our Juniors, and we hope to make it through to the final again this year.” The Juniors have already played two matches in the Illawarra pennant this year and have won both matches. “You couldn't take the grins off their faces,” says Shaun. Nor his, at a guess.
Pulling back the curtains we are greeted by a white vista - snow has frosted the branches of the street trees and covered the parked cars like protective cotton covers. White ice is crusting the railing edges of the balconies opposite like salted margarita glasses. I cannot contain my eagerness to get out into it. Just before we crossed
the bridge over the Spree River, which has partially frozen over in a jagged jigsaw pattern, I spotted these bikes, fallen over haphazardly under their load. It certainly wasn’t a good day for cycling in Berlin, but it was a great day for walking the streets of this fascinating city. By the end of the week the novelty of cold weather had started to
wear off, as my shoes were permanently damp and too tight from the thick socks and I had developed an aversion to my heavy overcoat. The snow was no longer so charming, compacted to a slippery brown surface on the streets. But even so, I really love Berlin in the winter. It's a lovely time to visit. Cindy Lord
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Back row left two right- Jake Reay, Jamie Reay, Jett Preston, Connor Hughs, Jake Jefferys Front row Left to right- Darcy Bond (captain) Ethan Harvey and Harrison Jones