The Bugle
16 November 2019
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
Fire threat ongoing While our area has survived unscathed so far from what is already regarded as the worst fire season on record, our local Rural Fire chief says the worst thing we can do is become complacent. Greg Wardle, District Manager Illawarra of the Rural Fire Service, says the local areas of most concern are Carrington Falls, Jamberoo and parts of Foxground. “Up at Carrington Falls [part of the Kiama LGA] the rivers and creeks have stopped running, which is a sign of how dry the conditions have become over the last few months. “Carrington Falls has already had some minor fires, and we’ve undertaken large areas of hazard reduction over the last few years to try and reduce some of the fuel load in the area.” The last big fires in our area were decades ago, adding to the danger. “We have been preparing for this season for months,” says Superintendent Wardle. “Our brigades are well prepared, having gone through our procedures, tested our equipment, and undertaken drills to prepare for this. “We’ve also assisted landowners with reducing fire hazards on their properties within the Jamberoo and Foxground areas.” He’s concerned that because the grass looks green it will cause some complacency. “Anywhere bushland interfaces with a residential area in this drier than normal year has potential to be under threat. “If you haven’t already, prepare your property for the event of a bushfire now. “If you haven’t got a bush-
fire survival plan, download it from the RFS website. “As a family, make a decision about what you will do in the event of a fire – whether you’ll go or stay, and where you are going to go so that everyone is clear on where to meet each other.” While all of the RFS appliances are still stationed here, some of the crews from Jamberoo and Gerringong have been helping out in northern NSW, in the Glenn Innes/Tenterfield area. As a property owner on Saddleback with a 10 hectare area of forest, Travice Pryor has seen the local forests dry out over a period of forty years. “When I came to Kiama in 1969 no one would have been concerned about the likelihood of Kiama’s rainforests being threatened by fire. “Fifty years later it is not a matter of if they will burn but when. Rainforests will burn is one lesson that this year’s fires have taught us. “The last fire on the escarpment was in 1968 and the potential for a major fire is clear. “With a SW wind I am concerned the Kiama urban area could come under ember attack.” He believes land clearance laws are at fault, with farmers not having been able to remove wattles and other pyrogenic vegetation. “The ten fifty rule which allows trees to be removed up to ten metres of a house, and shrubs to be removed up to fifty metres is meaningless as a fire reduction policy,” he says.
Inside this issue Gerringong Lions go bush to help p 3
DA being prepared for Golden Valley Rd p3 Last car show of the year p 7
Kiama Red Cross again the biggest fundraiser
For the seventh time, Kiama Red Cross has won the prestigious Chairman’s Shield in recognition of it being the country branch to raise the most money for Red Cross Calling. “This could not have been achieved without the marvellous help of Minnamurra Lions, Kiama Lions, Kiama Girl Guides and Kiama High School,” says the President of Red Cross Kiama, Judi O’Brien. “These groups need to be congratulated for assisting us in our fund raising achievements. “Of course, we would also like to acknowledge the generDetails: Download the osity of our Kiama commuFires Near Me app for nity. Thank you one and all.” the latest information. Red Cross teams are
Phone: 42322757
21B Barney Street, KIAMA After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
Red Cross Kiama members Jeanna McEwan, Heidi Smith, Judi O’Brien, Col Rathbone, Vicki Robb and Nancy Finch
currently supporting communities affected by multiple bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland. Specialist emergency volunteers are providing psychological first aid, working at evacuation centres and helping people to get in touch with their loved ones through a register system.
Fax: 4232 2676 ksmr@bigpond.com
Support for this and other emergency work across Australia and the AsiaPacific region can be shown with a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery. Donate now at redcross. org.au or by calling 733 276 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Donations may be tax deductible.
Sandmining petition tabled in Upper House p9
Round-up of community Christmas events p11
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