Landmark proposed
$3.3m for cycleways p3
Fundraiser for Grant Wilson p3
Growing new farmers p5
Pitches for your vote p6
p10
18 SEPT 2021
Planning begins for a $3m playground Local children and their families are in for a treat with Hindmarsh Park set to be transformed into a regional destination playspace. $3 million is to be spent on the project over the next two years, with the money coming from the State Government’s NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program. The Program was set up as a carrot for local councils to improve DA processing times. “Having met the requirements of the first part of the program, Council now qualifies for the first payment to design the project,” says Jessica Rippon, Director Environmental Services. Council is at the stage of seeking to engage a landscape consultant to start preparing the designs. Once that process is completed, it will go to a broad public consultation. The parents of Elsie Blackburn say they don’t use Hindmarsh Park during summer at the moment. “We go to Surf Beach because of the shade. The new one at Shellharbour Village is great too.” They think flying foxes would be a popular addition. For Coral Bryant’s mum, Brit, making it accessible to everyone will be the key. “I know they have done
a new one in Braidwood recently that is just crazy,” she says. “It needs to be for all ages and all abilities.” She thinks turntables are something that should be included, and that shade is a must. Destination Kiama sees the potential of the already popular park as a regional destination for families, and is keen to be involved with its planning. Councillor Neil Reilly is very pleased that a rocket will be considered as part of the project, something that the Director of Engineering & Works confirmed at the last Council meeting. “I first raised the idea of bringing back the rocket in 2018, as a bit of nostalgia combined with providing some adventure play,” he says. “With $3 million they will be able to include plenty of other fabulous things with it.” In its submission to the Public Spaces Legacy Program, Kiama asked for: upgrades to Hindmarsh Park including a new and accessible regional destination playspace and other enhancements such as shade elements, picnic shelters, tables, BBQs and water fountains. All of this needs to be
provided in the context of the planned Kiama Arts Complex – on the site encompassing the Old Fire Station Gallery and the former ambulance station (which has been acquired by Council) – and the traditional use of the Park for festivals and events. The need for an upgrade of the Hindmarsh Park facility has been confirmed by an online survey conducted by the Labor for Kiama Council team. With hundreds of responses from families across the LGA already, the major call is to upgrade the flagship playspace in Hindmarsh Park and for playgrounds across the region to be more accessible, better shaded and more engaging. “Our community has identified the need to have playgrounds that are more engaging and that include more interesting features like sensory equipment, as well as the need to improve access for children who have disabilities,” says candidate Imogen Draisma. A number of public spaces and playgrounds were identified by the community as needing urgent upgrades – in particular the playground in Hindmarsh Park, the Kiama Skatepark and the one at Illuka Reserve, which still has wood chips rather than a softfall rubber base.
Phone: 42322757
Four year olds Coral Bryant and Elsie Blackburn have no idea what is in store for them
NYE fireworks to be called off Destination Kiama’s Tourism Advisory Committee is recommending to the September Meeting of Council that this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks be called off due to continuing uncertainty around the COVID situation. Instead, it is proposing to hold a month long umbrella
Fax: 4232 2676 21B Barney Street, KIAMA ksmr@bigpond.com After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
festival, Revel in May. “This will be an opportunity to showcase our most prized destination events that form the fabric of our town, many of which have had to cancel throughout the pandemic,” says the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Matt Brown.
The recommendation comes after balancing the desire to bring a large drawcard event back to the town, after it was cancelled last year, with consideration of the risks involved with going ahead with the event. Even with the release of
continued on p4
ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS