NSW’s new rules to allow farmers to develop an extra income stream through agritourism, which came into effect elsewhere in the State on 1 December, are significantly more permissive than originally outlined.
Alan Smith, who has long championed farmers being able to diversify their income, is surprised by the extent of the freedoms but doesn’t expect farmers to rush into anything.
Kiama Council has received a welcome early Christmas present with the settlement of the $28 million sale of its Akuna St landholding to Sydney property developer, Level 33.
The winning tenderer was announced at the end of June, but it was only on settlement that the sale price was revealed.
“Akuna Street has proven to be an excellent investment by Kiama Council. We purchased the property in separate lots many years ago and have taken the time and care to get the sale right,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.
While the money will
“I was expecting to have to go to Council to get approval with consent, as some of these are things that need community input,” he says.
“Just because we can do it, doesn’t mean we should. There are lots of hidden costs that have to be taken into account.”
Kiama Council has expressed surprise at the changes, however, CEO Jane Stroud says the new policy could provide a positive boost for the local economy by making it easier for farmers to start and operate agritourism businesses.
“Local businesses, including our farmers, have been through a tough few years, so I am broadly in favour of anything that helps them diversify their economic opportunities,” she says.
“Of course, any new business must comply with our DA process and planning policies and we need to carefully manage the implementation of the State policy in line with our local requirements.”
Exempt developments (see box) will be able to pop-up without neighbours being notified and risks being assessed, despite councils having limited compliance resources.
To avoid issues, Ms Stroud is calling on farmers wanting to take advantage of the changes to discuss their
ideas with Council.
“While we fully support property owners in the area to diversify into agribusiness, as part of that process we also strongly encourage people to come in and discuss their plans with Council prior to commencement.
“This will help property owners fully understand the legal requirements, and hopefully prevent lengthy and costly compliance-related delays down the track.”
Not all rural land in the LGA will be eligible to participate in these activities, as they restricted to working farm land (for tax or council rate purposes, with the main use of the land being the production of agricultural goods
for commercial purposes).
It is now possible, however, for farmers to earn more from agritourism than their primary pursuit.
Due to an idiosyncrasy in the Kiama Local Environment Plan, the reforms will not come into effect here until February.
Councillor Karen RenkemaLang says, “I would really have liked the local farmers to have had a say on this, and will be again advocating for Council to establish a Rural Futures group in the early new year.
“I’m particularly concerned about the impact of the new rules on infrastructure costs, land use conflicts and biosecurity.”
Amongst the unexpected changes allowed in RU1, RU2, RU4 zones as exempt developments (no council approval) are:
• farm gate premises for up to 100 visitors at a time, 7 days, in an existing building up to 200m2
• farm experience premises for up to 50 people at a time (included in the farm gate total, excluding tours and school visits), 52 days a year (excluding tours and school visits), 7 days (including Fri and Sat 8am-midnight), using up to 200m2 of an existing building. No size limitation on landholding.
• farm stay accommodation for a max of 20 guests in tents, caravans and campervans (max 6 caravans and campervans), for up to 3 weeks a stay. On landholdings above 15ha for caravans and campervans.
• roadside stalls – one per property with a 9m2 footprint Other activities allowed as complying developments (no DA but certifier approval) on RU1, RU2, RU4 zones are:
• New farm gate and experiences premises of a combined 500m2
• Six farmstay buildings of up to 60m2 floor area, for each 15ha landholding.
The drop-in information session on the windfarm proposed for off the Kiama coast got heated at times as people strongly expressed their opposition to the project.
The issues most raised were about the visual effect of the 105 300m turbines on the horizon; the effectiveness of the technology; the impact on migrating whales and birds; lack of controls; and a general scepticism about whether their views were going to be taken into account.
Councillor Kathy Rice took the opportunity to ask the project team a lot of questions and still doesn’t feel she has all the answers she needs.
“I am generally support-
ive because Australia must examine these technologies and they can’t be discounted without knowing the facts,” she says.
“The major issues people are concerned about are its appearance and the potential environmental impact.
“It is vital to make sure that everything is thoroughly researched before permission is granted.”
Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang holds a similar view.
“I’m generally supportive of the need for clean energy. My issue is whether they [the proponents of this project] are being presumptive in the
Kiama Farmers’ Market
Every Wednesday
Surf Beach or Kiama Uniting Church, 3-6pm with a Christmas event on 21 December
Every Thursday for local youth
SENTRAL Cottages, 5-7pm
Jamberoo Village Christmas Twilight Market
Friday 16 December
Reid Park, 3-7pm
Family Christmas Wine Down
Friday 16 December
Black Beach, 5-9pm
Photography Exhibition
16-21 December
The Old Fire Station, 10-3pm
Gerringong Xmas Parade
Saturday 17 December
10-11am, Fern St
Carols at Bowlo from 4pm
Gerringong Rotary Market
Saturday 17 December in and around the Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm
Kiama Seaside Market
Sunday 18 December
Black Beach, 9-3pm
Classical Kiama Christmas Concert Sunday 18 December
2 and 5pm, Anglican Church. Tickets from Visitors Centre
Creations from
Kiama Exhibition 22-28 December
The Old Fire Station, 10-3pm Christmas Day Lunch Sunday 25 December see page 10 Jewellery and Photography Exhibition 30 Dec - 4 Jan
The Old Fire Station, 10-3pm Rubber Duck Derby Friday 30 December see below
Kiama NYE Sky Show Saturday 31 December see right
The New Year’s Eve plans of thousands of locals and tourists will focus on the NYE Sky Show at Kiama Harbour, with 15,000 attending the event in 2019.
Councillor Matt Brown says, “Importantly, it is an easy-to-access alternative to the spectacular but heavilycrowded Sydney fireworks.” Not only does it remain as one of the largest fireworks displays in NSW, there’s even more than usual organised for this year, with the help of
State Government funding.
Wave FM’s breakfast hosts Jade and Damien will MC the night, and there will be cultural dances, roving performances, a live DJ, Wave FM’s street fleet, lawn games and a kids carnival, all before the sky lights up.
The Eat St food market has been relocated to Terralong St, between Manning St and the railway bridge, as the first Summer Streets initiative.
Local favourites Hungry Monkey and Miss Arda
will be amongst the Eat St options.
According to Council’s Tourism and Event Manager Sally Bursell, there has been a lot of excitement in the planning of the show after a two year hiatus.
“Gather your nearest and dearest and enjoy some free, family friendly entertainment as we see out 2022,” she says.
Saturday 31 December, Black Beach, 4-10pm Entertainment and Eat Street from 4pm. Fireworks at 9pm.
Gerringong Men’s Shed’s Duck Derby is returning for another day of community fun and entertainment with a BBQ, Pete’s lucky duck wheel and two duck races, and the owners of the winning ducks taking home $500.
“The money helps the Shed purchase much-needed equipment and fund improvements to our facilities that seek to promote men’s mental health and wellbeing,” says Ken Harris.
“We try to put whatever we can back into the community by helping people.” Buy a duck at Gerringong IGA on Mondays and Wednesdays or on the day.
What’s On is compiled by Cassandra Zaucer.
If you have any events coming up, please contact her at cassandra@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au or 0491 686 975. Items
For
Kiama Council is concerned that a news item on the website of the developer behind the Loves Bay terraces describes the project as a hotel when it was approved in residential zoning.
The post on Forte Sydney Property Group’s site, which was shared from the architect’s Instagram page, says, “Kiama Tourism Accommodation approved. Inspired by the Art of Matisse, this oceanfront hotel will push the boundaries of Luxury.”
Neighbours opposing the DA raised the prospect of it being a hotel before approval was given at the November Meeting, based on a promotional investment video which talked about the townhouses being part of a property fund.
However, at the Meeting Council’s Director Environmental Services, Jessica Rippon, stressed that Council must assess the information provided by the applicant in the application document, which must by law provide honest and truthful facts.
When alerted to the material on the website, Ms Rippon said, “It is concerning to see the marketing material contained on the developer’s website, clearly stating the use of the facility as a hotel.
“Whilst Council cannot control how a property maybe marketed by a real estate agent or other party, in reviewing this information it clearly suggests that the applicant and associated consultants have potentially been deceitful in their interactions with Council through the application process.
“Council will be investi-
gating this, exploring and enacting any legal opportunity available to us, to ensure the approved use is for a permissible and appropriate purpose and in accordance with the development consent.”
Alan Woodward, who spoke against the appropriateness of a commercial development in a residential area at Public Access, says, “We have residential zoning for reasons that are laid out in the objectives of the zoning code – to create neighbourhoods where people can live, work and interact with each other in a residential setting.
“If we start moving away from having residential zones for that purpose, we start to lose the benefits of neighbourhoods, of quality of
life for locals and ultimately undermine the health and wellbeing of our community.”
When asked about the words used in his post, Tony Owen, the project’s architect, said The Bugle “is reading far too much into it” and that it was done as a quick social media post to market his business.
“I called it that [a hotel] but it had nothing to do with whether it was real or not. That is what social media is,” he said. “It is not a hotel, it is four townhouses.”
Asked why they had featured Mr Owen’s post on their news page, as the only news of the approved DA, the Forte Sydney Property Group said they had no comment.
The concept design for the new Shellharbour Hospital was released for a brief period of public consultation, which is now over.
The new facility, on Dunmore Road just south of Shellharbour Anglican College, will replace the existing hospital on New Lake Entrance Road and provide:
• an expanded emergency department
• specialised elective surgery services
• rehabilitation and aged care services
• acute medical services
• expanded mental health services
• new drug and alcohol unit
• renal dialysis
• outpatients care services
• car parking and improved public transport links. Main construction is scheduled to start in 2024, with an opening in 2027.
“The new Shellharbour Hospital will be bigger and better with expanded ser-
vices in beautiful surrounds and, importantly, the facility will be future proofed for the community,” said Health Minister Brad Hazzard on releasing the designs.
At this stage there has been no decision to create an entrance from the highway to the southern end of Dunmore Road, with the traffic study yet to be completed.
$720 million has been committed to the Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services project – $570 million from the NSW Government for the new hospital, a further $23.3 million committed for a new carpark, and
While most of the work of Peter Tegart, the temporary financial adviser appointed to Kiama Council by the State Government, will be conducted at a distance, he recently paid a visit to Kiama to meet the various people with whom he will be dealing.
The two day visit saw him meet with the Mayor, the CEO, senior staff, the Chair of the Finance Advisory
Every family is different as is every legal situation. Whether you are going through separation or a divorce, it can be quite complex and stressful, so it is important that you’re comfortable with your solicitor.
Based in Kiama, Ashleigh Serafini is a south coast local and is one of our exceptional family lawyers. She’s passionate about putting people first and making sure her clients understand each step of the process. If you need comprehensive legal advice and representation, Ashleigh will be at your side.
Committee and the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).
He was also shown around the Blue Haven site to assist his understanding.
Mr Tegart was appointed as part of the Performance Improvement Order (PIO) in late November 2022.
His appointment is until 30 June, subject to the Minister of Local Government being satisfied that the PIO
has been met.
The role of a temporary adviser is to help, advise and support the Council’s executive and elected representatives to meet the required actions. It has no decision making power.
Council says he confirmed his role does not involve interacting with the community nor the media, and will have limited contact with Council staff apart from the
CEO and senior staff.
He will meet with the Mayor and councillors and attend Council and other relevant Advisory Meetings during the period of the PIO as an observer.
His focus is on ensuring the Council meets the obligations of the PIO and providing commentary to the Minister on progress and outcomes to improve financial sustainability.
an Australian Government contribution of $128 million.
The project includes:
• an additional health facility in Bulli to accommodate further sub-acute services in the Northern Illawarra
• refurbishments at the Wollongong Hospital to accommodate Inpatient Units for specialised rehabilitation and palliative care services
• a brand new community health facility to be built in the Warrawong area. After attending the information sessions, the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has started a petition to call for maternity services and a helipad to be included in the design.
Women currently have to go to Wollongong or Nowra to have their babies, and the current hospital has a wellused heliport. The plan is to take people by ambulance to Albion Park if they need to be airlifted.
Feedback is still possible via the project website’s contact us page, or by emailing HIshellharbourdevelopment@ health.nsw.gov.au
The fundraising for upgraded facilities for women and accessibility at the clubhouse at Gerry Emery Oval has already become a whole Gerringong town enterprise, with Gerringong PS raising $1,232.65 from a mufti day.
Jodie from Grade 5, a member of the SRC, suggested
that, in conjunction with the World Cup, the School could celebrate diversity and human rights and wear soccer sports outfits or the students’ national heritage colours to celebrate this occasion.
Gerroa’s Emery Park playground upgrade is unlikely to be finished until well into 2023.
Work on the project began early May and was expected to take about four weeks. But when play equipment was removed, an Aboriginal midden and other artifacts (believed to include a grindstone) were found.
Work has halted to allow Kiama Council to conduct an Aboriginal Heritage investigation of the site. This process can take up to 40 weeks.
Council’s Manager Community and Cultural Development Nick Guggisberg; Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Sharon Randall; and Acting Manager Design and Development Peter Gill at the fenced off site.
this area.”
Council has engaged Biosis Pty Ltd to undertake the formal heritage assessment.
The site will now be listed on the Aboriginal Heritage Management System.
Roy Schmidt, President of the Gerroa Community Association, has given feedback to Council from Gerroa residents and visitors on the importance of the playground facility to the community.
“It’s disappointing that the process has taken so long,” he says, “But we do look forward to getting a new upgraded playground and in conjunction with increased recognition of the history of
Council’s Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd says, “While there’s unfortunately going to be an extended delay to the playground upgrade, this is also an exciting opportunity to capture and share the history of First Nations people.
“We’re also considering how we can use the information we learn about the site to inform the broader community about its history through signage or interpretative panels.”
Biosis is currently undertaking consultation with Aboriginal community and organisations, such as the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council.
by Perrie Croshaw
Provide First Aid HLTAIDO11Ō^ and HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitationŌ^
1 x 9am-4pm workshop + pre-completed theory or 12-4pm CPR Refresher
25 Jan or 4 Feb
$0-$175Ō Kiama
Wed & Sat classes held monthly. See website for future dates.
CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industryŌ^
Shoalhaven Community College’s Hair & Beauty Academy provides the largest and best equipped training facilities in the Shoalhaven. A full range of fee-free* nationally recognised Hair & Beauty qualifications commence from 31 Jan 2023. Industry short courses also available. Scan the QR code below to view the full course schedule.
SHOALHAVEN & SURROUNDS
1 x 9am-4.30pm workshop
$0-$150Ō Kiama Coming soon to Kiama. See website for future dates.
Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies ICT20120*^
Perfect for people wanting to grow more confident about their digital skills for work.
21 Mar 6 months 9am-3pm Fee Free* Kiama
Microsoft Excel for Beginners* 9 Feb 4 sessions 9.30am-12noon $0-190Ō Kiama
CAREERS IN AGED CARE
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) CHC33015*^ 29 Mar 6 months 9am-3.30pm Fee Free* Kiama
Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership SIS30619*^
23 Feb 18 weeks, 2 days per week Fee Free*
20 May 1 year, flexible delivery (enrol anytime) Fee Free*
Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership SIS40621*^ 20 May 1 year, flexible delivery (enrol anytime) Fee Free*
PODCASTING $35*
*Kiama Community Radio tutors have generously gifted their time and expertise for this course so you pay only a small
Jamberoo Action Park opened a new water ride precinct, Velocity Falls, this season and we’ve been out to give it a trial run ahead of the holiday rush.
A decade in the making, the $8 million attraction is home to two rides, The Octo Racer and The Stinger, which feature head-to-head racing and thrilling zero gravity drops.
Although the new attraction has meant the end of the much loved slide, Splash Out, the Park will be catching the eyes of more people with the new Stinger ride.
It is the high adrenaline ride that Jamberoo Action Park was missing. It involves standing in a drop box before the floor beneath you releases and you experience zero gravity sliding down the hill at high speeds.
It’s a ride that might even make thrill seekers sweat (if it wasn’t for all that water).
The Octo Racer is the definition of a family fun attraction. It is a slide fit for
the entire family, where you are free to make friendly rivalries as you race down the mountain side-by-side.
Like no other attraction at the Park, the precinct offers a total of ten slides – all with unique twists and curves. So, when you reach the bottom of the slide and race back up
Gareth Ward MP’s hearing date has been postponed for a month until 13 February, just weeks out from the 25 March State Election.
The hearing at the NSW District Court is to consider whether the charges against the Member for Kiama should be heard together or separately, as applied for by his defence team.
In March this year, he was charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault.
The charges follow an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad into the historic alleged sexual abuse of a man and teenage boy, and led to his being suspended from Parliament.
Mr Ward has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He has yet to confirm he will stand for the seat as an independent.
The Labor Party and The Greens have both declared their candidates, and preselection is still open for the local branch of the Liberal Party.
the hill to try another, you can choose a different experience every time.
“We have got a lot of great feedback from social media and reviews on the new precinct,” says marketing manager Grant Wright.
“I think a lot of people might miss Splash Out but they also appreciate the new ride for what it is.”
Like us all, he has his fingers crossed for good weather this season.
by Cassandra ZaucerSee Cassandra test out the rides in a video on our App.
It’s easy, and free, to enter our competition to win a double pass to the place where you control the action.
If you are already using The Bugle App, click on the Win button and enter your details.
If you haven’t got The Bugle App yet, download from the QR code below left for free, then enter.
Competition closes Friday 6 January, 5pm
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an eye condition which causes distance vision to be blurry. This is easily corrected by glasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology (a novel contact lens treatment which reshapes the eye during overnight wear), and refractive surgery, however having a high degree of myopia puts the eye at risk of future vision loss.
The problem is, rates of myopia are skyrocketing. Myopia used to only affect a small number of people, but a recent Chinese study found rates of 60% in 12 year old’s increasing to 80% by 16, and over 90% in university students. It seems this change is due to lifestyle changes that occur due to urbanisation, and we are seeing a similar change in Australian children. So, what can we do? In terms of prevention, the best advice is to spend at least 3 hours per day outside.
Once myopia has developed, there are a few methods which have been shown to slow or stop progression. Simply prescribing stronger glasses every year or two is, in my view, no longer an acceptable form of treatment. I will discuss recommended treatment options in the next column.
Slow Food Saddleback has announced the recipients of its annual, internationally recognised, Snail of Approval Awards and given out two business development grants to local food champions.
“The awards recognise local businesses, producers, restaurants and providers who follow the Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair food,” says the group’s convenor, Celia Wade.
“They also recognise a concentration on recycling, sustainability and regeneration.
“Their Snails will be displayed at their place of
business to show locals and visitors alike that they are worthy of support.”
All recipients were entitled to apply for Slow Food
Saddleback Business Development Awards of up to $2,500, funded through Slow Food Saddleback’s many events, and member-
ship fees.
This year’s grants go to Kel and Mahlah Grey of The Pines Kiama and Adam Walmsley and Fiona Weir from Buena Vista Farm at Gerringong.
“The Pines will use their funds to contribute to their project The Pines Whey Fed Pigs,” says Celia.
“As cheese makers they have excess whey, a huge source of protein for the pigs that will combine with systematic grazing.
“This addition of pigs to their farming system will complete the full circle evolution in their regenerative farming methods.
“Pigs will be rotated through different areas,
where their natural foraging abilities will benefit the land.
“Pigs will later be processed ethically and sold locally as the Pines Whey Fed Pork.”
Buena Vista Farm’s grant will enable Fiona and Adam to attend an Artisan Cheesemaking, five day Masterclass at The Cheese School, Castlemaine.
“Fiona and Adam farm a small acreage intending to use the resources they have been given in line with sustainable agricultural principles,” says Celia.
“For long term viability it is essential to train up the second business owner in the crucial part of the business model, cheese making!”
The
Loquacious Kombucha
The Blue Swimmer, Gerroa Ola Chola Food Van
Bagnell Organics, Dapto Community Garden
Buena Vista Farm, G’gong
Gung’s Gourmet Thai
Husnu Yeniceri at Mountain Range Farm
Silica Restaurant, Kiama Little Earth Cafe, Kiama
Moonacres Kitchen
Robertson
Moonacres Farm, Robertson
from page 1 siting. Calling it a project makes it seem like a done deal yet there are many concerns that need to be addressed,” she says.
At 78, Gerroa’s Daniel Ford (left) is a great example of the benefits of taking on new learning challenges.
He enrolled in the TAFE NSW Auslan (Australian sign language) course so that he could communicate with his four year old great nephew who was born profoundly deaf.
But he says that learning the language has opened a door to a world of new skills and friendships.
“The thing with deaf people is, they can’t pick up a phone and just chat with their friends so they tend to catch up face to face,” he says.
“There are lots of different deaf social groups throughout this region who get together regularly. I join in some to practise and learn.”
Daniel says that learning Auslan is like learning a new language “only visual”.
“It’s a great mental activity. Initially I struggled to remember the signs, but I’m enjoying the social events, meeting fellow classmates and I’ve made lots of new friends.”
He studied for two nights a week this year for a Certificate 2 and plans to complete Cert 3 and 4 to become a fully qualified teacher.
There is a growing demand for Auslan teachers throughout Australia, with the importance of interpreters highlighted throughout the bushfires, floods and pandemic.
Readers may remember Sean Sweeney, the bearded interpreter on TV throughout the bushfires.
He was the first person born in his family for 100 years who isn’t deaf. In 2019, he received a call asking him to interpret on television for
the RFS.
“I baulked at first, but what made me do it was that my Dad was on the South Coast and I thought if I don’t do it who will? I was petrified. I didn’t understand the depth of emergency announcements.
“These announcements were talking about all the country towns I knew. This is my state, in my 20s I was a truck driver and I’d been to almost every town in NSW, I knew it inside out.”
Sean says there are plenty of opportunities for people with Auslan skills to work in the sector.
“People with Auslan skills of intermediate level are very likely to find work in the deaf community,” he says.
“You don’t need to necessarily become an interpreter to work with deaf people.
“If you have fluent sign language skills, you can apply for a number of jobs working with the deaf. There are plenty of opportunities for people with these skills.”
To study Auslan, visit www.tafensw.edu.au by Perrie Croshaw
Former councillor and President of the Kiama Game Fishing Club, Mark Way, was also at the meeting and says, “I don’t think I’ve seen so many people against a project.
“It will be an eyesore and a navigational hazard.”
He supports nuclear as a solution to energy needs.
BlueFloat Energy’s Australian Country Manager, Nick Sankey, says that while there was a vocal opposition, overall he considered there was more support for than against the project, “We said we wanted to engage early, and that is what we have done.
“We wanted to describe exactly what we are doing, and I was keen to outline the process being led by the Federal Government to identify the zones.”
He says it is the first of their projects where people said they wanted to start petitions against it.
A recording of a webinar held on the project is available at www.southpacificowp.com
Those who may be alone on Christmas Day are invited to celebrate the day with others at the Kiama Uniting Church. The initiative began last year and welcomed in thirty people for a free lunch and one another’s company.
“In our household, we’re not lonely or isolated but we also don’t have family to go to because they are too far away. So, it would just be the three of us on Christmas,” says organiser Ralph Szulerowski.
“We thought let’s do something different and be part of the community that celebrates Christmas together.”
He is expecting up to 40 people this year and urges everyone not to think twice about coming along as it is a great chance to meet others.
Sunday 25 December, Kiama Uniting Church, from noon.
RSVP to kiamaunitingchurch@ outlook.com or 4232 1677 for catering purposes or just walk in on the day.
by Cassandra ZaucerJamberoo motorcycle racer, Jacob Roulstone, will again be competing in two championships in 2023 as he edges closer to his goal of being a Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) world champion.
The new year will see the 17 year old rider take on the FIM JuniorGP World Championship and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, both for the second time.
“Being accepted into the Rookies Cup again feels great as I know they believe I can achieve more in a second year and the coaches and staff have trust in my abilities and potential,” Jacob says.
The Rookies Cup, which is known for releasing new stars into the world of Grand Prix racing, will start in Portugal in April and will end in Spain, where Jacob currently lives with his mum.
“You just have to look at the Rookies Cup past participants to see how many incredible riders have come out of this program,” he says.
“Another year is a fantastic chance for me to fight for the championship win and to have my career prospects and goals highlighted.”
The 2022 season saw Jacob change his riding style when he switched to a bigger bike and sharpened
his skills in what is known as the world’s toughest junior motorcycling championships.
He ended the season on a high finishing in the top 10 of the JuniorGP race at Valencia which was “no mean feat when racing against the top junior riders on the planet”, according to Jacob.
For the JuniorGP championships, Jacob believes this year he is with the right crew and environment to achieve his smaller goal of winning the Junior World Championship, which will secure a path to the World Championship.
“I am satisfied with my 2022 campaign and have set my expectations even higher for 2023 to continue the momentum. I want consis-
tent top 5 finishes in both championships, with some podiums to be in the mix to win both titles,” he says.
To gear up for what will be a jam-packed year, Jacob will embark on an intense winter training program in January.
by Cassandra Zaucer
The Kiama LGA continues to be a black hole for those electric vehicle (EV) owners who need to use a governmentinstalled charging station when travelling.
Despite there only a couple of privately-owned EV charging stations in and around Kiama, it did not make the first round of the NSW Government roll-out of a $400 million project to install 500 fast and ultra-fast charging stations over the next two years in Sydney and regional NSW towns.
Round 2 of the destination charging grants will open in mid-2023, with another following in 2024, so it will be some time before the next allocations.
Councillor Stuart Larkins (pictured), a member of the Traffic Committee, says that the new DA for the Kiama Woolworths development includes super-fast chargers, similar to those at the Woolies in Shell Cove, but others are needed.
He plans to lodge a Notice of Motion at the December Council Meeting, “That Council continue to apply for grants and to write to the NSW Minister for Energy, Matt Kean MP, to seek grant funding for EV chargers.”
Councillor Matt Brown, head of the tourism advisory group of Destination Kiama, says that the lack of chargers is an important issue.
“It is a shame that we don’t have public charging stations in Kiama yet,” he says.
“I understand the NRMA have installed a couple in Berry and Destination Kiama has written to them requesting they install them in Kiama.”
These NSW Government grants provide co-funding for eligible applicants (councils and private businesses) to build, own and operate EV charging stations.
The State Government is working with Ampol, BP, Evie Networks, Tesla, the NRMA and Zeus Renewables to install the chargers
At this stage, EV charging stations in this region on private land include those at Park Ridge Retreat, Silos
Winery, Mountain Ridge Winery, Bangalay Luxury Villas, The Berry Bowling Club and Bundanon Art Museum.
The Electric Vehicle Council’s Consumer Attitudes Survey (2021) found one of the biggest barriers to consumers purchasing plug-in EVs is range anxiety, with 92 per cent of respondents saying convenient fast public recharging would be the biggest encouragement to purchase a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
More than two thirds of respondents listed the provision of public charging infrastructure as an important role for government.
While EVs represent only 3.7 percent of new car sales in NSW, the State Government aims to increase that to 50 per cent within a decade.
by Perrie CroshawCVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. Phone: 0401 294 810
Over 40 yrs experience. Small jobs, brick fences, letter boxes & brick repairs. Fully licenced. R77154 Terry 0400 359 790
Lay 1 4 U Concreting Services: Slabs, house and sheds, footing, paths and drives, colour stencil, stamp exposed. 40 yr exp. t Ron 0414 724 221. Fully insured. No job too small! LN139098C
Rubbish/Junk removed - Tip runs. We recycle your tip waste. High Pressure cleaning. Call Ian: 0497 042 441
Draftsman/Building Designs
Development Applications. Complying Developments New houses. Duplexes. Alterations & Additions. Decks. 25+ years experience. Michael Laidler 0410 126 354
Paul Risby: Residential - Commercial - Industrial 24 Hour Call Out Service. Call 0497 001 175 LN: 109635C
Local Pure Organic Compost delivered and spread. Weekend/evenings $150/m3 $250/2m3 0448 335 586
Kiama Property Maintenance & Carpentry: Decks, Pergolas, Windows, Painting, Plaster repairs. All your maintenance needs & carpentry. John O’Donnell LIC#R77219 t 0401 301 620
Handyman South Coast: Trade qualified for painting, carpentry, plastering, pressure cleaning, all repairs & renovations. 'Fast, fixed, fabulous!' Danny Fagan: 0407 118 311
Beasant Painting & Decorating: Interior & Exterior, New Builds, Repaints, Timber & Deck Maintenance Lic 183642 Steve: 0424325580 Melissa: 0414534990
Col Whitehurst Painting: Qualified, Reliable, Honest, Insured. Interior. Exterior. Heritage. Free quotes. 0400 135 128
Plumbing
RBP: Plumbing, drainage and gas fitting. Blocked drains a specialty! Call Ross 0435 125 750 Lic:262955c
BR Stonemasonry & Heritage Services: All aspects of stonemasonry, contact Brad Rimmer at T: 0401 337 629 Lic: 292667C
Flash Window Cleaning: Window cleaning internal/ external; full gutter service; building washes; pressure cleaning; venetian blinds; and solar panel cleaning. For a free quote, call Jamie 0448 714 374
I am going to borrow a quote from Kelly Clarkson the singer who said “The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in or what kind of a year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start”.
I like that sentiment of a fresh start. I am excited about what the new year holds for all of us.
It’s been a hard year at Council, there’s no denying that. We’ve shared much of that hardship with all of you: the facts of it, the solutions to it and the need for a fresh start.
I sincerely hope that as this year closes, we don’t forget all the hard work, all the good work that gets done every day by our staff and the effort that our Councillors and community members put
into making this wonderful community of ours a great place to live in and be part of. I hope each of you get a chance to enjoy all the lovely things about Christmas: friends, family and colleagues. Being on council gives a unique perspective to observe our community, and to see the good everywhere. In the volunteers that drive buses, cook snags, deliver meals and plant and weed and bring us music, and the exciting people who teach and talk and enrich our lives in countless ways.
We see the gifts donated to the Mayor’s Giving Tree; we see the little notes of thanks when a Councillor has championed a good cause or a staff member has gone out of their way to assist someone who really needed a little help.
We see neighbours who help neighbours, and not just at Christmas. On frosty winter days, ovals get line marked by volunteers, scouts and guides are taught bushcraft, passers-by warn visitors of dangerous surf
conditions, and so much more.
There is much good in community and, as we head into a new year, let’s all take the chance for a fresh start and to reflect on this year.
Enough from me, here’s some tips from Kiama’s Councillors for Christmas:
Cr Matt Brown: Stay hydrated and make the best use of local attractions and experiences such as Illawarra Fly, Jamberoo Action Park along with our beaches and National Parks. Merry Christmas!!
Cr Mark Croxford: Be adventurous and try something new. The helpful team at the Kiama Visitor Information Centre on Blowhole Point is there to give you lots of suggestions.
Cr Imogen Draisma: Just living in Kiama is a rare gift, enjoy it all: the ocean, the countryside the bustling towns and all that’s good in life.
Cr Jodi Keast: Explore Kiama’s hidden treasures by asking a local what they love about Kiama. For
me, I enjoy walking around the Minnamurra headland and riding through Bonaira Native Gardens.
Cr Stuart Larkins: Visit (and support) as many of our local small businesses as you can. On a cooler day, enjoy our local bushwalks or our fantastic coast walk. Remember to look after our environment and take your rubbish with you.
Cr Karen Renkema-Lang: Choose you own adventure – there are so many options. Or just sit back, relax and soak up the magic of Kiama and the surrounds.
Cr Kathy Rice: Pack your worries away and don’t pick them up again until the holiday is over. Make sure to take some time just for you and keep your eyes open to the magnificence that is all around you in Kiama.
Cr Warren Steel: Enjoy spending time with your family.
from p1 provide relief to the cash strapped Council, Cllr Reilly warns more needs to be done to restore Council’s finances, in line with the Performance Improvement Order recently imposed by the Minister for Local Government.
“While the sale of Akuna Street does provide some relief for our cashflow in the short term, there are still important, longer-term financial sustainability issues that we need to focus on.
“My fellow councillors and I will contemplate how best to invest the money from this sale in our February meeting.”
What is built on the land will be governed by the new Town Centre DCP, which has specific requirements for the site.
Native Grace at Robert-
son – launched by Kiama Down’s Luke and Catheryn Maitland two years ago – has been named the Best Small Retail Nursery in NSW/ACT by the peak industry body.
They have breathed life into a 60 year old garden centre at the eastern end of Robertson, which had been closed for ten years, by making it into a hub for native plants.
“It is an honor to be recognised by the industry for all the hard work the team have put into the nursery over the last 12 months,” says Luke.
“Having launched in November 2020 we’ve had major challenges, including COVID and floods, so it’s a great way to end the year on a high winning this award.
“We’d like to thank the Nursery Garden Industry NSW ACT for this award and for their support and efforts –it’s really terrific to have such a strong industry body who supports businesses.”
The couple have also had to cope with access to their business being difficult – for them and their customers on the coast – due to the closure
of first Macquarie Pass and now Jamberoo Mountain Rd.
“We are so proud of them for what they have achieved,” says Catheryn’s mother, Rita Sullivan of Knickerboxers.
Luke’s father, former councillor and environmental champion Richard Maitland, attended the award ceremony with him as Catheryn was home with a new baby.
According to the judge, the Maitlands “have created a little gem of a place at Robertson. It is a clean, neat, tidy
and impeccably presented garden centre.
“It has a design studio creating sustainable Australian native gardens for clients, a gift shop focusing on Australian products and bush foods, and in addition there is an onsite café van. The stock is top quality and it is a winner in so many ways.”
The judge said they were most impressed with the dedication for perfection in every aspect of the business.
www.keithlester.com.au
There is no doubt this time of year can be trickier for some that are following a particular type of diet or lifestyle like Veganism, Keto, Gluten Free, Paleo or Low Fodmap It’s even harder if you’re trying to cater for guests that have special requests, and you have no idea what Low Fodmap even means!
Wild About Health in Shellharbour have you covered
With a wide selection of specialty foods and gifts that will cover all types of dietary and lifestyle choices including fruit mince tarts, dips, cheeses, BBQ seasonings and marinades, breads, chips, chocolates and more These foods are preservative free, have no nasties in them and feeds your body with goodness without compromising on taste Imagine having a dip containing live enzymes that will help your digestion!
Gifting someone that is vegan can be a mine field too You want to be sure your giving something that is in line with their beliefs and choices Wild About Health sell a wide range of vegan giftware including makeup, skin care, nail polishes and lip balms There is a range of specialty gift baskets and hampers including packs for him and her, sports pack, paleo pack, low fod hampers, tea and coffee gift packs and keto gift packs too Mention this ad and receive a 10% discount off specialty packs
Council
Submissions
2. Which city did Santa not make it to in 1974 5. Which political party holds power in only two States 10. Yes in French 11. Chess piece and title Tony Abbott awarded to Prince Phillip 12. Last name of the elderly miser in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 13. Christmas weather theme 15. Day off for servants of the
by the wise men 42. Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance 43. In which country is it good luck to arrive with a lump of coal on New Year’s Eve
aristocracy and the day rich give presents to the poor 16. Jesus mum’s partner 17. Attachment of door to frame 18. Jewish festival from 18th to 26th December 2022 19. Dish of meat and/or veggies cooked slowly in liquid 20. Dance a Mambo 22. What sort of tree is a Christmas tree 24. Aust equivalent of reindeer. There are six and they are white.
30. Annual public holiday on which Aust. Federation was proclaimed (3,5). 31. What should be served with Christmas pudding 32. One of three gifts brought by three wise men 33. Italian pistol manufacturer 36. Good things come in ----packages 37. In the hymn how loud was the night 40. Pogues’ Christmas song. Fairy tale of which American city (3,4). 41. One of three gifts brought
6.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
33.
34.
35.
38. Which leaping aristocrats were given to me by my true love on day 11 39. Toe and foot fungus Crossword compiled by Steve Law. Correspondence welcome to crossword@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au
22.
23.
Lying slightly drunk watching shooting stars with some young Romanians on a sand dune in the Sahara, Morocco did seem an long way from Kiama. This was part of a three week, somewhat unscheduled trip to meet our peripatetic son.
From the gargantuan King Hassan II mosque in Casablanca we travelled to the ancient, thoroughly confusing mazes of Fez; the hash producing capital of Chefchouen; the Saharan desert camp; the market mayhem of Marrakech; respite hiking in the Atlas mountains under snowy Mt Toubkel and finally onto the coastline for waves at those right hand point breaks.
Morocco is a photographers dream – a great picture around every corner. Dry, red landscapes, adobe homes with brightly coloured doors, fascinating portraits of resilient people, goats in Argan trees and green valleys surrounded by unforgiving rocky mountains.
Moroccans are tough industrious people. Life is busy and making a Diram (their currency) is important. There is a huge gap between the growing middle class and the poor.
We saw road workers cutting road concrete with
hand angle grinders; the small village girl asking shyly for money for school books; the old ladies hauling huge bundles of firewood down the mountainside and beggars displaying gruesome wounds in the markets.
Moroccans are devout Muslims but their faith is the foundation around which the reality of day to day life occurs. The seven times a day ‘call to prayer’ is omnipresent often coming from large speakers hidden in pretend
palm trees.
Listening to the evening call to prayer echo up and down a valley in the Atlas mountains was beautiful but at 6.30am they could have turned the volume down!
Tourism is big business and, due to its proximity, Morocco is like Bali for the French. But for us antipodeans it still seems an exotic, adventurous destination and
makes you feel like you’re the first foreigners to visit there. A lasting memory was watching a group of boys climb 1.5km in their sandals to the only flatish area on the mountain side to play soccer and dream of World Cup glory on a precipitous, dirt and rock pitch at 2500m altitude.
Frank Wallner, Kiama
More than a little bit of Christmas magic has come to the western end of Gwinganna Ave, with three women yarn bombing the 68 road posts of the split level street.
The crafters, who want to keep a low profile, were inspired by a street in Melbourne that was decorated during a COVID lockdown Christmas.
All of the decorations are either knitted or crocheted, with each post having an individual personality – some
Christmas, and worked all year on the secret project.
Their intent was to create a “feel good thing for the community”, and there is no doubt they have succeeded.
They spent almost six hours installing them yesterday, and have been overwhelmed by the “lovely reaction”.
The decorations will be up until mid-January, with the creators confident their work will withstand whatever the weather throws at them.