The Bugle 14 November 2020

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Jamberoo Mt Rd update p3

Draft Regional Plan released

Ana de la Vega returning home p5

p7

Shop Local winners

Sporting heroes remembered p13

p15

14 NOV 2020

Big festival vision for Bombo Quarry A vision to include a dedicated major festival and events facility as part of the Bombo Quarry redevelopment is gaining momentum, with the establishment of the Kiama Epicentre Association. “We are currently conducting tours that show people the potential of the land and have had discussions with the Council and the landowners about why putting land aside for the Epicentre is worthwhile,” says one of the drivers of the project, Peter O’Neill. “Most of the councillors and senior staff have already had a look at the site. Both the Federal and State members have also been on a tour and are very supportive and will look at grants for us further down the track.” The whole 114 hectare Bombo quarry site is largely owned by Boral and Transport for NSW, with a small amount owned by Cleary Brothers and some roads owned by Council. “We are talking to Boral and Transport for NSW now, because they are currently developing a master plan for the filling of the quarry and the quality of the fill and the amount of fill will determine what can be developed on the site The fill process alone will take 5-8 years,” says Peter. “At the moment the com-

missioned reports are mainly looking at a combination of residential, industrial and commercial land for the redeveloped quarry. “We think there are compelling reasons why the Epicentre should be part of the mix for the masterplan. “This is the time to raise the idea, while the elements are still being decided, rather than be allowed to comment once there are completed plans.” A 19 ha parcel has been identified for the Epicentre site, with a mixture of quarried land, forest and farmland. The land in question hugs the side of the highway, half a km to the west of the roundabout entrance to the State Rail Quarry. It is bounded by an unformed section of Panama Street. It includes a disused quarry area, where it is envisaged the main festival area (large enough for 5000 festival goers) and parking will be located, and untouched bushland which would be used for camping and smaller venues. For ten years, Peter and other members of the Illawarra Folk Club have been championing the need for a dedicated home for major festivals and events in the Illawarra.

Peter O’Neill and Judy Cork of the Illawarra Folk Club with Mark Greaves, the new president of the Kiama Central Precinct. The land identified for the festival and events facility is through the wooded area on the left.

New holiday house rental code attracts criticism

Many involved with, or affect- have three parts: ed by, the holiday house rental • Code of conduct: outlines industry believe the new responsibilities to guests, Short-Term Rental Accommproperty owners and holiodation (STRA) code to start day rental agents December 18 will be ineffec- • Exclusion Register: those tual, at least in its early days. caught breaking the code After years of planning, the will be reported to a propNSW Department of Fair erty agent or the police Trading recently announced who will then forward continued on page 6 that their new policy would the complaint to Fair

Trading. Fair Trading will the code. investigate. A ‘two strikes • Premises Register: the and you’re out’ policy Department of Planning, means anyone breaching Industry and Environment the code can be banned is developing a governmentfrom holiday rental for five run premises register and years. There will also be state environment planon-the-spot fines starting ning policy for STRA to at $550 and rising to come into effect midway several thousand dollars through 2021. continued on p4 for serious breaches of


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