Editorial

Just a week un l Christmas and the summer holidays that everyone has been looking forward to.

The shops and cafes will hopefully be full as they play an vital role in employing so many of our community. For those not aware the Eurobodalla has an considerably high under-employment rate that brings with it the difficul es associated with having part me jobs and unsecure work tenure.

Next me you go into a local shop, café or restaurant you might like to consider that the person serving you has possibly one, two or three other jobs to make up, if lucky, a full 38 hour week. Look a li le deeper and you might wonder how much they pay in rent or mortgage, the costs of running a vehicle, of keeping themselves in work clothes and how they manage their me.

Add to this that many will be parents with all of the commitments of a busy life that includes insurances, fees, rates, food and clothing. They might even extend themselves to having a dog or cat.

But here they are today, at the business you visit, offering a bright smile and doing their best to serve you. It will be a long shi and maybe not the last for the day before they go home exhausted, to then do it all over again tomorrow. Being a holiday des na on that has many of our local businesses opera ng seven days a week our already under-resourced part me workers have less me off and work through weekends to help make ends meet.

You may have no ced adverts in social media, on The Beagle and on the many No ce Boards around the shire looking for cleaners, baristas, shop assistants, gardeners, chefs, waitstaff and even lifesavers. Behind many of these adver sements is a quiet despera on in knowing that there are few, if any, locals able to rise to the occasion as they are already working more hours than normal.

Irrespec ve as to whether the many posi ons of cook, cleaner and bo le washer are filled the holiday makers are coming. And they are coming in droves. From all quarters. And each and all will hopefully be a ending our shops, our bars, cafes, tourism ac vi es and restaurants.

In the month or so ahead there will be a quite hope by many in our community that they can make enough money during this short period to put aside for the off-season when visitors find themselves elsewhere. Hours will drop off rosters, trading hour signs will be changed, and once again, as we have done for decades and more, we go back into hiberna on.

But for the summer ahead we can hope to see the numbers swell, the roads become busy, the sidewalks full. There will be traffic queues, there will be parking conges on, the beaches will be festooned with towels, cricket games, volleyball, boogey boards and children smeared with zinc. People will get hot, sweaty and sunburned.

Irrespec ve of how they become it is important that they remember that they are on holiday, and the person serving them is not. For just a second, if they could, before they offer up their vitriolic remarks about the me it takes to be sa sfied, they might like to look at the footwear of who are serving them, and wonder what it might be like to walk a mile or two in those shoes. We can only hope.

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community Na onal Emergency Medal presenta ons

The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley have spent the last Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 two days on the South Coast of New South Wales to present Na onal Emergency Medals to volunteer firefighters, emergency services workers and front line responders. The Na onal Emergency Medal is an important part of the Australian Honours and Awards system. The award of the medal is a way that we, as a na on, are able to recognise the commi ed and courageous efforts of frontline responders, volunteers and community supporters during na onally-significant emergencies. At presenta on ceremonies in Eden, Bega, Bermagui and Narooma, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley thanked recipients for their service, acknowledged the support of their families and highlighted the remarkable contribu on they made to their community during the 2019-20 bushfire emergency. Similar ceremonies are being held in other fire affected communi es across Australia. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley look forward to a ending ceremonies in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia and other parts of NSW in 2022.

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Mogo pedestrian safety consulta on extended

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Community and businesses have been given addi onal me to provide feedback on pedestrian safety and connec vity on the Princes Highway in Mogo, with consulta on now closing Sunday 30 January 2022. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the feedback period has been extended to allow residents and businesses to focus on recovering a er flooding last week. “The consulta on on pedestrian safety and connec vity in Mogo was due to finish Wednesday 22 December but has now been extended to Sunday 30 January 2022,” the spokesperson said. “We recognise the hardship Mogo residents and businesses are currently facing and understand recovering from the recent flooding is the priority.” Transport for NSW is currently seeking feedback on the community’s earlier sugges ons for improvements in Mogo. Feedback will help to inform plans on how to make Mogo a safer, be er connected and more appealing place for pedestrians and road users. Op ons being inves gated include installing traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing, improved signs, the removal of some parking on the Princes Highway, alterna ve parking loca ons and improved access to the Church Street carpark. To have your say, visit nswroads.work/mogosafety.

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Got COVID-19?

If you’re: • Under 50 years • Have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and • Don’t have any chronic health condi ons It’s likely you can safely manage COVID-19 at home.

If you have a chronic medical condi on, or are pregnant you will be connected to a health service.

Chronic medical condi ons include:

• Obesity • Severe, chronic or complex medical condi ons • Diabetes • Immunocompromised including malignancy • Severe mental illness

More Informa on h ps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infec ous/factsheets/Pages/managing-covid-at-home.aspx.

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community Southern NSW Local Health District Healthcare Quarterly Report

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) responded well to increased ac vity in the July to September 2021 quarter, highlighted in the latest Bureau of Health Informa on (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly Report. Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) say "This was one of the most challenging quarters on record for the staff, pa ents, and community of Southern NSW. The Delta outbreak, which started in midJune, had a pronounced impact on the broader NSW health system. Despite this, SNSWLHD staff con nued to provide high quality and safe care." Overall, emergency department (ED) a endances across the District increased by 9.6 per cent (or 2,331) to 26,685 a endances in the July to September 2021 quarter, compared with the same quarter in 2020. Despite this increase in ac vity, more than three-quarters of pa ents (77.1 per cent) started treatment on me in the latest quarter, this is above the state average of 74.5 per cent. The median me to start treatment for triage category 2 (emergency) pa ents was eight minutes, faster than the 10-minute target. Almost 8 in 10 pa ents (78 per cent) le the Emergency Department within four hours, also well ahead of the state average of 67.5 per cent. Healthcare Quarterly Report provides: Batemans Bay District Hospital saw 2,769 emergency department (ED) a endances during July to September 2021, up by 0.6 per cent (or 17), compared with the same period in 2020. More than four out of five emergency pa ents (82.8 per cent) le the ED within four hours in the quarter, consistent with the same period in the previous year. Batemans Bay District Hospital performed 100 elec ve surgery procedures during the quarter, with most of these in the non-urgent category. Pleasingly, 100 per cent of all elec ve surgery pa ents had their surgery on me during July to September 2021. At Moruya District Hospital, 100 per cent of the 265 urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent elec ve surgery procedures were performed on me in the July to September quarter. The hospital’s Emergency Department had 2,507 a endances from July to September, up 6.9 per cent (or 162) from the same period in 2020.

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community Kotvojs confirmed as Liberal Candidate for Bega

Dominic Perro et has revealed that Dr Fiona Kotvojs has been Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 selected as the local Liberal candidate for the upcoming Bega byelec on. Much like the endorsement the Dignams Creek truffle farmer received from the Prime Minister, Sco Morrison, in May 2020, it is to be seen if the same support will be forthcoming this me around given his poor recep on in Cobargo and his total absence from the electorate. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since the last Bega elec on that saw Andrew Constance elected. Since then the community have seen him announce his resigna on from the role of Local Member, not once, but twice, as he moves to step away from State poli cs and enter the Federal arena. If he fails in his bid for pre-selec on for the Federal seat of Gilmore this might well be the end of his poli cal career. The newly announced Liberal candidate for Bega, Fiona Kotvojs, has vicariously inherited the by-products of the pork barrelling revela ons of the NSW Government that set in mo on the corrosion of any last remaining trust the NSW residents had in their poli cal representa ves. At a local level the pork barreling ripped away a deserved arts grant to Bega for their Regional Gallery and instead awarded $8 million to Batemans Bay for a project that offered a 'business plan' that may as well have been drawn up on a napkin. Sadly, as a result of the gi ed 'pork chop' the Eurobodalla ratepayers will now be burdened by a white elephant 350 seat theatre expected to lose around half a million dollars per year without even opening its doors. Locals, looking beyond the gli er of a new leisure centre in Batemans Bay and a Captain's call replacement of the Batemans Bay bridge find it hard to look beyond the road 100m in front of them as the region succumbs to potholes and shoves. Added to this is the moun ng backlash to the failure to commit that the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be opening at Level Four. As a further hurdle the Liberal candidate will need to listen to the Moruya community in regards to the many issues raised about the proposed Moruya Bypass. With the Liberal State government looking somewhat bedraggled and torn by the recent revela ons of pork barrelling and in-house arrangements the Liberal candidate from Dignams Creek might find herself painted by a jus fiably cri cal broadbrush with a tone not of her choosing.

Above: Will the Prime Minister dare return to Cobargo to offer his support for the Liberal candidate in her home town? Photo source

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In July 2020 The Guardian reported that "Climate and LGBT equality campaigners have rounded on the Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro, Fiona Kotvojs, in the lead-up to Saturday’s byelec on, with one warning she is “more conserva ve” on climate change than Tony Abbo . Ma hew No , the founder and president of Clean Energy for Eternity, made the comparison in reference to comments Kotvojs made at a mee ng with the local climate group ahead of the 2019 elec on that Australia’s contribu on to global emissions is “minute”. Given that Ms Kotvojs lives in the Bega electorate her views on the Bushfire Royal Commission findings and the ongoing logging in the region should be of interest during her campaign, especially in light of the recent revela ons and reports that have been both released, and withheld.

community Moruya Bypass Flood Studies Put the Cart Before the Horse

The recent declara on of a La Nina event for this summer, combined with widespread rains and associated Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 flooding across southeast Australia including the Eurobodalla region, have shone the spotlight on flood planning and prepara on. The most important current example of flood planning in the Eurobodalla is the Moruya Bypass. The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group is concerned there are significant unresolved ques ons regarding the preferred corridor route on flooding and drainage across Mullenderee and Mynora Flats, as well as Moruya township. The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group represents a diverse collec on of the Eurobodalla community who are deeply concerned about the processes involved in the selec on of the Transport for NSW’s preferred Moruya Bypass corridor, as well as the impacts of this corridor on produc ve agricultural land, people’s homes and livelihoods, local businesses, the environment as well as the amenity and social fabric of our town. The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group notes that Transport for NSW recently announced it would be undertaking a “flooding and floor level survey” in the Moruya area. While it is important that these inves ga ons are undertaken, it prompts the following ques ons: 1) Shouldn’t the bypass route be chosen AFTER conduc ng detailed flood studies? (rather than picking a preferred route BEFORE doing detailed flood studies, as TFNSW has done); 2) When, if ever, will TFNSW publicly release the results of these inves ga ons? These ques ons highlight significant deficiencies in Transport for NSW’s approach to choosing the best route for the Moruya Bypass. Instead of conduc ng detailed inves ga ons of cri cal project aspects such as flooding and drainage, soils & geology, environmental and cultural heritage before selec ng a bypass route, which can then be analysed and shared with the community, Transport for NSW have chosen their preferred route behind closed doors on the basis of limited desktop studies and flawed “ ck the box” community consulta on, just a er catastrophic bushfires and during a global pandemic. As a result, they have chosen the longest, most expensive and destruc ve route which will poten ally worsen flooding in town. According to Transport for NSW’s Moruya Bypass Strategic Op ons Report, a flood study was undertaken by consultants Rhelm in 2020, but despite several requests during and since the consulta on period, it has never been publicly released. Poten al flooding impacts were raised in mul ple submissions to Transport for NSW regarding their preferred bypass corridor, with some (including the Moruya Business Chamber) querying the accuracy of data from the Rhelm flood study. Despite this uncertainty over such a cri cal issue, Transport for NSW has chosen not to release the Rhelm study so it could be independently assessed by the Moruya community as part of the consulta on process for the preferred bypass route. The impact of an 8 kilometre long, 5 metre high concrete land-bridge on flooding and drainage across a rela vely confined south coast valley floodplain demands detailed analysis and considera on before plunging into a preferred corridor route. This has clearly not occurred. The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group considers this is unacceptable and is seeking release of the Rhelm study under NSW Freedom of Informa on provisions.

Moruya Bypass Ac on Group say "Transport for NSW’s track record in dealing with community during the Batemans Bay Bridge project does li le to ins l confidence that any of these Moruya flood studies will be forthcoming without community ac on. Transport for NSW promised to undertake an Independent Coastal Impact Study dealing with flooding and erosion impacts of the Batemans Bay Bridge project but concerned Vol 16 September 15th 2017 residents are s ll wai ng for stage 2 of this project, despite the method and scope being iden fied back in Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 June 2019. Transport for NSW have moved on to other projects, leaving Batemans Bay locals in the lurch. Will the Moruya community suffer the same fate?" The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group also believes it is unacceptable that Transport for NSW has not issued the Community Consulta on report arising from their Moruya Bypass community consulta on process which was due for release in August 2021. "We con nue to ask for its release at the earliest opportunity. The community is being starved of exis ng informa on and kept in the dark regarding processes and project cos ngs at a me when the urgently-needed new Level 4 Eurobodalla Hospital and associated health services are struggling to a ract adequate NSW government funding." The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group were invited to run a stall at the recent “Open The Door at Level 4” Rally (see photo), which drew a big crowd to Moruya as well as a rac ng widespread media a en on. "The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group invites you to find out more about what the proposed Moruya Bypass means for our community. Help us get a be er bypass and a more transparent consulta on process for this major project by going to the Moruya Bypass Ac on Group website at h ps://moruyabypass.org/. You can sign our pe on and access links to the OneEurobodalla Hospital pe on and Facebook page."

Above: The Moruya Bypass Ac on Group stall a racted interest at the recent rain–affected “Open the Door at Level 4” Hospital Rally

It’s been a big week for NSW south coast band the Country Pumpkins with the official launch of their new album, Fresh Picked, at Moruya Markets on 4 Dec, the arrival of new drummer Peter Poole and having 4 songs scoring semi-final spots on the Tamworth Songwriters Associa on Awards. Redbank Creek by Rick Bamford is a finalist in the Country Blues sec on. Graham Scobie has 3 songs in line for a gong with A Cul vated Man about the death of his father at the age of 95 in Tradi onal Country, Johnny Dozer Driver about the fire at Yankee’s Gap near Bemboka in Local Hero and Yarri of Gundagai in the Lyrics Only sec on. Yarri was an Indigenous man who saved 69 people in his bark canoe in the Murrumbidgee flood of 1852. The band has 5 appearances in Tamworth in January and will also be playing at the Bodalla Dairy Shed this Sunday from 12.30pm as a trio as Peter Poole will be playing at Eurobodalla Live Music at Moruya Golf Club. Peter is a legend of the south coast music scene having arrived in the Eurobodalla in 1993. Prior to that he was in the Army Band at Duntroon having started his music career in Brisbane in 1977. Although Peter mainly plays drums in the Country Pumpkins, local music fans will know him also as a player of the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, bass guitar and euphonium. He has been a member of many local bands including the Bay Showband, Moruya and District Brass Band and was conductor of both Moruya and Batemans Bay Sing Australia Choirs. The band would like to pay tribute to former drummer, Daniel “Rampage” Ostrosko who played with the Country Pumpkins for over a decade and appears on both the band’s albums, Pat the Possum in 2017 and Fresh Picked. You can find out more about the Country Pumpkins at www.scobie.com.au or www.facebook.com/ countrypumpkinsband

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The following informa on is provided by Eurobodalla Council in response to the Congo Road north road closure protest on Wednesday 15 December 2021.

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 There were two roads to Congo village. Congo Road south is a sealed road off the highway via Bingie Road. This road is a public road maintained by Council and has been progressively upgraded and sealed all the way to Congo village by Council in recent years. Congo Road north, via South Head Road, is mostly sealed but an unsealed sec on in the middle passes through private property. This route provides a minor shortcut to the village whereby the public has enjoyed access across private land at the discre on of the landowner. Council has assisted by maintaining this unsealed sec on with the agreement of the landowner. The landowner raised concerns recently over the high risk of public liability claims. Council is unable to indemnify the landowner but agreed to work with the landowner to mi gate the risk to the community and to him as landowner. Council ini ally had agreement of the landowner to retain public use of the road subject to removal of 10 road-side trees. Council sought legal advice to ensure it could legally undertake that ac vity under the Roads Act 1993. Some members of the community objected to this work and raised concerns about the legal ability of Council to undertake the work, ci ng an alternate legal view. The work on the trees was paused and those legal ques ons referred to Council’s legal advisers for further review. Due to the complexity of the context, this legal advice is not expected un l the new year. Council has also received correspondence from some residents asking that the trees be removed to allow the road to be re-opened. To ensure his own legal protec on, the landowner has withdrawn consent for the public to access across his land along the physical gravel road regardless of any work that may be undertaken by Council to mi gate the risk. The landowner has indicated a preparedness to work with the Rural Fire Service in an emergency in the community interest, and the RFS has also indicated an ability to invoke powers of entry during an emergency response situa on. NSW Ambulance has indicated that their crews are on the road and mobile. They will use the legal access via Congo Road south should they need to respond to Congo village. Council can confirm that indemnifying the private landowner is not an op on. This has been explored with Council’s insurer and its insurance broker. For public roads in the shire, Council is the road authority and can make and enact decisions about road safety and risk mi ga on within the provisions of the Roads Act 1993. As a roads authority, Council also has protec on under the Civil Liabili es Act 2002. In this instance, the sec on of road in ques on is privately owned and Council is therefore not the road authority and not protected under the Civil Liabili es Act. The sec on of Congo Road north across the private land will therefore remain closed as per the landowner’s decision. Council will await further legal advice before responding to Congo residents about the appropriate next steps.

Council elec on update: As at 5pm 17/12/21 ..... coun ng of postal votes has now ceased. Here are the latest results from the ABC .....

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Mayoral Vote Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Mathew Hatcher leads on 5,665 votes followed by Rob Pollock on 4,542 then Karyn Starmer, David Grace 3,707, 'Tubby' Harrison 3,633 and Alison Worthington on 2,938. Councillor Vote Advance Eurobodalla 4,759; Prefer Pollock 4,274; The Mayne Team 4,012; ALP 3,563; A Be er Council 3,230; Greens 2,609 and James Thomson's team 1,008. The lineup will now depend on how many voters bothered to indicate their preferences.

Third me lucky for Recovery

at the Bas- Eurobodalla Prize winner Raewyn Lawrence says she is feeling “op mis c, even excited” about her solo exhibi on Recovery, opening at the Bas on Saturday.Obvious in the 35 works on exhibi on is the ar st’s engagement with climate issues; with inspira on drawn from the beauty of nature and in bushland regenera on following the Black Summer bushfires.

“Landscapes are s ll very current subjects in my work,” she said. “I do carry a sketch pad with me pre y much all of the me, but I enjoy pain ng mainly in the solitude of the studio; a place where produc vity can blend with cups of tea.”

Above: Recovery in green oil on canvas 152x122cm by Raewyn Lawrence. Ms Lawrence said the shire’s history and folklore, both indigenous and colonial, was another rich resource that informed some of the works in Recovery. She said it was a case of third me lucky to get the solo exhibi on opened – twice cancelled due to COVID – a er winning the Eurobodalla Prize with her oil on canvas Smoke in 2020.

“The thick smell of smoke, the con nuous sounds of sirens and low flying aircra … the need for a moment of peace and calm was overwhelming. Smoke came from a small, quick pencil sketch of a bush track,” Ms Lawrence said. “There is a strange beauty in the colours. The orange glow of the sun through its smoky filter, contrasted with the blue form the smouldering ground, and in using those colours I tried to find that moment of peace.” Recovery opens at the Bas on Friday 17 December at 5.30pm and runs un l Sunday 30 January. Ms Lawrence will present her ar st’s talk at the Bas on Saturday 18 December from 11am. For more informa on visit www.thebas.com.au

Seven not-for-profit organisa ons (NFPs) in Batemans Bay are sharing $131,106 in grants for capacitybuilding projects that will strengthen these groups, so they can con nue to support their communi es. Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Funded through FRRR’s Inves ng in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, in partnership with The Snow Founda on, these grants will help these local NFPs with funding for needs and opportuni es priori sed through the Community Roadmap. IRCF is a five-year program designed to provide local NFPs with the tools and support they need to make las ng impacts in their areas of focus for the community. Alongside grants, FRRR is providing resource and support to help bring these plans to life.The Roadmap was developed through extensive and ongoing community consulta on that charted shared priori es and concerns. These grants are for projects conceived in response to the issues iden fied through this process. In the seven grants awarded, there was a strong focus on suppor ng digital transforma on, training and networking. Funding will assist organisa ons in responding to people in need and relieve stress in organisa ons, which is aggravated by an ever-increasing compliance burden and the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Alli Mudford, FRRR’s People Por olio Lead, said that the IRCF program is now in its second year of helping local NFPs to respond to each community’s specific context and support their long-term sustainability. “One of the great posi ves of this program is that local groups come together to share their strengths and ideas to gain a more sustainable foothold in community giving and support. It’s been fantas c to see so many organisa ons keen to get involved, to collaborate and increase their capacity as a sector to be er support their communi es,” Ms Mudford said. “It’s also wonderful to see local organisa ons stepping up and taking on lead roles. That includes Batemans Bay Rotary, who are coordina ng digital skills and systems training, and ongoing IT support to link community services, chari es and clubs and enable digital transforma on. Eurobodalla Shire’s South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance will contract Community Facilitators, who will assist grassroots NFPs in Batemans Bay to benefit from the IRCF program. Other grants will help increase awareness in the community of service availability, such as Eurobodalla Educa on and Therapy Services who will refresh their brand and update communica on and marke ng materials for Muddy Puddles, to increase awareness and understanding of the diverse services available. The four other grant recipients in the Batemans Bay region are: The Circle Founda on Coopera ve Ltd – Building capacity for opera ons, fundraising and community co -design - Cri cally med support to enable the Circle Founda on to move from start-up concept to feasibility stage of development. $20,000 Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society Inc – Crea ve Ways to Recruit and Retain our Volunteers - Host a workshop to train the BBHS’s partner NFPs to create ac on plans for be er volunteer recruitment and reten on. $6,426 Eurobodalla Woodcra Guild Incorporated – Eurobodalla Woodies Mogo Workshop - Commission the professional services required to support the rebuilding of the Woodies workshop that was lost in the Black Summer fires to enable reconstruc on to commence and opera ons to resume as soon as possible. $10,000 The Family Place Inc – Managing Growth in Recovery - Appoint a part- me resource to support fundraising, compliance and governance enhancements needed by the Family Place to respond to rapidly escala ng demands from vulnerable families. $20,000 For more informa on about the Inves ng in Rural Community Futures program visit - h ps://frrr.org.au/ircf-program/.

community Poster erected on new hospital site offers an update

The masterplan for the new $260 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital at Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Moruya has been revealed in a media release by the Premier Dominic Perro et today. Sent out selec vely to media the Premier said "We’ve listened to the community, experts in health planning and our clinical and allied health staff. They want this new hospital to grow with the residents of the Eurobodalla and that’s what my government is delivering”. “There’ll be MRI services, greater ED capacity, an ICU/Close Observa on Unit and space for staff educa on and training in one of the largest greenfield hospital developments underway in NSW.” Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said on numerous occasions that the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will be built to accommodate a Level 4 health facility. “We will be delivering so much more than is currently in the district including a new MRI, an 8 bed intensive care unit and enhanced oncology services. It will be up to the Local Health District to recruit all of the specialist clinicians necessary to operate a Level 4 hospital and that’s what will be delivered,” Mr Hazzard has said. It has however been noted that neither the Premier or the Health Minister have acknowledged that their announcements offer no me-line in the delivery of a full level Four hospital. This con nued failure was the key point at the recent Open the Door at Level Four public rally held in Moruya. Mr Hazzard has said “It doesn’t ma er whether you live in Narooma, Moruya or Bateman’s Bay you will have outstanding medical care as close to where you live as possible. Our nurses, doctors, allied health staff will be able to deliver care from a state-of-the-art hospital. “Once completed, the new hospital will provide more beds than are currently available in both Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined.” In the media release issued following the media call it says: "The NSW Government recently announced a $500 million boost to its investment in rural health services and infrastructure. "The new South Coast facility will feature the latest technology and models of care and improved Emergency Department capacity, specialist consulta on rooms, an expansion of medical imaging including a second x-ray machine and MRI, as well as other ameni es including space for staff educa on and training. The formal State Significant Development Applica on (SSDA) planning process for the new hospital has commenced and consulta on will con nue to develop the applica on, including a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The master plan and early designs have been prepared in collabora on with clinicians, opera onal staff, local Aboriginal community representa ves and community members. The site acquisi on process is proceeding, and early and enabling works are expected to start in 2022. Construc on of a facility of this size generally takes between two to three years to complete and is expected to open to pa ents in 2025. Meanwhile there is no commitment that the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will include, at the me of opening its doors in 2025, the full suite of facili es that would sa sfy a Level Four hospital being: · An emergency department · an eight bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) /Close Observa on Unit (COU) · increased capacity for chemotherapy treatments · surgical and opera ng theatres · expanded medical imaging, including MRI and addi onal X-ray · Ambulatory care for community outpa ent services · Paediatric and maternity services - including inpa ent beds · Flexible mental health beds associated with the medical inpa ent unit and · enhanced educa on and training facili es.

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community Give the gi of experience this Christmas

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Overspending, overea ng, and overindulging – it’s the reality for many at Christmas and in the pursuit of being overjoyed, it’s easy to overlook our environmental impact. From unwanted gi s and uneaten food, to miles of wrapping and bins full of packaging and throwaways, household waste increases by about 30 per cent during the fes ve season. But there’s no need to overdo it, says Eurobodalla Council’s sustainability educa on officer Gillian Kearney. “By purchasing experiences in our region rather than ‘things’ you’re suppor ng a local business, reducing waste in landfill and celebra ng our area,” she said. “From trips to Montague Island (Barunguba) and seaplane flights to Zoo passes, movie ckets and dinner vouchers, there’s kayaks and e-bike hire, a river cruise, kitesurfing, fishing charters, cultural experiences, skydiving, surfing lessons, oyster tours, and more – in Eurobodalla we’re so spoiled for choice. “You might even encourage family and friends from afar to come and experience our beau ful area for themselves.” If you must buy “things”, line up local, not online. “Buying local directly supports your community – and if it’s locally or sustainably-made, even be er,” she said. “If you need inspira on come along to Art on the Path at Broulee on Sunday 19 December. There you’ll find a whole host of local ar sts and makers showcasing their products – many of which have been upcycled from discarded objects.” Broulee’s Art on the Path will be held 8am-12pm on Sunday 19 December on the shared pathway on Corona on Drive, opposite the Post Office. More ps to reduce your environmental footprint this Christmas include:  Use a live, po ed Christmas tree or plant, which can be kept outdoors year-round.  Consider using decora ons made from natural materials.  Send an e-card as an easy and paper-free alterna ve to tradi onal cards.  Make your own gi s, a home-grown po ed plant or mosaiced house number, perhaps.  Swap bought-wrapping with fabric offcuts or tea towels, reused wrapping paper or gi bags, the kids’ drawings, or make your own paper.  Buy food with minimal packaging, locally-grown products or grow your own.

Above: Broulee’s Art on the Path will be held 8am-12pm on Sunday 19 December on the shared pathway on Corona on Drive, opposite the Post Office.

# and at some point, as you gaze at your navel, you might wonder how it came to be that an advanced ape species managed to turn an incredible, rare, remarkable blue planet into a squalid cesspit in just one genera on.

Community Stephanie Hancock receives inaugural Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 Margaret Saker Volunteer of the Year Award

Stephanie Hancock is the first Quotarian to receive the Margaret Saker OAM Volunteer of the Year award. Margaret Saker, a much-loved Narooma resident and member of Quota for over 29 years, passed away in June 2020. Quota Club Narooma created the award in her honour. “Without Marg’s steadfastness there likely would not have been a club at all,” says current president Sue Fahey, who came up with the idea. “The award is presented annually to a member of our club who has demonstrated outstanding service, just as Marg did.” Since joining Quota Club Narooma in March 2020, Stephanie Hancock has demonstrated a willingness to get involved in all aspects of the organisa on. She was elected vice-president in October 2020 and has been the mentor to new members since that me. She is always one of the first to put up her hand to volunteer for ac vi es and events. The award itself is a handcra ed wooden plaque that incorporates a medallion of Wanda Frey Joiner, who started Quota as a service club for women in Buffalo, New York, in 1919.

Most of us look forward to Christmas. Time with family and friends, a few presents, and that special lunch - seafood, turkey, ham and Christmas pudding with all the trimmings. But for some people in our community, Christmas day is not a day to look forward to. Some cannot afford the cost of pu ng a Christmas day lunch on the table. Others dread the thought of spending Christmas Day alone. But a group of volunteers from the Combined Churches of Batemans Bay get together each year to change that. Their goal is to put on a very special Community Christmas Day Lunch for those who would otherwise probably miss out. Last year the Combined Churches Christmas Day provided a great 3 course lunch with all the trimmings for about 100 people. In 2019 - the Christmas before Covid - the lunch catered for over 120 people. Young and old, singles, families, couples and kids are all invited. The Batemans Bay area is blessed with some wonderfully generous businesses and community organisa ons. Some contribute to the Christmas Day Lunch every year, year in, year out. Some donate money, others donate goods, others donate gi s and others gi vouchers. The Christmas Day Lunch could not happen without them. Then we have the volunteers. A small group work for several months to bring the Christmas Day Lunch together, then a bigger team give up their me on Christmas Day for the big event. The volunteers help pick up guests from their home and drive them to the lunch, greet and book them in, wait on tables with food and drinks, work in the kitchen to put the meals together, and then clean up a erwards. Most importantly we have the guests – those who come along and enjoy a great 3 course Christmas Lunch. We have a present for all the children, and gi s for all the adults. We want this to be an enjoyable and memorable day for our very special guests. If you or your family are struggling to afford a Christmas Day Lunch and would like to join us for this special day, we would love to hear from you. If you are not looking forward to spending Christmas Day Lunch on your own and would much rather have a fully catered, lovely 3 course lunch at one of the special venues on the day, please contact us so that you can join in. We have two venues for the Christmas Day Lunch – the Salva on Army Hall and the Anglican Church Hall. Covid guidelines will be in place at both venues to make sure everyone is kept safe. If you would like to come along, but don’t have transport, we can pick you up from your home, take you to the lunch, then drive you home a erwards At this stage we have enough volunteers to help on the day, but s ll have plenty of room for more guests who would like to be part of the Combined Churches Christmas Day Lunch. Bookings are essen al. Please call the Salva on Army in Batemans Bay on 4472 9644. Numbers are limited, and bookings need to be finalized by 18 December, so please book in early.

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community Work steps up on Batemans Bay coastal walking trail

On-the-ground work has officially begun on the Batemans Bay Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Coastal Headland Walking Trail with the upgrade of some stairs Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 at Caseys Beach. The 14.5-km walking trail traverses public land along the headlands and beaches between Batehaven’s Observa on Point and McKenzies Beach. Eurobodalla Council’s senior project engineer George Workman said the vast majority of works would be low impact; things like dying up tracks, shoring up safety on stairs, bridges and lookouts, and installing the odd picnic bench. “First and foremost this is a nature trail, so this project is really to enhance what’s already here,” he said. “There’s probably about two or three kilometres where we will need to deviate from exis ng tracks because it’s either a li le bit unsafe, too close to private proper es, or we could just put it in a nicer spot. However, we will be looking to avoid taking trees or destroying any vegeta on other than weedy species.” Mr Workman said the schedule of works along the trail would depend on the outcome of various approvals. “It’s not a project where we can start from one end and work through to the other, there’s a whole slew of heritage and environmental approval processes to go through,” he said. “Some components we can start immediately, others we can start soon, but it may appear to be a piecemeal project – as an approval comes in, we’ll get to work.” Early next year a major project will get underway to upgrade Observa on Point, which will serve as the trail’s gateway. A wheelchairaccessible viewing pla orm large enough to cater for small weddings will be installed, as well as upgraded lookout points, integrated Aboriginal and European cultural and historical informa on, formal car parking and picnic areas. From there, the trail will traverse along the headlands and beaches to McKenzies Beach, while a smaller network of inland tracks will allow access during high des and adverse swell condi ons. Eurobodalla Council will maintain the trail. “This is an exci ng project that not only ensures residents and the community retain access to the trail, but it also has the poten al to a ract visitors year-round,” he said. The trail is being built with $5.25m from the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, $672,000 from Building Be er Regions Fund, $145,000 from Bushfire Regional Tourism Fund, $75,000 from Stronger Country Communi es Fund, and contribu ons from Rotary Club and Council. www.iga.com.au/catalogue

Above: Eurobodalla Council’s carpentry works supervisor Steve Dobson and carpenter Josh Mears and start work on the stairs to north Caseys Beach.

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

real estate OUT NOW—your latest Beagle Abode :

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Eurobodalla’s leading real

Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018 estate guide

The beagle abode is an online weekly Eurobodalla real estate guide showcasing the current Eurobodalla market and our many realtors.

The beagle abode is the new addi on to the South Coast Beagle that owns The Beagle and the South Coast Travel Guide: The Nature Coast of NSW : from Durras to The Tilbas The Beagle Abode has been established to provide that service while also providing our readers with a glossy overview of latest proper es on the market each week. You can find Beagle Abode on the Beagle website under REAL ESTATE

The latest Beagle Abode lis ngs are also available each week as a FlipBook on the website and also distributed to readers via our social media pages and our twice weekly mailouts. CLICK HERE: h ps://www.beagleweekly.com.au/real-estate