The Bugle 9 April 2016
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Inside this issue
Kiama gets behind Brett The whole of Kiama breathed a sigh of relief when the swift actions of friends and nurses on the spot saved the life of young local surfer Brett Connellan. Brett was attacked by a shark while surfing at Bombo, losing most of his thigh and injuring his hand. He is still in intensive care at St George Hospital while specialists decide how to best treat his thigh, but he has been moved down to
Friend Evan Batkin with a donation bucket for Brett at Penny Whistler Cafe
ICU2. It is not the place he expected to celebrate his 23rd birthday. “It is looking very promising that they will save his leg,” says Brett’s best mate Nick Clifford who has spent much of the past week with him. “It was a freak accident and the quick actions of Joel Trist, his partner Agie who is an ICU nurse, another nurse who was out swimming and others on the spot saved his life.” Joel brought him in on his board and together they stemmed the blood loss with a tourniquets made from leg ropes. Their efforts cannot be praised highly enough, along with the professionalism of the paramedics, police and hospital staff. Nick says everyone is being positive and looking to the future. “We have started a trust fund for Brett to help with his recovery expenses,” he says. “There are donation buckets around town, or people can donate direct into
the account [details right]. “We are also planning to hold a benefit night, so if people want to donate items to that they should drop in their details to ZINK Surf on Terralong St.” It is the first time the surf loving Kiama community has had to deal with such an incident, and local surfers are still wary about going back out, even though the beaches are now open. Council has instituted regular patrols and is assessing a number of initiatives to provide warning systems, including drones and a blimp. Brett is well known to be against any suggestion of culling. Nick says that Brett is one of the most talented surfers in town. “With Brett, surfing is more of a passion than a sport,” he says. He has a strong network of friends both within the surfing community and beyond who are there to help him and his family through this ordeal.
Performers for KISS Arts Festival announced p3
A word from Brett
Details: Brett Connellan Trust BSB: 012709 Acc No: 298964661
Hey guys, it's Brett here. Finally managed to get a look at Facebook/ Instagram/messages and I can say I'm honestly so humbled and taken back by the support of so many of my friends, family and strangers at this time. While I may not get the chance to reply to everyone, I want you all to know that your kind words and support means the world to me and I love you all! Thank you so many times over! (from facebook)
Councillors outraged by Minister’s request Just before Easter, the NSW Minister for Local Government wrote to all mayors and councillors of LGAs mooted for merger, asking for ‘expressions of interest from councillors who wish to be considered for a role in shaping the new council’. The premature move was explained as being necessary ‘to ensure effective local representation is in place to meet the unique needs of any new local government area’, despite the fact that ‘no decision has
been taken on any merger proposal’. The suggestion was a red flag to Kiama councillors, who are solidly against the merger with Shoalhaven Council. It came at a time when Council revealed its draft budget, to be considered at this month’s meeting, reaches all of the Fit for the Future benchmarks set by the Government to be met by 2019/20. “I was affronted at the letter and found its content to be arrogant, assuming and alarming,” says
Councillor Dennis Seage (right). “This dictatorial government just keeps getting worse. I will certainly NOT be taking the ‘offer’.’ Councillor Andrew Sloan agrees, “This whole forced amalgamation process has been a disgrace, and Minister Toole should be very, very embarrassed about just how low he is willing to stoop to entice compliant councillors to abandon the people who voted for them and start working for the State instead.
Focus on the merger p4-5
What future for Mitre 10 site? p7
History Expo comes to town p 9
Continued on page 6
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What’s on?
Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to emailthebugle@gmail.com or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion
Every Wednesday
17 April
30 April
Kiama Farmers’ Market Kiama Harbour 2-5pm
Riversdale Concert Series: Joseph Tawadros Quartet see bundanon.com.au Kiama Seaside Markets Black Beach, 9-3pm
Community NO photo School Flat, Black Beach, 14 May 4pm (see p 5) Werri Slash and Gerringong Surf Music Festival 10-16 May
On weekends Live music at The Sebel, Kiama Leagues Club, The Mecure, Jamberoo Pub and other venues.
Til 1 May Exhibition by Gitte Backhausen: Ever-changing Little Blowhole Art Bar
9 April Secondhand Saturday Black Beach, 8-noon Gerringong Golf Club Fundraiser Event: Beach Party Gerringong Town Hall, from 7pm. Tickets $20 from Cronin’s Liquor, byo nibbles and drinks.
Lloyd Rees Restored
21 April Kiama Campfire Sessions Scout Hall, $5 Kiama Harbour, 7.30-10
23 April Kiama Makers & Growers Market Black Beach, 9-2pm Jamberoo ANZAC Service 10.30am
24 April Jamberoo Village Market Reid Park, 9-2pm
25 April
ANZAC Day (see p 7) 14 April Dawn Service Kiama, 5am; Dawn Service Kiama Bush Dance Kiama Community Centre Gerringong 6am; March in Kiama 10.30 7.30-10pm, $5
16 April
26 April - 2 May
Family, Local and Social History Expo See p 9 Gerringong Village Market In and around Gerringong Town Hall, 8.30-1.30pm Regional Skateboard Competition See p 9
Kiama Woodcraft Group Exhibition and Sale Old Fire Station, Kiama
Artworks Exhibition Old Fire Station, Kiama
Youthful perspective on dementia issues
Details: Sat 9 April, 3-5pm Kiama Library Auditorium
See the stars of the future Dr Graham Walker will demonstrate his ballistics cannon at the Library’s Science Show
Kiama Kaberet (see right) KISS Arts Festival Kiama Harbour (see p 3) Wings over the Illawarra Albion Park
After the false start of an early Easter, the school holidays are finally here and a number of activities are on offer to keep the young ones entertained. The Library has a variety of activities organised, including craft (morning of 13 April), lego building (evening of 12 April), a movie (afternoon of 22 April) and a Science Show (morning of 21 April). See library.kiama. nsw.gov.au or pop into the Library for details as bookings are required for some.
You're invited to the screening a short film on dementia, made by some local high school students. Their aim is to help raise awareness and understanding of the condition, especially amongst other young people. It will be interesting to see their perspective on this issue, given they are the generation that will have to cope with the expected wave of baby boomers living with the disease. The young film makers worked closely with the Kiama Dementia Advisory Group over the project.
28-29 April 30-1 May
School holidays again
Kiama Tennis Club is again hosting the City Vs Country Tournament for players 8-18 years old. It’s an opportunity to watch some great junior tennis as Kiama competes against the best players from City Community Tennis (based in Surry Hills), Campbelltown and Kiama/ Shellharbour District Tennis Assoc.
Attention Tradies and DIYs
AUTUMN CEMENT SPECIALS No need to leave town, no need to even leave your truck…
Burnetts On Barney are passing on massive autumn price savings Bag prices (+gst) Sand and Cement $5.80 Savings of up to Concrete Mix $6 $3 per bag GP Cement $6.50 Quickset Concrete $6.80 Brighton Lite Off White $8
Details: Fri 15 and Sat 16 April, 8.30-5pm; Sun 17 April 8.30-2pm Kiama Tennis Club, via Noorinan St
Fundraising fashion parade The Kiama Hospital Auxiliary is holding its annual fashion parade - featuring a selection of fashions, shoes, handbags and jewellery by Maci Fashions of Kiama in time for Mother's Day. Entry is $5 which includes afternoon tea and a chance to win lucky door prizes. There will also be a raffle on the day. Details: Mon 18 April, Kiama Bowling Club, 1.30pm. Enquiries to June Powell on 4233 1394
Yes, you can even pre-buy pallets at this trade price! Plus, all trade account customers who spend $500 on any Burnetts On Barney products go in the draw to win back $500 in product. Sale and customer draw ends 30 April.
80 Barney St, Kiama t 4233 1322
The Leisure Centre’s holiday program includes indoor sport or gym fun sessions, which include time swimming with the inflatable pool toy. For more information on dates and times, pop into the Centre or check www.kiama.nsw.gov.au The folks behind the KISS Arts Festival are also running their popular circus workshops for children over most days from 11-27 April, from 10-3pm. Participants will try their hand at juggling, acrobatics, clowning, hula-hoop, unicycling and trapeze, with the added benefit of learning team work and having fun wearing themselves out. The workshops are held in a mini-big top in Hindmarsh Park. Details on www.kissartsfestival.com.au or call 0403 817 549. Our local National Parks, Minnamurra (13 April) and Seven Mile Beach (11 April), are also hosting school holiday workshops, this time featuring photography and kite making respectively. Details nationalparks.nsw.gov.au National Youth Week also falls within the holiday period, with a number of activities being organised by Council for 12-24 year olds.
Adults only comedy caberet As a warm up for the KISS Arts Festival, some of the performers are putting on a Kiama Kabaret with a grown-up twist. Details: Thurs 28 April, Gerringong Town Hall, 7pm and Fri 29 April, Joyce Wheatley Community Centre, Kiama, 7pm. $25 tickets from trybooking.com
SHOP ONLINE for regional and local food Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op based in Gerringong, run by a team of passionate volunteers
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The Bugle Editor: Cathy Law t 0412 415 101 Sales: Steve Law t 0428 662 499
Or email us at emailthebugle@ gmail.com Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, but we are only human.
PO Box 304, Gerringong 2534
Get ready for the KISS Arts Festival lage around the harbour where our audience can be transported into a fantasy land of entertainment, interaction and experience the unexpected” says Evans. “We have three mini venues, a free standing aerial rig, video installations, traditional seaside attractions, food stalls sourced through the Kiama Farmers Market, The Ray White Main Stage and then a whole program of entertainment on the water itself. This year’s Festival promises to be much bigger than before and jam packed full of amazing, free entertainment.” Community involvement in the Festival will come from a number of fronts, including helping to make feature lanterns to include in the Night Lights program (see right) and sports and social groups competing in the inaugural raft race across the harbour. Local schools and music groups will also be involved, and on the Saturday afternoon the crowd will be organised into a giant NO to show their support for keeping Kiama independent (see p 5). Performer Eloise Green The Festival Directors Dave and Tamara reckon have announced a top rank that our proximity to Sydline-up of international perney will give us an extra formers for this year’s readvantage in attracting visi- vamped event, which is betors and funding support. At ing held on the last weekend the moment, the Festival is in April. “We are sticking operating on a shoestring firmly to the original KISS budget, and they are volun- format of mixing world teering their time, connecclass, international street tions and expertise to give theatre performers with the festival the kickstart it local talent,” says Dave. needs. This year’s performers There are two new central include magician Liam elements in the pair’s strat- Power, hula hooper and egy this year: creating a romance seeker Eloise festival village around the Green, comedy street and Harbour and getting the circus act Mr Spin, an intercommunity involved in nationally acclaimed man in owning the event. the moon interactive video “We will be creating a projection, Daniel Nimmo’s shanty town, maritime vilDuke Dreamer, musicians Tijuana and the Cazbah, local blues favourite Nick Rheinberger, Dave Evans and Tamara Campbell’s vision of bringing the fun and community spirit of European village arts festivals to Kiama will become clearer this year when all of the action will take place down at Black Beach. The Kiama-based globe trotting street performers have an unwavering belief in the importance of community arts festivals and see the potential of the KISS Arts Festival to develop into a major event, along the lines of the Fremantle Street Arts Festival. In a short time the latter has grown to be Australia’s largest outdoor theatre festival with over a million attendees each year.
What’s a festival without lanterns? “The harbour is a great natural amphitheatre, and yet the only time the community gets to use it at night is on New Year’s Eve,” says Tamara. “We think it is going to be very atmospheric to have the Festival happening down there under the light of the moon and with lanterns on the water.” For this inaugural Night Lights, it has been decided to focus on a few large floating lanterns to spark everyone’s imaginations for next year. You can help build maritime themed lanterns at a special session being held in Hindmarsh Park. Phil Relf, who has experience in lantern construction for community events around the world (shown), is coming to Kiama a few days before the Festival to teach how to build the lanterns in a workshop setting. “The workshop process is a great way for a community to start taking ownership of their celebrations. Working with experienced community artists, everyone from young children to elderly grand parents can become active participants in the event,” says Phil. The workshop is open to artists and the general public, but with a view to building a group of people who would
Comedian Tommy Dean
young gypsy musicians Doux Manouche, indie folk artist Leo, and dancers extraordinaire Soul Flamenco. There will also be a special performance by Jazz & Blues Festival favourite Jan Preston, as she plays a live accompaniment to the silent film, The Kid Stakes. The headline act on Saturday night on the centre stage will be American raised, Australian by choice comedian Tommy Dean who will be known by many readers as a regular on ABC Radio’s Thank God It’s Friday. Keeping everyone in line in her indomitable way will be Kiama’s favourite, Kikki Bittovabitsch, fresh from her performances at the Adelaide Fringe and The Gumball Festival. As if they haven’t enough to do, Dave and Tamara are also presenting the cult adults-only Kiama Kabaret in Gerringong and Kiama on the days leading up to the Festival (see p2). “Ray White Kiama is proud to be a founding sponsor of the KISS Arts Festival,” says principal Michele Lay. “We urge the community to embrace and enjoy this wonderful event.” Details: Sat 30 April (2-10pm) and Sunday 1 May (10-5pm), Kiama Harbour. Free entry.
Go on, get involved
Dave and Tamara test out the location as their alter egos Pascale and Kiki
Be part of this community event by: • Joining in the lantern workshop (see above) • Rounding up a team to make a raft for the race across the harbour. Contact Dave at contact@kissartsfestival.com.au to tell him you’re on board • Arranging to meet your friends there and telling people about it • Volunteering to help with the pack up and set down of the infrastructure again, contact Dave 3
have this skill to utilise for lantern making at future festivals (not just KISS Arts). Details: The KISS Arts Festival Lantern making workshop will be held on Saturday 23 April in La Petite Grande Tent in Hindmarsh Park from 1-5pm. The workshop will be free, but you need to phone Tamara on 0403 817 549 to rsvp. All materials for making the lanterns for the Festival will be provided.
FOCUS ON THE PROPOSED MERGER In the lead-up to Kiama going to the polling booths to show its opposition to the proposed merger with Shoalhaven Council, on Saturday May 7, The Bugle will be devoting extra space to the issues involved.
Plebiscite ‘most important vote in Kiama’s history’ Keep Kiama Council Local Committee Chairman Rob McKinnon says residents should treat the Forced Amalgamation Plebiscite on May 7 as the most important local government vote in the municipality’s 157 year history. At the plebiscite, residents will be asked whether they are in favour of Kiama amal-
gamating with any other council. Former councilor McKinnon has urged a massive voter turn-out and a resounding NO vote. “This is arguably the most important vote in Kiama Council’s history,” he says. “Mayors and councillors come and go, but we face the prospect of losing the
Invitation KIAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE INC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 3rd May 2016 The Board of Management of Kiama Community College Inc cordially invite you to attend our AGM. When:
5:45pm on Tuesday 3 May 2016
Where:
Kiama Community College Inc Auditorium, 7 Railway Pde, Kiama
Guest speaker: Chloe Hancock, Manager of RichmondPRA Chloe will give insight into the support and services that RichmondPRA provide for people experiencing a mental health condition. She will also discuss Kiama Community College Inc’s partnership with RichmondPRA to provide vocational training for people experiencing a mental health condition. Please RSVP to Leanne on 4232 1050 or leanne.spence@kcc.nsw.edu.au by 29/4/2016. Light refreshments will be served.
whole council and everything that this community has worked so hard to develop, and the high quality services we currently enjoy. “It is vitally important that we show the NSW Government the extent of community opposition to this forced amalgamation proposal. We have got so much to lose if our communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra are forced to become part of a greatly expanded Shoalhaven. “We will lose representation, services and our identity, as well as valuable community assets such as the Bluehaven retirement complex.” Mr McKinnon says the plebiscite is an important element of the campaign to convince the Government to abandon the forced amalgamation. “We have already had an IRIS Research survey that shows 92% of residents are opposed to the forced amalgamation. We need to harness that sentiment and make sure that residents turn out in their thousands to vote and send the message to Premier Baird and his Government loud and clear.”
The plebiscite will be a formal poll conducted at the usual polling booths throughout the Kiama area, with a pre-poll booth at the Kiama Pavilion from April 26 until polling day. Voters will be asked to vote yes or no to one question: Do you want Kiama Council to amalgamate with another Council? Mr McKinnon says that unlike in normal council elections, voting is not compulsory. “That means that it is even more important that we get a large voter turnout. I urge
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everyone who cares about this community to not only vote, but encourage their family, friends and neighbours to do the same.” “We need a massive NO
vote to show the government that it would be a huge mistake to force this amalgamation on Kiama Council and the residents of this
The Republic of Kiama? Kiama opposition to the merger continues to get prominence in Macquarie St. On 8 March, in the Legislative Council, Greens MLC David Shoebridge said: “The Liberal heartland is in open revolt against the Baird Government. It is not just in the centre of the city or the northern and eastern suburbs of Sydney that we are finding the revolt; the national heartland across regional and rural New South Wales is also in open revolt. “That is why they are about to declare the independent republic of Kiama.”
FOCUS ON THE PROPOSED MERGER
The evidence is against ‘bigger is better’ for local government
Join in the big NO
Brian Dollery, Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Local Government of the University of New England, wrote the following for The Conversation, and has given us permission to reprint it. Hard-pressed ratepayers in New South Wales and Queensland need no reminding of the perils of municipal amalgamation. NSW experienced a sharp dose of forced mergers in 2004. Queenslanders underwent draconian council consolidation under the Beattie government in 2008. NSW is now on the cusp of a further round of mergers being inflicted on unwilling councils. In all three cases, the architects of compulsory amalgamation have been under the sway of the dogma that “bigger is better” in local government. Ratepayers are told amalgamation will herald a new dawn of lower rates, cheaper services, improved service quality, enhanced financial viability and superior administration and planning. In NSW, the Baird government has especially emphasised the financial advantages of municipal amalgamation. These claims are typically presented as the outcome of careful research and deliberation. Mergers tested in real-world experiment
Are these claims consistent with the empirical evidence? My colleagues Brian Bell and Joseph Drew and I investigated this question for NSW’s 2004 forced amalgamations. We took advantage of being able to use 2014 data to compare the performance of merged councils with their unmerged counterparts over ten years. We compared amalgamated “general purpose” councils with their un-amalgamated peer councils in the same local government classification. We thus had the benefit of a “natural experiment”, being able to compare the two groups of “like” councils against a common set of performance indicators. Our peer-reviewed research paper will be published shortly. The criteria we used for this comparison included four the Baird government is using under its “Fit for the Future” program – operating performance, own-source revenue, building and infrastructure renewal, and asset maintenance ratios – as well as council employees per capita. We found no statistically significant differences in the performance of the two groups of councils against these criteria. This falsifies past claims by the Carr Labor government that its forced amalgamations would substantially improve NSW local government financial performance. It also undermines the Baird Coalition govern-
ment’s claims for its proposed mergers. Evidence mounts against ‘bigger is better’
Other research provides additional damning evidence. For example, Joseph Drew, Mike Kortt and I examined the outcomes of forced amalgamations in Queensland in 2008. These reduced the number of councils from 157 to just 73. Our research demonstrated that this resulted in a greater proportion of councils exhibiting diseconomies of scale. That is, mergers created entities that were simply too large to be run efficiently. Furthermore, of the 31 new councils the mergers created, 58% exhibit decreasing returns to scale. Comparing their efficiency through time, we found merged councils performed worse than unmerged councils. Finally, Elizabeth Sinnewe, Mike Kortt and I recently tested the claim that “bigger is better” by examining the financial performance of Australia’s largest council by population, Brisbane City. In our recently published analysis, we compared Brisbane City Council to Sydney City Council, the average of six southeast Queensland councils and the average of ten metropolitan NSW councils. We did so using four measures of financial performance – financial flexibility, liquidity, debt service capacity and asset management. Between 2008 and 2011, the three comparator groups outperformed Brisbane Council in financial flexibility, liquidity and debt-servicing ability. Taken together, these three papers cast doubt over the continuing dogma that “bigger is better”. They also add to the empirical literature on municipal mergers by demonstrating that “biggest is not best” either. In particular, the financial performance of local authorities does not improve as advocates of amalgamation contend. On the contrary, amalgamated municipalities often perform worse than their unmerged counterparts. Amid the controversy over the Baird government’s compulsory council consolidation program, our findings underline the foolishness of making public policy in an “evidence-free” manner. If forced amalgamations proceed, we may well see hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer and ratepayer funds squandered simply because policymakers preferred dogma to empirical evidence.
NO
A picture paints a thousand words. You are invited to join your friends and neighbours to help form a visual representation of our community’s clear response to the proposed amalgamation. Aerial photo being taken at 4pm on Saturday 30 April. Stay on to enjoy the KISS Arts Festival’s Night Lights event. For those who read this early enough: Following the success of its recent brainstorming sessions, the Keep Kiama Council Local committee is hosting a public workshop from 1.30pm on Sun 10 April in the Saddleback Room at the Kiama Pavilion. The workshop will focus on ways to ensure a high voter turnout on 7 May. All welcome.
Other developments Legal action Other councils, as disparate as Woolahra and Walcha, have launched legal action against the State Government over the merger proposals, citing issues on various fronts.
FOI request The Greens have lodged a Freedom of Information request to obtain access to the reports of the investigating Delegates, most of which have already been lodged with the Boundaries Commission. It is the Government’s intention not to release the reports until after the decision on the mergers has been announced. The Government has still not released the KPMG Report.
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Councillors’ outrage “This is a disgusting ‘divide and conquer’ approach from the Government, and I never considered for a moment applying for a job that would see the demise of Kiama Council.” Councillor Neil Reilly is just as adamant, “I will not be responding to the State Government’s offer to take up a role in an undemocratically merged council. In 2012 the community elected nine councillors to serve their needs until September 2016, and they are the ones, the only ones, who can legitimately elect their local representatives. “It is the clear plan of the NSW State Government to force-merge many councils, but their clear plan has been very poorly executed. There have been rule changes, back flips, financial anomalies and counter-
promise of NO FORCED AMALGAMATIONS.” factual arguments. They have made misGavin McClure agrees, “When elected takes, not the least of which is to take on four and a half years ago I was so proud the people of Kiama and district. to be able to represent not just the people “The Premier will not visit to put his case, that voted for me, but the broader Kiama nor will the minister…cowardice on top of LGA community. I was never told then incompetence. that some three and a half years later “On May 7th the Electoral Commission I would be asked to turn my back on this is running an election here to determine fantastic community and side with the very whether we should be amalgamated. I urge people that have shown total disregard for you to vote NO. Remember, to have your the democratic process that we have known voice heard, you must vote.” for over 150 years, and total disrespect to Councillor Mark Honey says he will not the people that make up this Community. be responding to the letter, “To accept the “It is very likely that the letter writers minister’s invitation to be a government could very well be the ones looking for a appointed representative on an amalgajob. No thank you Mr Toole!” mated entity would legitimise an undemoTo express their interest, each councillor cratic process that has been forced upon the was asked to indicate they had the qualities NSW electorate, breaking the Government’s the Government is looking for in the people continued from page 1
it selects to help with the implementation of the merged councils. Councillor Kathy Rice analysed the commitment required in depth. “I interpreted two of his criteria to be so subjective that I couldn’t meet them if Kiama Council was forcibly merged with Shoalhaven. “Willingness to make decisions that are in the best long term interest of the broader community wouldn’t be possible, since an amalgamation would diminish the best long term interest of the Kiama community which elected me. “Desire to represent the views of the community would also become an exercise in frustration. I have the desire to represent our community, but just as the current antiamalgamation view we represent doesn’t seem to be heard by the State, the Kiama community views will also not be heard as intently in the reduced representation of a different and much larger council.” Then there are the three criteria applying to the acceptance of the merged council and promoting it to the community. “To me, that would feel like I was a spokesperson for the misleading Stronger Councils, Stronger Communities advertising campaign that was used in newspaper advertising by the Government, to sway public opinion. I couldn’t wholeheartedly do this as I would be misleading people by implying that the new arrangements would meet their needs and provide for them better in the long term,” she says. Councillor Mark Way believes the approach was inappropriate and not well thought out by the Minister. “Whoever signed off on that proposal and presented it to the minister clearly lacked political knowledge and severely underestimated the impact on councillors and senior council staff.” He remains confident that the merger will not proceed. Mayor Brian Petschler and Councillor Warren Steel are travelling at the moment, but it is understood on good authority that they will not be responding to the request. In a later, related development, letters were sent to general managers of affected councils asking them to apply for a job in the merged entity. This has led the Local Government Professional Association to raise various questions about the process with the Premiers Department. “I support their stand, and don’t intend to apply,” says Kiama General Manager Michael Forsyth.
Different response from the Shoalhaven The Bugle asked the same question of Shoalhaven councillors and the mayor, Joanna Gash. Only two councillors, Clive Robertson and Andrew Guile, replied. Both of them said that while they opposed the merger, they would be lodging their expression of interest in being involved with the next step. “If the ridiculous were to occur, I am keen to see it go with sensible and reasonable efforts made to maximise representation for ratepayers,” said Robertson. “Clearly, any merger decision is not ours to make and if it does transpire then our role is to make the best of the circumstances in which we would find ourselves,” said Guile. “An administrator is a second best alternative in my view so I’m encouraging all current councillors to put their names forward.” 6
What future for Mitre 10? General Manager Michael Forsyth has told us that Council has approached four real estate agents for expressions of interest in managing the lease of its Mitre 10 site, and details of the successful agent will be released in a week or so. He said that Council has received a number of proposals for the site - regarding leasing, developing or acquiring it - and these various options will be considered by Council. One person who put her hat in the ring to run a popup shop collective there in the interim is Emily Gough. She is the instigator of the pop-up emporium in Collins St. After a short hiccup with the lease, the group of over twenty stallholders are reopening there shortly, under the new name, The Collective, Kiama. “I would love to move to Mitre 10, but was told a decision wouldn’t be made for months. Why leave it vacant until even then?” she says. “It would be better for it to be a vibrant hub of new businesses while final decisions are made.”
Dawn service returns to Lighthouse
Issues in law By Catherine Holz, Carter Ferguson Solicitors
Pool owners beware From 29 April 2016 any residential property in NSW with a swimming pool or spa pool cannot be sold or any new residential tenancy agreement cannot be entered into without proof of compliance. All swimming pools or spa pools must be registered on the NSW Government’s Swimming Pool Register. Proof of registration and a copy of a valid Certificate of Compliance or a relevant Occupation Certificate must be attached to the sale contract or the new residential tenancy agreement. You can check to see if a swimming pool or spa is registered and whether a Certificate of Compliance has been issued by logging on to the NSW Government’s Swimming Pool Register at www.swimmingpoolregister. nsw.gov.au. Pools can be registered online. How long is a Certificate of Compliance valid?
A swimming pool Certificate of Compliance is valid for three years from its date of issue. When is an Occupation Certificate adequate?
A relevant Occupation Certificate may be used instead of a swimming pool Certificate of Compliance if it is less than three years old and authorises the use of the swimming pool. Definition of a swimming pool
Following much feedback from last year’s Centenary of ANZAC Dawn Service at Blowhole Point, a decision has been made to hold this year’s service there rather than at the Memorial Arch. The Arch will continue to the focus of the main March and Service later in the day. Close to 5000 people attended the ceremony last year, on the site of Kiama’s first Dawn Service. Kiama’s lighthouse is the only one in Australia to display the Centenary of ANZAC emblem throughout the commemorative period. See page 2 for details of times.
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A swimming pool is defined as an excavation, structure or vessel that is capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 30cm and is used for swimming, wading, paddling or any other human aquatic activity. Generally this includes, but is not limited to, swimming pools and spa pools. How can an owner organise an inspection and obtain a Certificate of Compliance?
Local councils and accredited certifiers registered with the Building Professionals Board can carry out a swimming pool barrier inspection and issue a Certificate of Compliance if all the safety requirements are met.
Use a local Perfect conditions Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810
Carpenters John O’Donnell Carpentry: All property maintenance - decks, pergolas, windows etc. No job too small. Lic R77219 t 0401 301 620
Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree care service - skilled, insured professionals for all tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and mulching. t 4233 1311
Builders Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpinning, insurance/structural repairs. All building work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000
Plumbers Kiama Plumbing & Drainage: Affordable, reliable plumbing and gasfitting services. t 0405 654 035
Removalists For a competitive quote ring Anywhere Removals on 0430 376 890 Our listing of local businesses providing trades & services is designed as a handy reference for people wanting to get work done by a local. At just $10/line, it’s a great way to grow your business. Contact Steve on 0428 662 499 or at bugleadvertising@gmail.com
for the Big Fish The 14th annual Kiama Leagues Club Blowhole Big Fish Classic drew a record 31 boats and 107 anglers from Sydney to Ulladulla and out to Canberra. $20,000 in prizes, featuring Shimano products, Black Magic Harness sets, Momoi line and JB Lures, combined with excellent boating facilities at Kiama provide all the ingredients to lure anglers to this event which continues to grow in statue within the game fishing fraternity each year. A good weather report and warm water added some late entries for boats which generally operate 10 to 20 nautical miles off Kiama in this competition. Saturday’s good seas and sunny conditions saw boats launching at Kiama ramp and leaving Kiama Harbour in search of the marlin, with blue marlin being the main target. During the course of the day, Chrissy Meneghel from Canberra, fishing on Escape, captured a big yellowfin tuna on a JB Mongrel lure early in the morning. It was later weighed at 66kg and she took out Heaviest Tuna and Champion Lady Angler Capture. Kiama Junior angler Lachlan Rogers, fishing on Karisma, got
into the action with a 123kg blue marlin that won him Heaviest Marlin for the tournament and Champion Junior Angler Capture. Witchdoctor, with skipper Paul Allen from Shoalhaven, tagged and released a 100kg black marlin fishing on the Banks to give them Most Marlin on a count back. Local boat Storm Bay, skippered by Alex McAdam, got amongst the mahi mahi to win Most Other Game Fish Tag & Release. Shark fishing was relatively quiet although Kiama boat Like a Tiger, with angler Belinda Colbeck on the rod, tagged a Whaler shark. Too Small from Shoalhaven hooked a big mako shark estimated at 250kg at the Banks but eventually lost it after a long fight. Saturday night’s Tournament dinner at Kiama Leagues Club turned up trumps for young Nathan Wilson who won the Lucky Angler draw and a Shimano Stella 30,000SW valued at $1,300. That was a very popular win with the Wilsons being a prominent Kiama fishing family. Report by Mark Way Top: Lachlan Rogers with his 123kg blue marlin Right: Chrissy Meneghel with her 66kg yellow fin
To the editor I read the article on caravan and boats parking on the footpath. I presume this also applies to cars and trucks. The poor old ranger will have a field day. I’m sure he will raise enough revenue in fines so as residents won’t have to pay council rates. What a great idea to get everyone to park legally. Well it would be if the roads were a decent width. If you want to fix the problem, fix the damn streets from the start. Council has a lot to answer for. Every resident in Kiama Municipality should take not that fines can apply. So residents, especially in the new estates, park legally and see what chaos unfolds. Regards Peter Hallinan
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History Expo will Skate comp As part of Youth Week, Kiama Youth Services (known have something as SENTRAL) is working with for everyone the Sydney Regional Skate-
Sue Lark of the Kiama Family History Centre loves her work, and it shows. Her enthusiasm for using her professional research skills to help people find the missing link in their family trees, or help them to understand the context in which their ancestors lived, is a great asset to our community. Under her leadership, and with the help of well trained volunteers, the Centre is a world class genealogical research facility which attracts queries from far and wide. As part of this year’s National Trust Heritage Festival, Sue has again organised another Family, Local and Social History Expo to give people one-stop access to a wide range of groups and services. “We have 35 groups from throughout NSW, Qld and NSW coming along to share their experience,” she says. These include family history groups, museums, convict interest groups, historical societies, libraries, archives, online service providers and specialist historians more than willing to talk to you about your history query or solve a mystery. The Expo was last held in 2014, and Sue is hoping as many people as possible come along to this year’s event. “Last time over 800 people attended, despite atrocious weather making it very difficult to arrive without getting drenched.” She stresses you don’t have to be a family history buff to find something of interest. “We hope people will come and bring along their history questions or perhaps share their own history knowledge with us.’’ Speakers will include Ray Thorburn on assisted and unassisted immigration to Australia, Gail Davis from the State Archives and Carole Riley from Land Records in NSW. “People now have information from around the world at their fingertips but they often lack the experience to decipher the information they source or know what step to take next,” says Sue. “That is where we and these other organisations can help.”
boarders Association to hold a skateboarding competition, with a range of divisions and best trick competitions, on 16 April at Kiama Skate Park, from 9-5pm. The best skaters on the South Coast will be there, as there will be prizes, music, giveaways and great skills on display. Registration is from 8am on the day and is only $10.
Details: Sat 16 April, The Pavilion Kiama, 9.30am-4pm. First talk 9.45am Free entry.
Kiama Post Office in the 1880s
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Out & about At the Kiama Farmers’ Market special Seniors event A large crowd of all ages attended the Seniors Festival event at the Kiama Farmers’ Market, but it was the area’s older citizens that were made feel special. Alive & Cooking’s James Reeson did cooking demonstrations and won hearts, newly trained baristas made free coffees, Burnetts on Barney gave away pots of herbs and there were even volunteers on hand to carry shopping. Lynne Turner was elected to be the bell ringer. She lives in Albion Park but had never been to the market before. She heard the Seniors event being discussed on the radio and thought it would be a great way to spend the afternoon. She loved it and will be back! Sue and Jerry Granger-Holcombe are market regulars
The Kiama Bridge Club took the opportunity play bridge at the market to attract new members. From L to R: Margaret West, Michael Blyth, Maggie Sweeney, Libby Hanan and Prue Currie
Dave and Jenny from Gerringong having a lovely day and enjoying a free Seniors coffee from "Seniors Sentral Café" - offered in conjunction with the Sentral Youth Service Kiama and The Brooding Italian
Marj Carter with Leonie Goodsell. James gave Leonie the bouquet of flowers at the end of his demo, much to her delight. They loved the day.
While a long way off being a Senior, Dane Robinson is a HUGE fan of James Reeson. His mum Sally said he was his "number 1 fan" and was so excited to meet James and have his photo taken.
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Kiama locals and regular market goers Robin Waters and MaryJane and David Burke. They loved the cooking demos and the free take-home potted herbs.
The Bugle Crossword ACROSS 1. Alternating current; famous rock and roll band 8. Largest ocean 9. Northernmost point in continental Australia (4,9) 12. This manufacturer won the 2016 Australian F1 GP 13.View something from afar with these 15. Irish spelling of whisky 18. Flat bottom boat for carrying heavy loads 19. Found in nucleus of a cell: shaped like a double helix 20. The final aggregate 21. Tarred road surface 22. The major material used in the construction of The Coathanger 24. Soft drink. Goes well with Gin 25. School pupil 28. Steal 29. Upon which one writes with a pen or prints from a computer 31. Assume a reclining position 32. “The greatest story ever told” 34. A wry face or mouth. A mow 35. Local Gerringong football team 36. Young dog 37. Slang for a case of stubbies 38. Building where birds are kept 40. Abbreviation for a word for rev. counter 43. New Zealand city devastated by earthquakes 45. Long stretch of open level ground for walking beside the seashore 46. Terminus of electric railway on the South Coast DOWN 1. Break up into small particles;spray very finely 2. A collection of things to be handled together 3. Operating system on IBM/ Microsoft style PC 4. Minced cooked meat fried in deep fat 5. A current RAAF transport plane based at Richmond NSW 6. Moses brought ten of these down from the mount 7. Also Known As 10. Main street of Jamberoo 11. Swedish pop group 1980s 14. Provides access to first floor from the ground floor and vice versa
15. Tells the time. Normally worn on the wrist 16. Unit of rhythm in poetry 17. Sydney suburb affected by the new lock-out laws (5,5) 18. Powers a portable radio 23. Access road from Wollongong coast to top of escarpment (5,4) 24. Short and fat 26. Leading USA republican presidential candidate 27. Calculating machine 29. Large seabirds 30. Form of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state 33. Place from which you can borrow books 39. “Turn grass into lawn with a -----” 41. Plural of high value playing card 42. Male deer 44. Faster than a jog
Last issue’s solution
Enjoy buying fresh food weekly from growers and makers Mid-year trading hours
2 - 5pm
Every Wednesday Black Beach The Bugle crossword is compiled by Stephen Law
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U3A Monday Talks
Postcard home
U3A has released its program of Monday Talks for Term 2. The talks are a popular addition to its weekly classes, which include everything from Tai Chi to computing and other special interests.
Postcard from Belpech At last we have been able to return to our beautiful village for an extended period. The timely sale of my business last year provided Phil and me with our much longed for retirement. So here we are, with the prospect of a lovely, long European stay ahead of us. Unlike many small rural villages, Belpech is growing. Since we purchased Chez ‘Roo in 2013, a new pre-school has opened, a medical centre is being built and lovely little epicerie specialising in local cheeses and other specialty groceries, has opened to the joy of the locals. Happily, some things don’t change – Phillippe the butcher still puts his rotisserie out the front of his shop every Sunday morning, tempting us all with his beautiful plump, golden roasted chickens. Our French home has provided us with a much greater opportunity to house swap, so we jumped at the offer of Easter in Pamplona, Spain – a mere 5 hours drive away. We stayed overnight at the foot of the Pyrenees, in the lovely town of Oloron Sainte Marie - notable for its charming scenery, 12th century church, beautiful, locally woven table linen AND the Lindt factory…. Leaving Oloron, we dawdled our way through the Pyrenees via the beautiful Valley d’Aspe. Being early spring the mountains were still well endowed with snow. There is not enough space here to start to describe the majesty and beauty of the mountains and the unique charm of the villages along the way. Blue sky, crisp white mountains and huge birds of prey soaring on the upper thermals – our hearts were full with the joy of being alive and blessed with the privilege of just being here. Oh - Easter in Pamplona! - that will have to wait ‘til next time…….. Lesley Mathieson-Smith
May 2 Prof Ian McLean Indigenous Art in the Age of Enlightenment Sydney 1788-1830 May 9 Dr David Bain Conserving Our Local Threatened Species May 16 John Smith* Animal Ethics Committees May 23 Wendy Leatheam* Diamonds: Are They Really a Girl’s Best Friend? May 30 John Pritchett* The Schlieffen Plan June 6 Peter Morris* The Lunar Society June 13 Harry Sprintz An Architectural Vision for Kiama June 20 Dr Sue Feary Aboriginal Archaeology of the NSW South Coast *Members of Kiama U3A
If you’d like to share your travel experiences, send your postcard home to emailthebugle@gmail.com
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Details: The Talks are held from 2-4pm at the North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre, Meehan Drive. Gold coin donation for tea/coffee and biscuits. TERM 2 U3A enrolments are being held at the Centre on 25 and 26 April, 2-4pm. Modest course fees and a membership fee of $25 apply.